Welcome to the 2024/25 school year!
We are excited to equip minds and nurture hearts to transform the world for Christ of all of our middle schoolers this year. This year in 6th grade we will be bringing 4 schools together as we welcome our first Spanish Immersion class and our first Forest school class to the middle school. As we build community with this new group, we have added a 6th grade orientation that you can read about below.
We are also thankful for the new faculty and staff who will be joining the HCMS family this year:
Ashley Hernandez – Spanish Immersion Coordinator
Rebecca Brandt – Spanish 1 Teacher
Nicky DeBoer – Choir Teacher
Lisa Myrick – Parapro
Andrew Schrotenboer – Custodian
This year our school theme is “Seek First” or “Buscar Primero”. As we get ready to begin another school year, I ask for prayer for each of our middle schoolers and our middle school staff. Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Please pray that each of us seeks God’s ways and thoughts first and not our own thoughts and ways.
God bless!
Tom Strikwerda
Principal
2024-2025 Information
Orientation Day
Orientation Day is Monday, August 19 at the middle school.
- 6th graders are invited to join us from 10:00-11:30 for a walk-through of the building, meeting teachers, and getting pictures taken. This is not an open house, but rather a full time together.
- 7th and 8th graders are invited to join us for an open house (comet and go when you’re able) from 12:00-2:30.Come have your picture taken for your student ID, walk around the building and find your locker, pick up your schedule, and meet your teachers.
- If you would like to order prints of your student photo, go to the Geskus website and enter your name and email address. Please note, the Middle School yearbook is included in the yearly activity fee and does not need to be ordered separately. Each student will receive one at the end of the school year.
- Picture Make-up day (if students miss Orientation Day) will be Thursday, September 5; retakes and BOC pictures will be taken Monday, October 7.
- Student schedules will be given to students on Orientation day, August 19. They will be available online the afternoon of August 9.
Handbook Changes
We have updated a few of our handbook policies. Please review and sign our Student Handbook and Technology Handbook agreement form here, so we can all start the year on the same page and with the same expectations. Updates to the Student Handbook are highlighted to make changes easier to spot. One change to highlight from our dress code section is that “no hats, hoods, earbuds, airpods or sunglasses are allowed during school hours. Teacher discretion may be used in class based upon class activity.”
First Day of School
Tuesday, August 20: We start school this year with a full day starting at 8:00 am and ending at 2:55 PM. Our first week of school will be a Monday/Thursday/Friday schedule day each day. There will be NO late start on Wednesday, August 21.
Many of you are new to the middle school building. Welcome! Please see below for all things Middle School. And feel free to reach out to Kelli Kruithof, administrative assistant, if you have any questions or concerns.
Absences/Tardies
Absences happen for a number of reasons. If you know in advance that your child will be absent for any part of the day, please email kkruithof@hollandchristian.org or call our front office at 616-820-3205.
We also ask that you help your child be on time for school each day. The tardy bell rings at 8:00 (8:30 on late start days), and teachers begin with devotions and lunch count. Missing or interrupting these foundational starters of the day can be distracting for the class. Please see our handbook for more information on absences and tardies.
Class Schedules
The Middle School runs a modified block schedule. This means students take seven classes on Monday/Thursday/Friday, and fewer classes on Tuesday/Wednesday, but for longer blocks of time. What used to be called “Achievement hour” will now be called “Homeroom”. A detailed version of your child’s schedule will be found on PowerSchool.
Late Start Wednesdays
Students start school a few minutes later each Wednesday so middle school staff can attend meetings from 7:30-8:15 am. Starting on August 28, the start time on Wednesdays is 8:30am.
Supply List
Supply list for your student’s grade. Please note: it is recommended that students have an NIV Study Bible for their Bible class.
Medication
We realize some students need to take or have medication with them at school. All medication, both over-the-counter and prescribed, must be held in the front office in its original container. If your student needs medication at school, please have your doctor fill out and sign the required meidcation form and bring that form with the medication to school.
Drop off/Pick up
Carpool will take place on the North side of the building. In the single-lane carpool drop off, pull up as far as you can to drop off your child. If you are first in line, pull up to the orange cone that is past the north entrance on the sidewalk. This allows room for the cars behind you to pull up as well. Have your students exit the right side of the vehicle.
The bus loop and visitor lots at the front of school are not open for drop off during the hours of 7:30-8:15 am and 2:45-3:15 pm. School doors will be open at 7:30 am for students’ arrival and students need to be picked up by 3:30 pm.
HCMS Parent Night
Join us for our Middle School Parent Night, which will be held on August 28th from 6:30-8:00 pm. You’ll receive more information after the school year begins.
Athletics
MS sports begin on August 19 at 3pm for Boys Football (HC/ZC – 7th/8th), and on August 26 for Boys Soccer (HC only – 7th/8th), Boys Tennis (HC/ZC – 6th/7th/8th), Girls Volleyball (HC only – 7th/8th) and Girls & Boys Cross Country (HC/ZC – 6th/7th8th). You can find more information about fall sports and where the first practices are here.
Warm-Up Shirts
All Middle School teams will use the same warm-up shirt this year. You can purchase your child’s shirt now, or at the beginning of his/her first season. Shirts are $18, and last names can be added on the back for an additional $6 (optional). You can order shirts here.
Final Forms
If you haven’t registered yet, please do so as soon as possible through Holland Christian’s Final Forms athletic registration system. Athletes need to be registered with a cleared physical uploaded to Final Forms before they can participate. We are excited to get started!
Eventlink Athletic Scheduling and Ticketing
Most families are now familiar with Holland Christian’s athletic registration and compliance system, FinalForms. Recently we began a new relationship with a scheduling and ticketing platform called Eventlink. Like FinalForms, Eventlink streamlines many of the behind-the-scenes processes for us including team practice & game calendars and game tickets & season passes. If any of your 6th-12th grade children are involved in athletics, please take a few minutes to begin connecting with Eventlink here.
Registration, Schedules and Tickets/Passes
For information on getting registered, how to find schedules and where to purchase tickets/passes, please start here.
Parent Board
Hey Parents! Want to stay connected with what’s going on in the middle school?! Join our parent team! We will be meeting once a month on Friday’s at 8am, plus a social outing or two. The time commitment is flexible throughout the year with what works with your schedule, although we do hope to have most at each Friday meeting. Heading the team this year: Kate Holloway (kateholloway@verizon.net) and Jamie Isanhart (j.isanhart@yahoo.com). Contact one of us if you are interested in joining! We look forward to a great school year with planning fabulous activities for the kids and teachers!
Moms in Prayer
Moms in Prayer is a great way to connect with other moms, pray for your child, and have an impact on the Middle School. Please join us on Fridays, starting September 6th, at Providence Church from 8:30-9:30 am. Contact Nicole Shook with questions at ncshook@gmail.com.
Batons
Please make sure you bring your baton to your first hour teacher on Orientation Day or the first day of school. Thanks!
Important Dates
The full 24-25 school calendar is available here
August
19- Orientation/picture day; First day of Football
- 6th Grade only: 10:00-11:30
- 7th/8th Grade: 12:00-2:30 open house
20- First day of school- full day
21- No Late Start
26- 8th Grade Camp Roger (more information to come)
26- 7th Grade Vision Screening
26- Fall sports begin
28 – HCMS Parent Night 6:30-8 PM @ HCMS
30- No School- Labor Day Weekend
September
2 – Labor Day
5 – Picture Make-Up Day
25- Walkathon
October
3- Fall Parent Teacher Conferences (3:30-6:30 pm)
7- Picture Retakes
10 – Fall Parent Teacher Conferences (5:30-8:30 pm)
22- End of Quarter 1
23- No School- Professional Development
24/25 – No School, CEA Convention