HOME COMMUNICATOR
A few weeks ago, my pastor preached a sermon that has continually been on my heart. The sermon passage was Joshua 9, a text I wasn’t previously very familiar with. It comes after the story of Jericho and other conquests of Israel to tell the story of Gibeon. The Gibeonites were terrified of Israel, so they decided to craft a battle plan of deception. Ultimately, Israel fell for it. One of the main points my pastor emphasized was verse fourteen in which the author points out that Israel, “…did not ask counsel from the Lord.” It’s such a small detail, but it holds significant implications.
Since hearing this sermon and how Israel’s negligence to seek God in prayer had such drastic impacts, it has challenged me to think about how often I am not seeking “counsel” from God. My pastor encouraged us to pray continually, seeking God in all things, even things like finding a parking space. Maybe you have those people in your life whose first reaction is always to seek the Lord in prayer. Maybe you’re that person. Some of your children are even that way. So often, students offer up prayer requests about their hurt finger, their family member’s health complication, or the event after school they’re feeling anxious about. As adults, it’s easy to lose the desire to offer up the ‘small’ prayers or feel like God isn’t concerned about those things, but He hears those prayers and rejoices when we seek Him, even in the ‘small’ things.
As we approach the chaos of the last couple months of the school year, I invite you to join me in intentionally seeking the Lord more regularly in prayer. Ask Him for help in your spring break logistics. Pray with your child for the quiz they are studying for. Praise Him for the few minutes of sunshine we’re seeing each day. He wants us to seek Him.
Brenna Brouwer
Middle School Counselor
SCHOOL-WIDE NEWS
Society Meeting
The annual HCS Society meeting was held last night. The 2026-2027 budget was approved unanimously. Cathy Dykstra (Immanuel CRC) and Jake Holtrop (Hillcrest CRC) were voted in as new board members. We thank our retiring board members, Darrell Heuker and Chad VanSomeren for their service.
Early Release
This week Friday, March 20 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.
Continuous Enrollment: Update for 2026-27
We are excited to share that HCS will soon adopt a Continuous Enrollment process for all current Kindergarten–7th grade students. With this new approach, once your child is enrolled in 1st grade or above, they will automatically be re-enrolled each year unless you let us know otherwise during the designated window. Enrollment links for grades 1-8 will be sent to your email on March 23, 2026. We ask that you complete all online forms, including tuition payment plans, by May 1, 2026. For more information, including details about tuition deposits and answers to commonly asked questions, please visit our website. We’re here to support you every step of the way!
Report Cards
The 3rd nine-week marking period will end this Friday, March 20. Report cards will be posted to RenWeb on Friday, March 27 for students in 1st-8th grade. If you experience problems or have questions about accessing this information through RenWeb, please contact Lane Lems at llems@4hcs.org.
Parent Input for Journey Project
We are asking all parents of students in K-8th grade to fill out the Journey Project Parent Input Form. Please complete the form for each of your children by Friday, March 27.
Faith formation is a partnership between home, school, and church. At the end of 8th grade, students complete a very special “Journey Project” that celebrates all the ways God has worked in their lives. Each year, teachers work with students to add pieces to their faith portfolio based on things that happened at school. This year, we are asking parents to provide information about events that happened outside of school that can also be added to their faith portfolio. We will continue this practice for each year that your child is a student at Hudsonville Christian.
The same form will be used for all of your children. When you complete the form for one child, simply click the “submit another response” link and you will be taken to a new blank form for your next child. Please complete this form for this current year only. Please reach out to Mary Jo Staal – mjstaal@4hcs.org or Evamarie Eggebeen – eeggebeen@4hcs.org if you have any questions.
Spring Break
Spring Break is April 2-10. School will resume on Monday, April 13. If you plan on taking your child out of school early prior to spring break, please make sure that you notify your child’s teacher and the school office.
HCS Walkathon Pledge Forms
HCS Walkathon Pledge forms came home Friday so it is time to start collecting pledges! There is a lot of important information included in your Walkathon packet so please read carefully. Also, don’t forget the Cognito form for easy online donations!
Rock Your Socks – World Down Syndrome Day
On March 21, people around the world celebrate Down Syndrome Day. Students are invited to participate in this day as one way to celebrate the ways in which God created all of His children unique. This year 3/21 falls on a Saturday so please join us in celebrating on Thursday, March 26 by wearing mismatched socks.
Moms in Prayer
The Moms in Prayer would love to have you join them at the elementary school to pray for these sweet Early Childhood, Young 5s and Kindergarten students and teachers this Friday. We will be meeting from 8:00-9:00 a.m. Check in at the main office and they will direct you where to go. We always have room for you!
Employment Opportunities
If you are passionate about Christian education and are dedicated to following Christ, we invite you to consider one of the open employment positions at Hudsonville Christian School.
Scrap Metal Drive
Save the date for the annual Scrap Metal Drive for Unity Christian High School and Hudsonville Christian School will be held on May 1 & 2. We are in need of a few more volunteers to help at this fundraiser. Click here for more information and to sign up!
Pigs in a Blanket Sale
Pigs in a blanket are for sale in the admin. office at the elementary building for $15/dozen! Thanks so much for supporting HCS!
Summer Hiking Trips
Students and parents of 4th through 8th graders interested in the summer hiking trips can find more information and a signup form here.
Summer Tutoring
A list of teachers that are available for summer tutoring can be found on our website.
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.
EARLY CHILDHOOD & KIDS' CORNER NEWS
Coffee and Praise and Worship
Preschool parents are invited to join us for a special coffee and praise & worship time with our preschool classes. Enjoy coffee, fellowship, and a meaningful time of worship alongside your child. You may attend on the day that best fits your schedule: Monday, March 30 or Tuesday, March 31 — starting at 10:00. Coffee will be served in Room 83 with praise and worship following in the East Gym at 10:20. We look forward to celebrating God’s goodness together with our preschool families! Please complete this survey so that you can be pre-registered with our school visitor system for this event.
ELEMENTARY NEWS
Chapel
This week Friday, March 20, we will have a praise and worship chapel from 10:00-10:25. Parents are welcome to join us and may enter through the west gym lobby doors.
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.
4th Grade Middle School Orientation Night
As we move further into the second semester we are starting to think about next year! With this comes a transition from the elementary to the middle school for 4th graders. This parent orientation night will take place on Tuesday, March 24 at 7:00 PM in the middle school Orchestra room.
Hearing and Vision Screening
Ottawa County Health Department will be coming to HCS in April to conduct Hearing screening (grades K, 2 and 4) and Vision screening (grades 1 and 3). If you would like to OPT OUT of these screenings, please let Linda Kellar (lkellar@4hcs.org) know – in writing – before March 30, 2026. If we do not receive a note requesting to have your student OPT OUT of these screenings, we will be providing the health department with class lists including student’s gender, date of birth, address, and parent contact information. Please let Linda Kellar know if you have any questions.
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!
- March 17 – Breakfast Club (Family D-Groups) chapel
- March 20 – No Chapel/Early Release
Hot Lunch
Hot lunch this week Wednesday will be Pizza Ranch (cheese/bacon) $2.50/slice, chips $.50 & pop $1.00 (limit of 1).
5th-8th Grade FiddleFest
The 5th-8th grade Orchestras will be performing their annual FiddleFest at FairHaven at 7:00 tonight! Please reach out to Mrs. Sara Jager with questions, and all are welcome to attend.
Sensational Science Day-March 20
On Friday, March 20, we will be hosting our Sensational Science Day. Students will attend multiple sessions from a variety of 20 presenters. The goal of the day is to show students how God shows up in science. Thanks to everyone who will be presenting and be sure to ask your son/daughter what they learned!
Hand 2 Hand
We have the opportunity to Follow His Footsteps by feeding hungry kids in our area as we partner with Hand 2 Hand. This ministry delivers weekend food to kids who need it most, giving them fuel to learn, grow and reach their God-given potential. Our family discipleship groups will pack “snack packs” together on March 31. We are asking that students in each grade-level bring two boxes (or one large Costco-sized box) of the following items by Friday, March 27. We will happily accept ANY brand! Please check the expiration dates (we are looking for dates at least 6 months out). If you are able, we also need quart-sized zip lock bags (any brand) to pack the snacks.
- 5th Grade: microwave popcorn
- 6th Grade: fruit snacks
- 7th Grade: breakfast bars or granola bars
- 8th Grade: trail mix or Rice Krispie treat
A letter was sent to parents via email on March 9 with more information. Contact Evamarie Eggebeen with any questions.
8th Grade Unity Mixer
Save the Date for the 8th Grade Bowling Night on Friday, March 27 from 7:00-8:30 pm at Hudsonville Lanes. Cost is $10 per person for 2 games and shoes. NO RSVP, just come! Extra drinks/snacks will be available for purchase.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Unity Christian Celebration Banquet
You are invited to celebrate Christian education at Unity Christian High School at the annual Celebration Banquet. This year’s event highlights the legacy that grandparents and parents who choose Christian education have on Unity. It will take place on Monday, April 27, in the Jack Postma Worship Center. The evening begins at 5:00pm with new addition tours & hors d’oeuvres, followed by dinner & programming at 6:30pm. The Celebration Banquet is free of charge, but registration is required by April 17. Click here or email development@unitychristian.org to register.
Pancakes & PJ’s | Fair Haven
Join us for a fun-filled morning on Saturday, March 28, from 10-11:30am! Come in your pajamas and enjoy pancakes, crafts, an Easter Story Trail, bounce house, and more fun activities to celebrate Easter! We are excited to see you at this free event that is perfect for the entire family! For more information and to RSVP click here.
Unity Middle School Bass Fishing
There is a middle school division for Bass Fishing Tournaments in West Michigan. If you are interested in learning more about tournament opportunities and would like to order a UC Fishing jersey, please contact Chad Essebaggers by email or phone at cessebaggers@yahoo.com or 616-822-5787.
Employment Opportunities
Fairway Christian Reformed Church is looking for a part-time Worship Coordinator to join our staff. The position is 15 hours a week and works alongside our Lead Pastor to plan our worship services. Please email Pastor Jeremy for more information – jrhodes@fairwaycrc.org
Unity Christian High School is seeking an Accounts Receivable/Front Desk Secretary. A detailed job description and directions on how to apply can be found on Unity’s website. Any questions can be directed to Krista Bosscher at unity@unitychristian.org.
