MS Newsletter – October 2020
Dear HCMS parents and families,
Thanks so much for entrusting your students with us each day. We have been excited at all the things that have been happening at the middle school this year. It has been enjoyable to go into different newly renovated classrooms and observe the variety of lessons and activities each teacher is delivering and the students are learning. So far this year we have also been blessed to be able to start Calling all Colors, our robotics team, and many sports teams. Our students have enjoyed outdoor recess where students are developing new friendships, and the students have been participating in different activities like 9 square. We have also been able to start nurture groups which are groups of about 13 students led by a staff person during our chapel time every other week. On Wednesday, September 23, our school took part in the 30th annual See you at the Pole. This is an international day of prayer that over 1 million students take part in in 64 different countries. Despite the unusual circumstances around this year, great things are happening at the middle school. Your students have been awesome!
We look forward to seeing you virtually during parent teacher conferences on October 8 from 3:30 to 6:30 and October 15 from 5:30 to 8:30. If you haven’t already, please remember to sign up online ASAP. Also, please make sure you have at least 5 minutes between each conference so you have time to get into the waiting room of the next conference. Finally, be sure to have your actual name on your Zoom account so teachers can recognize who they are letting in next. Parent teacher conferences are always a great way to connect with each other for the benefit of your student and we always appreciate these conversations with you.
Your partner in Christian education,
Tom Strikwerda
Principal
/ October at HCMS
Picture Makeup Day
Monday, October 12 is HCMS Picture Retake 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. If you would like to order photos, go to Geskus Website.
PSAT for 8th Graders
This year 8th graders are taking the PSAT test rather than doing the MAP testing. This test will be given on October 15 from 8 am – 11:15 am. 8th graders will only be at school on the 15th to take this test and will be dismissed for the day at 11:15. Students must be on time for the testing and cannot leave for appointments during the test. If a student uses an electronic device like a cell phone or smart watch, then the test result is disqualified. Therefore it would be best if they left their electronic devices at home. The students do need a calculator that is fully charged or has new batteries. The reason we have chosen to go to this test in 8th grade is because it will help the students prepare for college entrance exams and it helps us as a school to continuously improve Holland Christian’s strong approach and design of education.
Early Winter (Winter 1) Sports Season
Monday, October 19, is the first day of our next sports season (except for football players, who’s start date is Tuesday, October 20), including Girls Aquatics, Boys Basketball and Competitive Cheer (which is with West Ottawa). If your student would like to participate and has not yet signed up, please sign up on Final Forms asap (make sure the pre-participation physical is completed). They will need all forms signed and a current physical form on file in the office. Communications will be coming to those who are registered. Team pictures will be taken Wednesday, October 28, from 3:00-4:00.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Are scheduled for October 8 (3:30-6:30) and October 15 (5:30-8:30). Please see email dated September 28 for information on how to sign up. View the Parent Guide for connecting to the scheduled Virtual Parent/Teacher Conferences on the day of your conferences.
Reminders for Parents
Questions about Attendance, Medications, Lunch Policy, etc? Please check out our Reminder for Parents document.
A Note from the Parent Team
We love our Middle School staff and want to show our appreciation for them by stocking their Staff Lounge. Please help us fill the lounge with all their favorite things! You may turn all donations into the MS office or the Rose Park office any time before Friday, October 9. Thank you in advance for your contributions! We are grateful.
-The Middle School Parent Team
A Thank You from Rose Park to Shuttle Bus Families
A very special THANK YOU to north side shuttle bus parents who have been keeping Rose Park’s 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. 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”. ~Miska Rynsburger
Middle School Hot Lunch Menu
Links to the At Home Learning Pages (formerly called homework page)
/ Important Dates
October
12 – Student Picture Retakes, 8:00am
8 – Parent – Teacher Conferences (3:30-6:30pm)
15 – Parent – Teacher Conferences (5:30-8:30pm)
15 – PSAT for 8th Graders (half day of school for the 8th graders from 8 -11:15)
19 – Early Winter Sports Begin
22 – No School, CEA Convention
23 – No School, CEA Convention
28 – Early Winter Team Pictures
30 – Q1 Ends
November
2 – Q2 Begins