August 30 - Hudsonville Christian Schools

Home Communicator
August 30, 2011
Dear Parents:
A few weeks ago in a note I wrote to staff, I ended by saying I was looking forward to August 30 when both staff and students would be
back in the building. Some might say our gain is your loss, right
You need to know we look forward to having your children back at school! We love your children and while we, too, enjoy a break, this
place isn’t the same without them. This summer I had a first …. my little girl got married! We are thankful to God for a marriage
centered in Jesus Christ, but I must admit, ―giving my daughter away‖ was a very difficult thing for me. Talking with some other staff
members who have gone through this experience, weddings can emit a very wide swing of emotions!
Reflecting on all of this has led me again to the place where I am reminded that our children are a gift from God to us. We are privileged
to be able to have them in our homes for 20+ years and to be able to share and create memories. I want you to know that Hudsonville
Christian is honored that you trust us to partner with you during this very special time in your family’s life. We look forward to another
year of working with you in the ministry of educating God’s children at Hudsonville Christian!
Serving Him together,
Dan Pott
Administrative Principal
SCHOOL WIDE NEWS
WE WELCOME OUR NEW STUDENTS!
Please join us in extending a welcome to the following new students!
First Grade: Seth Haartman, Elissa Hoek, Ariana Scripps,
Grace Shaarda, Avalien Sliedrecht, Grady
VanderPloeg, Peter VanderWall
Second Grade: Jaxon Krygsheld, Andrew Meldrim, Lauren
Moberg, Makalya Parm, Kristina Schreur, Ella
Sterken
Third Grade: Lydia Shaarda, Joseph Singh
Fourth Grade: Caleb Gaffner, Rediette Slager, Esmarie Wallace
Fifth Grade: Koryn Brower, Lucy Singh, Sintaiyu Slager,
Addison Suchecki
Sixth Grade: Benjamin Besteman, Aaron Montsma, Jessica
Ribbens
Eighth Grade: Charlotte Singh, Bailey Snoeyink
NEW STAFF
We are pleased to welcome to Hudsonville Christian the following
new staff members: Mrs. Cathy Mulder — Elementary Inclusive
Education Paraprofessional, Miss Brook VanEck — Middle School
Resource Paraprofessional, and Mrs. Rashelle Tamminga — Middle
School Library Assistant. We’re happy to have all of you at HCS!
ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
Thank you to all who attended the Open House and Dedication
service last night. We had a great turnout; thank you for being such
a supportive community! How incredibly fitting it was to end the
night in praise, prayer and thanksgiving to the Lord on whose truths
this school stands! We look forward to working with you as
partners in the education of our students.
HOME COMMUNICATOR GOES PAPERLESS!
This Home Communicator will be one of the last ones you will
receive printed on paper. In an effort to save on resources, it will be
sent out on Tuesdays via email from now on. If you did not receive
the Home Communicator via email today, please call the office at
669-6689 to update your information. The Communicator can also
be found on our school website. Paper copies will be printed for
those without computer access.
CROSSING GUARD EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The City of Hudsonville is looking to hire a crossing guard for the
Hillcrest and 36th Street corner. This position would be Monday
through Friday on days school is in session for 1 1/2 hours per day.
Applicants should contact Deputy John Ortman at 886-0212 for
more details.
THANK YOU!
Thank you to all who participated in the Hudsonville Christian
School Golf Outing on Monday, August 8 at Railside Golf Club.
Through the support of the participants and our business sponsors
we were able to raise $10,000 for tuition assistance at our school!
FAITH CAMPAIGN
Our 2011 Faith Campaign will kick off on September 13. The goal of
the Faith Campaign this year is to raise $250,000. Half of this
amount, $125,000, is needed to continue to provide for excellent
facilities, upkeep, and maintenance here at school. The remaining
$125,000 is necessary to help keep tuition affordable (sliding scale)
and for tuition assistance needs that have risen this year. You will be
receiving an informational postcard in the mail next week, followed
by a phone contact at which time you can make your pledge. Please
give this important campaign your prayerful consideration. Thank
you!
SPORTING CLAY SHOOT
Sportsmen, don't forget to sign up THIS WEEK for the
Hudsonville Christian School Sporting Clay Shoot. It's being held at
Blendon Pines in Borculo on September 10 at 8:30 a.m. There will
be T-shirts, a pig roast for all participants, and lots of door prizes. If
you have any questions, contact Dean Haverdink at 662-4051.
FIRST SEMESTER MILK
Order envelopes for milk for the first semester will be going home
soon. The cost for milk is $10 per semester.
TRIP REGISTRATION MEETING
Looking for a way to make a dent in your tuition Parents have
earned over $2 million in tuition credit by participating in TRIP.
There will be an information/registration meeting on Monday,
September 12 at 6 p.m. at the elementary building (use the west
doors).
SCHOOL PICTURES
School pictures will be taken on September 14 and 15. Additional
information on pictures will be coming home with students soon.
IMMEDIATE OPPORTUNITY
Do you like to pick out cards for someone special Do your like to
participate at school Here is your opportunity! We are looking for
someone to take over as 5 th Grade Card Sale Coordinator. If you
could be that person, please give Amy Levering a call at 669-0213.
HUDSONVILLE CHRISTIAN T-SHIRTS
Students in the elementary school will be fitted this week for a free
HCS T-shirt that has our school logo on the front and our
elementary theme for the year on the back. Shirts with the school
logo and middle school theme will be available to our 6th—8th
grade students as well, but they can choose if they want to order
one or not. We hope that these shirts serve to promote our school
and our themes for the year, and we thank the Hospitality
Committee and Parents’ Club for making this happen!
PRINTER CARTRIDGE RECYCYLING
Printer cartridge recycling at the middle school is currently NOT
taking place. Our recycling contact is no longer accepting cartridges
as a fundraiser for our middle school library. Until we are able to
find a new contact, we will not be accepting any printer cartridges.
We simply do not have the storage room. Stay tuned for updates.

Elementary School News (continued)
Middle School News (continued)
STUDENT PICTURE USE
From time to time we use pictures of our students on our website and
in promotional publications such as the Spotlight, fliers, the Advance,
or Grand Rapids Press. We do not publish names without specific
permission. If you have any objection to having your child’s image
(picture only — no name) used for any of our promotions or on our
website, we will cooperate with your request. Please call the office to
let us know.
USED BAND/ORCHESTRA INSTRUMENTS
If you have a band or orchestra instrument that you would like to sell,
please provide your name, phone number, type of instrument, and
price to the school office (669-6689) by Friday, September 9. Your
information will be made available to future students/parents.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS
COLOR/DAY SCHEDULE
August 30 Red September 5 Labor Day
August 31 Yellow September 6 Blue
September 1 Green September 7 Red
September 2 No School
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THEME
This year the elementary school theme is ―ABC: A Biblical
Community‖, based on Romans 12:5 where it says ―So we, though
many, are one body in Christ‖. A listing of what we will be focusing
on each month is coming home with the Communicator today!
FALL FIELD DAY/T.E.A.M. RELAYS
Our field day for grades 1—5 will be on Friday afternoon, September
9. Presently there are over 19 volunteers signed up to help run these
events. There is a need for 21 additional volunteers. Please call Linda
Kellar or John DeJonge at 669-6689 to volunteer for this fun event.
ELEMENTARY INFORMATION NIGHT
Please plan to join us on Thursday, September 8 at 7 p.m. for an
elementary information night. Parents will meet in the elementary
gym, and will also be able to check out an expo of HCS events and
programs. This evening is for parents only, please. We are excited
about sharing with parents what makes Hudsonville Christian
distinctively Christian!
HOT LUNCH
It is true! We have investigated the possibility of bringing hot
lunch 5 days a week to Hudsonville Christian Elementary
School next semester. Stay tuned for more details and a quick
survey coming soon!
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
“GOD’S CHILDREN – GROWING IN THE SON’S LIGHT”
This is the middle school theme for this school year. The theme was
introduced at chapel this morning. It is based on a verse from John
8:12 - “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never
walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” We had a
powerful time of worship together. Ask your student about what they
learned about the theme in chapel and how they were challenged to
be shining lights to others by reflecting God’s love. Your prayers for us
are evident and we continue to covet them throughout the school
year.
HOT LUNCH will begin at the middle school sometime in late
September.
MIDDLE SCHOOL TRAFFIC PATTERN
Please refer to this very important information on page 9 in the
Hudsonville Christian School Parent Handbook. Your cooperation
with this traffic pattern is very important for the safety of our
students, staff and parents. Parents may NOT drop their children off
on the south side of Van Buren in front of school. It is very dangerous
for students to cross the road; we have had many near accidents in
the recent past. Also, teens driving their younger siblings to the
middle school need to be reminded to drive slowly in the parking lot
and obey the traffic rules. Thank you for your support.
PE SHIRT order forms for all students needing a new or
replacement PE shirt(s) for the school year MUST be returned to the
middle school office by this week Thursday, September 1! Order
forms were sent home with class lists and extra forms are available in
the office. Please return your order form and payment this week! .
CALCULATORS are available for students to purchase in the
school office every day during morning break and noon break.
Calculators are $12.00 each.
6TH GRADE RETREAT
Our 6th grade students will be heading to Camp Blodgett this
Thursday, September 1 for their mixer. Students should take a sack
lunch and wear tennis shoes. Please review the parent flyer that was
sent home today with your 6th grader today for additional
information. We ask for your prayers for safety, good weather, and
good fellowship.
7TH GRADE RETREAT
Our 7th grade retreat at Kirk Park is next week Friday, September 9.
Please pray for our safety and good weather. Parents, be sure to ask
for the flyer that was sent home today with more information so
your student will be prepared for the day!
8TH GRADE RETREAT
The 8th grade retreat to Camp Roger is next week Friday, September
9. Parents please look for the information letter your son/daughter
brought home today explaining our retreat activities. Be sure to
discuss the retreat with your student.
MIDDLE SCHOOL HANDBOOK
The middle school handbook will go home with your son/daughter on
Thursday of this week. The booklet includes a middle school event
calendar and a great deal of helpful information about our middle
school. Please keep the handbook for a handy reference throughout
the school year.
CHAPEL HAPPENINGS
Tuesday, Sept. 6: Mrs. Hollenbach & Mr. VanNoord lead chapel
Friday, Sept. 9: No scheduled chapel today; grade level extended
devotions
Tuesday, Sept. 13: Mr. Huisman leads chapel
PARENTS INVITED TO CHAPEL
Parents are always welcome to stop by the middle school on Tuesday
or Friday mornings each week throughout the school year to join
students and staff during our morning chapel time. This worship time
is always a blessed experience. Ask your son/daughter when their
homeroom will be leading the chapel time. Chapel begins at 8:00 a.m.
unless otherwise noted in the Home Communicator news. Please join
us in worship anytime your schedule allows. We love having you
there!
PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT
Parents are invited to attend the middle school Parent Information
Night on Thursday, September 15. This is a very informative evening
about upcoming school events, curriculum, homework, the new
student management program, and much more information for your
child’s grade level at our middle school. (This is a parents’ only
meeting – no students/children please.) Details regarding the time for
the meeting will be published in next week’s Home Communicator.
SOCCER NEWS
The sign-up deadline for seventh and eighth grade girls and boys
interested in the soccer teams is this week Thursday, September 1.
Commitment slips must also be returned to the office no later than
Thursday, September 1. This handout was mailed home in early
August; additional commitment handouts are available from the
athletic information board across from the office and online. Tryouts/
Practices will begin in the first two weeks of September. Information
regarding soccer tryout dates will be provided to students in the
middle school noon announcements. Parents are asked to discuss this
opportunity with their children.
GOLF TOURNAMENT
The Grand Rapids Area Christian Middle School Athletic League Golf
Tournament for 6 th , 7 th and 8 th grade students will take place on
Saturday, September 17 at the Christian Reformed Recreation Center
in Grand Rapids with parents providing transportation for the event.
Registration info will be available soon at the office and on the website.
UPCOMING EVENTS AT HCS
September 8 Elementary Information Night, 7—8:45 September 22 4th Band/Orchestra begins
September 9 Grades 1—5 Field Day in p.m. September 22 New Family Welcome Night
September 10 Sporting Clay Shoot at Blendon Pines October 4 5th Grade Girls Sex Education Night
September 12 Preschool begins; 5th Band/Orchestra begins October 13-14 CEA Convention—No School
September 14-15 School Pictures October 21 All School Parent Club Walkathon
September 15 Middle School Information Night November 4 End of First Nine Weeks
Hudsonville Christian School 3435 Oak Street, Hudsonville, MI 49426 616/669-6689 www.hudsonvillechristian.org

Middle School News (continued)
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PARENTS TO BE INVOLVED
Feed My Starving Children – On October 6 and October 7 our
students will participate in a service learning project sponsored by
FMSC a Christian organization that makes specialized meal packs for
starving children in third world countries. We have partnered with
EverGreen Ministries. This project will be introduced to our students
in their homerooms. Since we will be taking groups of students
to work throughout the day, we need at least 10 adults per
work session to help us. Parents’ responsibility will be to
make sure students are packing manna packs correctly.
Thursday, October 6 (Grades 7 & 8)
8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Friday, October 7 (Grade 6)
9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Last year was the first time we participated in this project and we
were so incredibly blessed. We hope that you will be able to join us in
this opportunity to be shining lights to others!
Please contact the office if you can work any or all times
during the two days.
PARENTS’ CLUB NEWS
MARKET DAY
Yes, Market Day is back and we are going to have an even bigger year
this year!! If you didn't get a chance to try it last year, you will
definitely want to this year. You buy groceries anyway, right So why
not buy them and make money for HCS all at the same time Market
Day offers fantastic high quality frozen meats & veggies that can't be
beat along with convenient meals and lunch items that make it just a
little easier when dealing with crazy schedules! Look for order forms
being sent home today. Internet orders are due by Sept. 13th at 11:00
p.m. and paper orders are due back at school by Sept. 9th. Pick-up is
on Monday the 19th from 4:30-5:30. To order online, go to
www.marketday.com and enter our school code: 28356.
Specials/Promotions: 1) If you are new to Market Day, you can
save $5 on your online order over $25 by entering code:
NEWFIVE at check out. 2) Everyone can receive a FREE colorful
jumbo tote with the purchase of 3 qualifying items. Check out this
promotion page online for list of items and picture of the tote. 3) FREE
Apple Pie with online purchase of $90. Promo Code: SEPBONUS at
check out. 4) Don't forget to check out the clearance items and Deals
of the Week online too!! If you have any questions please call either
Holly Postma (669-5131) or Cathy Dykstra (662-5443)
BOX TOPS
Congratulations to Hudsonville Christian School! We just sent in
$485.50 worth of box tops collected over the summer. There are
MANY box tops that expire on 09/30/11, and we want to get the cash
for those. Please turn in your box top collection sheets SOON, or
pick up more sheets to fill. Turn in is by the elementary gym. Thank
you for supporting Hudsonville Christian School.
COMMUNITY NEWS
KIDS CLOTHING AND TOY SALE
Borculo Christian School is holding a Kids Clothing and Toy Sale with
Fall and Winter items on Saturday, September 10 from 9—noon. The
school is located at 6830 96th Avenue in Zeeland.