Weekly Newsletter- Week of November 10th

THIS WEEK: 

11/11 8th Graders Transmatic Field Trip

Upcoming Dates for HMS Families- Mark Your Calendars!

11/18 8th grade Be Nice Club Field Trip

11/20 Career Day!  Special Schedule all day (1:00-2:40 actual career event)

Data Corner: 

We need your help!  
For quarter 1, we have a several students who have missed 4+ school days, over 10% of their school days.  Please help in striving for 0 absences in November.  Contact rbair@hollandpublicschools.org if we can help! 

6th - 27% are over 4 days absent

7th - 39% are over 4 days absent

8th - 46% are over 4 days absent

According to Attendance Works.org, 
Students should miss no more than 9 days of school each year to stay engaged, successful and on track to graduation.
• Frequent absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with abully or facing some other difficulty.
• By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.
• By 9th grade, attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.
• Missing 10%, or 2 days a month, over the course of the school year, can affect a student’s academic success.

October Students of the Month!

Dear HMS Families,

We are excited to recognize our Students of the Month for having an outstanding first marking period! These students were nominated by their teachers for their hard work, positive attitude, and respectful behavior toward both peers and staff.

Each of these students has demonstrated what it means to be a leader in our school community, setting a great example for others to follow. We are proud to celebrate their efforts and commitment to making our school a welcoming and positive place for everyone.

Please join us in congratulating our Students of the Month! 

6th-Ellie Wall, 7th-Maia DeLaRosa, 8th-Mau Garcia

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to encourage and celebrate the success of all our students!

SPORTS: 

10th
Basketball (Boys 7th White) - Harbor Lights School (A)11/10/2025 4:00 PM
Basketball (Boys 7th Red) - Macatawa Bay School (H)11/10/2025 4:00 PM
Basketball (Boys 8th Red) - Macatawa Bay School (H)11/10/2025 5:15 PM
Basketball (Boys 8th White) - Harbor Lights School (A)11/10/2025 5:15 PM

11th

Swimming (Girls MS) - Holland Christian Schools (A)11/11/2025 4:00 PM

12th

Basketball (Boys 7th Red) - Hamilton Middle School (A)11/12/2025 4:00 PM
Basketball (Boys 7th White) - Hamilton Middle School (H)11/12/2025 4:00 PM
Basketball (Boys 8th White) - Hamilton Middle School (H)11/12/2025 5:15 PM
Basketball (Boys 8th Red) - Hamilton Middle School (A)11/12/2025 5:15 PM

HELP CORNER:

TUTORING: 
Did you check your student's report card grades on Infinite and want to get your student a little extra help? Every Tuesday, we will have 3 staff members in the library for Math/ELA Tutoring and homework help! We unfortunatly are unable to provide transportation. If you are interested, fill out the following survey and you are in! SIGN UP HERE

Peer Support Groups Starting

The HMS Counselors and Counseling Intern will be hosting several support group opportunities for students starting in late November.  Groups focus on topics like managing anger, family changes, self-esteem, organization, and leadership. Each group meets weekly for 5–6 weeks and provides a safe, supportive space for students to learn, share, and build new skills.

👉 Click here for details about HMS Support Group Opportunities.

Upward Bound Program Opportunity
Throughout this month in Advisory, all 8th grade students will be learning about the Hope College Upward Bound Program, a federally funded program that provides academic support, mentoring, and enrichment opportunities. Being successful in high school and preparing for college can be challenging, but Upward Bound has a tremendous success rate in helping students stay on track and reach their goals. Applications are now open for current 8th graders who are interested in joining the program as they begin 9th grade. This is the website link for more details and the application: https://hope.edu/offices/upward-bound/

Upward Bound is an extremely valuable program for first-generation students—those whose parents or guardians did not complete a four-year college degree. The program’s goal is to help students build confidence, strengthen study skills, and explore future education and career options. This is an incredible opportunity, and we encourage families to learn more and consider applying!  Contact Mrs. Legg at klegg@hollandpublicschools.org for more information.