HOME COMMUNICATOR
He is Risen!
Last Friday, the Elementary and Middle schools joined together for an incredible all-school chapel to remember and reflect on Good Friday. The students sang out about who Christ is and how He will be magnified. They all read the Easter story in one voice – “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said…” (Matthew 28:6) There is something humbling and hopeful about the way kids receive and reflect Jesus’ love with simplicity and sincerity.
”For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
John 3:16-17 NIV
As a Christian school community, we have the honor of journeying through the Easter Story together. Bible stories are read together; worship takes place all over. Jesus comes alive in every nook and cranny of the school! Kids experience and learn the grace of Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection. And because we get to partner together, they learn this at school, at home, and in their churches. Through it all, we have the gift of seeing it through their eyes.
Familiar stories are often an opportunity to find new depth and perspective, and to lean into what Christ is saying to us today. Jesus’ sacrifice, love, and grace are overwhelming. The victory is His and His alone. It is finished!
He graciously offers His salvation to each of us. He is worthy! Hallelujah!
Abbie Walters
Admissions Coordinator
SCHOOL-WIDE NEWS
2025-2026 Enrollment – Due May 2
If you intend to partner with HCS in Christian education next school year, please take the time to fill out the needed information to ensure enrollment for 2025-2026. Parents of currently enrolled Kindergarten – 7th grade students (those going into 1st – 8th grade for the 2025-2026 school year) please complete this online enrollment form: 2025-2026 1st – 8th grade enrollment form. If you would prefer to complete a paper copy please let Linda Kellar in the admin office know (lkellar@4hcs.org) and forms will be mailed to you. Enrollment (online and paper) forms and enrollment fees are due by May 2, 2025. Thank you for your partnership in Christian education as we strive to challenge minds and lives for Christ!
Kids’ Corner Enrollment
Kids’ Corner enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year is now OPEN! You can use this link to enroll: 2025-2026 Kids’ Corner Enrollment Form. If you have any questions, you can reach out at kidscorner@4hcs.org.
HCS Walkathon
Walkathon is Friday! If your child has not turned in their envelope and pledge form please have him/her do so tomorrow! Grades Y5-8 will be at Unity’s Athletic Track on 48th Avenue. We are asking that all students bring a water bottle to the track and wear their HCS t-shirt.
Thank you to all the parents who have signed up to tally laps for grades 4th-8th. We cannot do this without you!! All parents are welcome to walk with or cheer the students on. Please remember that Unity’s policy is that no dogs are allowed on the athletic campus. Let’s be good neighbors and respect their wishes so that we can continue to use this great facility.
Check the following schedule so you know when your child is walking:
Grades 6, 7 Board Buses: 8:00 Walk: 8:15-9:00
Grade 4, 5 Board Buses: 9:00 Walk: 9:15-10:00
Grades Y5,K & 8 Board Buses: 9:45 Walk: 10:15-11:00 (Seaver & Lubbers)
Grades K, 1 Board Buses: 10:45 Walk: 11:15-12:00 (DeLong, Ymker, & Yonker)
Grades 2, 3 Board Buses: 12:15 Walk: 12:30-1:15
Encourage your child to do their best, not be the best! Thanks for your hard work in getting pledges, we are looking forward to a great day on Friday!
Moms in Prayer
Due to the walkathon, Moms in Prayer will not meet this Friday, April 25.
Employment Opportunities
We are seeking a full-time (40–50 hours/week) Head Custodian for our Middle School building for the 2025-2026 school year. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who will take pride in maintaining a clean, safe, and well-cared-for facility through year-round cleaning and maintenance. If you’re interested or would like more information about the position, please contact Devon Brinks, Superintendent, at dbrinks@4hcs.org.
We are looking for people who love the Lord and love working with our youngest learners. These are our current openings:
- Tuesday / Thursday morning 3 School
- Tuesday / Thursday / Friday Nature-Based 4 School
Click here to find out more information on our website!
Parent Volunteering for Next School Year
Save the Date! On Tuesday, May 6 (at 7:00 pm) volunteering opportunities for the 2025-26 school year will open to all parents/guardians of HCS students. A link to preview the signups will be coming soon! A reminder that all families are required to volunteer for a specific amount of points based on your child’s grade level. Those who do not sign up for their required points, or follow through on their sign ups will be charged an opt-out fee up to $300.00 beginning in August 2025.
URGENT Volunteer Need
A Scrap Metal Drive will be held on Friday and Saturday, May 2 and May 3, to benefit the Foundations of Unity Christian High School and Hudsonville Christian School. The drive will be held at the Arrowaste Outlot, 1296 Chicago Dr. Jenison from 1pm-8pm on Friday and 8am-2pm on Saturday. WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS! If you’re able to help click HERE to sign up! Thank you for supporting our school!
Camp Crazee Fun
Camp Crazee Fun is back with a new addition! We have a 4-day June camp and a 3-day August camp this year! Click HERE for more information and the registration form. Forms will also be sent home with every student entering 3rd thru 8th grade. Any questions email Mr.Los dlos@4hcs.org
ELEMENTARY NEWS
Chapel
We will have a special walkathon chapel in the west gym at 8:15 am on Friday, April 25. Parents are welcome to join us and may enter through the west gym lobby doors.
Elementary Hot Lunch
The menu and other information on the Elementary Hot Lunch program provided by JenHud Food Service can be found on the JenHud Food Service website.
Consuming Fire Art Show
The Consuming Fire Art Show will be held this Thursday, April 24 from 6:00- 7:30. Every student from Y5-4th grade will have art displayed throughout the school, including the much anticipated Black Light Exhibit! We cannot wait to celebrate the artistic abilities in every student!
Hearing and Vision Screening
Ottawa Department of Public Health will be coming to HCS Elementary to provide Hearing (Grades K, 2 & 4) and Vision (Grades 1 & 3) screenings for our students on May 6 and 7. These screenings will take place during the school day. If you would like to opt out of screening, please let Linda Kellar know in writing prior to those dates. Children who have shunts or medically implanted devices should not have a screening. Children with insulin pumps or continuous glucose monitors require parental consent for screening. Please contact Linda Kellar (lkellar@4hcs.org) if you have any questions.
Summer Tutoring
A list of teachers that are available for summer tutoring can be found on our website.
Lost and Found
Please remind your child(ren) to check out the lost and found items in the hall by the lower elementary office to see if anything belongs to them. Parents – please check out the lost and found when you are at school.
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
Chapel
Students and staff will gather in the south gym for chapel from 7:55-8:25 AM on Tuesday and Friday. Parents are welcome to join us! If you would like to view the Middle School Chapels at a later time, you can also find recordings on our Vimeo channel- Chapel.
- Tuesday, April 22 – Cory Nederveld
- Friday, April 25 – No chapel/ Walkathon
- Tuesday, April 29 -5th Grade HR – Hoogeboom
Hot Lunch
Hot lunch this week is Jet’s pizza ($2.50/slice).
Current 6th Grade Students
Just a reminder, there are additional immunizations required for incoming 7th grade students prior to starting 7th grade next year. An email with additional information including which immunizations are needed was sent out last week. We wanted to give you a heads up so that you can keep this in mind when scheduling your child’s future appointments. Contact the Middle school office with any questions 616-379-0338.
Vision Screening 5th & 7th grade
Ottawa County Health Department will be running Vision screening at the middle school for all 5th and 7th grade students on Monday, May 5 in the morning. (5th grade at 8:10 & 7th grade at 9:50) Please avoid scheduling appointments during this time if possible. If you would prefer that your child is not screened please contact the Middle school office at 616-379-0338 to let us know.
Incoming 5th-8th Grade Students/Parents Hot Lunch Survey
Hot Lunch will continue to be offered one day a week, on Wednesdays next year. This is an optional opportunity for your child to purchase pizza (DJ’s, Jets, Pizza Ranch on rotation) DJ’s breadsticks (new for 2025-2026), Chick Fil A, and Mr. Burger. A very important part of how we make hot lunch work is student surveys on what they will and will not purchase. An email with a link to the survey was sent to all parents last week. A form needs to be completed for each child- EVEN IF YOUR CHILD WILL NOT PURCHASE HOT LUNCH. Please complete forms by WEDNESDAY, MAY 14th. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Kim Racey at kracey10@gmail.com
5th-7th Grade Parents
An email was sent yesterday with a link to the class registration form for the 2025/2026 school year. Please click that link to register your son/daughter for their electives for next year. This form needs to be completed by Friday, May 2.
Faces and Our Culture Opportunity
Our school has been part of an amazing cultural exchange program for Guatemalan students for years, and we’re excited to keep it going! Faces And Our Cultures provides Guatemalan students with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in our community for eight enriching weeks. During their stay, these ambassadors will fully integrate into our school community and participate in all school activities. The program runs from Sunday, October 19 – Saturday, December 13.
To become cultural ambassadors, participants undergo a thorough selection process and extensive preparation throughout the year. Each child will be matched with a student close in age and same gender. The host family provides homestay for 8 weeks, making them part of the routine, activities, rules, curfews, and house chores as another member of the family. School kindly provides lunches, school materials, and school related activities. For those interested in learning more about the Faces program, please register here for more information.
Earth Day PaperGator Contest
We have a chance to earn up to $5,000.00 for our school by collecting as much paper in our PaperGator as we can from January through April! It’s called the PaperGator Earth Day Contest! Spread the word to your family and friends to fill up the middle school PaperGator located in the west parking lot off of the bus loop.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Unity Christian High School Play
Unity Christian High School is presenting the play “Murder’s in the Heir!” Performances are April 24 at 7pm and April 25 at 8pm at Unity Christian High School. General admission tickets are $5 each and are available to purchase in the school office or at the door.
Unity Christian Summer Sports Camps
Registration for Unity’s Summer Sports Camps for students ages 3 – 12th grade opens on Tuesday, April 15. The registration link and schedule of camps can be found at unitychristianathletics.org under “Camps & Clinics”. Please contact Unity’s Athletic Office at 669-1820 orathletics@unitychristian.org with any questions you may have!
- Register between April 15 – May 7 – Receive a 15% multi camp discount on four or more camp registrations and can pay by check/cash (due May 14) or credit card.
- Register between May 8 – June 4 – Only credit card payment accepted.
- Register June 5 or after – $10 late registration fee and only credit card payment accepted.
- Please register your child in the grade they will be entering in fall of 2025.
Unity Christian Youth Football for Grades 3 – 8
Registration for Unity Christian Youth Football is now open! We will have 3rd/4th grade team(s), 5th/6th grade team(s), two 7th grade teams, and an 8th grade team. Practices for 3rd-6th grades will begin on August 11 and grades 7 & 8 will begin on August 18. To plan accurately for the number of teams we will have in the fall, we ask that you register your player by June 1. For more information and to register online, go to Unity Christian High School Unity Christian Youth Football (unitychristianathletics.org). Feel free to contact Unity’s Athletic Office at 669-1820 or athletics@unitychristian.org with any questions you may have!
IMPORTANT DATES
Limited Busing PM
Report Cards Posted
