Dear Parents,
Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year at Holland Christian Middle School! A special welcome to all of our new HCMS families. We are grateful that God has brought you to our community, and we look forward to partnering with you as we equip minds and nurture hearts to transform the world for Jesus Christ.
Our theme this year is “His Love Endures Forever,” taken from Psalm 138. As I was reflecting on the start of a new school year, God reminded me of another important truth.
Last week I was reading a blog titled I Can’t Do It, But Jesus Can. As I read the words, “Lord, I need You,” I realized the song playing on the radio at that exact moment was Lord, I Need You.
It was one of those moments when I sensed the Holy Spirit gently reminding me of something simple, yet essential:
I need Jesus.
As we begin this school year, that truth is true for all of us. In John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches… apart from Me you can do nothing.” If we want to bear fruit in our lives, our families, and our school, we must remain connected to Him.
We need Jesus as we teach, encourage, and care for our students. We need His wisdom when making decisions, His grace in our relationships, and His strength for each new day. We are excited to partner with you as together we help our students grow into young men and women who will transform the world for Jesus Christ.
As we look ahead, we don’t know everything this school year will bring. There will be moments of joy, opportunities for growth, and challenges along the way. Yet we can move forward with confidence because we know two unchanging truths:
We need Jesus.
His love endures forever.
Psalm 138 reminds us, “The Lord’s love endures forever.” What an encouraging promise as we begin this new school year together. God is faithful. He will accomplish His purposes, and His love will never fail.
Thank you for trusting us with your children. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with your family and look forward to all God has in store for Holland Christian Middle School this year.
In Christ,
Tom Strikwerda
Principal, HCMS
A Few Staff Updates
We are thrilled that Joel Leegwater will have more time to lead and strengthen our athletics program as Middle School Athletic Director. His additional leadership will help our already outstanding athletic programs continue to grow and provide excellent opportunities for our students.
We are also excited to expand our Spanish Immersion program into 8th grade. Please join us in welcoming Preston Wyckoff as our new 8th grade Spanish Immersion teacher.
In addition, we are pleased to welcome Carrie Krauss as our new ESS teacher, Ty Van Wieren, who will teach five PE classes, Delaney Meldrim, who will teach one art class while also serving as a paraprofessional, and Maryanah Lacy, who will serve as a paraprofessional.
Get Ready for School!
Orientation Day is Monday, August 24 at the middle school.
- 6th graders are invited to join us from 9:30-11:30 for a walk-through of the building, meeting teachers, and getting pictures taken. This is not an open house, but rather a full time together.
- 7th and 8th graders are invited to join us for an open house (come and go when you’re able) from 12:00-2:30. Come have your picture taken for your student ID, walk around the building and find your locker, pick up your schedule, and meet your teachers.
**If you would like to order photos, look for your ordering form in the mail. It will have your personalized information on it, and you’ll want to bring that along for your picture. Please note, the Middle School yearbook is included in the yearly activity fee and does not need to be ordered separately. Each student will receive one at the end of the school year.
**Please bring your baton to orientation day!**
Student schedules will be given to students on Orientation day, August 24. They will be available online the afternoon of August 17.
Before August 24- We have updated a few of our handbook policies. Please review our Student Handbook and Technology Handbook here, and sign the form connected to it, so we can all start the year on the same page and with the same expectations. Updates to the Student Handbook are highlighted in yellow to make changes easier to spot. Students will not receive laptops until this form is reviewed and signed by a parent/guardian.
You can find the supply list for your student’s grade here.
*Please note: it is recommended that students have an NIV Study Bible for their Bible class.
Tuesday, August 25: We start school this year with a full day starting at 8:00 am and ending at 2:55 PM. We will have a normal/Block Schedule week this week.
Wednesday, September 2: HCMS Parent Night- Join us for our Middle School Parent Night, which will be held on September 2 from 6:30-7:45 pm. You’ll receive more information after the school year begins.
Middle School Policies/Procedures
Many of you are new to the middle school building. Welcome! Please see below for all things Middle School. And feel free to reach out to Kelli Kruithof, administrative assistant, if you have any questions or concerns at kkruithof@hollandchristian.org.
Absences/Tardies
Absences happen for a number of reasons. If you know in advance that your child will be absent for any part of the day, please email kkruithof@hollandchristian.org or call our front office at 616-820-3205. Notification of tardies/absences is appreciated by 9 AM.
We also ask that you help your child be on time for school each day. The tardy bell rings at 8:00 (8:30 on late start days), and teachers begin with devotions and lunch count. Missing or interrupting these foundational starters of the day can be distracting for the class. Please see our handbook for more information on absences and tardies.
Class Schedules
The Middle School runs a modified block schedule. This means students take seven classes on Monday/Thursday/Friday, and fewer classes on Tuesday/Wednesday, but for longer blocks of time.
Late Start Wednesdays
Students start school a few minutes later each Wednesday so middle school staff can attend meetings from 7:30-8:15 am. Starting on September 2, the start time on Wednesdays is 8:30am.
Medication
We realize some students need to take or have medication with them at school. All medication, both over-the-counter and prescribed, must be held in the front office in its original container. If your student needs medication at school, please have your doctor fill out and sign the required form and bring that form with the medication to school. The office is not allowed to disperse any medication without a consent form.
Drop off/Pick up
The bus loop and visitor lots at the front of school are not open for drop off during the hours of 7:30-8:15 am and 2:45-3:15 pm. School doors will be open at 7:30 am for students’ arrival and students need to be picked up by 3:20 pm.
This year, we will offer two drop-off locations for carline!
- Parents should use the traditional carline on the north side of the building. In the single-lane carpool drop off, pull up as far as you can to drop off your child. If you are first in line, pull up to the orange cone that is past the north entrance on the sidewalk. This allows room for the cars behind you to pull up as well. Have your students exit the right side of the vehicle.
- Drop-Off/Pick Up Map
- High School Siblings who drop off middle schoolers can use the “express lane” this year! Rather than waiting in the MS carline, high school siblings will have a drop-off location in the high school parking lot! Please use the map below to acclimate yourself with this drop-off procedure. This new option will only be available if used correctly. We hope this helps both middle and high school students to be on time for their first hour classes.
- HS Sibling Drop-Off Map
- All Carline Pick-Up will take place on the north side of the middle school.
Biking to School
For the safety of students and their bike equipment, this year we will be asking students to register their bike with the office if they plan to use that mode of transportation. You can register by filling out this simple form.
Bikes will not be allowed on campus without being registered.
Athletics
MS sports begin on August 17 at 3pm for Boys Football (HC/ZC – 7th/8th), and on August 24 for Boys Soccer (HC only – 7th/8th), Boys Tennis (HC/ZC – 6th/7th/8th), Girls Volleyball (HC only – 7th/8th) and Girls & Boys Cross Country (HC/ZC – 6th/7th8th). You can find more information about HCMS sports here.
Warm-Up Shirt
All students are strongly encouraged to purchase a warm-up shirt if they are going to participate in a sport. The Fall deadline for ordering is August 27. However, if your student is not participating until later this year, you can still purchase now to be sure you’re ready for the season! Order your shirt here!
NOTE: Order is sent out once the store closes. They will be delivered to school. It Takes approximately 2 weeks after the store closes.
Final Forms
If you haven’t registered yet, please do so as soon as possible through Holland Christian’s Final Forms athletic registration system. Athletes need to be registered with a cleared physical uploaded to Final Forms before they can participate. We are excited to get started!
Parent Involvement
Parent Board
Hey Parents! Want to stay connected with what’s going on in the middle school?! Join our parent team! We will be meeting once a month on Friday’s at 8am, plus a social outing or two. The time commitment is flexible throughout the year with what works with your schedule, although we do hope to have most at each Friday meeting. Heading the team this year is Anita Mulder (anitacmulder@gmail.com). Contact her if you are interested in joining! We look forward to a great school year with planning fabulous activities for the kids and teachers!
Moms in Prayer
All moms are invited to our weekly meetings of Moms In Prayer. We meet at Providence Church (across from Middle School) on Fridays 8:30-9:30 am starting September 11. Please email Nicole Shook with any questions ncshook@gmail.com
Would love to have you join us and pray for our students and school this year!
Important Dates
The full 26-27 school calendar is available here
August
17- Start of Football Season
24- Orientation/picture day
- 6th Grade only: 9:30-11:30
- 7th/8th Grade: 12:00-2:30 open house
– Start of Fall sports
25- First day of school- full day
31- 8th Grade Camp Roger (more information to come)
September
1- 7th Grade Vision Screening
2- HCMS Parent Night 6:30-7:30
4- No School- Labor Day Weekend
7 – Labor Day
9 – District-wide convocation 9:00
10- 6th graders to Camp Beechpoint all day
– Picture Make-Up Day
23- Walkathon