Parent Note: Parent Note – October 2, 2023

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

 Every other Monday, our staff gathers together for a time of devotions, prayer, and to review general school matters. Each time we meet, time is dedicated to HCS celebrations – shouting out exemplary moments in the life of Highland Christian School. Some of these celebrations highlight students who have showcased tremendous growth, staff that made a tremendous impact on others, and sightings where the vision and mission of HCS is advanced. 

 As we enter our seventh week of the school year, here are my top seven HCS celebrations:

1.        Great transitions for our new students joining HCS

2.        Hosting 90+ pastors at our special Pastors’ Chapel last Friday. (An all-time record!)

3.        Improved attendance throughout the building

4.        The addition of phenomenal teachers, support staff, bus drivers, substitute teachers, and a new School Safety Officer. 

5.        An increase in service opportunities for students, staff, and parents through our Saturday Serve initiative. (Next Service Day – October 28: more information coming next week!)

6.        The blessing of a brand new building with incredible financial support from constituents 

7.        A focus on a Biblically-based education, which in turn is advancing our vision to academically equip, Biblically ground, and spiritually nurture to impact the world for Christ. 

 Thank you for playing an important role in making Highland Christian a terrific place to learn and grow. Because of your partnership, HCS continues to be a beacon to our community and light to the students and families we serve!

SCHOOL NEWS

 This Wednesday, Oct. 4 is a late start day.

 This Friday, Oct. 6 is Preview Day at HCS. Preview SEC from 10:00-11:00 a.m. and HCS from 1:30-3:00 p.m. If you know of any family who is interested in learning more about HCS, please have them contact the office to reserve their spot.  During this event, they will see classrooms in action, tour our campus and learn more about the exciting journey that awaits their child at Highland Christian School.

Highland Christian School’s Application Portal is now open for 2024-2025!  If you have a younger child who will be starting at Highland Christian School next year, apply now!  As we do anticipate full enrollment, we encourage you to apply early!  Seats are being held for all currently enrolled students.  Re-enrollment will open in February after the budget is set.  In the mean-time, you can register for Preschool, sign up for Kindergarten Readiness, and start sibling applications online today!

Grandparent invitations were mailed at the end of last week. If your child’s grandparents did not receive one, please extend an invitation to them. Here is the schedule for Grandparents’ Day, Oct. 13:

10:15 – Gym & 6th Grade doors open

11:00-12:15 -K-5 Program (Gym)

12:30-1:30 -K-8 Classroom Visits

1:45 – Students are dismissed

If your child is going home with their grandparent, please make sure to let their teacher and bus driver know.

Volunteers are needed on Grandparents’ Day, Friday, Oct. 13 to welcome our guests, direct traffic in the hallways, etc.  Many hands make light work.  If you are willing to help from 10:00ish to 1:15, please contact Gail Achterhof at [email protected]  Adults only please.  No younger siblings, thanks.

The K-8 Grandparents’ Day team is also looking for volunteers to help with parking lot duty from 9:30ish – 11:15.  We need help in the school parking lot and in the New Life Church parking lot.  If you’d like to help, please contact Gail Achterhof at [email protected] . Additionally, HCS is looking to borrow a golf cart to transport grandparents with mobility needs. If you have one that you’re willing to let HCS borrow for the day, please contact Kyle Weener. Furthermore, the school is considering purchasing a golf cart for such needs. If you would like to sell or donate your golf cart, please reach out to Kyle Weener. Thank you!

October Building on the Foundation Opportunity: Mrs. Suzanne Perez hosts a Harvest Festival in Hammond each year on Halloween.  Instead of giving out candy, Mrs. Perez and her family hand out Bibles, devotionals and children’s Bible story books.  They also give anyone an opportunity to pray with them.  Last year, school families participated in the Harvest Festival by donating books to be handed out by Mrs. Perez. This is an excellent opportunity to build on God’s foundation by using books as the tools to further His kingdom.  If you have any gently used Bibles, devotionals, or children Bible story books that you are no longer using, and are willing to donate to this event, please bring them to the school library. Thank you for supporting this “Building on the Foundation” event.

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].

etc..Department Sort Nights: Tonight it’s the Elementary Dept. Night!! The profits from the sales of clothing, furniture, books and miscellaneous items go to the HCS Foundation.  Etc…Thrift Store 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.

Strack & Van Til’s Apples for the Students program is underway! HCS is participating in our local Strack & Van Til’s Apples for the Students Program to earn computers and iPads, sporting goods, audio visual equipment, and science supplies, with choices from hundreds of other awards, too! To earn these FREE awards we simply have to collect as many register receipts as possible dated between September 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024 from shopping at any Strack & Van Tils, including VanTils in Hammond.  Ask your friends and relatives to shop at Strack & Van Til Food Market and save every receipt. Send the receipts to school with your student as often as possible. The school will count the value of the register tapes collected and redeem them for great educational awards that benefit your child. Thank you in advance for your participation!

The HCS Lost and Not Found rack is out of hangers. If you have hangers that you’re not using, please send them to the office. Thanks!

PTO NEWS

Penny Wars is this week!! Support PTO by bringing in all your extra change. The competition is by grade level and the winning grade will receive a “Ping Pong and Popsicle Party!” The jugs are located outside the art room in the hallway.

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

Interested in joining PTO? There is an open position for Vice President. Please email [email protected] for more information.

ATHLETIC NEWS

Thursday, Oct. 5 –               A Soccer 1^st Round of League Tournament – HOME – 4:00

                                             8^th Volleyball 1^st Round of League Tournament – TBD

Friday, Oct. 6 –                    A Soccer Semi-Finals at Paarlburg Park – 5:00

Saturday, Oct. 7 –             A Soccer Championship Game at Paarlburg Park – 10:30

                                             8^th Volleyball Semi-Finals and Championship Games – TBD

Monday, Oct. 9 –             Cross Country Meet at Illiana – 4:00 start

TRIP NEWS

The holidays are coming up fast!  There will be higher bonus rebates on many retailers before Thanksgiving through Christmas.  Are you signed up for online scrip ordering through the RaiseRight app?  Online ordering is available 24/7.  Contact Ann Lynch at [email protected] for more information.

TRIP orders (paper and online) are due this Thurs., Oct. 5th by 10 a.m.  TRIP will be accepting physical gift card orders on Oct. 12, **Tues., Oct 17, 26, Nov. 2, 9, 16 and 30.  

Team C (Jamie Vander Meyden, Annie Bouquet, Janell Eriks, Kelli Long) will be putting the TRIP orders together on Tues., Oct. 3rd.  Orders will be ready for pick up in the school office on Tuesday by 2:45 p.m.

TRIP Teams for Stuffing Orders:  Team D – Oct. 10; Team A – Oct. 17; Team B – Oct. 24; Team C – Oct. 31

COMMUNITY NEWS

Trinity Christian College is hosting contemporary Christian and worship band Vertical Worship live in concert on Saturday, October 21 as part of their annual Fall Fest weekend. Tickets are general admission and can be purchased online for $20-$25 with a special VIP section that includes early entry, preferred seating, and artist Q&A. Groups of 10+ can save $5 per ticket by using the code GROUP15 at checkout.