July 14, 2024

A Letter from Superintendent Nick Cassidy - Summer 2024

Dear HPS Families and Neighbors in the Holland Community,

There is a buzz in our community about the great things happening at Holland Public Schools. It started in the classrooms and hallways of our schools, but it continues to grow because you are re-telling the stories of great kids doing great things at HPS. Here are a few more celebrations you can share as you run into neighbors and friends during this summer break.

Stabilized Enrollment

Over the last 2 years enrollment at Holland Public Schools has stabilized and started to grow. This is happening because of the support of parents and community members who are seeing that Holland is a small school with big opportunities. Stabilized enrollment allows us to:

  • maintain the number of sections in each grade-level
  • increase student-participation in clubs and athletics
  • reduce the movement of teachers across the district

We are able to  provide the best learning experience for students and retain teachers! We look forward to continuing these enrollment trends.

Facility Upgrades:

As part of our Build 2021 Bond, we are seeing facility upgrades across the district. 

  • Demolition is underway at Holland Heights Elementary. When it opens in 2026, families in the Holland Heights neighborhood will have a state-of-the-art facility, built for Nature-Based education. (In the meantime, students at Holland Heights  will move to our Longfellow Building at 24th and State St.)
  • We will repurpose the Air Conditioning units from Holland Heights to cool the Dutch Dome at Holland High!
  • Holland High School is also receiving upgrades to the Science classrooms and the Media Center will get renovations to support HVRT and to provide quiet learning spaces for students.
  • Parking Lot improvements are being done at Holland High School
  • New classroom furniture will be delivered at Holland Middle School.

We cannot thank the Holland Community enough for supporting this important work. You are providing our students with the facilities they deserve and can be proud of.

Before and After School Programming:

We continue to work with community partners to provide before and after school  for our students and have expanded offerings for the 24/25 school year.     

  • Books & Games will continue this year at all of our Elementary Schools. Once students are signed up, parents can drop students off at their elementary school 1-hour before school starts for supervised activities, homework help, and breakfast at NO COST to families.  (A digital sign-up sheet for Books& Games will be available soon on the district website.)
  • Boys & Girls Club will continue to operate after-school programming at the Southside location on VanRaalte Ave.  and at Longfellow Elementary (serving students from Holland Heights). This after-school program costs $5 for the entire school year. Families need to attend an orientation class before students can attend.
  • Holland Parks & Recreation will offer after-school programs on Tuesday and Thursday for 3rd and 4th graders at West Elementary from afterschool until 5:15pm. The fall activities will will be Soccer and Flag Football.  The winter activities will be Basketball and Wrestling. The cost is $55 per season. Transportation will be provided from the other elementary buildings.   
  • LAUP (Latin Americans United for Progress) will expand their after-school programming for HPS elementary students.  The ¡Aquí Jugamos! Play Program is designed for HPS students at Holland West Elementary and HLA in grades 1st-5th. This program is free of cost and will be held on early release Wednesdays afterschool until 4:30.   Students in the program will:
    • Enhance peer bonding
    • Build community 
    • Foster and support student physical and mental health
    • Increase problem solving
  • I Am Academywillcontinue their I Am Genius afterschool program at Jefferson Elementary.  I AM Academy empowers Black and multiracial youth to see their own potential, experience joy, become confident leaders, and drive positive change in our community.   This program will be held on early release days after school until 4:00. 

Safety and Security:

 Joe Soto, HPS Director of Safety and Security, has been working with teachers and principals in our schools and first responders in Holland to make sure our buildings are safe and secure for our students and staff.  This fall, we will launch a Safety Committee for HPS parents. This committee will identify safety and security concerns and help the district come up with solutions. If you are interested in being part of this committee, please contact Joe Soto

Holland Educational Foundation

The Holland Educational Foundation (HEF) exists to improve educational opportunities for all students of Holland Public Schools. HEF has new leaders and lofty goals of supporting our staff and students:

  • Increasing student engagement
  • Ensuring equitable funding for experiential learning
  • Attracting and retaining teachers to the district
  • Building for the future through the funding of the HEF Endowment

Learn how you or your business, can get involved with the foundation by exploring their website.  

We are so excited to welcome your kids back to school in just over a month. School starts Thursday, August 22. In the meantime, continue to engage them in learning experiences and encourage them to read.

Have a great summer,

Nick Cassidy, Superintendent

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