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“In the Chronicles of Narnia, who does Edmund represent?”

This was the question I overheard as I was passing by a 6th grade classroom recently. As a C.S. Lewis fan and a generally curious person, I decided to listen at the door to hear what the students thought.

“Jesus!” came the immediate response of a few students. Many began to giggle until the teacher kindly said, “Don’t just answer with “Jesus,” I want you to really think about this.”

Another student raised their hand and said, “Us. Edmund represents us and our sin.”

Sometimes, giving the “Jesus” answer is easy, especially at a Christian school. Yet, most answers are deeper than that; we just need a reminder to pause and think about it. I am so grateful that HCS invites students to think sincerely about where God is in everything. Whether it is the Chronicles of Narnia or the phases of the Moon, math facts, or US History, HCS doesn’t just casually give a “Jesus answer.” Ours is an intentional pursuit of wisdom and knowledge (Proverbs 2:6) that challenges our minds and lives for His glory.

I would never have thought that eavesdropping on classroom conversations would encourage my walk with the Lord as much as it has these last few years. But it does! I hope it challenges you as well. 

Layne Fuller
Director of Marketing and Communications

SCHOOL-WIDE NEWS

Grandparents’ Day – October 18

We are excited to invite our grandparents and special friends to join us for our Grandparents’ Day celebration this Friday, October 18. For all the details about the event, please visit our website. To help us ensure a smooth visit, please provide your child(ren)’s teacher’s name and room number so that our guests can easily find them. We will have maps and helpful staff available to guide everyone. Looking forward to a wonderful celebration!

Due to limited space and parking we ask that parents refrain from attending the Grandparents’ Day events and chapel. We invite you to join us via livestream or watch the chapel at a later time. Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us create a wonderful experience for our students and their guests! 

Parking  Attendant Volunteers – We are in need of a few more volunteers to help with parking at the elementary building on Grandparents’ Day! If you would be willing to help please contact Cindy Palmbos.

Picture Retakes

Picture orders were sent home yesterday.  Retakes will be Thursday, October 17 from 8:00-9:00 am at the elementary school. Middle school students who need retakes will be transported to the elementary school to get their picture taken. If your child will be getting retakes, please return your entire photo packet from the first picture taking time.  If your child will be getting their picture taken for the first time, be sure to send in their picture order form with them on this day.

Moms in Prayer

On Friday, October 18 you are invited to join the Moms in Prayer group! Due to Grandparents’ Day activities, we will be meeting from 8:00-9:00 am at Rebecca VanderMolen’s house.  Contact her at 616-540-3190 with questions or for directions! We will be focused on praying for the teachers of the 5th and 6th graders as well as the students in these grades. We can’t wait to gather and lift them up to the Lord. We’d love to see you there!

Limited Busing

On Monday, October 21 HPS busing will be limited. The following buses will run their regular route: 57, 60, and 78/10.  If your HPS bus number is not mentioned in this limited busing list, you will need to provide your own transportation to and from school on this date. Unity bus routes will run as normal.

Unified Soccer Game

Join us on Monday October 21 to watch our HCS Unified soccer team as they play against Zeeland Christian! The game will be held at 4:15 at HCS Elementary. (Unified sports is a program of the Special Olympics that combines kids with and without disabilities to play sports together, promoting social inclusion and understanding.) Come cheer for our HCS Unified team on Monday! 

No School for CEA Convention

There will be no school or Kids’ Corner for students on Thursday, October 24 and Friday, October 25 so that our teachers can participate in the Christian Educators Association Convention.

Parent/Teacher Conferences 

Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for November 12 & 14 for students in Young 5s – 8th Grade. You will be notified of your conference time(s) by mail. Childcare will be available during your conference time. School will be in session regular hours on both conference days.  There will be no school for 3 School through 8th Grade on Friday, November 15. Kids’ Corner will also be closed on that day. Thank you! 

Yearbook Order

Now is the time to order the HCS yearbook for your student!  Orders are taken now for the all-color yearbook that students will receive in May 2025.  The cost is $25 per yearbook and you must purchase it online through Herff-Jones at www.YearbookOrderCenter.com.  You must enter our school order number that is 3469.  Please note that you must order online by Friday, November 1.

ELEMENTARY NEWS

Chapel 

This Friday we will have a special Grandparents’ Day chapel. Students in Young 5s -8th grade will join their grandparents for a time of worship at the elementary west gym. Due to limited space and parking we ask that parents refrain from attending.  We invite you to join us via livestream- a link will be sent via email.You can also find all chapel recordings on our Vimeo channel- Chapel

Elementary Hot Lunch 

Information on the Elementary Hot Lunch program provided by JenHud Food Service can be found on the JenHud Food Service website.

Wednesday Morning Playground Volunteers 

We are in need of volunteers to help monitor the elementary playground on Wednesday mornings before school. For more information or to sign up follow this Sign Up Genius link. Thank you for considering this important opportunity!

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, October 15 – Mr. Huisman/Mr. Schaap leading chapel
  • Friday, October 18 – All school Grandparents’ Day Chapel at the Elementary. Due to limited space and parking we ask that parents refrain from attending.  We invite you to join us via livestream- a link will be sent via email.
  • Tuesday, October 22 – Mrs. Heerspink’s Homeroom leading chapel 

Hot Lunch 

Hot Lunch this Wednesday, October 16 will be DJ’s Pizza (ham or pepperoni) $2.50/slice.  Click HERE for the complete menu schedule and information. ***Please note, there will be no Hot lunch Wednesday, October 23 due to the Fitness Feat taking place during this time.

Hot Lunch Volunteers

The Hot Lunch Committee is in need of five additional volunteers! Volunteers would serve once every 5 weeks and earn 10 points. Please sign up here if you are willing to help!

Upcoming Hot Lunch Special

On October 30, the Hot Lunch Team is offering McDonald’s Cheeseburgers and Fries for $4.50.  Your student received an email with a link telling them about this.  If your child would like to order lunch on the 30th, they must use the link in the email to sign up by TODAY.

Picture Retakes

Picture retakes will be happening this Thursday, October 17.  If your child missed picture day or would like their picture retaken, please let the Middle school office know. 

Fall Band, Choir & Orchestra Concert 

The Middle School Band, Orchestra, and Choir Fall Concert will be held tonight at 7:00 pm at Fair Haven Church in Hudsonville. The call time for all band, choir, and orchestra students is 6:40. Students must be in formal concert attire (black pants/skirts, black shoes and a plain white top). Dress code applies. Students will sit with their parents/guardians when they’re not performing. See you tonight!

7th Grade Skating Party

The 7th Graders will have a skating party this Wednesday, October 16, from 3:30-5:00 at Rollxscape in Holland.  We will ride a bus to and from the rink. We will leave school at 2:50 pm and parents must pick up their child from school at 5:30. Cost is $10 and includes rentals.  Concessions and games will be available.  

7th Grade Winter Camp Parent Chaperone Sign-ups

7th Grade Winter Camp will be held January 29-31, 2025.  We are accepting applications for Parent Chaperones.  An email with a sign-up link was sent home last week Tuesday.  If you are interested, fill out the form and submit it.  Deadline to apply is October 23 at 4:00 pm.

PARENTS' CLUB NEWS

Monthly Update from the PCB

The school year is off to a great start for the Parents’ Club Board (PCB) and we are excited to share all of the work God is doing through our Board! We look forward to another year living out our mission of blessing students, supporting staff, building community, and raising funds! Any questions- please reach out to pcb@4hcs.org.

  • Volunteers

There are 855 volunteer opportunities this year at HCS! Currently, 645 are filled which means 200+ volunteer positions are still open. More than 100 families volunteer above and beyond the requested 25 points. Several families volunteer for more than 100 points! The Parents’ Club Board greatly appreciates our parent volunteers as their efforts help keep tuition costs down, assure our programs and events run smoothly, and build a stronger community. Please consider volunteering for one (or more) open positions!

  • Fall Events 

The Clay Shoot, Septemberfest & Harvest Family Fun Day events were all great successes. 

  • Funding 

We have approved providing funds for many things such as our annual tuition assistance gift, new sports uniforms, new playground equipment, building needs, tech equipment, field trips and more! We couldn’t provide this without the money our events earn, so again, Thank You to those who give, attend, and volunteer!

COMMUNITY NEWS

Revive Resale

It’s Pay Day! Revive is so excited to be able to bless our Eastern Ottawa Christian Schools with a total of $723,060 for this school year! That’s a total of $260 for every student, our highest payout yet! And for Hudsonville Christian that equals a total of $237,640! God has been so good to revive with a wonderful year of donations, shoppers, and record sales numbers, and the money that results is a joy to pass on to our Christian school families. Since opening in 2010, revive has been able to give our schools a total of $3,770,580! Praise God for His provision! Thank you for being an important part of that by donating to revive, shopping, and even volunteering! Your contribution matters! To keep up on the happenings of revive, find us on Facebook or Instagram or visit our website at www.reviveresale.org.

MS Girls Swim Team

Unity Christian is sponsoring a swim team for all EOCS female students who are in 6th – 8th grade.  Participants will practice and improve their swim skills, and there will be three swim meets.  The cost for this program is $80, and it begins on Wednesday, October 23.  If you enjoy swimming this is an exciting opportunity for you!  A printable flyer with more details of the program can be found here and, on our website, unitychristianathletics.org.  You can register for this program at this link

Boys Saturday Basketball Program

Unity Christian is pleased to offer a Saturday Basketball program for boys in grades 4 – 6.  This program will be held on November 9, 16, 23 and December 7 & 14.  Each session will teach fundamental basketball skills and provide team competition.  Fourth grade boys will meet from 9:00 – 10:00 am, and 5th/6th graders will meet from 10:15 – 11:45 am.  The cost to participate is $45 for 4th grade and $55 for 5th/6th grades, and the deadline to register is November 1.  To register go to this link.  An information sheet with more details can be found at www.unitychristianathletics.org 

Fall Arts and Crafts Festival 

You are invited to attend Jenison Christian’s annual Fall Arts & Crafts Festival at the school on Saturday, November 2 from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. Find unique handmade art, jewelry, baked goods, gifts and more! Admission is free. For more information or vendor inquiries contact craftshow@jenisonchristianorg 

When God’s Story Becomes Your Story

Please join us Saturday, November 2, for a Biblical Theology Workshop with Nancy Guthrie. 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at First Byron CRC, 8541 Byron Center Ave SW, Byron Center. To register and for more information go to nancyguthrie.com and click under workshops. You may also email office@firstbyroncrc.org with any questions!

IMPORTANT DATES

October 15
Band/Choir/Orchestra Concert at Fair Haven Church
October 17
Picture Retake Day
October 18
Grandparents' Day
October 21
Limited Busing AM & PM
October 23
Middle School Fall Fitness Feat
October 23
End of First 9 Weeks
October 24-25
CEA Convention (No school for students)
November 1
Report Cards Posted
November 12 & 14
Y5-8th Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 15
No School
November 27-29
Thanksgiving Break