HOME COMMUNICATOR
Our teachers have been continuing their study of the Building Blocks of Faith. In the elementary building last week, we spent time on the fourth building block: I Am Called & Equipped. This block invites us to recognize the many ways God uniquely calls and equips His people to live out their faith.
As we explored this building block, our teachers did more than simply discuss what it means to be called and equipped; they began by sharing the callings they see in their colleagues. It was a beautiful picture of community and belonging as teachers identified the God-given gifts they witness in each other every day. It became clear very quickly that this is not just a group of coworkers sharing a building, but a community that truly knows one another and chooses to celebrate what God is doing in each life.
As this awareness grows among our staff, it naturally extends into our classrooms. Teachers who have practiced recognizing these callings in one another begin to notice them in their students as well. A student who brings calm to a tense moment may be a Peace Maker. One who asks thoughtful questions may be a Truth Finder. Another who eagerly helps a classmate may be a Servant Worker. These moments become opportunities to name and nurture the ways God is already at work in each child.
It is a joy to be part of a school where seeing how God calls and equips us begins with our staff and flows naturally into our classrooms. Our students are known by teachers who are themselves known, valued, and encouraged. In that kind of environment, students’ gifts from God are not only noticed, but named and nurtured as part of God’s greater story for their lives.
In Him,
Mary Jo Staal
Elementary Media Specialist & Nurturing Faith Coordinator
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SCHOOL-WIDE NEWS
2026-2027 Enrollment
We are excited to share that HCS is using 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 were 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 ended last Friday, March 20. Report cards will be posted to RenWeb this 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.
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 fell on a Saturday so please join us in celebrating on Thursday, March 26 by wearing mismatched socks.
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.
Moms in Prayer
The Moms in Prayer group invites you to join them in praying for your children and HCS each Friday. This week we will be meeting in the middle school conference room from 8:00-9:00 a.m. Please check in at the main office. We will pray for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade students and teachers this week. See you there!
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 came home over a week ago. If your children haven’t already started doing so, please encourage them to begin collecting their pledges. They are due back on or before April 14!. Don’t forget to encourage online donations through this link. Please fill out a paper form for EACH one of your children, including any per lap and any online straight donations that they may have. Grades 4th-8th will need volunteers to count laps, you will hear from your room parent soon.
Walkathon Schedule:
Elementary Chapel @ 8:15-8:40
Grades 6, 7 Board Buses: 8:00 Walk: 8:15-9:00
Grade 4, 5 Board Buses: 9:00 Walk: 9:15-10:00
Grades Y5,K & 8 Board Buses: 9:45 Walk: 10:15-11:00 (Seaver & Shoemaker)
Grades K, 1 Board Buses: 10:45 Walk: 11:15-12:00 (DeLong, Ymker, & Yonker)
Grades 2, 3 Board Buses: 12:15 Walk: 12:30-1:15
Please note that Unity’s policy is that no dogs are allowed on the athletic campus. Let’s be good neighbors and respect their wishes so that we can continue to use this great facility. Thank you for your support of this important fundraiser!
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 27, Ms. Bushouse’s 4th 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.
Coffee will be served in the west gym lobby before and after every chapel for the remainder of the school year. 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 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
We invite all 4th grade parents to join us TONIGHT, March 24 for Middle School Orientation Night. This parent only meeting will begin at 7:00 pm in the middle school Innovation Space.
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 24 – Angie Spears (Hand to Hand) leading chapel
- March 27 – Student Praise Team Worship chapel
Hot Lunch
Hot lunch this week Wednesday will be DJs Breadsticks for $2.50, chips $.50 & pop $1.00 (limit of 1). NOTE: There will not be hot lunch next week Wednesday, April 1.
Hot Lunch Survey
Incoming 5th-8th Grade Students/Parents Hot Lunch Survey- DUE BY APRIL 17, 2026
Lunch at the middle school looks different. Hot lunch is only offered one day a week, on Wednesdays. The first hot lunch for the 2026-2027 school year will be on September 23, 2026. This is an optional opportunity for your child to purchase pizza (DJ’s, Jets, Pizza Ranch on rotation) DJ’s breadsticks, Chick Fil A, and Mr Burger. Please look for a schedule at the beginning of the school year and information each week in the Home Communicator.
A very important part of ‘how’ we make hot lunch work, is student surveys on what they will and will not purchase. ALL Entering 5th-8th grade students will do this survey with their parents. The links for the google form(s) can be found below. EACH grade has a specific form, please choose the appropriate link for the grade your child(ren) will be entering for the 2026-2027 school year (NOT their CURRENT grade). A form needs to be completed for each child- EVEN IF YOUR CHILD WILL NOT PURCHASE HOT LUNCH- there is an option for every item, including an option WILL NOT PURCHASE. This survey can be completed in under 5 minutes. LINKS WILL BE ACTIVE ON WEDNESDAY MARCH 25, 2026 (to accommodate the completion of the incoming 5th grade parent night on 3/24)
Please complete forms by APRIL 17, 2026. We really need parent cooperation with turning these in timely. We will be working over the summer to gather all of this information so we can start hot lunch on time in September. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Jill Besselsen – Jill.besselsen@gmail.com
2026-2027 Hot Lunch Survey 5th Grade ONLY
2026-2027 Hot Lunch Survey 6th Grade ONLY
2026-2027 Hot Lunch Survey 7th Grade ONLY
2026-2027 Hot Lunch Survey 8th Grade ONLY
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 this 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
The 8th Grade Bowling Night is this 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 Middle School Tennis Team
Unity Christian is sponsoring a tennis team for boys and girls in 7th – 8th grade. Any student in 7th – 8th grade in one of the Eastern Ottawa Christian schools (EOCS) may sign up to play, regardless of experience. The season runs April 13 – May 18 and practices will be at Unity Christian’s tennis courts. Details and registration information can be found on the Unity Athletics website at this link: 2026 Middle School Tennis. Email athletics@unitychristian.org with questions.
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.
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.
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.
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