Weekly Newsletter HMS: Week of December 16th

This Week Dates: 

Crafting and robotics are running this week.  NO TUTORING, DRAMA, OR CHESS THIS WEEK

MONDAY- Holiday PJs.        TUESDAY- Grinch VS Santa (Green VS Red).       WEDNESDAY- Blizzard Out. THURSDAY- Ugly Sweater and  Sock Day.    FRIDAY- Candy Cane Day (Red and White)

19-20 Exams for 8th graders with HS classes

17 MAKE UP 6th grade Band Concert- 7pm

19 History Fair 6-8pm @ HMS

19 PBIS NIGHT (Info to come: this will be an after school holiday activity night for students) @ HMS

20 End of the Quarter Reward Day-Wednesday Schedule (replacing the December pep assembly)- we will celebrate all winter sports in February

20. End of Quarter & Semester

PBIS NIGHT- Jingle Jam: Ugly Sweaters, Karaoke, and Cookies  Thursday,December 19 from 2:45 to 4:30 PM! 

To qualify, students must meet these criteria between December 5th and 19th:

-No behaviors resulting in a half-day or more of RTC or suspensions

-7 or fewer tardies

The cost is just $5 and tickets will be sold on Thursday, December 19 during lunch only!

Cookies to decorate are included with the ticket! 

There will be concessions, so students are encouraged to bring extra cash.

End of the Quarter Holiday Reward Day

End of the Quarter Reward Day-Wednesday Schedule (replacing the December pep assembly)- we will celebrate all winter sports in February

Students will get to chose between a movie room, open gym, or a game room for the last hour of the day on December 20th.  It is a reward for ending the semester on a high note!  

To qualify, students must meet these criteria between December 5th and 19th:

-No behaviors resulting in a half-day or more of RTC or suspensions

-7 or fewer tardies

*Those who do not qualify will have normal school class time

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.  Please email Mrs. Legg at klegg@hollandpublicschools.org  if you have any questions.  

PBIS Spotlight: The "D" in DUTCH – Diverse

At Holland Middle School, we are proud to celebrate diversity as a core value of our school community. Being Diverse means appreciating and respecting the unique backgrounds, cultures, talents, and perspectives that each of us brings to HMS.

Did you know that Holland Middle School is made up of: 

• Hispanic/Latino Students: 42.5%

• Asian Students: 2.7%

• Black Students: 11.6%

• White Students: 38.7%

• Students of Two or More Races: 4.5%

These numbers highlight the rich diversity of our school community, which we celebrate and value as part of our commitment to inclusivity and respect!

In PBIS, we teach and reinforce the importance of:

• Embracing Differences: Understanding that everyone’s story adds value to our school.

• Being Inclusive: Welcoming and involving others in activities, conversations, and learning experiences.

• Celebrating Cultures: Participating in events and opportunities that showcase the rich diversity of our students and families.

This month, we’re focusing on Diversity in our classrooms and hallways by encouraging students to practice kindness, empathy, and curiosity about the world around them.

We invite parents to join us in promoting this value by:

• Talking with your child about the importance of understanding and appreciating differences.

• Encouraging them to make new friends or learn something new about their peers.

• Sharing family traditions or cultural stories that highlight the beauty of diversity.

Together, we can make HMS a place where everyone feels seen, valued, and celebrated!

As always, students get to use their points to buy all of the goodies from the school store and enter to win some of the amazing raffle baskets! This month, our raffles are a “Brrr” Basket filled with a warm blanket, Hot Chocolate, snacks, Mugs, and other cozy items; Our other raffle prize is a “Night at the Movies” with popcorn, candies, and FIVE movie passes to Sperry House! 

A special thank you to Jessica Ramirez for supporting positive behavior at HMS

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

 Congratulations to Our Holland Middle School Students of the Month for November!

We are proud to recognize our outstanding students who have shown exceptional dedication to the DUTCH expectations: Diverse, United, Thrive, Committed, and Honorable. Their hard work, respect, and positive impact on our school community truly embody what it means to be a Holland Middle School student.

Join us in celebrating these students and their achievements!

https://www.hollandpublicschools.org/pub/news/posts/3040

We are proud to recognize our outstanding students who have shown exceptional dedication to the DUTCH expectations: Diverse, United, Thrive, Committed, and Honorable. 

• 6th grade | Kailea Brown
• 7th grade | Leighton Smith
• 8th grade | Gizele Benavidez

Their hard work, respect, and positive impact on our school community truly embody what it means to be a Holland Middle School student

Choir:  

In order for our students to have an opportunity to showcase their music for an audience, our HMS Choir Concert will take place at 9am on Wednesday, December 11 in the HMS Cafeteria. All 6-8th Choir students need to wear their HMS Choir uniform TO SCHOOL that morning (black dress pants, black flat closed toe dress shoes, black socks and red Holland Choir t shirt). They will report to the cafeteria for warm ups at 8:40am and the concert will begin promptly at 9am (concluding no later than 9:50am so we can be ready for the first lunch).

While we know this isn’t as optimal as an evening performance, this was the best option for all involved. If you are unable to attend in person, this concert will be recorded and will be live streamed on the Holland Public Schools Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hollandpublicschools

Due to the venue accommodating a smaller number of attendees due to cafeteria seating at tables, we are requiring that anyone planning to attend this concert in person have a “ticket” (free of charge but MUST show this ticket in order to attend as we are only able to have 175 attendees from outside the building). Tickets can be attained on the following website: https://hollandhighmusic.ludus.com/ and MUST be accounted for NO LATER than 12 noon on Tuesday, December 10 for planning purposes. Thank you for your understanding, cooperation and support as we creatively make this concert possible for all! 

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: 

Sleep is so important for you to be at your best. Most teens need about 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night. Getting the right amount of sleep is important to do well in school, play your best in sports, grow and develop normally, and overall be healthy! See the link below for ideas to create a healthy sleep environment at home.  

Super Sleep Spaces

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.