UNITY... FAITH, EXCELLENCE, SERVICE
HOME BULLETIN
January 3, 2017
The Journey is Unity’s chapel theme this year.
Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
During the month of December, our theme was “Rest Stops.” Anyone who has gone on a long
journey knows the importance of rest stops. It is essential that a Christian rests when traveling the
road of discipleship. Regular time of prayer, scripture reading, and reflection are vital to the
Christian journey. During the month of December, chapel provided a good time to stop during our
busy days and contemplate the coming of our Savior.
Our theme for the month of January is: Detours and Roadblocks.
1.
GREETINGS TO OUR NEW READERS! With the January issue of the Home Bulletin,
circulation of the Home Bulletin expands to the homes of 8th graders.
This is one of our steps welcoming prospective freshmen families into the Unity
community. If you have not had a child attend Unity before (or in a while), you may
discover that reading the monthly Home Bulletin helps you to be informed of high school
activities.
The next step in orienting 8th graders and parents to Unity will be the upcoming Eighth
Grade Orientation Nights. These evenings are designed for both parents and students and
will be held from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. on Monday, February 6; Wednesday, February 8; and
Monday, February 13. An invitation will be mailed to all 8th grade homes in mid-January
and Unity teachers will follow-up by calling to determine which evening you plan to attend.
Inside this Issue
Greetings to 8th Graders
FACTS
Choir News
Band/Orchestra News
Winter Play
Guidance Info.
Summer Sports Camps
Page 1
Page 2
Page 2
Page 3
Page 3
Page 3
Page 5
Athletics Update
Sports Physicals
CRU Cards
Spirit Store
UC Business Directory
Buy-A-Brick Program
Celebration Banquet
Page 6
Page 6
Page 6
Page 7
Page 7
Page 7
Page 8
AmazonSmile
Requested Announcements
Prayer Calendar
School Calendar
Patron Letter
Patron Ticket Form
Summer Sports Camps
Page 8
Page 8
Page 8
Page 9
Page 10
Page 11
Insert
2.
2017-2018 TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: “Seeking to ensure that no family
desiring Christian education for their children is denied for financial reasons.”
For the coming 2017-2018 school year, Unity will be continuing to utilize FACTS, an online
web-based application program.
Many Unity families are members of churches which provide some type of tuition
assistance through a Covenant Plan (CCEP), a Benevolent Plan, or Tuition Assistance Fund.
For those families who have little or no church assistance available, Unity has a Tuition
Assistance Fund to provide help with the annual tuition costs.
 Families applying for tuition assistance need to access the FACTS web site at
www.FACTStuitionaid.com as a “Returning” or “New User.”
The required application information is easily accessible data from the 2016 tax return
along with other basic financial information. Copies of confirming tax documents will
be required to be sent to the FACTS center. The $30 application fee will be paid by the
schools. Parents who have students in Unity and in a participating elementary school
need only to fill out the application one time—the data will be processed for each of the
member schools.
The FACTS organization will analyze the information submitted by each applicant and
will provide Unity with a recommended tuition assistance amount based on the need for
that family and the available tuition assistance funds.
 Church Assistance: If your church participates in FACTS to provide tuition assistance,
you will need to enter the church as the student school. You will need to call FACTS (1866-315-9262) and request that your application information be provided to the school as
well.
If your church provides tuition assistance, the church may request that Unity provide
them with the FACTS recommendation grant amount for your family. We will do this in
order for you to obtain the assistance available from your church.
 All parents requesting tuition assistance are required to participate in the FACTS
program to receive Unity tuition assistance. The FACTS application must be completed
by the March 31, 2017, deadline. Confirming documents can be submitted later. Unity
will inform its applicants of their tuition assistance amounts by May 1.
Please contact the FACTS organization at their toll-free number (1-866-315-9262) should you
have any issues or questions with the online application.
For additional information on the process, please call Mary Overweg, Unity’s Financial
Manager, at 616-669-1820.
3.
CHOIR NEWS: Students in Choral Ensemble and various soloists and small ensembles will
be performing in the MSVMA District Solo and Ensemble on Saturday, February 4, 2017, at
East Kentwood High School. Each student/ensemble will be assigned a performance time.
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4.
BAND & ORCHESTRA NEWS: For students who sign up, Solo & Ensemble Festival will
be held on Saturday, January 28, at West Ottawa High School.
5.
SAVE THE DATES! February 23, 24, 25
Fifty-two amazing students will be performing THE JUNGLE BOOK, originally written by
Rudyard Kipling, and adapted for the stage by Monica Flory. The story of Mowgli is a
familiar one. Raised deep in the jungle by wolves, Mowgli has a way of getting into all
kinds of trouble, especially with the monkeys. Baloo, the Bear, and Bagheera, the Panther,
teach Mowgli Jungle Law while trying to keep his curiosity in check. Director Dan Sanders
has incorporated several dance pieces into this production. THE JUNGLE BOOK is fastpaced and entertaining. Children and adults alike will enjoy this play. The action is sure to
keep the young and old engaged. Performances will be at Allendale High School, starting
at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. Please consider becoming
a Patron for this production and having first choice at seats. Information about becoming a
Patron is included in this Home Bulletin. Patrons have until January 20 to reserve seats.
General public sales begin February 13. Tickets can be purchased by phone (616-669-1820)
or in Unity’s main office.
6.
UNITY DIRECTIONS – AND DUE DATES FROM THE GUIDANCE STAFF:
Mr. Bill Postma - Director of Instruction
Mrs. Julie Essebaggers – Middle Schools; International Students
Mr. Randy Heethuis – Counselor (A - K)
Mr. Dan Sanders – Counselor (L - Z)
Mrs. Cyndi Post - Specialist in learning disabilities
FRESHMEN:
 9th grade students will begin selecting classes for the 2017/2018 school year on January 24.
Counselors will provide them with information and materials so they can make a
preliminary selection of classes. These preliminary selections are confirmed or changed
during a conference with their counselor during second semester. Copies of schedules will
be emailed home for parental approval.
SOPHOMORES:
 10th graders will begin selecting classes for the 2017/2018 school year on January 19.
Students will make a selection of classes and then confirm or change the selections during a
2nd semester conference with a counselor. The schedule created during that conference will
be emailed home for parental approval.
 On January 20, a representative from the Careerline Tech Center will be in the guidance
office to meet with students who want to know about Tech Center programs. On
February 1, Mr. Sanders and Mr. Lutke will take interested students on a Tech Center visit.
Students will have the opportunity to visit three programs of their choice. Parents and
students can go to www.oaisd.org/ctc to check out the many programs the Tech Center
offers.
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 PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test) scores were handed out and explained in
December to those sophomores who took the test. Sophomores can go online and create an
account at www.studentscores.collegeboard.org. This account will also allow students to see
their future SAT scores shortly after testing. AP test results are also posted on this site.
JUNIORS:
 Course selections for the 2017/2018 school year will be January 17. Following a 2nd semester
conference between student and counselor, a schedule will be emailed home for final
approval.
 11th graders interested in taking a course at the Careerline Tech Center should attend the
informational meeting on January 20 with a Tech Center representative in Unity’s guidance
office. On February 1, Mr. Sanders and Mr. Lutke will take students to the Tech Center
where they will visit three programs of their choice.
 11th graders will be taking the SAT test as part of the MME (Michigan Merit Exam) at Unity
on April 11. MME testing will continue April 12 with additional testing times to be
determined. Students will sign up for the April 11 SAT at school.
It is very important that juniors be in school these two days. Make-up testing requires
students to miss a considerable amount of class time.
 SAT or ACT?
Traditionally, Michigan high school students have taken the ACT for college admission and
scholarship purposes. The ACT and ACT Writing have been part of the Michigan Merit
Exam (MME). Starting last year, the State of Michigan switched from the ACT to the SAT.
The new SAT covers less material, but requires students to show mastery of material at a
higher level. All Unity juniors will take the SAT in April and can use these scores for college
admission and scholarship purposes. In addition, juniors may also choose to take the ACT.
Colleges will accept either test. Counselors will be talking with juniors about the differences
between the two tests. Juniors wanting to improve their scores can retake the SAT or try the
ACT. Counselors will help juniors with this decision.
Future Test Dates:
SAT
SAT Test Date
March 11, 2017
May 6, 2017
June 3, 2017
ACT
ACT Test Date
February 11, 2017
April 8, 2017
June 10, 2017
Registration Date
February 10, 2017
April 7, 2017
May 9, 2017
Registration Date
January 13, 2017
March 3, 2017
May 5, 2017
 PSAT scores were handed out and explained to juniors in late December. Juniors can go
online and create an account at www.studentscores.collegeboard.org. This account will also
allow students to see their future SAT scores shortly after testing. AP test results are also
posted on this site.
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SENIORS:
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): This is the form that students and parents
are encouraged to fill out by February 15 to apply for financial aid. This can be done at
www.fafsa.ed.gov. Parents and students will need a FSA ID before filling out the FAFSA.
You can register for a FSA ID at www.fsaid.ed.gov. The sooner this is done the better as the
closer it gets to the filing deadline, the longer it may take to process your FSA ID. Some
colleges may have an additional or supplemental form in addition to the FAFSA. Please check
with the college of your choice or with Mr. Heethuis to see that all necessary financial aid
forms are completed by the February 15, 2017, deadline.
Calvin College Theodore Peters Scholarship. To be eligible for the Theodore Peters
Scholarship, students must be accepted for admission to Calvin College by February 1. A
Unity faculty committee will select applicants from eligible students. The selection of the
candidate will be based upon academic achievement, leadership, Christian character, and nonathletic extracurricular activities. To qualify for consideration, applicants must have a 3.50 or
higher GPA, an ACT composite score of 25 or higher, or rank in the top 20% of their class.
Additional Scholarship Possibilities











Calvin College - Alumni Association Lakeshore Chapter Scholarship – February 1 deadline
Calvin College - Howard Hughes Medical Scholarship – February 1 deadline
Calvin College – Donor Funded Scholarships – February 1 deadline
Community Choice Credit Union Scholarship – February 1 deadline
Lake Michigan Credit Union Hutt Scholarship – January 31 deadline
University of Michigan Club Scholarship – February 3 deadline
Kuyper College Scholarships
Michigan Society of Professional Engineers – February 3 deadline
SAE Engineering Scholarship – March 15 deadline
Tom & Reca Winkle Family Memorial Education Scholarship for Calvin, Dordt, or Trinity –
January 13 deadline
Unity Alumni Fine Arts Scholarship – February 1 deadline
Please see Mr. Heethuis or your counselor for application materials and more information
about college applications and scholarships.
Websites that are helpful in researching
www.mi-studentaid.org, and www.finaid.org.
8.
scholarships
include
www.fastweb.com,
SUMMER SPORTS CAMPS: Included in this mailing is a copy of the “Unity Christian
Summer Camps 2017” flyer that lists the dates of this year’s sports camps. Detailed
information about each camp will be available in March. You can find a copy of this camp
flyer on Unity’s website: http://unitychristianathletics.org/main/campsclinics.
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7.
UNITY ATHLETICS UPDATE AS OF December 29, 2016
Basketball – Girls – Freshman
6-0
Basketball – Girls – JV
4-2
Basketball – Girls – Varsity
4-2
Basketball – Boys – Freshman
Basketball – Boys – JV
Basketball – Boys – Varsity
3-2
3-2
2-3
Bowling – Girls
3–1
5th at Allendale Invitational
Bowling – Boys
1–3
5th at Allendale Invitational
Hockey
(co-op. with Hudsonville H.S.)
6–3
Swimming – Boys
(co-op with Hudsonville H.S.)
2–0
Wrestling
3– 5
9.
SPORTS PHYSICALS FOR 2017/2018: Unity is making sports physicals available to its
students as well as middle school students. Dr. Steven Verkaik, along with several other
doctors and assistants, will sponsor this sports physical evening on Wednesday, April 19,
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. The cost for a sport physical is $10, payable that evening to Unity Christian
High School.
10.
CRU CARDS AND SPRING SPORTS TRYOUTS: If your son or daughter is planning to
try out for a spring sport, he/she must have a CRU Card prior to trying out each season.
CRU Cards are given out by the athletic office and are a way for us to track all the necessary
paperwork (that used to be done after your child has started the season) prior to the start of
the season.
Starting January 30, a link will be available to register for the CRU Card. Every student that
is trying out is required to register, even if they played a sport in another season. Students
must be registered by February 24th.
Requirements are:
 Physical dated after April 15, 2016
 Commitment Form
 Concussion Acknowledgement Form
 SIMS Athletic Training Information
 ImPact Baseline Testing Complete (Certain Sports- Freshman and Juniors)
 Academic Eligibility & Transfer Eligibility- To be completed by the athletic office
 Once the requirements are met, your child will be given a CRU Card. They are to
turn these into their coach on the first day of their tryout.
 More
information
about
the
CRU
Card
is
available
online
at
http://www.unitychristianathletics.org/main/adnews/ID/41991477
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11.
UNITY’S SPIRIT STORE: The Spirit Store is open every Wednesday from 2:30–3:15 p.m.
The Spirit Store will also be open during the following home basketball games:
Friday, January 13
Friday, January 27
Friday, February 17
12.
UC COMMUNITY BUSINESS DIRECTORY: As a business, organization, and/or a parent
of a Unity Christian High School student, you support Unity – either through sponsoring
events or scholarships, or as a UC patron of the Education Foundation, PACE or the Building
Unity campaign, or through tuition – and we want YOU to be included in the UC Business
Directory – at no cost to you! This directory is available on the UC website at
www.unitychristian.org. We encourage Unity families to support and utilize the local
businesses and services listed. (Printed copies are available upon request.)
If you would like your business or organization listed, please contact the Development
Office at [email protected] or call 662-4011 BY January 1. (If you are already
listed, please visit the website to view your current listing to make sure it is still correct.)
UC Business Directory Listing Information – Here’s what we need from you:
 The name of your business/organization, address, business phone/fax numbers
 A contact name & phone number
 Website information
 The category & type of business or tagline that describes your services
13.
BUY-A-BRICK PROGRAM: As our Buy-A-Brick Program is an ongoing project, you may
purchase engraved brick pavers for the UC courtyard at any time. We are periodically
updating the courtyard when enough orders are submitted to warrant the engraving and
placement for the pavers. If you’d like to be (or have your family) included in our beautiful
brick-paved courtyard, please contact Nick Balcer at 662-4011 or [email protected].
You may also download and print a Buy-A-Brick order form from the UC website at
www.unitychristian.org/BuyABrick. Or, pick up a form at the Development Office (5340
Plaza
Street,
Hudsonville).
You
may
also
call
662-4011
or
email
[email protected] to request that an order form be sent to you.
Order Specifications:
 Each brick costs $150, and can only accommodate three (3) lines of text, and is
limited to 14 characters per line. (NOTE: Each letter, space, punctuation mark or
number count as ONE character. NO EXCEPTIONS!)
 You may order as many bricks as you want!
 You will need to fill out one form per each brick.
 When ordering multiple numbers of bricks, please indicate on the form the ORDER
in which you want these bricks to be laid.
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14.
UC CELEBRATION BANQUET FOR 2017 – SAVE THE DATE! Please plan now to attend
the UC Celebration Banquet 2017 that will be held on Monday, April 24, at The Pinnacle
Center. This year our Banquet guest/entertainment will be Captivating Keyboards – a
dynamic, refreshing, and inspiring piano duo!
“Featuring Scott J. Griffin and Alan C. Tripp (both Piano Performance
graduates of Moody Bible Institute), Captivating Keyboards is a dynamic piano
duo capturing the humor, energy and joy in music of many styles. Experience an
unforgettable evening as they present an engaging program filled with delightful
melodies new and old, hilarious antics, keyboard fireworks, stunning classics and
satisfying sacred favorites. Scott and Alan have performed at Moody Bible
Institute’s Founders Week, The Moody Church, the Institute for Fine Arts of
Chihuahua Mexico, Word of Life Ministries in New York and Florida, The Crystal
Cathedral of California, and numerous theatres, churches (including The Women’s
Bible League, Byron Center 2015) and other venues worldwide.” –
www.BrownPaperTickets.com/Capitivating Keyboards Event
An Invitation will be sent out with the March/April edition of the Tidings. Be sure to
RSVP early so we can save you a seat at this wonderful celebration!
15.
AMAZONSMILE: Support Unity every time you shop Amazon.com. AmazonSmile is a
simple and automatic way for you to support Unity, at no cost to you. When you do your
shopping at AmazonSmile, Amazon donates .5% of the purchase price to Unity. Bookmark
the link http://smile.amazon.com/ch/38-1443397 and support us every time you shop!
16.
REQUESTED ANNOUNCEMENTS:
 Jenison Christian School 8th graders will present the humorous play The Somewhat True
Tale of Robin Hood on Thursday, January 26, at 7:00 p.m., and Saturday, January 28, at
3:00 p.m., at the Jenison High School Auditorium. Tickets go on sale in the JCS office
beginning Monday, January 16. Tickets are $5 each for any age.
 Christian Schools International has two openings in Employee Benefits Department:
1) Full-time position as administrative assistant to the Vice-President (some
accounting experience preferred) and
2) Three-day-a-week position assisting department staff with the day-to-day
activities of the school pension and insurance plans.
Candidates must possess a strong commitment to Christian education. For more
information, please visit csionline.org or contact Howard Van Mersbergen at
[email protected].
17.
PRAYER CALENDAR is located on our website at http://www.unitychristian.org/wpcontent/uploads/2017/01/JAN-2017-Prayer-Calendar.pdf.
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18.
CALENDAR FOR JANUARY, FEBRUARY, & MARCH:
January 9
School Resumes
January 14
Winter Dance, The Pinnacle Center, 6:30 – 11:00 p.m.
January 27
Blood Drive
January 28
Solo & Ensemble; West Ottawa High School
February 4
Choral Solo & Ensemble; East Kentwood High School
February 6
8th Graders & Parent Orientation, 7:30 p.m.
February 8
8th Graders & Parent Orientation, 7:30 p.m.
February 13
8th Graders & Parent Orientation, 7:30 p.m.
February 17
Winterfest, 1:15 p.m. dismissal
Student Dance after basketball game against Holland HS until
11:30 p.m.
February 23, 24, 25
Winter Play (7:00 p.m. performances Feb. 23 & 24; 5:00 p.m.
performance on Feb. 25)
February 24-27
Winter Break
February 26-March 1
YIG
March 13
Parent/Teacher Conferences; 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
March 16
Parent/Teacher Conferences; 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
March 17
Accelerated Schedule; 12:25 p.m. dismissal
Parent/Teacher Conferences; 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. (note time change)
March 18
Science Olympiad, GVSU
March 24
Blood Drive
March 31-April 9
Spring Break
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“UNITY... FAITH, EXCELLENCE, SERVICE”
5900 48th Avenue • Hudsonville, MI 49426
Ph. (616) 669-1820 • Fax (616) 669-5760
Dear Friends and Supporters of Unity,
Development Office
Ph.(616) 662-4011 • Fax (616) 662-4006
January 3, 2017
I am very excited to announce that Unity is proudly producing the play, THE JUNGLE BOOK! Based off the
story written by Rudyard Kipling, and adapted for the stage by Monica Flory, THE JUNGLE BOOK is an
action-packed story sure to entertain the entire family. Children especially will be fascinated by the various
characters in this production.
THE JUNGLE BOOK is a story about a young boy named Mowgli. While an infant, and at the edge of the
jungle with his father, a fierce and wicked tiger, Shere Khan attacks and kills Mowgli’s father while trying to
get to Mowgli. Shere Khan, is driven away by the villagers and their Red Flower (fire), but is determined to
seek revenge and kill Mowgli to make up for the disgrace of missing his kill. Mowgli is found by the wolf
pack and, although human, he is raised as a wolf. Akela, the leader of the wolf pack, recruits Baloo, the
bear, to teach Mowgli the ways of the jungle, which includes learning the Jungle Law. Baloo has help from
Bagheera, the wise black panther, in raising Mowgli. Like any child, Mowgli is curious. His curiosity often
gets him in trouble, especially with the monkeys who have a way of getting Mowgli into situations he needs
to be rescued from by his teachers. As Mowgli grows older, it is time for Mother Wolf to tell him that he is
indeed human. Mowgli struggles with this news and must eventually choose between life in the jungle or
life in the village among the humans. Come and find out which life Mowgli chooses and why he makes this
decision!
Along with a great story, THE JUNGLE BOOK also includes a lot of dance. You will see a traditional Indian
dance along with a Monkey See, Monkey Do dance which will really delight the children in the audience.
Costuming for this production will be extensive as high school students are transformed into the animals of
the jungle. The set will take you deep into the jungle where our story takes place.
THE JUNGLE BOOK will be performed Thursday, February 23, Friday, February 24, and Saturday,
February 25. Performances will take place at Allendale High School beginning at 7:00 p.m., with the
exception of Saturday’s performance, which will be at 5:00 p.m.
We ask that you consider becoming a Patron of THE JUNGLE BOOK. Your gift of $25.00 will allow you to
purchase tickets for any night before they go on sale to the general public and your name will appear in the
program as supporters of Unity Drama. There is no limit to the number of tickets Patrons can purchase.
Patrons have until January 20 to reserve seats. On February 13, tickets will go on sale to the general public.
All tickets are $5.00.
Please fill out the form below, indicating the number of tickets you would like reserved for each night.
Please also include your name(s) as you would like it to appear in the program. Include your Patron gift and
full amount for tickets ordered. Your Patron ticket order will be returned to you the week of January 23.
Thank you,
Dan Sanders, Director
And the cast of THE JUNGLE BOOK
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THE JUNGLE BOOK PATRON TICKET FORM
Name____________________________________________
Phone__________________
Address: ___________________________________________
City/Zip ________________
Name(s) as it should appear on the program: ________________________________________
# of tickets
Thursday (2/23)
Friday (2/24)
Saturday (2/25)
_____________ +
_________ +
____________
=
______________
+ _________ +
____________
=
______________
X $5.00 = total _____________
PATRON GIFT = $25.00_________
TOTAL
=
______________
Check if anyone requires handicap/wheelchair seating
Performance(s) handicap/wheelchair seating is requested:
Thursday (2/23)
Friday (2/24)
Saturday (2/25)
***Tickets ordered with this form are non-refundable***
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