District News

A team from Holland Public Schools is in Arizona this week talking with State Superintendents from around the country about the Future Educator program at Holland High School. 

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Following updates to more efficient heating units and control systems in HPS facilities, we earned a $59,579.80 rebate from SEMCO Energy!

The rebates are the result of 2 years of collecting data and a reduction in energy costs.

• A huge thank you to Darick Lalonde, Director of Maintenance of Grounds and his team for their hard work and responsible use of district resources.

Starting in January, Holland Public Schools will have an exciting opportunity to offer preschool programming to families in our community who have children turning 3-years-old on or before December 1st, 2024. 

• Children will be enrolled in our current preschool classrooms at HLA, West and Jefferson. 
• Full days 
• 5 Days/Week
• Spots will be limited!

16 varsity teams and 12 JV teams competed in the the 18th Annual event.  

• The Varsity A team of Adam Alderson, Alan Juarez, Eleanor McMullen, and Ben Rund-Scott finished in 6th place.  
• The Varsity B team of Landen Butch, Wilson Lin, Mia Rodriguez, and Harper Schoon-Tanis finished in 10th.  
• The JV team of Sam Huizinga, Chanelle Jackson, Chris Logan, Kimia McMullen, and ME Tanis finished in 4th in their group.

The DNA will be in action again on December 7 when they travel to Kalamazoo for the Swim N Win Invitational

Holland Public Schools is excited to be using the My Ride K-12 app!

This app will let parents:

• Use their phone to follow your student’s bus in real time.
• See estimated arrival times of the bus to the bus stop.
• Check for bus information.
• Receive updates on their phone about any changes in daily bus routes.

We hope parents of all K-5 bus riders will download and use the app.

Top Ten Reasons to Try School Meals

1. Studies prove that children perform better academically with a balanced meal at both Breakfast & Lunch.
2. It saves time grocery shopping and packing lunches.
3. It saves money and extends your household budget.
4. Breakfast and lunch is a great time to spend with friends.
5. Whole Grains, Protein, Fruits, Veggies & Milk are offered with all School Meals.
6. Meals include kid-friendly national brand name items, but with lower sodium, fat & saturated fat.
7. Our delicious menus have calorie and sodium limits and zero grams of trans fats.
8. You are helping your local school Nutrition Program stay fiscally sound.
9. It is convenient for Students & Parents.
10. Breakfast & Lunch are FREE for all HPS students.

This week we talked with HHS Community Coordinator Tyler Mouw about this week's Family Engagement Night… 

• Listen Now!

Family Engagement Night is Thursday, November 14, 5-7pm at Jefferson (ALL HPS families are invited to attend).

Please RSVP, so we know how much pizza to order!

Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and celebrate our community together!

• Thursday, November 14, 5-7pm at Jefferson Elementary (open to ALL HPS family)
• Enjoy engaging social-emotional learning activities hosted by our community partners
• Sign up for holiday gift assistance with the Salvation Army. 
• FREE food for everyone!

Get one for yourself AND get one for someone on your holiday shopping list. Support Holland Wrestling!

Some facts about the importance of daily attendance at Holland Public Schools.

High School students account for 30% of Versiti's Blood Supply.  The impact students can make on our hospitals is invaluable.

• Wednesday, November 13 | 8am-2pm at the District Admin Building.
• Hosted by National Honor Society
• Walk-ins welcome, as schedule allows.
• Donate and receive a one-of-a-kind Nirvana-inspired t-shirt, while supplies last.

Holland High School will host the 87th Annual Veteran's Day Assembly on Monday at 10am in the Dutch Dome. Today, we talk with HHS Assistant Principal Zach Kapla about the importance of hosting this longstanding tradition.

• Listen Now

As Veterans Day approaches, Holland High School is proud to continue its tradition of honoring the brave individuals who have served in the armed forces. Veterans Day, observed every November 11, is a time to recognize the dedication, loyalty, and sacrifices made by veterans to protect our freedoms and uphold our nation’s values. Taking time to express gratitude can make a lasting impact, not only on veterans but also on our own sense of community and shared history.

HPS is hosting a job fair Wednesday, October 30, 9-11am at West Elementary.  We're looking to hire Instructional Assistants, Secretaries, Substitute Teachers, Bus Drivers and Aides and Food Service.  Today we talk with Tara Schafer, an Instructional Assistant who was hire during a similar job fair a year ago.

• Listen Now!

The HHS Marching Band will perform their production of "I AM" at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday night! #GoDutch

Ambria Depoy, Johanna Mulder, Aiden Lambers, and Lexi Gibson will run in the D2 Cross Country State finals at the Michigan International Speedway next week Saturday. GoDutch!

Join the Holland Educational Foundation for a special evening of dinner, art, and celebration as we mark 40 years of supporting Holland Public Schools through the Holland Educational Foundation.

• Saturday, November 9, 2024 | 6:30 - 9:00pm | Holland High School

Whether you’re a longtime supporter or new to HEF, this is your opportunity to contribute to the mission of HEF in a meaningful way.

The Power H Shop is an initiative to support families experiencing crisis or financial hardship, by providing free household items through a dignified retail setting, and thus alleviating a family's financial hardship. 

First* Thursday of the month, 4:30-6pm at Maplewood Elementary

• November 7
• December 5
• *January 9
• February 6 | Give Back Event (no shopping)
• March 6
• April 3
• May 1

As Holland High School prepares to host the last home football game of the season, here is a reminder about some of the rules and expectations for students and families who attend the game:

• Middle school age and younger MUST be an accompanied by an adult
• No student backpacks
• No re-entry for any spectators
• All school rules apply to events held at Hope College. 
• The stadium and parking lot is a drug free school zone which includes any vape products.

Holland will host Godwin Heights at the Hope College Stadium, Friday at 7pm. #GoDutch

The Holland Orchestra will perform their annual Decomposer's Festival - Antics in the Attic on October 23, 7pm in the HHS Commons.  We talk to senior Elanor McMullen about the concert, about playing in the Orchestra, and what she loves about Holland High School.

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The Michigan Alliance for Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death of the Young is recognizing HPS as a MI HEARTSafe School District.  West, Holland Heights, Jefferson, and Holland Middle School received the award for the first time, HLA was awarded last year, and Holland High School has been awarded a HEARTSafe designation four times.

• To receive the award schools must have:
• A Medical Emergency Response Plan
• A Medical Emergency Response Team
• CPR/AED Training for staff
• Accessible and Maintained AEDs

In the last year, over 130 staff members have been CPR/AED trained with another 70 for the near future.

Students and Staff at HPS are safer because of the hard work of our Holland Hospital School Nurses, the Holland Fire Department, Safety Director Joe Soto, the Michigan Alliance for Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death of the Young, and Project Adam (Automated Defibrillators in Adam' Memory)

This week, we meet Betty Nguyen (11th Grade) - another great kid doing great things at Holland Public Schools!

• Listen Now!

Help students never miss the bus again.

The My Ride K-12 app helps improve communication between parents and HPS transportation staff and provides tools that help keep parents informed about their children’s daily journey on the bus. Parents/guardians can securely use the My Ride K-12 app to see bus stop location, their child’s assigned route, scheduled pickup time, and when to expect the bus each day.

In Quiz Bowl action this past Saturday, the Dutch Nerd Army (DNA) opened their season by competing in the Jan Rademacher Memorial tournament in White Cloud.  The team ran into some tough competition, including two schools that placed at Nationals last year. Although their 3-6 records weren't what they wanted, they came away with some positives, and are looking forward to a great season.  Ben Rund-Scott was the top individual scorer on the day.

• The DNA will be in action again on November 16, when they host the 18th Annual Holland Fall Quiz Bowl Invitational.
  

In this newsletter from HPS Nutritional Services:

• What’s for breakfast? 
• Farm Fresh and Locally Grown
• Food Allergies and Special Diets

Every now and then, it’s helpful to revisit our expectations for fan behavior at our games to ensure we’re creating the best possible environment for our student-athletes. While this reminder may only apply to a small number of people, sharing it with everyone helps reinforce the positive culture we want to maintain.

We're talking about Friday's 4th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Community Celebration. 

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Friday, October 11, 6pm at Ray & Sue Smith Stadium at Hope College

• Holland Football v Comstock Park - Hispanic Heritage Month Uniforms
• Pre-game Parade of Flags
• A special pre-game performance from the HHS Band
• HHS Cheerleaders will perform at halftime
• Food Trucks: Dolce Minicakes, Poncho's Tacos, and Schnack Trap
• Pre-game music from Banda Tamborazo Villanueva

Join the students and staff at HPS as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with our neighbors!

Inspire Award: This award was presented to Holland Public Schools, a cornerstone of education in the Holland community since 1848. They inspire the community by uniting around the success of every student, creating trailblazing programs for staff and students, and providing meaningful opportunities in and out of the classroom to ensure academic and personal growth.

This week we talk with HEF President John Johnston to learn more about how the Holland Education Foundation plans to celebrate their 40 years of serving students and families in the City of Holland.

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All HPS Students and Families are invited to join Gentex for a districtwide S.T.E.A.M. Night (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics)on Thursday, September 26, 5-7pm at Holland High School

• Chemistry demonstrations
• Robotics programming
• Math games
• Engineering challenges
• Art projects
• Fun games,
• PRIZES... and more!

HPS will host a district-wide S.T.E.A.M. Night Thursday night (9/26, 5-7pm at Holland High). 

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Registration is open for dance classes with Ballet Folklorico Sol Azteca.

Johnny Rodriguez (class 2004) is the Executive Director of Latin American's United for Progress and is being recognized by HPS and the Holland Educational Foundation for the profound impact he and LAUP are having in our community.

Holland Homecoming is September 22-28 and is full of activities for everyone in the community.

This week we talk with HHS Assistant Principal Josh Rumpsa about school safety, student engagement, and the Holland High's new cell phone policy.

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This is our first Family Engagement Event of the year!  Spend time meeting with community resources, then you'll have a chance to learn more about your student's classes.

In 2024, the Holland Educational Foundation granted a CleverTouch screen to Special Education teachers at West Elementary.

It is with a heavy heart that we are sending another communication in response to a tragedy at a school, this time at a High School in Winder, Georgia.

As you know, every HPS student gets a breakfast and a lunch at no-cost this year! 

HOWEVER, when students need a milk to go along with a sack breakfast/lunch brought from home, that milk will cost the student .75 cents. (State funding allows us to provide full meals at no cost to students, but does not pay for à la carte menu items for students.)

If your student wants an à la carte milk to go along with a sack breakfast/lunch, please be sure add funds to their student account, or bring exact change.

If you have any questions or concerns, or need help with the account, please contact our Nutrition Services Department at 616.494.2245. Thank you for understanding! 

The PowerH Shop will be open Thursday, September 5, 4:30-6pm at Maplewood.  This week, we talk with HLA Community Coordinator Ashley Golin about the shop.

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We welcome Martin Veliz to the Holland Schools Board of Education.

Veliz is a dad of a student at Holland Middle School and a leader in the community (LAUP, Jubilee Ministries, and Southshore Village Business Improvement District). 

Veliz will serve on the Board of Education until the general election in November 2026. He is filling the seat left vacant by Linda Falstad who retired from the Board of Education in August. 

HPS HR is hosting a Job Fair on Thursday, September 5, 1-3pm at the District Administration Building (320 W 24th). 

Positions available:

• Instructional Assistants
• Bus Drivers
• Bus aides
• Substitute Teachers

Drop in to fill out an application and for on the spot interviews. 

Sunday, September 15 at The Ravines in Saugatuck

$100/Player

• 18 Holes
• 2 carts/team
• Awards Dinner
• Player Gifts
• Raffles
• $20/Awards Dinner Only

Register now!

• Get your team together OR we can build a team for you.
• Registration deadline is September 1.

Donna Brooks helped establish an endowment for the Class of 1966 Promise Scholarship. She is a consistent financial donor to the Holland Educational Foundation. And is a 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award winner. 

Thank you Donna for all you do for the students and families in Holland.

Dutch Football is ready to kickoff their season on Thursday night against Ottawa Hills.  This week we talk with team captain Jacob Torres.

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Holland Hospital and Life EMS Ambulance joined forces today to collect community donations of: 

• essential medical supplies (band-aids, gauze wraps, cotton balls, and more)  for the School Nurse Program 
• school supplies (backpacks, pencils, notebooks, crayons, tissues, and hand sanitizer) for the Power H Store.

Before the first day of school, HPS educators heard from LAUP Executive Director Johnny Rodriguez.

Before Saturday's Battle of the Badges Charity Softball game - between the Police and Fire Departments, HPS Safety & Security Director Joe Soto was presented with a check for $7,615.  The donation will benefit HHS student athletes who need assistance to cover the costs associated with participating in athletic teams and events. #GoDutch

HHS Student Senate is showing School of Rock, 

• Friday at 8:45pm on the HHS Soccer Field
• Bring Chairs & blankets
• Concessions Available
• Open to all HPS families
• FREE!

Students and teachers head back to school Thursday, August 22. Today, we talk with one of the leaders of the Class of 2025!

Take a listen.

Trustees will interview candidates for the open seat on the Board of Education on Monday, August 26, 2024, 5pm.

• 5:00 pm   Maris von Websky
• 5:30 pm   Kathryn A. Schoon-Tanis
• 6:00 pm   Martin Veliz

Location: District Administration Building Board Training Room

Holland Hospital is excited to invite all students, families, friends and faculty to participate in the 2024 School Nurse Fun Run on Thu, Sep 19 at Holland West Elementary School. 

Students can enter the Fun Run for FREE by making a goal to improve their health! It can be a physical challenge, change in their eating habits or starting a wellness activity.

HPS is looking for volunteers that would be interested in becoming a part of a Parent Safety Committee. The purpose of this committee will be to discuss safety issues and concerns, policies that are safety-related, and ideas about steps to ensure safety. 

• Led by Joe Soto, HPS Director of Safety & Security
• Meeting on second Wednesday of every month, 6:30-8:30pm at District Admin Bldg.
• Starting in October, ending in May.

Books & Games provides students with an hour of supervised reading, homework help, and games, plus a free breakfast an hour before school starts each morning.  It also gives parents/guardians an extra hour to start their day or  to get to work on time!

• Books & Games is FREE for all HPS students to attend!
• One hour before the start of school EVERY school day
• Students must be dropped off one-hour before the start of school 
• Supervision provided by HPS Staff

We are incredibly excited to introduce you Rocky! Rocky is a Golden Retriever and a therapy dog at West Elementary.

Kids and families at Holland Public Schools are getting ready to head back to school. This week we talk with HPS Superintendent Nick Cassidy.

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For the 2024-25 school year, HPS will once again be participating in the Michigan School Meals Program. 

• All HPS students to have one breakfast and one lunch per school day at NO-COST to them. 
• Milk only purchases (all buildings) or à la carte items (high school only) must be paid for at the time of purchase with either cash or funds in their account.

 Any food service related questions can be directed to our webpage or 616-494-2245.

In order to help our transportation department get students to and from school safely and on time, we will stagger start and dismissal times at our elementary schools during the 2024-2025 school year.  Please notice the time changes at HLA and Holland Heights.

Holland Heights and HLA : 

• 8:15am-3:21pm 
• Half Day Dismiss 11:20am 
• Early Release 2:21pm

We are excited to announce that beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, Holland Public Schools will be implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Bus Expectations across our district's transportation services. This initiative aims to create a safe, respectful, and responsible environment for all students who utilize our school buses.

There's not much left standing at Holland Heights.  We're making way for a beautiful new school designed for Outdoor Learning!  

• Watch us grow...and get enrolled before our new facility opens in 2026.

During construction, students will attend Longfellow Elementary at State & 24th.

Holland Public Schools is looking for volunteers to join a Parent Safety Committee in the coming school year.  We talk about it with District Director of Safety & Security, Joe Soto.

Listen Now!

Please join Holland Public Schools in thanking Board of Education Secretary Linda Falstad for her service to the students and families of the City of Holland.

This week, we talk with Patty Beatty, HPS Director of Pre School about all the great things happening at HPS with our youngest learners!

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Holland families are welcome to come to the HMS Greenhouse for FREE produce and flowers.

• Monday, 6-7pm
• June 10-August19

Our Kindergarten Screening Process helps us make sure we’re connecting with every student’s unique learning needs. We schedule individualized screening appointments for youngsters and parents on specific dates in May.

The results provide an evaluation resource for parents and teachers to review prior to finalizing the decision about program and class placement.

• August 1, 4-7:30pm
• August 2, 8am-4pm

at HPS District Administration Building

During construction at Holland Heights Elementary, students will attend Longfellow Elementary (24th & State). 

Transportation will be provided for students in the Holland Heights neighborhood - requests must be made by August 7 (Please complete student registration.)

Our new school will feature:

• Classrooms designed for nature-based learning and small class sizes
• designated outdoor learning spaces
• a new media center  
• expanded gym

Our new school opens in 2026!

Guarantee a spot at the NEW HOLLAND HEIGHTS!

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.

This week we talk with Melissa Remillard, Associate Superintendent of School Improvement about Kindergarten Enrollment, Transitional Kindergarten, and Kindergarten Screenings.

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New goals & new leadership set at Holland Educational Foundation.

The Holland Educational Foundation turns 40 this year. This week, we talk with HEF Executive Director Kate Bolt.

• HEF Summer_mixdown

Families in Holland can get FREE produce from the HMS Greenhouse.

• Podcast 4.30

The HMS Greenhouse harvest events happen every Monday 6-7pm.

HPS will provide FREE Breakfast and Lunch to ALL children under 18 in the district through out the summer.

Jenifer Jongekryg is a teacher at Holland High School.  Thanks to an anonymous donation from a family in the city and to the support of the Holland Educational Foundation, she and her husband (who also works at Holland High) will get $25,700 toward the down payment of a home in the Holland area as a part of Teachers Live Here!

The Open Enrollment Period for limited spaces begins on June 1, 2024, and ends on June 28, 2024.

Created by Ready for School and delivered by HPS teachers, the Kindergarten Readiness Camp combines the routines of a typical school day with play to build the academic and social skills that kindergarten teachers say they want to see in their students. When a child is curious, asks questions, and is comfortable in the classroom environment, it helps with being ready to learn.

• June 17-August 1 (closed week of July 4) 
• Mondays - Thursday | 8:30am-12:30pm 
• Includes Breakfast  Lunch
• Transportation Included

This week, we talk with Athletic Director Blake Muller about the 23-24 Sports Seasons, the 24-25 sports seasons, and the Summer Sports Camps that get underway next week at HHS.

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The $21.2 million project will take 2-years and provide new learning opportunities for Holland students and families!

There's a sports camp for every kid this summer at Holland Public Schools. 

• Run by HPS coaches with assistance from Varsity athletes 
• Everything from learning-the-basics to practicing game skills

Join us this summer for a HPS Sports Camp.

Alba jumped a personal record of 5'3'' and took 5th place in the High Jump at the State Track and Field meet!

Also setting personal records at the meet:

• Senior Madalyn Daniels ran a PR of 26.19 in the 200m Prelims.
• Freshman Miona Rodgers ran a PR of 26.33 in the 200m Prelims.

West Elementary's Bailey Brumels will recieve a $25,700 grant to help with the down payment on a home.  And, because, she's purchasing a home within the district, she'll also receive $2,500 to assist with closing costs.

June 17, 2024, 4:30  p.m., Board Training Room at the HPS Administration Building.

HPS will host a groundbreaking ceremony on June 4th at 9am for a reconstruction project at Holland Heights Elementary.  This week, we talk with Superintendent Nick Cassidy about this project.

This podcast originally aired on April 3, 2024.

The boys track team competed at the West Michigan regional meet and came away with the Regional Championship first place trophy over 33 other teams. 

This week, we replay Student Senate President Owen Ceithaml's Commencement Address to the Class of 2024: The Next Roller Coaster.

Join Exit Left Theatre Company for the Second Annual Holland Cares Benefit Concert! You will enjoy incredible performances by local talent and special guests performers from the national tour of Wicked.  All proceeds will go to regional youth mental health care providers: 

• Midtown Counseling
• Mosaic Counseling.

Holland High School has a new Alma Mater. This week, we talk with Sam Lunn (Class of 2024), the writer and composer of Here's to You, Holland High.

Holland Public Schools is celebrating the winner of the district Power H IMPACT Award!  This week we talk with Holland High Special Education Teacher, Kayla Gearring about being named this year's Power H IMPACT Award.

Members of the Holland High School Forensics team will travel to Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek for the State Competition on May 3 & 4. State competitors include:

• Yanyssa Ochoa (12th Grade) will compete in Informative
• Eleanor McMullen (11th grade) will compete in Oratory
• Leila Sundararajan (10th Grade) will compete in Prose 
• Chaza Ben (9th grade) will compete in Broadcasting.