March 1 - Hudsonville Christian Schools

Home Communicator
March 1, 2011
Dear Parents,
I am reminded on a daily basis how important the ―art‖ of communication has become and yet, is it really any different than many years
ago?
Well …. Yes … and No.
Certainly, we have all seen the changes that have gone on in recent years with the internet, cell phones, texting, Skyping®, Facebooking®,
blogging, tweeting, and on and on. Our world has become an instantaneous information highway! We see it in education just as you see
it at home. We talk a lot about technology here at HCS. We discuss how it can and does improve the education process, but also how
we need to monitor how much is enough and how much is too much. It is obvious that how we communicate has changed, but my
concern is that we continue to communicate in a meaningful way.
I am sure you are all aware that we launched our new website three months ago. We are excited about all the opportunities it can create
to network with parents, but also how much information it allows us to share with you to keep you in the loop of your child’s education.
Starting this fall, we will be launching Online Grading for grades 3-8, with the possibility of going into grades 1 and 2 as the year moves on.
Our new online communication system will also allow us to communicate directly with you the parent in many more ways as well. The
school will now be able to send out messages to parents all at once, relaying important information we think you will need and want to
know. In order for us to do this, we need your email address. Through these new avenues, we feel we can better communicate with you
and also will be able to save thousands of dollars as we eliminate wasted paper. Please take the time to read the note in this
Communicator about getting us your email address.
We want you to know we take seriously the phrase ―partnering with parents‖ and we continue to emphasize the importance of open
communication. As always, I continue to invite you to stop in or call and let me know what is on your mind.
Serving Him together,
Dan Pott
Administrative Principal
SCHOOL WIDE NEWS
CLASS PLACEMENT
Soon after spring break staff will begin constructing next year’s class
lists. This is an involved process that requires input of all the staff
members who know your child. Because parents have information
that is important, we wish to provide an avenue to this input. If you
have a request, you must provide written information to ensure that
it will be considered throughout the process. A form for this
purpose is available in the office or online, and our administrators
are available for questions or concerns you may have. The school
board policy is as follows:
Students are assigned to grade and class sections by the
principals with the assistance of the child’s current teacher.
The child’s teacher knows the special circumstances under
which your child will continue to grow. Factors considered by
the principal and teacher when making class assignments are
academic, social, and emotional needs, as well as the balance of
boy/girl ratio and athletic abilities.
Parents should request special consideration for their child’s
placement only if there are extenuating circumstances.
Legitimate reasons for special requests in placement may be
unique social or emotional needs in relationship to other
students, especially those of which the school may not be
aware. Parents should not request one specific teacher.
The procedure is as follows:
1. All requests must be submitted to the office in writing by
Friday, March 25.
2. The administration will forward these requests with or without
recommendation to the Education Committee.
3. The administration will notify the parents of the decision.
PAPERLESS COMMUNICATION
As we continue to be good stewards of God’s resources and to be
fiscally prudent, HCS plans to go paperless as much as possible by
the end of the school year. We are asking that all of our parents
provide an email address for Hudsonville Christian to use. These
emails will not be sold or otherwise distributed. Please email the
office: lkellar@4hcs.org with your email address so we can
complete our list.
FINE ARTS NIGHT — Tuesday, April 19
Parents of students in grades 3—8, please encourage your children
to sign up for Fine Arts Night! Sign up sheets for the elementary are
due to the office by Thursday, March 10, and middle school sign up
sheets are due on Tuesday, March 29.
PRE-K AND KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT
Enrollment for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten will begin on
Monday, March 14.
HIKE & BIKE FOR TECHNOLOGY COMING SOON!
Please reserve Saturday, April 16 for our annual Hike & Bike event!
Our goal is to raise $25,000 for technology upgrades at our school,
and students and parents help by getting pledges for the number of
laps they walk, bike, scooter, or roller blade on routes around
school. The event runs from 10—11 a.m., with a pancake breakfast
following in the elementary gym. Look for more information coming
soon!
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
Conference schedules have gone out for elementary students.
Please call the office if you have any changes to your schedule.
There will be no school for students on Friday, March 11. Both the
elementary and middle school offices will be closed on this day.
LOST AND FOUND
Parents, please check the lost and found tables at both the
elementary and middle school when you come for your conferences.
There are many items waiting to be claimed!
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS
COLOR/DAY SCHEDULE
March 2 Blue/Day 4 March 7 Green/Day 3
March 3 Red/Day 1 March 8 Blue/Day 4
March 4 Yellow/Day 2 March 9 Red/Day 1
HOT LUNCH
Hot lunch on Wednesday will be ham and turkey subs, Fritos, Cool
Ranch Doritos, carrots, ranch dressing, and ice cream sandwiches.
POPCORN
Popcorn will be sold on Friday morning for $.25 a bag.
WINTER DAZE
Our Winter Daze special tomorrow is Dr. Seuss Character Day.
Students will help celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday by dressing as their
favorite Seuss character!

Elementary School News — Continued
THANK YOU!
Thank you for the great response to our shoe drive for the Plateau
students. We will wind this up tomorrow, so if your child forgot last
week and wishes to donate a pair of "gently used" shoes, that can still
be done tomorrow.
SPECIALS TEACHER SCHEDULE FOR CONFERENCES
During conferences our ―specials‖ teachers — Mrs. Fox, Mrs. Rusticus,
Mr. DeJonge, Miss Smits, and Mr. Schnyders — will be available all
three evenings. They welcome you to stop in to talk about your
child’s progress in their class.
SUMMER TUTORING
Information about tutoring sessions being offered by HCS staff
members this summer will be available on a table by each office during
conferences. Feel free to pick up an information sheet if you are
considering tutoring for your child.
SECOND GRADE PARENTS
Does your child easily master classroom math? Or write for fun? Or
read above grade level? SOAR is a program designed for students
who easily master the goals of the classroom. SOAR stands for
Students opening doors, Achieving their goals, and Reaching new
heights. Students receive additional instruction at their level with like
ability peers in language arts and/or math. Students will be identified
for the program on the basis of parent nomination and additional
testing at HCS. Forms for the nomination of your child can be picked
up at the school office or can be found online. The forms are due by
Tuesday, March 15 in order for your child to be considered for the
program. Contact Sharon Leerar (sleerar@hudsonvillechristian.org or
662-1520) with any questions.
Friday, March 4:
Tuesday, March 8:
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
CHAPEL HAPPENINGS
Kyle Warmington Band
Mrs. Christina Kortering leads chapel
HOT LUNCH
Hot Lunch on Wednesday: DJ’s pepperoni/ham pizza for $1.00 a slice,
pop or Gatorade $.50 each, assorted selection of chips $.25/bag.
DONUTS
Donuts will be sold at break on Friday for $.75 a piece. Donut moms
will be Nancy Goebel, Michelle Gulker, Rhonda DeBoer, Jennie
Koetje, Jane Dykman, and Carmen VanNoord.
STUDENT AFTER SCHOOL STUDY HALL
Please note that we have expanded after school study hall program
and will now offer it Monday – Thursday each week. The time will
remain from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Please know this time is available to all
students and we encourage anyone who could benefit from attending
to join us. A teacher will be available during the study hall, but is it not
intended as a one-on-one tutoring session. All participants will need
to have a ride home at 4:00 p.m.
CHOIR CONCERT ON MARCH 3
Plan to join us to celebrate songs from around the world with the 6-8
middle school choirs on Thursday evening, March 3 at 7:00 in the
middle school gym.
ORCHESTRA JAZZ & FIDDLE FEST CONCERT
Our annual Orchestra Jazz and Fiddle Fest will be Tuesday evening,
March 29 at Fair Haven Ministries at 7:00 p.m. This concert includes
all of our 4th – 8th grade orchestra students. Please plan to join us.
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
Conferences will be held in the south gym on the evenings of March 7,
8, and 10 from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. Teachers will be at conference tables
in the south gym during these scheduled hours to meet with parents.
We ask that parents please be mindful of the conference time frame
each evening. Please note that parents of Middle School students
were NOT given scheduled appointment times for these conferences.
The following staff will be available only as listed:
March 7: Mrs. LeMahieu, Mrs. Heerspink, Mrs. Coallier, Mrs. Prins,
Mr. Knot
March 8: Mrs. LeMahieu, Mrs. Coallier, Mrs. Ubels, Mrs. Jager
March 10: Mrs. Heerspink, Mrs. Ubels, Mrs. Prins
Please feel free to use the handout distributed with the Home
Communicator to help you plan an effective conference. This handout
will come home with every middle school student today and is offered
as an option to parents, it is not a conference requirement. We look
forward to seeing you at conferences and value your partnership!
Middle School News — Continued
7/8 MSBOA ORCHESTRA FESTIVAL
The 7/8 Orchestra Festival will be held this Friday, March 4 at 9:30
a.m. at Grand Rapids Christian High School. Orchestra students will
leave school at 8:00 a.m. and be bussed to and from the event and will
return to school after lunch period. We hope you will join us!
6/7/8 SKATING PARTY ADVANCE NOTICE
Our 6th—8th grade middle school students are invited to a skating
party on Thursday, March 17 at Woodland Sports Center. Busses will
leave school at 6:10 p.m. and return to school around 9:15 p.m. Rides
will need to be ready to pick up students at that time. The admission
cost is $4.50 per student and includes roller skates. Admission will be
COLLECTED IN ADVANCE by homeroom teachers as the date
approaches closer. Roller blade rental is $2.00 and will be paid by
students at the rink. Students may bring their own roller blades.
7/8 MSBOA BAND FESTIVAL
The 7th/8th Grade Band will be playing for the MSBOA Band Festival
at West Ottawa Harbor Lights Middle school this Friday, March 4, at
9:45 a.m. Band students will leave school at 8:00 a.m. and be bussed
to and from the event and will return to school after lunch period.
Parents are welcome to attend this performance as spectators. The
school address is 1024 – 136th Avenue, Holland MI 49424.
WORLD CULTURE DAY PROJECTS
We will celebrate this day on Friday, March 25. Students in all three
grades have received information and directions for their WCD
projects. They will be working on these the month of March. Final
project products will be on display in the south gym Thursday night,
March 24. Parents are invited to come that evening and see the
results of our studies and work.
VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE
8 TH Grade – Green/I – Prins
Tuesday, March 1 3:45 p.m. (A) Game AWAY at Ada Chr.
*Thursday, March 3 3:15 p.m. (B) HCS#2 vs. HCS#1 – SG
Monday, March 7 3:45 p.m. (A) Game AWAY at Calvin Chr.
Tuesday, March 8 3:45 p.m. (A) Game vs. GRC-1 (NG)
*NOTE change for starting time of game
8 th Grade – White/II – VanTil
Tuesday, March 1 3:45 p.m. (A) Game HOME vs. GRC-2
*Thursday, March 3 3:15 p.m. (B) HCS#2 vs. HCS#1 – SG
Monday, March 7 4:00 p.m. (A) Game vs. Ada Chr. — NG
(Rescheduled from Feb. 22)
Tuesday, March 8 3:45 p.m. (A) Game AWAY at Jenison
*NOTE change for starting time of game
7 th Grade – White/#1 – VandenBerg
Tuesday, March 1 2:45 – 4:30 p.m. Practice – north gym
Wednesday, March 2 4:00 p.m. (B/A) Game AWAY at GRC (Elem.
Iroquois Campus)
Friday, March 4 3:45 p.m. (A/B) Game AWAY at Calvin Chr.
Wednesday, March 9 4:00 p.m. (A/B) Game HOME vs Ada Chr.
7 th Grade – Red/#2 – Los
Wednesday, March 2 2:45 – 4:30 p.m. Practice – north gym
Friday, March 4 3:45 p.m. (A/B) Game HOME vs. Calvin Chr.
Wednesday, March 9 3:45 p.m. (B/A) Game AWAY at West Side
7 th Grade – Blue/#3 – Schnyders
Wednesday, March 2 3:45 p.m. (B/A) Game HOME at GRC
Thursday, March 3 2:45 – 4:30 p.m. Practice – north gym
Friday, March 4 3:45 p.m. (A/B) Game AWAY at Jenison Chr
*Wednesday, March 9 3:45 p.m. (B/A) Game AWAY at Ada Christian
*NOTE change of squad playing first.
6TH GRADE VOLLEYBALL
This Saturday, March 5 our 6th grade girls will have an opportunity to
join with other 6th graders in our athletic league to play volleyball at
Ada Christian School. There is no admission charge. Ask your
daughter for an information sheet or check the website.
8 th GRADE VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT
The 8 th grade teams will participate in a Volleyball Invitational all day
Saturday, March 12 held at Ada Christian School. The invitational will
start at 9 a.m. with the championship games played at 3:15 p.m. Our
teams will ride to the game on a bus. Admission is $5 per family; $2
per adult; $1 per student. Check the website for information.
7 th and 8 th GRADE BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL SIGN-UPS
Sign ups are taking place this week for 7 th grade baseball, 8 th grade
baseball and 7/8 softball. Commitments slips must be returned to the
office by Friday, March 4. There will be some sessions scheduled for
pitchers and catchers. This schedule will be communicated via the
Home Communicator, the website, and handouts on the athletic
information board.
SEE ADDITIONAL SHEET FOR PARENTS’ CLUB
AND COMMUNITY NEWS ITEMS
UPCOMING EVENTS AT HUDSONVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
March 3 M.S. Choir Concert, 7 p.m. at MS March 14 5th Grade Boys Sex Ed Night
March 4 7/8 Band and Orchestra Festivals March 17 6, 7, 8 Skating Party at Woodland, 6:45—8:45 p.m.
March 7, 8, 10 Parent/Teacher Conferences March 19 HCS Auction
March 11 No school March 21 MS New Parent Orientation

Home Communicator — page 3
PARENTS’ CLUB NEWS
AUCTION NEWS
This is the last week for donations to get in the auction booklet! We
welcome any last minute donations of any value. Please drop off any
contributions in the office no later than Friday, March 4. There are
dozens of new donors to our auction this year including three tickets
to a preseason Green Bay Packers game! We have water tubes,
furniture, adult bike, laptop, freezer, and grill, to name a few. With
your support and attendance we look forward to a great night on
March 19!
MARKET DAY
Order forms for March are coming home today! Make sure you check
out the free items being offered. The orders need to be submitted to
the office by Friday, March 11, or you can order online until 11 p.m.
on Tuesday, March 15. The pick up date will be Monday, March 21
from 4:30—5:30 p.m.
BOX TOPS
Way to go HCS, you have turned in over 53,500 box tops this year
going past our goal!! Thank you to everyone who participated. This
raised $5350.00 for our school. As a reward, we are celebrating with
an all school (elementary and middle school) pajama day on March
18. Keep on collecting, a new collection sheet is going home day. It is
VERY helpful to the counters if the box tops can come in attached to
sheets.
COMMUNITY NEWS
TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR UNITY’S PLAY
Unity’s production of Jabberwock will be held Thursday, Friday, and
Saturday, March 10—12, at 7 p.m. at the Hudsonville High School
Auditorium. It is a comedy set in the early 1900’s about the very
unconventional Thurber family as they deal with burglars, cops, and a
grandpa who drifts between the Civil War and reality. Tickets are
available in Unity’s office (669-1820) for $5 each.
CLC NETWORK SUPERBOWL 2011
CLC Network would love to have you join us for SuperBOWL 2011.
This is a bowling event which will take place on Saturday, March 12 at
either Spectrum Lanes in Wyoming or Hudsonville Lanes. We will be
bowling from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. to raise funds for kids with special
needs. For more information, please call Bev or Cathy at CLC
Network at 245-8388.
CAMP ROGER
Camp Roger is now accepting registrations for summer camp. Get
outdoors, play hard, meet amazing counselors, make great friends, and
know that you are loved by a God who is greater than you can
imagine. It’s time to sign up for 3-day, 5-day, and 8-day in-camp
experiences for ages 6—15 and 8-day outpost adventures for ages 12-
18. Camp Roger, in Rockford, has been revealing God’s love through
experiences in God’s world since 1913. Find out more at
www.camproger.org.
BYRON CENTER CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION
3 ON 3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
Join us on Saturday, March 26 for our 3rd annual 3 on 3 basketball
tournament. Open to boys and girls in grades 3—8. Pre-registration
is required and due Friday, March 11. For information, please go to
our website, www.bccs.org and click on 3 on 3 basketball tournament.
You can also call Peggy at 878-3347 to request a brochure.
KIDS CLOTHING AND TOY SALE
Borculo Christian School will be hosting a Kids Clothing and Toy Sale
this Saturday, March 5 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Spring and summer
items will be available; the school is located at 6830 96th Avenue in
Zeeland.