The Light

www.harborlightchristian.org

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Dear HLCS family,

We are now in the second month of the school year, and it’s been such a joy to see the rhythms and routines of the year start to take hold. As I’ve been able, I have spent a little time in classrooms watching our teachers at work. I thought I would share a peek inside the walls and halls this month.

One morning I had the opportunity to watch as Mrs. Baker started her morning meeting, as she always does, with her great big kindergarten smile song. Then I wandered down to see Mrs. Owens’ fourth graders gathered at the back of the room discussing the writing process. A little while later, I peeked into Mrs. Ernst’s high school science class and watched students reviewing answers from a recent test.

Even though the age levels were different, there were a few constants that warmed my heart. I saw teachers actively engaging students in the learning process. I observed students being kind to one another and showing evidence of learning and growing. Each classroom environment was carefully designed to foster learning while being warm and inviting.

Harbor Light is a pretty special place. I feel blessed to be part of a team that puts God first in all we do. We put big emphasis on our even BIGGER God. So as we walk through each lesson in the school year there is an opportunity to grow in our knowledge and understanding of our creator. My prayer this year is that our staff models and our students feel comfortable stepping into the call in Matthew 5:13-14 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.”

May you be filled with His light each day as the days are getting shorter and natural light is harder to find.

In His service,

Kelly Dutcher

October

26- Pastor Appreciation Chapel

31- Picture Retake Day

November

1- Professional Development Day

3- End of 1st Marking Period

10-13- Boston Education Trip (10th grade & AP US History)

17- Preschool Family Night

21- All-School Thanksgiving Dessert Fellowship

22-24- NO SCHOOL (Thanksgiving Break)

24- Alumni Games

Our HLCS Calendar is updated continually and can be viewed here

...or use this printable version!

October

20- Varsity Football (Rams) @ Charlevoix (7:00 pm)

20- Varsity Volleyball vs. Mack City/Ellsworth (5:30 pm)

21 - Junior High Volleyball NLC Conference Tournament (10:00 am)

24- Varsity Volleyball vs. Maplewood Baptist (5:30 pm)

28- Varsity Volleyball Tournament @ Wolverine (TBA)

November

Elementary basketball:

11/4 HLCS vs Alba & Ellsworth @ HLCS

11/11 HLCS vs. Ellsworth & Mackinaw City @ Ellsworth

11/18 HLCS vs. NMCA & Alba @ NMCA

It’s October, which means it’s college application month. What an exciting time for our seniors! Some of our students know exactly what they will be doing after graduation, and some are still exploring their options. Some students may still be completely overwhelmed and unsure. No matter where they fall, IT’S OKAY!

High school is such a wonderful time to start exploring our interests. Parents and grandparents have such an opportunity to encourage their children and grandchildren in this season. Here are some easy ways to engage with them:

Pray with them and for them. These kids have their entire lives ahead of them - ask them how you can pray specifically for them as they are exploring interests. Pray the Lord will give them confidence in their skills and abilities, and clarity in the choices ahead.

Talk and listen to them. Explore their interests with them, share your experiences, affirm the gifts and talents you see in them. Your words can inspire more than you realize. Don’t forget to listen. Allow them to process and explore different ideas. Ask if they're seeking your advice or if they just need a listening ear.

Connect them to experts. Do you know people in careers that might be of interest to them? Having the opportunity to interview someone in a career that interests them, or even better, job-shadow someone, can be a life changer for a student. It can affirm all they think is true of that career and fuel their passion, or it can allow a more realistic look at something they may have assumptions about.

Encourage them. Whether they have known God’s calling since they were 5 years old, or are still trying to figure it out… the Lord knows and has a plan for their life!

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in ALL your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path.”

What hope we have as we look to our creator to guide us into our future! Praise him for YOU, our parents and grandparents. We are honored and thankful to walk alongside you as we invest in your children and grandchildren.

The HLCS website has some great resources for 9-12th graders:

HLCS College and Career Prep

The Swordsmen soccer team advanced all the way to District Semi-Finals in an incredible comeback from last season! Read about it here:

https://www.petoskeynews.com/story/sports/2023/10/11/harbor-light-topped-big-bay-de-noc-in-division-4-district-soccer/71150911007/

God continues to bless through Missions Days here at HLCS! Here is a picture of how good God is:

We visited 50+ places- homes, shelters, schools- throughout East Jordan, Pellston, Alanson, Petoskey, Charlevoix, Boyne City, Conway, & Harbor Springs.

Our students and chaperones helped the homeless, widows, veterans, overwhelmed, elderly, disabled, sick & lonely- devoting over 1000 hours to our communities!

Meals were made, lawns raked, rocks moved, spaces cleaned & organized, monster wood was split, hauled, and stacked (see photo to the right)!

God's goodness was felt in the children praying for and with people we helped. Talk with your kids about Missions Days. You may be surprised by what they have to say.

A special thank you to all of our chaperones, volunteers, speakers, and people that donated. We would not have been able to serve so widely without your passion for kids and service. If you are interested in getting involved, or you know of someone we could serve for our second set of local Missions Days on April 25th and 26th, please let us know!

Yours in Christ,

Heather Standish and Kiley Graham

We welcome parents and grandparents of HLCS students to the school on November 10th at 8 am to participate in a brief celebration with the students officiated by Col. Steve Bucci, followed by fellowship with other veterans afterward. Coffee and breakfast-type nibbles will be provided. Please call 231-347-7859 or email hlcs@harborlight.org to RSVP! We love to show respect for those who protect!

Here the school year Walking Track hours

Parents & grandparents of HLCS students & volunteers:

Monday- Friday 8-10 am

Community:

Sundays: 7- 9 pm

Tuesdays: 4- 6 pm

Wednesdays: 8-10 pm

Thursdays: 4-6 pm

Saturdays: 9-11 am

On Tuesday and Thursdays if there is an athletic game in the gym during this time, walking track may close early.

A donation of $2 is suggested for each visit.

Has HLCS had a positive or life-changing impact on your life or that of someone you love? Please share these stories with us so we can keep letting others know what a wonderful difference we can make! Send your experience to jcope@harborlight.org.