HOME COMMUNICATOR
I was taking photos during the National Day of Prayer when a first-grade student asked me, “What are you doing?” When I told her that I was just taking pictures, the student promptly asked me “Why?”. I told her that I get to show the world how amazing God is by sharing what He is doing at our school.
She replied, “Oh, I thought it was just for Facebook.” 😊
While the photos I took that day were shared on Facebook (and Instagram), why I did so is to point to Christ. Christ is the Cornerstone of our school. He is why we teach and what we teach. We hope that the photos and videos posted to social media also help you, our families, feel connected to the school’s daily life. But more than showcasing how smart and cute our students are (and they are), or attempting a humble brag about the amazing education at HCS (because it is), we hope our feed unashamedly tells the story of God at work in our school (Romans 10:16).
To Him be the glory, now and forever.
Layne Fuller
Director of Marketing and Communication
ALL-SCHOOL NEWS
Memorial Day
We will have a full day of school this Friday, May 24 with dismissal at 2:40. HPS will run limited busing for the AM and PM routes. The following buses will run their regular route: 4 / 75, 57, 62, 74. If your HPS bus number is not listed you must provide your own transportation to and from school on May 24. There will be no school on Memorial Day, May 27.
Unity Christian Busing
May 20-23 Unity will run normal AM routes and combined routes in the afternoon. No shuttle to Unity will be available in the afternoon.
May 24-30 Unity will run combined AM and PM routes. No shuttle will be provided.
May 31 Unity will run combined AM routes, no PM busing will be provided. Students riding Unity buses must provide their own transportation on the last day of school, at 11:10 am.
Last Day of School
The last day of school for grades Y5-7 will be Friday, May 31. It will be a half day, dismissing at 11:10 AM. Kids’ Corner will close at 3:00 PM.
Summer Office Hours
This summer, the administrative office and middle school office will be open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 AM to 3 PM.
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 SignUp Genius forms and Room Parent volunteer forms. Contact the Hudsonville Christian Parents’ Club Board with questions! pcb@4hcs.org
2024-2025 HCS Theme T-Shirt Order
This fall all students in 3 School – 5th Grade will receive an HCS t-shirt to wear for field trips, chapels and other activities, no need to order! 6th -8th grade students 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 2024-2025 HCS Theme T-Shirt for a 6th, 7th or 8th grade student or for yourself, fill out this form by May 30.
Choir & Orchestra Concert
Spring Choir and Orchestra concert is tonight, May 21, 7:00 PM at Fair Haven Church. Students please plan to arrive no later than 6:40 PM. Students must wear their concert uniforms. Please note, Choir students will be sitting with their parents when not performing. Looking forward to an evening of music and celebrating the year we have had together.
Spring Band Concert
The 5th-8th grade spring Band concert is this Thursday, May 23, 7:00 PM at Fair Haven Church. Students should arrive at 6:40 PM wearing our black/white concert “uniform.”
Parents of 2nd-8th grade students
MAP test family reports will be sent home with your child this week in a sealed envelope. Please be on the lookout for them!
Pizza Ranch Reading Cards
Students in 3-year old preschool through 6th grade will be receiving a Pizza Ranch reading card to take home within the next week. Students ages 3-12 can earn a free child’s buffet for every 5 books they read/have been read to them. Completed cards should be turned in directly to Pizza Ranch, at which time they will provide you with a new card. There is currently no expiration date on the program, with an unlimited number of opportunities to earn a free child’s buffet. Please note that HCS does not have an affiliation with the program or extra cards, so please contact Hudsonville Pizza Ranch if you need a replacement card.
Job Opportunities
7th Grade Science
The Middle School at Hudsonville Christian School is seeking applicants for a full-time 7th-grade teacher with primary teaching responsibilities of Bible and Science for the 2024-2025 school year. Interested applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree in education with a Science certification. We are looking for someone who is passionate about working with middle schoolers, is team-oriented, and has a strong love for our Lord and Savior. If you or someone you know are interested in joining our dedicated and passionate staff, please complete the application form. If you have any questions regarding this opportunity, please reach out to middle school principal, Mr. Chris Achterhof, at cachterhof@4hcs.org.
Music Teacher and Accompanist
The Middle School is looking for someone to teach two General Music classes next school year. Classes will be taught every other day after lunch (approximately 12:15-2:40) to 6th and 8th graders. This is a part time position.
The Middle School is also looking for someone to accompany the choirs during their rehearsals throughout the year. Hours are flexible, but will likely be 8-10 hours a week. This person is passionate about music and can support choir director Anna Schreur by playing the piano and helping teach our choir students.
If you are interested in, or know of someone who is, please contact middle school principal, Mr. Chris Achterhof, at cachterhof@4hcs.org
Kids’ Corner After School Aide
Hudsonville Christian School is seeking applicants for after school Kids’ Corner child care aides for the 2024-2025 school year. We are looking for additional staff from 2:45-5:45 pm. This is a great after school job for Unity students! Interested applicants must have a love for God and His children, be 17 years old and enjoy working on a team. If you are interested in the position, please reach out to Julie Moes at jmoes@4hcs.org.
Middle School Library Book Sale
With the moving of the library to the new addition, the Middle school library is doing some spring cleaning! The library is having a sale on books and other assorted materials like games and puzzles this week Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (May 22-24). Books will be sold for $0.25 each, hardcover and softcover. Parents and students are welcome to stop in to find some books during school hours!
2024-2025 Robotics
Students interested in participating in V5 Robotics (entering 7th/8th grade) and/or Drones (entering 5th-8th) are now able to sign up using this form. Signing up now helps us better plan over the summer for the anticipated number of students/teams in the fall. We will reach out to families in the fall to confirm they are still planning on participating before placing students on teams. If you have any questions, please email robotics@4hcs.org.
Moms in Prayer
The Moms in Prayer group believes that through prayer God releases His power on behalf of our children and school. Our faith is in God who hears and answers our prayers. This week Friday will be our final week of community prayer. We will be meeting in the preschool lounge at the elementary building, 8:00-9:00 a.m. Please check in at the main office. We will be focused on praying for the administration and office staff as well as praising God for all He has done this school year. See you there!
Camp Crazee Fun 2024
Mr. Los, our elementary PE teacher, invites all students entering 3rd – 8th grade to participate in Camp Crazee Fun June 3-6. Forms have been handed out to students and the form is also available HERE. Invite your friends and neighbors to join too! Camp is located in our West gym and includes all kinds of great group games. Please turn the completed registration form in at the office by May 31. Any questions email Mr. Los at – dlos@4hcs.org
Summer TRIP Schedule
TRIP will continue through the summer on the following Mondays from 4:30pm – 6:00pm in the Connector by the Admin Office (Door F): June 3 & 17, July 1, 15 & 29, August 12, 19 & 26.
Box Tops News for Walmart Shoppers!
Connect your Walmart and Box Tops accounts so you can earn cash for your school when you purchase Box Tops products in-store or online using your saved Walmart payment method — without scanning or submitting your receipts!
- Download the Box Tops app or update to the latest version. In the app, go to your profile, then tap on “Connected Accounts” and select “Walmart.”
- When prompted, sign into your Walmart account, (If you don’t have a Walmart account, you’ll be prompted to create one). Make sure to save a payment method to your Walmart account.
- Your Walmart account is now connected to Box Tops, so your qualifying purchases made in-store and online with a saved payment method will earn for your school! Box Tops will be credited after you receive your Walmart items.
ELEMENTARY NEWS
Chapel
All elementary students will gather in the west gym for chapel each Friday from 10:00-10:25 AM. Parents are welcome to join us and may enter through the west gym lobby doors.
Elementary Hot Lunch
The menu as well as other information on the Elementary Hot Lunch Program provided by JenHud Food Service can be found on the JenHud Food Service website.
Library Books
All books must be returned by Tuesday, May 28. If you have any questions, please contact Miss Staal at mjstaal@4hcs.org
5th Grade Band & Orchestra sign-up
Last week an email was sent out to all current 4th grade parents with a form to be completed to sign your child up for Band or Orchestra. If your child would like to participate in Band or Orchestra please complete the form noting which instrument they would like to play. Contact the Middle school office with any questions at 616-379-0338 or Brian Knot –bknot@4hcs.org or Sara Jager – sjager@4hcs.org.
Blacklight Dodgeball
Join your child this week during their PE time in the East Gym. Please come dressed in Neon and tennis shoes and check in at the office. Parents, grandparents or Uncles/Aunts are invited for this day of outrageous fun. Any questions, please email Mr. Los- dlos@4hcs.org
Incoming 5th & 6th Grade Students/Parents Hot Lunch Survey
In Middle School, hot lunch is offered one day a week, on Wednesdays, beginning on September 18th. This is an optional opportunity for your child to purchase pizza, Chick Fil A, and Mr Burger Please look for a schedule at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year. A very important part of ‘how’ we make hot lunch work is student surveys on what they will and will not purchase. NEW THIS YEAR- Entering 5th and 6th grade students must complete this survey with their parents. A paper copy is available that can be filled out and returned to the middle school office or emailed to Kim Racey at kracey10@gmail.com. Please complete this survey even if you do not plan to participate in hot lunch. Forms must be filled out or returned by MAY 30, 2024.
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 at the end of the school year.
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
Chapel
Students and staff gather in the south gym for chapel each Tuesday & Thursday from 7:55-8:25 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.
- Honors Chapel – Tuesday, May 21
- Elite 8 Chapel – Thursday, May 23
Hot Lunch IOUs
Many students still have lunch IOUs to pay in the middle school office. Please help your child get these taken care of before the end of the school year.
Lost and Found
Lost and Found tables are set out in the front office area of the Middle School building. Please stop by and look for any items that belong to your child. Anything left after the last day of school will be donated to Revive.
8th grade Final Two Week schedule
We are in the final 2 weeks of school for our 8th grade students. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Middle school office or 8th grade teachers.
8th Grade Graduation
8th Grade Graduation will be held at Fair Haven Church on Thursday, May 30 at 7:00pm. Doors open at 6:30. The graduation ceremony will be livestreamed and recorded.
Current 6th Grade Students
Just a reminder, there are additional immunizations required for incoming 7th grade students prior to starting 7th grade next year. An email with additional information including which immunizations are needed was sent out last week. We wanted to give you a heads up so that you can 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
Registration for Unity’s Summer Sports Camps for students ages 3 – 12th grade is now open! The registration link and schedule of camps can be found at unitychristianathletics.org under “Camps & Clinics”. Please contact Unity’s Athletic Office at 669-1820 or athletics@unitychristian.org with any questions you may have!
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), a 7th grade team, and an 8th grade team. Practices for 3rd-6th grades will begin on August 12 and grades 7&8 will begin on August 19. 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 orathletics@unitychristian.org with any questions you may have!
Vacation Bible School – Fair Haven Church
We can’t wait to CELEBRATE with you at VBS this Summer!! We will learn more about Jesus through games, crafts, Bible stories and more! Register your party peeps grades PreK through 5th for an experience they’ll never forget on July 15-18 6:30-8:30PM.
Arts Camp at Evergreen Ministries!
Elementary students entering 2nd Grade to 5th Grade are invited to join Evergreen Ministries on July 29th through August 1st to explore “Under the Sea: the Jonah experience! Arts Camp is designed to explore our creative God through a variety of artistic opportunities, including visual, performing and culinary arts. Camp will run from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm (please pack a lunch) from Monday, July 29th through Thursday, August 1st and is offered free of charge. Registration opens June 1st – see egm.org under the Youth tab for registration and class information. Contact chris@egm.org for more details or to get involved in this great community event – volunteers are welcome!
Calvin University Football Camp
Calvin University Football is hosting its first ever youth football camp! Come learn the basic fundamentals of football, general movement skills and have a ton of fun! There are different sessions correlating to your age group. Please click HERE for more details. Direct all questions to Ben.Dixon@Calvin.edu
Annual Saturday Slip n’ Slide
Mark your calendars and join us on Saturday, August 17 from 12pm-4pm for the Saturday Slip n’ Slide held at Rosewood Park in Jenison, MI. Enjoy four giant slip n slides, dunk tanks, foam pit, sponsor tent, food vendors, and so much more! This is the perfect summer event with fun for the whole family! We will see you this August!
