Dear Parents,
For the last 5 months we’ve been reflecting on our cultural values: discovery, flourishing, discipleship, discernment, and hospitality. The final value is renewal, which is through the power of the Holy Spirit, humbly participating in the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ.
Personally, I often pray and ask that I can hear the Holy Spirit’s voice and be able to discern and be obedient to what the Holy Spirit is saying to me. The power of the Holy Spirit helps me lead our middle school as we continually look to do what is best for our students. I do confess I don’t do it perfectly, but I keep striving to do so.
Whether we are a principal, teacher, student, or parent we need the Holy Spirit. My prayer is that each of us would take the time to continually make space to listen, learn and to be taught by the Holy Spirit.
As we are reminded in scripture:
John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
John 16:13 : “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”
May we all be open and attentive to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in the village of the middle school.
Tom Strikwerda
Principal
April at HCMS
Save the Date!
- Please have students invite their grandparents and grandfriends for our Grandparents/Grandfriends Day celebration on May 8 from 1:30-2:40pm. Doors will open at 1:15. Parents, please fill out this quick Google Survey so we can plan for our afternoon accordingly. We strongly encourage you to invite a grandparent, grand friend or mentor from your neighborhood or church.
- 8th Grade Graduation will be held Tuesday, June 2 at 6pm at HCHS. The Parent Board will be hosting an after party for the students. Stay tuned for more details!
South Africa Kingdom Encounter 5.0:
HCMS is offering a unique opportunity for eight incoming 7th and 8th graders to embark on a meaningful journey to South Africa from October 8 – October 19. This trip invites students to immerse themselves in a vibrant learning environment centered on walking as disciples of Jesus Christ, fostering spiritual growth and cross-cultural understanding.
During their time abroad, students will engage deeply with spiritual disciplines and explore the Christian walk within a supportive community that models Christ’s love and example. This environment encourages them to develop a new rhythm of life—one that nurtures a closer connection with God and encourages focus beyond themselves.
Partnering with local ministries, the students will have the chance to interact with young children across three different townships, participate in school activities alongside South African peers, and experience diverse styles of worship unique to the region. Additionally, they will contribute to the Love in Action feeding ministry, serving alongside dedicated volunteers to meet the needs of the community.
This immersive experience goes beyond classroom learning, offering students a firsthand opportunity to live out the teachings of Christ as He carried out His Father’s work. Each interaction serves as a catalyst for intellectual, spiritual, and personal growth, encouraging students to wrestle with life’s big questions in the light of God’s truth and their own purpose. They will explore how to actively live out the Great Commission in their daily lives.
The overarching vision of this trip is to nurture a generation of servant leaders who possess a deeper understanding and knowledge of their Abba Father. It aims to provide a transformative process through which students can embody and share His heart with the world around them.
There will be a parent informational meeting on Wednesday, April 22 at 7pm in the HCMS auditorium, with South Africa Application due by Wednesday, April 29. The following forms also need to be filled out by Tuesday, May 6 if you would like to be considered for financial aid: Recommendation form for financial aid and financial aid form.
We are blessed to have enough available staff this year that we are not in need of chaperones. If you are chosen to go, a deposit of $600 will be due on May 22.
If you are interested in this opportunity please email Tom Strikwerda.
Athletic Physical Night:
- We encourage every child to see their PCP for their well-child visit but also understand that MHSAA preparticipation sports physical requirements do not always align with the annual well child with your physician due to insurance requirements. MHSAA requires that physicals must be dated after April 15th.
- A sports physical night through the school helps alleviate those insurance issues. It is beneficial to see your PCP as they know your previous history and can note any oddities. Sports Physicals through the school allow for a way to fulfill the MHSAA requirements when insurance does not cover an additional physical.
- It is important to have your physical before the first day of your sport’s season. You are required to be cleared through an MD, DO, NP, or PA who will check for major medical concerns that may arise during the sports seasons.
- Holland Christian will participate in two community-wide Athletic Physical Nights this Spring- April 23 and May 6. Please sign up here.
- Any parents willing to volunteer their time as: physician, nurse, PT, expert crowd control, or healthcare professional, please reach out to Karianne.
Important Dates
April
- 3: No School- Spring Break
- 13: School resumes
- 23: Sports Physical Night
May
- 6: Sports Physical Night
- 7: Half Day (Tulip Time)
- 8: Grandparents’ Day
- 13: Orchestra Concert 7:30pm
- 14-15: 7th Grade Camp
- 20: MS Choir Concert 7pm @ HCHS
- 25: No school- Memorial Day
June
- 2: Last day of school for 8th grade: 8th Grade Service Day + Graduation Rehearsal
- 8th Grade Graduation 6pm @ HCHS
- 3: Last day of school- ½ Day