Parent Note: September 6, 2022

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

It is always a blessing to be able to write this monthly update. Being able to see each classroom in action, it is with great confidence that I can share that students continue to learn at high levels, while learning about the great love their Lord and Savior has for them. God is doing tremendous things at HCS.

Many of you know that Highland Christian adopted the Professional Learning Community (PLC) Framework many years ago. What this educational jargon really boils down to is all students learning at high levels! As an important member of our team, it is critical that you are engaged with what your child is learning and extending and supporting conversations at home. 

One of the ‘4 Questions of PLC’ asks how we know if students are learning. Outside of daily observations, quick assessments, conversations, and check-ins, HCS utilizes NWEA assessments that test Math, Reading, and Language Usage. These normed assessments help us track what students are learning, areas where students need further support, and other student specific data. Thank you for your continued encouragement, as all K-8 students participate in these assessments over the next three weeks. 

As always, it is a blessing to partner with your family, as HCS achieves its vision to academically equip, biblically ground, and spiritually nurture students to impact the world for Christ! Because of your great partnership… HCS is a better place to learn and grow!

Blessings,
Mr. Weener

SCHOOL NEWS

Important Reminder:  This Wednesday, Sept. 7 is our first late start day.  School will begin at 10:00.  If your child rides the bus in the morning, pick up time will be approximately 1½ hours later than the usual pick up time.

Snack Day will start this Thursday, September 8! We are so excited to continue fundraising for our 8th grade Philadelphia trip in May.  Snacks include pop and different kinds of chips, cookies, popcorn, etc.  For K-2 parents, snacks choices will always be the same. For 3-8th grade, snacks will change every week. How can you help?  Any donation of single serve snacks or pop or gatorade type drinks would be welcome. If you bring your donation to the office, they will make sure it gets down to the snack closet. There are 25 students and 5 parents attending this year’s trip. Every snack and drink will be $1.00 again

On Friday, September 23rd, 2022, from 3:30 to 5:30, HCS will hold its first Building Christian Men event of the new school year in the gym.  The emphasis of this initiative is to build spirituality and maturity in 7th/8th boys.  Christian men from various walks of life will give presentations to our boys regarding ethics, spirituality, responsibility, and respect.  These presentations will be followed by a time for games and food.  Our first meal will be pizza.   There is no cost for this event.
Mr. Dion Campbell, Michigan City Chief of Police and a pastor will be our featured speaker for this meeting.
 https://forms.gle/FoCxfofzUGnS9zoZ8

PTO NEWS

Donuts for Dudes is on Sept 14 from 7:30-8:05am.

Mattress Sale will take place on Oct 15. An email was sent out earlier last week with more information about this event. Also, please like and share the Facebook event page with friends and family. 

If you would like to purchase spiritwear, please follow this link http://highlandchristiangear.com/

ETC NEWS

Jr. High Parents!  Next week Monday, September 12, is your sort night!  Please consider coming by etc from 5-7 pm and helping us sort clothing!  Thank you!

Etc… thrift store is hiring for 2 part time positions:  
Furniture delivery driver, no CDL required but must be able lift 50-75 pounds.
After school and Saturday back room clerk, perfect for your high schooler!  Must be at least 15 years old and be able to lift 20-50 pounds. 
Applications are available in the store or on our website: etcresale.org

ATHLETIC NEWS

Tuesday, Sept. 6 –    A soccer vs. Tinley Park – AWAY – 4:00
                7th & 8th volleyball vs. Tinley Park – AWAY – 4:00, 5:00
Thursday, Sept. 8 –    A&B soccer vs. Calvin at Paarlburg Park – 4:00, 5:00
                7th & 8th volleyball vs. Calvin at Calvin Chr. School – 4:00, 5:00
Monday, Sept. 12 –    Girls Cross Country Meet at Illiana – 4:00 start

TRIP NEWS

Raise Days (formerly ThankScriping Day) is coming up Sept. 15 and 16.  Bonus rebates apply to eGift cards and reloaded gift cards.  If you are not signed up for online ordering through the Raise Right app, contact Ann Lynch at [email protected]  for more information.

Volunteers are needed to help stuff TRIP gift card orders once a month on a Tuesday morning. If you are interested in volunteering your time contact Ann Lynch at [email protected] or call 219-838-0356, ext. 199.

Current Bonus Rebates this week: Red Robin – 12%; Shutterfly – 11%; Jewel – 4%; Lane Bryant – 10%.

The black mailbox for TRIP orders is in a new location just outside the school office door.

TRIP orders are due this week (paper and online) on Thurs., Sept. 8th by 10 a.m. The TRIP program will be accepting physical gift card orders on Sept. 15, 22, 29, Oct. 6, 13, **18, 27.

Team D (Shelly Witham, Mary Brinks, Becca Trepton) will be putting the TRIP orders today.  Orders will be ready for pick up in the school office today by 2:45 p.m.

TRIP Teams for Stuffing Orders:  Team A – Sept. 13; Team B – Sept. 20; Team C – Sept. 27; Team D – Oct. 4

COMMUNITY NEWS

Faith Church Midweek Childcare Needed: We are in need of High School Students and Men or Women who are willing to snuggle babies, play and love on kids during the week for our Midweek Ministries.  We have needs at our Cedar Lake, Dyer, Beecher and Highland Campus in the morning and at night.  If this is something you would be interested in, please email Trish at [email protected] for more information!

Everyone is invited to an awesome night of worship coming up in the Northwest Indiana region. AwakenNWI will be happening on September 23rd, starting at 5:00pm at Bulldog Park in Crown Point, Indiana. Join Caleb J. Dutton, the Faith Worship Collective, and Century Worship as we lift high the name of Jesus in our region. Come for a free night of community, food trucks, worship, and positive music. You can find more details at awakennwi.com. We hope to see you there!

Illiana Christian High School is inviting all middle school students to Illiana soccer games on Sept. 21 at 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.  Admission is free and all middle school students will also be given concession tokens. 

All are welcome to a Munster Church Ice Cream Social Kick off for GEMS and Cadets on Wednesday, September 7, from 6:30 – 8:30 pm.  Munster Church is located in Munster at 214 Ridge Road, Munster, IN. (corner of Ridge & Hohman Ave). If you have a son who is in 2nd – 8th grade and would love for him to learn how to be a Christ-like example in all aspects of life and  learn new skills like fire building, knot tying, learn about local law enforcement, go on camping trips, and more?   Please come to Munster Church on September 7th from 6:30 – 8:30 pm for our annual Kick off of our Cadet program and Ice Cream Social.  If this is new to you, the counselors can answer any questions you may have that evening.

Munster Church GEMS will also be kicking off their GEMS ministry starting on Wednesday, September 7th! Munster Church GEMS is a free ministry for girls, 1st-8th grade. Please join us for a fun year filled with crafts, events, worship, and Bible study.  If you have any questions or would like to sign up for GEMS, we would love to see you at the ice cream social or contact Cindy in the office @ 219-836-1400 with any questions you may have.