Weekly Newsletter HMS: Week of January 13th

Important Dates: 

• January 13 MAP Testing
• January 16 MAP Testing
• January 17 Half Day- Students Dismissed at 10:35
• January 20 No School Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• January 21st FAMILY HELP NIGHT: Mental Health, Digital Safety, Math, ELA, and More!  5-6:30 
• January 21-24 be nice. Week
• January 22-24 Scholastic Book Fair in Media Center

• Daily Dress-Up Themes

  • Jan. 21 Comfort and Self-Care Day – Wear comfy clothes to highlight the importance of self-care and mental well-being.

  • Jan. 22 be nice. Day- Wear be nice. shirts or green or black or pink for "be nice." colors

  • Jan. 23 Superheroes of Kindness or Team-Up for Kindness – Dress as superheroes who fight for kindness and support others or wear shirts featuring superheroes or "Team-Up" wear favorite sports team jersey

  • Jan. 24 Holland is Be Nice. or Red and White Shine Your Light– wear red and white

• Friday, Jan. 24 All K-12 students are invited to attend the Be nice. Themed Basketball games at Holland HS- The HMS be nice. Club will have an information and fun table.   

FAMILY HELP NIGHT: Mental Health, Digital Safety, Math, ELA, and More!  
January 21st
5-6:30 
Attention Families! Are you looking for ways to help your middle schooler with math, reading, their mental health, or digital use at home? This is the night for you!  Check out the details below! 
Scholastic Book Fair, 20 minute presentation sessions, and walk up booths with information on how to help your middle schooler

Mental Health: 
Presenters:  Lisa Gort RN, BSN, School Mental Health Care Manager & Kelly Ashby, Parent 
Supports for identifying mental health red flags at home 
Information about how HPS supports mental health

Reading and Math Support
Scholastic Book Fair will be here for book purchase
How to use IXL to help my students at home
Resources for online support

Digital Safety
Presenters: Officer Heinztelman: HMS School Resource Officer & Rene Bair: Principal
Supports for helping your student’s be safe with social media at home
Information about how HPS supports digital safety

Parent Portal
Presenter: Rakendra Davis: Assistant Principal
How to check your student’s grades, attendance, and more in the Parent Portal

8th Grade LAUP Field Trip Opportunity- 

Attention Parents of 8th Graders-  The LAUP (Latin Americans United for Progress) organization is holding a Youth Development conference for 8-12 grade students on Feb. 11 at Hope College.  Holland Middle School has been invited to bring a group to this conference.  It is a great opportunity for students to learn more about college and career opportunities as well as hear from a keynote speaker.  All 8th grade students are welcome to attend but we have a limited number of spots available.  There are permission slips available outside of Mrs. Legg’s office and these need to be returned to one of the counselors (Mrs. Legg or Mr. Koessel) or to the main office.  The LAST possible day to register for this trip is Jan. 17 so slips need to be turned in ASAP.  Please email Mrs. Legg at klegg@hollandpublicschools.org if you have any questions. 

January 2025 PBIS Spotlight: "U" is for United

At Holland Middle School, we are proud of our PBIS framework, which helps us foster a positive and supportive environment for all students. This month, we are focusing on the "U" in our DUTCH expectations: United. 

This school year, our school community has embraced the PBIS framework, demonstrating what it means to be united. Together, we have worked to build a positive and fun learning environment for all students where respect, responsibility, and safety guide our actions. By focusing on these shared values, we have created a stronger sense of community, belonging and support for every student and staff member. A few fun events so far this year include, pep assemblies, activity night, jingle jam, Paws With A Cause Community project and reward holiday party.

What does it mean to be United?

• Being United means working together, supporting one another, and embracing teamwork.

• Students demonstrate unity by collaborating respectfully in class, including others during group activities, and building positive relationships with their peers.

How are we teaching Unity?

• Teachers are encouraging students to participate in group projects and activities that emphasize cooperation.

• Our PBIS lessons highlight the importance of listening, showing empathy, and resolving conflicts peacefully.

Celebrating Unity at HMS:

• This month, we will be recognizing students who go above and beyond to show what it means to be United—whether it’s helping a friend, welcoming a new student, or showing school spirit.

• Ask your child about how they’ve worked as part of a team or shown kindness to others recently!

Let’s continue working together as a community to ensure Holland Middle School is a place where everyone feels connected and supported. Thank you for helping us reinforce the value of being United at home and in our school!

A special thank you to Barber Ford for supporting positive behavior at HMS

A special thank you to Zeigler Hyundai/GMS for supporting  positive behavior at HMS

A special thank you to Holland 7 for supporting  positive behavior at HMS

A special thank you the staff at HMS for always supporting students

Food Services: 

Check out the Top Ten Reasons to Try School Meals: www.hollandpublicschools.org/pub/news/posts/3022

Tutoring: 

FREE Afterschool tutoring will start THIS week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Parents are responsible for the transportation. This will be 2:45- 4:00. Here is the sign up! ALL SIGNED UP MAY ATTEND!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfYBXSL6FP6PSDI-wwNgW3KaHf54syZqo5H7xGVclR_hnRHaw/viewform?usp=sf_link

Bus Info:

Information about your child’s bus route - in the palm of your hand. Download the MyRide app.

https://www.hollandpublicschools.org/pub/news/posts/2965

Nurses Corner: 

A quick reminder that we are a scent-free school

Here is some additional information on how strong scents such as perfumes, aftershave, body sprays, and other scented sprays and lotions can have a negative impact on our staff, students and visitors. 

Several studies indicate that chemically based scents like perfumes, colognes and body sprays are linked to reduced lung function, chest tightness, wheezing and inflammation in the lungs.  This can lead to breathing problems.  It can also cause hives, watery, itchy, burning eyes, runny nose and congestion, headaches, nausea, dizziness and generally not feeling well. 

People who have a diagnosis of asthma or allergies and are exposed to these scents may have severe reactions as strong scents are triggers for asthma and allergic reactions.   This may require the need for emergency medication and even emergency medical  treatment.   

Here is a link to explain in detail the impacts of chemical scents. 

How can you help as a parent to ensure the health and safety of our school community? 

• Please talk with your children about the harmful effects of these types of scents. 

• Have your child avoid using and taking perfumes, body sprays and colognes to school. 

Feel free to contact the school administrator if you have any questions or need clarification and thank you for your cooperation in keeping our school a healthy place to grow and learn.

Covid testing is offered through the Holland Hospital School Nurse team for students and staff. We are NOT handing out testing kits this year.  Please complete the form below and one of our school nurses will contact you to discuss the best time to come for a test.   Results will be communicated to you after the test is completed via a phone call.  Sorry we are unable to test family members. To request testing please complete this google form  Covid test request form.