HIGHLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Summer 2017

How to Be:....Becoming who He wants us to BE

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fromthe cover

From the

Principal’s DeskSteve Jobs, Founder of Apple, said:

“If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed.

The vision pulls you.”The more time I spend at Highland Christian School, the more compelling I find our vision. What matters most is that this vision is pulling us. And why wouldn’t it? Who doesn’t long to see these children academically prepared, biblically grounded and spiritually nurtured so that they can impact the world for Christ? But how do I know that teachers are being pulled by this vision? What does that vision really look like in action? It looks like this:

Academically prepared means that students are on track for high school, college and career success and their progress can be measured. Our vision is that 70% of our students reach the 70th percentile in reading and math. That means they are on track to achieve a score of 24 on the ACT college entrance test. Over the course of this year, we have crossed the 60% marker and now 61% of our students are on track for math and 65% are on track for reading. A score of 24 on the ACT is considered a threshold score for entrance into more selective colleges and universities.

Biblically grounded means that students are growing in their faith. Starting this year, students are reflecting on their faith formation in journals which will be kept until they graduate. Here are some of the things they shared:

Spiritually nurtured means that our students are allowing their faith to impact their lives. I know this is true when I see more experienced student-athletes encouraging rookies on the court. I know this is true when students come to me with suggestions for how to make our school better, or hold their classmates accountable for their behavior. I know this is true when I see students supporting each other during hard times.

Impacting the world for Christ means that students are making a difference beyond the walls of Highland Christian. I know this is happening because our students were engaged in Christian service projects all year long. Through classroom projects, our school-wide Service Day, and personal initiatives, students applied their understanding and invested their energy in meeting the needs of others. Don’t miss the featured stories on their impact in this School Bell!

As we wrap up this year, I thank you for all you do to support Highland Christian School’s vision.

Gabriella Albanese Najaah Brandon Jeremy BriceFletcher Bandstra Quintin Cheairs Emily Feikema

Liam Ferry Makayla Hoeksema Mia JenkinsMatthew Groot Alexander Johnson Samantha Knoll

Josiah Mireles James Mock

Presley Peek Emily Prince

Matthew Pyle Ethan Reynhout

Kendal Taylor Samuel Vargo Leah YarbroughSophia Thompson Olivia Yonkman Quilla Young

Simon Molenaar Michael Moore

Isabella Verastegui

Matteo Rossi Morgan RudengaAudrey Ross Alyssa Segura Logan Smith Joshua Sylvester

HCS MISSION STATEMENTIn order to honor God,we nurture and guide students to see the Father’s creationto sense order in a world saved by Christto serve God through the leading of the Holy Spirit

CONTACT US3040 Ridge Road, Highland, Indiana 46322219-838-0356www.highlandchristian.org

PRINCIPALBob Payne

EXECUTIVE SECRETARYJody Moes

DIRECTOR OF RECRUITMENTAND DEVELOPMENTJodi Lineburg

SCHOOL BELL EDITORRené Fennema

SCHOOL BELL LAYOUTChristina Woo

SCHOOL BOARD Dan AardsmaJim BandstraDave BosmanRandy DeVries Bridget DeYoungDwayne EvenhouseGary MeterJohn SurowiecRyan TerpstraKyle Van Prooyen

FOUNDATION BOARD Dwayne EvenhouseTricia GrootDarla KinkadeCraig MenningaDave NeibertWayne ScheeringaJohn SurowiecFrank Van TilDan VoudrieRoger Yonkman

2016-17 Boards of Directors

SCHOOL’S OUT! What a great year we’ve had! You’ve worked hard and earned your break. We love you, Husky Pack! Here’s to a terrific summer vacation!

CLASS OF

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Making A Difference for LifeZinabu and Atikilt Bosman and Matthew and Luke Huizenga spent a day running for water. They ran a 5K this spring to raise awareness and money in the Running for Clean Water 5K on April 29. They Prepare(d) by training, were Responsible to get to the race, Engaged themselves in an event and were Aware of a need they could help meet.

Discovery Center

Compelled By God’s FaithfulnessMy favorite hymn is Great is Thy Faithfulness. As we close out another school year, that hymn comes to mind. God showed His faithfulness to me in so many ways again this year. Here are just a few ways:

Last summer, before the school year began, God provided Amber Powell for the Discovery Center aide position, and He did it in a way that only He could. We’ve both been blessed as we worked together this year.

We had great students who worked and learned together this year. They learned to say “I can” rather than “I can’t”, and they learned so much more. Many of them made very good progress throughout the year, which was shown on their achievement test scores and/or on their MAPS tests.

I was able to be part of the first through fifth grade teacher collaboration meetings. These meetings gave us time to focus on ways to meet the Indiana state standards, to share ideas, and to study data from the MAPS tests. As a result of our collaboration, I did some novel studies with my fourth and fifth grade reading students that I had never done before, and my students and I really enjoyed them.

Times of challenge and frustration for my students became opportunities to encourage them and help them grow. Times of challenge and frustration for me became opportunities for me to grow and to rely on God for every detail.

Prayer partners, encouraging co-workers, supportive parents, and so much more were part of this school year. To paraphrase the chorus of the hymn, all that I needed, and all that we as a school needed, His hand did provide. Yes, God is faithful always!

Gail Achterhof

Student InternshipThis year Jordan White made use of the opportunity to become better acquainted with work in a library setting. For the past few months, Jordan worked in the library as an intern, instead of going to study hall. She learned about the importance of shelving books, was able to run the circulation desk, ran some errands and helped maintain a neat and orderly setting. She is a hard worker and was always looking for more

to do. It is our wish that Jordan maintains her work ethic as she (maybe) pursues a career in the Library Sciences.

H A P P Y Anniversary!We want to thank the entire HCS faculty for their faithful service to Highland Christian School. We especially recognize the following faculty members for reaching significant anniversary dates. Thank you for your years of serving and caring for our children.

15 YEARS Gigi Eriks, Judith A. Zandstra

10 YEARS John CruseGlen DeYoungLauren EversTrudy KooyJackie MulderinkKaren van BelleAmy WilcoxJudy H. Zandstra

5 YEARS Tricia GrootMichelle HerrellMaria LopezDonna Meter Mark RinkenbergerAnne SpoelmanStephanie Yonkman

The Overflow of Their Hearts Christian Character Awards Each year, in Bible classes and class devotions, we spend time talking about the truths of God’s Word, the fruits of the Spirit and the traits of good character. We ask for God’s help as we identify how these truths should shape the attitudes of our heart and the deeds of our hands. The recipients of these character awards were nominated by their peers and teachers as students who consistently demonstrate these traits.

Encourager Award BUILDING AND ENCOURAGING FRIENDSHIPSBiblical example Paul Paul built up loving relationships with the people he interacted with and encouraged all people to do their best for God.

These students ENCOURAGED their classmates to do their best and tried to ENCOURAGE God’s gifts to grow within each of their classmates.

I Corinthians 1:5-6 “For in Him (God) you have been enriched in every way – in all your speaking and in all your knowledge – because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you.”

Josh NeibertTimothy MaldonadoGrant SitterAndjelina SavicLauren VoudrieJason RileyAlex MooreZoe WoelkersJaden Poortinga

Atikilt BosmanJackson ArmendarizMicah JonesNico SytsmaDon WooMaria IgnasLamaria CheairsLeah YarbroughEmily Prince

Preparedness Award PHYSICALLY, SPIRITUALLY, AND MENTALLY PREPAREDBiblical examples Noah and Ruth Obedience is at the heart of PREPAREDNESS. Noah was obedient to God during a time when others chose to disobey God and live their own way. The Bible says, “Noah did everything just as God commanded him.”

Ruth, a Moabite and a widow, had no standing in the Israelite community. Ruth left her family and homeland PREPARED to learn about the God of Israel and the community of faith.

Through their actions, these students are PREPARED physically, spiritually, and mentally to obey and learn.

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Bode WognumAdelia EriksKendra EenigenburgJordyn McGuireJustin JacksonAddison MillsLogan Van ProoyenAidan CisnerosLauren Sherwood

Lainey SchoonGrace Van EkEmily BantsolasAddison BandstraCaleb IvieBrynn McGuffeyCitlali SanchezJosh SylvesterGabriella Albanese

Engagement Award DOING THEIR BEST AND SEEKING HELP WHEN NEEDEDBiblical examples Moses and Deborah Moses learned that God wanted to use him to do the impossible: to lead God’s people to the promised land. Moses’ confidence in God’s leading gave him the strength to ENGAGE in leading the people.

During the time of the judges, Deborah was ENGAGED as a leader of God’s people. She not only settled disputes, but also led the Israelites into battle against the Canaanites.

These students are ENGAGED in doing their best and seeking help when needed.

Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.”

William HendersonMadigan PoortingaNaomi GorhamXochitl GarciaNatalie BantsolasAni DeYoungRiley JellemaLailoni StatenNadine KoutzSadie Sikora

Makenzie MulderinkIsaac SherwoodCameron EversAudrey YonkmanSpencer ReddingOlivia MapesEmma DeBoerJames MockIsabella Verastegui

Awareness Award STANDING FOR WHAT GOD REQUIRESBiblical examples Joshua and Esther Joshua was AWARE of the awesome task of conquering the land of Canaan and trusted God to help him even when all the other Israelites told him he was wrong.

Esther was AWARE of the threat to her people. She understood that “you have come to this royal position for such a time as this.”

These students display the same AWARENESS that God is faithful. They stand for what God wants them to do and behave in a way that promotes learning.

Joshua 1:7 “Be strong and courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave to you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.”

Hope AardsmaLacey HuismanNathanael KoutzLeo BussemaJacob HerrodJonathon Escamilla

Spencer BandstraMicah McGuireAna SavicCameron SchuttTyler MockMoriah Colar

Nina KoutzPriya SenThijs vanBelleReese McGuffeyMichael MooreSimon Molenaar

Responsibility Award RESPONSIBLE IN THE CLASSROOM & A FAITHFUL EXAMPLEBiblical examples Timothy and Mary (Lazarus’ sister) Timothy was influenced by a godly mother and grandmother to live RESPONSIBLY and faithfully. Paul encouraged Timothy to set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.

Mary often was RESPONSIBLE for the care and provision of Jesus. She “sat at the LORD’s feet and listened to what He said.”

These students are RESPONSIBLE for their own learning in the classroom and for the faithful example they set for others.

Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

Rosalind VanderWoudeAddyson HaitsmaJoseph O’ConnorVincent AvilaKayden CodyAri Smit

Jadyn SpragginsPeter DeYoungMadelyn TerpstraSimone SmithKayla DuPuyCamila Garcia

Ryan SmithJaedyn LongMax MeterOlivia OostemaOlivia YonkmanEthan Reynhout

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Kindergartners and First Graders Lead An All School Chapel

What does that sycamore tree branch have to do with your chapel?Great question…A branch needs to be connected to the tree, its source of strength, nutrients and life, in order to grow and bear fruit. That is just like us. We need to be connected to Jesus Christ, our source of strength, in order to bear fruit and do good works. Jesus wants us to show the fruits of the Spirit…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. If we are connected to Jesus, daily kindness, goodness, and blessing others should be part of our daily lives.

The kindergarten students held up signs that gave examples of good works we all could do: Forgive, Listen, Encourage, Be Kind, Volunteer, Comfort, Hug, Uplift, Smile, Stop Bullying, Pray, Serve, Care, Rebuild, Support, Help Others, Impact, Appreciate, Shine, Love.

Jesus gave us the perfect example of good works when He fed the hungry, healed the sick; and the ultimate - when He died for us, so we could be reconnected to Him. If we believe and trust that Jesus died for us, and if we follow and surrender our life to Him, asking the Holy Spirit to help us, then we are connected to Jesus and we will be able to bear fruit in His world.

Girls on the RunGirls on the Run is a national program for 3rd through 5th grade girls. This spring, Highland Christian School was able to form a team of 18 energetic, encouraging, and hard-working girls. We met twice a week after school to learn lessons on friendship, self-worth, perseverance, and more. Then, we ran! Each session held a new challenge for the girls. Whether it was running around the school, on the bike path, or even in the gym, the girls learned how to cheer each other on as a team. The season culminated with the Girls on the Run 5K in Highland. We had a cold, wet day for the run, but that didn’t stop our girls from giving it their all with their coaches and running buddies encouraging them along the way. We hope to have a fall and spring season next year and are looking for girls who would love a great program like this.

Young Author’s Festival at Trinity Christian CollegeWatching illustrations come to life, sharing stories, laughter and singing, watching improvisational acting, a campus tour, a writers’ workshop, and meeting new friends. These were just some of the highlights from this year’s Festival on April 25. The featured author and illustrator was George O’Connor. Several Christian schools in the area sent a group of students to Trinity to participate in this special day. At HCS, each child in grades 1-5 writes and illustrates his/her own book. Students in grade 6 have the option of writing a book and attending, also. Two “authors” with outstanding writing and illustration are chosen to go from each class. This year’s “young authors” were Jordyn McGuire, Liv Scheeringa, Joseph O’Connor, Noemi Macias, Vivienne Tebben, Zinabu Bosman, Ari Smit, Inara Hook, Caleb Mock, Alex Moore, Avery Van Laten, Lailoni Staten, Nolan Porter, Kamryn Taylor, Kayla Mills, Alexa Knoll, Kayla DuPuy, Jack Van Laten, Hayden Gorham, Micah Jones, Drew Witvoet, and Jaedyn Long. Congratulations, students!

Nick DykstraEmily FeikemaAniya HerrodMakayla HoeksemaNoah KieftNina KoutzBrynn McGuffeyEli McGuffeyMichael MooreJenna NormanElena ParodiAubrey Porter

Emily PrinceSpencer ReddingEthan ReynhoutMorgan RudengaMegan RuffoloCitlali SanchezNico SytsmaSophia ThompsonThijs van BelleSam VargoDrew WitvoetQuilla Young

Honor RollCongratulations to these stellar students who have achieved a GPA of 3.0 to 3.49.

Gabriella AlbaneseAddison BandstraFletcher BandstraEmma De BoerArie De YoungLoralee De YoungCameron EversMaria IgnasAmaria LewisJaedyn LongOlivia MapesReese McGuffeyMax MeterJames MockSimon Molenaar

Olivia OostemaParker SchuttPriya SenCaleb SmithLogan SmithRyan SmithJoshua SylvesterCamille Van LatenMia Van ProoyenIsabella VerasteguiJordan WhiteDonny WooAudrey YonkmanOlivia Yonkman

High Honor RollCongratulations to these stellar students who have achieved a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Fourth Quarter 2016/2017

Spiritual Formation: When Faith Takes RootThe third grade students learn about The Trinity as part of our Bible curriculum. Throughout the year, we talk about God’s work in his roles of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Guiding students to think about God in these three roles is a blessing to us as teachers, and we have many good discussions about God at work in our lives. The third graders wrote “I believe” statements as part of their Faith Formation Journal. Here a few of their thoughts:

I believe God (the Father)…

• Created people differently, so we can do different things• Answers our prayers• Will someday send Jesus back to earth• Planned and prepared everything in advance for me• Designed and knitted us together• Made us and the world

I believe Jesus (the Son)…

• Has taken our sin away• Will come back to earth and take his people to Heaven• Died on the cross for me• Died for me even though He didn’t have to do it, He wanted to• Paid the price for our sins

I believe the Holy Spirit…• Speaks to us• Lives inside us and encourages us to do the right thing• Guides me• Is in my heart• Makes us new• When we talk to God and say “I want to be a Christian”, the Holy Spirit will come inside you

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Discovering the Art of ArchitectureThe 8th Grade Class made their 21st annual trip into Chicago to learn about its fabulous architecture, as well as some other points of interest. Students visited Cloud Gate in Millennium Park, the Auditorium Theater, and

posed inside the famous Rookery Building on LaSalle Street. The students rode the South Shore commuter train into the city and enjoyed a pizza dinner at Pizano’s on Madison Street.

$94K RaisedThank You Husky Pack!The Annual Highland Christian School Auction was once again held in April. We are so blessed to see God’s faithfulness and providence poured out on Highland Christian through this event. It was a truly great evening where the HCS community came together to enjoy food, fellowship, and exhibit generosity. Students, parents, friends and family gathered to make the night a success.

The Auction Committee would like to extend their sincere appreciation to everyone who participated in the planning, assembling, cleaning, preparing, and the countless preparations occurring behind the scenes. Each contribution was vital to making the event a success, and we are so grateful for the time and effort given of everyone who volunteered.

Another huge thank you to those who donated so generously both in preparation for the auction and during the event. The Auction Committee always remains aware that we are merely organizing the generosity of others. We are so very blessed to have a community of committed donors and faithful supporters, and are humbled by the gifts and blessings that come as a result of those committed to the heritage of Christian education and mission of Highland Christian School. God certainly blesses us through you and we genuinely thank you for your contributions.

This year we were able to raise over $94,000. The funds will be used in the following ways to benefit the school:

• Foundation $5,000

• 8th Grade Fund $5,000

• Jr. High Laptop 1-to-1 Fund $35,000

• Building and Grounds $16,000

• Technology Fund (iPads) $7,500

• Project Lead the Way o Launch (K-5) $5,000o Robotics and Automation $5,000o Educator Training $5,000

We are excited to see these improvements made to our school and we look forward to continue to walk towards what God has in store for us.

Learning by Example: The Judicial SystemMrs. Gina Jones, Gavin & Micah Jones’ mom, came to talk to the third grade students about her role as a district court judge in Merrillville. The third graders are learning about the three branches of government, so the visit was very informative. Judge Jones even set up a mock trial where fidget spinners were illegal (gasp!) and students had to play roles that would be in a real courtroom. It was a great visit!

Fourth Grade Travel Back in TimeThe fourth graders took a field trip to Buckley Homestead in Lowell, Indiana. It was a warm, sunny day as they toured the one-room schoolhouse, the working farm, and the 1850s log cabin. Guides, who dressed in historical clothing, told them all about how life would have been different for children their age back then. The boys would have had to work hard on their family farms and the girls would have spent a lot more time helping mom with the difficult household chores. School was quite different back then, too. Students would be in the same classroom as their brothers and sisters. The fourth graders were a little more thankful for modern conveniences after this trip!

Environmental Education CenterThe fourth graders took a field trip to the Environmental Education Center in Hammond in March. They learned all about the importance of our natural resources. We “mined” for iron in corn flakes with a water experiment. We also made animal artwork from garbage! While we enjoyed the indoor trout stream, Re-Uz Room of craft supplies, and trying on clothes made from “garbage”, most of the fourth graders’ favorite part was the giant indoor tree slide.

Reading RockstarsMany students participated in this year’s Lake County Public Library Read-a-Thon. They raised $1,873 for the Lake County Public Library and $923 for our own school library! This year was very exciting as our HCS students raised more money than any other school in Highland. Ethan De Boer raised $342.55 on his own. He insists that he doesn’t even like reading, but he told his mom that he wanted to do this Read-a-Thon and started contacting all the people he knew. By the time he was finished he read many, many books and said that it was worth the reading! Thanks so much from the library and all our readers.

They raised $1,873 for the Lake County Public Libraryand $923 for our own school library!

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Introducing our Spring Student Athletes

First Grade

Sharing the Gift of CompassionDid you know that sharing a smile can start a chain reaction of smiles, happiness, and positivity? On Service Day, the first graders took time away from their school work to show God’s love to the people at Hartsfield Village. Before we left, we talked about how some of the residents may be challenged with their health, and some may be lonely, finding themselves far from family and friends. Then we prayed to God, asking Him to help us share His love and that we would bring sunshine and happiness to their day. The first graders gave a little show by singing some songs, and reciting some poems and Bible verses. The students then walked around the lunch room, meeting the residents as they read their Riddle Books to them. We left feeling so blessed to have given the gift of compassion, and the first graders learned that kindness can be the best medicine for the elderly.

Boys’ VolleyballThe boys’ volleyball teams had a good season. The two teams consisted of four 8th graders, four 7th graders, and four 6th graders. It was a quick season, but the boys had a lot of fun and improved. Many of them hadn’t played volleyball before and had a good first season. We look forward to seeing the 6th and 7th graders play next year. The teams included Fletcher Bandstra, Simon Molenaar, Matteo Rossi, Ethan Reynhout, Joey Norman, Christian Jaco, Max Meter, Eli McGuffey, Don Woo, Nick Dykstra, Turnley Horton, and Caleb Smith

Track and FieldThe boys track team had a good season. It was the smallest team we have ever had at only 10 members, but what the team lacked in numbers, they more than made up for in effort and determination. The boys gave everything they had at each meet and represented our school well. They grew a lot in their skills during the season and we are excited to see what that growth turns into as they all return next season a year older! Great season, guys!

The girls track team had a historic season. They won the League Championship for the first time in school history! Our success this year was a total team effort. We had very strong performances from our 7th and 8th grade leaders, and we got points from unexpected people in many events. Everyone also had amazing attitudes by being willing to do whatever the coaches asked for the good of the team. It was great to see that hard work, determination and sacrifice pay off! Emily Prince set school records in the 50m hurdles and the 200 meters. Mya Bailey also set a school record in the 1200 meters Our medley relay team of Emily Prince, Mya Bailey, Isabella Verastegui and Cameron Evers also set a school record. Way to go, girls!

Girls Track Relay Team - Record BreakersCameron Evers, Isabella Verastegui, Emily Prince and Mya Bailey

Rising Stars. The Poise of Performance.….Because a genuine princess is exceedingly rare… as we found out in “Getting to Know….Once Upon a Mattress”. The junior high students performed a play that was entertaining and funny and gave a lesson in what is truly of value: just our individual qualities, or the way that God has put all our qualities together in ways we would not. Is it surprising that a prince would fall in love with a princess who swam the moat when they get along so well and can see each other’s best qualities? It is also satisfying, from a director’s viewpoint, to watch our students grow and mature – from the actors to the light, sound, and backstage crew, as they take more responsibility and put on a show that they can be proud of.

Mr. DeYoung Recognized by the South Holland Historical Society

If you don’t know our Head Custodian, Mr. Glen DeYoung, you are missing out. Glen lives out our school vision everyday in his personal and professional life. He watches for opportunities to share Biblical truth with others and impacts the world for Christ, one relationship at a time.

This past summer and fall, Glen spent a lot of time working to map and excavate buried headstones in the oldest sections of Homewood Gardens Cemetery in Homewood, Illinois. Nobody asked him to do this. He and his daughter, Loralee (current HCS student) did it to honor the past and to assist other researchers with connections to these earliest settlers of South Holland. He also wrote a comprehensive guide to the "Old Dutch" section of the cemetery and documented stones that have been missing for decades.

Why did he do this? Because as a child he noticed the long geneaologies listed in the Scripture. Over time, he realized that every single person plays a part in God’s story. “Just like the list in the Bible and the stories that connect it from beginning to end, [our history] is

one continuous, unbroken plan. There isn’t one part that is a mistake or unimportant to God. God has made our list, also.”

Glen is a member of the South Holland Historical Society and the leadership there nominated him for a special projects award from the Illinois State Historical Society. His work was added to the archives of the state historical society and he was honored with this award on April 22. Glen was not able to go to Springfield to accept his award due to his obligations with HCS’s Auction. Since Loralee helped with the excavation, Glen asked her to go to the ceremony and accept the award for him.

Editorial Note: When I learned of Glen’s award, I was intrigued by his passion in this project. To my pleasure he shared the back story of how he came to be involved in the restoration of this cemetery. Read more at highlandchristian.org/special-staff-recognition

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Calendar 2017/2018August 17, 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .HCS Teacher In-Service

August 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Illiana Area In-Service

August 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .New Family Reception 5:30 p.m.

August 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Classroom Visits 6:00-6:30 p.m.

August 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ice Cream Social 6:30-7:30 p.m.

August 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . First Day of School 1:45 Dismissal

August 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Convocation in the Gym 8:45 a.m.

August 25 - September 5 . . . . . . . . . . . PTO Coupon Card Sale

August 28, 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . SEC Parent Orientation 7:00 p.m.

September 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Labor Day, No School

September 5, 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SEC First Days

September 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Late Start 10:00a.m.

September 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SEC Picture Day

September 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HCS Picture Day

September 27 . . . . . . . . PTO Muffins for Misses 7:45-8:25 a.m.

September 27 . . . . . . . . . . . See You at the Pole 7:45-8:00 a.m.

October 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Late Start 10:00 a.m.

October 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grandparents’ Day 12:00 Dismissal

October 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No School for SEC

October 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K-5 Musical Program 7:00 p.m.

October 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Apple Slice Family Fun Event

October 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . End of 1st Quarter

October 19, 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CEA Convention, No School

November 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Late Start 10:00 a.m.

November 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . HCS Preview Day 9:00-11:00 a.m.

November 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Conferences 12:00 Dismissal

November 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Teacher Work Day, No School

November 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SEC, No School

November 23, 24 . . . . . . . . Thanksgiving Vacation, No School

December 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Late Start 10:00 a.m.

December 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christmas Concert 7:00 p.m.

Beginning Band and Junior High Band & Choir

December 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Class Pizza Parties

December 23 - January 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christmas Vacation

January 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . School Resumes

etc...One Body. One Community. One Family.I Corinthians 12:14-15: “For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body, that would not make it any less a part of the body.”

One Body. One Community. One FAMILY. These three statements truly sum up etc…Thrift Store with FAMILY being at the heart of it all. What started out as serving side-by-side has now become loving one another side-by-side. It’s a beautiful picture of being a part of the family of God. Personally, we celebrate often how God has blessed us with each other. We serve, we love, we pray, we encourage, we eat, we fellowship and we share our lives with one another. For some of us it’s an extended family, while for others we are the family they never had. Either way, GOD IS GOOD!

As some of you may or may not know, our family is made up of many “members” who function in different ways at the store. There are just too many of them to name but each one is important, necessary and valued for how they keep our store running smoothly on a day-to-day basis. No job is insignificant and we recognize this ministry would not be possible without them. Many hands make light work. As we roll up our sleeves and serve together, we recognize that we are serving God first and we give Him all the glory.

We also recognize our partnership with Highland Christian School in providing a Christ-centered education as a great privilege. Our monetary contributions over the last eight years have made all our efforts well worth it. We thank God daily for His blessings on the store and for the blessing of family.

Bottle BiographiesTake an empty water bottle, a Styrofoam ball, some extra craft supplies, and a little creativity and what do you have? A Bottle Biography! The fourth graders were studying famous Hoosier inventors and entrepreneurs. Their assignment was to research their famous Hoosier, write a report, and create a Bottle Biography likeness of their Hoosier. Madame C.J. Walker (hair and skin products), Charles G. Conn (band instruments), the Deusenberg Brothers (cars) and Wilbur Wright (airplanes) were among some of the most popular choices. Students even included props to go with their Hoosier. After the Bottle Biographies were presented to the class, we put them in the library for all to see.

Since Mrs. De Young’s 5th Grade classroom has a Secret Agent decorating theme (Agency D3 - discover, decide, defend) and all their 3rd quarter devotions have been on the theme of "What's wrong with the world that I intend to fix?”, Mrs. DeYoung has declared each of them "Change Agents."

Over the course of this year, they’ve learned to think critically in accordance with God’s Word. This past quarter, they each kept a Change Agent Mission Log. They found and copied two Bible verses about justice and interviewed an adult about what Christians should do to correct injustice in the world.

After Spring Break, students conducted internet research to choose a place in the world where injustice is currently happening. This will be their country/location to remember daily in prayer.

This study of justice from God’s point of view culminated in a written, personal response after they participated in Service Day. What did they learn? Each one of them can make a difference in the world, one action at a time.

Change Begins with MeDiscover - Decide - DefendWay to Represent! Math TriathlonOn April 20, fourteen 7th and 8th graders from Highland Christian participated in the 24th Annual Math Triathlon at Trinity Christian College. 344 students from 21 schools participated in the Triathlon. The day included an individual event, a team event, and a relay event. The individual event was a test made up of 20 questions. In the team event, the students were split into groups of three or four to solve five problems. In the relay event, students had to answer questions as fast as possible.

In the individual event, Simon Molenaar was the top scorer for HCS. Our top scoring team was made up of Maria Ignas, Max Meter, and Parker Schutt. This team of three 7th graders took second place out of 95 teams! Other students who participated in the day’s events included: Gabby Albanese, Fletcher Bandstra, Loralee De Young, Emily Feikema, Amaria Lewis, Reese McGuffey, James Mock, Morgan Rudenga, Logan Smith, and Olivia Yonkman. Highland Christian School placed 2nd out of 21 schools! Way to go HCS!! Thank you to all those students who participated in the Triathlon this year! They did a great job representing HCS!

14 schoolbell Summer 2017

Community ConnectionsFather and son, Fred and Ken Leep, return to Highland Christian School each year to read to the children in kindergarten. They give each child a book through the Highland Kiwanis organization. Ken has been doing this for over a decade, and in the last few years, Fred has been joining him. They are both alumni of Highland Christian School and understand the rewards of learning in a Christ-centered school. Fred even had Mrs. Brown as a teacher! That is generational learning, a strength of Highland Christian School.The Leep’s own and operate the Pleasant View Diary in Highland, Indiana and are active in local and church leadership.

Summer 2017 schoolbell 15

Mark This MomentGod has led them this far, let’s mark this moment before the next chapter unfolds. As you celebrate graduations, marriages births, birthdays and anniversaries this summer, we invite you to mark these moments in history with a personalized paver. Your paver will be installed in the Legacy Prayer Plaza.

As God weaves new threads into the tapestry of our community, these testimonies bear God’s glory and our gratitude for each life well lived. Your gift of $115 allows 3 lines of text.

Your gift of $130 allows 4 lines of text.

To order your paver, visit highlandchristian.org/support-hcs

When the pieces fall apart, we need each other. We need a vision. We need hope.Highland Christian is pleased to announce that The HOPE Fund was established to deliver on this need. “Sometimes the hole just gets too deep; the rift in a relationship too wide” said the donors, “but if we all pull the wagon together, relationships can be restored, families can be encouraged and fresh starts given.”

The Hope Fund, established March 2017, compliments a variety of tuition assistance tools Highland Christian School has in place. It will be managed by the Board of Directors and specific guidelines will be followed when issuing awards.

If you are interested in giving to this fund, please visit our website or contact the Development Director at (219) 838-0356 x165.

Goal Met!You can’t over estimate the value of having the right tools for a job. Easily seen in construction, engineering and mechanical fields, it is equally true in education and learning sciences! Thank you for valuing the vision that guides Highland Christian School staff and students through each day; for equipping us with the right tools for our job.

It is no small feat to keep 432 kids on track while moving them forward in faith and learning. We are filled with great thanks and gratitude for the impact you have had on our student outcomes through your gifts. God once again brought the right group of people and gifts for the 2016-2017 school year.

• Our teachers enjoyed both onsite and offsite professional growth opportunities.

• We met our 2016-17 goal for Project 1:1! We raised funds sufficient to purchase laptops for each Junior High Student and replace 1 set of classroom iPads. We are eager to continue this forward motion and look forward to getting devices in the hands of our younger students as well.

• Our 2016-17 SGO Scholarship needs were fully funded.

• We were able to fund Project Lead the Way as it expands building wide.

• We completed maintenance on our Building and Grounds in keeping with our 5 year plan.

• We met our 2016-17 goal for the Foundation Appeal.

Research shows that community connections are a key element in long term spiritual formation. So this Summer, as we celebrate the Class of 2017 on their graduation from 8th grade, Highland Christian School’s Class of 2013 on their graduation from high school and the Class of 2009 who just graduated college, we shine the spotlight on Highland Christian School’s Alumni who have lived faithful lives, walking with Jesus Christ and serving their fellow man. Beyond the walls of Highland Christian, you are the community our students need as they continue to grow in knowledge, understanding and personal faith. So for you we pray that “your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ.” (Philippians 1:9-10)

Auction Church OfferingsEstate Giftsetc… A Thrift StoreFamily Legacy FundsFoundation FundFundraising EventsGifts of StockHope FundLegacy Prayer PlazaPTO School Improvement FundSGO Scholarship FundTribute GiftsTuition Assistance FundWish List Fund

Sonshine Enrichment Center“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do!” We memorized this verse from Ephesians and shared it with our guests at preschool graduation this year. Preschoolers can do good works, too! We can be kind to others, we can take care of creation, and we can tell others about God. We had a wonderful year together finding the good works that God had prepared!

Preschool graduation is a night to celebrate all that we’ve accomplished and to signify moving on. Congratulations to all the SEC students for finishing the year, but especially

to those who graduated. Great job! We also celebrate the end of our school year with a picnic at a local park. It was a little cool, but we still had a great time! We love to play with our

friends, so it was fun to take one more opportunity to get together.

We appreciate all the prayers that go up on our behalf throughout the school year. We are also thankful to all the SEC families for entrusting their children to us. It is truly a blessing to work with these children of God every day!

It’s Time for a Husky Howl!

Wow! You stood up! Thank you to NWI and the local communities of Highland Christian,

Lansing Christian, and Calvin Christian schools for making the POP TABS for ELENA campaign a success! Your efforts helped Jeff and Krystal cross

the finish line for the first leaf in memory of Elena.

We are pressing on for leaf number 2, so keep

your pop tabs coming!“Train up a child in the way he should go

and when he is old, he will not depart from it. - Proverbs 22:6

3040 Ridge Road, Highland, Indiana 46322

219-838-0356

www.highlandchristian.org

Highland ChristianSchool

Highland Christian School

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