HOME COMMUNICATOR
If you’ve had a first grader at Hudsonville Christian, you might know about the God’s Big Words Devotions they do throughout the school year. In the beginning of the year they focus on the words IMAGE and IMITATE, learning that God made each one of them in His image and that He desires them to live like Him. As the year goes on, they learn more big words like SACRIFICE, HUMILITY, TRUTH, and SELF-CONTROL.
Recently, the team added a new God’s Big Word: COMPASSION. More than just kindness, the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines compassion as a “deep awareness of the suffering of another accompanied by the wish to relieve it.” This is such a beautiful picture of what Jesus did for us! He saw us suffering in our sinful mess and gave up His life to relieve us from that suffering. When we treat others with compassion–seeing their hurts and wanting to help–we are imitating Jesus.
”Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 NIV
The other day, a kindergartener was a little late coming to school. She had had a rough start to the morning and was in tears. The parent loop doors to the kindergarten side of the school were already locked, so she came in the door where I stood instead. She wasn’t sure how to get to her classroom from that door, so I walked her down the hall to her class. While we walked, we talked about her tough morning and how she was nervous to go into her room after everyone else had already started the day. As I walked her into the classroom, I wish you could have seen the compassion that was shown to this little girl. Immediately, her teacher came to greet her and welcome her to school. One classmate came up to her and said, “Are you feeling shy this morning?” And then, one by one, those kindergarten students got up from their tables to greet her and make her feel welcome. They all saw her struggling and felt the urge to help make things better.
Now, I’m sure compassionate acts like the one described above are happening in classrooms all over the world. But we have a unique opportunity as Christian educators; we get to point these young people to the One they are imitating. We get to share His story and how it changes everything. We are so grateful to be able to nurture the faith of our students here at HCS!
In Christ,
Tricia Kiepert
Elementary Principal
ALL-SCHOOL NEWS
Calendar Change: Middle School Early Release
Please mark your calendars regarding an approved calendar change that will impact our middle school students. Friday, December 1, 2023, will be considered an early dismissal day scheduled for release at 11:10 AM for middle school students only. Elementary students are not impacted by this change as they will continue with a regular school day. Please reach out to Chris Achterhof, Middle School Building Principal or Devon Brinks, HCS Superintendent, if you have any questions.
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 we will be meeting at the Middle School 8:00-9:00 a.m. Check in at the main office and they will direct you where to go. We will be focused on praying for our amazing education support staff this week. See you there!
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
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.
Cookies
This week Friday morning students will have the opportunity to purchase freshly baked chocolate chip cookies for $.25 each (limit 4).
Thanksgiving Food Collection
The elementary students will be participating in a Thanksgiving food drive on Monday, November 20 and Tuesday, November 21 for the Love Your Neighbor and Jehovah Jireh Food Pantries. Please bring non-perishable, non-glass food or toiletry items to school one of these two days. Some of their most needed items include: Canned Chicken, Pancake Mix, Boxed Pasta Salad, Egg noodles, White Rice, Canned Pasta, Cooking oil, Fruit Cups, Jam/Jelly, Granola Bars & Salad Dressing. All donations should be dropped off by 12 p.m. on Tuesday, November 21.
Love Bazaar
It’s beginning to look a lot like Love Bazaar time! December 1, students will get a special opportunity to shop for their families! Your child will bring home a packet of information regarding their class shopping time. Please have your kids make their shopping list, and check it twice, to ensure that it has their immediate family only. Parents, those boxes of Trix are for kids to wrap their gifts in so please bring your donations of all sized boxes, wrapping paper, gift bags, and tissue paper to the Love Bazaar box by the main office. The Love Bazaar Committee thanks you for your help in making this a great kickoff to the CHRISTmas Season!
Christmas Celebration
Mark your calendars and plan to join us on Monday, December 4 for the Elementary Christmas Celebration held at Fair Haven Church beginning at 7 p.m. This program will involve our elementary students in 1st – 5th grades. In an effort to alleviate some of the crowded conditions at the Christmas Celebration, we are opening up our afternoon rehearsal at 12:30 pm on December 4 for those who cannot attend at night or would rather come during daylight hours. There are bound to be some stops and starts as we rehearse, but we’ll be going through the entire program in the afternoon as well. We do ask that everyone attend only ONE of the programs. Thank you for your cooperation with this!
Living Water Art Show
Mark your calendars for the elementary Living Water Art Show on Thursday, April 18! We are excited to announce that the art of all Y5s-5th grade students will be displayed throughout the school. Take an art walk through student-created streams, oceans, rivers, waterfalls, and enjoy other beautiful pieces while you notice your child’s artistic ability grow throughout the year. We cannot wait! (If you’d like to help with set up or prep, please contact Mrs. Schaap at cschaap@4hcs.org).
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
Calendar Change: Middle School Early Release
Please mark your calendars regarding an approved calendar change that will impact our middle school students. Friday, December 1, 2023, will be considered an early dismissal day scheduled for release at 11:10 AM for middle school students only. Elementary students are not impacted by this change as they will continue with a regular school day. Please reach out to Chris Achterhof, Middle School Building Principal or Devon Brinks, HCS Superintendent, if you have any questions.
Chapel
Students and staff will gather in the south gym for chapel from 7:55-8:25 AM on Tuesday and Thursday. 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, November 14 -Brian Boucek from Bauer CRC leading chapel
- Thursday, November 16 -Student Leaders leading chapel
Hot Lunch
Hot Lunch this week Wednesday November 15 will be Arby’s roast beef sandwich $3.00. Pop/Chips $.50 each. (limit of 1 pop & chips) The full menu/schedule is listed on our website.
Cookies
This week Friday morning students will have the opportunity to purchase freshly baked chocolate chip cookies for $.25 each (limit 4).
8th Grade Skating Party
Mark your calendars for the 8th Grade skating party on Wednesday, November 15! The students will leave school at 3:00pm and ride buses to RollerXscape in Holland and return to school at 5:40pm for parent pick up. The cost for entry and skates is $10.00.
Middle School Early Release
There will be an early release at the Middle School only on Friday, December 1. Students will be released at 11:10, and there will be no busing at that time. Busing will run as normal after school. There will be some supervision offered for students that are unable to be picked up at 11:10. If your student plans to stay for the afternoon, be sure that they bring a lunch.
Robotics
Middle school students who are interested in robotics next year (2024-25) and their parents are invited to come check out the VRC program on November 30th at 6:30pm in the West gym lobby. Come and meet this year’s teams, check out their robots, watch some matches and learn more about this program!
Middle School Spelling Bee
The middle school Spelling Bee is scheduled for Thursday, January 25, 2024. Each grade level can qualify up to eight students. Information is available from the 6th-8th grade language arts teachers. If you have any questions, contact Joy De Windt at jdewindt@4hcs.org.
Art Club
If your student is interested in art and is looking for an opportunity to be creative, Art club may be a good fit! It will be held in the middle school art room, two Thursdays through the months of Dec-March from 2:45-4 p.m (specific dates can be found on the sign-up slips) and costs $15, all art materials provided. Sign-up slips can be found in the middle school office; space is limited. Any questions can be directed to Laura Mast at lmast@4hcs.org.
PARENTS' CLUB NEWS
Box Tops bonus offers for November
Remember to scan or send in your receipts to the app within 2 weeks of purchase. Thanks for your help!
- Earn 4 Bonus Box Tops on Betty Crocker Baking Mix when you buy any 2 participating Betty Crocker Baking Mix products in a single transaction.
- Earn 6 Bonus Box Tops on Old El Paso when you buy any 3 participating Old El Paso products in a single transaction.
- Earn 4 Bonus Box Tops on Pillsbury Pie Crust when you buy any 2 participating Pillsbury Pie Crust products in a single transaction.
HCS Auction: March 2, 2024
This year’s live Auction will be on Saturday, March 2, 2024. The 2024 Auction Committee is seeking donations of UNIQUE EXPERIENCES (VIP tours, lessons, tickets, vacation spots, etc) to add to this year’s Auction! If you know of anyone who may be interested in giving back to our school in this fun and memorable way, please reach out to auction@4hcs.org.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Cross Train Volleyball
The Cross-train Volleyball League offers local 5-8th grade girls the opportunity to improve their volleyball skills in a nine week league. Experienced coaches facilitate fundamental skill development, position training, and team play in a faith-based environment. Format includes weekly practices and four match dates. Paperwork is available in the HCS office or by email request. The league is coordinated by Hope Hoezee, Unity Christian Varsity Assistant. Registration begins November 18th via Signup Genius (participants must register via Signup Genius first and then send in paperwork). The league runs January 23-March 23, evaluations January 2 and 4. Space is limited. Email crosstrainvb@gmail.com for paperwork or with questions.
Youth Softball Clinic
United States Pride, a West Michigan softball team, is offering a youth softball clinic to raise funds to play at “The Cup” softball tournament in the Netherlands. The clinic is headed by Hope College head softball coach, Michelle Brander Metiva and two of Hudsonville Christian’s graduates, Paige Rylarsdam and Makenzie Cammenga as well as their teammates. The clinic will be held at Elite Baseball and Softball (5930 Clyde Park Ave SW, Wyoming, MI 49509) on Wednesday, November 29 from 7-8:30pm for ages 8-12. Skills covered will be: hitting, infield, outfield, and base running. The cost is $35 per player. Please arrive 15 minutes early for check-in. To register, send payment through Venmo to: @the-NL-Cup-USPride with your athlete’s name and age.
