Welcome to Holland Language Academy
I believe every child deserves the chance to succeed, no matter their circumstances. As a proud graduate of Holland Public Schools and a parent whose children learn in our buildings, I believe deeply in the work we are doing together for my children and yours.
This is my nineteenth year in education and my eleventh as principal, yet my passion for teaching and supporting children has never been stronger. I am grateful for the privilege of serving the community that shaped me, and I look forward to all we will accomplish together for our students this year.
-Iliana Vasquéz
Principal
The Red Note - HLA Newsletter
Check here each Sunday afternoon for an updated newsletter.
What's Happening at HLA:
Hello, New School Year!
We’re ready to kick off an amazing school year! Can’t wait to see our returning families and welcome our new ones, this is going to be a year full of learning, growth, and connection. Go Dutch!
Join us for Open House on Tuesday, August 19, 4–6 p.m.
Parents, please attend one of our short meetings in the cafeteria for important information to start the year off right.
Meeting Times: 4:00, 4:30, 5:15, 5:45

HLA School Supply Suggested Shopping List - Copy
The first day of School is Thursday, August 21.

Complete the Education Benefits Form
Completing the Education Benefits Form is a key step to unlocking essential support for all HPS students. Federal & state resources are allocated based on the income data collected through this form. Without this data the district could lose out on critical funding.

Back-to-School Mailer
School Starts Thursday, August 21. (Open House is Tuesday, August 19, 4-6pm at your school)

2025-2026 Important Dates
Calendar Highlights:
- First Day of School | Thursday, August 21
- Homecoming | Friday, October 10
- Thanksgiving Holiday | November 26 - November 30
- Holiday Break | December 20 - January 4
- MLK Day | Monday, January 19
- Mid-Winter Break| Friday, February 27 - Monday, March 2
- Spring Break | Friday, April 3 - Sunday, April 12
- Class of 2026 Commencement |Tuesday, May 19
- Last Day of School | Wednesday, June 3
These dates are tentative, pending ratification of The Board of Education at the April Board of Education Meeting.

7-Day Meal Box
HPS is proud to provide 7-Day Meal Boxes to families in the district during the summer months.
Each box will contain a menu with food prep instructions and food items for 7 breakfasts and 7 lunches per week.
- Meal pick-up will be located at Central Wesleyan Church (446 West 40th St. Holland MI 49423 - Door A) from 12:00-1:00 PM
- Thursday, June 12 through August 7, 2025
There is no need to register for these meals... just stop by during the pick-up time to receive the meals for your student(s).

Meet Up & Eat Up
Heathy food to feed your summer! Summer meal sites provide breakfast & lunch for children 18 and younger, Monday through Friday all summer long... at no cost to families.
- No registration needed. Just drop in.

Herrick District Library Summer Reading Challenge - 2025
This summer, Herrick District Library, Ottawa County Parks and Recreation, and the City of Holland Recreation Department are coming together to present the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge: The Truth is Out There.
- Pick up a trail map beginning June 9 to complete the challenge. Maps are available at either Herrick District Library location.

Nurse Notes - May
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and your school nurses want to promote positive mental health for our HPS family.

HPSPodcast 5.32
Dutch Theatre's production of The Wizard of Oz runs May 1-4 at the HHS PAC. This week, we talk with cast members Sophia Palmateer and Hailey Huggett.

District Art Show
The HPS Art Department is proud to show the incredible works of art created by students from all HPS buildings.
- May 1-15 in the Art Gallery at Holland High School
An Opening Night reception will be held on May 1, 4:30-6pm in the Art Gallery at Holland High School.
Community of Courage - Anne Frank Exhibit
Community of Courage, a student-guided exhibit about the life of Anne Frank, will be at Holland High School April 20-May 7, 2025.
Community partners and the general public are encouraged to experience the exhibit on the following dates:
- Thursday, April 24, 6-8pm
- Tuesday, April 29, 6-8pm
- Monday, May 5, 8am-3pm
- Tuesday, May 6, 8am-3pm
- Wednesday, May 7, 6-8pm
HLA Calendar
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19 August
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Open House 4:00 PM to 6:00 PMOpen HouseDate: Aug 19Time: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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21 August
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First Day of SchoolDate: Aug 21Calendar: HLA Calendar
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29 August
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Holiday - No SchoolDate: Aug 29Calendar: HLA Calendar
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1 September
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Holiday - No SchoolDate: Sep 1Calendar: HLA Calendar
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2 September
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Picture Day 8:00 AM to 3:00 PMPicture DayDate: Sep 2Time: 8:00 AM to 3:00 PMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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5 September
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HPS Elementary 🏈 Football Night 6:00 PM to 9:00 PMHPS Elementary 🏈 Football NightDate: Sep 5Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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10 September
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Sep 10Calendar: HLA Calendar
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11 September
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HLA Family Night: Language Fidelity 6:00 PM to 7:00 PMHLA Family Night: Language FidelityDate: Sep 11Time: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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12 September
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Hispanic Heritage Game 6:00 PM to 9:00 PMHispanic Heritage GameDate: Sep 12Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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15 September
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Muffins w/Mom, Kinder & 1st 8:30 AM to 9:00 AMMuffins w/Mom, Kinder & 1stDate: Sep 15Time: 8:30 AM to 9:00 AMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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16 September
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Muffins w/ Mom, 2nd & 3rd 8:30 AM to 9:00 AMMuffins w/ Mom, 2nd & 3rdDate: Sep 16Time: 8:30 AM to 9:00 AMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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17 September
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Muffins w/ Mom, 4th & 5th 8:30 AM to 9:00 AMMuffins w/ Mom, 4th & 5thDate: Sep 17Time: 8:30 AM to 9:00 AMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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22 September
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Donuts w/ Dudes, K&1st 8:30 AM to 9:00 AMDonuts w/ Dudes, K&1stDate: Sep 22Time: 8:30 AM to 9:00 AMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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23 September
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Donuts w/ Dudes, 2nd &3rd 8:30 AM to 9:00 AMDonuts w/ Dudes, 2nd &3rdDate: Sep 23Time: 8:30 AM to 9:00 AMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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24 September
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Donuts w/ Dudes, 4th & 5th 8:30 AM to 9:00 AMDonuts w/ Dudes, 4th & 5thDate: Sep 24Time: 8:30 AM to 9:00 AMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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Chipotle Fundraiser 5:00 PM to 9:00 PMChipotle FundraiserDate: Sep 24Time: 5:00 PM to 9:00 PMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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25 September
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2nd Annual Gentex STEM Night 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM2nd Annual Gentex STEM NightDate: Sep 25Time: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PMLocation: Holland High School, 600 Van Raalte Ave, Holland, MI 49423, USACalendar: HLA Calendar
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8 October
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Oct 8Calendar: HLA Calendar
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14 October
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PreK-5 ConferencesDate: Oct 14Calendar: HLA Calendar
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22 October
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PreK-5 ConferencesDate: Oct 22Calendar: HLA Calendar
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23 October
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HALF DAY - All StudentsDate: Oct 23Calendar: HLA Calendar
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PreK-5 ConferencesDate: Oct 23Calendar: HLA Calendar
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24 October
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NO SCHOOL - All StudentsDate: Oct 24Calendar: HLA Calendar
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30 October
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HLA Family Night: Trunk or Treat 6:00 PM to 7:00 PMHLA Family Night: Trunk or TreatDate: Oct 30Time: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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7 November
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HALF DAY - All StudentsDate: Nov 7Calendar: HLA Calendar
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12 November
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Nov 12Calendar: HLA Calendar
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14 November
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VIP Day 3rd & 2nd 9:00 AM to 9:45 AMVIP Day 3rd & 2ndDate: Nov 14Time: 9:00 AM to 9:45 AMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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VIP Day 1st & 5th 10:00 AM to 10:45 AMVIP Day 1st & 5thDate: Nov 14Time: 10:00 AM to 10:45 AMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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VIP Day K & 4th 1:00 PM to 1:45 PMVIP Day K & 4thDate: Nov 14Time: 1:00 PM to 1:45 PMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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26 Novemberthru November 30
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HOLIDAY BREAKDate: Nov 26 - Nov 30Calendar: HLA Calendar
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10 December
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Dec 10Calendar: HLA Calendar
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19 December
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HALF DAY - ALL StUDENTSDate: Dec 19Calendar: HLA Calendar
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20 Decemberthru January 4
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HOLIDAY BREAK 9:00 AM to 10:00 AMHOLIDAY BREAKDate: Dec 20 - Jan 4Time: 9:00 AM to 10:00 AMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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14 January
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Jan 14Calendar: HLA Calendar
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19 January
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MLK DAY - No SchoolDate: Jan 19Calendar: HLA Calendar
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4 February
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HLA Big Opportunity Night 5:00 PM to 6:00 PMHLA Big Opportunity NightDate: Feb 4Time: 5:00 PM to 6:00 PMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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11 February
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Feb 11Calendar: HLA Calendar
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17 February
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PreK-5 ConferencesDate: Feb 17Calendar: HLA CalendarTK-5 Conferences
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25 February
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PreK-5 ConferencesDate: Feb 25Calendar: HLA Calendar
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27 Februarythru March 2
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MID-WINTER BREAKDate: Feb 27 - Mar 2Calendar: HLA Calendar
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3 March
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HLA Family Night: Reading Night 6:00 PM to 7:00 PMHLA Family Night: Reading NightDate: Mar 3Time: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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11 March
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Mar 11Calendar: HLA Calendar
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27 March
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Glow Party 6:00 PM to 7:00 PMGlow PartyDate: Mar 27Time: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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3 Aprilthru April 12
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SPRING BREAKDate: Apr 3 - Apr 12Calendar: HLA Calendar
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8 April
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Apr 8Calendar: HLA Calendar
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24 April
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NO SCHOOL - ALL STUDENTS Scheduled: Mar 24, 2026Date: Apr 24Calendar: HLA Calendar
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1 May
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Talent Show 2:00 PM to 3:00 PMTalent ShowDate: May 1Time: 2:00 PM to 3:00 PMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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7 May
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HALF DAY - ALL STUDENTS / KINDERPARADEDate: May 7Calendar: HLA Calendar
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12 May
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HLA Spring Concert 3-5th 5:40 PM to 7:40 PMHLA Spring Concert 3-5thDate: May 12Time: 5:40 PM to 7:40 PMLocation: Holland High School (PAC)Calendar: HLA CalendarChoir concert today for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students at Holland High School’s Performing Arts Center. 3rd: Arrive at 5:40, Perform from 6:00 - 6:25 4th: Arrive at 6:10, perform from 6:35 - 7:00 5th: Arrive at 6:45, perform from 7:05 - 7:30
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13 May
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be nice. WednesdayDate: May 13Calendar: HLA Calendar
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21 May
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5th Grade Graduation 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM5th Grade GraduationDate: May 21Time: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PMLocation: HHS PACCalendar: HLA Calendar
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25 May
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HOLIDAY BREAKDate: May 25Calendar: HLA Calendar
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1 June
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Field Day 12:15 PM to 3:00 PMField DayDate: Jun 1Time: 12:15 PM to 3:00 PMCalendar: HLA Calendar
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2 June
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HALF DAY - ALL STUDENTSDate: Jun 2Calendar: HLA Calendar
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3 June
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HALF DAY/LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - ALL STUDENTSDate: Jun 3Calendar: HLA Calendar
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10 June
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Jun 10Calendar: HLA Calendar
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8 July
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Jul 8Calendar: HLA Calendar
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12 August
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be nice. WednesdayDate: Aug 12Calendar: HLA Calendar
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Holland Language Academy
461 Van Raalte Ave
Holland, MI 49423
Phone: 616-494-2600
Fax: 616-393-7652
Teachers & Staff
School Times:
- Full Day | 8:15am* - 3:21pm
- Wednesday Early Dismissal | 2:21pm
- Half Day | 8:15* - 11:20am
*Please do not arrive at school earlier than 8:10
HLA Office Hours:
- 7:45am- 4pm | M-F (August-June)
HLA Media Center
Student Handbook
Volunteer at HLA:
We love when parents or guardians get involved. Make sure to fill out the district volunteer form (once each school year) and return it to the office.