HOME COMMUNICATOR
A popular image used in Christian education and faith formation is the idea of a three-legged stool. A child’s faith is shaped by the three legs of the stool, representing home, church, and school. Each leg of the stool is important and they all need to work together in a child’s life.
A few weeks ago, all parents of students in Kindergarten-8th grade received an email asking them to answer a few questions about their children’s faith journey this year. These forms will be printed and saved in faith portfolios for students to use in 8th grade as part of their Journey Project. 8th graders take the time to reflect on their lives and look at events from home, church, and school that have shaped their faith.
Hudsonville Christian adds pieces to the faith portfolio each year that represent school, but our prayer is that input from parents will help our 8th graders reflect on how home and church have also shaped their faith in huge ways.
We know it is a busy time of the year, but if you have not had a chance to fill out the form yet, please do so before this Friday, May 16.
In Him,
Mary Jo Staal
Media Specialist & Nurturing Faith Coordinator
SCHOOL-WIDE NEWS
Kids’ Corner Closed After School TODAY
On Tuesday, May 13, our Early Childhood staff will be having professional development after school. Please note that Kids’ Corner will be closing at 2:30pm this afternoon.
Memorial Day
We will have a full day of school on Friday, May 23 with dismissal at 2:40. HPS will run limited busing for the AM and PM routes. The following buses will run their regular route: 57, 60 and 78. If your HPS bus number is not listed you must provide your own transportation to and from school on May 23. There will be no school on Memorial Day, May 26.
Last Day of School
The last day of school for grades Y5-7 will be Friday, May 30. It will be a half day, dismissing at 11:10 AM. HPS will run limited busing at 11:10. The following buses will run their regular route: 57, 60 and 78. If your HPS bus number is not listed you must provide your own transportation home on May 30. Kids’ Corner will close at 3:00 PM that afternoon.
Unity Christian Transportation
Parents of students who ride the Unity Christian buses, please watch for an email from Doug VanderPloeg regarding busing arrangements for the remainder of the school year.
Parent Volunteering
Thank you for all you’ve done for the school this year! Volunteering not only helps our school, but it helps families get to know one another and creates a sense of family within our school community! Click HERE to access the SignUpGenius forms and Room Parent volunteer forms. Contact the Hudsonville Christian Parents’ Club Board with questions! pcb@4hcs.org
2025-2026 HCS Theme T-Shirt Order
This fall all students in 3 School – 4th Grade will receive an HCS t-shirt to wear for field trips, chapels and other activities no need to order! Middle School students, 5th-8th grade, are given the option to order one free of charge and parents, if you want to order a theme t-shirt for yourself, there is a cost of $6.00 each. To order a 2025-2026 HCS Theme T-Shirt for a Middle School student or for yourself, fill out this form by May 23.
Journey Project Parent Form
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, May 16.
Golf Outing – August 4
Tee up for a day of leisure and connection at the annual HCS Golf Outing! On August 4, you are invited to Railside Golf Club for a round of fun to support our school. To sign up as a golfer or sponsor for this event, please visit our website for more information.
Walkathon
Prizes earned for those who have turned in their pledge forms were sent home last week. If you are still collecting for your per lap pledges, please do so and turn in as soon as possible. Thanks again for the wonderful support!
Moms in Prayer
The Moms in Prayer group invites you to join us this week Friday. We will be meeting and joining together to lift up our school and our amazing Education Support Staff. We will be at the elementary building from 8:00-9:00 a.m. Check in at the main office and they will direct you where to go. See you there!
Employment Opportunities
We are seeking a full-time (40–50 hours/week) Head Custodian for our Middle School building for the 2025-2026 school year. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who will take pride in maintaining a clean, safe, and well-cared-for facility through year-round cleaning and maintenance. If you’re interested or would like more information about the position, please contact Devon Brinks, Superintendent, at dbrinks@4hcs.org.
We are looking for a motivated and caring person to join our Elementary Educational Support Service Team as a paraprofessional. As a vital part of our ESS team, you will work closely with the ESS coordinator and/or special education teacher to provide support to students who require specialized instruction. Responsibilities would include working with students individually and in groups, assisting with implementing lessons, providing accommodations, and building relationships with students. Candidates should hold a teaching certificate or have experience in the field and be flexible in adapting to the changing demands of student needs. This position will be part-time between 20 and 25 hours a week. If you have any questions regarding this opportunity, please reach out to Jenny Gorter, Director of Educational Support Services at jgorter@4hcs.org
Camp Crazee Fun
Camp Crazee Fun is back! Click HERE for more information and the registration form. Any questions email Mr. Los.
Ice Cream Buckets
We are in need of ice cream buckets – preferably with lids – to be used in outdoor education. If you have a few of these lying around, we’ll take them off your hands! Please bring them to the Admin. Office. Thank you!
ELEMENTARY NEWS
Chapel
This Friday, May 16, we will have a special all-school chapel led by our middle school praise team. Chapel will be in the west gym at 9:30 AM. 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.
Blacklight Dodgeball
Save the date for Blacklight Dodgeball May 19-23! Join your child during their PE time in the East Gym. Please come dressed in neon and tennis shoes and check in at the main office. Any questions, please email Mr. Los- dlos@4hcs.org
4th Grade Parents
Middle School Tour
On May 13 & 14 current 4th grade students will take a tour of the Middle School. They will have a chance to check out the classrooms, meet the 5th grade teachers and get a sneak peek at what being a middle schooler looks like! On May 20 our Middle School Student Leaders will visit the 4th graders at the Elementary giving them the inside scoop on Middle School life and answer any questions they might have.
Band and Orchestra
In the next couple weeks, Mr. Knot and Mrs. Jager will begin the process of preparing students for Band and Orchestra for NEXT year. On Friday, May 16, Mr. Knot and Mrs. Jager will be introducing the Band and Orchestra instruments to the entire 4th grade. Following this meeting, students will sign up to try several of the instruments during the week of May 19. Based on student interest and director recommendations, students will receive a letter with an instrument recommendation and more information. An online form will be sent to all of the 4th grade families confirming a final instrument choice. Please contact Mr. Knot (Band Director) or Mrs. Jager (Orchestra Director) with any questions.
Hot Lunch Survey
In Middle School, hot lunch is offered one day a week, on Wednesdays, beginning in September. A very important part of how we make hot lunch work is student surveys on what they will and will not purchase. A form needs to be completed for each child- EVEN IF YOUR CHILD WILL NOT PURCHASE HOT LUNCH. 2025-2026 Hot Lunch Survey 5th Grade ONLY Please complete by WEDNESDAY, MAY 14th. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Kim Racey at kracey10@gmail.com
Summer Tutoring
A list of teachers that are available for summer tutoring can be found on our website.
Lost and Found
Our elementary lost and found is bursting with items. Please remind your child(ren) to check out these items in the hall by the lower elementary office to see if anything belongs to them. Parents please check out the lost and found when you are at school. All unclaimed items will be donated to revive over the summer.
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
Chapel
Students and staff will gather for chapel in the south gym on Tuesday from 7:55–8:25 AM, and in the elementary west gym on Friday from 9:30–10:00 AM. 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, May 13 – Breakfast Club
- Friday, May 16 – All School chapel at elementary led by the middle school worship team
- Tuesday, May 20 – Reflections Chapel
Hot Lunch
Hot lunch this week is Chick Fil A sandwich $4.50 each. This is our last Middle school Hot lunch for the year!
IOU’s
No more IOU’s will be given. Please pay any outstanding IOU’s in the office as soon as possible!
Hot Lunch Survey
Hot Lunch will continue to be offered one day a week, on Wednesdays next year. This is an optional opportunity for your child to purchase pizza (DJ’s, Jets, Pizza Ranch on rotation) DJ’s breadsticks (new for 2025-2026), Chick Fil A, and Mr. Burger. A very important part of how we make hot lunch work is student surveys on what they will and will not purchase. A form needs to be completed for each child- EVEN IF YOUR CHILD WILL NOT PURCHASE HOT LUNCH.
The links for the google form(s) can be found below. Please choose the appropriate link for the grade your child(ren) will be entering for the 2025-2026 school year (NOT their CURRENT grade).
Please complete forms by WEDNESDAY, MAY 14th. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Kim Racey.
Choir & Orchestra Concert
Our concert is tonight, May 13, 7:00 pm at Fair Haven Church. This concert features the 5th-8th grade Orchestras and the 6th-8th grade Choirs. The students must arrive between 6:30 – 6:40 wearing black on the bottom, a solid white top, black shoes/black socks. Choir students will sit with parents when not performing. Please join us at Fair Haven for this wonderful evening.
Band Concert
The 5th-8th Grade Bands will be presenting their Spring Concert this Thursday, May 15, 7:00 pm, at Fair Haven Church. Band students should arrive no later than 6:45 wearing their black and white concert “uniform.” Each Band will perform several selections alone and one song together. Please join us for this wonderful evening of music!
Fine Arts Class Selections – Next Year
An email was sent out April 21 describing the classes offered/required for each grade, as well as a link to select which classes your child would like to take next year. This information is essential as we plan and start working on scheduling for next year. The submission of the form with your selections was due Friday, May 2. If you have not yet completed this please do so ASAP! If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to the Middle school office at 616-379-0338 or msoffice@4hcs.org.
6th Grade Students
There are immunization requirements for students prior to starting 7th grade. An email with additional information, including which immunizations are needed, was sent out a few weeks ago. Please keep this in mind when scheduling your child’s future appointments. Contact the Middle school office with any questions 616-379-0338.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Unity Christian Summer Sports Camps
The registration link and schedule of Unity’s summer sports camps can be found HERE. Please contact Unity’s Athletic Office at 669-1820 orathletics@unitychristian.org with any questions you may have!
Unity Christian Musical Theater Camp
Musical Theatre Camp will take place at Unity Christian High School June 2-5 from 5:00-7:00 pm! Come learn musical songs and how to sing in parts while being expressive, acting and blocking skills that will help you in future Unity auditions and productions, and common dance moves from Unity and Broadway shows. Sign up HERE. Remember to wear workout clothes.
Unity Christian Youth Football for Grades 3 – 8
Registration for Unity Christian Youth Football is now open! We will have 3rd/4th grade team(s), 5th/6th grade team(s), two 7th grade teams, and an 8th grade team. Practices for 3rd-6th grades will begin on August 11 and grades 7 & 8 will begin on August 18. To plan accurately for the number of teams we will have in the fall, we ask that you register your player by June 1. For more information and to register online, Click HERE. Feel free to contact Unity’s Athletic Office at 669-1820 or athletics@unitychristian.org with any questions you may have!
Calvin University Girls Basketball Camp
Join us for the Calvin University Women’s Basketball Camps this summer! Click here for more information and registration.
IMPORTANT DATES
Limited Busing PM
Report Cards Posted
