HS Newsletter – February 2020
Dear Parents,
This past week we held our Holland Christian High School Showcase event. This is an opportunity for families of incoming 9th graders to learn more about HCHS and what it means to transition to high school. It is a privilege to walk alongside students and their parents as they begin thinking about the next chapter in their school journey. As a Christian school, we experience the joy of supporting students not only in their academics but more importantly in their faith journey. A short video that shares our desire to engage with our students along their faith journey was created for the event. As I drove home that evening, I began to think about how much I would like all of our parents, not just those new to HCHS, to have the opportunity to view the video so I am sharing the video with you.
Ensuring that our students are prepared academically for the next step in life is something that we take very seriously. One piece of that preparation is supporting them as they begin to take standardized assessments. Parents have shared with us that it would be helpful to have ACT prep classes provided as part of our program, and we agree. To begin with, this week all Juniors took the Science, Math, Reading and English ACT practice tests. Our team will now look at test results and review data. Beginning in February students will have the opportunity to receive ACT prep during Family Flex before they take the February or April ACT. In the spring we will have a similar process to help students as they prepare for the SAT. We will also be implementing ACT/SAT test questioning into our regular classroom instruction across content areas. We know this is just a beginning step but wanted you to be aware that it is something that we are committed to embedding here at HCHS.
Parent partnership is vital to the success of our school. For that reason in last month’s newsletter I invited parents to make an appointment to come in and meet with me to share your thoughts and your hopes for HCHS. I have had the opportunity to meet with a few parents and have found the conversations invaluable. I know it is not always easy to plan ahead and make an appointment, so this month I would like to begin Open Office Hours. Open Office Hours will be more of a drop in group format where you can drop by, have a cup of coffee and join in a conversation with others who desire to help HCHS be the best Christian school possible. This month’s Open Office Hours will be February 7, 9:15-11:30. Chapel is 8:55-9:15 so if you would like to join us for chapel before, that would be great! I look forward to spending some time listening to, learning from and getting to know each other better.
Journeying Together,
Deb
/ GENERAL INFORMATION
WINTERFEST
Winterfest is coming! Semi-Formal Dance will be Saturday, February 8 (8:30 pm – 11:30 pm) in the High School Cafeteria. Tickets are on sale on Main Street during lunch for $10 each, or $15 each at the door the night of the dance. Guest Forms are available in the high school office and will be accepted through Monday, February 3 at 3:00 pm. Guest tickets are purchased at the door.
Parents: Winterfest dance has always been a great celebration of Winterfest week for our HCHS community. We could use your help. Each time it is helpful to have a dozen parents on hand to help with food, coat check in, taking tickets at the door, and walking around. Student Council does the decorations and clean up, parents are needed from 8:15 (the dance starts at 8:30) until 11:30 when it ends. Can you help? If so, please email David Mosterd (dmosterd@hollandchristian.org)
2020 – 2021 Class Signup
Students should be signing up for their 2020 – 2021 classes now. All parents are encouraged to discuss with students the opportunities that are available. Registration information has been presented to all current 9th – 11th grade students. Updated information is available on the Holland Christian website on the Registrar’s page. Here is where you will also find course descriptions for all classes. Parents should have received more detailed information in an email from the Registrar. Current students will submit their course selections online before 5:00 pm, Thursday, February 13.
Bittersweet Ski Club Information
Bittersweet Ski Club forms and cards are available in the office! Stop in anytime and purchase ski club cards once your form is filled out. Student and adult cards are $18 each. Checks MUST be payable to Holland Christian Schools. Cash will also be accepted. There will be a bus leaving from the High School on February 7, 21, and March 6, weather permitting. Details and sign up sheets available in the office.
/ ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
The Athletic Department of Holland Christian Schools is offering students entering grades 6 – 12 the opportunity to complete an MHSAA required athletic physical for next school year. The required physical will allow your student to participate on any athletic team for the 2020-2021 school year. This exam must be dated after April 15 to be valid for next school year. If you wish to complete your physicals with Holland Christian, they will be given the evening of Tuesday, April 28, at Lakeshore Health Partners Family Medicine (904 Washington Ave., #201) for a fee of $15. We will be using SignUpGenius for scheduling appointments online again. Please look for an upcoming email that will include a link to sign up for a slot.
2020-2021 school year is the second year Holland Christian will be using our online sign-up for athletic teams, FinalForms. Those already on FinalForms only need to login and update any changes in your information, print the updated 2020/21 physical form to take to the physical appointment for the doctor to complete, and sign up for any sports that your child will be trying out for. Registration for 2020/21 sports on FinalForms will be open on April 1. Because of this online process, we will not have hard copy physical forms available for you for the 2020-2021 school year.
Dead Week (no team activities or use of facilities): June 27 – July 5
Preseason Downtime (limited activities for fall teams): August 2-9
/ FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT
Hoops & Hoopla 2020
Hoops & Hoopla 2020! It’s a night of hoops, featuring the dueling staff basketball teams of ZCS and HCS, along with 56ers scrimmages and a Unified slam dunk contest. Come also for the hoopla – photos with Elsa, Anna & friends, carnival games, bounce houses, and more on Saturday, February 1, starting at 6:15 pm at Holland Christian High School. All this family fun for a suggested donation of $5 ($20 per family).
Proceeds of this game will go to help make the HCHS band & orchestra trip to Florida in April affordable for the over 90 students participating. The group will perform at Disney World and will attend educational music workshops with professional Disney musicians. Thanks for your support of the HC band and orchestra–building community, education, and excellence!
Band Extravaganza
Mark your calendars for Holland Christian Schools Band Extravaganza for a wonderful night of music on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. HC’s 5th, 6th, Middle School, and High School Bands will perform at Hope College’s Jack H. Miller Center for the Musical Arts at 7 p.m. See you there!
In the Swing! (A Living Hope Showcase Event)
Join the Living Hope Singers for an evening of song and dance that celebrates the early music of the big band, jazz, and swing dance eras. Showcase 2020 will be held on Friday and Saturday, March 20 & 21 at 7:00 pm in the Holland Christian High School Auditorium. Tickets are available here starting February 2. $1.00 of every ticket sold will benefit Compassionate Heart Ministries. All reserved tickets are $10. High school student tickets are available in the student section for $8. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Swingin’ The Night Away
The Holland Christian Jazz Bands and the Old Timer’s Jazz Band are proud to present the Swingin’ the Night Away in the HCHS cafeteria on Friday, March 27, from 6:45 to 9 p.m. Admission is $5 and goes to support the music program at HCHS. New to swing dancing? No worries! Dance instructors will be on hand to teach us the basic steps of swing, so the evening can be enjoyed by novice and experienced dancers alike. (6:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.) Not in the mood for dancing? Come socialize, indulge in some delicious desserts, punch, and enjoy the music of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington and more.
/ COUNSELORS CORNER
SCHOLARSHIP LISTINGS/SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES
For a listing of scholarships available, go to the Scholarships page on the HCHS website. For a listing of summer opportunities available to all grade levels, go to the Opportunities page. These listings are updated as the guidance office is notified of scholarships and summer camps.
CAREERLINE TECH CENTER
Careerline Tech Center will hold an open house on Tuesday, February 4 from 5:30-7:30 pm for both students and parents. If you may be interested in attending Tech Center your junior or senior year and would like to know about their programs, it’s a great opportunity to see all that they offer! The Careerline Tech Center is located at 13663 Port Sheldon Street, Holland MI 49424. Questions call 616-738-8950.
JUNIORS & PARENTS – ACT PREP
Juniors had the opportunity to take practice ACT tests during their junior core classes this past week. Students will be able to sign up for ACT prep sessions during Family Flex in the month of February. We are pleased to be able to offer this opportunity for our students to prepare for the ACT.
ACT/SAT
Students may take the ACT/SAT as often as they wish; colleges accept the highest score. The test is also used for scholarship purposes. Juniors are encouraged to take one of each test to see which one is stronger for them; they are then encouraged to focus on which test better suits them. The next scheduled ACT is April 4, 2020 with a registration deadline of February 28, 2020. The next scheduled SAT is March 14, 2020 with a registration deadline of February 14, 2020. Check with your son’s/daughter’s possible colleges to see if the optional writing section of the ACT or SAT is required for admission. To register and view all upcoming testing dates and testing locations visit the ACT website for ACT registration, and go to the SAT website to register for the SAT. A fee is charged for testing. Students who qualify based on family income may receive a fee waiver in the guidance office.
JUNIORS & SENIORS
HELPFUL BOOKLETS: Free copies of “Preparing for the ACT” and “The SAT Student Guide” are available in the counseling office. Feel free to stop by and pick them up!
COLLEGE ATHLETICS/NCAA & NAIA ELIGIBILITY
Seniors who are considering attending a Division I or II University and hope to compete on an athletic team must complete an NCAA application eligibility form. Students can apply online at the NCAA Eligibility Center. NCAA rules require that official ACT scores come directly from ACT (www.actstudent.org) or SAT (www.collegeboard.com). Test scores on a transcript cannot be used. The NCAA code is 9999. Seniors who are considering attending an NAIA member school must complete the NAIA application. For a complete listing of NAIA schools and an application, visit NAIA’s website. It is the student’s responsibility to check requirements and make sure his/her senior courses insure eligibility. Students need to request their transcript be sent to NCAA via their Parchment account; for NAIA, students need to request that their transcript be uploaded to the NAIA portal by the counseling secretary.
SENIORS & PARENTS – FINANCIAL AID
All students seeking financial aid (institution based, state and federal funds) must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at the Federal Student Aid website. The FAFSA has been available for you to complete since October 1. Be sure to check the financial aid link on each college website for their deadline. The final deadline for consideration of state financial aid in Michigan is March 1.
/ CALENDAR
February
8 – Winterfest Dance (8:30 pm – 11:30 pm)
13 – 2020/21 course registration deadline
14 – Staff Development (No School)
17 – Winter Break (No School)
27 – Parent/Teacher Conferences (5:30 – 8:30 pm)
March
5 – Parent/Teacher Conferences (5:30 – 8:30 pm)
17 – HCS Band Extravaganza (7:00 pm, Jack H. Miller Center)
20-21 – Living Hope Showcase
27 – Swinging the Night Away