Building Student Engagement Through Clubs & Athletics
Pastries & Principals Recap- March 18, 2025
On March 18, 2025, Holland High School hosted its latest Pastries & Principals event, focusing on extracurricular involvement and athletics. Parents, students, and staff gathered to discuss the benefits of participation, recent progress, and upcoming initiatives to enhance student engagement.
Your Feedback Matters! If you couldn’t attend, please share your thoughts at this link.
Following Up on December Feedback
At our December Pastries & Principals event, families shared strengths and areas for growth at Holland High. Parents praised positive teaching practices, strong student support, and a welcoming school culture while also identifying opportunities for improvement, including:
✔ Clearer communication about grading expectations
✔ More proactive student support, particularly for 8th and 9th graders
✔ Increased promotion of clubs and extracurriculars, along with more K-12 community events
✔ Greater diversity in staff representation
✔ A more streamlined communication system for school updates
Since then, we have taken action on this feedback:
Grading Expectations: The School Improvement Team developed clear grading timelines, which were shared with staff in February.
District-Wide Events: Inclusion Week Unified Basketball included K-12, and Student Senate revived the Dodgeball Tournament on March 9.
Student Support: The Tier 2 Team is working to identify students struggling with attendance, behavior, and academics earlier for intervention.
Extracurricular Promotion: Clubs and activities now have greater visibility through news updates, Find Your Fit (Open House), and this month’s Pastries & Principals.
Communication Improvements: A new Athletic Handbook is in development for Summer 2025 to provide clearer and more consistent communication for athletics.
Why Student Participation Is Important
Holland Public Schools has set a district-wide goal for every student (TK-12) to participate in at least one school-sponsored sport, club, or community activity, with a target of 40% of high school students involved in athletics.
Research shows that student involvement in extracurriculars leads to:
✔ Higher academic achievement – Improved time management, problem-solving, and classroom engagement
✔ Stronger social connections – Development of teamwork, communication, and leadership skills
✔ Better mental and physical health – Increased fitness, stress reduction, and overall well-being
✔ Career and college readiness – Resume-building, discipline, and networking opportunities
Expanding Opportunities for Students Extracurricular Offerings at HHS
Holland High offers over 20 clubs, including:
Competitive Clubs: Forensics, Quiz Bowl, Robotics
Leadership Organizations: Student Senate, Youth in Government, National Honor Society
Interest-Based Clubs: Gaming, Art, Theater, Disc Golf, Dutch Dance, Ballet Folklórico Sol Azteca, and more!
Students can also start their own clubs by submitting an idea to administration, securing an advisor, and formalizing a meeting structure.
Club information is linked on the school website, available in the SSO, and highlighted at open houses.
Performing arts participation remains strong, with over 200 students engaged in orchestra, choir, band, and theater.
Students also participate in community-based programs like TRIO Upward Bound, Escape, I Am Academy, CultureWorks, Future Prep’d, and more!
Stay updated through the Daily Bulletin.
Athletics: Growth & Progress
At our Fall Athletics meeting on August 15, 2024, we discussed athletic goals and areas for improvement. Since then, we’ve made significant progress:
Participation Growth: In 2023-2024 School year, 34% of HHS students participated in at least one sport. In 2024-2025, 42% of HHS students participated in one or more sports.
Middle School Alignment: A Middle School Athletic Director was added, and varsity coaches are mentoring middle school coaches. Middle schoolers have attended high school practices and games through several “Middle School Nights” this year.
Student Leadership: Twenty high school student-athletes attended three conferences focused on leadership and sportsmanship.
Coaching Development: Coaches have had increased access to professional development, including football staff attending clinics in both Chicago and Detroit.
Facilities Planning: A 5-Year Facility Plan is in progress, with Community Feedback Meetings: HLA Update- Thursday, March 20 from 6-7, District Admin- Wednesday, March 26 from 5-7, and a survey coming soon (mailed home).
Participation Growth
Fall 2024 sports participation: Increased from 379 (2023) to 418 (2024)
Spring 2025 sports participation: Increased, with nearly 50 more students in Track & Field
Middle school athletes: Increased from 173 to 227 for Spring 2025
Unified Sports: Expanded opportunities in Basketball, Disc Golf, and Track
Competitive Success
Boys Soccer: Conference Champions (4th title in 5 years)
Cross Country: Four state qualifiers
Wrestling: Three qualified for state meets - One all state wrestler
Swimming: Six state qualifiers
New Programs
Boys Volleyball: Added this year based on student interest, growing from an informational meeting to a varsity team debuting this spring.
First home scrimmage: Friday, March 21, at 5 PM in the Dome
Enhancing Communication & Support
Parents expressed feedback to improve communication and information sharing with athletics. Holland High is launching a new Athletics Handbook this summer to streamline information.
Athletic Handbook – A one-stop shop for:
Important dates, MHSAA rules, sport offerings
Chain of command and athletic policies
Coach and athlete expectations
Improved Communication
Athletics Website – Central hub for schedules, policies, booster updates, and key links
Final Forms – Primary platform for sign-ups, scheduling, and weekly updates from coaches
Remind 101 – For last-minute changes, weather delays, and cancellations
Athlete Development
Holland High is committed to skill development and increasing development opportunities for athletes.
Strength & Conditioning Class at HHS – Sign up by March 21
Weight Room – Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday after school, led by Coach Siffin
Holland Recreation Partnerships – On-campus after school programs for K-5
Summer Sports Camps – Dates released over Spring Break. We are coordinating sports camp schedules to minimize conflicts and encourage multi-sport participation.
Summer Sports Performance (Monday/Wednesday/Thursday, 8:30-10:00 AM) – Transportation available for the first time via the summer school bus
Looking Ahead
Upcoming Events
Athletic Booster Meetings: April 14 & May 19 at 5:30 at HHS – Help us grow and support athletics! Lots of ways to get involved!
Athletic Honors Night: June 2 at 6:30 PM (Performing Arts Center)
Open Coaching Positions
Help us find passionate and dedicated coaches who will support the growth and success of our student-athletes! If you're interested in future openings- let us know!
Girls Varsity Volleyball Head Coach
Middle School Football Coach
View current job openings on our website
Final Pastries & Principals of the Year – Mark Your Calendar!
Our final Pastries & Principals event of the school year will take place on Wednesday, May 28 at 5:30PM at Holland High School, focusing on academic achievement and student growth. More details coming soon – we hope to see you there.
With continued collaboration between students, staff, and families, Holland High remains committed to expanding opportunities, strengthening community, and ensuring all students find ways to get involved.