HS Newsletter – December

Dear Parents and Students,

December has arrived and with it comes a time of preparation.  From the academic side this year, that means preparing for this semester’s last 4 weeks of classes before exams begin on January 12.  For your family, it is probably a time to prepare how you will spend the holiday season this year.  We know that this year, living with COVID-19, our plans may look very different than in the past. My prayer is that in the middle of the unknown we do not lose sight of the most important preparation of all, preparing for the birth of the Christ Child and experiencing the Hope, Peace, Joy and Love that is Advent.

I can not thank everyone enough for the way you have adjusted to moving from in person to virtual instruction.  Of course, we would rather be here in person but the first few days have gone very well.  If we can support you in any way please do not hesitate to reach out.

During this season of Thanksgiving our Family Flex groups came together and collected food, supplies and funds to support Community Action House in their effort to feed those in our community who are in need.  It was a blessing to see the boxes of food and the financial support of over $4,200 that was collected.  Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus and for blessing our community.

Our first week back from Christmas break will be a time to prepare for end of semester exams which will take place the week of January 11. Our hope and prayer is that we will be back in school together for face to face learning by that time and the exam schedule will continue as planned.  If things change we will keep you posted on any changes to the exam schedule.

Wishing you all a Blessed Advent and Christmas season. I am excited to begin 2021 together and can’t wait to see what God has planned for us in the New Year!

In Christ’s Love,

Deb

/ General Information

Christmas Break

The High School office will be closed during the Christmas Break (December 19 – January 3.) The Administration Office will be closed for the holidays from December 23 through January 1 and will resume normal office hours on January 4.

2021-22 Class Signup

Students will be signing up for their 2021 – 2022 classes beginning in late January. Registration information for current 9th – 11th graders will come out by mid-January. All parents are encouraged to discuss with students the opportunities that are available.  Current students will submit their course selections online by February 12, 2021.

Exam Schedule

• Students are not required to be at school unless they have an exam.
• You will not be allowed to take your exams until all lunch detentions have been served, and you will not receive credit for your first semester courses until you take your exams.
• All lunch account negative balances must be paid before exams may be taken.
• All books must be returned and fines paid in the Media Center before exams may be taken.
• All students should check with the bus driver to find out the bus schedule for exam week.

Tuesday, January 12

• 8:45-10:15 am Period 1 Exam
• 10:30-12:00 pm Period 2 Exam – Tech Center required. Students may leave 2nd hour exam when finished/Tech will be notified that you may be late.

Wednesday, January 13

• 8:45-10:15 am Period 3 Exam
• 10:30-12:00 pm Period 4 Exam – Tech Center Required

Thursday, January 14

• 8:45-10:15 am Period 6 Exam
• 10:30-12:00 pm Period 7 Exam – Tech Center Required

Friday, January 15

• 8:45-10:15 am Period 8 Exam
• 10:30-12:00 pm – Make up slot – Tech Center Required

/ From The Athletic Department

CHAMPS Coupon Books

021 CHAMPS coupon books are now available for $30 at the High School Office. Learn about our new coupon book digital option on the athletics website.

Game Information

Scheduling/Cancellations/Game Information can be found on the Athletic page on the Holland Christian website.

/ Upcoming Fine Arts Events

Christmas Concerts

The High School Music Department is hoping to share its annual band, orchestra and choir Christmas concert virtually after returning to in-person learning. Stay tuned for more information. We look forward to sharing in the celebration of our Savior’s birth through music.

/ Counselors Corner

Parents Of Sophomores And Juniors

We hope to have representatives from the Tech Center presenting in-person or virtually to our students about what the Tech Center has to offer, should they be interested in attending Tech Center beginning their junior or senior year. All sophomores and any interested juniors will be able to attend this presentation. Stay tuned for more information on the format.

The PSAT testing went well. According to the College Board website, students should be able to access their scores online beginning December 7.

Testing Information

• Upcoming ACT test dates are February 6, April 17 and June 12, 2021. HCHS is not currently a testing site this school year due to COVID. You can search for other testing sites in our area when you go to the ACT website to register.
• Upcoming SAT test dates are March 13, May 8, and June 5, 2021. HCHS is not currently a testing site this school year due to COVID. You can search for other testing sites in our area when you go to the SAT website to register.
• 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 2020-2021 school year, so we hope you find this helpful as you look ahead for possible testing dates that work for your student.

Financial Aid And Scholarships

When a senior applies to a college, the college will consider that student for all institution-based aid and all state and federal aid (information is obtained through FAFSA). The scholarships your son/daughter should apply for are those sponsored by private organizations. For a listing of scholarships, visit the scholarship portion of the Counseling Department page on the website. This listing is updated as new scholarship announcements are received.

FAFSA4caster

FAFSA4caster is a federal aid estimator that can be used before officially applying for aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  FAFSA4caster will provide you with an estimate of your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is an index that colleges use to determine what types of student aid you may receive.  Using your EFC, FAFSA4caster will determine what types of federal grants, loans, and work-study you might qualify for and will provide you an estimated award amount for each.  Any student, regardless of age or year in school, may use FAFSA4caster.  This website, Federal Student Aid, will provide information on next steps in the financial aid process.

College Athletics

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 clearinghouse website.  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 the NAIA website. Students should also request their transcript be sent to the eligibility centers via their Parchment account for NCAA; for NAIA you need to request your transcript be uploaded to their portal (contact cvanderlaan@hollandchristian.org for that).   It is the student’s responsibility to check requirements and make sure his/her senior courses ensure eligibility.

/ Calendar

2020-21 HCS School Calendar

HS Chapel Live Stream

December

19 – January 3 – Christmas Vacation

January

4 – School resumes
12 – 15 – Exams
18 – No School