High School Newsletter – May 2022

Dear Parents,

May is a time for staff, students, and families to look towards ending the current year well while at the same time preparing for next year. We are excited to welcome a new class of incoming freshman as we send our seniors off to the next chapter of their lives. The current plan for commencement is an outdoor event, at our stadium, on May 24, at 7:30pm. Information has been shared with seniors and their parents and final details will be out soon. If you have any additional questions please call the office.

In preparation for next year, all incoming 9-12 grade students should have completed their 22/23 class registration by this point in time. If you still have questions or concerns around scheduling please reach out to the counseling department for assistance.

Also in preparation for next year our new principal, Miles Colago, has begun his transition to HCHS and will be on campus a couple of times a week and attending some of our evening events for the remainder of the school year. We are thankful that we have this opportunity to get to know him better and for him to get to know us better before the official transition takes place July 1. If you see him please join me in welcoming him to the HCHS family!

HCHS is an amazing school, and we thank you for your partnership and for the privilege of working with and for your daughter/son. Together we will finish strong!

In Christ’s Love and Service,

Deb Feenstra, Principal

General Information

Tulip Time Schedule

Wednesday, May 11 (Grandparents’ Day)

• 8:00-8:35 is 1st hour
• 8:45-9:10 is Chapel for 9th & 11th students and grandparents, and is Tour/Coffee for 10th &12th students and grandparents
• 9:20-9:45 is Tour/Coffee for 9th & 11th students and grandparents, and is Chapel for 10th & 12th students and grandparents
• 9:50-10:25 is 2nd hour 
• 10:35-11:10 is 3rd hour  (Note: NO late start this week)

Thursday, May 12 (half day due to Tulip Time parade)

• 8:00-8:45 4th hour
• 8:50-9:35 5th hour
• 9:40-10:25 6th hour
• 10:30-11:15 7th hour

Plant Sale Fundraiser

Our HCHS Life Skills classes have planted 1,000 pots of various vegetables and herbs, and are planning to sell them at a plant sale fundraiser to the community on Saturday, May 21, from 10am-12pm at HCHS’s Main Street. We accept cash, checks, and credit cards. Profits will go to our HCHS Special Olympics Unified Sports Program. All plants are $3 and include a variety of peppers, heirloom tomatoes, and herbs–check out this google list for more details! We’re looking forward to celebrating spring together!

Fine Arts

Band & Orchestra

You are invited to join the Holland Christian School Orchestras in the Jack H. Miller Center for the Musical Arts (221 Columbia Ave, Holland, MI 49423) on Tuesday, May 17 at 7pm. See the wonderful progression from 4th grade to high school orchestras, a beautiful picture of education at Holland Christian. Enjoy music by Evard Grieg, Gioachino Rossini, and Beauty and the Beast in addition to a tribute to our graduating seniors.

Join the Holland Christian High School Bands as they present their spring concert on Thursday, May 19 at 7:30pm at the Jack H. Miller Center for the Musical Arts (221 Columbia Ave, Holland, MI 49423). Enjoy jazz music, the Holland Christian drumline, music of Ralph Vaughan Williams, and a tribute to our graduating seniors. 

Choir Concert

The HCHS Choirs invite you to their spring concert on Wednesday, May 18, in the HCHS Auditorium at 7:30pm. This concert will feature a wide variety of vocal music performed by the Men’s Ensemble, Treble Ensemble, Advanced Women’s Ensemble, and Living Hope Singers. Join them as they celebrate a year of singing together and honor the seniors in choir.

Athletic Department

HCHS Athletics offers summer camp opportunities for high school students. Please view our summer sports camps opportunities for the HCHS Athletic Department this summer!

Summer dead week: July 3-July 10
Pre-season down time: August 1-August 7
HS Fall Sports Tryouts: August 8

Seniors and Parents of Seniors

Seniors End of the year schedule

• May 13: All library fines and materials returned to the Media Center
• May 16: Honors Evening, HS Auditorium, 7pm (by invitation only)
• May 20: The bookstore will be open all day for textbook return.
• May 23: Senior Exams for students who are required to take them (Lecture Hall)
• May 24: Graduation Rehearsal (required) 10am
• May 24: Graduation  Ceremony, 7:30pm
• June 13-17: Diploma pick up

After Graduation Party

The “After Graduation Party” follows graduation on May 24. The 2022 graduation party committee has emailed parents with this information.

Senior Exam Exemption

During the second semester, seniors may work towards being exempt from their final exams. Our policy allows seniors who have either a B average through the final day of a course, or who 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, except for quarantine absences) to be exempt from taking the exam in that course.

Diploma pick up

Diplomas will be available for pick up from the High School Office June 13-17. Diplomas can be picked up anytime between 8am-3pm. Before students can get their diploma all textbooks, library materials/books must be returned (or overdue fees paid) and your hot lunch and 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 616.820.2807. Final transcripts will also be sent after these arrangements are made. Your cooperation is appreciated!

Counselors’ Corner

Seniors/Parents of Seniors

Honors Night

On Monday, May 16, we will hold an Honors Night for seniors who have been awarded scholarships from colleges or private agencies. Parents are invited to this special evening, which will begin at 7pm in the High School Auditorium and will include refreshments. The due date for turning in scholarships has passed. Just a reminder that if you did submit one to the counseling office, please make sure you RSVP’d for Honors Night. 

College Athletics

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. NCAA rules require that official ACT scores come directly from ACT or SAT. 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. View a complete listing of NAIA schools & an application. Students should request their transcripts be sent to NCAA or NAIA Eligibility Centers via their Parchment account . It is the student’s responsibility to check requirements & make sure his/her senior courses insure eligibility.

Juniors/Parents of Juniors

ACT & SAT Registration

ACT registration deadline for the June 11, 2022 ACT is May 6, 2022. Registration is done on the ACT website. SAT registration for the June 4, 2022 SAT was May 5, 2022 (late registration may be done with a fee). Registration is done on the SAT website.

Summer College Visits

Many students visit colleges in the summer, especially those that are distant from home. The counselors recommend that you look at online guides beforehand that can help you prepare for a productive college visit.

Exam Schedule

• Tuesday, May 31: Tech Students may leave 2nd hour exam when finished/Tech will be notified you may be  late.
  • 8:45-10:15am – 1st hour
  • 10:30am-noon – 2nd hour
• Wednesday,  June 1: Tech Required
  • 8:45-10:15am – 3rd hour
  • 10:30am-noon –  4th hour
• Thursday,  June 2: Tech Required
  • 8:45-10:15am – 5th hour
  • 10:30am-noon – 6th hour
• Friday, June 3 – Tech Required
  • 8:45-10:15am – 7th hour
  • 10:30am-noon – Make up slot

Exam Notes:

• Students are not required to be at school unless they have an exam.
• You will not be allowed to take your exams until all detentions have been served, and you will not receive credit for your second semester courses until you take your exams.
• All books must be returned and fines paid in the Media Center before exams may be taken.
• All lunch accounts must be paid up before exams may be taken.

/ Calendar

2021-22 & 2022-23 HCS School Calendars

May

• 5-7: Spring play
• 11: Grandparents’ Day, half day (11:15 dismissal)
• 12: Tulip Time, half day (11:15 dismissal)
• 16: Senior Honors Evening (7pm)
• 20: Last day for seniors
• 23: Senior exams
• 24: Commencement (7:30pm)
• 30: Memorial Day – no school

June

• May 31-June 3: High School exams