HOME COMMUNICATOR
Learning new things is hard work. I am reminded of that whenever I go to a conference or take a class again. I’m surprised by how exhausted I can feel from trying to absorb new information even when most of the day was spent sitting in one place!
As a parent, I can find an extra measure of patience and grace when I remind myself of this at the end of the day or week. Maybe you noticed a difference in your child last week when we finally experienced the first full week of school! High fives all around for five full days of learning in a row! For some of us, the wheels may have been coming off but we made it!
Our kids, no matter what the age, need the adults in their lives to recognize and affirm them everyday. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” But I need to ask, are we doing it enough? Research echoes the words of the Bible suggesting parents and teachers aim to provide five positive interactions for every negative. It’s so easy to focus on our shortcomings but God, in His infinite wisdom, knew we’d need the reminder to “build each other up”.
New things can be hard and exhausting, but it’s so worth it! There’s nothing quite like seeing a child master a new skill and start performing it with confidence. As parents and teachers, we can help our children thrive by helping them see God’s handiwork in themselves and what they are doing! What five affirmations can you give your child today?
Katie VanTil
Nurturing Faith Coordinator
SCHOOL-WIDE NEWS
HCS Spirit Store
Last call for the Fall 2023 HCS Spirit Store! We have youth and adult apparel, hats, Yeti ramblers, and accessories. Place orders online through TODAY, September 26. Orders will be delivered to HCS in mid-October and then sent home with your student or set aside for pickup. Visit: https://hcs23.itemorder.com/
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for November 7 & 9 for students in Young 5s – 8th Grade. Forms will be sent home with students this week. Please return the sheet to school no later than Wednesday, October 11. You will be notified of your conference time(s) by mail in three to four weeks. 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 10. Thank you!
Moms in Prayer
Moms in Prayer invites you to have a profound impact on your children and HCS by praying scripturally with other moms each Friday. This week we will be meeting in the preschool lounge at the elementary building, 8:00-9:00 a.m. Please check in at the main office. We will be focused on praying for the staff and students in our young 5’s and kindergarten classes this week. See you there!
ELEMENTARY NEWS
Chapel
All elementary students will gather in the west gym for chapel each 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.
Aaron Zenz Author Visit
We are looking forward to welcoming local author and illustrator, Aaron Zenz, to the elementary building on Thursday, October 12. Aaron will be sharing what it means to be an author and illustrator with students in Y5-5th grades. If you would like to order an autographed book, please fill out the order form and return to school by Tuesday, October 10.
Mothers of 5th Grade Girls
Save the night of Tuesday, October 3 to attend the 5th Grade Girls Sex Ed. night with your daughter.
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
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, September 26 – Ben VanderKodde leading chapel
- Thursday, September 28 -Small groups/School ”Family” Group chapel activity
Hot Lunch
Hot lunch this Wednesday, September 27 will be Mr. Burger hamburger or cheeseburger $4.50 each. Pop and Chips (limit 1 each) will be sold for $.50 each.
The full menu is listed on our website.
6th Grade Dune Days
6th Grade students will be visiting Saugatuck State Park next Tuesday, September 26 (6A & 6B) and Thursday, September 28 (6C & 6D) to continue their study of the Dunes ecosystem. Students will be hiking through the state park and experiencing what each zone has to offer in this very unique ecosystem found right here in Michigan. This trip is a highlight for a lot of 6th grade students as they interact with their classmates, teachers, and the beautiful creation with which the Lord has blessed us.
PE Shirts
PE Shirts are in! All 6th graders have one shirt included in their Activity Fee. If you ordered a 2nd shirt, please send in $8.00. Any 7th & 8th Graders who have ordered an extra shirt, please send $8.00 to the office for each ordered shirt.
Donuts
Donuts will be for sale at break time this Friday for $1.25 each
Appointment Reminders
1) Please include the Middle School Office (msoffice@4hcs.org or 616-379-0338) on any correspondence concerning appointments or upcoming absences.
2) Between the hours of 8:00 AM-2:00 PM, please make sure you use the Circle Drive (bus loop) in front of the school office to drop off or pick up your child. The Parent Loop is for before and after school drop-offs/pick-ups.
FACES Program
We are happy to share that this fall we will partner with the FACES program, which welcomes Guatemalan students to West Michigan. This year’s program starts on Saturday, October 14th and ends on Saturday, December 9th. This cultural exchange prepares students between the ages of 10 to 17, to be Cultural Ambassadors of their country, and their visit is designed to promote global understanding and friendship between young people from different cultures.
All Cultural Ambassadors bring International Medical Insurance, and all school cost-related expenses will be covered. We would like to invite you to LEARN MORE about the FACES Program and the possibility of becoming a Host Family for one of these students for 8 Weeks.
You can contact Gaby Padilla, State Coordinator, at gaby.padilla@facesandcultures.com, schedule a 30 Minute Information Meeting on her CALENDAR, or complete the Host Family Form. Feel free to contact the middle school office with any questions as well.
Sus Manos Gleaners Service Projects
HCMS will be partnering with this local ministry to help provide food to the hungry world with after-school service projects throughout the year. It’s the Zesty Zucchinis’ turn! Students in the homerooms of Ms. Helms, Mr. Lowe, and Mr. Machiela have the first chance to sign up for the after-school service project on Wednesday, October 4 at this link: SUS MANOS. Parents and siblings are welcome. Direct questions to Jackie Sietsema. (You can bookmark the link to check future dates).
PARENT'S CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS
Harvest Family Fun Day
Saturday, October 7th from 3-5 PM is our Harvest Family Fun Day Event at the elementary building. Plan on attending rain or shine. The event takes place on the tar (basketball) lot behind the early childhood wing. (Inside it will be held in the West gym) We would love to see everyone come out for food, fun and community. Even if you cannot come the entire time, please feel free to stop in anytime between 3 and 5. There will be a small cost of $5 per child (adults are free). Cotton candy/donuts and cider/popcorn, bounce house, tons of fun games and prizes! New this year: If you have a cinch sack/backpack you are encouraged to bring it with you to use for prizes. Volunteers: You should have received an email last week, please read it! It contains details regarding the event and the game/food area that you are serving in.
We are once again asking for donations from you! Please bring the following to the elementary main connector by October 6th. These items are given away as prizes at 2 of our games.
* Kindergarten – Grade 3: One or more boxes of cereal
* Grade 4th – 8th: 12 pack of pop
Questions please email Jenni Walters (jenniwalters@sbcglobal.net)
Box Tops
It’s National Box Tops Week! For this week only, you can help us earn DOUBLE Box Tops when you buy participating products and scan your receipts or upload them in the app.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Save The Date
The Heritage Christian 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament will take place on Saturday, November 4, 2023. Watch the Home Communicator for a link to sign up beginning October 2!
Fall Children’s Clothing and Toy Sale
The Heritage Christian School Children’s Clothing and Toy Sale for the Fall Season will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2023, from 9am to 12:00. Items for sale include a large selection of gently used infant to teen fall and winter clothes, athletic wear, coats and snow pants, hats and gloves, shoes, boots, sports equipment, toys, books, games, puzzles, baby equipment, maternity clothes, delicious baked goods and more. Located in the large gym at Heritage Christian at 6340 Autumn Dr., Hudsonville. Hope to see you there!
Parent Symposium – November 11
Are you feeling lost in the ups and downs of parenting? Some days seem to last forever, and then at other times, a year is over in the blink of an eye. We can feel like we have some parts figured out, and in other areas, feel completely lost. The Parent Symposium is a one-day gathering for parents of all kinds – adoptive, foster, and biological – who desire to be encouraged and supported. Featuring keynote speaker Kayla Craig, a fellow mom [bio and adoptive], creator of Liturgies For Parents, and author of “To Light their Way” and “Every Season Sacred” which Christianity Today has named an “essential parenting resource.” There will also be several breakout sessions covering topics like engaged Enneagram parenting, talking to kids and teens about their faith, and navigating neurodiversity and behavior issues. The event is on November 11 from 9am to 3:30pm. The cost is $30 which includes breakfast, lunch, and Kayla’s new book. Register by October 29 at marshill.org/parents.
