HOME COMMUNICATOR
There are 101 days until May 30.
**Insert Europe’s Final Countdown soundtrack**
101 days until warmer temperatures.
101 days until the sun sets at 9pm instead of 6pm.
101 days until we get a break from packing school lunches.
101 days until school is out for the summer.
I don’t know about you, but 101 more days simultaneously feel long and short. I love walking in these halls full of life and learning, snow boots, and speed-walking students. I love the chapels filled with worship and the classrooms filled with wonder. And yet, I look forward to the change of pace summer brings. Regardless, God encourages us to number our days “That we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12). Jesus reminds us of this when He told the story of the rich fool who didn’t number his days (Luke 12). Instead, the fool wasted them on selfish pursuits without eternal value.
So, as we look at the next 101 days, I pray that I can (and you can, and our students can) do so with a Psalm 90 heart—one that doesn’t see May 30 as the end goal but sees the next 101 days as the opportunity to grow our relationship with Christ. Let’s make these next 101 days count!
Layne Fuller
Director of Marketing and Communications
SCHOOL-WIDE NEWS
Unified Basketball
Our HCS Unified basketball season is underway! Unified sports is an initiative of the Special Olympics that provides opportunities for students with and without disabilities to play sports together to promote skill development, friendship, and understanding. Our team includes students from grades 1-8. We are so grateful for the impact Unified has on our players and for all the support we have received from our school community!
You’re invited to cheer at a game!
- HCS vs. Sandy Hill – Friday, Feb. 21 at 4:00 in the Elementary West Gym
- Exhibition game – Thursday, Feb. 27 at approx. 6:45 (between the girls JV and Varsity basketball games) at Unity Christian High School
Auction News
SILENT AUCTION
- Our Silent Auction goes LIVE this Friday, February 21 at 7:00 PM! You can register now and preview items for the Silent and Live Auctions, as well as the Buy-a-Line items (Buy-a-Line is a raffle for gift cards and featured items).
- Share this link with family, friends, coworkers, neighbors – everyone is welcome to join in the bidding & support HCS! Auction Website
- Right now, you can also buy Tuition Raffle tickets (search “Tuition Raffle”), Teacher Experience (search “Teacher Experience”) and Dinner Tickets (search “Dinner”), see Closing Times & other event info and check for new items – new items are being added every day!
LIVE AUCTION
- See you at the Live Auction on Saturday, March 1 – Doors open at 4:30 PM and the Live Auction begins at 6:00 PM.
- Golden Ticket – Back this year, we are offering a Golden Ticket raffle at the Live Auction – $100/Ticket and the winner gets to choose any item from the Live Auction!
OTHER AUCTION ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Calling All Bakers – Every year our school community helps out by donating delicious baked goods to sell at the auction. If you have the gift of baking and want to donate a dessert, please drop off your item on Friday, February 28 or Saturday morning, March 1, to the HCS West Gym. All decadent desserts will be available to purchase for $25 at the auction on March 1st, but come early because they won’t last long! Questions? Email Auction@4hcs.org
- HCS Auction Tuition Raffle – Don’t miss out! – Wouldn’t it be a DREAM to have a $0 tuition cost for ONE WHOLE YEAR? Buy raffle tickets now (1 for $25 or 5 for $100!) at https://2025hcsauction.cbo.io and you might just have your wish come true! Winner announced at the LIVE AUCTION on Saturday, March 1st (winner does not have to be present to win).
- Fund-a-Need – Tuition Assistance – This year, we invite you to partner with us to fulfill the need for tuition assistance. At Hudsonville Christian School, we are committed to making Christ-centered education accessible to all families. However, life circumstances and unexpected situations can make the ability to afford Christian education more challenging. Last school year, HCS provided nearly $170,000 in tuition assistance to support families in need thanks to many generous partners of the HCS community.
Thanks to a generous $25,000 company matching gift, your contribution will have twice the impact! Every gift helps ensure that HCS families can receive the Christ-centered education they deeply desire. With your support, we can continue providing the necessary resources to assist families in need.
Questions? Email The Auction Committee
Early Release
Next week Friday, February 28 is an early release day, with dismissal at 11:10 AM. Our staff will be engaged in valuable professional development during this afternoon. Hudsonville Public buses will run as normal but students riding Unity buses will need to arrange for transportation home.
Class Placement Requests
Soon after spring break, staff will begin constructing next year’s class lists. This is an involved process that requires input of all the staff members who know your child. Because parents have information that is important, we wish to provide an avenue for this input. If you have a request, you must fill out the online form to ensure that it will be considered throughout the process. Class Placement Request Form. Forms are due Friday, March 14.
Employment Opportunities
If you are interested in joining the dynamic staff at Hudsonville Christian School, there are employment opportunities for the coming 2025/2026 school year. If you or someone you know might be interested in learning more, please visit our website.
Moms in Prayer
This Friday, February 21, the Moms In Prayer will gather in the Middle School conference room to pray for the Hudsonville Christian 5th and 6th graders and their teachers. We invite you to join in a community of moms who love to pray and wholeheartedly believe God hears and answers prayer! Please check in at the office when you arrive. We will meet from 8:00-9:00 am.
8th Grade Play
The Hudsonville Christian 8th graders will be presenting the play, CSI: Neverland on March 6 and 7 at 7:00 pm and March 8 at 2:00 pm in the Middle School south gym. General public tickets are on sale now. Ticket prices are $5.00 each. All seats are reserved. Click here CSI Neverland – Hudsonville Christian School for ticket and ordering information.
HCS 3 on 3 Tournament – Last week to sign up!
We are excited to partner with our community and host the second annual HCS 3 on 3 basketball tournament on March 8, 2025. Visit the event webpage for tournament rules and team registration information! Registration will be open until 11:59 pm Sunday, February 23, 2025.
Summer Hiking Trips
If you are interested in the annual summer hiking trips, save these dates! The Manistee hike will be June 26-28 and the UP hike will be July 16-19. NOTE THE UP HIKE DATE HAS CHANGED. More information and sign ups coming soon.
Business Sponsorship Opportunity
Now is the time for your business to become an All-Event or Individual Event Business Sponsor for the 2025 calendar year. Please check out the information on our website and see how your business can partner with what God is doing at HCS this year!
Tuition Assistance – FACTS Program
Hudsonville Christian will again be participating in FACTS, a grant application program. Families who wish to apply for tuition assistance will need to use the FACTS application format online via their confidential website. The application fee will be paid by HCS. The FACTS organization will analyze the information of each applicant. Through FACTS, HCS has the ability to more evenly distribute available tuition assistance funds based upon factual information the families provide in the application. Please note that any additional information provided in the comments section at the end of the application is very helpful when making the decision for distribution.
Parents who have children in more than one EOCS school need only to fill out the application one time — the information will be available to the schools where their children attend. The FACTS online website application is available now. Please contact FACTS at 1-866-315-9262 with any questions. The deadline for submitting this application is March 31. For registration please go to www.factsmgt.com.
ELEMENTARY NEWS
Chapel
This week Friday, February 21, Mr. Sills’ 4th grade class will lead chapel from 10:00-10:25. 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.
SOAR – Second Grade Parents
Does your child easily master classroom math? Or write for fun? Or read above grade level? SOAR is a program designed for students who easily master the goals of the classroom. Students receive additional instruction at their level with like ability peers in language arts and/or math. Each spring, 2nd grade students are identified for the program on the basis of parent and teacher nomination and additional testing at HCS. Forms to nominate your child are available to pick up at the elementary school main office. The forms are due by Friday, March 21. Contact Lisi Remy (lremy@4hcs.org or 460-7686) with any questions.
4th Grade Transition to Middle School
Middle School Orientation for parents of incoming 5th grade students is scheduled for Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 7:00pm in the Middle School Orchestra Room (Room 8). This orientation is designed for PARENTS having a child entering middle school for the first time, but any parent of an incoming 5th student is welcome to attend.
Campers, Get Ready for Camp Firehawk!
Attention all adventurers! “Pack your gear” for an unforgettable experience at Camp Firehawk on March 14 and 15 at HCS. This year’s Annual Father/Daughter and Mother/Son Nights are calling all campers for a night of fun and excitement. This event is open to all campers Kindergarten through 4th-grade and their special guests—whether that’s a parent, grandparent, older sibling, mentor, family friend, or another important person in their life. On Friday, March 14, the girls take center stage for Ladies Night at Camp Firehawk, then, on Saturday, March 15, it’s Lumberjack Night for the boys. Dress for the theme, and get ready for games, laughter, and special moments around the campfire. Registration forms were sent home with students, please turn in your RSVP by February 28. We can’t wait to welcome all our adventurers to Camp Firehawk!
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, February 18 – 8th Grade Worship Team
- Friday, February 21 – Mr. Huisman’s 6th Grade Class
- Tuesday, February 25 – Mr. Bryant Russ from Holland Christian
Hot Lunch
Hot lunch this week is DJs Pizza (Pepperoni/Ham) $2.50/slice
Donuts
Donuts will be for sale at break time in the middle school this Friday, February 21. Cost- $1.50 each.
7th/8th Grade Band Festival
The seventh and eighth grade band will be participating in band festival TOMORROW, February 19. This event will take place during the school day and students will be bused to and from Covenant Christian High school. The Band will be stopping at the Jenison/Grandville McDonald’s on the way back to school.
Ski Club
The final Ski Club date is this Friday, Feb. 21. Your student should already have signed up if they are interested in attending. Money will be collected on Thursday, Feb. 20 at break and at lunch time.
8th Grade Unity Mixer night
Unity Christian Varsity Basketball Night
Date: Friday, February 21
Time: Starts at 5:00 pm
Location: UC Gym
Details: Meet in the gym for a few mixer games, and then some food. FREE pizza and pop for 8th graders! FREE admission to both Varsity games that night. Girls start at 6:00 pm, boys follow. Have a ride ready when you plan to leave.
5th Grade Boys Sex Ed Night
Each year Hudsonville Christian School schedules an evening for our 5th grade boys and their fathers (or another male role-model) to meet for an introduction to sex education. The meeting will be on Tuesday, March 4, at 7:00 P.M. in the orchestra room at the Middle School building. Please reserve the night! An email was sent out on February 7th.
Earth Day PaperGator Contest
PaperGator Competition!! 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.
Volunteer Opportunity
The middle school is looking for a few volunteers to help supervise students during their lunch breaks. Volunteers will wander hallways and outside supervising students to ensure safety and that breaks are going smoothly. For more information or to sign up click HERE.
PARENTS' CLUB NEWS
Parents’ Club Board Positions
The PCB is looking to fill 3 board positions for the 2025-2026 school year. The mission and goal of the PCB is to display good stewardship as we raise and allocate funds that benefit our children in a Christ-centered education as well as to promote fellowship and the spirit of unity among parents, faculty and staff. Our 9-seat board is composed of current HCS parents that must attend monthly meetings and fulfill various assigned tasks. If you are interested in joining the Parents’ Club Board for a 3-year term starting in the fall of 2025, fill out this questionnaire by March 14, 2025. Email pcb@4hcs.org with any questions.
General Assembly Meeting
As a parent/guardian of a student at HCS you are a part of the Parents’ Club! Two times each year the Parents’ Club Board (PCB) hosts “General Assembly” meetings to provide updates and information specific to Parents’ Club support services, events and fundraisers. The spring our meeting will be held during the HCS Society Meeting on Monday, March 17. We hope to see you there!
Staff Appreciation Week March 10-14
All HCS Parents AND Students: Since we certainly appreciate our HCS Teachers and Staff, the Parents’ Club Board would like to invite all HCS parents and students to express your appreciation for them during the week of March 10-14!
COMMUNITY NEWS
Middle School Bowling Team
Unity Christian is pleased to offer a Middle School Bowling team for boys and girls in grades 6 – 8. This program will run after school on Mondays and Wednesdays from March 3 – 26, and will consist of instruction and skill building, intra-squad matches, and a match formatted like high school with individual and baker games. It will be held at Hudsonville Lanes, and all experience levels are welcome! The cost to participate is $85, and the deadline to register is February 26. Please go to https://www.unitychristianathletics.org/main/campsclinics/ for more information/schedule and an on-line registration link. Information can also be found at www.unitychristianathletics.org under the “Camps and Clinics” tab.
Unity Christian High School Play
Unity Christian High School is proud to present the play This Murder Was Staged. Performances are scheduled for 7:00pm on February 27 and 28 and 5:00pm on March 1. Performances will take place at the Hudsonville High School Auditorium on 32nd Avenue. Tickets are $8 each and can be purchased on our website www.unitychristian.org under “Parent Resources.”
Unity Summer Sports Camp Schedule and Registration Information
Unity Christian will be hosting several summer sports camps for students ages three to 12th grade. Our summer camp schedule is currently available on our website at this link, and registration will open on April 15. We look forward to hosting your students at Unity sports camps this summer!
SpringHill Day Camp
This summer, SpringHill Day Camp is bringing all the camp fun to Hudsonville. This camp is designed for current Kindergarteners through 5th Graders. It will take place at Forest Grove Reformed Church on July 28 through August 1 from 9am to 4pm. Pre- and aftercare is available as well. Registration is open now! To learn more or to register, click HERE!
Allendale Christian 3-on-3
Allendale Christian School will be holding its annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Saturday, March 15 at Allendale High School! All athletes grades 3-8 are welcome to participate – divisions will be created based on grade level. Please visit www.facebook.com/ACS3on3/ for more details and to access the online registration form. Registration deadline is March 5. We hope to see you there!
Hudsonville Little League
Hudsonville Little League 2025 Spring Registrations are Open! Click HERE for more information.
