Parent Note: Parent Note – September 25, 2023

New SafeVisitor Procedure: Community involvement is essential to the culture, vision, and mission of Highland Christian School. We truly appreciate the impact parents, guardians, grandparents, pastors, etc. make when they are in the building.  We encourage continued involvement! However, as part of our ongoing school security program, Highland Christian School will be implementing new visitor policies and procedures, effective Monday, October 2, 2023.

Based on best practices, recommendations in our accreditation process, and common sense, HCS will be increasing measures to ensure the safety of our learning community.  As of October 2, 2023, Highland Christian School will 

1. Require all visitors to enter and exit through the main office. 
2. When coming into HCS, all visitors (including volunteers) must provide government issued identification (Drivers License, State ID, Passport, etc.). This will be scanned into our SafeVisitors system. 
3. Upon approval, visitors will be issued a name badge. This should be worn for the duration of the visit. 
4. When your visit is complete, you will need to check out at the front office. 

It is important to note that parents may walk their child to the front door, but children will need to walk on their own to their class. If a SEC parent needs to walk their child inside, they will be required to provide ID and follow the visitors policy.

If you need to drop off forgotten lunches, water bottles, etc. there will be grade level cubby shelving in between the front double doors. Parents may leave their child’s item there and the office team will notify the teacher so the student can retrieve it. Please note that if items remain overnight, they will be placed in lost & found – located next to the gym.

Thank you for your cooperation as we work to make HCS a safe and secure learning environment for all.

SCHOOL NEWS

Tomorrow is Picture Day at HCS.  Like last year, Interstate Studio is requesting that parents order online at Flyer Entry – Shop (inter-state.com).  This event’s Order Code is 79156MT. Online ordering is available before and after Picture Day. Shipping and handling charges may apply to orders placed after Picture Day. Picture re-take day is Oct. 31.

See You at the Pole is this Wednesday, September 27 at 7:45 am.  Please join us at the flagpole as we lift up our school, students, staff, communities, churches, state, and country in prayer. The theme for this year is Wholehearted – Jeremiah 29:13 “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”

We have some eggciting news!  HCS will be selling eggs from our very own Fort Peep.  You can purchase them from the main office at school.  The eggs are $5 for a 1/2 dozen.  All proceeds will be donated to the organization Phil’s Friends when the 5th graders serve there on Impact Day in May.  

For the 2023-2024 school year, parents have the opportunity to apply for a Foundation gift. More information can be found in this parent memo, which was distributed in August. Those that would benefit from this resource must complete the appropriate form by Friday, September 29, 2023.

On Friday, November 10, at 8:45, we will honor our veterans in our Veterans Day Assembly.  We would like to invite and recognize our HCS community veterans.  If you are a veteran or have one in your family who would like to attend, we need you fill out the form accessed by CLICKING THIS LINK: https://forms.gle/vCZ1PrfcH9Qctbqk7

If you would rather email the information, please list the following information: Branch of Service, Theater of Service, Years of Service, in an email to [email protected].

HCS Moms’ Prayer meets in the conference room each Friday morning at 8:30. All moms, grandmas, friends are invited. Stop by the office for a visitor’s badge. Toddlers are also welcome. 

PTO NEWS

Start saving all your coins and bills! The Penny Wars fundraiser for PTO starts next week Oct 2-6. The winning grade level will receive a Ping-Pong and Popscicle Party! 

Janitor Appreciation Day is on Monday October 2nd! Let’s show Glen, Jeff, Sandy, and Nate how much we appreciate all the hard work they do around the school! 

We still have open positions on PTO! If you are interested in joining or just want more information please email PTO at [email protected]

Etc…THRIFT STORE

The profits from the sales of clothing, furniture, books and miscellaneous items go to the HCS Foundation.  etc has been supporting the school for over 10 years and has been able to give over two million dollars to HCS over the past decade .  As a school family we can support etc through donations (you may drop items off at the store or in the trailer in the school’s parking lot) or by sorting clothing.  There are three opportunities to sort clothing. Each grade department has a turn – Jr High – September 18th, Elementary – October 2^nd, and Primary – October 9th.  As parents, you may join us from 5-7 on these dates, get to know each other a little better and support our school. A flyer will go home with your students when your opportunity arrives.

ATHLETIC NEWS

Monday, Sept. 25 –     Cross Country League Championship Meet @ Trinity – 4:00 start

Tuesday, Sept. 26 –     B soccer vs. Lansing – AWAY – 4:00

                                 7^th & 8^th volleyball vs. Lansing – AWAY – 4:00, 5:00

Thursday, Sept. 28 –   A soccer vs. Oak Lawn – AWAY – 4:00

                                 7^th & 8^th volleyball vs. Oak Lawn – AWAY – 4:00, 5:00

Saturday, Sept. 30 –    B Soccer Tournament at Crown Point – TBA

                                 7^th Girls Volleyball Tournament at Calvary Academy – TBA

TRIP NEWS

TRIP’s first quarterly tuition credits will appear on your November tuition statement.  Please note:  October online scrip purchases and bonus rebates will not be posted to your TRIP account until Nov. 6^th.  Those earnings will be reflected on your Feb. 2024 tuition statement.  If you have any questions contact Ann Lynch at [email protected] .

TRIP orders (paper and online) are due this Thurs., Sept. 28th by 10 a.m.  TRIP will be accepting physical gift card orders on Oct. 5, 12, **Tues., Oct 17, 26, Nov. 2, 9 and 16.  RaiseRight scrip ordering for an escrip and/or a reload card is available 24/7. Contact Ann Lynch for more information.

Team B (Amy Jellema, Olivia Ridder, Jamie Paul, Karen Christoffels) will be putting the TRIP orders together on Tues., Sept. 26th.  Orders will be ready for pick up in the school office on Tuesday by 2:45 p.m.

TRIP Teams for Stuffing Orders:  Team C – Oct. 3; Team D – Oct. 10; Team A – Oct. 17; Team B – Oct. 24

COMMUNITY NEWS

AWANA Bible Club has started at Mission Bible Church, 3010 41st St. in Highland. Every Wednesday 6:30-8pm. 2year olds (by August 1st) – 5th grade.  Mission Bible Church | Awana (missionchurchnwi.com)

Run for Refugees 5K Fundraiser. October 28th, 9am, Living Word Church in Lansing. Run for Refugees 5K (runsignup.com)

Impact Run 5K for Cedar Lake Ministries on November 18th, 12noon. 2023 — 5K Impact Run/Walk — Race Roster — Registration, Marketing, Fundraising