Dear Parents,
Spring has arrived and with it comes one of the busiest times of the year in the life cycle of a high school. Spring Break is this coming week and for those of you traveling I wish you a safe and restful time away. When we return from spring break things get a little crazy, fun but crazy! It is a time where we focus on the end of the current year as well as planning for the next school year. Seniors only have 6 weeks of school left after break and returning students have about 8 weeks. Returning students have decided on classes for 2019-2020 school year, schedules are being created and teaching assignments are being determined. Because it is such a busy time of year please take extra care in reading the Daily Announcements for important information that will help your child have a successful end to this school year. Many seniors have already made decisions about where they’ll be going and/or what they’ll be doing next year, while others are still in that process. Please know that the HCHS staff is here to help and support you and your child in any way that we can through the transition of ending high school and moving on to the next chapter in life.
The week after we return from break all 9th – 11th grade students will be taking the MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) in their English and Math classes. The MAP was also taken in September so results from the Fall assessment will be compared with results from the Spring assessment which will give us a measure of a student’s academic progress over the course of the year. This information will be shared with parents in a report that will come out the end of May. More detailed information about the report will come later, but I wanted to give you a heads up that the assessments will be taking place April 9 – 19.
In closing I want to share with you what a joy it has been for me to get to know our students over the past 3 months. What has been the most surprising to me is how so many of them have taken the time out of their busy high school lives to encourage others, including myself! I have had some amazing individual conversations, received personal notes and have watched them care for others as they walk these halls and sit in these classrooms. They truly display Jesus and I have been so blessed by having the opportunity to participate in life with each of them. Thank you for sharing them with us each and every day.
Wishing you all a blessed Easter as you celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus!
Deb Feenstra
HCHS Principal
GENERAL INFORMATION
2019-2020 TUITION GRANT APPLICATION
REMINDER – Applications are due by April 15. Apply online here. If you have questions, please contact Terry VanDerKolk at tvanderkolk@hollandchristian.org or call (616) 820-2807.
Grandparents and Grand-Friends Day at the High School
At Holland Christian we teach our students to be wisdom seekers and to faithfully listen to the Word of God as it guides our path. As wise influences in their lives, you are invited to Grandparents/Grand-Friends Day at the high school, a day where you are able to go to class, experience chapel, enjoy conversations over coffee and cookies, and go out for lunch. Join us on May 8, 2019 from 8:00 am – 11:15 am. See you then!
Junior/Senior banquet – May 3
Doors open at 6:30 pm with the dance immediately following dinner and concluding at 11 pm. This year it is at the Laketown Golf and Conference Center. This year tickets will cost $55 and will be sold via online ticketing system – you will receive an email with the details on April 9th (ticketing will close Friday April 19th at noon). This is a hard deadline and no exceptions can be made. Dance guest approval forms are available in the office and must be turned in by 3 pm on Wednesday, April 17th.
Tulip Time Week Schedule
Wednesday, May 8 (Grandparents’ Day) – 8-8:35 1st hour, 8:45-9:10 Chapel-9th & 11th & Tour/Coffee-10th &12th , 9:20-9:45 Tour/Coffee 9th & 11th & Chapel 10th & 12th , 9:50-10:25 2nd hour , 10:35-11:10 3rd hour (Note: NO late start this week)
Thursday, May 9 -8-8:45 4/5th hour, 8:50-9:35 6th hour, 9:40-10:25 7th hour, 10:30-11:15 8th hour, dismissal at 11:15
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM: HOST FAMILIES for 2019/20
Holland Christian is blessed to have incredibly dedicated families who are passionate about raising their children with a Christian education. There are international parents who dream of providing the best education in the world for their children and are willing to sacrifice enormously for that. Holland Christian can provide teenagers around the world with a quality life-impacting Christian education. If you would like more information about being a host family and receive a generous stipend for making a significant and lasting impact, please contact Karen DeRoo at kderoo@hollandchristian.org
PARENTS WE NEED YOUR HELP
- Attendance Guidelines for Students – Once at school students are required to sign out on the dismissal sheet located in the office before leaving school. Students must obtain parent and office permission before leaving school at other than normal times. Students must sign in when coming into school after the school day has started.
- After 8:10 a.m. students must use door A on the east side of the building, as we are a secure campus with all doors locked during the school day. Remember to check in the main office to come and/or go during the school day.
- Holland Christian High School operates as a closed campus. Students are not allowed to leave the grounds, especially during their lunch period, without the permission of the office. Tuesday (Block Day) is an exception to this rule, as seniors are allowed to leave for lunch. Parents who want to take only their student(s) out for lunch must personally check them out in the office. Youth leaders or older siblings (out of high school) may also sign them out. Other student requests to leave campus for lunch will ordinarily be denied. Students who leave campus unexcused for lunch will receive an after school detention.
- A reminder that all absences (except school related) count towards the 12 absences allowed per semester before loss of credit. Please see the student handbook on the Holland Christian website for more details on this policy.
FINE ARTS
DOUBLE FEATURE: Steel Magnolias and The Yellow Boat, presented by Holland Christian High School Theatre
We are excited to announce that this spring in place of one show we will be performing two one act shows, Steel Magnolias & The Yellow Boat. The productions each run 1 hour and will be performed as a joint experience with an intermission in-between. Recommended for ages 8+ due to heavy content.
Deemed “the funniest play to ever make you cry”, Steel Magnolias follows the lives of 6 witty women in rural Louisiana and their friendship through the ups and downs of life. The Yellow Boat tells the true story of an 8-year-old boy born with congenital hemophilia and the power of imagination and family in dealing with health crises. Through moments of great humor and great weight, both plays trace the cycle of life and death, and how community comes together in dealing with tragedy.
Tickets are available on hchs.ludus.com. Performances are April 26 and 27 at 7:00 pm.Band/Orchestra
The Holland Christian High School Choirs and Orchestra invite you to their annual oratorio concert as they perform Haydn’s Creation on Saturday, April 13 at 7 p.m. at Jack H. Miller Center for the Musical Arts (221 Columbia Ave, Holland, MI 49423).
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
The Athletic Department of Holland Christian Schools is offering students entering grades 6-12 the opportunity to complete a state-required athletic physical. This required physical will allow your student to participate in athletic events throughout the 2019-2020 school year. Note: If you bring your student to their personal physician, the exam must be dated after April 15 to be valid.
Physicals will be given Tuesday, April 30 from 6:30-9:00 PM at South Washington Family Medicine (Lakeshore Health Partners, 904 Washington Ave., #210) for the nominal fee of $15. For a simple and quick appointment, please click on this link. The 2019-2020 physical forms are also available through this link. Please note: Students must complete the physical form, signed by themselves and a parent, before their appointment with the doctor.
HCHS Athletics offers summer camp opportunities for high school students. Watch the website for details including dates and times for each camp. Here is an informational flier about some summer opportunities for high school athletes.
Summer dead week: July 1 – July 7
HS Fall Sports Start August 12
Trip Information
TRIP (Tuition Reduction Incentive Program) is a fundraising program available to help offset the cost of Holland Christian tuition. The more you use the TRIP program the more you earn.
Instant TRIP is available on Wednesdays 7:30 am – 9 am at Rose Park and the High School. First come, first served!
Future TRIP dates
April 10, 17, 24 (No trip April 3 – Spring Break)
May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
June 5, 19
July 3, 17, 31
August 7, 21, 28
COUNSELORS CORNER
SENIORS/PARENTS OF SENIORS
FAFSA & FINANCIAL AID: If you have filed your online FAFSA you will receive your SAR (Student Aid Report) by email. The SAR explains your eligibility for student aid and lists the calculation for your EFC (Expected Family Contribution). Some colleges require an Aid Package from each college that you listed on your FAFSA application. This package is usually made up of (a) grants and scholarships (gift money you don’t need to pay back), (b) work-study (money earned by the student on campus), and (c) loans (you need to pay back + interest). The package may cover all of your need or a portion of it. The balance is your responsibility.
You are encouraged to compare packages from similar colleges. If you want to attend the college that did not offer you the best financial aid package, contact the college financial aid officer to see if they will match the best package.
HONORS NIGHT/GRADUATION PROGRAMS
We would like to celebrate the accomplishments of your seniors by including a list of all merit scholarship recipients in the Honors Night & Graduation Programs. If your senior son/daughter is receiving a merit scholarship (not financial aid) from a college you know he/she will be attending or from any other outside source, please provide Mrs. VanderLaan in the high school office with written verification of the award. You may copy the letter or the email notifying you of the award. Once we receive verification of the award, you may pick up an invitation to Honors Night. Please reserve the evening of Monday, May 13 for this event. It is a special night to acknowledge the hard work of our seniors. The due date for handing in proof of scholarships is April 24, and the due date to RSVP for Honors Night is May 3.
JUNIORS/PARENTS OF JUNIORS
ACT/SAT
Suggested ACT test dates for juniors are: June 8 (registration deadline May 3), July 13, (registration deadline June 14), September 14, October 26, and December 14. SAT test dates are: May 4 (registration deadline April 5), June 1 (registration deadline May 3) and August 24, October 5, November 2, and December 7. The ACT and SAT may be taken more than once; colleges accept the highest score for admission and scholarships. The Holland Christian High School code, used in registering, is 231965. To register visit www.actstudent.org and also www.sat.org/register. Holland Christian High School is a testing site for the ACT (not including the July 13 date); HCHS is also a testing site for only the November 2 SAT.
COLLEGE VISITS
We encourage juniors to begin exploring specific colleges. Juniors and seniors may use parental approved absence days to visit colleges during a school day. For seniors, college visit days DO count toward the minimum of two absences for exam exemption. Spring break of junior year is an ideal time to visit colleges.
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 on-line at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. NCAA rules require that official ACT scores come directly from ACT (www.actstudent.org) or SAT (www.collegeboard.com). Test scores on a transcript cannot be used. The NCAA code is 9999. Seniors who are considering attending an NAIA member school must complete the NAIA application. For a complete listing of NAIA schools & an application visit www.naia.org. Students can request their transcripts be sent to NCAA Eligibility Center and NAIA Eligibility Center through their Parchment account. It is the student’s responsibility to check requirements & make sure his/her senior courses insure eligibility.
UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS
Tuition Grant Fund Golf Outing
Put together your favorite foursome and enjoy a round of golf on Tuesday, May 7 at the challenging and beautiful Wuskowhan Players Club. Space is limited, so reserve a place for your foursome early! Call (616) 820-2811 or email lhalma@hollandchristian.org for reservations or more information.
Women’s Golf Event at Diamond Springs Golf Course
Our annual women’s event that includes nine holes will be held on Tuesday, May 14, followed by a delicious lunch. For reservations call (616) 820-2811 or email lhalma@hollandchristian.org for more information.
2019 Living Stones Lecture Series and Dinner
The Living Stones Lecture will be held on April 25, at Holland Christian High School. The featured speaker is Randy Alcorn. Randy is the founder and director of Eternal Perspectives Ministries and a New York Times best-selling author. Randy will be joined onstage by his friend Kirk Cousins after an Alpenrose dinner. For information or tickets, contact Leanne Halma at lhalma@hollandchristian.org or (616) 820-2811.
Upcoming Busing Information Here
The days our public school partners will NOT be providing transportation.
Zeeland Public Schools
April 19
May 8, 9, 10 (No PM transportation)
Holland Public Schools
April 26
May 8, 9 (No PM transportation)
West Ottawa Public Schools
May 9 (No PM Transportation)
End of Year Information for Seniors
Reminder senior exam exemption policy
During the second semester, seniors may work towards being exempt from their final exams. Our policy allows seniors to be exempt from taking the exam in that course if:
- they have either a B average through the final day of a course
- or have handed in all homework on time with a passing grade, and have no more than two days absent the whole semester (for any reason).
Remember that your son or daughter must have completed the 10 services hours required by Friday, May 17 to receive a diploma. No final transcripts will be mailed out until all service hours have been turned in. Please encourage them to complete the requirements as soon as possible. Check Power School under Family Flex to see if your student has an “S” = satisfactory or “I” = incomplete. If your senior has questions about how many are owed, they need to talk to the family flex teacher.
The following end of the year schedule should help you with planning:
May 2 Graduation Robe Distribution (during family flex time)
May 10 All library fines paid and materials returned
May 13 Honors Evening, HS Auditorium, 7 pm (by invitation only)
May 16 The bookstore will be open all day for Seniors to return their books. Please do not leave books on the bookstore ledge. If no one is in the bookstore just bring them to the office. If you need any books for your exam return them to the office after your exam.
May 17 Service hours due (10 hours)
May 17 Senior Service Project
May 20 Senior Exams for students who are required to take them
May 21 Graduation Rehearsal (required) – 10 am
May 21 Graduation Ceremony – 7:30 pm at Central Wesleyan Church
June 17 – 21 Diploma pick up in the high school office
Reminder: Graduation All Night Party is right after graduation. Watch for information about signing your senior up to attend this. Plan to load buses at 9:30 pm sharp and return approximately 5:30 am on Wednesday.
Diplomas will be available for pick up from the High School Office June 17-21. Diplomas can be picked up anytime between 8 am – 3 pm. Before students can get their diploma all service hours must be complete, all textbooks and library materials/books must be returned and your tuition balance taken care of. If your senior is the only child enrolled in your family at HC, or if you have not made previous arrangements with the business office, please contact Terry VanDerKolk at 820-2807. Final transcripts will also be sent after these arrangements are made. Your cooperation is appreciated.
ADVANCE NOTICE – EXAM SCHEDULE
Tuesday, May 28
8:45 am – 10:15 am – 1st hour
10:30 am – 12:00 pm – 2nd hour
Wednesday, May 29
8:45 am – 10:15 am – 3rd hour
10:30 am – 12:00 pm – 4th/5th Hour
Thursday, May 30
8:45 am – 10:15 am – 6th hour
10:30 am – 12:00 pm -7th hour
Friday, May 31
8:45 am – 10:15 am – 8th hour
10:15 am – 12:00 pm – Makeup slot
IMPORTANT CALENDAR DATES
March 29 – April 7 – Spring Vacation (No School)
April 8 – School resumes
April 13 – Choir and Orchestra Oratorio at Jack Miller Center (7 pm)
April 30 – Sports Physicals
April 30 – HC Society Meeting at HCHS (7 pm)
April 19, 20 & 21 – Spring Play – The Westing Game
May 8 – Grandparents/Grand-Friends Day
May 3 – Junior/Senior Banquet (Pinnacle)
April 25 – Living Stones Dinner and Fund Raiser
May 2 – World Cultures Events
May 7 – Tuition Grant Fund Golf Outing, Wuskowhan Players Club
April 29 – Honors Assembly during Chapel
May 8 & 9 – Tulip Time (11:15 dismissal)
May 13 – Senior Honors Evening (7 pm) with Art Exhibition
May 14 – Women’s Golf Event, Diamond Springs Golf Course
May 14 – Orchestra Concert at Jack Miller Center (7 pm)
May 15 – Spring Choir Concert, HS Auditorium
May 16 – Band Concert (7:30 Kollen Park)
May 16 – Last Day for Seniors
May 17 – Senior Serve Day
May 20 – Senior Exams
May 21 – Commencement, Central Wesleyan (7:30 pm)
May 27 – Memorial Day Vacation
