HS Newsletter – March 2020
Dear HCHS Families,
As I sit to write this letter I am feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude and thankfulness for the privilege of being part of the HCHS family. Today is Ash Wednesday and our worship time together as a school family this morning was a gift as Mr. Mosterd led us through preparation for Lent. If you have ever wondered about what message our students are hearing from our chapel stage, I ask that you take time to listen to today’s chapel service. It is an example of what we strive for, with God’s help, every day in our classrooms, our chapel services and every square inch of this place. We have a deep desire and commitment to point your student toward the cross while we journey with them through a time in life that is full of decisions and discernment. I wish I could say that we were perfect and get it exactly right every time, but we are human and that is not always the case. Please know that as a team we take that responsibility very seriously and support each other in making that goal a reality. If it ever works for you to join us in person please know that the door is always open, and if that is not possible, you can watch all of our chapels online. Christ is the center of all that we do and of who we are!
To increase our level of partnership and two way communication with our parents, last month I began something new called Open Office Hours. On the second Friday of every month from 9:30 – 11:30 I have set aside time to sit with parents to listen and share with each other thoughts around HCHS. There is no agenda so please come when you can and stay as long as you are able. If you have individual concerns about your daughter or son, please feel free to email the teacher, counselor or me about that concern so that we can meet privately to discuss the matter. Parent Teacher Conferences are also a great time to talk with us about your individual student. Our spring conference times are Thursday, February 27, 5:30 – 8:30 and Thursday, March 5, 3:30 – 6:30.
I can not believe March is here! Once March arrives things get really busy and it feels like time goes even faster as we begin to finalize plans for next year and support our seniors as they look to graduating as the Class of 2020 and to life beyond! With the busyness of spring please be sure to have your students check the Daily Announcements and keep up to date with things that are happening so that they do not miss out on important opportunities and events.
Have a Blessed Season of Lent!
Deb
/ GENERAL INFORMATION
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
February 27 (5:30 pm – 8:30 pm)
March 5 (3:30 pm – 6:30 pm)
Spring Break: April 3 – 10
If you are planning on leaving early for Spring Break please send a note, email Kelli Van Eerden at kvaneerden@hollandchristian.org or call the office at (616) 820-2905 before you leave. This will help us greatly with attendance.
Batons
Parents and students, if you have not returned your baton yet this year, please turn it in to your Family Flex teacher as soon as possible. If you are unsure if your baton was returned, check with your Family Flex teacher or stop in the office and ask. These must be returned before spring break so they can be prepared for this school year. All 9th grade ZCS students will receive a new HC baton this year; you do not need to turn in your ZCS baton.
Media Center
Used Book Sale is going on in the HS Library Media Center during the month of March. All books are $1.00 each or 5/$4.00. Come support the HS library, find a great book or five to read, and help us purchase new books!
Parents and Guardians of the 2020 Senior class
Help make your child’s end of their high school career even more memorable by surprising them with a message in the yearbook! Purchase an ad for your senior with this Senior Graduation Ad opportunity. We can accept submissions only until March 16, 2020!
Reminder Senior Exam Exemption Policy
During the second semester, seniors may work towards being exempt from their final exams. Our policy allows seniors to be exempt from taking the exam in that course if:
- They have either a B average through the final day of a course
- Or have handed in all homework on time with a passing grade, and have no more than two days absent the whole semester (for any reason).
Summer Online Ed Course Sign-ups
Last chance to sign up for Summer Online Credit Advancement (taking an HC class early), Enrichment (taking a non-HC elective), or Recovery (making up a not-passed class). These are the advancement/enrichment course options available for you. Register here –this does not guarantee your participation. Sign ups will be open through March 6. Details will be emailed to all who have registered in the weeks following spring break. You may also email clagerwey@hollandchristian.org with more questions.
Grandparents and Grand-Friends Day at the High School
At Holland Christian we teach our students to be wisdom seekers and to faithfully listen to the Word of God as it guides our path. As wise influences in their lives, you are invited to Grandparents/Grand-Friends Day at the high school, a day where you are able to go to class, experience chapel, enjoy conversations over coffee and cookies, and go out for lunch. Join us on May 6, 2020 from 8:00 am – 11:15 am. See you then!
/ ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
Spring Sport Tryouts
Start the week of March 9. Please check the website for details about the spring season.
Athletic Physicals
Holland Christian Schools athletic department will offer athletic physicals for the 2019-2020 school year on Wednesday, April 29, from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm at Lakeshore Health Partners South Washington facility. The cost is $15 and signups will once again be online through SignupGenius. Stay tuned for more details!
Final Forms
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.
Down Time
June 27 – July 5, 2020 is a dead week for all athletics. Preseason down time is August 2 – 9, 2020.
/ FINE ARTS
Charley’s Aunt – HCHS Spring Theatre Production
Jack loves Kitty Verdun and Charley loves Miss Amy Spettigue. They invite the ladies to meet Charley’s wealthy aunt from out of town. Canceling her visit at the last minute, the millionaire aunt sends the boys into a panic. What do they do now? They must have a chaperone! The problem is solved by drafting their Oxford undergrad pal into a black satin skirt, bloomers and wig. And, as one could imagine, classic comedic confusion ensues.
This British farce is a hit for the whole family! Tickets are available on the Holland Christian Ludus website starting March 9, 2020. Performances are April 24 and 25 at 7:00 pm.
Band / Orchestra
Congratulations to the 52 HCHS band and orchestra students participated in the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) District Solo and Ensemble Festival on February 8, 2020! All of these students received one of the top two ratings and did an excellent job.
Because of their outstanding performances, these 44 individuals qualified to perform at the MSBOA State Solo and Ensemble Festival on March 14, 2020. Congratulations to Elise Bol, Maddie Brink, James Bruxvoort, Emma Chase, Nathan Disher, Julius Dykhuis, Daniel Dykstra, Matthew Dykstra, Nicole Fishell, Jacob Haan, Haleigh Honeck, Jackson Horjus, Quinten Huffman, Megan Kamper, Daniel Koning, Parker Lambers, Paige Lampen, Audrey Luce, Jenna Ly, Jaclyn Meyer, Samantha Meyer, Sam Nicely, James Oosterhouse, Paul Quinn, Emily Rogalske, Jack Rutherford, Aliah Smith, Jamin Smith, Isaac Snyder, Braden Stradley, Kristen Sybesma, Stella TenBrink, Noah Tinholt, Loden VanDeWalker, Ella Vanden Berg, Claire VanDuinen, Tucker VanRegenmorter, Shawna Veenstra, Justin Vikstrom, Rachel Vroegop, Karis Walters, Katy Westra, Elizabeth Winn and Joshua Woolsey.
Congratulations to our fine musicians!
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 on the Holland Christian Ludus website now. $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. Tickets may also be purchased on Main Street during lunch periods the week of the show on March 16, 18 and 20. 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
SENIORS/PARENTS OF SENIORS:
FAFSA & FINANCIAL AID
If you have filed your online FAFSA you will receive your SAR (Student Aid Report) by email. The SAR explains your eligibility for student aid and lists the calculation for your EFC (Expected Family Contribution). Some colleges require an Aid Package from each college that you listed on your FAFSA application. This package is usually made up of (a) grants and scholarships (gift money you don’t need to pay back), (b) work-study (money earned by the student on campus), and (c) loans (you need to pay back + interest). The package may cover all of your need or a portion of it. The balance is your responsibility. You are encouraged to compare packages from similar colleges. If you want to attend the college that did not offer you the best financial aid package, contact the college financial aid officer to see if they will match the best package.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Internal scholarships offered to current, full-time Holland Christian seniors (this includes Tech Center seniors) are available. There have been details in the daily announcements and also posted on the HC website under the counseling section. These are listed on Google Classroom under the course “HCHS Internal Scholarships.” The due date for these is April 1, 2020 by 3:00 pm. There is still a list of outside opportunities listed on the HC website under the counseling section.
HONORS NIGHT/GRADUATION PROGRAMS
We would like to celebrate the accomplishments of your seniors by including a list of all merit scholarship recipients in the Honors Night & Graduation Programs. If your senior son/daughter is receiving a merit scholarship (not financial aid) from a college you know he/she will be attending, please provide Mrs. VanderLaan in the high school office with written verification of the award. You may copy the letter or the email notifying you of the award. Please have all scholarships turned in by April 24, 2020. Once a student turns in scholarship(s), he/she will receive an invitation letter to Honors Night. Please reserve the evening of Monday, May 11, 2020 for this event. It is a special night to acknowledge the hard work of our seniors.
ACT/SAT
Upcoming ACT test dates are: April 4 (registration deadline February 28), June 13 (registration deadline May 8), July 18 (registration deadline June 19). SAT test dates are: May 2 (registration deadline April 3), June 6 (registration deadline May 8) . The ACT and SAT may be taken more than once; colleges accept the highest score for admission and scholarships. The Holland Christian High School code used in registering is 231965. To register visit www.actstudent.org and also www.sat.org/register.
COLLEGE VISITS
We encourage juniors to begin exploring specific colleges. Juniors and seniors may use parental approved absence days to visit colleges during a school day. For seniors, college visit days DO count toward the minimum of two absences for exam exemption. Spring break of junior year is an ideal time to visit colleges.
/ CALENDAR
March
5 – Parent Teacher Conferences (3:30 pm – 6:30 pm)
17 – Band Extravaganza (7:00 pm – Jack Miller Center)
20 & 21 – Living Hope Showcase (7 pm)
27 – Swinging the Night Away (6:45 pm – 9:30 pm)
April
3 – 12 – Spring Vacation (No School)
13 – School resumes
18 – Oratorio (7 pm)
24 & 25 – Spring Play – (7 pm)
29 – Sports Physicals (6:30 – 8:30)
May
2 – Junior/Senior Banquet
6 – Grandparents Day
6 & 7 – Tulip Time (11:15 dismissal)
11 – Senior Honors Evening (7 pm) with Art Exhibition
12 – Spring Orchestra Concert (7:00 pm)
13 – World Cultures Evening
13 – Spring Choir Concert (7:30 pm)
14 – Last Day for Seniors
14 – Band Concert (7:30 pm)
15 – Senior Serve Day
18 – Senior Exams
19 – Commencement, Central Wesleyan (7:30 pm)
25 – Memorial Day Vacation (No School)
26 – 29 – High School Exams