PARENT NOTE – June 3, 2019
“Run YOUR Race”
Hebrews 12:1

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Dear Parents:
It’s hard to believe that this is my last Parent Note to you!  No one can ever be sure of what a new position will entail, but I had no idea how much I would learn when I took on the role of Principal of Highland Christian School. In terms of relationships, I have witnessed firsthand how important it is for students to feel appreciated by their peers and by the adults in their lives -so my Continue reading Parent Note – June 3, 2019 →

PARENT NOTE – May 28, 2019
“Run YOUR Race”
Hebrews 12:1

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
What a great party we had here on Friday afternoon!  I feel very honored for the relationships and work we have been able to do in just four years!  I am so grateful for all of the notes that students wrote to me – they will be read and re-read many times as I head into the next stage of my career.  I am often asked what my plans are?  Fortunately, I’m receiving great wisdom from a wonderful book called The Uncommon Guide to Retirement.  The advice?  Take some time to reflect on what you’ve done and then seek God’s will for what He wants me to do next – so, that’s what Summer, 2019 will be about!  Huge thanks to the PTO for decorating the gym, the amazing masks, and the awesome Little Library that will be on our campus.
On another note, just like last year, you will be receiving information on how your child did in terms of mastering the learning standards that we shared with you at Back to School Night.  For grades K-2, these standards will form the basis for the report card as they have done all year.  For grades 3-8, the standards information will supplement the report card.  Look for it coming home next week.

SCHOOL NEWS
1. This is the second-to-the-last parent note of this school year- watch for one more being posted and emailed next Monday!  The last day of school is next Tuesday, June 4 and there is a 1:45 dismissal on that day.  We pray that our HCS families have a safe and relaxing summer.  See you next year!
2. Aftercare:  There will be aftercare available on the last day of school, June 4.
3. Highland Christian School 8th Grade Graduation will be held next Tuesday, June 4 at 7:00 p.m. at New Life CRC.  Congratulations to the Class of 2019!
4. Everyone is invited to the Gifts Assembly, this Thursday, May 30 at 8:40 a.m.
5. Reminder:  If your child has prescription medication, epi-pens, and/or inhalers in the office, please pick them up before school dismisses for the summer.
6. Lost & Found:  Stop in and check out the lost & found table that is set up in the hall by the office.  All items left after the last day of school will be given to etc…Thrift Store.
7. Box Tops: Congratulations to Mrs. Otte’s 1st grade class for collecting the most Box Tops last month!  You get a trophy and a yummy treat!  Don’t forget to keep collecting Box Tops over the summer.  There will be an exciting contest in August for the biggest collectors!

8th GRADE NEWS
1. Tuesday, June 4 is graduation day!  Students should come to practice at 8:30 am at New Life Church.  Practice will take approximately 45 minutes. Students should be picked up by 9:30 am.
2. In the evening, students should arrive at New Life Church by 6:00 pm.  Please meet in the basement of the church. Boys should wear dress clothes and shoes and girls should wear a dress or skirt for under the graduation robe.  All graduation wear will be handed out in the basement of church. After graduation, we will go over to the HCS gym and enjoy a reception for graduates. All family members and friends are invited. Pictures will be taken in the gym after the graduation.

INDIANA CHOICE SCHOLARSHIP
1. Applications are now being accepted for IN CHOICE Scholarships.  Contact Lisa Long at 219-838-0356 x 168 or indianachoice@highlandchristian.org to schedule your appointment as soon as possible.  If you received a scholarship for this school year, you will need to complete a new application for next year.  For more information, go to www.doe.in.gov/choice.

SUMMER TUTORING
1. HCS third grade teacher, Mrs. Calli Van Kley, is offering math tutoring for grades K-5 this summer.  If you are interested in summer tutoring for your child, you may email Mrs. Van Kley at cvankley@highlandchristian.org

LIBRARY NEWS
1. All students were given the opportunity to join a summer reading challenge.  Reading is such an easy and effective way to keep your child’s head in the learning game over the summer. Without reading, your child loses learning they’ve gained over the school year and uses valuable learning time relearning information in September. This is why we encourage reading over the summer through the summer reading challenge. The students make a goal for how many books they will read and a paper is sent home to record the goals and the books read.  The paper is to be returned to the librarian at the beginning of the school year. Here are some ways to encourage and participate in the reading challenge with your students:  purchase books, take your  children to the library, take books along on road trips and vacations, play audible books in the car while driving, build reading time into your child summer routine, put limits on screen time,  find a book series the child likes so there will be multiple books to read, sign up your child for a reading program through the local public library, read the same books as your child is reading and talk about them. Happy reading everybody!!

TRIP NEWS
1. The school year is almost done but TRIP orders continue through June!  Orders are due on June 6, 13, 20, and 27.  The TRIP office is closed in July. Scrip orders start back up the first week in August.  For those times TRIP orders are not available, consider signing up for the shopwithscrip.com online orders.  ScripNow ecards and Reloads are available 24/7!  You can still order physical gift cards for Cash & Carry and our local vendors, such as Teibel’s or Miner Dunn restaurants, during the summer break.  Contact the TRIP office at 219-838-0356, ext. 199 or trip@highlandchristian.org for more information.
2. TRIP orders (online and paper orders) are due this Thursday May 30th by 10 a.m.
3. Current Bonus Rebates (week of 5/28):  Red Robin – 10%.
4. Team D (Shelly Witham, Amy Yonkman, Shavonne Dennie, Mary Brinks) will be putting the TRIP orders together today.  TRIP orders will be ready for pick up today in the school office by 2:45 p.m.
5. TRIP Teams for Stuffing Orders:  Team A – June 4; Team B – June 11; Team C – June 18; Team D – June 25

COMMUNITY NEWS
1. Illiana Futbol Club, a Christian based travel soccer club, is holding tryouts for the 2019-20 season.  Tryouts for birth years 2010-15 (6U-10U) are on June 4 & 6 @ 5:30 and for birth years 2009 – high school on June 11 & 13 @ 5:30.  Players should attend both days of tryouts for their age group at Cedar Lake Ministries.  More information is available in the HCS or visit  www.illianafutbolclub.org/outdoor-tryouts for more info.
2. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to send your kids to one of the best day camps in Northwest Indiana! Viking Academy is offered through Illiana Christian High School and has over thirty options of different day-camps for elementary and middle-school aged students. Join us from July 8th through the 26th for high quality classes and camps. We are excited to bring such a long list of integrative and enjoyable classes to the local community including STEM, baking, fishing, art, hiking, basketball, golf, cheerleading, and so much more! Go to https://www.illianachristian.org/life-ichs/vikingacademy.cfm  to read more about the camps we offer and register your child today.
3. Riverside Community Church at 175th & Calumet Avenue in Hammond, IN is still looking for a pianist to play at worship services on Sunday mornings at 11am.  This is a paid position and only requires 1 1/2 hours on Sunday mornings weekly or just once a month.  Please contact Lisa at 312-719-0649.  Teens are also welcome to apply.

PARENT NOTE – May 20, 2019
“Run YOUR Race”
Hebrews 12:1

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
One of things I have enjoyed most about my time at Highland Christian has been working to bring the vision statement to life.  We worked at making sure we knew what academically equipped looks like – all students learning at high levels getting ready for high school.  We learned what biblically grounded and spiritually Continue reading Parent Note – May 20, 2019 →

PARENT NOTE – May 13, 2019
“Run YOUR Race”
Hebrews 12:1

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Parents,
Do you remember the Ice-cream Social/Back to School Night last August?  Perhaps what you remember most is my epic fail at getting our students into their multi-age teams!  We did figure out how to do that better and have enjoyed those groups several times this year. On that night you received the Learning Targets for your Continue reading Parent Note – May 13, 2019 →

PARENT NOTE – April 29, 2019
“Run YOUR Race”
Hebrews 12:1

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
A huge thanks to Joe and Amanda Porter and the whole Auction Committee for a great event on Saturday!  The generosity of this community continues to be a tremendous attribute of HCS and the students are the ones who benefit!  The funds that were given during the “Fund the Need” portion of the evening will contribute to our classrooms being places of learning – and help students develop Continue reading Parent Note – April 29, 2019 →

PARENT NOTE – April 22, 2019
“Run YOUR Race”
Hebrews 12:1

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
I trust that you all had a great Easter weekend celebrating the resurrection of Christ.  Our Easter Chapel on Thursday was great and the students had a tangible reminder of what it means to “give your heart” to Jesus.  Proverbs 4:23 says that above all else we are to guard our hearts – I love that – above all else!  Why?  Because, as Continue reading Parent Note – April 22, 2019 →

PARENT NOTE – April 15, 2019
“Run YOUR Race”
Hebrews 12:1

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Last week was a great week with the Elementary Spring Program, The Eighth Grade Parent Meeting to start preparing for graduation, and the first full week of Gaga Ball!  We also had several days of no cars waiting on Ridge Road at pickup time – thanks!
In our announcements this week we will focus on Holy Week and Continue reading Parent Note – April 15, 2019 →

PARENT NOTE – April 8, 2019
“Run YOUR Race”
Hebrews 12:1

FROM THE HCS SCHOOL BOARD
Highland Christian School’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Kyle Weener (pronounced “Wayner”) as the next Principal of Highland Christian School.  He will take up his duties on July 1, 2019.
Mr. Weener comes to Highland Christian School from Kalamazoo Christian School, Kalamazoo, MI where for the past 5 years, he has Continue reading Parent Note – April 8, 2019 →

PARENT NOTE – March 25, 2019
“Run YOUR Race”
Hebrews 12:1

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
One of the time-honored behavior management strategies of teachers is to “catch kids being good.”  For example, the statement “I like the way Billy has his book open ready to read” is designed to let the rest of the class know that they should get their books out ready to read.  So in that vein, I hope that my statement “I like the way some parents are now staggering their arrival times at after school pick-up” will encourage others to do the same.  We had a couple of great days last week and it needs to continue.  One parent told me that parents may not be aware that teachers stay out with the students until 3:25 so if you wait until 3:20, you will be in plenty of time, you will avoid clogging up the driveway and we will show the Town of Highland that we can be cooperative.  I appreciate your assistance with this matter.  Let’s get this settled before our new principal gets here!

Eighth Grade Students and Parents
There is a very important meeting on Wednesday, April 10 at 7:00 pm.  This meeting will be critical for everyone to get on the same page for year-end activities and graduation.  Additionally, we will be helping students make their plans for their freshman year.  Representatives from Illiana will be here to talk about opportunities specific to their school but also to high school in general.

ILEARN
Parents of students in Grades 3-8:
This year’s state assessment is the ILEARN – it replaces ISTEP.  One of the pieces of good news is that ILEARN only has one testing window which goes from April 22 – May 17.  It is very important that students be in school for these assessments.  Here are the weeks by grade:
April 22 – Grade 4 English and Math
April 29 – Grade 5 English and Math
May 9 – Grades 3, 6, 7 and 8.English and Math
May 13 – Grades 4 and 6 Science and Grade 5 Social Studies.

SCHOOL NEWS
1. This is the last week of school before spring break.  We pray that our families have a safe and restful spring break!  School will resume on April 8.
2. Stop in and check out the lost & found table that will be set up beginning tomorrow in the hallway by the office.  You just might find some of your child’s items there!  All items left over spring break will be given to etc…thrift store.
3. There’s one week left for early enrollment.  Early enrollment and payment in full of your August bill by 8/15/19 qualifies you for a credit of $50.
4. Homemade vanilla is for sale in the office for all of your Easter baking.  Don’t wait too long to pick some up – it sells out quickly!

MUSICAL NEWS
1. Everyone is invited to the junior high production of “Fiddler on the Roof Jr.” this Thursday and Friday, March 28 & 29.  Tickets for general admission for each performance can be bought at the door (doors open at 6:30 pm on Thursday and at 6:55 pm on Friday). Tickets are $5.00/adult and $3.00/child (ages 3 through 8th grade). Come see our talented students in HCS’ annual musical!

TRIP NEWS
1. No orders due this week.  Next TRIP order due will be on Apr. 11th.
2. Zandstra’s Greenhouse gift certificates will be available for purchase the week of Apr. 8th.  Certificates will be $15 each with a 20% bonus rebate.
3. If you would to purchase TRIP Cash & Carry gift cards this week contact the TRIP office at 219-838-0356, ext. 199 or trip@highlandchristian.org, leave a message on cards you are interested in buying and a TRIP volunteer will get back to you.
TRIP Cash & Carry Cards available to purchase:  Aeropostale $25, Amazon.com $25, AMC Movie Theatres $25, Applebee’s $25, Baker’s Square $25, Bass Pro Shops $25, Bath & Body Works $10/$25, Best Buy $25, Bob Evans $10, Buona Beef Rest. $10, Carters/Osh Kosh $25, Chick-fil-A $10, Chili’s $25, Chipotle $10, Cold Stone Creamery $10, Cracker Barrel $10, Culver’s $10, CVS $25, Dairy Queen $10, Disney $25, Dunkin Donuts $10, Family Express $25, Family Video $10, Fannie May $10, Gap/Old Navy $25, Gordon’s $25, Hohman Floral $10, IHOP $10, JCPenney $25, Jiffy Lube $30, Kohl’s $25/$100, Meijer $25/$50, Menards $25/$100, Miner Dunn Rest. $5, Noodles & Co. $25, Olive Garden $25, Outback $25, Panera Bread $10/$25, Papa John’s Pizza $10, Pizza Hut $10, Potbelly $10, Qdoba Mex. Grill $25, Red Lobster $25, Red Robin $25, Sanfratello’s $20, Speedway $25/$50, Starbucks $10, Strack & Van Til Grocery $25/$50/$100, Subway $10, Taco Bell $10, Target $25, Teibel’s $25, Texas Roadhouse $25, TJ Maxx $25, The Children’s Place $25, Ulta Beauty $25, Walgreens $25, Walmart/Sam’s Club $25/$50, Walt’s $25/$100, Wendy’s $10, Cascading Gift Card File $3.
4. Team A (Julie Sitter, Cheryl Filler, Lupe Morales, Tori Smits) will be putting the TRIP order together on Tues., Mar. 26th.  TRIP orders will be ready for pick up on Tuesday in the school office by 2:45 p.m.
5. TRIP Teams for Stuffing Orders:  Team B – Apr. 16; Team C – Apr. 23; Team D – Apr. 30; Team A – May 7.  The next TRIP Cash & Carry Gift Card Store is May 16th from 8:15 to 9 a.m.
Have a great Spring break!

COMMUNITY NEWS
1. Men of A-Chord will be performing at New Life Christian Reformed Church (3010 Ridge Road, Highland, IN) on Sunday, April 7, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.  Please join us for a wonderful evening of worship, music, and fellowship!
2. The New Life Christian Reformed GEMS are hosting an ice-cream social at the church (3010 Ridge Road, Highland, IN) on Friday, April 12, 2019 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.  Please come join us for some ice-cream with all the toppings!  All are welcome.  All proceeds from the evening will go directly to our GEMS Girl’s Club.

PARENT NOTE – March 18, 2019
“Run YOUR Race”
Hebrews 12:1

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Dear Parents,
I have three important items to share with you today:
1. I hope to see many of you at Dan Landstra’s presentation, “Growing Up in the Digital Age: Raising Generation Z”.  The presentation will be in our gym at 7:00 pm this Wednesday.
2. State testing has begun!  This week is IREAD for 3rd Graders.  Continue reading Parent Note – March 18, 2019 →