Dear HCHS Family,
A few days ago, I added another HC term to my repertoire from a fellow administrator regarding the month we are now approaching: The Month of May-hem. After a delightful time of respite and traveling over spring break, we’ve re-entered our hefty spring schedules leading up to the end of the year at full pace. Band, orchestra, and choir concerts are right around the corner; spring sports are packing multiple matches, games, and meets together each week; and students are preparing for their final projects and exams that are only a month away. May is such an exciting, joyful part of the year during which we celebrate all of the incredible things God has done in this place, and it also can be one that can pass by without us realizing what just happened. One of my deep hopes this season is that our students, especially our seniors, take several moments to pause and reflect on the amazing things God has done in their lives through those closest to them: their parents.
By the end of the school year, students often can go from one thing to another so quickly without realizing who drove them from one place to another or who paid for the car that they drive in order to do so. One book that I’ve started re-reading that helps provide parents with grace-filled encouragement is called, The Intentional Father, written by Pastor Jon Tyson, who serves at Church of the City New York. One part that really stuck out to me was his guidance for new parents to imagine in their mind’s eye the moment their children graduate from high school and then ask four questions:
- What do you want your children to know about God, about themselves, and about life?
- Who do you want your children to be?
- What skills do you want your children to have?
- What formational experiences do you want your children to have?
At first glance, these questions can be intimidating to answer. At many times during parenthood, parents are simply looking for opportunities to eat and sleep in between school, school sports, club sports, band practice, and youth group nevermind taking moments to sit down and draw out an eighteen-year-long strategic plan for each of their two or more children. Nevertheless, you do answer these four questions intentionally or not in how you provide food and shelter for our children, redirect their paths when they stray, give them attention at the playground, or bring them to their Christian community every Sunday.
Recently, we gave a word of exhortation to the students to ask their parents what their deep hopes were for them in the Kingdom of God when they were first born. Our prayer at HCHS is that this conversation be one of encouragement, reconciliation, and thankfulness as students come to realize that their parents were kids once, too, and were trying their best at drawing their children closer to Jesus and be equipped to serve in his kingdom as best they could.We are so humbled by the opportunity to serve alongside you and your church as we seek to transform the world distinctively for Jesus through the equipping of our students’ minds and the nurturing of their hearts. May this beautiful season of rebirth grant you renewed vigor in your service in this square inch of Jesus’ Garden.
With Thanks,
Miles Colago
High School Principal
General Information
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
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 16 at 7pm. See the wonderful progression from 4th grade to high school orchestras, a beautiful picture of education at Holland Christian. Enjoy music by Jean Sibelius, music from Lord of the Rings, and soloists Kristen Sybesma and Ella Vanden Berg 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 18 at 8pm at the Jack H. Miller Center for the Musical Arts (221 Columbia Ave, Holland, MI 49423). Enjoy jazz music, the Holland Christian drumline, Just a Closer Walk With Thee, music of Gustav Holst, and a tribute to our graduating seniors.
Choir Concert
The HCHS Choirs invite you to their spring concert on Wednesday, May 17, 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.
Spring Theatre Production: Arsenic and Old Lace
This dark comedy centers around Mortimer Brewster, a semi-successful theater critic who, just after proposing to his fiancee, makes a startling discovery: his very charming and very old aunts have been poisoning their neighbors and burying their bodies in the basement with the help of Mortimer’s younger brother. The sudden discovery that his sweet little old aunts are quite successful serial killers kicks off a frantic night where Mortimer must juggle his own shock, his fiancee’s suspicions, his aunts’ attempts to lure in another victim, the police’s surprise visits – and the arrival of his older brother, who has his own corpses in tow. Ridiculous, full of twists, and doused with dark humor, Arsenic and Old Lace is a classic comedy that thrills its audience every time.
Performances are on May 4-6 at 7pm and also May 6 at 2pm. Tickets are now on sale on the Theatre Page.
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!
Seniors and Parents of Seniors
Seniors End of the year schedule
- May 15: Honors Evening, HS Auditorium, 7pm (by invitation only)
- May 18: All library fines and materials returned to the Media Center
- May 18: The bookstore will be open all day for textbook return.
- May 19: Seniors’ last day of school
- May 22: Senior Exams for students who are required to take them (Lecture Hall)
- May 23: Graduation Rehearsal (required) 10am
- May 23: Graduation Ceremony, 7:30pm
- June 12-16: Diploma pick up
After Graduation Party
The “Senior All Night Party” follows graduation on May 23. The 2023 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. 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.”)
Diploma pick up
Diplomas will be available for pick up from the High School Office June 12-16. 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 15, 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 test 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 Eligibility Center via their Parchment account. NAIA does not accept transcripts via Parchment, so contact the counseling office about submitting transcripts to the NAIA eligibility center. It is the student’s responsibility to check requirements and make sure his/her senior courses ensure eligibility.
Juniors/Parents of Juniors
ACT & SAT Registration
ACT registration deadline for the June 10, 2023 ACT is May 5, 2023. Registration is done on the ACT website. SAT registration for the June 3, 2023 SAT is May 4, 2023. Registration is done on the SAT website.
Summer College Visits
Many students visit colleges in the summer, especially those that are a far distance 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 30: 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, May 31: Tech Required
- 8:45-10:15am – 3rd hour
- 10:30am-noon – 4th hour
- Thursday, June 1: Tech Required
- 8:45-10:15am – 5th hour
- 10:30am-noon – 6th hour
- Friday, June 2 – 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
May
- 4-6: Spring play
- 11: Tulip Time, half day (11:15 dismissal)
- 15: Senior Honors Evening (7pm)
- 19: Last day for seniors
- 22: Senior exams
- 22: Theatre Celebration
- 23: Commencement (7:30pm)
- 29: Memorial Day – no school
June
- May 30-June 2: High School exams
