Dear Parents/Guardians-
Our school district holds six core cultural values: Discovery, Flourishing, Discipleship, Discernment, Hospitality, and Renewal.
This month, we’re highlighting Discernment—seeking God’s truth and practicing curiosity, courage, and conviction as we engage the culture around us. In a world full of competing messages, we want our students to learn how to recognize God’s voice and respond faithfully.
Here are a few ways discernment is woven into life at Holland Christian Middle School:
1. Science Through the Lens of God’s World
Science becomes a place where curiosity leads students to worship. They are encouraged to explore creation and ask:
-
- “How do these discoveries point me toward the Creator?”
- “What do I learn about God’s character through His world?”
This helps them see that faith and science aren’t separate, but deeply connected.
2. Serving Others as an Expression of Discernment
Discernment isn’t only about thinking—it’s also about living out what we know to be true. Our students practice this by seeing needs and responding with compassion:
-
- 8th graders serve at Kids Food Basket, preparing meals for local children facing food insecurity. All students collected food for the Community Action House. In total we collected 1,539 items, compared to last year’s 972 items. We’re thankful for our community’s generosity!
- Students who travel to South Africa help feed the hungry and serve preschoolers at a local care center, gaining a global perspective on loving one’s neighbor. Once they came home, they realized they can serve this community from home by selling donuts at school to raise money for Christmas gifts for the children they worked with alongside Pastor Raymond.
- Daily acts of service at school—helping classmates at lunch, welcoming new students, or supporting peers who are struggling—remind our middle schoolers that following Jesus shows up in small, faithful choices.
As we continue to practice discernment as a school community, our prayer is that students grow in their ability to recognize God’s truth—and courageously live it out each day. We are grateful for your partnership as we guide our young people to follow Jesus with wisdom and conviction.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
—Romans 12:2
In Christ,
Tom Strikwerda
Middle School Principal
December at HCMS
Recess Attire:
During the snowy, cold days of December-March – Please supply your middle schoolers with the proper clothing as we will keep going outside for our 15-20 minute breaks, even if the tundra is frozen. It’s wise to label coats, hats, mittens, as things may get lost.
Giving:
Thank you for contributing to our “Food Fight” food drive for Community Action House. Together, we collected 1,539 items that will be distributed to those in need in our community. Thank you for your servant hearts and generosity to this important cause!
Ski Club:
Ski Club kicks off on December 12! If your child paid for a ski club discount card, please be sure to have your student sign up the Tuesday/Wednesday lunchtime before each trip, and bring money for the admission, bus fee, rentals, etc. Checks can be made to Holland Christian Schools.
Concerts:
You are cordially invited to our Choir and Band & Orchestra Concerts. Band and Orchestra will be performing on Tuesday, December 2, and Choir will be performing on Thursday, December . See details below:
Band/Orchestra Concerts:
The HCMS Band and Orchestra Christmas Concerts are on Tuesday, December 2 in the Holland Christian High School Auditorium. The 6th grade orchestra, 6th grade band, and 7th grade orchestra are performing at 6:00 PM and the 8th grade orchestra and 7th/8th grade band are performing at 7:30 PM. We will be wearing our maroon polos, plus the pants indicated by the groups’ directors. If the new band shoes arrive by concert time, the band students will wear them with white socks as part of their performing concert dress. Parents, please watch for a concert information sheet that will be sent home with call times and more detailed information.
4th and 5th grade groups are performing in Christmas chapels in their own buildings.
–Pine Ridge will have their chapel on Friday, December 5 at 8:30 AM.
–Rose Park will have their chapel on Monday, December 8 at 8:30 AM.
Choir Concert:
The middle school choir concert is Thursday, December 4 at 7:00pm at the high school auditorium. Students need to be on Mainstreet at the HS at 6:40. The 6th, and 7th/8th grade choirs will be performing. We will be wearing our maroon polos with black pants or skirts (knee length or longer) and black socks/shoes (dark shoes acceptable). Parents, please watch for a concert information email that will come out soon with more detailed information.
From the Parent Board:
We love our Middle School teachers and staff and want to shower them with gifts of appreciation during the Christmas season. Would you like to join us? We plan to present each teacher and staff member with a gift on behalf of all of our Middle School families. The Parent team will create the care packages that will bless our teachers and staff. We will be taking donations until December 8. Thanks for helping us show our appreciation and bless our Middle School family at Christmas time!
We are also looking for volunteers to help with the staff Christmas Luncheon on Thursday December 18. Please sign up below if you’re willing to help!
Here’s how to donate:
Cash donations: We will have a Christmas chest in the MS office to collect donations.
Use this link if you’d like to make digital payments.
I can supervise lunch while teachers eat!
Upcoming Events
December:
2- HCMS Band/Orchestra Concerts
4 – HCMS Choir Concert
22- Beginning of Christmas Break
January:
5- School Resumes
16- End of Q2/S1
19- No School- MLK Jr. Day
20- Begin Q3/S2
26- HC High School Showcase