High School Newsletter – November 2022

Happy November, Parents!

Having lived in West Michigan for nearly 15 years, I’ve come to appreciate the extreme weather swings with the change in seasons. I deeply enjoy the extremely long days in the summer, when the sun rises around 6am and sets after 9pm. Equally—and maybe oddly—I also have grown to appreciate the shorter days, arriving at work before the sun rises and arriving at home as the sun sets; I also don’t mind that my five and three-year-old kids sleep longer. November signals, for me, an annual re-entry into a season of contemplation and seeking the presence of God during a time when it doesn’t make sense to continue yard work past 7pm. Recently, I’ve received a book by Scottish theologian and minister, John Baillie, called, A Diary of Private Prayer, which he first wrote in 1936. In this text, he wrote 32 morning and evening prayers, modeling a daily practice of dwelling in the presence of God. Here’s part of one morning prayer that struck me:

Thank you, Lord, for this new day. For its gladness and brightness; for its many hours waiting to be filled with joyful and helpful labor; for its open doors of possibility; for its hope of new beginnings. Stir up in my heart the desire to make the very most of today’s opportunities. Do not let me break any of yesterday’s promises, or leave unrepaired any of yesterday’s wrongs. Do not let me see anyone in distress and pass by on the other side. Give me the strength to confront any mountain of duty or bad habit. Where an action of mine can make this world a better place, where a word of mine can cheer a sad heart or strengthen a weak will, where a prayer of mine can serve Christ’s kingdom, there let me act and speak and pray.

May this season be full of these moments of being in God’s presence through prayer, seeking each day how we might strengthen our communal pursuit to follow Jesus in our love for God and our neighbors.

As a faculty and staff, we look forward to seeing you all soon at our upcoming fall events where we celebrate the culmination of the work our students have put into their musical, academic, and athletic talents. I also deeply look forward to the opportunity to welcome you to our celebration of those who have sacrificed their time and their lives for our country on Veterans Day on November 11 at 9am.

I pray that you have a delightful season of Thanksgiving, as well, and we as a school thank you for the honor of being a part of the lives of your children. It has been a deep joy serving them and you this year.

In Christ,

Miles

General Information

Veterans Day Assembly

You are invited to join us for our Veterans Day Assembly on Friday, November 11. Our program will begin at 9am in the high school gym.

National Merit Semi-Finalist

Congratulations to Samuel Knot for being a National Merit Semi-Finalist!

First Semester Exams

• 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 first semester courses until you take your exams.
• All lunch account negative balances must be paid before exams may be taken.
• All books must be returned and fines paid in the Media center before exams may be taken.
• Students who ride the bus should check with bus drivers to find out the bus schedule for exam week.

Exam Schedule

• Tuesday, January 10, 2023
  • 8:45-10:15am 1st hour exam
  • 10:30am-12:00pm 2nd hour exam -Tech Center required. Students may leave 2nd hour exam when finished; Tech will be notified that you may be late.
• Wednesday, January 11
  • 8:45-10:15am 3rd hour exam
  • 10:30am-12:00pm 4th hour exam – Tech Center required
• Thursday, January 12
  • 8:45-10:15am 5th hour exam
  • 10:30am-12:00pm 6th hour exam – Tech Center required
• Friday, January 13
  • 8:45-10:15am 7th hour exam
  • 10:30am-12:00pm Make up slot – Tech Center required

Counselor Corner

Decisions for Seniors

We have met 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 also assist non-college bound seniors with career exploration, vocational opportunities and job search skills.

Also, many colleges are SAT/ACT test optional for acceptance, so testing may not be a requirement for acceptance. Some are test optional regarding scholarships as well; students should check with individual colleges to determine if an ACT or SAT score is needed for merit scholarships.

When in doubt, it is best to connect with the admissions and/or financial aid office of the college(s) you are considering to get the most accurate information on admissions policies, scholarships, financial aid, and specific programs/opportunities.

Financial Aid

All students seeking financial aid (institution based & state & federal funds) must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at FAFSA Website. The FAFSA has been available for you to complete since October 1. Be sure to check the financial aid link on each college website for their deadline. The final deadline for consideration of state financial aid in Michigan is March 1. For helpful information on the FAFSA, check out this resource.

FAFSA4caster is a federal aid estimator that can be used before officially applying for aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA4caster will provide you with an estimate of your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is an index that colleges use to determine what types of student aid you may receive. Using your EFC, FAFSA4caster will determine what types of federal grants, loans, and work-study you might qualify for and will provide you an estimated award amount for each. Any student, regardless of age or year in school, may use FAFSA4caster. Go to Federal Student Aid website for information on next steps in the financial aid process. Also, in winter of your senior year of high school, you will receive a reminder to complete the FAFSA.

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. Beginning in the second semester, 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 page on our website.

Helpful Resource for Financing College

The Sallie Mae Paying for College Resource is a new, go-to destination to help students and families make a plan to pay for college. The resource is free, easy-to-use, and includes great information on all the important paying for college topics.

The featured video series takes families through the paying for college process. Over the course of eight short videos, learn not only what resources are available to help pay for college, but also the basics of financial aid and the questions to consider before choosing a college. Watch by topic or the entire series.

Testing Information

• Upcoming ACT test dates are December 10, 2022 and also February 11, April 15, June 10, 2023. HCHS is a testing site for the December and February dates. You can search for other testing sites in our area when you go to the ACT website to register.
• Upcoming SAT test dates are December 3, 2022, and March 11, May 6, June 3, 2023. HCHS is a testing site for the March date only. You can search for other testing sites in our area when you go to the SAT website to register.
• Here is a chart of the upcoming ACT and SAT dates, including the registration deadlines. This covers the 2022-2023 school year, so we hope you find this helpful as you look ahead for possible testing dates that work for your student.

Meeting With Juniors/Parents

The counselors met this week with the juniors to talk about steps to take to prepare for senior year and beyond high school. We will also be offering the opportunity for parents to join their student and his/her counselor for a junior check-in meeting. Each year, we meet one-on-one with students to discuss the current school year and begin exploring future plans. Some of the information covered in the junior meeting will be taking the ACT/SAT, preparing for senior year, and discussing plans for life after high school. Since this is such an important and transitional time in your student’s life, we want parents to have the option to sit in on this meeting. Watch for more information to come about these meetings.

PSAT Scores

The October 12 PSAT testing went very well. According to the College Board website, students should be able to access their scores online in early December.

College Athletics

If you are considering attending a division 1 or 2 university and hope to compete on an athletic team, you MUST complete an NCAA application eligibility form on line at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. This is the student’s responsibility. If you are considering participating in athletics at a NAIA school (private schools that award athletic scholarships), you MUST register with the NAIA Clearinghouse at www.playnaia.org. This is the student’s responsibility.

Fine Arts

Festival of Fine Arts

Listen to music and soak in art at HCHS’s Festival of Fine Arts! From student paintings to movie music, from choral anthems to the deep sounds of the tuba, prepare to enjoy a rich diversity of the arts. Choir Concert is Tuesday, November 1, at 7:30pm in the HS Auditorium. HS Band & Orchestra Fall Pops Concert is Thursday, November 3 at 7:30pm also in the auditorium. The Fall Art Exhibition will be on display in Main Street from November 1-3.

Swingin’ The Night Away

The Holland Christian Jazz Bands and the Old Timer’s Jazz Band are proud to present Swingin’ the Night Away in the HCHS Cafeteria on Friday, November 4 from 6:45-9pm. Admission is $5 and goes to support the music program at HCHS. New to swing dancing? No worries! Dance instructors will be on hand from 6:45-7:30pm to teach us the basics steps of swing, so the evening can be enjoyed by novice and experienced dancers alike. Not in the mood for dancing? Come socialize, indulge in some delicious desserts and punch, and enjoy the music of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington and more.

Matilda: High School Musical Performance

HCHS’s Theatre Department is proud to present Matilda for the fall musical this year! Based on the book by Roald Dahl, Matilda is the inspiring story of a girl with astonishing wit, intelligence, psychokinetic powers, and an extraordinary imagination who dreams of a better life. You won’t want to miss this incredibly fun musical. Performances are November 17-19 at 7pm. Due to licensing restrictions ,we are unable to livestream this Fall’s production, but you can get your in-person tickets on the Theatre page now!

The Holland Bach Society

You are warmly invited to the Holland Bach Society’s second season beginning in November. The Holland Bach Society was developed in 2021 to raise an awareness of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and to partner with local congregations in bringing these musically and theologically rich compositions to their existing worship services. This year, the Holland Bach Society will be presenting Bach’s cantata Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland along with selections from Bach’s Mass in B Minor, the instrumental Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, majestic organ music, and more. Some of the finest musicians from the West Michigan area have teamed up to share these special events with the Holland and Zeeland communities. Come join us and bring a friend! Learn more about this vision and our participants on the Holland Bach Society Website

• Sunday, Nov. 13, 9am, Celebration at Harderwyk Ministries, Holland, Mich.
• Sunday, Nov. 13, 5pm, Second Reformed Church, Zeeland, Mich.
• Sunday, Nov. 20, 10:30am, Fourteenth St. Christian Reformed Church, Holland, Mich.

Athletic Department

Winter Sports Tryouts

• October 31: Ice Hockey (co-op with West Ottawa)
• November 7: Competitive Cheer (co-op with West Ottawa)
• November 14: Girls Basketball
• November 21: Boys Basketball
• November 21: 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 and completed registration on Final Forms. See the Athletics Registration page for complete details.

Important Dates

Holland Christian Schools 2022-23 Calendar

November

• 4: Swingin’ the Night Away, 6:45pm
• 11: 1/2 day, Veteran’s Day assembly, 9am
• 17, 18, 19: Fall Musical Matilda
• 23, 24, 25: Thanksgiving vacation, no school

December

• 2-3: 24 Hour Theatre
• 15: High school Christmas concert 7pm
• 19: Christmas break begins