Author: Kelli Kruithof

Dear Parents/Guardians,

This week, I had the chance to sit down with my friend and former colleague Bob Kool–one of the most positive people I know. He continually helps at school by being what we call a “super sub” or in the summer he paints places that need touching up. I asked him how he manages to stay so positive, even as he continues to care for his wife, Mary, who has been battling terminal cancer for over nine years–and now she has it in her lymph nodes and lung. His answer was simple and powerful: The words of  John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” He shared how the promise of eternity together with Mary gives him real JOY, even in the midst of the fight they’re facing.

During my conversation with Bob, I got a text from my neighbor Barb, asking me to stop by when I had a minute. She’s been caring for her husband, Al, who is living with Parkinson’s. As we visited, I shared John 14:27 with them — and Barb’s eyes lit up. “That’s Al’s favorite verse,” she told me with a smile. Amazing how God weaves these moments together.

John 14:27 is such a gift — a reminder that the peace we receive through the Holy Spirit isn’t like anything the world can offer. It’s deeper. It’s lasting. It’s peace that truly passes all understanding when we let Christ rule in our hearts.

May that peace be with each of you as you continue to pour into the lives of your children and others in our community.

Tom Strikwerda,
HCMS Principal

October at HCMS

Picture Make-up Day

Monday, October 6 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 retake their picture. Additional order form are in the office if you need one.

Early Winter (Winter 1) Sports Season

Monday, October 20, 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, and please make sure the pre-participation physical is completed. They will need all forms signed and a current physical form on file in the office dated on or after April 15, 2025. Communication will be coming to those who are registered. Team pictures will be October 30.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Are scheduled for October 2 (3:30-6:30) and October 9 (5:30-8:30). Please follow the instructions that were emailed to you September 22 if you’d like to sign up! Or find them again in the all-school email that this newsletter is attached to.

Reminders for Parents

Questions about attendance, medications, lunch policy, etc? Please check out our Reminder for Parents document.

Important Dates

October

• 2: Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences (3:30-6:30 pm)
• 6: Picture retakes
• 9: Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences (5:30-8:30 pm)
• 21: End of quarter 1
• 22: Teacher professional development
• 23-24: No school, CEA Convention
• 27: Begin quarter 2

November

• 14: Swingin’ the Night Away
• 26-28: No school-Thanksgiving

December

• 2: MS Band Concert; MS Orchestra Concert
• 4: MS Choir Concert
• 22- January 2: Christmas Vacation

The middle school year is off to a great start!

We opened the year in chapel by reflecting on the story of the Good Samaritan. From this story, we highlighted three truths: love crosses differences, love is demonstrated in action, and small actions can make a big difference.

We reminded students that genuine love does not remain an idea or feeling—it shows up in the way we live. Love takes the form of kindness in our words, generosity in our choices, and courage in our relationships. For our students, this can look as simple and powerful as inviting someone to sit with them at lunch, including a classmate who might otherwise be left out, standing up for someone in need, or showing hospitality in everyday ways. These small acts may seem ordinary, but they carry an extraordinary impact in building a community where every child knows they are seen, known and valued. We talked about how we never want someone to feel “less than” because they are a different race or have cultural differences through spoken, written words, or with body language. The world may even say it is ok to make fun of someone who is different. Don’t follow that bad advice. Follow Jesus’ advice of loving each other. Everyone God puts in our path is our neighbor.

As Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:3–4, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” May these words shape our hearts and actions as we begin this new school year together.

As we nurture the hearts of our students together, take time to teach your sons and daughters to love each person they come in contact with.

God bless,

Tom Strikwerda, HCMS Principal

September at HCMS

Parent Night Follow Up

Thanks to all who came to parent night. Following are links for each grade level that let you know many important details about each grade level. Take some time to look through the appropriate link or links for your students’ grades. A lot of this info was shared at Parent night last night:

• 6th grade packet
• 7th grade packet
• 8th grade packet

Also if you weren’t able to attend parent night, please stop by sometime and write a positive note to your kids that we will place in their locker.

MS Chapel

Chapels this year will take place at the high school most Wednesdays. Please keep this in mind when scheduling appointments.

House System

Last week 6th graders and new students and staff have all been put into a house (Dunes, Lake, Lighthouse or Windmill), and now students can earn points for various positive things. We also just had our first house competition being the tug of war on Thursday. If you would like to sign up for notifications regarding your child’s progress, please email the office at ms@hollandchristian.org.

Parent Team

Hey Parents! Want to stay connected with what’s going on in the middle school?! Join our parent team! We coordinate the annual walkathon, plan fun events for the students, support our awesome teachers and end the year with an AMAZING 8th grade graduation party! We meet multiple times throughout the year on Tuesday mornings at 8am. The time commitment is flexible throughout the year with what works with your schedule. Contact Kate Dirkse if you’re interested in joining the team!

MAP Testing

MAP testing at the middle school is coming up! If at all possible, please avoid taking your student out for appointments or vacation during that time. If any testing is missed, it will have to be made up by the end of the testing window, which will result in missing regular class time.

• Tuesday, September 9 8-9:10am
• Wednesday, September 10 9-11:30am

On these dates, please help your child remember the following things:

• Get a good night of sleep
• Eat a healthy breakfast
• Charge laptops overnight

Please contact the middle school at ms@hollandchristian.org with any questions.

Important Dates

The full 25-26 school calendar is available here

September

• 1: Labor Day, no school
• 4: Picture make-up day (for students who missed Orientation/Open House)
• 9: 7th grade vision screening
• 24: Walkathon

October

• 2: Fall Parent-teacher Conferences (3:30-6:30pm)
• 6: Picture retakes
• 9: Fall Parent-teacher Conferences (5:30-8:30pm)
• 21: End of quarter 1
• 22-24: No school, CEA Convention

Dear Parents,

Welcome to a brand new school year at HCMS! As we prepare to open our doors to students, our hearts are full of JOY, the theme for this year. In a world that can often feel heavy, we are leaning into the joy that comes from being rooted in Christ and walking in community with one another. As Romans 15:13 reminds us: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

We are excited to welcome 317 students this year—a notable increase from last year’s 292. With this growth, we continue to strengthen programs and staff in ways that reflect our mission and support students flourishing.

One exciting change is the addition of an Assistant Principal position at the middle school. We’re thrilled that Mr. Tyler Johns, who previously served as our Behavior Interventionist, is stepping into this new role. Mr. Johns has made a big impact through his leadership with PBIS and his gift for forming strong, supportive relationships with students and families. His presence will continue to bless our school as he broadens his reach in this new role.

We’re also thrilled to welcome Joe Baillargeon as our new 6th grade Bible and Social Studies teacher. An HC alum, Joe joins us after 14 years of teaching at Unity Christian High School. Joe brings contagious energy, creativity, and a deep love for students and Jesus. He thrives in the middle school setting and is passionate about encouraging respectful dialogue and supporting the whole child.

Our Spanish Immersion program is growing! This year, we will offer immersion in both 6th and 7th grade, with plans to expand into 8th next year. We are excited to welcome Aida Valdez, who will be teaching all our immersion classes. Aida previously taught at Rose Park and brings with her a love for Christ, language, and culture. Ashley Hernandez will continue as our Spanish Immersion Coordinator as we look to deepen and expand these learning experiences.

We’re also excited to welcome Amy Deur as she shares the librarian role with Ruth Busscher. Amy, a mother of five and former youth pastor, is re-entering the professional world after 13 years at home. She brings a love for books, a mind for research, and a heart for middle school students. Her vision for nurturing curiosity and fostering a love for reading is a wonderful fit for our community.

One of the goals we have this year is to continue to expand our outdoor education opportunities across grades. 6th grade will again have monthly outdoor learning activities, and Mr. Nieuwsma will lead weekly experiences in his Creation Keeping class. 7th grade will continue their dunes study and camp experiences, with plans to add new outdoor learning this year. 8th grade will again partner with Camp Roger and deepen their science work around the school pond. We’re also grateful for Mrs. Geuder and Mrs. Rynsberger, who are helping us rewild the land between the pond and the school building, transforming it into a living classroom.

We’re ready and grateful to begin the school year, full of expectation and joy, trusting in the One who makes all things new. As Psalm 16:11 reminds us: “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

We look forward to partnering with you in another wonderful year of growth, faith, and joyful learning.

In Christ,

Tom Strikwerda Principal, HCMS

Get Ready for School!

Orientation day is Monday, August 19  at the middle school.

• 6th graders are invited to join us from 10:00-11:30am 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 (come and go when you’re able) from 12:00-2:30pm. 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 photos, look for your ordering form in the mail. It will have your personalized information on it, and you’ll want to bring that along for your picture. Please note that 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.

Student schedules will be given to students on orientation day, August 18. They will be available online the afternoon of August 11.

Before August 19: We have updated a few of our handbook policies. Please review our Student Handbook and Technology Handbook, and sign the form connected to it, so we can all start the year on the same page and with the same expectations. Updates to the Student Handbook are highlighted in yellow to make changes easier to spot.

Tuesday, August 19: We start school this year with a full day starting at 8am and ending at 2:55pm. Our first week of school will be a Monday/Thursday/Friday schedule day each day  with no block schedule. There will be NO late start on Wednesday, August 20.

Picture Make-up day (if students miss Orientation Day) will be Thursday, September 5; retakes and BOC pictures will be taken Monday, October 7.

 

Middle School Information

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 at kkruithof@hollandchristian.org.

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 8am (8:30am 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.

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.

HCMS Lunch

Prices for MS lunch are $3.50 this year.

August Lunch Menu

Supply List

The supply list for your student’s grade is here. 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 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 7:30-8:15am and 2:45-3:15pm. School doors will be open at 7:30am for students’ arrival and students need to be picked up by 3:20pm. If you have a high school student who drops off your children, please review these policies with them.

DROP OFF/PICK UP MAP

Athletics

MS sports begin on August 19 at 3pm for Boys Football (HC/ZC 7th-8th), Boys Soccer (HC only 7th-8th), Boys Tennis (HC/ZC 6th-8th), Girls Volleyball (HC only 7th-8th) and Girls & Boys Cross Country (HC/ZC 6th-8th). You can find more information about HCMS sports 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!

Batons

Please make sure you bring your baton to your first hour teacher on Orientation Day or the first day of school. Thanks!

Ways to Get Involved

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 Fridays at 8am, plus a social outing or two.  he time commitment is flexible throughout the year with what works with your schedule, although we do hope to have most at each Friday meeting. Contact the front office if you’re interested in volunteering this year!

HCMS Parent Night

Join us for our Middle School Parent Night, which will be held on August 27 6:30-8pm. You’ll receive more information after the school year begins.

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 5, at Providence Church from 8:30-9:30am. Contact Nicole Shook with questions at ncshook@gmail.com.

Important Dates

The full 25-26 school calendar is available here

August

• • 18: Orientation/picture day: 6th grade only: 10:00-11:30; 7th-8th grades: 12:00-2:30 open house
    Start of Fall sports
  • 19: First day of school, full day
  • 20: NO LATE START
  • 22: 6th grade to Camp Beechpoint all day
  • 25: 8th grade Camp Roger (more information to come)
  • 27 : All School Convocation 9am
    Parent Night 6:30-8 PM @ HCMS
  • 29: No school Labor Day Weekend

September

• 1: Labor Day
• 4: Picture make-up day
• 9: 7th grade vision screening
• 24: Walkathon

Dear Parents,

As we approach the end of another school year, I find myself reflecting on life—on growth, on purpose, and on the blessings of our community. When I look at our students, I see so many signs of growth. It has been a great year. Our middle school staff have worked diligently to help our students learn—academically, socially, and spiritually. And yet, I also see the potential for even more: more maturing, more learning, and more becoming the people God has created them to be. The truth is, that’s something we never outgrow. I’m still growing.

This week, many of us are grieving the loss of Dirk Hollebeek. Dirk was not only a former principal of our middle school, but also a dear friend and mentor who shaped me profoundly—both as a teacher and as a person. Dirk lived out our theme of “Seek First” in every season of his life, including the hardest ones.

As we remember Dirk, I’d like to share a portion of his final Facebook post from March 16:

“What I am doing is living.
I am discovering during this time in a new way that when I encounter the day from the framework and mindset of living each day as the gift from God that it is, the clarity allows me to experience it as just that: a gift to be enjoyed regardless of the circumstance…

Choosing to see each day as an opportunity rather than as something to endure has been helpful for my mind, my emotional state and spirit… I don’t get to choose those things in my life, only how I choose to encounter and embrace what I am called to in this life.”

Dirk’s words challenge and inspire me—and I hope they inspire you as well. As we head into summer, may we each take the opportunity to truly live each day, to seek God first, and to help our students continue to grow in grace, wisdom, and love no matter what happens to each of us.

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:33:
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

This summer, may you and your children find time to rest, to grow, and to seek first the One who gives each day as a gift.

With gratitude and hope,
Tom Strikwerda
Principal

Summer at HCMS

Report Cards

Grades will be available on PowerSchool at 8am Wednesday, June 11. Please check in PowerSchool after this time to see the benefits of all your student’s hard work this school year!

Immunizations for 2025-2026 7th Graders

Incoming 7th graders will need to turn in your most recent proof of immunization to the front office by August 1, 2024.  Your primary doctor can print a MICR official immunization record for you to submit, either in-person or electronically. All students MUST be up-to-date on their immunizations BEFORE they start the new school year. Any students without the required immunizations or approved waivers will not be allowed to enter school until they are complete and approved by the State of Michigan. Immunization requirements can be found on our Medical Information and Forms page, or you can also schedule a call/visit with your primary care physician to discuss any immunization needs for your child before the start of the new school year.

Athletics for 2025-2026

Registration is now open for 2025-2026 athletics! All incoming 6th-8th grade students interested in participating on at least one team next year need to sign up for or log into their Final Forms account to register for sports and start planning to get the MHSAA physical requirement completed by their MD/DO/NP/PA for next school year.

Detailed instructions and information can be found on our athletics registration pages.

 

Important Dates

June

3- 8th Grade Service Day (Last Day for 8th graders)
3- 8th Grade Graduation and Party @ 6:00 at HCHS
4- No Late Start – Last day of school; 11:15 dismissal

Looking Ahead

August

1- 7th grade vaccinations due to the front office
18- Orientation Day (more information to come this summer)
19- First day of school
25- 8th Graders to Camp Roger
27- HCMS Parent Night
29- No School; Labor Day Weekend

Dear Middle School Parents,

The second semester is officially underway—despite a snowy start with three snow days last week! As we settle into the rhythm of a new semester, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on your student’s school year so far. If you feel led, consider sending a quick note of appreciation to a teacher who has made a difference in your child’s life.

Speaking of appreciation, February 20 marks Todd Smeenge’s 60th birthday! This would be a great opportunity to celebrate this milestone by sending him an email.

I also want to highlight two exciting things happening at the middle school:

Beauty and the Beast Jr. Production
Students and staff are working hard to bring Beauty and the Beast Jr. to life! This year’s production is a big one, featuring singing, dancing, and a larger cast, so it will take place in the high school auditorium. Many hands are involved in making this show a success:

• Actors (Directed by Meredith Beukelman)
• Set Design Crew (Led by Jenny Geuder)
• Hair, Makeup & Costume Crew (Led by Katie Boer)
• Vocal Coaching (Led by Vickie Crouse)
• High School helpers supporting each of these areas

It’s shaping up to be a fantastic production, and I highly recommend coming to see the show the weekend of February 28!

Small Group Chapels
This month, we’ve shifted our chapel time to small group discussions. Each staff member is leading a group of about 15 students, exploring topics such as:

• What about Faith?
• Worship from Around the World
• Reading and Writing Parables
• God’s Presence in the Hard Times
• Finding Rest in Creation
• Encouraging Others with God’s Word
• Carrying the Torch of the Gospel
• Walk & Wonder

By changing up our routine, we hope to engage students in new ways and encourage meaningful conversations about faith.

Thank you for your continued support—we’re grateful to partner with you in your child’s education!

Blessings,
Tom Strikwerda
Middle School Principal

February at HCMS

8th Grade High School Registration:

Holland Christian High School course registration for incoming 9th graders is due February 14. HCHS’s registrar, Dan Vos, will be available at HCMS on Monday, February 3 during Homeroom to answer any questions students may have.

Parent-Teacher Conferences:

Parent-teacher conferences will be held February 27 from 3:30-6:30pm and March 6  from 5:30-8:30pm. Instructions for conference sign-up will be emailed to you in February. We look forward to meeting with each of you!

From the Parent Board:

• The HCMS Parent Board has a tradition of providing meals for staff during conferences. Look for an announcement in the daily announcements to sign up to help provide food on February 29 and March 7.
• Save the date for the MS Spring Skating Party Tuesday, March 4 6-8:30pm at RollXScape. More details to come in the daily announcements.

MS Play

The Middle School Theater Department is excited to present Beauty & the Beast Jr.! Performances will be Friday, February 28 at 7pm and Saturday, March 1 at 2pm and 7pm at the HCHS Auditorium. Tickets will be available on the HC website starting Monday, February 3.

Important Dates

February

• 14: No school: Staff PD
• 17: No school: Presidents Day
• 27: Parent-Teacher Conferences 3:30-6:30pm
• 28: MS Play 7pm @ HCHS

March

• 1: MS Play 2pm, 7pm @ HCHS Auditorium
• 5: MSBOA 7th/8th Band Festival
• 6: MSBOA 7th (AM) and 8th (PM) Orchestra Festival & Parent Teacher Conferences 5:30-8:30pm
• 7: Swingin’ the Night Away 6:45pm @ HCHS Cafeteria
• 20: 8th grade PSAT (½ day for 8th grade only)
• 21: End of Q3
• 24: Begin Q4

Community Opportunities

The below list of organizations are not affiliated with Holland Christian Schools but have requested the sharing of these community opportunities.

Hope College Family Math Fun Festival:

Hope College is hosting a Family Math Fun Festival on Saturday, March 8, 10 am – 12 pm on campus that is free and open to families with children in grades K-8. The festival features a wide variety of interactive low-floor, high-ceiling tasks that will engage families in creative problem solving that won’t even feel like mathematics! We’ll also be giving away goody bags to all participants with math games and other school supplies. See flyer for more information.

Holland Junior Police Academy:

JPA is a free, 3-week summer program hosted by the Holland Department of Public Safety and is designed to teach students about First Responders (Police, Fire, and Medical), as well as develop teamwork and leadership skills. This summer JPA will run from July 14-July 31 each day, Monday through Thursday, from 8am to 1pm. Students are eligible if they will be entering 7th or 8th grade. You can learn more about the program and apply here.

Dear Middle School Parents,

The second semester is officially underway—despite a snowy start with three snow days last week! As we settle into the rhythm of a new semester, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on your student’s school year so far. If you feel led, consider sending a quick note of appreciation to a teacher who has made a difference in your child’s life.

Speaking of appreciation, February 20 marks Todd Smeenge’s 60th birthday! This would be a great opportunity to celebrate this milestone by sending him an email at tsmeenge@hollandchristian.org.

I also want to highlight two exciting things happening at the middle school:

Beauty and the Beast Jr. Production
Students and staff are working hard to bring Beauty and the Beast Jr. to life! This year’s production is a big one, featuring singing, dancing, and a larger cast, so it will take place in the high school auditorium. Many hands are involved in making this show a success:

• Actors (Directed by Meredith Beukelman)
• Set Design Crew (Led by Jenny Geuder)
• Hair, Makeup & Costume Crew (Led by Katie Boer)
• Vocal Coaching (Led by Vickie Crouse)
• High School Helpers supporting each of these areas

It’s shaping up to be a fantastic production, and I highly recommend coming to see the show the weekend of February 28!

Small Group Chapels
This month, we’ve shifted our chapel time to small group discussions. Each staff member is leading a group of about 15 students, exploring topics such as:

• What About Faith?
• Worship from Around the World
• Reading and Writing Parables
• God’s Presence in the Hard Times
• Finding Rest in Creation
• Encouraging Others with God’s Word
• Carrying the Torch of the Gospel
• Walk & Wonder

By changing up our routine, we hope to engage students in new ways and encourage meaningful conversations about faith.

Thank you for your continued support—we’re grateful to partner with you in your child’s education!

Blessings,
Tom Strikwerda
Middle School Principal

February at HCMS

8th Grade HS Registration:

High School Course Registration for incoming 9th graders is due February 14. Our registrar, Dan Vos, will be available at the middle school on February 3 during Homeroom to answer any questions students may have.

Parent Teacher Conferences:

Parent Teacher conferences will be held February 27 from 3:30-6:30 and March 6  from 5:30-8:30. Instructions for conference sign-up will be emailed to you in February. We look forward to meeting with each of you!

From the Parent Board:

The Parent board has a tradition of providing meals for staff during conferences. Look for an announcement in the daily announcements to sign up to help provide food on February 29 and March 7.

Save the Date for the MS Spring Skating Party- March 4 6-8:30 PM at RollXScape. More details to come in the daily announcements.

MS Play

The Middle School Theater department is excited to present Beauty & the Beast JR.

Performances will be Friday, February 28 at 7:00 PM and March 1 at 2:00 and 7:00 PM. All performances will be at the HCHS auditorium. Tickets will be available on the HC website on February 3.

TRIP Program:

Are you getting the most help you can for paying your tuition?  The TRIP program is designed to help you pay tuition without extra cost to you.  Have you checked it out lately?  There are so many instant and electronic opportunities now available that make it easier, more convenient, and comfortable to use!  Take a quick look at it and see how easy it’s become.  Give it a try and see if it doesn’t lighten your financial load.  Help is always just a quick question away.  We love to help you make it work for your family! You can find out more information by going to our webpage.

 

Important Dates

February

14: No School- Staff PD

17: No School

27: Parent Teacher Conferences 3:30-6:30

28: MS Play 7:00 @ HCHS

March

1: MS Play 2:00 and 7:00 @ HCHS

5: MSBOA 7th/8th Band Festival AM

6: MSBOA 7th (AM) and 8th (PM) Orchestra Festival

Parent Teacher Conferences 5:30-8:30

7: Swingin the Night Away 6:45 PM @ HCHS

20: 8th Grade PSAT (½ day for 8th grade only)

21: End of Q3

24: Begin Q4

Community Opportunities

The below list of organizations are not affiliated with Holland Christian Schools but have requested the sharing of these community opportunities.

Hope College Family Math Fun Festival:

Hope College is hosting a Family Math Fun Festival on Saturday, March 8, 10 am – 12 pm on campus that is free and open to families with children in Grades K-8. Our festival features a wide variety of interactive low-floor, high-ceiling tasks that will engage families in creative problem solving that won’t even feel like mathematics! We’ll also be giving away goody bags to all participants with math games and other school supplies. See flyer for more information.

Holland Junior Police Academy:

JPA is a free, 3 week summer program hosted by the Holland Department of Public Safety and is designed to teach students about First Responders (Police, Fire, and Medical), as well as develop teamwork and leadership skills. This summer JPA will run from July 14th to July 31st. We meet each day, Monday through Thursday, from 8am to 1pm. Students are eligible if they will be entering 7th or 8th grade. You can learn more about the program and apply here.

Dear Parents,

First, I want to thank all of you who attended our Parent University on October 29. We had a wonderful turnout, and it was a meaningful time of discussion and learning. During the meeting, we distributed copies of Anxious Generation, a book that examines how digital technology and social media are affecting our children’s mental health. After reviewing the data, it’s clear that the rise in social media use is contributing to a number of challenges for our students.

We also shared some concerning data from Jonathan Haidt’s research. Here’s a graph that illustrates the trends over the past two decades:

• The red line shows the percentage of adolescents reporting anxiety or depression from 2005 to 2023.
• The blue dashed line represents the average daily hours of social media use during the same period.As you can see, there is a noticeable correlation between the increase in social media usage and the rise in mental health challenges among young people. This highlights the importance of being proactive in how we guide our children through the digital world.

In today’s world, social media is a significant part of our children’s lives. While it provides opportunities to connect, learn, and share, it also brings risks like cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and unhealthy screen time habits. As your partners in guiding our children toward healthy and God-honoring choices, we want to equip you with some tools to help manage their social media use in a way that supports their well-being.

Depending on the type of phone your child has, there may already be parental restrictions you can activate and monitor content and time use. In addition, here are a few apps that align with our values and can help you monitor and manage your child’s digital activity:

• Bark: Sends alerts for potentially harmful content while respecting your child’s privacy.
• Canopy: Filters inappropriate content in real-time and blocks harmful material, like sexting.
• Net Nanny: Provides robust web content filtering and screen time management.
• OurPact: Simplifies app blocking and sets screen time schedules.

Each of these apps can help you promote healthy habits, stay aware of potential risks, and establish boundaries that reflect the biblical principles of accountability and stewardship.

Biblical Guidance:

• Proverbs 4:7 – “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it costs all you have, get understanding.”
  This reminds us to prioritize wisdom in all areas of life, including how we guide our children through the digital world.
• 1 Corinthians 10:23 – “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.”
  This verse encourages us to consider whether the things we engage with, including social media, are truly beneficial for us and our families.
• Proverbs 22:6 – “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
  By helping our children develop healthy habits now, we are setting them on a path of wisdom that will serve them throughout their lives.

Bonus Tip:
Take time to regularly talk with your child about why these tools are in place or why, as a family, you’ve chosen not to have a cell phone for your middle schooler. Open and honest conversations help them understand that these decisions come from a place of love, wisdom, and care, not from restriction. By fostering this understanding, we help them grow in wisdom and discernment as they navigate the online world.

I pray that each of you enjoys a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving, surrounded by family, friends, and gratitude for all the good gifts God has given us.

In His Service,
Tom Strikwerda
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:

Did you know that in Ottawa County alone, 32,000 people, roughly 10% of the population experiences food insecurity? Thank you for contributing to our “Food Fight” food drive for Community Action House. We are waiting on our official totals, but we want to thank you for helping and encouraging your child to reach out in love of our community in this way! We are directly called to feed and care for the hungry. Thank you for your servant hearts and generosity to this important cause!

Ski Club:

Ski Club kicks off on December 13! 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. Ski Club will run as often as possible, weather permitting.

Mark your calendars for the following ski club dates:

• Jan. 10 and 24
• Feb. 7 and 21
• March 7

Save the Date:

Monday, January 27 from 6:30-8:30pm

Attention All Middle School Students and Parents!

That’s right—all middle school students in grades 6-8 and their parents are invited to our annual Holland Christian High School Showcase. Come and meet our fantastic teachers, athletic coaches, music conductors, and theater directors, and visit your future classrooms to capture a picture of what a high school experience at HC could look like for you at our high school.

Band/Orchestra Concert:

The HCMS Band and Orchestra Christmas Concerts are on Tuesday, December 3 in the Holland Christian High School Auditorium. The 6th grade orchestra, 6th grade band, and 7th grade orchestra are performing at 6pm and the 8th grade orchestra and 7th/8th grade band are performing at 7:30pm. 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.

Choir Concert:

The middle school choir concert is Thursday, December 5 at 7pm at the HCHS auditorium. The 6th, 7th and 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 sheet that will come out next week with call times and 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 December 19. Please sign up below if you’re willing to help!

• Cash donations: We will have a Christmas chest in the MS office to collect donations.
• Make a Digital Payment
• I can bring food!
• I can supervise lunch while teachers eat!

Upcoming Events

December:

3: HCMS Band & Orchestra concerts
5: HCMS Choir concert
23: Beginning of Christmas Break

January:

6: School resumes
15: End of Q2/S1
20: No school MLK Jr. Day
27: HCHS Showcase