Parent Note: Parent Note – November 7, 2022
Called to Be a Blessing
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Last week, we were pleased to have 98% participation at conferences – where we were privileged to have the opportunity to praise your child and provide encouragement for further growth. While these 15 minute sessions were valuable, the conversation cannot end here. I want to encourage you to keep the conversation going at home and school.
In order to build these conversations into my routine at home, I ask my son, Ezra, three questions that touch on academic, spiritual, and social development:
1. What is something you learned today? (Academic Happenings)
2. How did you help someone today? (Spiritual Happenings)
3. What was something funny/silly that happened today? (Social Happenings)
These three questions start great conversations in the car and at the dinner table. If Ezra doesn’t have an answer, we then have an opportunity to learn, help, or do something silly together. This certainly beats the ‘How was your day question’ – with the fine, shrugged shoulders, or grunt.
In other news, if you love excavators, big diggers, and construction, you will love being around Highland Christian in the coming month. With the foundations set to be poured later this month, it is with great excitement that plans, work, and progress continues to move along in a positive direction. I continue to be amazed at the generosity and support shown from our community!
Again, thank you for entrusting your children in our care. It is a privilege and joy to show God’s love to them each and every day!
Mr. Weener
ACCREDITATION COMMENDATIONS
This fall Highland Christian School welcomed six members from CSI (Christian Schools International) for our five-year accreditation site visit. After recommending a five-year accreditation credential, the team provided a list of eleven exemplary traits of Highland Christian School. Over the next three months we will be highlighting one of these traits each week. This week’s trait is:
Students and parents report that their teachers care about them and their faith journey. Multiple examples were seen of opportunities to pray for each other, share concerns and find resources to support students. Students shared that they were taught strategies and resources that would help them if they had a need emotionally.
SCHOOL NEWS
The Thanksgiving season gives us the opportunity to show our thankfulness to God by sharing with others in need. For Thanksgiving this year, we will be collecting food and toiletries for Roseland Christian Ministries in Roseland, IL. These gifts will be presented at our Thanksgiving chapel on Wed., Nov. 23. All donations will be collected in the students’ classrooms. We will begin collecting items this week.
Items needed:
box of stuffing can of corn toothpaste
cranberry sauce canned sweet potatoes soap
2 boxes of mac and cheese box of mashed potatoes deodorant
can of gravy cake or brownie mix shampoo
can of green beans tissues
can of corn
Today was Picture Re-take Day. Your Retake Picture Package will be produced and shipped to the school four weeks after Retake Day. Please note, if your child is photographed on the original and Retake Picture Days, the Retake picture will replace the original picture in certain products, like the yearbook. If you have not preordered, please use the Retake Order Code 69587NF to place your order at https://inter-state.com/Order.
HCS is looking for someone to work the AM shift in Before/After Care beginning in January. Hours are M-F 6:30-8:30 am. Please contact Mr. Weener for pay rate and more information.
PTO NEWS
Reminder that the 3-5th grade BINGO night is this Friday, Nov 11! Please remember to turn in your RSVPs! This will be a fun event for 3rd-5th grade students and their families. Siblings are welcome to join too. Keep checking facebook this week for a sneak peek of the PRIZES you could win!
Interested in spirit wear? You can purchase HCS gear at http://highlandchristiangear.com/
ETC NEWS
etc…Thrift Store Sort Night – Parents of primary students your night is coming soon1 Join us at etc for a school Sort Night on November 14th from 5-7. Mark your calendars for an evening of fun conversations, good fellowship, getting to know each other better and, of course, sorting clothes! Please note that this is for parents only!
ATHLETIC NEWS
As the basketball season is upon us it is important that students in attendance at our home basketball contests are properly supervised. Any K-5 student that would like to stay and support our teams must be supervised by an adult. 6-8th grade students may attend the games without a parent in attendance. If there are junior high students that cannot handle the responsibility of respectfully attending the basketball games, a phone call will be made for the student(s) to be picked up, with the possibility of future attendance at home contests being in jeopardy. Thanks for your cooperation and Go Huskies!!!!
Monday, Nov. 7 – 7th & 8th basketball vs. Tinley Park – AWAY – 4:00, 5:00
Tuesday, Nov. 8 – 6th & 8th basketball vs. Lansing – HOME – 4:00, 5:00
Thursday, Nov. 10 – 6th & 8th basketball vs. Oak Lawn – AWAY – 4:00, 5:00
TRIP NEWS
Raise Days (RaiseRight App) are coming up on Nov. 17 & 18! There will be extra bonus rebates on those days for escrip and reload gift cards. If you are not signed up for TRIP’s online ordering opportunities, contact Ann Lynch at [email protected] for more information.
TRIP orders are due this week (paper and online) on Thurs., Nov. 10th by 10 a.m. TRIP will be accepting physical gift card orders on Nov. 17, **22, 29, Dec. 1, 8.
Christmas is coming. Take advantage of any upcoming RaiseRight Bonus Rebates! The last TRIP order you can place before Christmas for gift cards is Dec. 8th. Online ordering on the RaiseRight app is available 24/7. Contact Ann Lynch for more information on how to sign up for online ordering through the Raise Right app at [email protected].
Team A (Julie Sitter, Missy Buikema, Larissa Vander Pol, Jessica Hiskes) will be putting the TRIP orders together on Tues., Nov. 8th. 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 – Nov. 15; Team C – Nov. 22; Team D – Nov. 29; Team A – Dec. 6
COMMUNITY NEWS
Preview Illiana! Plan now to join us on Thursday, November 10 or Wednesday, March 8. Preview Illiana is an opportunity for prospective students and their families to experience Illiana. Meet with faculty and administration, tour our campus, and have all your questions answered. You’ll be able to hear from our Head of School and Principal, meet teachers and students, attend informative sessions about Illiana’s curriculum and learning opportunities in music, art, STEM, and core subjects, learn how Illiana builds college- and career-readiness, and experience Illiana’s mission to develop a passion for God, people, and the world. All middle school students and prospective high school transfer students will receive a free Illiana t-shirt!
Questions can be directed to our Director of Admissions, Jenna Dutton, at 219.558.7066 x141 or [email protected]
Live Nativity, “Jesus Birthday Party” Community Event is happening this year on Saturday, Dec 3rd 4-7:30pm @ Wicker Park Social Center. This open house is designed for kids to hear and see the good news of Christ and celebrate with a party. There will be face painting, games, a craft, cookie decorating, pizza, along with watching the 10-minute outdoor show.