Middle School Newsletter: October 2023

Dear Parents & Guardians-

We were thankful that the weather cooperated on Wednesday and we were able to hold the Walkathon! What a great celebration of the fundraising that raised $14,800 for our middle school! After taking a group photo with all of the students from Rose Park, South Side, Pine Ridge, Forest School and the Middle School, the eighth graders stayed at the football stadium to be buddies with the youngest walkers in preschool and kindergarten. This was a time of Servant Living and Community Building as they helped make this a fun event for the young ones. The sixth and seventh graders headed back to the middle school in order to do their laps around the track. Community Building also happened at the track as students were divided into their Houses and kept track of their laps. House points were earned in this competition. It was great to see so many working hard to earn points for their House. Prizes were awarded to the top runners along with the fundraising winners and the drawing winners. Last year, Walkathon funds were used to purchase House shirts and stickers, outdoor education materials, classroom and library books, and more! With this year’s funds, we plan to fund more items for outdoor education, Spanish Immersion, and equipment for outdoor recess, and we will continue to fund our house system. I’m excited to see the impact of your fundraising efforts at HCMS!

We have another group going to South Africa from October 19 to October 30. Please pray for us as we go to make the Father known as we partner with Ocean’s Ministry.

In preparation for our trip we are reading through John 13-17, 3 times. These are the chapters of Jesus’ last days with the disciples before he is crucified for us. One verse that spoke to me is John 13: 34 which says, “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another.”

Loving others like Jesus loved people can only be done if we listen to the Holy Spirit’s voice. May we each take the time to listen and love each other.

Tom Strikwerda

October at HCMS

Ski Club Update

Bittersweet has made some drastic changes to the ski club discount card. Dave DeKruyter and Rod Danhof (our ski club sponsors) will be attending a meeting on Oct 17 to determine if having Ski club is viable. We will send you an update following the meeting as to whether or not we are participating in Ski club this year. Stay tuned.

Picture Make-up Day

Monday, October 9 is HCMS Picture Retake Day. If you are not satisfied with your student’s picture, please send their original packet with your son or daughter to school that Monday and Geskus will re-take their picture. If you would like to order photos, go to this Geskus website after October 4.

Early Winter (Winter 1) Sports Season

Monday, October 23, is the first day of our next sports season, including Girls Aquatics, Boys Basketball and Competitive Cheer (which is with West Ottawa). If your student would like to participate and has not yet signed up, please sign up on Final Forms asap. Please also make sure the pre-participation physical is completed. Students will need all forms signed and a current physical form on file in the office that is dated on or after April 15, 2023. Communication will be coming to those who are registered. Team pictures will be taken Wednesday, November 1.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

PTC are scheduled for October 5, 3:30-6:30pm and October 12, 5:30-8:30pm. Please follow the instructions that were emailed to you September 22 if you’d like to sign up, or check the Parent Monthly Newsletter!

If you are interested in helping provide dinner for teachers on those nights, please sign up here: October 5 Meal Sign-up and October 12 Meal Sign-up

Reminders for Parents

Questions about Attendance, Medications, Lunch Policy, etc?  Please check out our Reminder for Parents document.

A Note from the English Team

Please read this linked letter to parents from the English Team regarding student book choice.

Important Dates

October

• 5: Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences, 3:30-6:30pm
• 9: Picture retakes
• 12: Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences, 5:30-8:30pm
• 18: ½ day: Teacher CEA Convention
• 19-20: No school, CEA Convention
• 27: End of quarter 1

November

• 3: Swingin’ the Night Away
• 22-24: No school: Thanksgiving

December

• 4: MS Band Concert, MS Orchestra Concert
• 7: MS Choir Concert
• 25: Christmas Vacation