Dear Parents,
Col. 3:12, 13 says “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
As we continue to nurture our students’ hearts to transform the world for Jesus Christ I would say I see a lot of kindness at the middle school. Students collaborating with each other when they need help with their learning in class, students voluntarily helping out with chapel or in their classes, a student asking someone who is alone to sit with them at lunch, or students cleaning up after their classmates in the lunchroom and beyond. However, as principal I also see or hear about different situations when students aren’t kind to each other. I encourage you to ask your son(s) and/or daughter(s) how they are doing with being kind to their classmates. Would they call themselves above-average, average or below-average in showing kindness to others? The reason I am asking for this month is last week I received an email from a parent with these words included, “Please join us in praying for a change of heart in several students and to simply, just be kind.” This is definitely a growth area we have at the middle school.
God bless!
Tom Strikwerda
May at HCMS
South Africa Trip 2.0
We are inviting eight incoming 7th and 8th graders to a kingdom encounter in South Africa October 19 through October 30, 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. We had our South Africa parent informational meeting on Wednesday, April 19. If you would like your son or daughter to be considered for the trip please fill out the following South Africa Application byWednesday, May 3. The following forms also need to be filled out by May 3 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.
8th Grade Families
We have had an amazing year! What a blessing to start the year with the 8th graders at Camp Roger, to learn and grow together academically and spiritually, and to now enter into our final month together. We can’t wait to celebrate with all of you!
- 8th grade goes to BAM Wednesday, May 31: Following the finish of our academic classes Wednesday morning, 8th grade students will celebrate with lunch together and then depart for their afternoon of fun at BAM. Students will return to school for normal dismissal time.
- Graduation! Save the date! On Thursday, 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 6:00-6:45. There will be a few photo locations available at the High School before the ceremony if you are interested!
- 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.
Athletic Physicals Night – May 31
- 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 appointment with your physician due to insurance requirements.
- A sports physical night through the school helps alleviate insurance issues, and it is important to have this physical BEFORE the first day of fall sports. 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 is hosting a sports physical night! May 31, 6-8pm @ South Washington Family Medicine (Masks are optional) for $20. Click here to reserve a time slot!
- If you are unable to see your primary care provider (MD/DO/NP/PA) before the start of the next sports season, or attend our Physical Night, Holland Hospital’s “Walk-In” Care clinics are also options. The cost is $40 for the clinic, and you can find more information on their webpage.
MAP Testing
6th and 7th grade students will take the MAP Test on Monday, May 8 (reading) and Monday, May 15 (math). Students will need to arrive promptly at 7:55am and bring their charged laptop, a water bottle, and an extra snack to have during the break each day.
- It is important for students to get to bed on time Sunday evenings and have a healthy breakfast each morning. It is also helpful to be encouraging and uplifting–a positive mindset goes a long way!
- If at all possible, please avoid taking your student out for appointments or vacation during that time. If any testing is missed, it will have to be made up by May 26, which will result in missing regular class time.
Additional preparation resources can be found here:
Please contact the office with any questions.
Last week of school
On Wednesday, May 31 we will not have a late start.
Immunizations for 23-24 7th Graders
All students MUST be up-to-date on their immunizations BEFORE they start the new school year. 23-24 7th graders will need to turn in your proof of immunization to the front office anytime in August before the start of the 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 attached link for an information sheet listing immunization needs. You can also schedule a call/visit with your primary care physician to discuss any immunization needs for your child before the start of the new school year.
23-24 B.O.C. Schedules
As we plan to build student schedules for the 23-24 school year, we will plan to schedule your rising 7th or 8th grade students in their current Band, Orchestra or Choir (BOC) class. If they wish to move to a different music class, please inform us by filling out the BOC Change Request Form by Friday, June 2. Forms will only be accepted by a parent/guardian, not by a student. Rising 6th graders should also fill out this form if they want to change their BOC class. As stated before, every student must choose either Band, Orchestra or Choir; no study halls will be offered. Thank you!
Athletics for 23-24
Athletic Physicals Night on May 31
- 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 appointment with your physician due to insurance requirements.
- A sports physical night through the school helps alleviate insurance issues, and it is important to have this physical BEFORE the first day of fall sports. 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 is hosting a sports physical night! May 31, 6-8pm @ South Washington Family Medicine (Masks are optional) for $20. Click here to reserve a time slot!
- If you are unable to see your primary care provider (MD/DO/NP/PA) before the start of the next sports season, or attend our Physical Night, Holland Hospital’s “Walk-In” Care clinics are also options. The cost is $40 for the clinic, and you can find more information on their webpage.
Registration is now open for 23-24 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.
Important Dates
May
4: 23-24 6th Grade Parent Launch Night @ 6:45 at HCMS
8-26: MAP testing window
11: Half-day for Tulip Time: 11:15am dismissal
Grandparents Day at HCMS 10-11am
16: 4-8 Orchestra Concert @ 7pm
18-19: 7th Grade Camp
19: 6th grade field trip
29: Memorial Day: No school
31: Athletic Physical Night 6-8pm
June
1: 8th Grade Service Day (Last day for 8th graders)
8th Grade Graduation & Party @ 6pm @ HCHC
2: Last day of school; 11:15am dismissal
