Dear Parents,
The weather is getting cooler, the leaves are starting to change and the feel of fall is in the air. The start of this school year has been anything but normal but what has been normal is how our students and staff have stepped up and made the best they can of a challenging situation. For me this is one of the things that sets HCHS apart from other schools: the way we strive daily, as a community, to live our faith.
We will be having a school wide testing day on Wednesday, October 14. Our goal of testing all of our students is to have data that will tell us how our students are performing academically, and how we can adjust programming, curriculum and instruction to best meet student’s academic growth. Seniors do not need to report that day unless they have signed up to take the SAT. Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors (those who have not signed up to take the SAT) will be taking the PSAT. We will NOT have LATE START on that day. Students need to arrive at 8:00 and will be excused for the day when they are finished testing. For most students that will be at 11:30. If a student has testing accommodations they will be at school a little longer and will leave when they finish testing. Please watch for additional details as we get closer to the 14th. On Friday, October 16 we will be running a Wednesday schedule so we will have LATE START on the 16th and classes will begin at 8:30.
Parent Teacher conferences is a time for us to formally touch base and discuss how the year has been going so far for your child. This year conferences will take place October 8 and 15 and will be virtual. We will again be using Virtual Paragon to sign up for a time to meet with teachers. Information and directions on that process have been emailed to parents and can also be found in this newsletter.
As of today we have had two groups of students that were placed in quarantine by the Ottawa County health department due to being in close contact with a person at school that was positive for COVID. We know this has been a difficult process for all involved, and we want to thank everyone for walking this path with us in a gracious manner. We pray for the health and safety of all of our students and staff and for their families.
In His Service,
Deb
/ GENERAL INFORMATION
Urgent reminder
Senior Pictures were due September 25. Email picture to footprints@hollandchristian.org. If you still have questions view this document for guidelines & FAQ’s.
Parking Permit
All students who drive to school are required to display a parking permit on their vehicle. They are available in the office.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Thursday, October 8 from 5:30 – 8:30 pm and Thursday, October 15 from 3:30-6:30 pm. The conferences will be done through Zoom for the health and safety of everyone. Signups are through Virtual Paragon. Details about signing up were sent in an email the morning of September 28 from hc@hollandchristian.org. Here is a Parent Guide for connecting to the scheduled Virtual Parent/Teacher Conferences on the day of your conferences.
Picture Retakes
Picture retakes will be October 19. If you have not taken a photo yet please plan to have your photo taken. If you are unhappy with your school photo just return the package you purchased and a new photo will be taken.
High School Daily Announcements
All students and parents are emailed the high school daily student announcements. Please help us by keeping your contact information up to date in PowerSchool. When you log in to PowerSchool, click “SwiftReach SwiftK12” – under “Contact Information” you can make sure your demographics are up to date. Announcements are also posted daily on the HS Announcements Google Doc.
/ Athletics Department
Winter Sports Tryouts
November 2 – Ice Hockey
November 9 – Competitive Cheer (co-op with West Ottawa)
November 9 – Girls Basketball
November 16 – Boys Basketball
November 23 – Boys Aquatics
Scheduling/Cancellations and Game Information can be found on the Athletics website.
Physicals
All Athletes need an approved pre-participation physical form (dated after 4/15/2020) on file in the Athletic Office, OR a completed (printed) copy of the 2020-21 MHSAA Sports Health Questionnaire.
See the Athletics Registration page for complete details.
/ Counselors Corner
Senior Meetings
We are currently meeting with the seniors (individually) to make sure they have all the information they need to make decisions regarding their futures. We are encouraging college bound seniors to get their applications in by Thanksgiving vacation to have the best opportunities for financial aid. We are offering to assist non-college bound seniors with career selection, information, and job placement.
Scholarships
Throughout the school year, various scholarship opportunities will be posted online through the Counseling Department. A listing of outside scholarships, both regional and national, will be updated as we receive notices of scholarships. Coming soon, there will be information online about the Holland/Zeeland Community Foundation Scholarships that are open to Holland Christian students and also internal HC scholarships, which are for Holland Christian students only. Be sure to check the Scholarship portion of the Counseling Department website.
College Visits, Fairs & Activities
The counseling department website has a complete listing of colleges visiting HCHS. Keep in mind that this year, the college representative visits are virtual. Seniors should watch their email for a chance to sign up for virtual visits with colleges they are interested in learning more about.
Meeting with Juniors
The counselors will be meeting with all juniors to talk about steps students should be taking to prepare for senior year and beyond high school. In case students are absent and also for parents who are interested, a link to the presentation will be emailed out to juniors and their parents.
Testing Information
- Upcoming ACT test dates are October 10, 17, 24 and 25 , December 12, 2020 and also February 6, April 17 and June 12, 2021. HCHS is not currently a testing site this school year due to COVID. You can search for other testing sites in our area when you go to the ACT website to register.
- Upcoming SAT test dates are November 7, December 5, 2020, and March 13, May 8, and June 5, 2021. HCHS is not currently a testing site this school year due to COVID. You can search for other testing sites in our area when you go to the SAT website to register.
- There is information about free ACT and SAT Preparation; also, pick up a free “Preparing for the ACT” and a free “SAT Student Guide” booklet in the counseling office.
- Here is a chart of the upcoming ACT and SAT dates, including the registration deadlines. This covers the 2020-2021 school year, so we hope you find this helpful as you look ahead for possible testing dates that work for your student.
- PSAT: All 9th – 11th grade students will be taking the PSAT at school on Wednesday October 14, 2020 (except for those juniors who registered for the SAT). There is no cost to families and no need to register.
/ FESTIVAL OF PERFORMING ARTS – NOVEMBER 2020
Join us for a celebration of Holland Christian High School’s Festival of Performing Arts! Over 250 high school students will be involved in performances during the month of November. Check out the following information – you won’t want to miss out on these events!
FALL BAND, ORCHESTRA, AND CHOIR CONCERTS
The HCHS Bands, Orchestra, and Choirs will be sharing their fall concerts in the form of a virtual performance, so get your popcorn ready and gather the family on the couch to watch the videos that will be released on the following dates:
- Monday, November 2 at 7:00pm for the HCHS Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Orchestra
- Thursday, November 12 at 7:00pm for the HCHS Choirs
- Monday, November 23 at 7:00pm for the HCHS Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Combo
Watch your email for a link to the concert videos on the designated performance night!
Holes – High School Fall Play
Holland Christian High School’s fall theatre performance of Holes is just around the corner! We are thrilled to share this engaging, family-friendly adaptation of the award-winning book by Louis Sachar. Performances are scheduled for November 5, 6, & 7 at 7:00 pm. Watch the performances from the comfort of your own home via our Livestream option or join us for limited in-person seating. Tickets are available from the Theatre page.
/ IMPORTANT DATES
Holland Christian Schools 2020-2021 calendar
October
8 – Parent/Teacher Conferences (5:30 pm – 8:30 pm)
10 – Tuition Grant Fund Auction Opens
15 – Parent/Teacher Conferences (3:30 pm – 6:30 pm)
19 – Picture Retakes
22 & 23 CEA Staff Development (No school)
22 & 23 – All Tech Center Students must attend Tech Center
November
5, 6, 7 – Fall Play Performance “Holes”
25 – Half day of school (No late start)
26 & 27 – Thanksgiving Vacation
