HOME COMMUNICATOR
As we celebrate Staff Appreciation Week at HCS, I have noticed one thing about our staff in the last few years–they’re strange (stick with me here!). Strangely dedicated and strangely passionate.
Watching the 8th grade play last week, it was incredible to see our students show their God- given gifts in theater. Often overlooked in today’s world, these students performed with energy and humor that was contagious to anyone watching. And while the student performances were incredible, so was the number of staff present each evening. Hearing the familiar laughter of teachers, and observing their interactions with families and students after the performance was a testament to the special community of HCMS. It’s rare to witness such support for an 8th grade play on a weekend, and it was truly a gesture that was special for our students, parents, and grandparents.
”Teachers at HCS are deeply invested in the spiritual, social, academic, and emotional growth of your son/daughter.
As further evidence of this “strangeness”, I have witnessed a teacher spending her birthday on a Friday night skiing with students at ski club, teaching students to ski, and even comforting a student with a broken leg. I watch dozens of staff members coach teams, direct plays, and referee games, so much so that we rarely need to hire someone from outside our staff. I’ve witnessed teachers waiting with students outside in the cold because a parent was late (or forgot!) to pick up their kid. I’ve seen teachers spending time working with students who are having struggles with their schoolwork, and witnessed numerous examples of a middle school teacher moved to tears because a student was getting picked on or struggling to find genuine middle school friendships.
The list could continue, but know that the teachers at HCS are deeply invested in the spiritual, social, academic, and emotional growth of your son/daughter. This commitment extends so far beyond the classroom, that seeing dozens of teachers at an 8th grade play is no longer strange.
Chris Achterhof
Middle School Principal
SCHOOL-WIDE NEWS
Early Release
This week Friday, March 14 is an early release day, with dismissal at 11:10 AM. Our staff will be engaged in valuable professional development during this afternoon. Hudsonville Public buses will run as normal but students riding Unity buses will need to arrange for transportation home.
SUPER Staff Appreciation Week
All HCS Parents AND Students: Since we certainly appreciate our HCS Teachers and Staff, the Parents’ Club Board would like to invite all HCS parents and students to express your appreciation for them this week! The PCB has fun superhero treats planned for each day as well! Here is a list of items they have planned! Monday: POWERful Breakfast, Tuesday: SUPERfood snacks, Wednesday: SUPER Sweet Ice Cream, Thursday: POPcorn Bar, Friday: SUPER Staff Lunch.
Class Placement Requests
Soon after spring break, staff will begin constructing next year’s class lists. This is an involved process that requires input of all the staff members who know your child. Because parents have information that is important, we wish to provide an avenue for this input. If you have a request, you must fill out the online form to ensure that it will be considered throughout the process. Class Placement Request Form. Forms are due Friday, March 14.
HCS Annual Society Meeting
The HCS Annual Society Meeting will be held on Monday, March 17 at 7 p.m. in the elementary Gathering Space (NOTE location change), and you are invited to attend! Enter through the main office (door A) and head left down the hall to the Gathering Space. In addition to voting on the budget and tuition scale, we will also elect school board members for the coming year, recognize the service of retiring board members and vote on proposed Constitution changes. We will also get an update from the Safety and Security Committee, along with an annual Parents’ Club Report. It promises to be an informative time. Annual booklet can be found at this link.
Parents’ Club Board Positions
The PCB is looking to fill 3 board positions for the 2025-2026 school year. The mission and goal of the PCB is to display good stewardship as we raise and allocate funds that benefit our children in a Christ-centered education as well as to promote fellowship and the spirit of unity among parents, faculty and staff. Our 9-seat board is composed of current HCS parents that must attend monthly meetings and fulfill various assigned tasks. If you are interested in joining the Parents’ Club Board for a 3-year term starting in the fall of 2025, fill out this questionnaire by March 14. Email pcb@4hcs.org with any questions.
Employment Opportunities
With a few teachers shifting into new roles, we have some early childhood staff openings! We are looking for people who love the Lord and love working with our youngest learners. These are our current openings:
- Tuesday / Thursday morning 3 School
- Tuesday / Thursday / Friday Nature-Based 4 School
- Tuesday / Thursday / Friday Young 5s
- 4 Day Kindergarten
Click here to find out more information on our website!
Moms in Prayer
The Moms in Prayer group believes that God can and does hear and answer our prayers. This week Friday we will be meeting in the Elementary School from 8:00-9:00 a.m. Please check in at the main office, they will direct you where to go. We will be focused on praying for the Specials and Core 2 teachers this week. We will lift these teachers up in prayer, join us!
2025 Scrap Metal Drive Volunteers Needed!
A Scrap Metal Drive will be held on Friday and Saturday, May 2 and May 3, to benefit the Foundations of Unity Christian High School and Hudsonville Christian School. The drive will be held at the Arrowaste Outlot, 1296 Chicago Dr. Jenison from 1pm-8pm on Friday and 8am-2pm on Saturday. WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS! If you’re able to help click HERE to sign up! Thank you for supporting our school!
HCS Walkathon is Coming Soon!
The HCS Walkathon will be held on Friday, April 25 at Unity Christian High School Track. This is our one student-led fundraiser which has a goal to raise $100,000. Funds raised helps cover the cost of technology improvements, sports teams, field trips, and event rentals. The last 14 years have been a huge success and we are grateful for the support of our sponsors, parents and for the energy and hard work of our students. New this year! An online form is available on our website (https://www.hudsonvillechristian.org/walkathon) for credit card donations. Be sure to share it with family and friends and encourage online donations. (You can make straight donations only with a credit card online.) Pledge forms will be coming home Friday, March 14. Encourage your student to get pledges early before the busy spring arrives!
Both per-lap and straight donations will be accepted for 4th-8th grade students and straight donations only for Preschool – 3rd grade. Grades 4-8 will also have the top boy/girl lap winners per class.
The preschoolers will be raising money for the Early Childhood Program. They were able to raise more than $5,000.00 the last couple of years and that is their goal again for this year. Thanks again for your support!
Pig in the blankets- while they last!!
Pig in the blankets are for sale self-serve in the elementary school kitchen, large double door freezer, for $15/dozen! There are 20 dozen left so get them while they last! Enter through the kitchen door across from the gym. Checks (made payable to HCS) or cash can be placed in the green box that is on the top shelf right above the pig in the blankets in the freezer! Thanks so much for supporting HCS!
Summer Hiking Trips
Mr. Schnyders will once again be leading students 5th grade and up and families on hiking/camping trips this summer! The Manistee hike will be June 26-28 and the UP hike will be July 16-19. Click HERE for more information and to sign up!
Tuition Assistance – FACTS Program
Hudsonville Christian will again be participating in FACTS, a grant application program. Families who wish to apply for tuition assistance will need to use the FACTS application format online via their confidential website. The application fee will be paid by HCS. The FACTS organization will analyze the information of each applicant. Through FACTS, HCS has the ability to more evenly distribute available tuition assistance funds based upon factual information the families provide in the application. Please note that any additional information provided in the comments section at the end of the application is very helpful when making the decision for distribution.
Parents who have children in more than one EOCS school need only to fill out the application one time — the information will be available to the schools where their children attend. The FACTS online website application is available now. Please contact FACTS at 1-866-315-9262 with any questions. The deadline for submitting this application is March 31. For registration please go to www.factsmgt.com.
ELEMENTARY NEWS
Chapel
This week Friday, March 14, Ms. Nyeholt’s 1st grade class will lead chapel from 10:00-10:25. Parents are welcome to join us and may enter through the west gym lobby doors.
Elementary Hot Lunch
The menu and other information on the Elementary Hot Lunch program provided by JenHud Food Service can be found on the JenHud Food Service website.
4th Grade Transition to Middle School
Middle School Orientation for parents of incoming 5th grade students is scheduled for TONIGHT, March 11, at 7:00pm in the Middle School Orchestra Room (Room 8). This orientation is designed for PARENTS having a child entering middle school for the first time, but any parent of an incoming 5th student is welcome to attend.
Campers, Get Ready for Camp Firehawk!
“Pack your gear” for an unforgettable experience at Camp Firehawk this week Friday and Saturday, 6:00-7:30 in the West Gym! On Friday, March 14, the girls take center stage for Ladies Night at Camp Firehawk, then, on Saturday, March 15, it’s Lumberjack Night for the boys. Dress for the theme, and get ready for games, laughter, and special moments around the campfire!
We are looking for a few volunteers to join us for Saturday’s Mother Son Night at Camp Firehawk! If you are available from 6-7:30 to help oversee some of the activities, please email parentchild.social@4hcs.org.
SOAR – Second Grade Parents
Does your child easily master classroom math? Or write for fun? Or read above grade level? SOAR is a program designed for students who easily master the goals of the classroom. Students receive additional instruction at their level with like ability peers in language arts and/or math. Each spring, 2nd grade students are identified for the program on the basis of parent and teacher nomination and additional testing at HCS. Forms to nominate your child are available to pick up at the elementary school main office. The forms are due by Friday, March 21. Contact Lisi Remy (lremy@4hcs.org or 460-7686) with any questions.
Whitecaps Reading Club
Students in grades Y5-4th grade took home Whitecaps Reading Club forms last week. Students are able to earn two free tickets to a Whitecaps game by reading during the month of March. These forms do not need to be returned to school. Everything needed to order the tickets are included on the form. Happy Reading!
Summer Tutoring
A list of teachers that are available for summer tutoring can be found on our website.
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
Chapel
Students and staff will gather in the south gym for chapel from 7:55-8:25 AM 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, March 11 – Jennifer Hoekstra and Melissa Bronson
- Friday, March 14 – No Chapel (Early Release)
- Tuesday, March 18 –Chris Lowe and Lizz Neher
Hot Lunch
Hot lunch this week Wednesday is Jet’s Pizza (cheese/pepperoni) $2.50/slice.
Awesome Arts Day
HCMS is hosting Awesome Arts Day on Friday, March 14. Students will be moving with their “family groups” throughout this special day to 3 different sections where various Artists will be presenting. The day will conclude with all students gathering together in the gym for a performance by Hark Up!
Fiddle Fest
Mark your calendar for the Fiddle Fest “Adventures on the Sea”, Tuesday, March 18, 7:00 at Fair Haven Church. Please plan to join us on this “Open Seas Adventure” featuring the 5th – 8th Grade Orchestras. The orchestras have been working hard on sea shanties, pirate music, underwater themes, and a special book narrated by Ms. Staal. You won’t want to miss this fun evening for all ages. Students will need to arrive at 6:30pm. Please have them wear jeans, a bright colored shirt, and anything underwater or pirate attire. A more detailed email has been sent home.
Earth Day PaperGator Contest
PaperGator Competition!! We have a chance to earn up to $5,000.00 for our school by collecting as much paper in our PaperGator as we can from January through April! It’s called the PaperGator Earth Day Contest! Spread the word to your family and friends to fill up the middle school PaperGator located in the west parking lot off of the bus loop.
Volunteer Opportunity
The middle school is looking for a few volunteers to help supervise students during their lunch breaks. Volunteers will wander hallways and outside supervising students to ensure safety and that breaks are going smoothly. For more information or to sign up click HERE.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Unity Christian Community Event
Community Event: Unity Christian welcomes community members and parents of all ages to join us on Thursday March 20 from 7:00-8:30 at Unity Christian for a special presentation, “Tell Me About My Kid!”. Dan Landstra, Unity’s Director for Spiritual Life, will give a “front row” look at the world of grade school, middle school, and high school students. Based on actual questions from parents within our community, we will learn how our students navigate life and faith, what cultural forces influence them most, and what parents can do to guide students through a complex world.
Topics include:
- Parenting children in 2025
- Phones, social media, AI, and how to manage it all
- Mental health crisis
- Pornography’s impact on young people
- Sexuality and Individualism
- A Biblical worldview from which to navigate a path forward
Attention Anglers!
If your son/daughter is interested in the Unity Christian Middle School Fishing Team, please reach out to Chad Essebaggers at cessebaggers@yahoo.com / 616-822-5787 or Scott VanWyk at svw99bird@hotmail.com / 616-915-3878 as soon as possible. If your middle schooler is interested in ordering a fishing jersey, please contact Chad or Scott by Friday, March 14.
A weekend away, a world of difference!
JH Outback Grand Rapids is an adventure packed weekend that is life-changing for parents and their teen children(13-20 years old). Immersed in an undistracted environment that focuses on building connection and communication to last a lifetime!! You will bond through shared goals, challenges and a deeper understanding of life purpose and biblical values. May 16-18, 2025 at TimberWolf Lake Lodge in Lake City, Michigan. Watch this video for more information, and sign up at www.jhoutback.com. Please contact Danielle DeSmit @ 616.299.3067 if you have any further questions.
