November 15 Home Communicator – Mission… Quest… Thing…
My daughter, Anna Spotts, loves the work of J.R.R. Tolkien. As she navigates a college semester in England this fall, she updates her family and friends with a blog entitled, Mission… Quest… Thing…, which is a famous line from the movie The Lord of the Rings.
Underneath the title of Anna’s blog, she placed this quote from J.R.R. Tolkien: “It’s a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to”. I love this quote on many levels. It can be applied to just about anything — parenting, youth group leading, traveling, life.
Today, I want to apply this to teaching here at Hudsonville Christian School. It can feel like “dangerous business” at times because of the great responsibility we’ve been called to, leading children to a deeper faith in The One. We “go out our door” every day to find our students in places of great joy and great need. We must rely on The One for the right words to say or hug to give. As we “step onto the road” with so much to consider — report cards, parent teacher conferences, new teaching strategies, curriculum changes, supporting kids — it is easy to worry we won’t “keep our feet” and be “swept off to” somewhere.
To me, the best part of this quote goes unsaid. Who helps us keep our feet? The One! Every day, every minute, every second! As a teacher at Hudsonville Christian School, I am thankful that The One guides my Mission… Quest… Thing… to Challenge Minds and Lives for Christ!
Sincerely,
Sue Spotts, Director of Instruction
SCHOOL WIDE NEWS
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Mrs. Katy Bosch (1st Grade Teacher) and her husband, Nate, on the birth of their son, Parker Thomas, on Sunday, November 13. Both mother and baby are doing great, and we praise God for this new blessing!
Prayer Meeting Invitation
The HCS community – parents, students, teachers, and staff – are all invited to a monthly prayer meeting for HCS. We hope to continue strengthening ties between the school, area churches and the greater HCS community all while bringing concerns and joys in prayer before God. For November, we will be meeting at Immanuel CRC on November 20 at 5:30 p.m. Immanuel CRC is located at 3520 Kiel St. Ave, Hudsonville. We have a schedule and are accepting prayer requests online here and through the link on the school website. We invite you all to join together with us to pray for Hudsonville Christian School and the HCS community!
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for November 21 and 22 for students in grades pre-kindergarten to eighth grade. School will be in session regular hours on both conference days. There will be no school for 3 School through eighth grade November 23—25. Thank you!
TRIP News
- Thank-Scrip-ing Day is on Tuesday, November 22 from 12:00 a.m. – 11:59 p.m. at shopwithscrip.com! This is a great day to get incredible ScriptNow, Reload, and ReloadNow bonuses from dozens of your favorite retailers.
- Not signed up for TRIP yet? Come to an information/registration meeting on Monday, December 5 at 7:00 p.m. in the new West Campus Conference Room. November and December are great months for bonus percentages too!
- Pizza Ranch is no longer a VIP Merchant. $25 Pizza Ranch gift cards can be ordered online or by doing a write-in on a scheduled order.
Report Cards
Report cards were posted to RenWeb on Friday, November 11. If you are not able to access the report card by computer or must have a hard copy, please call the elementary office at 669-6689 or middle school office at 669-7487. If you experience problems or have questions about accessing this information through RenWeb, please contact Steve Schnyders at sschyders@4hcs.org (elementary) or Dave Doll at ddoll@4hcs.org (middle school). Thank you!
Hudsonville Holiday Parade
Mark your calendar to join in the fun at the Hudsonville Holiday Parade this week Saturday morning, November 19, starting at 10:00 a.m. The route will run down 32nd Avenue starting at Highland Drive and ending at Central Boulevard. Hudsonville Christian will have an entry in the parade, so be sure to cheer for the HCS parade participants as they pass b
ELEMENTARY NEWS
Number/Day Schedule
| November 16 | Day #1 | November 21 | Day #4 |
| November 17 | Day #2 | November 22 | Day #1 |
| November 18 | Day #3 | November 23 | Thanksgiving Break |
Cookies for Sale
Elementary students will have the opportunity to buy chocolate chip cookies for $.25 a piece this Friday morning. Proceeds from this sale benefit the work of the HCS Global Awareness Committee.
Thanksgiving Chapel
We will have a Thanksgiving Chapel for our elementary students on Friday, November 18. The chapel will take place from 10:00—10:25 in our elementary gym. Parents are invited to join us!
Thanksgiving Food Collection
Our elementary students will be participating in a food drive on Monday, November 21 and Tuesday, November 22 for Bethany Christian Services and the Love INC Food Pantry. If you are able to participate, please have your children bring their nonperishable, non-breakable food items to school one of these days. Any items are appreciated, but especially welcome right now at Love INC are applesauce, chili, canned Great Northern Beans, boxed potatoes, canned pasta, canned potatoes, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, laundry soap, tissues, and foil. Donations can be placed on the table by the kitchen door and should be dropped off by 12 p.m. on Tuesday. Thank you for your generosity!
Snow Day Procedure for Hot Lunch
With snow just around the corner, the Jen/Hud Food Service program would like to remind parents and students about what will happen if school is closed due to weather. If the district is closed, the menu that was supposed to be served on the snow day will be moved to the next school day. An example: if school is canceled on Tuesday due to weather, Tuesday’s menu will be served on Wednesday and the menu that was scheduled for Wednesday will be completely canceled. Because of our computer lunch account system, there will be no need to issue credits and your student will still be able to order a lunch if they need one. The only exception to this policy is if school is canceled on Friday. In this case, Friday’s menu will be completely canceled and we will continue with the regular menu on Monday. Information on what menu will be served on the day you return will be available on Twitter or the foodservice web page at www.jenhudfood.org. Please feel free to contact the food service department at 457-2400 if you have any questions or are unsure of what the menu will be. Thank you! Stacey L. Wykoski, Food Service Director
Elementary Parking Video Update
Two of our very talented staff members have recently produced a video to help parents with drop off/pick up parking at the elementary school. If you missed the posting on the HCS Facebook page, please go to this link to view this informative video https://youtu.be/h7A8c77QNrg.
STEM Volunteer Needed
Needed: Someone who would be willing to keep our elementary science room stocked and pick up snacks and drinks for after school STEM experiences. You would be reimbursed for your expenses. If you are able to help out in this way, please contact Michelle DeGroot at 669-6689 or mdegroot@4hcs.org.
Elementary Specialists at Parent Teacher Conferences
Sharon Leerar, SOAR teacher, will be at Parent Teacher Conferences on Monday night November 21. Lizz Neher, PK and Kindergarten Spanish teacher, will be at Parent Teacher Conferences on Tuesday night, November 22. All other specialist teachers (Art, Music, Technology, P.E., Spanish, Library) will be available both Monday and Tuesday evenings.
Volleyball for Girls in Grades 4 & 5
Girls in 4th and 5th grade have the opportunity to sign up for a volleyball clinic led by former Unity volleyball coach and HCS parent Hope Hoezee. The dates are Saturday, November 26, December 3, and December 10 with fourth grade from 8:30 – 10:30 and fifth grade from 10:30 – 12:30 in the elementary gym. The cost will be $25, which includes a T-shirt. Deadline to register is November 17. Registration forms were given to each girl in these grades, but an additional copy of the form can be found on our website.
Lost and Found
Parents, please check out the lost and found area by the music room when you are here for conferences next week. Please remind your student(s) to check the lost and found area as well for items that belong to them. Unclaimed items will be donated to Revive over Christmas break. Thank you for your help with this!
Elementary Christmas Program
Mark your calendars and plan to join us on Tuesday, December 20 for the Elementary Christmas Program being held at Fair Haven Ministries beginning at 7 p.m. This program will involve our elementary students in 1st—5th grades.
Girls on the Run (GOTR)
Online registration is now open for the 2017 season of Girls on the Run! This is an after-school program for girls in 3rd-5th grade that educates and prepares girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. We will be practicing on Mondays and Thursdays from 2:50-4:30 p.m. This is a 10 week program starting in early March and ends with a non-competitive celebration 5K at the end of May! The cost is $120, which covers a new pair of shoes, 20 lessons by GOTR coaches, a practice T-shirt and an event T-shirt, a water bottle, and participation in the celebration 5K. Please register at www.gotroac.org and click on the registration tab. Registration ends November 30 at midnight! Any questions, please contact Michelle Scripps at 616-920-2645 or romeforever.ms@gmail.com.
Girls on the Run Coaches Needed
Do you like to run? Do you want to make an impact in a girl’s life? Then seriously consider being a coach for Girls on the Run! We need your help to make this program possible. Please register at www.gotroac.org and click on the coach tab. Coach registration ends at the end of January though early registration is encouraged! Any questions, please contact Michelle Scripps at 616-920-2645 or romeforever.ms@gmail.com.
Boots and Snow Pants
The snow will be coming soon, so we wanted to remind you of our guidelines for boots and snow pants. PK – 2 students should have snow pants and boots at school for when the playground conditions warrant wearing them. If the playground is snowy and/or wet these students must wear these items in order to play on the fields. If they don’t have boots or snow pants, they may still go out but will need to stay on the blacktop. Students in grades 3 – 5 may use their own discretion regarding boots and snow pants, but if they choose to get wet, they will not be permitted to call home for dry clothing.
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
Chapel Leaders/Plans
Thursday, November 17: Mrs. Wendy VanDoeselaar (ESS)
Tuesday, November 22: Thanksgiving Chapel – Praise Team #1/Cereal Collection
Hot Lunch
Wednesday, November 16 will be: Culver’s (2 pack) Chicken Strips for $2.25 each, dipping sauce will be $.25 each. Gatorade or canned pop for $.50 each and assorted bags of chips for $.50 each.
Friday Morning Break Treat
Friday morning, November 18 there will be Chocolate Chip Cookies on sale for $.25 each. Cookie sales benefit our HCS Global Awareness Committee and their work.
8th Grade Skating Party
Our 8th grade students will have the opportunity to join in a skating party this week Wednesday, November 16 immediately after school at Tarry Hall Roller Rink in Grandville. Information was shared last week. Students will leave school on busses after school at 3:00 p.m. and will return to school by 5:30 p.m. Students MUST have a ride waiting at school to take them home at 5:30 p.m. Students will pay the $5.00 admission fee (which includes roller skates or roller blades) directly at the roller rink when they arrive. Students may bring along their own clean roller skates or blades if they wish.
Parent Teacher Conferences Next Week
The following middle school Core 2 staff will be available from 3:30 – 8:00 p.m. in their classrooms on the Monday night of conferences:
- Edie Heerspink — 6/7/8 Art
- Tammy Holwerda — 6th Exploratory and study hall; 7th Decisions; 8th Literature
- Sara Jager — 6/7/8 Orchestras
- Brian Knot — 6/7/8 Bands
- Katie VanTil — 7/8 Girls P.E.
- Lizz Neher — 6/7/8 Spanish
- Sue Spotts — 6/7/8 SOAR
The following middle school Core 2 staff will be available from 3:30 – 8:00 p.m. in their classrooms on the Tuesday night of conferences:
- Jess Hollenbach — General Music and 6/7/8 Choir
These Core 2 staff will be available on both Monday and Tuesday nights of conferences:
- Dave Doll — Technology, Student Advisor, 8th Dating/Marriage/Family
- Luke Holtrop — 6th P.E.: 7/8 boys P.E.; Athletic Director
Lost and Found
Parents, please check out the lost and found area across from the MS office when you are here for conferences next week. Please remind your student(s) to check the lost and found area as well for items that belong to them. Unclaimed items will be donated to Revive over Christmas break. Thank you for your help with this!
Thanksgiving Breakfast Cereal Drive
Again this year as part of our Thanksgiving, our middle school students will be collecting boxes of breakfast cereal to be donated to His Harvest Stand in Zeeland and to Wedgwood Christian Services. Boxes will be collected as they enter the gym for chapel on Tuesday, November 22. Please help your son/daughter consider what they can do to help in this drive this year.
Middle School Student Activity Fees
Have you taken care of your student activity fee yet for your middle school son/daughter? On November 1 a letter was sent home by email to all middle school parents explaining the student activity fee due by Friday, December 2. Thank you to all parents who have already submitted payment! If you have not already done so, please forward this payment to the middle school office as soon as you are able. (The fee for a 6th grade student is $7, for a 7th grade student the fee is $75 and for an 8th grade student the fee is $35. Please refer to your specific email for additional details. If this fee is a concern for your family and/or if you have any questions, please contact Mary Broene at 669-7487.
Middle School Ski Club
Our middle school ski club will be selling Bittersweet Ski Club passes for students who wish to attend with our middle school. Only students who have purchased their passes through HCMS may ride the bus for ski club outings. This year for the first time, we will also be offering passes to be purchased for the rest of family. Historically, these passes will also go on sale at UCHS as well. Our policy is that middle school students must buy passes through HCMS club in order to be eligible to ride the bus and attend with our HCMS Middle School SKI Club. Passes purchased through UCHS do not receive transportation to Bittersweet. HCMS Ski Club information will be out to students prior to the Thanksgiving holiday break. If you have questions, email Dave Doll (ddoll@4hcs.org).
Middle School Spelling Bee
The middle school spelling bee is scheduled for Thursday, January 12. Students compete in the grade level competition to become eligible for the school spelling bee. Each grade level can qualify up to eight students. Information is available from the 6th-8th grade language arts teachers. Pick up a word list from your teacher and begin studying soon! If you have any questions, contact Rashelle Tamminga at rtamminga@4hcs.org
PARENTS’ CLUB NEWS
Staff/Teacher Appreciation Week
November 21 – 22 is Staff/Teacher Appreciation Week here at HCS, this year. As a community we should be encouraging and praying for our staff all year. However during this week we would love for parents and students to send a note, draw a picture, bake a treat, etc. to say a special thank you to our amazing staff!
HCS Panera Bread Night
Support HCS, no need to cook, and eat Panera Bread – win, win, win! This Thursday, November 17 from 4 – 8 p.m. Panera will donate 20% of all proceeds to Hudsonville Christian. Grab your family, neighbors, grandparents, friends, co-workers, and church family and have them all head to Panera Bread on Kenowa in Grandville for a good night of food and fellowship. You must present this flyer from either your phone or a paper copy. We will not be handing out flyers at the door. This is good for take-out or dine-in, and Panera will not accept TRIP or any other gift certificates during this time. This is a great way to support Parents’ Club, who sends all the money back to technology, field trips, advancements for the school, and most importantly tuition stabilization.
HCS Spirit Store
Just in time for Christmas shopping, Hudsonville Christian Parents Club has heard the desire of parents for a Spirit Store. This includes many items, such as cups, water bottles, sweatshirts, tee shirts, hats, headbands, and so much more, including our own line of HCS Carol Roeda magnets.
This store will be in full swing next week, just in time for the holiday shopping. There will be a soft opening on Monday night November 21 in the connector near the new office. This will be open for conferences from 4:30 – 8 p.m. and on Tuesday, November 22, the actual store will be open from 12:30 – 2:30 for shopping. The new store is located in the former concessions stand in the North Gym lobby area of the old Unity building. Park in the West parking lot of school and enter as if you were going to a Unity basketball game a few years ago.
A wish list will be coming home with kids this week, as well as an order form that you can fill out. There will be online shopping for your convenience as well, starting next week. Payment is due at time of ordering items. All items ordered will be fulfilled within 2 weeks. Any questions, please contact Christine Dykstra at christinejoyphotography@yahoo.com.
Love Bazaar is Coming Soon!
The Love Bazaar will be held on Friday, December 2. Please bring your donations of boxes of all shapes and sizes but especially smaller size, wrapping paper, tissue paper, bubble wrap, and gift bags to school and place them in the big box located by the gym. It is helpful if you nest smaller boxes inside of larger boxes. Volunteers should have received a reminder email by now. PLEASE remember to find your own replacement if you are no longer able to work your shift. Thank you!
We could also use a few more people to help on Love Bazaar day as Cashiers, Wrappers, and Shoppers (helping the students select their gifts). It’s a very fun day to help out at school! Grandparents would be welcome to help as well. Please sign up for an A.M. or P.M. shift on the Parent Volunteer Form on the HCS website. THANK YOU!
Key Cards Now Available
Don’t forget to pick up your Key Card in the school office. The Key Cards are $25 and feature deals from some great businesses!
Christmas Shopping Deal Book of Local Hudsonville Businesses
A new coupon book is available in the HCS offices for $5. These coupon books have loads of great coupons in it that will help you with your Christmas shopping. They are a great way to support local businesses and our school as well.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Unity Christian Boys Sader Saturday Basketball Program
The Sader Saturday Basketball program for boys in grades 4-6 will be held on Saturdays from December 3 to January 14. The cost is $25 for fourth grade, and $35 for fifth and sixth grades. Deadline to register is November 30. Online registration can be done at https://www.cognitoforms.com/UnityChristianHighSchool/_201617SaderSaturdayBasketball. More information and registration details can be found at http://www.unitychristianathletics.org/main/otherad/contentID/39913716.
Community Science Day
Grand Rapids Community College is hosting Community Science Day on Saturday, November 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Join us for a fun and exciting day of hands-on science and health related activities. With over 30 unique and interactive sessions to choose from, all age groups will enjoy this event. Admission is FREE and open to ALL ages! It will be held at the GRCC Calkins Science Center, 226 Bostwick Ave, Grand Rapids MI 49503. There will also be wildlife presentations from Blandford Nature Center, giveaways, prizes, crafts, face painting and of course, hot beverages!
CALENDAR
| November 16 | 8th Grade Roller Skating at Tarry Hall 3:15 – 5:15 |
| November 21, 22 | Parent/Teacher Conferences |
| November 23 – 25 | Thanksgiving Break |
| December 2 | Elementary Love Bazaar |
| December 5 | TRIP Information/Registration Meeting in new west wing conference room |
| December 15 | 6/7/8 Band/Orchestra/Choir Christmas Concert at Fair Haven |
| December 20 | Elementary Christmas Concert at Fair Haven |
| December 22 | Christmas Break begins |
| January 4 | School Resumes |
| January 12 | MS Spelling Bee |
| January 13 | 6th Grade Medieval Feast |
| January 16-20 | Delta Math Testing Window |
| January 18-20 | 7th Grade Winter Camp |
| January 19 | Early Childhood Exploration Night |
| January 20 | End of 1st Semester |
| January 23 – 27 | MS Exploratory Week |
| January 27 | Report Cards Posted |