Parent Note: Parent Note – September 18, 2023

New SafeVisitor Procedure: Community involvement is essential to the culture, vision, and mission of Highland Christian School. We truly appreciate the impact parents, guardians, grandparents, pastors, etc. make when they are in the building.  We encourage continued involvement! However, as part of our ongoing school security program, Highland Christian School will be implementing new visitor policies and procedures, effective Monday, October 2, 2023.

Based on best practices, recommendations in our accreditation process, and common sense, HCS will be increasing measures to ensure the safety of our learning community.  As of October 2, 2023, Highland Christian School will 

1. Require all visitors to enter and exit through the main office. 
2. When coming into HCS, all visitors (including volunteers) must provide government issued identification (Drivers License, State ID, Passport, etc.). This will be scanned into our SafeVisitors system. 
3. Upon approval, visitors will be issued a name badge. This should be worn for the duration of the visit. 
4. When your visit is complete, you will need to check out at the front office. 

It is important to note that parents may walk their child to the front door, but children will need to walk on their own to their class. If a SEC parent needs to walk their child inside, they will be required to provide ID and follow the visitors policy.

If you need to drop off forgotten lunches, water bottles, etc. there will be grade level cubby shelving in between the front double doors. Parents may leave their child’s item there and the office team will notify the teacher so the student can retrieve it. Please note that if items remain overnight, they will be placed in lost & found – located next to the gym.

Thank you for your cooperation as we work to make HCS a safe and secure learning environment for all.

SCHOOL NEWS

Reminder: This Wednesday, Sept. 20 is a late start day. School begins at 10:00.

HCS Kdg.-8^th Picture Day is next Tuesday, Sept. 26.  Like last year, Interstate Studio is requesting that parents order online at Flyer Entry – Shop (inter-state.com).  This event’s Order Code is 79156MT. Online ordering is available before and after Picture Day. Shipping and handling charges may apply to orders placed after Picture Day. Two volunteers are needed on this day and Interstate will provide a $25.00 certificate to use toward a package.

The K-8 Grandparents’ Day is October 13.  Volunteers are needed 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]  Thank you!

Math Pentathlon: All 2nd and 3rd grade students are invited to join the Math Pentathlon Club. Math Pentathlon is an after-school club to assist in developing math gifts and talents.  Students will learn 5 math games that assist in developing strategy, number sense and math confidence. The program has been around since the 1990″s and has substantial qualitative research to support its effectiveness in the classroom.  A paper was sent home with your child last week. If he/she would like to participate, please return the form to the front office by Friday, September 29^th. The first club meeting is October 3rd and 4th.

SNACK DAY was a success for grades 3-8 on WEDNESDAY during lunch time. Our snack day is different from last year so we wanted to let everyone know. We have three tables near the southwest entrance: drink table $1.50, snack table $1.00 and candy table $2.00. We wanted to give everyone many choices. Some items will be the same, like pop and Gatorade but the price has gone up, Chips, popcorn and Cheetos will all be offered again. All candy is new this year. The 8th grade class will be staffing the tables and all proceeds from our sale will go to the 8th grade Philadelphia trip. Also, kindergarten – 3^rd grade will begin the week of September 25.  They will have an order form with choices with the same ordering process as in years past. If anyone would like to donate a box of snacks, candy or pop to sell, anything would be appreciated. THANKS for your support of our 8th grade trip. We are really looking forward to going to Philadelphia in May.

PTO NEWS

Thank you to everyone who came out to Donuts for Dudes!! It was a huge success and we enjoyed seeing everyone!

There are open positions on PTO! Please email [email protected] for more information.

Penny Wars is the week of October 2-6. This is a fundraiser for PTO! More information will be coming home this week. Thank you for your continued support of PTO!

Etc…THRIFT STORE

etc..Department Sort Nights: Tonight it’s Junior High Night!! The profits from the sales of clothing, furniture, books and miscellaneous items go to the HCS Foundation.  etc 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.

ATHLETIC NEWS

Monday, Sept. 18 –         Cross Country Meet at Crown Point – 4:00 start

Tuesday, Sept. 19 –         A&B soccer vs. Calvin @ Paarlburg Park – 4:00, 5:00

                                             7^th & 8^th volleyball vs. Calvin – AWAY – 4:00, 5:00

Thursday, Sept. 21 –        A soccer vs. Oak Lawn – HOME – 4:00 start

                                             7^th & 8^th volleyball vs. Oak Lawn – HOME – 4:00, 5:00

Monday, Sept. 25 –         Cross Country Meet at Trinity Christian – 4:00 start

TRIP NEWS

TRIP’s first quarterly tuition credits will appear on your November tuition statement.  Please note:  October online scrip purchases and bonus rebates will not be posted to your TRIP account until Nov. 6^th.  Those earnings will be reflected on your Feb. 2024 tuition statement.  If you have any questions contact Ann Lynch by email at [email protected].

Effective immediately Wendy’s has changed their scrip denomination from $10 to $25 with a 5% bonus rebate.

TRIP orders (paper and online) are due this Thurs., Sept. 21st by 10 a.m.  TRIP will be accepting physical gift card orders on Sept. 28, Oct. 5, 12, **Tues., Oct 17, and 26.  RaiseRight scrip ordering for an escrip and/or a reload card is available 24/7. Contact Ann Lynch for more information at [email protected].

Team A (Julie Sitter, Larissa Vander Pol, Jessica Hiskes) will be putting the TRIP orders together on Tues., Sept. 19th.  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 – Sept. 26; Team C – Oct. 3; Team D – Oct. 10; Team A – Oct. 17

COMMUNITY NEWS

Highland Girls’ Basketball Club: Highland Girls’ Basketball provides a league which encourages the development of the fundamentals of the game; instills the value of teamwork, responsibility, and sportsmanship; and creates an environment which fosters the girls’ love of basketball! Leagues are forming for the fall and winter.  Practice days and times will vary by team and be at the Highland Elementary Schools or Lincoln Center.

Go to sign up link or follow Highland Girls’ Basketball Club on Facebook. For questions about Highland Girls Basketball, contact Kevin Ballard at 708-715-0330