Dear Holland Christian Family,
December and the season of Advent have officially begun, and with this time comes our annual practice of waiting for and anticipating the celebration of Jesus’ birth. One of my favorite Christmas-time songs has always been “O Holy Night,” secretly the 1990s NSYNC version of O Holy Night. It was originally written in 1843 in French by Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure and composed in 1847 by Adolphe Charles Adams. In the first verse of this song, listeners hear the deep anticipation of the arrival of the Savior as they feel “a thrill of hope [that] the weary world rejoices.”
Weariness is a common emotional response during the shortest days of the year, but for many it is not merely the long nights that cause folks to feel a longing for Christ to come. The lyrics of O Holy Night deeply resonated with John Sullivan Dwight, specifically the third verse:
“Truly he taught us to love one another.
His law is love and his gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother,
And in his name all oppression shall cease.”
Dwight later produced the first translation of this song into English in 1855, six years before the US Civil War began, and this song deeply resonated with many during and after the war concluded. Dwight and many others who have worked for the betterment of their neighbor have longed for God’s kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven, and Jesus’s birth truly brings a thrill of hope to a weary world that is waiting for the Lord to come again more than a watchman waits for the morning (Psalm 130:6).
I pray that this season brings you a renewed vigor of hope and joy in knowing that the King of the universe loves us all enough to become incarnate as fully man and fully God and take on the consequences of our sin so that we may be “with him in paradise” once again as it was in the beginning (Luke 23:43).
We look forward to seeing you at the many Christmas concerts and athletic events that are coming soon as we seek to finish these last three weeks strong. Thank you, once again, for your incredible partnership, as we seek to serve you and your families and accomplish our mission to equip students with rigorous academics, nurture their hearts to love God and their neighbors, and transform the world for Jesus by following him together here in West Michigan.
Peace be with you,
Miles
General Information
Maroon and White Shop Open House
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, November 30 from 4:30-8:00pm. You are invited to the Maroon and White Shop’s first annual Mocha and Merch Christmas Open House! Stroll along Main Street at HCHS while sipping provided hot chocolate and coffee, listening to Christmas Carols played by members of the HC Jazz Band and start your Christmas shopping! We will have all the latest HC gear available! Every purchase directly supports the Special Olympics Unified Sports program at the high school.
Christmas Break
The High School office will be closed during the Christmas break from December 17-January 2. The administration office will be closed for the holidays from December 26-January 1 and will resume normal office hours on January 2.
2023-24 Class Signup
Students will be signing up for their 2023-24 classes beginning in late January. Current juniors will receive information about course scheduling and registration for next year on Monday, January 23. Current sophomores and freshmen will receive registration information on Wednesday, January 25. All parents are encouraged to discuss with students the opportunities that are available. Current students will submit their course selections online by February 10, 2023.
Exam Schedule
- Students are not required to be at school unless they have an exam.
- Students will not be allowed to take exams until all lunch detentions have been served, and will not receive credit for first semester courses until exams are taken.
- 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.
- All students should check with the bus driver to find out the bus schedule for exam week.
Tuesday, January 10
- 8:45-10:15am Period 1 Exam
- 10:30am-noon Period 2 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 Period 3 Exam
- 10:30am-noon Period 4 Exam; Tech Center Required
Thursday, January 12
- 8:45-10:15am Period 5 Exam
- 10:30am-noon Period 6 Exam; Tech Center Required
Friday, January 13
- 8:45-10:15am Period 7 Exam
- 10:30am-noon Make up slot; Tech Center Required
Athletic Department
CHAMPS Coupon Books
The 2023 CHAMPS coupon books are available in the HS office for $30. CHAMPS supports all teams at Holland and Zeeland Christian schools by purchasing equipment and upgrading facilities for athletics. If you want all the coupons available on your mobile device, then our CHAMPS digital coupons are available for purchase at the CHAMPS website. We all win together by supporting the Maroons and our local businesses while saving money!
All Athletic Information
All information about athletics can be found on the Athletics page of the Holland Christian website. Learn more about our new registration process which is the best way to register for athletics, see schedules and purchase tickets or passes.
Fine Arts
Christmas Concert
The High School Music Department invites you to its annual band, orchestra, and choir Christmas concert on Thursday, December 15 at the Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts, located on the campus of Hope College. This year we will be offering only ONE performance time at 7pm. We look forward to sharing in the celebration of our Savior’s birth through our music.
24-Hour Theatre
24-Hour Theatre is a celebration of theatre, with four teams of students writing, memorizing, and producing a show in just 24 hours. It’s fun, a little crazy, and a great way to support the Theatre program! Join us for these fun final performances on Saturday, December 3 at 7pm in the High School auditorium. Tickets are $5 cash at the door fundraising for the HCHS Theatre Department.
Living Hope Showcase 2023: The Wonderful World of Disney
SAVE THE DATE! Join the Living Hope Singers for an evening that celebrates our favorite Disney songs! Showcase 2023 will be held on Friday and Saturday, March 17 & 18 at 7pm in the HCHS Auditorium. Tickets will go on sale in February. Stay tuned for more information!
Counselors Corner
Parents of Sophomores & Juniors
We will have representatives from the Tech Center presenting virtually to our students about what the Tech Center has to offer, should they be interested in attending Tech Center beginning junior or senior year. All sophomores and any interested juniors will be able to watch this presentation during a Family Flex in January. Students who are interested will receive a link to the virtual presentation.
The PSAT testing went well. According to the College Board website, students should be able to access their scores online in early December.
Testing Information
- Upcoming ACT test dates are February 11, April 15 and June 10, 2023. HCHS is a testing site for the February test date. You can also search for other testing sites in our area when you go to the ACT website to register.
- Upcoming SAT test dates are March 11, May 6, and June 3, 2023. HCHS is a testing site for just the March date. 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 2022-2023 school year, so we hope you find this helpful as you look ahead for possible testing dates that work for your student.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
When a senior applies to a college, the college will consider that student for all institution-based aid and all state and federal aid (information is obtained through FAFSA). The scholarships your son/daughter should apply for are those sponsored by private organizations. For a listing of scholarships, visit the scholarship portion of the Counseling Department page on the website. This listing is updated as new scholarship announcements are received. The Community Foundation of Holland/Zeeland offers many scholarship opportunities for our students. Their application opens up the first week of January, but you can sign up now for scholarship reminders so that you don’t miss out!
FAFSA4caster
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. The Federal Student Aid website, will provide information on next steps in the financial aid process.
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 online at the NCAA clearinghouse website. Seniors who are considering attending an NAIA member school must complete the NAIA application. For a complete listing of NAIA schools and an application visit the NAIA website. Students should also request their transcript be sent to the eligibility centers via their Parchment account for NCAA; for NAIA you need to request your transcript be uploaded to their portal (contact cvanderlaan@hollandchristian.org for that). It is the student’s responsibility to check requirements and make sure his/her senior courses ensure eligibility.
Important Dates
December
- 2-3: 24 Hour Theatre
- 15: Christmas Concert, Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts 7pm
- 17-January 2: Christmas vacation
January
- 3: School resumes
- 10-13: Exams
- 16: No school
- 17: Second semester begins
