Greetings,
As we look to the future, we have a couple of events that you may want to add to your calendar. On May 12 we are hoping most students can invite a grandparent/grandfriend to do some activities at the middle school from 10 to 11 am. We are hoping to have a variety of activities for the students and grandparent/grandfriend to do together. The second event, which is brand new, is an 8th grade celebration on June 1 from 6:00 to 6:45 at the high school auditorium. The goal is to celebrate the accomplishment of completing middle school with the students’ classmates and family. Bryant Russ, our spiritual life coordinator will be the speaker.
I hope each of you and your families get to spend some quality time together during Spring Break. It is a great week to pause from the schedule of a middle schooler and to create different memories with your family, to have deep conversations with your middle schooler and to let your middle schooler know you appreciate them and the gifts God gave each of them. I pray that whether you stay home or travel, that next week is a blessing for you and your family.
The other day I was reading Philippians 2 which talks about valuing others as more important than ourselves. I mess this up often, and then at times I rationalize that it is understandable that I didn’t value others as more important than myself. This time while I was reading Philippians 2 it struck me that Jesus even valued others as more important than himself as he was dying on the cross. First he said “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do,” in Luke 23:34 about the people who crucified him. Then Jesus said to the man being crucified beside him “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise,” as found in Luke 23:43. After that “Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, ‘Woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.” John 19:26, 27
In each of these instances he was valuing the people around him as more important than himself. May we each strive to do that as we tell others the gospel story during this Easter season and beyond.
God Bless!
Tom Strikwerda
HCMS Principal
April at HCMS
Grandparents/Grandfriends Day!
You are cordially invited to our Grandparents/Grandfriends Day celebration on May 12 from 10-11 am.
8th Grade Families
8th Grade Celebration!
Soon our 8th graders will be finishing their middle school career and moving on to high school. All are invited to recognize and celebrate our students on Wednesday evening, June 1 in our High School auditorium from 6:00 pm-6:45 pm.
8th Grade Party
At the conclusion of our ceremony, our 8th graders will stay at the high school to celebrate together. There will be food trucks, games, and music for them to enjoy. Plan to pick your child up from the high school at 9:00 pm.
We are looking forward to celebrating our AMAZING 8th graders!
8th Grade Michigan Adventure
8th graders, save the date for Michigan Adventure! Thursday June 2, 8th graders are headed to Michigan Adventure. We will plan to leave the middle school by bus at 9 am and return to the middle school at 5 pm. More details to come!
Athletic Physicals
Athletic Physical Night is being planned for Wednesday, June 1. Details to follow. If you are a nurse or doctor who would like to volunteer for the event, please contact the MS office at ms@hollandchristian.org.
Upcoming Important Dates
April
19-20: Spanish Placement Test for 8th graders
28: MS Choir Concert
May
9-27: Spring MAP Testing Window
11: Tulip Time, half day; 11:15 dismissal, no late start
12: Tulip Time, half day 11:15 dismissal
12: Grandparents & Grandfriends Day, 10-11 am
17: 4th-12th Orchestra Concert
19-20: 7th Grade Camp at Grace Adventures
June
1: 8th grade service day, no late start
1: 8th grade celebration 6-6:45 pm @ HCHS Auditorium.
2: 8th grade Michigan Adventure, last day of school for 8th grade
3: Last day for 6th and 7th grade, half day, 11:15 AM dismissal
