Parent Note: Parent Note – February 6, 2023

Called to Be a Blessing

Matthew 5:3-12

Home > Parent Notes > Parent Note – February 6, 2023

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Over the past 10 years, many Indiana residents have experienced the benefits of the Indiana Choice Scholarship. During this season, the program was developed, implemented, and substantially enhanced. Because of an elected government that supports school choice, roughly 70% of HCS is eligible for this financial resource. 

Over the past decade, Highland Christian has served as a leader in the realm of non-public education in Indiana. For a majority of the past decade, Highland Christian has represented Christian schools on the Indiana Non-Public Educators Association (INPEA) Board. 

Later this week, I will have the opportunity to meet with the Secretary of Education, Dr. Katie Jenner, and a few state representatives. Alongside a few other non-public school leaders, we will be discussing the needs of non-public schools and advocating for the following matters:

  1. Independence from State Regulations
  2. Expansion of the Choice Scholarship

a.       Eliminating Pathways

b.       Increasing Funding for Eligible Students

c.        (Potentially) Implementing Universal Vouchers for ALL Students (regardless of income)

  1. Improving Language and Practices in Current Educational Policies 

As a parent or community member, we need your help. Later this spring, we will be providing opportunities to contact your representatives to advocate for such changes. This is important, as the adoption of these topics will provide further access to Christian Education and better assist Highland Christian in achieving our vision to academically equip, Biblically ground, and spiritually nurture to impact the world for Christ. 

Lastly, as our enrollment season is well underway, it is important that families complete their re-enrollment as soon as possible. While the deadline is not until the end of March, completing this process on OnCampus is greatly appreciated! As HCS has made a move to a continuous enrollment process, only one parent is required to complete the appropriate documentation. As always, it is a pleasure to serve your family and the HCS community. We are truly blessed!

SCHOOL NEWS

The all-school skating party is next Thursday, Feb. 16 from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. at Lynwood Sports Center, 2030 Glenwood-Dyer Road, Lynwood, IL.  Admission is $3.50 and skates are available for $3.00.  Parents and siblings are invited to join the HCS students for a fun-filled evening!

Kindergarten Readiness Day for the 2023/2024 school year is scheduled for Wednesday, March 8. If you have a kindergarten child for next year, you may register online at www.highlandchristian.org using the admissions drop-down tab or contact the school office. Your child’s scheduled time will be sent to you along with other information by the end of February.

Registration is now open for Girls on the Run! 3rd- 5th grade girls may register at gotrofnwi.org

Practices are every Monday and Wednesday beginning Mon, Feb 27 3:10-4pm.

The 5K event is on Saturday, May 13th. Contact Amber Powell if you have any questions at [email protected] or call/text 219-808-3138. Space is limited please register asap to make sure you claim your daughter’s spot!  

FAMILY LEGACY FUNDS

This fall, HCS was the recipient of a significant tax credit. Some of these resources were used to start a Family Legacy Fund Matching Gift Program.  Have you heard about these?  Family Legacy Funds create ongoing revenue streams for special interest areas.  Through this matching gift program, families who initiate a new fund will receive a $5,000 match!  

Invested in a conservative portfolio, these begin to pay out when the balance exceeds $10K.  At the conclusion of every year, an annual distribution is made to the area designated by the donor. This could be tuition assistance, capital improvements, music, special education needs, athletics, etc. If you would like to start a family legacy fund and be a recipient of this $5,000 gift (match), please email Jodi Lineburg at [email protected]

MUSIC NEWS

Congratulations to the following students who represented HCS at the ISSMA Competition on Sat., Jan. 28 – great job students!

Arend van Belle Tenor Saxophone Solo Group IV – Gold

Cody DeBoer Trumpet Solo Group V – Gold

Ian Hadley Trumpet Solo Group V – Gold

Rashawn Johnson Snare Drum Solo Group II – Gold

Myles Miller Alto Saxophone Solo Group III – Gold

PTO NEWS

PTO wants to give a special shout-out to Mrs. Huizenga and her middle school helpers for partnering with us to make the Fun Fair a huge success! The turnout was more than expected and we hope all of the kids had a blast playing games and earning prizes. Thank you to all our volunteers and everyone who pitched in to make this event possible!

Congrats to Charlotte DeBoer for winning the Guess the Sharks game! There were 595 sharks in the jar and Charlotte guessed 600. Enjoy all those gummy sharks, Charlotte!

Save the Date! Family Dodgeball Night for 6th-8th grade is on March 3rd from 6:30-8pm. Please email RSVP to [email protected] or return the bottom portion of the flyer by February 22nd. 

Counselor Appreciation week is this week! Show the school counselors your appreciation with a handwritten note or “thank you.”

ETC NEWS

Parent Sort Nights:  For the remainder of the school year, please consider joining us at etc on the 2nd Monday of every month to help sort!  No matter what grade your child is in, all adults are welcome on these nights.  We will need you from 5-7, next week, February 13.  Adults only, please, no students.  We hope to see you there!

ATHLETIC NEWS

Tuesday, Feb. 7 – 6th, 7th, 8th girls vs. Crown Point – AWAY – 4:00, 5:00, 6:00

TRIP NEWS

Trip orders due this Thursday, Feb. 9 by 10:00 a.m.

TRIP Teams for Stuffing Orders:  Team C – Feb. 14; Team D – Feb. 21; Team A – Feb. 28;

Team B – Mar. 7

COMMUNITY NEWS

Support Illiana Christian P.I.E. by eating pie!  The annual Spring Supper is Friday, March 3.  Like last year, the P.I.E. Board will be offering a delicious meal that features Rosati’s Take ‘N Bake Deep Dish Pizza, Salad, and Rise’n Roll Bakery Apple Pie.  Meals will be available for pick up at ICHS from 2:30-5:00 pm.  Online ordering starts Wednesday, February 8 at the link below or visit the school website under the Support tab.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeiU3zxFgljr0doxF2RlFTCbQ6ohSv00oqCLVGGu_tyYks6Vw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0

If you prefer to call your order in, please contact Jenn Prim at 708-516-2058.  All orders need to be submitted by 9 pm on Friday, February 24.  The money raised from the Spring Supper goes to the “Excellence in Education” Fund.  This fund purchases valuable educational tools for Illiana students and teachers and defrays tuition.  Thank you in advance for your support!

Highland Girls Softball signups are online now. Visit www.HighlandGirlsSoftball.org. More information is available in the school office carousel, and on the Highland Girls Softball Facebook page. In person signups at the Lincoln Center will be on February 18th 10am-2pm and March 1st 6pm-8pm.

With the boys volleyball season starting, Illiana Christian Volleyball would like to invite 7th and 8th grade boys to a Pre-Season prep training night. We will work on basic passing, hitting and serving skills along with on court rotations and transitioning from offense to defense. We would also like to invite any of the coaches to also attend so we can share some common drills used for practices, rotations for serve receive, and defensive and offensive systems used at the high school level. We hope to see you there on Tuesday, February 14th from 6:30pm to 9:00pm (following the Freshman Boys Basketball game)