HOME COMMUNICATOR
How can it be that we’re already at this point in the summer? It feels like summer mode is finally in full swing, and it’s almost hard to believe that a new school year is just around the corner. We at Hudsonville Christian School hope you’re able to enjoy these remaining weeks. There’s still time to make meaningful memories, and we encourage you to soak in the moments together.
That said, we are working diligently in preparation for the start of school in just about three weeks. While summer continues, the anticipation for the year ahead is beginning to grow by the day. We are also eagerly awaiting to witness how God will work through our school theme: “Follow His Footsteps.” This year’s theme comes from Ephesians 5:1–2: “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
We recognize that families and students may be feeling a mix of emotions as we move closer to the first day of school. Maybe there’s a quiet excitement or maybe a bit of uncertainty. What will this year hold? What challenges will we face? What joys will surprise us? How will God help us grow?
The truth is, we don’t have all the answers. We don’t yet know the exact path ahead. But we do know who goes before us and whose footsteps we’re ca
lled to follow: Jesus! Following Jesus doesn’t mean we’ll have everything figured out, but it does mean we walk with trust, purpose, and the assurance that He leads the way.
As we all prepare for a great year at Hudsonville Christian School, we hope the following information is helpful and supports a smooth, successful start to the school year. Thank you for the continued opportunity to partner with you in challenging minds and lives for Christ.
In His service,
Devon K. Brinks
Superintedndent
SCHOOL-WIDE NEWS
FACTS RenWeb
HCS utilizes FACTS RenWeb as our school management software program. Parent login can be found at https://hv-mi.client.renweb.com/pw/. Here you will find your child’s class list, homework and report cards. The HCS school directory can also be accessed through RenWeb. If you experience any difficulty signing in to FACTS RenWeb, please contact Lane Lems at llems@4hcs.org.
Class Lists
Class lists are accessible through FACTS RenWeb. Seeing class lists for the first time can bring about a lot of emotions. Some will feel joy and excitement, while others might feel some anxiety or even shed a tear. Please know that we have confidence in all of our staff members. They invest a lot of time, energy and prayer into creating these lists and have to consider many factors along the way. Unfortunately, we are not able to make changes to the class lists once they are finalized in the summer. We are praying that God will bless each student as they prepare for the new school year!
- Hudsonville Christian’s District Code is HV-MI
Student Allergy/Medical Condition Form
Parents, it is important that you update your student’s medical record form on FACTS Renweb parent portal. We would especially like you to include allergies (food, insect, other) or medical conditions (asthma, seizure, other) that may require attention by our staff during the school year. Please describe the condition, tell us about the symptoms, alert us to medication that may have to be administered in such a situation and where it is located, what steps should be taken to care for your child. Please contact the office with any questions you may have. To access this form on FACTS Renweb, follow these steps.
- Login to FACTS Family Portal
- Click on the Family tab
- Click on Family Home
- Click Family Demographic Form
- Under Student Medical, click on Student Medical Form for the child you wish to edit
- Edit and save information.
HCS Website
The HCS website is an important resource for parent information. From the “Current Families” section of our website you can access the Home Communicator, the school calendar, the parent handbook, homework links, current forms and much more!
School Supply Lists
The lists showing supplies that are needed for students are available on our website.
Open House & Expo
Join us Monday, August 18 from 5:30-7:00 PM. The HCS Open House is a night for students in Y5s-8th grade and their parents to tour the school buildings, see their classroom, locker and to reconnect with or meet new families. An EXPO (at the elementary building) will feature many of HCS’s events and programs such as the Parents’ Club, Septemberfest, Math Pentathlon, Robotics and much more!
First Day of School
Our first day of school is Wednesday, August 20 for students in Young 5s – 8th Grade. School begins at 7:50 AM and dismissal is at 2:40 PM. Students may be dropped off starting at 7:30 AM. Preschool classes begin September 2 & 3.
New HCS Staff
We are excited to welcome new staff members to HCS this year! Click HERE to meet them!
Busing
Bus routes and information will be coming from Hudsonville Public School and Unity Christian School soon! If you have questions about busing please contact the Hudsonville Public School Transportation Department or Unity Christian High School.
Limited Busing
There are a few school days this year where we will not have regular busing from Hudsonville Public School. Those days are as follows: August 20-21 PM only, August 22, October 31, February 9 & 10, May 22, May 29 PM only. On Limited Busing days HPS will offer limited routes only. The following buses will run their regular route: 57, 76, and 78. If your HPS bus number is not mentioned in this limited busing list, you will need to provide your own transportation on these days
Limited Busing for the first week of school
On August 20 & 21 morning routes will run as normal but afternoon busing will be limited. On Friday, August 22 both morning and afternoon routes will be limited. The following buses will run their regular route: 57, 76, and 78. If your HPS bus number is not mentioned in this limited busing list, you will need to provide your own transportation on these days. Unity busing is not affected by HPS limited busing, those routes will run as normal.
Early Release Dates
We will participate in some of Hudsonville Public’s early release dates again this year. These dates will be on Friday afternoons and dismissal time will be at 11:10 a.m. During these afternoons our staff will be engaged in valuable professional development. The dates we will participate in early release are September 26, December 12, January 16, February 27, March 20, May 8. Please note these days on your calendar. Hudsonville Public buses will be running on these early release dates, but students riding Unity buses will need to arrange for transportation home.
Bible Curriculum Update
HCS will pilot a new Bible curriculum, Love God, Love Others, in the 2025–26 school year! Families—check your email for details about why this curriculum was chosen and how it supports our mission to challenge minds and lives for Christ. Want to learn more? Stop by our table in the Elementary building during the annual Open House on Monday, August 18. There will not be a formal presentation, but it will offer the opportunity to see samples of Love God, Love Others materials and talk with staff members about this exciting new Bible curriculum.
School Spirit Store – Get your HCS & Firehawk Gear!
Exciting News, HCS Families! Our online school apparel store is now open! Check out a great selection of youth and adult items featuring the HCS logo and a new Firehawks design! Whether you’re looking for gear for your student or something for yourself, there’s something for everyone! The store is open until August 26, 2025. hcsgearstore25.itemorder.com
Visitor & Emergency Management System
We are preparing to implement the Raptor Technologies Visitor Management and Emergency Management Systems. This is another step toward enhancing campus security while maintaining smooth and familiar routines for families. More information will be shared in the coming weeks to help you prepare for this transition.
CHILDWATCH Attendance Line – 616-379-0332
If your child will not be at school when school begins each day, we ask parents to call the Childwatch line (see above) with information about the absence – whether it’s an appointment, illness, vacation, etc. This number will connect you to the answering system and you can leave a message.
Please be sure to call this number BEFORE school starts for the day. You can call this number the night before – or even in the middle of the night – to let us know your child will not be at school. Thank you for helping attendance run smoothly!
Student Photo Use
During the school year, photos and videos may be taken by HCS staff of our students in order to document our events and memories! These images may be included in print or electronic materials( i.e. website/social media/promotional). If you do NOT wish for your child(ren) to be included in these photos/videos, please fill out this form.
Substitute Teaching
As we start planning for the new school year, we would like to build our list of people able to substitute teach in the Middle School and/or in the Elementary School. If you would be interested in subbing, please contact the Middle School office at 616-379-0338 or by email msoffice@4hcs.org or the Elementary office at 616-669-6689 or email cpalmbos@4hcs.org.
Volunteers Needed!
Auction Committee Members
The Parents’ Club Board is asking you to consider volunteering on the Auction Committee! We are in need of additional volunteers to help plan and facilitate the Auction that will take place in the spring of 2026! This is an important event for our school and a great way to build community! If you are willing to serve in this way click HERE to sign up! Questions? contact pcb@4hcs.org or auction@4hcs.org.
Room Parent Volunteers
Thank you to everyone that has volunteered to be a room parent for this school year! We are still in need of a few more volunteers in the following classrooms. If you have a child in one of these classrooms listed below, please consider volunteering as a room parent. Email roomparents@4hcs.org for more information or to sign up. Thank you!
- Lein (Y5s) – 2
- Seaver (K) – 1
- DeLong (K) – 2
- Ymker (K) – 2
- Wierda (1st) – 1
- Buteyn (2nd) – 1
- E. Neher (2nd) – 2
- DeBoer (3rd) – 1
- Thompson (3rd) – 2
- Vos (4th) – 1
- Meengs (5th) – 1
- L. Neher (5th) – 1
- Huisman (6th) – 1
- Schaap (6th) – 2
- Lowe (7th) – 2
- Leerar (8th) – 1
- Brower (8th) – 1
Cookie Day Co-Leads
We are in need of 2 people to coordinate volunteers, obtain cookie supplies, and oversee/bake cookies one Friday a month, September – May. This volunteer opportunity is worth 25 points! Click HERE to sign up!
Elementary Playground Monitor
We are in need of volunteers to help cover the elementary playground during recess! Having additional adults on the playground helps keep our kids safe. Please check out this SignUpGenius link to sign up and earn volunteer points! Thank you for considering this important opportunity!
Elementary Lunch Room Volunteers
We need just a few more volunteers to get our lunch room up and running for Y5s-4th grade. We already have a great group of parents and grandparents who set up tables for lunch, monitor students during lunch, manage clean up and put away tables on a set day every-other week. We have spots open on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Come join our team!
HCS Clay Shoot
Come out and support the Hudsonville Christian School Tuition Assistance Fund at our annual Sporting Clay Shoot at Blendon Pines on September 6. It doesn’t matter if you’re a novice or an expert shooter, this promises to be a fun event with something for everyone. For more information or to register click HERE.
Harvest Family Fun Day- Save the Date!
It’s a Hudsonville Christian tradition! This year save Saturday, October 4th from 3:00-5:00 on your calendar for the Harvest Family Fun Day! We would love to see everyone from preschoolers to 8th graders, come out for cotton candy/doughnuts/cider/popcorn. There will be tons of fun games, a bounce house, awesome prizes and time spent together as a school community! There is a small cost of $5 per child (adults are free).
Parents, we would love a little more help (Grandparents or High School Students are welcome too)! To sign up to help with a game or serve food (and earn 5 points) please go to the Sign Up Genius page as soon as possible, the success of the event is only possible through the help of our HCS families! Watch the Home Communicator in the coming weeks for additional information. Please email jenniwalters@sbcglobal.net with questions!
EARLY CHILDHOOD & KIDS' CORNER NEWS
Kids’ Corner
Kids’ Corner will be opening on August 20 for the school year! Please note that it will be open from 7:00 am-5:45 pm Monday-Friday and will be closed when the rest of school is closed. We recommend that preschool students wait to begin their Kids’ Corner schedule until their 3 School and 4 School classes start the week of September 2. Waiting allows students to meet their teacher and classmates, establish school routines, and begin with their normal school schedule. However, if your enrolled KC child needs child care before Preschool starts, you may use this google form to fill out your needed care from August 20-28. Please fill out the form by Monday, August 11 so we can staff accordingly.
Preschool Parent Orientation
We will be having a short parent orientation for 3 School and 4 School parents on Monday, August 25. This parent-only night will be a time to meet your child’s teacher, learn about the class, and ask any questions you have. Parent Orientation details for your child’s class will be mailed to you in a packet coming soon!
Preschool Visiting Days- August 26 & 27
3 School and 4 School Visit Days will be on August 26 & 27. These will be special one-hour days where the preschooler and one parent (or special adult) get to meet the teacher, see the classroom, and get an idea of what preschool is all about! Visit Day information will be mailed to you in a packet coming soon!
Preschool Family Kickoff – August 27, 6:00-7:30
If you have a 3 School or 4 School child at HCS this year, join in celebrating the beginning of their school year with a fun-filled night of snacks and activities for the whole family! This is a great way for your child to connect with his or her teacher, for you to meet other 3 school and 4 school families, and to celebrate what God will do this year.
ELEMENTARY NEWS
Y5-5th Grade Playground Visits
Want a fun way for your children to reconnect with children in their grade and meet those who are new to HCS? Bring them to their specific grade’s playground time on Tuesday, August 12! Feel free to bring older or younger children along!
- Y5s/K- 9:00-10:00
- 1st/2nd- 10:00-11:00
- 3rd/4th- 11:00-12:00
Elementary Hot Lunch
Information on the Elementary Hot Lunch program provided by JenHud Food Service can be found on the JenHud Food Service website. Make deposits and monitor your account through the Family Portal. If you have questions please contact the food service at foodservice@hpseagles.net. Hot lunch will be offered at the elementary school starting on the first day of school.
Student Drop-off and Bus Loop Information
Please take note of the parking and bus loop areas so that we can work together to ensure the safety of our students. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the office at 616-669-6689.
Bus Loop – All buses (HPS and Unity) will run through the bus loop, which is in the north parking lot off of Hillcrest behind the school. You may see some HCS staff vehicles parked in the middle of this lot, but parents should not enter this lot to park or drop off/pick up their student(s) at all during the day. This area is strictly for bus traffic, so please help us keep our students safe by adhering to this.
Parent Parking and Drop Off/Pick Up Area – The parent parking area and drop off/pick up location is the circle drive off Oak Street. Parents may line up around this loop along the walkway to drop off or pick up their students. The curb along the sidewalk is reserved for those doing a quick drop off or pick up. It is not for parking. Please do not park on the curb by the flagpoles, and please do not double park in the loop. If you do park in a parking spot to drop off or pick up your student, please walk your student across the parking lot so they are not walking alone in front of other traffic. During busy drop off and pick up times, please exit Right (West) only out of this lot to ensure safe traffic flow.
West Parking Lot – Please consider this option when dropping off and picking up your older children. Choosing to use this option helps to keep our children (and parents) safe by reducing some of the congestion near the main entrance.
Spring Street Parking Lot – The Spring Street parking lot, which runs west off from School Street is for Early Childhood parking only. Parents coming for Kids’ Corner Childcare, 3 School, and 4 School are the only ones who should use this parking lot.
Birthday Treat Guidelines for Preschool -4th Grade
Students in Preschool – 4th grade are allowed to bring in a food treat for their birthday. We are asking that treats are individually packaged by the manufacturer and the ingredient list and nutrition facts are included for the teacher’s use. Thank you for following these guidelines! Doing so helps create consistency across the student body.
Please note that some grade levels may choose to recognize student birthdays with a non-food celebration. If this is the case, your child’s teacher will let you know the procedures for birthday celebrations in their classroom.
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
Hot Lunch
Hot lunch will be available at the middle school on Wednesdays starting later in September. More information on the menu selections and prices will be coming soon. Until then – remember your middle school student will need to pack lunch everyday.
PE Shirts
If your child is going into 5th grade, is new to HCMS, or simply missing their PE shirt, now is the time to order one! All middle school students MUST wear a school PE shirt for every PE class. Please complete one of the two Google Forms below by Thursday, August 21.
- 5th Grade Students: An email was sent out yesterday to all 5th grade parents regarding PE shirt ordering. ALL parents must fill out THIS FORM. One PE shirt is included in the activity fee on your tuition statement, so no payment is necessary unless additional shirts are desired..
- 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Students (OPTIONAL): Please fill out THIS FORM if you wish to purchase an additional PE shirt. All shirts cost $8.00 and money should be brought to the middle school office.
***NEW STUDENTS: A PE Shirt is needed for PE class so you should purchase a shirt from the above link.
5th Grade Band/Orchestra Students
A few weeks ago, you should have received an email from Mr. Knot (band) or Mrs. Jager (orchestra). Please reach out to them if you did not receive the information. Remember that students will need their instruments at the start of the school year, and there will be a parent meeting on Monday, August 18 at 5:00 in the band/orchestra rooms.
Student Drop-off and Bus Loop Information
Please refer to this very important information in the Hudsonville Christian School Parent Handbook. Your cooperation with this traffic pattern is very important for the safety of our students, staff and parents.
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- NO VEHICLES – except buses – are to use the circle drive in front of school from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. and from 2:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on school days.
- The student loading area for students being dropped off and/or picked up by vehicles other than buses, is on the east side of the middle school building.
- All traffic must enter and exit on Van Buren Street. The east driveway is for entering traffic only. Please use both lanes, and zipper merge into one lane as you near the parking lot. This is to avoid cars waiting on Van Buren Street.
- When dropping off or picking up students, please pull as far forward as possible to the corner/south end of the sidewalk along the parking lot. This helps keep the traffic flow moving.
- The second driveway is for exiting traffic. There is both a right and left turn lane exiting onto Van Buren Street.
- Parents may NOT drop off or pick up their children on Van Buren St. in front of school
Middle School Cross Country
Unity Christian is pleased to offer a Middle School Cross Country team for boys and girls in grades 6-8 again this year. This program will run from August 25 to October 10 and will consist of practices and meets against other schools. The cost to participate is $70, and the deadline to register is August 22. A printable flyer with practice and meet dates is attached and a registration link can be found here.
