HOME COMMUNICATOR
This summer, our family spent some time camping. We love the slower pace of life, playing games, and building a big campfire at night. All of our boys love sitting by the campfire, but our oldest is often the first to jump at the opportunity to start the fire. This summer he had fun using a flint to create a spark. He sat by the edge of the fire pit and created spark after spark after spark as he worked to get a fire started. It was so rewarding to see that tiny spark become a burning flame!
This week marks the start of school for our 3 School and 4 School students. As they begin the year, I think of the sparks that will ignite their faith and help it grow throughout the year. Our teachers and staff are so thankful for the opportunity to walk alongside each of these little ones and point them to Jesus. It is our prayer, with the help of the Holy Spirit, that their faith will become a burning flame that shines brightly for the Lord their whole life.
We may never see how big each child’s flame grows in their lifetime or the ways God will use their flame to make a difference in His Kingdom. However, we are grateful for the opportunity to partner with families to point these students to Jesus and nurture them in their faith!
Praising God for this new year!
Julie Moes
Early Childhood Director
SCHOOL-WIDE NEWS
School Pictures
Middle School students will have their pictures taken on September 10. Elementary school pictures will be taken on September 11 & 12. Additional information on pictures will be coming home with students soon.
- Tuesday, September 10– Grades 5-8
- Wednesday, September 11– M/W 3 School, M/W 4 School, Nature Based 4 School, M/W/F Y5s, Grade 1, Grade 2.
- Thursday, September 12– T/Th 3 School, T/Th 4 School, Nature Based 4 School, T/TH/F Y5s, Kindergarten, Grade 3, Grade 4.
Pizza Ranch Reading Cards
Students in 3-year old preschool through 6th grade will be receiving another 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.
Volunteer Needs
Elementary Playground Volunteers
We are in need of volunteers to help cover the elementary playground during recess! Having additional adults on the playground helps keep our kids safe. Please check out this Sign Up Genius link to sign up and earn volunteer points! Thank you for considering this important opportunity!
Elementary Cafeteria Helpers
We are in need of parent/grandparent volunteers who are dedicated to helping out two or three times each month in the elementary cafeteria, which will be set up soon in the east gym. These people will be in charge of setting up the tables, helping students as needed, cleaning tables, changing trash bags after each group, and helping to put away the tables at the end of lunch. The time frame is from 10:45-12:45 to cover three different lunch periods. Sign up or find more information about earning your parent volunteer points by following this Sign Up Genius link.
Harvent Family Fun Day
Parents (or Grandparents) Do you need to earn volunteer points? Want to do something fun? We could REALLY use your help to run a game or serve food. We need 40 more spots filled in order to make this event happen. It is only possible with the help of our HCS families! Please go to the sign up genius page for our event to sign up as soon as possible!
Auction Committee Members
We are in need of additional volunteers to help plan and facilitate the Auction that will take place in the spring of 2025! This is an important event for our school and a great way to build community! If you are willing to serve in this way click HERE to sign up! Questions? contact pcb@4hcs.org or auction@4hcs.org.
Upcoming Events – Save the Date!
HCS Clay Shoot – September 7 – 8:30 AM registration
Hudsonville Christian School is sponsoring its 18th annual Sporting Clay Shoot- at Blendon Pines in Borculo on September 7. We’d love to see you come out and support the Hudsonville Christian School Tuition Assistance Fund. Last year we raised over $18,000 in this fun event. It doesn’t matter if you’re a novice or an expert shooter, this promises to be a fun event with something for everyone. For more information or to register click HERE.
Septemberfest – September 21
Come out and support our school at the annual show on September 21 from 9am to 2pm at the Hudsonville Fairgrounds. This will be your one stop shop! Come and get your donut, grab some lunch and shop our 150+ vendors. Tickets are $3; kids 12 and under free. Strollers are welcome. VIP tickets are available that will allow you early entry at 8:15am before the crowds. The VIP passes also include a shopping bag full of local business coupons. There are only 100 available so get yours soon; visit the Septemberfest Facebook page for more information! Cost for VIP bags is $10. Please help us spread the word by finding us on Facebook, liking it, and sharing us with your friends. Search Septemberfest Arts and Craft Show on Facebook. We can not wait to see you all there!
Harvest Family Fun Day – October 5
We would love to see all the HCS preschool through 8th graders, and parents come out for an afternoon of food, fun and community! Plan on attending this fun-filled afternoon rain or shine. Outside it is held on the tar behind the early education wing. (Inside would be in the West Gym) Fantastic prizes and fun games like the pumpkin walk, basketball free throw, cereal walk, plinko, bounce house. Donuts, cider, popcorn, cotton candy. Even if you cannot come the entire time please stop by anytime between 3:00 and 5:00 PM. There will be a small cost of $5 per child (adults are free). Please email jenniwalters@sbcglobal.net with any questions.
ELEMENTARY NEWS
Chapel
All elementary students will gather in the west gym for chapel on 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
Information on the Elementary Hot Lunch program provided by JenHud Food Service can be found on the JenHud Food Service website.
Pokemon Cards
Pokemon cards have become a source of distraction and issues for several students and it has taken away the spirit we are trying to foster during our break times at the elementary building. Because of this, we are asking that students leave their Pokemon cards at home instead of taking them to school. Thanks for your cooperation with this!
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, September 3 – Chapel Committee: Spiritual Fuel
- Friday, September 6 – Breakfast Club
Donuts
Donuts will be on sale at break time on Friday, September 13 for $1.50 each.
Hot Lunch
Hot lunch will begin at the middle school on Wednesday, September 18. More information on the menu selections and prices will be coming soon. Until then – remember your middle school student will need to pack lunch every day.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Internet Safety Workshop
Attention Parents and Students (6th Grade and Up)! The Rush Creek and Grand Valley Cadet Councils are excited to invite you to a special workshop on Internet Safety with expert Al Vandenbosch. The event will take place on October 10 at 7:00 PM at Messiah Christian Reformed Church, 2900 Springdale St, Hudsonville, MI 49426. Al Vandenbosch, who works for Ottawa County, will help you understand the dangers that our children face when they are on the internet. Join us as we all learn about these dangers, the consequences of decisions, and how to protect children. This workshop will cover essential topics such as safe browsing habits, identifying and avoiding online scams, protecting personal information, and cyberbullying prevention. This event is open to all students in 6th grade and higher, and it is not limited to boys—everyone is welcome. No registration is necessary—just come as you are! We look forward to seeing you there!
Employment Opportunity
Post Family Farm in Hudsonville is looking to hire energetic ADULTS for seasonal work for our fall season. Our Spring season runs from September 4, 2024 – November 2, 2024. Opportunities include donut makers, tour guides, Weekday Festival workers and Saturday Festival workers. Donut making involves working with several others in our bakery making donuts, filling orders and running the cash register. Tour guides take a group of children, teachers and parents around the farm both on and off a tractor (training provided). Festival workers may work in donuts, office, tickets, drive the pumpkin train or drive the tractor to the pumpkin patch. No previous experience is required for any position. Work days and hours are very flexible to fit your schedule. Please contact Julie at Post Family Farm, if you have any interest in working in a fun, farm atmosphere. Phone – 616/669-1964, email – tours@postfamilyfarm.com.
