HOME COMMUNICATOR
This summer my daughter played one of those claw machine arcade games. She hoped, against hope, that she could grab that one special item out of the plastic box. Thinking she had the claw positioned just right, she let it down. Her prize moved a bit, but couldn’t be pinched enough for her to win.
I listened to a devotional recently that equated prayer to a claw machine and our feelings about prayer to the hopeful, wishful feelings we have when trying to win. Prayer isn’t something we can win and it’s not something to just be hopeful about. Prayer is conversation with our Father who loves us tremendously and works everything out for our good. Prayer is real, powerful and important.
As we start this school year, especially for those of you who might be sending your little one off for the first time, be assured that your child, your family, this school year, have been covered in powerful prayers to our Father, who knows what you need and wants the best for you. The teachers and staff have been praying individually and we have been praying collectively for each of our students and their families.
This school year is not a hope, it’s not a wish, it’s already been determined by God and we can all walk boldly into this year, knowing that He already knows everything that is going to happen. He has designed us all to be together, as a whole student body and as each individual class.
Together let’s continue covering this year in prayer – not hoping for a good year, but knowing this year is in God’s hands.
Konni Lubbers
Early Childhood Director
SCHOOL-WIDE NEWS
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!
School Spirit Store – Last Day to order!
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 closes tonight at 11:59 PM.
School Pictures
Middle School students will have their pictures taken on September 9. Elementary school pictures will be taken on September 10 & 11. Additional information on pictures will be coming home with students soon.
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!. Mrs. Ymker’s class is in need of 2 room parents & Ms. Leerar’s class needs 1 more volunteer! If you have a child in one of these classrooms please consider volunteering as a room parent. Email roomparents@4hcs.org for more information or to sign up. Thank you!
HCS Returnables Shed
You are invited to drop off your returnable cans and bottles to the recycling shed at any time! The shed is located in the elementary school north parking lot off of Hillcrest Ave. Thank you for supporting our school!
Upcoming Events
HCS Clay Shoot – September 6
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.
Septemberfest – September 20
Mark your calendars because Septemberfest Arts and Crafts Show is right around the corner. Come out and support our school at the annual show on September 20 from 9am to 2pm at the Hudsonville Fairgrounds. This will be your one stop shop! Come and get your donut, grab some lunch and shop our 150+ vendors. Tickets are $3; kids 12 and under free. Strollers are welcome. VIP tickets are available that will allow you early entry at 8:15am before the crowds. The VIP passes also include a shopping bag full of local business coupons. There are only 100 available so get yours soon; visit the Septemberfest Facebook page for more information! Cost for VIP bags is $10. Please help us spread the word by finding us on Facebook, liking it, and sharing us with your friends. Search Septemberfest Arts and Craft Show on Facebook. We can not wait to see you all there!
Harvest Family Fun Day – October 4
Saturday October 4 from 3:00-5:00. We would love to see all the HCS preschool through 8th grade students, and families come out for an afternoon of fun, food and community! Plan on attending this fun-filled afternoon rain or shine. Outside it is held on the tar behind the early education wing. (Inside would be in the West Gym) Fun games like the pumpkin walk, basketball free throw, cereal walk, plinko, bounce house. Fantastic prizes! Donuts, cider, popcorn, cotton candy. Even if you cannot come the entire afternoon, please stop by anytime between 3 and 5. There will be a small cost of $5 per child (adults are free). Continue to watch the Home Communicator each week for upcoming details of the event.
We are still looking for people to help run a game or serve food. Please sign up here as soon as possible so that we can continue planning! Volunteers, you should have received an initial email last week. Please check your inbox or spam folders. If you have questions, please email Jenni Walters at jenniwalters@sbcglobal.net.
EARLY CHILDHOOD & KIDS' CORNER NEWS
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 was mailed to you in the information packet.
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
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.
Elementary Playground Monitors
We are in need of volunteers every other week 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!
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
Chapel
Students and staff will gather for chapel from 7:55-8:25 AM in the south gym on Tuesday and Friday. Parents are welcome to join us! If you would like to view the middle school chapels at a later time, you can also find recordings on our Vimeo channel- Chapel.
- Tuesday, August 26 – Evamarie Eggebeen – School Theme chapel
- Friday, August 29 – No School -Labor Day weekend
Hot Lunch
Hot lunch will be available at the middle school on Wednesdays starting September 17. Here is the Link to the Middle school Hot lunch schedule/menu.
A/B Day Schedule
The 5th -8th grade A/B day schedule is available on our website.
Attendance
Please remember to use the childwatch attendance line to inform us of your student’s absence or tardy. If you email your child’s teacher about attendance or appointments, please also include the middle school office email – msoffice@4hcs.org. Thank you!
Class Mixers
The 5th-8th grade class mixers will be happening this week Thursday, August 28. Teachers will be sending out additional information however please note that the 8th graders will not be returning from their mixer until 5pm. All other grades will return prior to the dismissal of school.
PE Shirts
PE shirts have been ordered and will arrive in the next couple of weeks. We will let you know once they have arrived and ready.
Student Drop-off Reminders
- 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 their children off on the south side of Van Buren in front of school.
Faces and Our Cultures Opportunity
For nearly 20 years, Faces & Our Cultures has enriched students’ lives through cultural exchange programs between Guatemala and the U.S. Our school has been part of this amazing program and we’re excited to continue offering global experiences to our students. If you are interested in learning more about either program, please fill out the link below with your information to get all the details: https://airtable.com/app9X3LWduAo23NP8/pag1P7f75lWtcyjrw/form
COMMUNITY NEWS
Homecoming Pig Roast
Unity Christian High School invites you to a community Pig Roast on Friday, September 19 from 4:00-6:30PM. This event will be held in the East Side Addition which is currently under construction. Come out for dinner and check out the progress on Unity’s newest addition. Alumni who attend will be able to pick up free entry vouchers for the HOCO Football game starting at 7pm the same evening. Help us make sure we have enough food for all our guests by registering to attend by Thursday, September 11. This dinner is free to attend with donations accepted.
Employment Opportunity
Post Family Farm in Hudsonville is looking to hire energetic ADULTS for seasonal work for our 2025 fall season. Our Spring season runs from September 2, 2025 – November 1, 2025. Opportunities include donut makers, tour guides, Weekday Festival workers and Saturday Festival workers. Donut making involves working with several others in our bakery making donuts, filling orders and running the cash register. Tour guides take a group of children, teachers and parents around the farm both on and off a tractor (training provided). Festival workers may work in donuts, office, tickets, drive the pumpkin train or drive the tractor to the pumpkin patch. No previous experience is required for any position. Workdays and hours are very flexible to fit your schedule. Hourly pay range is $16.45 to $20.45 per hour Please contact Julie at Post Family Farm, if you have any interest in working in a fun, farm atmosphere. Phone – 616/669-1964, email – tours@postfamilyfarm.com.
Baton Twirling Classes
Come join the fun and learn how to twirl a baton! Our baton twirling classes not only focus on teaching children how to
twirl a baton, our classes encourage teamwork, poise, hand-eye coordination, as well as help build their self-esteem. Students learn baton twirling tricks in class as well as routines. Students will have an opportunity to be in a competition and parades. Visit us on our website at www.athleticsensations.com.
