Dear HCHS Community,
Welcome to October and to the fall season! It’s time to break out the flannel, vest, and jeans and crack open a pumpkin spice latte because the cozy months are heading our way. This time of the year always brings to mind some of my favorite childhood memories—corn mazes, apple-picking, Reformation Day 5Ks, hot cider, and the soft sound of rain hitting the roof. In the life of the school, this month also brings with it the culminating performances of our student athletes, musicians, thespians, and academics, and we are so thankful for the auspicious start that our students have had in taking small, diligent steps toward equipping their minds and nurturing their hearts to transform the world for Jesus Christ.
As a Minnesotan who experienced consistent sub-zero temperatures each year, I sometimes saw fall and winter as periods I simply had to endure until spring came. I would awake at five o’clock in the morning to warm up my car, be at school for weightlifting at six, attend a full-day of school, go to basketball practice, and arrive home after sunset. Sunshine was a gift not to be wasted on the weekends. Today, I view this time as an invaluable stage of the year for slow and steady transformation to take place as we seek to form resilient followers of Jesus.
During the grade 9 retreat at Camp Geneva, we shared with students the beauty of Jesus’ life and the invitation he made to us to participate in his Kingdom of God right now. Core to this invitation was Jesus’ call for us to love God and our neighbor, and while we know this command to be true and good, disciples of Jesus for millennia have realized the need for training their heart, soul, mind, and strength in order to put it into practice.
In Dante’s Purgatorio, written in 1321 A.D., he captured this medieval church understanding that ridding oneself of sinful tendencies, like pride, envy, or wrath, took effort. In Dante’s fictional world, if envy were a problem, maybe you would lose your sight for a few hundred years until you lost the desire for your neighbor’s possessions; if wrath were an issue, then you might need to learn meekness by walking through a dark cloud and depending on others to guide you through it. As members of the protestant tradition, we do not subscribe to the existence of purgatory; however, as Dr. Willard pointed out, “Grace is not opposed to effort. It’s opposed to earning.” Jesus paid it all, and in response to this incredible reality, we have the gift of being with Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and doing as he did while daily surrendering our kingdoms for his Kingdom.
This past summer I had a chance to read Jonathan Haidt’s latest book, The Anxious Generation, and after reading and seeing the evidence presented within it, it became clear that if we are to pursue our mission of equipping minds and nurturing our hearts, we should pay attention to how the tools students use each day are shaping the minds and hearts of our students. Given the staggering ties between increased smartphone usage and the academic and mental health decline in young people, Haidt recommends that parents not give smartphones to their children before high school and delay access to social media for as long as possible, but at least not before age 16. As partners in the education and formation of your children, we thank you for your continued support of our personal technology initiatives and gently leave Haidt’s recommendation with you for your consideration. Ultimately, our hope is that your children can have “life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10), and this counter-cultural recommendation might just be a helpful step for this generation to amplify God’s desire for them over their own.
As we move further into this school year, we are reminded of the unique opportunity we have to shape hearts and minds in ways that align with the life and teachings of Jesus, and we are grateful for your partnership in this journey. Together, let’s continue to equip our students to live abundantly in Jesus, cultivate their love for God and others, and transform the world for His Kingdom.
With Thanks,
Miles Colago, HS Principal
Urgent reminder: Senior Pictures!
Senior pictures were due September 23. Please email any late senior photos asap to footprints@hollandchristian.org. If you still have questions view the Senior picture guidelines & FAQs.
Parking Permit
All students who drive to school are required to display a parking permit on their vehicle. They are available in the office at no charge.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences are in person and are scheduled for Thursday, October 3 from 5:30-8:30pm and Thursday, October 10 from 3:30-6:30pm. You should have received an email with instructions on how to register for conferences starting on September 23, and you can also find that information in the general newsletter introducing this high school newsletter. If you have questions regarding sign-up, please call the main office.
Picture Retakes
Picture retakes are Friday, October 11. If you have not taken a photo yet, please plan to do so. If you are unhappy with your school photo just return the package you purchased and a new photo will be taken.
High School Daily Announcements
Announcements are also posted daily on the website.
Attendance Reminder
All students need to sign in or out at the office when coming and going throughout the school day. Parents should notify the office ahead of time by phone at 616.820.2905, email kvaneerden@hollandchristian.org, or send a parent-written or doctor’s note upon arrival. Thank you for helping to keep all of our students safe and accounted for during our school day!
Food Services
Please be mindful of negative balances on your hot lunch account. We no longer allow students to purchase any ala carte items, (including an extra slice of pizza) if their balance is negative. Students may pay for ala carte items with cash or make a deposit at Family Portal We appreciate you keeping your balances in the positive!
Questions? Please email Sue Lambers
Athletics Department
Winter Sports Tryouts
Scheduling/cancellations and game information can be found on the Athletics website.
Physicals
All athletes need an approved pre-participation physical form dated after 4/15/2024 on file in the Athletic Office and a completed registration on Final Forms. See the Athletics Registration page for complete details.
Counselors Corner
Senior Meetings
We are currently meeting individually with each senior to make sure they have what they need to make decisions regarding next steps after high school. We are encouraging college-bound seniors to get their applications submitted by early November to have the best opportunities for scholarships and financial aid. We also assist non-college-bound seniors with career exploration, vocational opportunities, and job search skills.
Scholarships
Throughout the school year, various scholarship opportunities will be posted online through the Counseling Department. A listing of outside scholarships, both regional and national, is updated as we receive notices of scholarships. The Community Foundation of Holland/Zeeland has a variety of scholarship opportunities for HC students. The CFHZ scholarship application opens in early December. Internal HC scholarships for full-time HC students are also available, and will be shared with students in late January. Check the Scholarship portion of the Counseling Page for more information.
College Visits, Fairs & Activities
The counseling department website has a complete listing of colleges visiting HCHS. College representative visits are also listed in the daily announcements.
Meeting with Juniors
We will be meeting with all juniors to talk about steps to take to prepare for both senior year and life after high school. We will also be offering the opportunity for parents to join with their student and his/her counselor for a junior + parent check-in meeting. Some of the information covered in the junior + parent meeting includes taking the ACT/SAT, preparing for senior year, and discussing future plans. Since this is an important and transitional time in your student’s life and you may have questions, too, we want to provide the option for parents to sit in on this meeting. Watch for more information to come about these meetings.
Testing Information
This year AP exam registration and payment will be done in the fall by Nov. 12, 2024. It is a two-step process, so be sure to complete both steps to register to take an AP test:
Step 1: Register and pay for the test through Total Registration.
Step 2: Join your teacher’s AP Classroom and indicate you are interested in taking the AP test (many students have already done this with their teacher in class).
Both steps need to be completed by Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, at 11:59pm. The cost of each exam is $105, which can be paid online or by check. If you have questions contact Alison Silva, asilva@hollandchristian.org, in the High School office.
Festival of Fine Arts
Celebrate Holland Christian High School’s Festival of Fine Arts! From student drawings and paintings to movie music, choral anthems, and the deep sounds of the tuba, prepare to enjoy a rich diversity of the arts:
- HS Bands & Orchestra Concert: Tuesday, November 5 at 7:30pm in the HS Auditorium.
- HS Choir Concert: Thursday, November 7 at 7:30pm in the HS Auditorium
- Swingin’ the Night Away: Friday, November 8, 6:45-9pm in the HCHS cafeteria.
- The Fall Art Exhibition will be on display on Main Street November 4-8.
Swingin’ The Night Away
The Holland Christian Jazz Bands and the Old Timer’s Jazz Band are proud to present “Swingin’ the Night Away” in the HCHS cafeteria Friday, November 8, from 6:45 to 9 pm. Admission is $5, to support the HCHS music program. Dance (or not), socialize, eat desserts, and enjoy the music of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington and more!
Singin’ in the Rain Musical Performance Dates
This fall, Holland Christian Theater is producing Singing in the Rain! In the glittering Hollywood of 1927, silent movie star Don Lockwood appears to be on top of the world. His charisma and intense on-screen chemistry with his gorgeous co-star, Lina Lamont, has made them both household names, as well as one of the tabloids’ favorite couples. However, the arrival of The Jazz Singer, the first “talking picture” of the ’20s, threatens to upset everything. Don can dance and sing, but Lina … well, Lina is a silent movie star for a reason. As the studio struggles to adapt to the new “talkies,” Don meets Kathy Seldon, a feisty young actress who may prove to be their salvation – as well as possibly the first person who sees beyond his fame and likes him for the person he really is. But Lina is as possessive as she is pretty, and her jealousy just might doom everyone. Anchored by witty dialogue, catchy songs, and playful choreography, Singin’ in the Rain is a joyful American classic and a comedic adventure for the whole family. Shows will be held at 7pm on November 21, 22, and 23, with an additional matinee at 2pm on the 23rd. Tickets available soon!
Important Dates
Holland Christian Schools 2024-25 Calendar
October
- 3: Parent/Teacher conferences (5:30-8:30pm)
- 5: Tuition Grant Fund Auction & Dinner 6-9:30pm
- 10: Parent/Teacher conferences (3:30-6:30pm)
- 11: Picture retakes at HS
- 23: No school, staff development
- 24 & 25: CEA staff development (No school)
- 23 – 25: All Tech Center students must attend Tech Center
November
- 5: High School Bands & Orchestra Concert, 7:30pm
- 7: High School Choir Concert, 7:30pm
- 8: Swingin’ The Night Away, 6:45pm
- 11: Veteran’s Day assembly, 9:30am
- 21, 22, 23: Fall Musical, Singing in the Rain
- 27, 28, 29: Thanksgiving vacation, No school
