MS Newsletter – February 2020
Greetings,
Last month I asked you to join me in praying for our school. I also shared the following verses:
18 At all times, pray by the power of the Spirit. Pray all kinds of prayers. Be watchful, so that you can pray. Always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me. Pray that whenever I speak, the right words will be given to me. Then I can be bold as I tell the mystery of the good news.
Lisa Lundy led a prayer chapel a couple weeks ago where she had each student write a prayer request and tape it to the wall. I thought it would be good to share some of the prayer requests our students had with you.
-Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for your grace and kindness. I find joy in serving you, may I never stop. I want to serve you for the rest of my days. Help me to make you my priority today God. In Jesus’ wonderful name I pray – Amen.
-We focus more on what and who is around us rather than stuff and things. And, that we lift our eyes for help, not to others for their opinions.
-I want to feel the love and be cared for. I want to feel God’s presence around me and His love. I wish to have the empty, dark, sadness to be filled with Hope, answered prayers.
-For me to be bold and to not be afraid to be me.
Another chapel we had this month included a speech titled “What is your Life’s Blueprint?” delivered by Martin Luther King Jr. He delivered this speech six months before he was assassinated to a group of students at Barratt Junior High School in Philadelphia on October 26, 1967. While the speech was being played, I observed students listening intently to the positive words of Martin Luther King Jr. After he finished his speech with the words “Be a bush if you can’t be a tree. If you can’t be a highway, just be a trail. If you can’t be a sun, be a star. For it isn’t by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.” the students were so inspired that they clapped. if you would like to here is a link to the speech if you would like to listen to it.
As we do life at the middle school I value the time that we have to worship together each Friday afternoon.
I thank each of you for taking the time to pray for our school.
Tom Strikwerda
Principal
/ February at HCMS
HCMS Exploratory Classes
HCMS Exploratory Classes are scheduled for the week of February 10-13. These are Mini Course type classes in which students are able to explore and try out courses outside of our typical academic subjects. We will have Exploratories each afternoon from 11:45-2:55 and select students, depending on course selection, will be leaving campus. If you could avoid any appointments during that time, it would be appreciated!
Seussical JR. Tickets Now Available!
Tickets are now available for HCMS’s Musical, Seussical JR. Come join us on an adventure through some of your favorite Dr. Seuss stories and see some of the beloved characters come to life on stage! Performances will take place in the High School Auditorium on March 6 & 7 at 7:00 PM. This musical is perfect for the whole family! The show lasts about an hour and a half, which includes a 15 minute intermission. Purchase your tickets now on the online HCS ticketing website. Can’t wait to see you there!
Reminder: Renovation survival equipment needed
We are still in need of some renovation survival equipment. We are looking for foosball and/or ping pong tables to set up in the hallway of “middle school north” to use during morning and afternoon breaks. If you have these collecting dust at home, we’d love to take them off your hands for this semester.
Lunchtime Coverage Help Needed – February 19
Our Teacher Collaboration Lunch happens once a month on a Wednesday. Are you available to help monitor students? We need teacher rooms and break time covered during this time (11:15-11:50). Feel free to contact Carla from parent board (cchase@hollandchristian.org) with questions.
We are SO grateful for your help. Thank you for volunteering. By doing this, you allow our faculty time to meet as a staff. (Just a reminder: we need a background check on file in the office before volunteering. Most families filled one out at the beginning of the year – but if you are unsure, feel free to check in the office. Thanks)
Snack Shack Needs Volunteers!
Our next season of sports has begun. Our request is that every family of a Middle School athlete take a turn in our Snack Shack. The Snack Shack is a way for us to provide funds for our middle school classrooms and athletics. Please consider signing up for a slot at one of our home games. Questions? Please email Joel Leegwater (jleegwater@hollandchristian.org) or parent board (cchase@hollandchristian.org). Thanks.
/ Important Dates
February
7 – MS Ski Club
10-13 – AhX Exploratories (PM)
14 – No School – Staff Development
17 – No School – Winter Break
21 – MS Ski Club
26 – MS Band Festival, 11:15 AM (West Ottawa)
27 – MS Orchestra Festival, 9:25 AM (West Ottawa)
27 – Parent Teacher Conferences, 3:30-6:30 PM
March
5 – Parent Teacher Conferences, 5:30-8:30 PM
6 – MS Ski Club
6 – MS Play – Seussical JR., 7:00 PM
7 – MS Play – Seussical JR., 7:00 PM
16 – Spring Sports Begins (Boys Tennis, Boys/Girls Track, Girls Soccer, Boys Baseball)
17 – Band Extravaganza
20 – Q3 Ends
23 – Q4 Begins
27 – 8th Grade Shadow Day
April
3 – Spring Break Begins
13 – Classes Resume
14/15 – 8th Math MAP Test
21/22 – 8th Reading MAP Test
21/22 – 7th Reading MAP Test
23 – 7th Language Usage MAP Test
28/29 – 7th Math MAP Test
24 (or 17) – 8th Language Usage MAP Test
28 – HCS Athletic Physicals
28/29/30 – 8th Spanish Placement Test
30 – HCMS Choir Concert, 7:30 PM
May
7 – Grandparents Day
12 – HCMS Orchestra Concert, 7:00 PM
13 – 7th Grade Camp
14 – 7th Grade Camp
15 – 7th Grade Camp