Middle School Newsletter – May 2022

Dear Parents,

Thank you for once again showing appreciation to the teachers during this last week as it was Teacher Appreciation Week. We are thankful for the kind notes, treats in the lounge and breakfast on Wednesday morning. We are appreciative of the partnership we have with you as we work together to do what is best for the students as we continually work at “Equipping minds and nurturing hearts to transform the world for Christ.” 

The months of April and May are a time when we look toward the next school year. It is great to reflect on what has gone well but also to think about ways to enhance the middle school experience. As we nurture hearts to transform the world for Christ we are inviting incoming 7th and 8th graders to a kingdom encounter in South Africa for about 12 days in February of 2023. The vision of this trip is to raise up a generation of servant leaders to have a deeper understanding and knowledge of the Father, and to provide a process for students to make His heart known both inside and outside our middle school. 

While staying abroad students will explore cross-cultural service, spiritual disciplines, and encounter our Father’s Kingdom heart. They will find a new rhythm to life that allows them to connect with God and focus on life outside of themselves. Students will be immersed in cultures, communities and livelihoods very different from the ones they are used to living in. Through ministry partners they will work alongside young children at Ocean View Care Center, engage with local middle school students, and participate in local church youth groups. They will also dwell with residents who live in the townships, and also help with the homeless ministries.

Dwelling in the midst of His kingdom will allow students to not only discuss how Christ lived out His Father’s work, but has them immersed in it. Every interaction is an opportunity for intellectual, spiritual and personal growth and development. Learning becomes alive as they explore life’s big questions in the light of God’s truth, their purpose, and how to live out the Great Commission. 

We are currently working on all the details for this experience which include: an application process, exact dates and how we will use this experience to grow leaders in the middle school. We will add those to our June newsletter. If your incoming 7th or 8th graders are interested in being a part of this experience please email me at tstrikwerda@hollandchristian.org or Mike Verkaik at mverkaik@hollandchristian.org, who has run many trips to South Africa with our high schoolers.

God bless!

Tom Strikwerda
Holland Christian Middle School

May at HCMS

Immunizations for 2022-2023 7th Graders

Immunization requirements for 2022-2023 7th graders: Please schedule a call/visit with your primary care physician to discuss any immunization needs for your child. All students MUST be up-to-date on their immunizations BEFORE they start the new school year. Any students without the required immunizations or approved waivers will not be allowed to enter school until they are complete and approved by the State of Michigan. Please see the information sheet listing immunization needs.

2022-2023 B.O.C. Schedules

As we plan to build student schedules for the 22-23 school year, we will plan to schedule your rising 7th or 8th grade student in their current Band, Orchestra or Choir (BOC) class. If they wish to move to a different music class, please inform us by sending an email to ms@hollandchristian.org, indicating Band, Orchestra or Choir before Friday, June 3. Rising 6th graders should also email the MS office with their choice. As stated before, every student must choose either Band, Orchestra or Choir; no study halls will be offered. Thank you!

Athletics for 2022-2023

Registration is now open for 2022-2023 athletics! All 5th-8th grade students interested in participating on at least one team next year need to sign up for or log into their Final Forms account to register for sports and start planning to get the MHSAA physical requirement completed by their MD/DO/NP/PA for next school year. Detailed instructions and information can be found on our athletics registration webpage.

Athletic Physicals Night June 1

As in our precovid-life, Holland Christian Middle School is once again hosting a sports physical night on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 from 6-8pm at South Washington Family Medicine (Suite 210, 904 Washington, Holland 49423). Please sign up here for a specific time slot before June 1. The cost of $20 (cash or check) supports Holland Christian Middle School Athletics.

Holland Christian encourages every child to see their primary care physician for their well child visit, but also understands the annual MHSAA pre-participation sports physical requirement does not always align with annual well child visits due to insurance requirements. Holland Christian’s sports physical night helps alleviate these insurance issues with a low cost visit that meets the MHSAA requirements, but it is still beneficial for students to keep their annual well child visit with their primary care provider. 

If your athlete is unable to attend this HCMS Sports Physical Night on Wednesday, June 1, (maybe due to 8th grade graduation), we apologize, but a third option to get an athlete physical is through Holland Hospital’s “Walk-in” Care Clinic. The cost is $40 for the clinic, and you can find more information on their webpage here.

8th Grade Families

• Graduation! Save the date! Wednesday, June 1. Family and friends are invited to join us at the Holland Christian High School Auditorium as we celebrate our graduating 8th graders. Graduation will be from 6:00-6:45pm with an opportunity to enjoy ice cream together following the service.
• 8th Grade Party! After our graduation celebration, families will be dismissed, while our 8th grade graduates celebrate together! Our party will take place on the lawn of the high school with food trucks, a photo booth, music, and games. Party will end at 9pm. More details to follow.
• 8th grade goes to Michigan’s Adventure on Thursday, June 2. Buses will depart from HCMS at 8 am, and we will spend the day at Michigan’s Adventure. Buses plan to return to HCMS for parent pick up around 5pm. Look for an email with more specifics and a sign up soon. 

Upcoming Important Dates

May

• 11-12: Half days; 11:15am dismissal
• 9-27: MAP testing window
• 17: 5-12 Orchestra Concert
• 19-20: 7th Grade Camp
• 20: 6th grade field trip
• 30: Memorial Day

June

• 1: 8th grade graduation and party
• 1: Athletic physicals for grades 5-11