HOME COMMUNICATOR
Last week I was helping my daughter study for a test. I asked her a question that required her to think more deeply about a concept she was learning and how it applied to her life. She was so focused on remembering the answer she wrote down and wanted a clue about what letter it started with (I’m guessing you’ve been there, too!). This led to a discussion about how I want her to really think about what she’s learning and how it applies to her life. I tried to explain that the evidence of her truly knowing something vs. regurgitating what she memorized was more important. It took me a long time to learn this as a student; in fact, it took until my freshman year at college for me to realize that I couldn’t just memorize facts on notecards. I was expected to think more deeply about what I was learning and apply it to my life. My learning journey shifted for the better when I began to connect concepts and deepen my understanding.
This is the same hope I have for our students at HCS. Our days are full of knowledge-building in Math, Science, Reading, Writing, Social Studies, Bible, and the arts. We desire for our students to take what they are learning and apply it to their lives, thinking deeply about concepts. We want our students to get beyond memorizing-the ability to store information, to developing knowledge-a deeper understanding of concepts. We encourage this by engaging our students in learning, asking deep questions, fostering meaningful discussions, and providing time for reflection. We push students to use their knowledge to reflect on the world around them, and how to develop a desire to continue learning and growing.
As you’ve reflected on your child’s learning recently through report cards and parent-teacher conferences, I hope that you were able to see how your child is growing and developing in their knowledge and their ability to think more deeply. More importantly, I hope you clearly see how they are learning and growing in their knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my prayer that our students at HCS will know as much as possible about God’s world so they can be sent out with the knowledge, understanding and skills to work in God’s world as a restorer.
Partnering with you,
Jen Rysdam
Director of Curriculum & Instruction
ALL-SCHOOL NEWS
Thanksgiving Break
There will be no school for 3 School through eighth grade November 22-24. Kids’ Corner and our school offices will also be closed. Thank you!
Sewing Help Needed
The Middle School is looking for someone with basic sewing skills to help with a simple sewing project. Please contact the office at msoffice@4hcs.org or 616-379-0338 if you are willing to help.
ELEMENTARY NEWS
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.
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
The Love Bazaar is ready to deck the halls at HCS NEXT WEEK!! December 1, your child will find the gym transformed into a holiday shop! Start digging in your closet for the most festive sweaters as the Love Bazaar Committee invites students and teachers to join the volunteers in wearing the jolliest colors! If you signed up to volunteer this year please check your email for important information regarding how your shift will look. Also, please be sure to find a replacement if you are no longer able to fulfill your shift. Your child should have brought home a Love Bazaar information packet. Please take a look at the information and have your kids fill out their list, and check it twice, to make sure it is immediate family only. THANK YOU to all who donated wrapping items! It’s going to be the best day!!!
Christmas Celebration
The 1st thru 5th graders are excited to celebrate Christmas with you at Fair Haven Ministries on Monday, December 4, at 7:00 p.m. Students may be dropped off in their holding rooms between 6:30-6:40 p.m. There will be no supervision provided until 6:30, so please keep your children with you until that time. We ask that students wear nice clothes for this celebration.
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!
Seating at the Christmas Celebration – The doors to the sanctuary at Fair Haven will open at 6:00 p.m. We ask that out of respect for everyone attending, please no saving of seats before the doors open. If items are left on seats to save spots, they will be removed prior to 6:00 p.m. Thank you for your help in making this a wonderful celebration of the gift of God’s Son.
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
Chapel
Students and staff 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 find recordings on our Vimeo channel- Chapel.
- Tuesday, November 21 -Mr. Lowe’s 7th grade Homeroom leading chapel
Middle School Fundraiser/Coin Wars
We are raising money for the Mosaic Project from now until Christmas. The money raised will be used to renovate a shipping container into a classroom as well as purchase school supplies for impoverished and orphaned children in South Africa. Students are participating in their ‘salad groups’ with coins and bills collected in buckets outside the office.
Middle School Early Release
There will be an early release at the Middle School only on Friday, December 1. School will release at 11:10, and there will be no busing at that time. Busing will run as normal after school. There will be some supervision 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.
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.
Sus Manos
Any students may sign up for the Sus Manos service project for Tuesday, November 28. Amazing Avocados (the homerooms of Mrs. Sietsema, Mrs. Roode, and Mr. Prough) have the first chance to sign up for Wednesday, December 6. Check this link for information: Sus Manos
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!
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.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Holly Jolly Christmas Market
Zutphen’s 5th Annual Holly Jolly Christmas Market will be on Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm! Mark your calendar to attend a festive day of shopping, unique handcrafted finds, live Christmas trees, winter porch pots, and more! Also included are raffle prizes, lunch, and a hot cocoa bar! All proceeds will go toward the Zutphen Youth Mission trip to Guatemala! Holly Jolly Christmas Market is located at Zutphen Christian Reformed Church 3223 40th Ave. Hudsonville.
Unity Fall Musical
Unity Christian is proud to present Holiday Inn this fall under the direction of Mrs. Ashton Foreman. Performances are scheduled for 7:00 pm on November 30 and December 1 and at 5:00pm on December 2. Performances will take place at the Hudsonville High School Auditorium on Allen Street. Holiday Inn is a 1940’s pop style musical with many familiar favorites. Jim Hardy leaves the crazy Broadway life for a simple farming life. There’s just one problem. He has no experience farming. He instead, with the help of the original owner of the farm, Linda Mason, starts a show place hotel that is only open on the holidays. This is a show all ages will love.
All tickets are sold online here. You are able to pick your own seats and pay online. For handicap seating, please call the school office at 669-1820.
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.
