High School Newsletter – April 2023

April 2023

Dear HCHS Family, 

As a Minnesotan-at-heart, I do enjoy a hearty winter season with the many opportunities to build quinzhees with the kids, go nordic skiing at Saugatuck State Park, and drink hot chocolate after a walk around the block. But no matter how satisfied I am with my winter hobbies and rhythms, the sunlit sky of spring and the rebirth of our garden annually make me forget winter like an average first date and renew me with new energy and hope. I pray that this season has a similar positive effect on you and your families this spring. 

Recently, I made my way through another powerful book by Dr. Dallas Willard titled, Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God. If you’d like to deepen your practice of being in the presence of God, I highly recommend this book to you and your friends. Also, I found this book invaluable in furthering my understanding of how to seek wisdom and discern God’s voice as a leader. As we collectively swim in the digital ocean of smartphones, laptops, and social media, discerning truth and knowledge has become more difficult than ever before. In this text, Dr. Willard provides his readers practices that are exceptionally applicable for today, but at the center of his message, he shares, “God wants to be wanted, to be wanted enough that we are ready, predisposed, to find him present with us” (p. 283). 

Last spring, Mr. Russ, our Director of Faith Formation, shared with the graduating 8th grade class about a student who wrote a love story for his creative writing class. In the student’s story, he described how the protagonist experienced a typical high school romance tale that resulted in the two characters enjoying class together, and that’s it–a pretty lackluster ending. The key feedback that he gave his former student was not that the story was poorly written grammatically or that it was missing any basic components of a plot line. Rather, he shared with Russ-like vigor, “Your protagonist doesn’t want enough!” One of the biggest challenges our students face today in our digital world is resisting the temptation to be distracted by the trivial and instead intentionally develop a deep want for Jesus and the deep hope we can have because of his love for us displayed on the cross and his victory over death in his resurrection. 

As we enter Holy Week, I pray that you and your families may experience God in new, revigorating ways together and find rest and unlimited joy in the hope that we celebrate on Resurrection Sunday. I hope the decorative flower arrangements are popping, the organs (or electric guitars) are blasting, and the voices are filling every nook and cranny of your churches as you celebrate the invitation to enter the dance with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

I leave you with the poem with which Dr. Willard ends his book:

Now is the shining fabric of our day

Torn open, flung apart, rent wide by love.

Never again the tight, enclosing sky,

The blue bowl or the star-illuminated tent.

We are laid open to infinity,

For Easter love has burst His tomb and ours.

Now nothing shelters us from God’s desire—

Not flesh, not sky, not stars, not even sin.

Now glory waits so He can enter in.

Now does the dance begin.

With Thanks, 

Miles Colago
High School Principal

General Information

Batons

Parents and students, if you have not returned your baton yet this year, please turn it in to your Family Flex teacher as soon as possible. If you are unsure if your baton was returned, stop in the office and ask. It was requested that these be returned before spring break so they can be prepared for this school year. All 9th grade ZCS students will receive a new HC baton this year; please do not turn in your ZCS baton.

Junior/Senior banquet: April 29

The Junior-Senior Banquet is Saturday, April 29 at Frederik Meijer Gardens. The doors will open at 7pm. Dinner will begin at 7:45 with a dance immediately following and concluding at 11pm. Tickets will be $75 each and will be sold online from April 15 – April 21. The link to purchase the tickets will be emailed out to all seniors and juniors.

• Thinking of bringing a non-HC guest? You must have a Guest Approval Form filled out by Friday April 14. NO EXCEPTIONS. Guest Approval Forms are available in the HS office.
• Important Reminders:
  • Bring your ticket confirmation (printed or on your phone).
  • Please dress appropriately. Remember we seek to honor our God as we celebrate.
  • Because this is a school activity, all school rules apply. There is a zero tolerance for all tobacco, alcohol and marijuana products.
  • Students will not be allowed to re-enter if they leave the facility.

Tulip Time Week Schedule

• Monday, May 8 – normal Monday
• Tuesday, May 9 – normal Tuesday
• Wednesday, May 10 – modified Wednesday schedule
  • Includes 2nd hour block (1st hour block 8:30-9:40, 2nd hour block 9:50-11:00, Lunch 11:00-11:30, Flex 11:35-12:15, 4th hour block 12:20-1:30, 7th hour block 1:35-2:45)  
• Thursday, May 11 – Half Day for Tulip Time
  • (3rd hour block 8-9:00, 5th hour block 9:10-10:10, 6th hour block 10:15-11:15)
• Friday, May 12 – normal Friday

Attendance Reminders for All

• Attendance Guidelines for Students: Once at school students are required to check out 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 8:10am 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. Tuesday 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.  Students who leave campus unexcused for lunch will receive an after-school detention.

Fine Arts

Holland Christian Spring Band Concert

Join the Holland Christian High School Bands as they present their Spring Concert on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 7:30pm at the Jack H. Miller Center for the Musical Arts. Enjoy jazz music, the Holland Christian drumline, and a tribute to our seniors.

Holland Christian Spring Choral Concert

Join the Holland Christian High School Choirs as they present their Spring Choral Concert on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 7:30pm at the Holland Christian High School Auditorium. Enjoy a variety of music in song and a tribute to our seniors.

Holland Christian Spring All Orchestra Concert

You are invited to join the Holland Christian School Orchestras in the Jack H. Miller Center for the Musical Arts on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 7pm. See the wonderful progression from 4th to high school orchestras, a beautiful picture of education at Holland Christian.

Oratorio Concert

Spring Theatre Production: Arsenic and Old Lace

Athletic Department

Athletic Physicals

A physical dated after April 15, 2023 will be required of all athletes before trying out for their sport. Physical forms will be available to print from individual Final Forms accounts to take to your appointment for your DO/MD/NP/PA to sign. The Athletic Department is hosting a physical night on May 31. Check the Athletic page on the website for a blog post containing details, and also watch for an email through Final Forms with a link to sign up coming soon.

Athletics Final Forms

23-24 school year is the fifth year Holland Christian will be using our online sign-up for athletic teams, FinalForms. Those already on FinalForms only need to login and update any changes in your information, print the updated 23-24 physical form to take to the physical appointment for the doctor to complete, and sign up for any sports that your child will be trying out for. Registration for 23-24 sports on FinalForms will be open on April 1. Because of this online process, we will not have hard copy physical forms available for you for the 23-24 school year.

Athletics Down Time and Summer Camps

July 2-July 9, 2023 is a dead week for all athletics. Preseason down time is July 31-August 6, 2023. Fall high school sports begin on August 7. HCHS Athletics offers summer camp opportunities for high school students. Please check out the Summer Camps Page for all the HCHS Athletic Department camp offerings for this summer!

Counselors’ Corner

Seniors/Parents of Seniors

FAFSA & Financial Aid

If you have filed your online FAFSA you should have received 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 and 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. You may also email proof of scholarship to cvanderlaan@hollandchristian.org. Once we receive verification of the award, you may pick up an invitation to Honors Night. Please reserve the evening of Monday, May 15 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 21, and the due date to RSVP for Honors Night is April 28.

Juniors & Parents of Juniors

ACT/SAT

Suggested ACT test dates for juniors are: June 10 (registration deadline May 5), July 15, (registration deadline June 16),  September 9, October 28, and December 9. SAT test dates are: May 6 (registration deadline April 7), June 3 (registration deadline May 4) and August 26, October 7, November 4, and December 2. 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 is 231965. To register visit www.actstudent.org and also www.sat.org/register. 

College Visits

We encourage juniors to begin exploring specific colleges. Students are allowed two school-related absences per semester for college visits provided certain criteria are met. School-related absence means the absence does NOT count toward the ten absences allowed. There is a form that the student must fill out, and it must be completed and signed by the college official and returned to the high school office in order for the absence to be cleared. The college visit permission form is available in the high school office and the counseling office. 

Students 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 visit www.naia.org. It is the student’s responsibility to check requirements and make sure his/her senior courses insure eligibility.

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. To earn this exemption seniors must meet at least one of the following:

• Have a B average in the course for which there is an exam through the final day of that course;
• Have handed in all homework on time with a passing grade, and have no more than two days absent in that course for the whole semester (for any reason except “school activity.”)

End of the year schedule

• May 15    Honors Evening, HS Auditorium, 7pm (by invitation only)
• May 18   All textbooks returned and all library fines paid and materials returned. If you need any books for your exam return them to the office after your exam.
• May 22    Senior Exams for students who are required to take them
• May 23    Graduation Rehearsal (required) – 10am
• May 23    Graduation Ceremony – 7:30pm at Central Wesleyan Church
• June 12 – 16  Diploma pick up in the high school office

After Graduation Party

The “After Graduation Party” is May 23. The 2023 graduation party committee has emailed information to parents of seniors. Buses will leave HC after graduation on May 23. Tickets to the event will cost $85.

Diplomas

Diplomas will be available for pick up from the High School office June 12-16.  Diplomas can be picked up anytime between 8am-3pm. Your tuition balance and all other financial obligations must be taken care of before you may receive your diploma. If your senior is the only child enrolled at HC, or if you have not made previous arrangements with the business office, please contact Terry VanDerKolk at 616.820.2807. Final transcripts will be sent after these arrangements are made. Your cooperation is appreciated. 

Exam Schedule

• Tuesday, May 30
  • 8:45am – 10:15am – 1st hour
  • 10:30am – 12:00pm – 2nd hour
• Wednesday,  May 31
  
  • 8:45am – 10:15am – 3rd hour
  • 10:30am – 12:00pm – 4th Hour
• Thursday,  June 1
  
  • 8:45am – 10:15am – 5th hour
  • 10:30am – 12:00pm – 6th hour
• Friday,  June 2
  
  • 8:45am – 10:15am – 7th hour
  • 10:15am – 12:00pm – Makeup slot

Calendar

2022-23 HCS School Calendar

April

• March 31 – 9: Spring vacation (No School)
• 10: School resumes
• 22: Choir and Orchestra Oratorio at Dimnent Chapel, 7pm
• 29: Junior/Senior Banquet (Meijer Gardens)

May

• 4-6: Spring play: “Arsenic and Old Lace”
• 11: Tulip Time (half day, 11:15 dismissal)
• 15: Senior Honors Evening (7pm)
• 16: Orchestra Concert at Jack Miller Center (7pm)
• 17: Spring Choir Concert, HS Auditorium
• 18: Band Concert
• 19: Last Day for Seniors
• 22: Senior Exams
• 23: Commencement for Class of 2022
• 29: Memorial Day Vacation