Parent Note: Parent Note – May 22, 2023

Thank you! A big thank you to all the parents, students, faculty members, family and friends who attended my retirement party on Saturday. I appreciate all the kind words and remembrances spoken to me. I have been so blessed to have had the privilege to teach at HCS for 45 years. My prayer is that God will continue to bless HCS.

In His Service,

Shirleen Brown

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

What a great year it has been! Thank you for your partnership, as we academically equip, Biblically ground, and spiritually nurture to impact the world for Christ. As we approach the summer months, HCS will be busy preparing for the coming school year. Currently, all instructional positions have been filled, supplies and new materials are in transit, and the building project is moving forward. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. As always, it is a privilege to serve you and your children. What a beautiful school community we are blessed to be a part of. Have a great summer!

SCHOOL NEWS

Highland Christian School 8th Grade Graduation is this Wednesday, May 24 at 7:00 p.m. in the HCS gym.  Congratulations to the Class of 2023!

Everyone is invited to the Gifts Chapel this Tuesday, May 23 beginning at 8:40 a.m.

Reminder:  This Friday is the last day of school for grades K-7 and there is a 1:45 dismissal.  Aftercare will be provided on that day. We pray that our HCS families have a safe and blessed summer!

Important information for next year:

– June 30 Last day to sign up for bus service. Bus routes will be sent out a week before school begins.

– August 18 Kdg. Round-Up  4:00-5:00 p.m.

New Family Reception – 5:00 p.m.

All Student Classroom Visits – 5:30 p.m.

Ice Cream Social – 6:30 p.m.

– August 21 First Day of School – 1:45 dismissal

– Class lists will be sent out the beginning of August.

– The school supply and summer reading lists will be posted on the HCS website the beginning of June.

– Summer office hours are 8:00 a.m. – noon, Monday through Friday.

– Summer Band Camp for all incoming 5th grade students is August 7-11. Information on specific times will be sent this summer.  

– Athletics Information for fall of 2023

• 7th & 8th Grade Boys Volleyball tryouts will be on August 22nd & 23rd.  

• Co-Ed Soccer tryouts will be August 22nd & 23rd. 

• Co-Ed Cross Country will start on August 23rd.  

If your child has prescription medication, epi-pens, and/or inhalers in the office, please pick them up before school dismisses for the summer.

Sonshine Enrichment Center: SEC is in need of toys! After lots of years of love and use, many of our toys are somewhat worse for wear! If you are getting rid of anything, would you consider giving it to our preschool? We’d love to see if it would be useful. (Anything we don’t use will be donated to ETC.)  We don’t need things with lots of bells and whistles or that need batteries to work — simple things are great!  Here are some specifics, but we’re open to different items, too:

dollhouses, furniture, dolls Little People and play figures

baby dolls and clothes blocks

play kitchen and play food items Legos

cars and trucks

Summer Private Tutoring: Cheryl Flory will be offering summer private tutoring for students exiting grades K-6 for Reading and Math. Cheryl currently serves HCS as a school interventionist and supports students with a variety of instructional strategies. Tutoring sessions will be tailored to individual student needs. She will be holding tutoring sessions at school M-F between 8am-1pm; sessions are available for 45 minute time slots. In making a commitment to tutoring, families must be able to attend one session a week. Please contact Cheryl at 708-955-0713 to inquire about tutoring availability. 

PTO NEWS

This is the last week to purchase your flowers from Big John’s to support Highland Christian PTO! The fundraiser ends on May 27th and the flyer must be presented at the time of purchase. There are more flyers available in the school office upon request or you can email [email protected] for additional forms. Thank you for your continued support!

Are you or someone you know in the market for a mattress? Mark your calendar for next school year’s PTO mattress sale fundraiser on October 7. Students will be able to earn cash prizes for anyone they refer. There are pillows, sheets and mattress protectors too! We hope to see you there!

Interested in serving on the PTO board? There is still an opening for the Vice Clerk! Please email [email protected] for more information. 

TRIP NEWS

Zandstra’s Greenhouse gift certificates are still available to purchase.  For each certificate you buy you receive a $3 bonus rebate.   Contact Ann Lynch at [email protected] for more information. 

Only 3 TRIP orders left to place a TRIP order for physical gift cards for this school year!  TRIP will be accepting physical gift card orders on May 25, June 1, 8 and Aug. 17.  RaiseRight scrip ordering for an escrip and/or a reload card is available 24/7. Contact Ann Lynch at [email protected] for more information. 

The first TRIP tuition credit for the 2023-2024 school year will be on your August tuition statement.

TRIP orders are due this week, Thurs., May 25th by 10 a.m.

Team A (Julie Sitter, Larissa Vander Pol, Jessica Hiskes) will be putting the TRIP orders together on Tues., May 23rd.  Orders will be ready for pick up in the school office on Tuesday by 2:45 p.m.

TRIP Teams for Stuffing Orders:  Team B – May 30; Team C – June 6; Team D – June 13; Team A – Aug. 22

COMMUNITY NEWS

Illiana Christian HS Girls’ Golf Team Summer Conditioning – Open to current 8th – 11th grade girls enrolled at Illiana Christian for the 2023/24 school year and interested in trying out for the golf team.  Our summer conditioning schedule begins Monday, June 12th and runs through tryouts at the end of July.  We will be meeting on Mondays at 8:00 am at Palmira to golf and on Thursdays at 8:00 am at Sherwood to work on putting/chipping/range.  To register, please email Coach Suzanne Jonkman [email protected] 

Illiana Christian girls’ basketball program will have summer open gyms on Monday and Tuesday starting June 12 from 5-7 p.m. weekly through July 25.  All incoming 8th grade girls are invited to participate.