Greetings,
The middle school staff did two days of Adaptive Schools training this summer. Our understanding of how to create community and handle conflict has improved. What helped me the most from the training are the Restorative Questions that were shared with us:
- What happened?
- What were you thinking of at the time?
- What have you thought about since?
- Who has been affected by what you have done? In what way?
- What do you think you need to do to make things right?
When a student makes a bad choice we learned that asking them, “Why did they do it?” isn’t helpful. They don’t know why they made the poor choice. I have found that by asking the students what happened gives them a chance to explain the situation. I stay calm and get valuable information when I use these questions with our students. Many students realize why their behaviors aren’t acceptable, offer to apologize when appropriate and understand why they have the consequences given. I highly recommend using these questions with your adolescents at home.
As we begin thinking about next year, we have room for more students at the middle school. If you know of anyone who may be interested in Holland Christian, please let them know we offer tours and shadow days. If they are considering Holland Christian, it helps us to know that before the summer. Please also pray for increased enrollment at the middle school.
February 9-20, we have the following going to Fish Hoek, South Africa, with Ocean’s Ministry on a leadership and learning trip:
- Jake Shoemaker
- Clay DeWeerdt
- Andrew Bengelink
- David Steenwyk
- Wyatt Shook
- Ryan VanderMolen
- Owen Hicks
- Sietie Hicks
- Josh DeBoer
- Trish Deboer
- Mike Verkaik
- Tom Strikwerda
Please pray that we can see the kingdom encounters God has in store for us. While I am in South Africa, Mr. Smeenge, Ms. Roskamp, and Mr. Keen (vice principal of the high school) will handle any complex issues. Thanks for the support and prayers as we impact our youth together.
Tom Strikwerda
Principal
February at HCMS
Parent Teacher Conferences:
Parent Teacher conferences will be held Thursday, February 23 from 3:30-6:30, and Thursday, March 2 from 5:30-8:30. Instructions for conference sign-up will be emailed to you in February. We look forward to meeting with each of you!
Also, the Parent board has a tradition of providing meals for staff during conferences; please join us in providing meals for our amazing staff at HCMS for Conferences1 You can sign up below:
Holland Christian/Zeeland Christian Boys’ Basketball Clinic:
On Wednesday, February 22 from 3:20-5:00, 5th-8th grade boys are invited to a basketball clinic with HCHS boys basketball players at Zeeland Christian Gymnasium. Check out this Basketball Clinic Information Flyer for more information.
Athletic Physical Night:
Save the date May 31 from 6-8pm for our annual Athletic Physical Night! More details to come later.
From the Parent Board:
Spirit Week will be February 6-10, 2023:
- Monday: Maroon and White/Jersey Day with a home basketball game at 4pm–Come and cheer them on!
- Tuesday: Decade Day
- Wednesday: Hat Day and includes a before-school raffle and fun!
- Thursday: Pajama Day
- Friday: Tie Dye/Neon Day
TRIP Program:
Are you getting the most help you can for paying your tuition? The TRIP program is designed to help you pay tuition without extra cost to you–have you checked it out lately? There are so many instant and electronic opportunities now available that make it easier, more convenient, and comfortable to use! Give it a try and see if it doesn’t lighten your financial load. More information can be found on our Trip page, and as always help is always just a quick question away.
Important Dates
February
- 17: ½ day- Professional Learning
- 20: No school- Professional Learning
- 23: Parent Teacher Conferences 3:30-6:30
March
- 2: Parent Teacher Conferences 5:30-8:30
- 9-11: MS Play
- 21: Band Extravaganza
- 24: 8th Grade Career Day
- 24: ½ Day- Professional Learning
- 24: End of Q3
- 24: Swingin’ the Night Away
- 27: Begin Q4
- 31: No school–Spring break begins!
