Parent Note: Parent Note – May 6, 2024

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK:

As my last ‘Blue Note Message’ for the year, I want to thank you for your incredible partnership. God has placed each student and family at Highland Christian for a reason. Your child’s unique gifts are on display every day and serve as an important part of our school community. Please continue to share with your child their uniqueness and help them learn and celebrate their gifts. James 1:17 states, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”

 Later this month, a communicator will be sent to all families outlining some important information for the 2024/2025 school year. This includes some policy changes, changes to summer reading requirements, next year’s theme, and an outline of when important information for next year will be shared (Ex: Class Lists, Bus Routes, etc). Please take note of this important communicator. 

 As we finish the year well, please be in prayer for our students, faculty, and broader school community. In this season of strength, it is easy to get carried away with ‘our accomplishments’. I would like to stop and acknowledge this was not done on our own accord, but through His guidance and strength. God has positioned HCS to impact the world for Christ. What a blessing it is to be a part of His story. 

SCHOOL NEWS:

 ·         The Highland Christian School Annual Society Meeting is TONIGHT, May 6 at 6:00 p.m. in the school gym. On the agenda will be the approval of three board nominees – Blake Evans, Carrie Hutton Latsoudis, and George Van Laten, and the approval of the 2024/2025 budget.  The Society Meeting Agenda and absentee ballots are available at www.highlandchristian.org and printed copies of the agenda and absentee ballots are available in the school office.

 ·         Our final Saturday Serve for this school year is Saturday, May 18, from 9-11am at the etc…Thrift Store (1650 US-41, Schererville, IN 46375). Thank you for your willingness to share the love of Christ with others in our community. If you are able to participate, please complete the following form by Thursday, May 15 (the sooner the better). https://forms.gle/GVF5ieCNBoifRW6JA 

 ·         The 8th grade class is headed to Philadelphia in one week! We want to thank everyone who participated in snack day this year!! Because of you, we have been able to help each participant with $125.00 towards their trip. THANK YOU! We could really use your prayers that our time away will be a great experience for everyone. Our last two snack days will be on Wednesday, May 8 and May 23.

 Also, we are starting a fundraiser this week with ‘Just Be Coffee’ in Munster and the entire campaign will be done online. We will be sharing a link to order coffee products. We will be getting 50% of the coffee orders and 25% of anything else that is ordered off of the website. Stay tuned for the link or check out Facebook in the next 24 hours to order your coffee.  This fundraiser will benefit the soon to be 8th grade for their trip in 2025. Thank you again for all of your support with our Philadelphia trip.

 ·         EGGS for Sale!! Fort Peep has been busy and our egg fridge is overflowing. Eggs sell for $5.00 a half dozen with proceeds going to Phil’s Friends, an organization that supplies care packages for those battling cancer. Stop by the office to get yours today!

·         The 2023-2024 yearbook order forms will be coming home today. They are for sale for $18 (cash or check).  If you would like to order a yearbook, please send the order form and money to the office.  We have a limited supply of yearbooks, so they are first come, first served.  Get them before they are gone!

·         Highland Christian School is looking for volunteers to share their experience, in the form of a testimonial, as members of the Husky pack. Please fill out this survey to let us know. https://forms.gle/pdZgP422QNupebzB7

·         MATT MAHER is coming to town August 1, 2024!!  Check out a special message from Matt here:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/11ojRBs2tshtmmmejwCbLP_vD9KtfNIyE/view?usp=sharing
We hope you will join us on Thursday, August 1st for an inspirational evening full of joy, encouragement and beautiful music from Matt Maher and his full band.  Get your tickets now before the Early Bird pricing ends >>https://www.eventbrite.com/e/matt-maher-tickets-774560510337?aff=oddtdtcreator

INDIANA CHOICE NEWS:

If you have chosen to apply for the CHOICE scholarship for your K-8 student(s) for the next school year, please click the link and complete the form after you have completed your reenrollment contact in OnCampus. Please contact Katie Hernandez at [email protected] with questions.   https://forms.gle/SBYnG7Bh3TFvCyZ37

PTO NEWS

Teacher appreciation week is this week!!! Let’s show our teachers, aides, and staff members how much we appreciate all that they do for our students. In case you did not see the flyer, here are some ideas for this week:

·         Monday– Spring flowers! Bring your teacher flowers or something to brighten their day!

·         Tuesday– Supplies day! Surprise your teacher with pens, markers, classroom books, or other essential supplies for their classroom

·         Wednesday– Specials Day! Bring something “special” for a specials teacher. 

·         Thursday– Coffee day! Have your student bring in a coffee gift card or sweet treat. 

·         Friday– Nice Note Day! Have your student give their teacher a note explaining why they are the best. 

Muffins for Misses is this week Wednesday, May 8th from 7:30-8:15 a.m. at the soccer fields! Please bring chairs or a blanket to enjoy your muffin. There will be coffee, water, and juice available. Students will not be allowed into their classrooms until 8:05.  

The Big John’s Fundraiser for PTO is going on right now through May 25th. Big John’s will donate 15% of your purchase to PTO. The form must be brought into Big John’s when purchasing. Thank you so much for your continued support of HCS PTO! Follow this link for a copy of the form: tinyurl.com/mr2v3n9v
Big John’s Farm Market and Greenhouse
1754 E. Joe Orr Road
Chicago Heights, IL

ATHLETIC NEWS:

Wednesday, May 6-  Track Meet at Chicago Christian – 12:30 start

TRIP NEWS:

There are only four more dates for you to order physical gift cards for this school year. If you need physical gift cards over the summer, you will need to send your requests to Ann Lynch at [email protected] .

Current Bonus Rebates for this week:  Panda Express – 9%, McAlister’s Deli – 7%

Upcoming Bonus Rebates: Macy’s, PetSmart, Aeropostale, Chili’s, Crate & Barrel, Jewel

TRIP orders are due this week, Thurs., May 9^th by 10 a.m. TRIP will be accepting physical gift card orders on May 16, 23 and 30.  Online ordering is available 24/7.  Contact Ann Lynch at [email protected] for more information.  

Zandstra’s Greenhouse gift certificates are available for sale. Each certificate is $17 each and the bonus rebate for each certificate sold will be $3. You may purchase Zandstra’s gift certificates through the weekly TRIP orders or you can contact Ann Lynch to purchase these certificates at other times.  

TRIP Teams for Stuffing Orders:  Team D – May 14; Team A – May 21, Team B – May 28, Team C – June 4 

COMMUNITY NEWS:

2024 Illiana Christian High School Co-ed Wrestling Camp for 4th-8th gradersLearn the tools to stay competitive on the mat! Register at Illiana Christian HS Wrestling Camp:
https://form.jotform.com/csiersema/wrestling-camp-2024  If you have any questions, please contact Coach David DeBoer at [email protected]

Summer volleyball camps are being offered at the Lincoln Center and hosted by Epic Volleyball this summer.  There are camps in both June and July.  Please check out www.epicvolleyball.org/camps for more information.