High School Newsletter – October 2019
Dear Parents,
It is hard to believe that October is already here! We have transitioned out of the craziness that comes at the beginning of a new school year and have settled into the rhythm of school. I have had the opportunity to spend time in the hallways, cafeteria, classrooms, chapel, student life activities and extracurricular events, and I am blessed by the amazing students and staff we have and the wonderful things that happen at HCHS on a daily basis. That being said, we know as educators that we always need to be learning and looking for ways to create the best Christian learning environment possible for our students. One way we do that is through professional development days.
September 27 was our first Professional Development Day of the regular school year. I know not having students in session for a day can cause adjustments to your home schedules and want you to know that we appreciated your support and do not take this time together lightly. Our meeting last week was especially important because the staff from Zeeland Christian joined the Holland Christian staff for the morning as we learned more about how to support each of our students in more effective ways through developing strong relational learning environments and by understanding the ways trauma can affect student learning. In the afternoon we as followers of Christ continued to lean into our commitment to learn more about how to embrace diversity and create an inclusive environment where all students, staff and families are integral members of this community of faith. Thank you again for supporting our learning.
Two very important days that are coming up this month are Parent Teacher Conferences. This is one of my favorite times of year. It is an opportunity for us to partner together to make your child’s high school experience as positive as possible. The dates for this year are October 10 and 15. On September 27 you received an email with directions on how to sign up through Virtual Paragon. Here is the link to sign up for a time that works for you.
Please join us as we continue to pray for wisdom and grace as we walk this school year together. Thank you for entrusting us with your children!
Deb
/ GENERAL INFORMATION
Urgent reminder
Senior Pictures were due September 27. Email picture to footprints@hollandchristian.org. If you still have questions view this document for guidelines & FAQ’s.
Parking Permit
All students who drive to school are required to display a parking permit on their vehicle. They are available in the office.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent Teacher Conferences for High School will take place on Thursday, October 10 from 5:30 – 8:30 pm and Tuesday, October 15 from 3:30-6:30 pm. Sign ups are now open and the Administration Office has emailed directions on how to do so to you.
Picture Retakes
Picture retakes will be October 9 from 10:25 – 11:45 am. If you have not taken a photo yet please plan to have your photo taken. If you are unhappy with your school photo just return the package you purchased and a new photo will be taken.
Busing
Dates with no busing can be found on the Holland Christian Transportation page.
VETERANS DAY ASSEMBLY
You are invited to join us for our Veterans Day Assembly on Monday, November 11. Our program will begin at 8:45 am in the High School Gym, with coffee in the Cafeteria immediately following.
HIGH SCHOOL DAILY ANNOUNCEMENTS
All students will be emailed the high school daily student announcements; parents will need to opt in to receive them. Here are the instructions on how to do that. Please help us by keeping your contact information up to date in PowerSchool. When you log in to PowerSchool, click “SwiftReach SwiftK12” – under “Contact Information” you can make sure your demographics are up to date, and under “Alert Preferences” you can opt in to the daily announcements, snow day alerts etc. Announcements are also posted daily on the HC website.
/ ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
Winter Sports Tryouts
Ice Hockey, November 4
Girls Basketball, November 11
Boys Basketball, November 18
Boys Aquatics, November 25
Scheduling/Cancellations and Game Information can be found on the Athletics website.
Physical
All athletes must have an approved pre-participation physical form (dated after 4/15/19) on file in the Athletic Office before they may try out.View the High School Athletic Physical Participation Form.
The Maroon and White Shop
We’re open Wednesdays from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. Come and check out all the new items for your entire family!
The Maroon & White Shop is looking for volunteers for Wednesday mornings. Two shifts are available 8-10:30 or 10:30-1:00. Contact Dawn Mulder @ dmmulder@comcast.net if you are interested.
/ COUNSELORS CORNER
We are currently meeting with the seniors (individually) to make sure they have all the information they need to make decisions regarding their futures. We are encouraging college bound seniors to get their applications in by Thanksgiving vacation to have the best opportunities for financial aid. We are offering to assist non-college bound seniors with career selection, information, and job placement.
We have invited parents to attend a meeting with their 11th grade student. This is our junior check-in meeting, when we discuss topics such as post-high school plans, course selection for senior year, standardized testing, college visits and applications, and financial aid for college. We have emailed the link to each counselor’s calendar for parents to make an appointment. These meetings are all held during the school day, but if you are unable to attend, your student will still have one with his/her counselor and receive all the information.
Scholarships
Throughout the school year, various scholarship opportunities will be posted online through the Counseling Department. A listing of outside scholarships, both regional and national, will be updated as we receive notices of scholarships. Coming soon, there will be information online about the Holland/Zeeland Community Foundation Scholarships that are open to Holland Christian students and also internal HC scholarships, which are for Holland Christian students only. Be sure to check the Scholarship portion of the Counseling Department website.
College Visits, Fairs & Activities
The counseling department website has a complete listing of colleges visiting HCHS.
Recap of Meeting with Juniors
The counselors met with all juniors to talk about steps students should be taking to prepare for senior year and beyond high school. Parents were invited to this meeting, but for those who were unable to attend, here is a video of the presentation.
Testing Information
- Upcoming ACT test dates are December 14 (regular deadline is November 8) 2019, February 8 (regular deadline is January 10), April 4 (regular deadline is February 28) and June 13 (regular deadline is May 8) 2020. HCHS is a testing site for each testing date this school year, except for the April date. www.actstudent.org.
- Upcoming SAT test dates are November 2 (regular deadline is October 3), December 7, 2019 (regular deadline is November 8), March 14 (regular deadline is February 14), May 2 (regular deadline is April 3), and June 6, 2020 (regular deadline is May 8). HCHS is a testing site for only the November 2 and March 14 test dates. Register for the SAT online.
- There is information about free ACT and SAT Preparation; also, pick up a free “Preparing for the ACT” and a free “SAT Student Guide” booklet in the counseling office.
- Here is a chart of the upcoming ACT and SAT dates, including the registration deadlines. This covers the 2019-2020 school year, so we hope you find this helpful as you look ahead for possible testing dates that work for your student.
- PSAT: Students who signed up for the PSAT will be taking it on Wednesday October 16, 2019. More details will be emailed to those students.
/ FINE ARTS
FESTIVAL OF FINE ARTS
Come and celebrate Holland Christian High School’s Festival of Fine Arts! From student sculptures to the movie music, from choral anthems to the deep sounds of the tuba, prepare to enjoy a rich diversity of the arts. The HS Band and Orchestra Fall Pops Concert is on Monday, November 4, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. in the HS Auditorium. The Choir Concert is on Thursday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m. also in the auditorium. The Fall Art Exhibition will be on display in Main Street from November 4-7. Come eat cookies, listen to music, and soak in art!
FALL MUSICAL
Holland Christian High School’s musical performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is just around the corner! We are thrilled to share this fun, family-friendly interpretation of the classic Bible Story. Join us on November 15, 16, 22, and 23 at 7:00 pm and November 23 at 2:00 pm to experience Joseph, brought to life by over one-hundred HC students across cast, crew, and pit orchestra. Tickets can be purchased online at hcs.ludus.com.
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, November 8, 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.
Living Hope Events
All upcoming Living Hope Performance dates and locations can be found on the Holland Christian Events Calendar.
/ CALENDAR
October
5 – Tuition Grant Fund Auction, HS, 6:00 pm
9 – Picture Retake, 10:25 – 11:45 am
10 – Parent/Teacher Conferences (5:30 pm – 8:30 pm)
15 – Parent/Teacher Conferences (3:30 pm – 6:30 pm)
23 – (half day), 24 & 25 CEA Staff Development (No school)
23, 24 & 25 – All Tech Center Students must attend Tech Center
November
4-7 – Fall Art Exhibition, Main Street
4 – Band & Orchestra Fall Pops Concert, Auditorium, 7:30 pm
7 – Fall Choir Concert, Auditorium, 7:30 pm
8 – Swingin’ the Night Away, HS Cafeteria, 6:45 pm – 9:30 pm
11 – Veteran’s Day Assembly, HS Gym,8:45 am
15, 16, 22 & 23 – Joseph, HS Auditorium, 7 pm
27 – Half day of school (No late start)
28 & 29 – Thanksgiving Vacation