HCS Website & Communication 

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, homework links and updated documents as they become available.

HCS Parent Handbook

Thank you for allowing us to partner alongside you in Christian education. The Parent/Student Handbook is intended to help you understand how our school operates and to provide information about how we can effectively communicate with each other. 

New HCS Staff

We are excited to welcome new staff members to HCS this year! Click HERE to meet them! 

Busing

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 26 & 27 – PM only
• August 28
• November 20 – PM only
• February 15 & 16
• May 28
• June 4 – PM only

On Limited Busing days HPS will offer limited routes only.
The following buses will run their regular route: 19, 76, 78 AM / 04 PM.
If your HPS bus number is not mentioned in this limited busing list, you will need to provide your own transportation on these days.

Bi-Weekly Limited Busing

Additionally, Hudsonville Public Schools just announced a change in their schedule which will result in limited HPS afternoon busing on designated Wednesdays. Unity busing will continue as normal. Additional details can be found on our website, including the list of additional dates when HPS busing will be limited.

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 18, December 11, January 15, February 12, March 5, April 30. 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.  

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 at 616-379-0332 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 at any time to let us know your child will not be at school.  Thank you for helping attendance run smoothly!

School T-Shirts

In order to promote community at HCS, the Parents’ Club has once again provided t-shirts for all elementary students and staff. The shirt design is based on the school theme  “Made to Worship” which comes from  Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – This is your true and proper worship”. Clara Kuipers, 8th grade student, created the design on the back of the shirt. The shirts will be handed out to all elementary students and to the middle school students who ordered them. Please keep them for the entire school year, as they will be worn for various events all year long.

School Pictures

Elementary school pictures will be taken on September 22 & 23. Middle School students will have their pictures taken on September 24.  Additional information on pictures will be coming home with students soon.

Welcome From The Parents’ Club

The Parents’ Club Board (PCB) greets you and welcomes each parent to this new school year! All HCS Parents are members of the Parents’ Club! We are grateful that parents volunteer their time and talents to bless students, serve the teachers, promote and build the HCS community, and help raise funds to reduce tuition costs. 

Cookies Sale Update

The Parent Club Board approved two changes to this year’s cookie sales:

• The price will increase to $0.50 per cookie.
• Students will be limited to 2 cookies per purchase.

These changes were made in response to rising food costs and to align with the purchase limits that teachers have already been using in the classroom. Thank you for your understanding and support!

Volunteers Needed!

Auction Committee Members

The Parents’ Club Board is asking you to consider volunteering for the auction! We are especially in need of Donation Assistants. These volunteers connect with local businesses regarding donations and arrange pick-up/delivery as needed. Volunteer on your own time, December-February, you do not need to come to school! Materials and training available. If you are willing to serve in this way click HERE to sign up! Questions? Contact auction@4hcs.org.

Room Parent Volunteers

Thank you to the many parents who volunteered to be room parents this coming school year! We were able to fill the majority of the 90 available spots (2 room parents per class), but are looking for a few more volunteers. Serving as a room parent is a great way to get to know your child’s teacher and classmates (and a great way to get all your volunteer points!) If your child is in one of the classes below and you’re interested in learning more about being a room parent, please contact Andrea, our Room Parent Coordinator (roomparents@4hcs.org)

• Y5s – Tara Lein = 2
• K – Jolyn Ymker = 2
• 2nd Jessica Van Kley = 1

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 Cafeteria Volunteers

We are in need of 2 more volunteers to help in our cafeteria every other Friday! Check out this fun opportunity HERE!

Substitute Teaching

As we start 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.

Robotics Updates 

Drones

There will be a drone interest and sign up meeting on August 27th at 7pm in the West Connector in the Elementary building.  This is for parents and students in grades 4-8.  Students in the drone program learn how to fly a drone to work with another team to complete a challenge, fly it independently through a skills course, and code it to complete tasks autonomously.  Practices will be twice a week in September and October leading up to a tournament at HCS on November 7.  Each team of ~3 students will need an adult coach to assist.  Parent Club points are available to those who volunteer to coach!  If you have questions, please contact Jennifer at robotics@4hcs.org.

Middle School V5 Robotics

(Grades 7-8)  We are in need of an adult (21+) who is willing to commit to being a head referee for us for the season.  This does not have to be a parent, it can be anyone who is willing to learn the rules of the game and referee 3 events for us, all taking place at HCS in either the Robotics space or the West Gym.  Completion of an online training course is required and an in-person training/practice scrimmage on October 3 in Grandville is strongly recommended.  Parent Club points are available if a volunteer is an HCS parent in need of points.  For more information, or to volunteer, please reach out to Jennifer at robotics@4hcs.org.

Kids’ Corner 

Kids’ Corner will be opening on August 26 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.  

Preschool Parent Orientation

We will be having a short parent orientation for 3 School and 4 School parents on Monday, August 31.  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 shared by your child’s teacher.  

Preschool Family Kickoff & Classroom Visit 

Join us on Tuesday, September 2 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. as we kick off an exciting year of preschool with a fun-filled evening for the whole family! Enjoy snacks, activities, and time to connect with other HCS preschool families as we celebrate all that God has in store for this school year.

During the evening, each family will have a scheduled 30-minute classroom visit where your preschooler and one parent (or special adult) will meet the teacher, explore the classroom, and get a glimpse of what preschool is all about.

More details about your visit time will be coming from your child’s teacher. 

Rain Plan: If the weather doesn’t cooperate, our outdoor activities will be canceled. Classroom visits and treats will still take place indoors as scheduled, so we look forward to seeing you rain or shine!

Chapel

Elementary students will gather for chapel each week on Fridays from 10:05-10:30. This Friday, August 28, our chapel committee will  lead the chapel. Parents are welcome to join us and may enter through the west gym lobby doors. 

Coffee will be served in the west gym lobby before and after every chapel.  Hot and iced coffee will be available by donation, with a suggested $3 contribution. You can pay with cash or simply tap your phone or card. Donations will be matched by The Rouge and Roots Salon and Spa and all proceeds will go directly to the Tuition Stabilization Fund.  Enjoy some coffee and help support our school!

Elementary Breakfast & 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. 

The recently passed state budget includes limited funding to provide free breakfast and lunch for K–4 students beginning October 1. We don’t know how long funding will last. For now, no action is needed from families. We will communicate additional information as soon as it becomes available.

Student Drop-off/Pick up and Parking 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 elementary 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 Loop– 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. When exiting the parent loop, you must turn RIGHT only. This keeps traffic flowing safely and quickly for everyone.

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve safety and security, we have added designated crosswalks in the parent loop on the south side of the Elementary building. Parents and students should only cross the parent loop at the designated crosswalks.  

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 Y5s -4th Grade

Students in Young 5s through 4th grade are welcome to celebrate their birthday by bringing in either a food treat or a non-food item to share with their classmates.

If you choose to send a food treat, we ask that it be individually packaged by the manufacturer with the ingredient list and nutrition facts included for the teacher’s reference. Thank you for following these guidelines, as they help create a safe and consistent experience for all students.

Elementary Employment Opportunities

To provide consistency in a few key areas at the elementary school, the following paid positions are available. If you are interested in discussing any of these opportunities, please reach out to Tricia Kiepert, Elementary Principal, at tkiepert@4hcs.org. 

Crosswalk Safeties – The Parent Loop parking lot will be getting a makeover and crosswalks will soon be added for foot traffic to travel safely to and from the building. We are looking for individuals who are available in the afternoons from 2:30 to 3:00 to monitor the crosswalks and help students get where they need to go safely. 

Breakfast Monitors – As we look to offer breakfast to students before the school day starts, we are looking for individuals who are available in the mornings from 7:15 to 8:00 to set up tables, monitor students, take down tables, and clean up.

Recess Staff – We are looking for one person to join our amazing lunch recess team. This position is for Mondays through the school year from 11:30-1:00, with opportunities to sub on other days if desired. 

Hot Lunch 

Hot lunch will be available at the middle school on Wednesdays starting September 23.  Click this link to view the Hot lunch schedule for the upcoming year. Until then, remember your middle school student will need to pack a lunch everyday. 

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.  

• 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

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 Friday, August 28.

• 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.

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 School tradition! This year’s event takes place on Saturday, October 3, from 3:00-5:00 rain or shine. We would love to see everyone from preschoolers to 8th graders come out for doughnuts/cider/popcorn and cotton candy. Come to play fun games, jump in the bounce house, win awesome prizes and spend time together connecting as a school community! There is a small cost of $5 per child (adults are free). We are so thankful for the volunteers that have signed up to make this day a fun and successful event. We still have just a few more spots available that we’re looking to fill. If you are interested in serving, please click here. Be sure to watch the Home Communicator in the coming weeks for additional information and details about this fun day. Volunteers please keep an eye on your email for details concerning the event. If you have questions please email Jenni Walters at jenniwalters@sbcglobal.net

Grandparents Day – Save the Date!

We are excited to celebrate Grandparents Day on Friday, October 30! This special day gives our students the opportunity to share a part of their school experience with their grandparents or other special guests.

To help us prepare invitations and event details, we ask that all families log in to the FACTS Family Portal and verify or update their grandparent information. Please add the names and mailing addresses of any grandparents you would like us to include.

• Login to FACTS Family Portal (District Code is HV-MI)
• Click on the Family tab
• Click on Family Home
• Click Family Demographic Form
• Under Grandparents, Click add Grandparent
• Edit and save information

Thank you for taking a few minutes to update your family’s information. We look forward to celebrating this special day with our students and their loved ones!