Dear Parents/Guardians-
Our school district has the cultural values of discovery, flourishing, discipleship, discernment, hospitality, and renewal. For “Discovery”–which is cultivating wonder and enriching faith through the lens of scripture–we have a number of things we do in class. Here are just a few of the things we do:
6th Grade
- Science and Creation Keeping Trips: Our sixth graders have been heading off campus to explore God’s creation firsthand. Their motto? “Be curious!”
- Homemade Psalms: Inspired by Psalm 119 and led by Mr. Russ, students wrote their own “homemade psalms,” expressing wonder and gratitude for God’s creation and presence in their lives.
7th Grade
- Study Trips: Discovery is alive and well during the Saugatuck Dunes Study Trip and 7th Grade Camp at Grace Adventures, where students explore God’s creation and grow in community.
- English: Students are discovering how stories help us understand people as God’s image-bearers who can grow and change.
- Nonfiction Research: Students are diving into new and fascinating topics, developing curiosity about God’s world and how it works.
- Science: In Earth Science, students uncover the order and design of creation through topics like plate tectonics—seeing the fingerprints of our Creator in every pattern.
- Math: By identifying patterns and order, students recognize how God’s world reflects His creativity and precision.
Social Studies: Students are discovering connections between people, places, and the past—and how human effort and culture can glorify God.
8th Grade
- English: Students are practicing curiosity through writing and reading—asking, “What do I wonder about now?” and traveling to new times and places through literature.
- Science: In Mrs. Styf’s class, students are exploring Psalm 139 and the idea that we are each “fearfully and wonderfully made.” Through studying genetics—traits, mutations, and diversity—they see how God brings about uniqueness in His creation. This connects directly to our discipleship practice of Image Reflecting: understanding that every person is made in God’s image and called to love our neighbor. Her class beautifully models how discovery in science can deepen faith and shape character.
Discipleship and Discovery Working Together:
Last year, our school district formed the Student Life and Discipleship Team to help merge our discipleship practices with our behavior expectations. This partnership ensures that how we treat one another in the classroom is directly shaped by our faith and values. Lessons like those in 8th grade science show what it looks like when discovery, discipleship, and love for others come together in meaningful ways.
With gratitude and joy,
Thomas Strikwerda
Middle School Principal
November at HCMS
End of Quarter 1
The end of Quarter 1 was October 21. 1st Quarter grades are available today on PowerSchool. This is a great time to check in with your student, and see how they are doing in regards to academics. We would also recommend checking Powerschool weekly and discussing with your student(s) how they are doing. Here is a link that shows you how to login to Powerschool. You can also check in on the Middle School Learning Page to see what they are working on in each class each day.
Communication Reminder
We recommend that personal tech devices remain at home during the day. If a child does need his/her device, please remind them to turn it off before they enter the building, per handbook policy.
Parents- if you need to contact your child throughout the day, please call the office. We are happy to relay a message.
Students who need to contact parents can do so in the office. We have a student phone, or they can use their personal device in the office to contact parents. Students should use their class time and school laptops for learning. Please avoid communicating via email throughout the day.
Ski Club
HCMS will be participating in Ski Club with Bittersweet Ski Resort again this year. Information was given to interested students on October 30. Please review the informational sheet and return the forms/money if your student is interested in Ski Club. Forms and money must be returned by November 14 in order to participate this year!
Fall Food Fight
Every year in the beginning of November, the Middle School participates in a fundraising effort to support food access for area families in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving through Community Action House. We lovingly call this event our Fall Food Fight (8th annual!), where Houses compete to collect the most items from the list of needs for that year. Items can be brought to school starting Thursday, November 6 and ending on Friday, November 21. Students can drop off items in the Media Center on the table for their House. Please consider with your family if you are able to contribute at this time. Thanks for helping us support and show love to our community!
Items most needed:
- dried beans (pinto or black)
- healthy cooking oil (olive oil, coconut oil, canola oil,grapeseed oil)
- red lentils
- broth
- whole wheat or gluten free pasta
- flour
- spices (salt, cinnamon, cumin, ginger, chili powder)
- corn masa
- basmati rice
- canned fruit in 100% juice
- tea or coffee
- canned coconut milk
- canned beans
- juice (low-sugar/no sugar added)
- ensure or protein drinks
- alternative nut butters
- unsalted nuts
- tampons & pads
- laundry detergent and dish
- soap
- baby wipes
- toothpaste
Important Dates
November
- 11: Veteran’s Day Assembly @ HCHS 9:30am
- 14: Swingin’ the Night Away: MS/HS Jazz Band 6:45-9:00pm
- 19: MS watches HCHS Matinee performance of Pride and Prejudice
- 26-28: No school, Thanksgiving Break
December
- 2: MS Band/Orchestra Concert 6pm @ HCHS
- 4: MS Choir Concert 7pm @ HCHS
- 22-Jan. 2: Christmas vacation