Middle School Newsletter – October 2019
Dear HCMS parents and families,
It has been a joy to see your sons and daughters come to school each day. As we work through the renovation, I have been impressed with the flexibility of you the parents, the students and the staff. One of our Math teachers told me today that when people ask him how is it going in the middle school with the renovation he lets them know that it is 15% harder. The reality is that school is all about the people and both the students and teachers have been doing a great job of working together in this chaos of construction. I have heard a lot of compliments from the students about the teachers and visa versa. In case you haven’t heard from your student – the band room and locker rooms are up and running!
I would like to thank you for doing a great job of keeping the students safe during pick up and drop off.
Thanks so much for entrusting your students with us each day. We look forward to seeing you during parent teacher conferences October 10 and 15. Remember to sign up online for parent teacher conferences ASAP.
EQUIPPING MINDS AND NURTURING HEARTS TO TRANSFORM THE WORLD FOR JESUS CHRIST
Living for Jesus Christ – Loving Others – Serving the World
Tom Strikwerda
/ October at HCMS
STUDENT ACCESS TO INFORMATION
We’ve asked our new Counselor, Mr. Chris Render, to share some useful information about students’ ability to access information. Please read his insights below:
Never before have students had access to information like they do today. Digital devices are the norm and ‘learning’ via Siri or Google is only limited by a Wi-Fi signal and your child’s imagination. While students may have instant access to answers, it has become more important than ever that we as parents and teachers set boundaries and help them to process, absorb and understand all that they are inundated with. The first step in doing this is often through monitoring and filtering Internet access while creating an atmosphere of online accountability. Below are few services that offer help in this area and can serve as the jumping off point for discussing and creating an atmosphere of responsible Internet and social media use that will serve our students well through adolescence and beyond.
Web Monitor/Filter + more (paid subscription)
These companies offer monitoring, blocking and filtering services to all devices that have internet access. Each charges a monthly or yearly subscription fee and offer various levels of service.
Web Monitor/Filter + more (free basic subscription)
These companies offer free basic blocking/filtering services
Accountability Tools
These companies focus on the dangers of pornography and offer accountability tools to prevent and overcome temptation and addiction.
PICTURE MAKE-UP DAY
Monday, October 7 is HCMS Picture Re-Take Day. If you are not satisfied with your student’s picture, please send their original packet with your son or daughter to school Monday and Geskus will re-take their picture that afternoon. Photos may be ordered online directly from Geskus. Band, Orchestra and Choir group pictures will also be taken during 7th and 8th hours Monday.
EARLY WINTER SPORTS SEASON
Monday, October 21, is the first day of our next sports season, including Girls Swimming, Boys Basketball and Competitive Cheer. If your student would like to participate and has not yet signed up, please sign up on Final Forms asap. They will need all forms signed and a current physical form on file in the office. Team pictures will be taken Wednesday, October 30, from 3:00-5:00.
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
Are scheduled for October 10 (3:30-6:30) and October 15 (5:30-8:30). An email with specific sign up instructions was sent out on Friday, Sept 27. Thanks.
MIDDLE SCHOOL LUNCH COVERAGE
NEXT ONE – 10/18 11:25am-12:00pm
Once a month, our middle school teachers are in need of lunch time classroom coverage. Teachers use this time to meet as a faculty.
Lunch coverage is a great opportunity to be in the middle school, and be with the kids! Your responsibilities include monitoring a homeroom for lunch and recess from 11:25-12:00.
Signup online here. Thank you in advance for your help!
SAFE MORNINGS AT ROSE PARK THANKS TO OUR COMMUNITY-MINDED DRIVERS!
A very special THANK YOU to all parents who have been keeping the Rose Park circle drive SAFE for our middle school and high school shuttle bus riders each morning. We are clearly adjusting so well to using the circle drive as a DRIVE-THRU service only 😉 Even as the weather begins to turn cooler, please continue to use the circle drive to drop off your child if he/she is catching the 7:30 shuttle. We will take good care of your child in the overhang until the shuttle bus arrives. If you choose, you are welcome to wait with your child in the car, but please remain in the big parking lot rather than the circle drive. You may allow them to walk and cross the circle drive once the bus arrives. And a big celebration to add? Our bus lane no longer has cars zipping through! I appreciate your willingness to abide by these expectations so we can keep our children safe each morning. THANK YOU for being an integral part of our students’ lives as we are all learning to be and modeling life as “community growers”.
HOLLAND CHRISTIAN TRANSPORTATION
The transportation calendar for HPS, ZPS, and WO, on the Holland Christian Transportation Page has been updated for the year 2019-20.
FILL OUR GATOR
Did you know we have a PaperGator at Holland Christian Middle (and other HC locations)?! During the month of October, we can double our earnings!! But, we need your help!! We’d love for you to fill our Gator to the brim! It’s located back by the football shed under the light pole! Thanks for your help!
Links to the Homework pages:
/ Calendar
OCTOBER
7 – Student Picture Re-Takes / BOC Group Pictures (12:50-2:55pm)
10 – Parent – Teacher Conferences (3:30-6:30pm)
15 – Parent – Teacher Conferences (5:30-8:30pm)
18 – Quarter 1 (Q1) Ends
21 – Quarter 2 (Q2) Begins
21 – Early Winter Sports Begin
23 – Half Day
25 – No School, CEA Convention
26 – No School, CEA Convention
30 – Early Winter Team Pictures
/ Requested Announcements
Hope College Youth Day is happening on October 12 at 1pm. We’d love to have you join us. Please click here for more information on Youth Day. There will also be a FREE volleyball clinic for all boys and girls in grades 3-6 before hand from 9:30-10:30. More Information & Registration available at hope.edu.