The Appleseed

While we have been granted a brief reprieve from winter's icy grasp, I want to discuss a topic that could become relevant again before spring arrives: snow days. While most snow has melted, let's consider how snow days affect our school schedule. So far, we've used five of our six designated inclement weather days. If we surpass this number, I'll soon share some potential "make-up" day options. I understand the joy that a snow day can bring, but I assure you these decisions are made with great care and consideration. Deciding to declare a snow day involves a complex process. We balance travel hazards in unsafe weather conditions with the value of classroom time and routine. This involves consulting the National Weather Service, coordinating with nearby districts, assessing road safety, and considering the impact on families and childcare. Our paramount concern is the safety and welfare of our students and staff. We recognize the importance of a secure learning environment, which extends to safe travel for our school community. Holding classes in severe weather can lead to distractions and less effective teaching, hindering the educational process. We seek your understanding and patience in these situations. While snow days may cause inconvenience and scheduling challenges, prioritizing safety and a conducive learning atmosphere is our primary goal. Looking ahead, we'll keep a vigilant eye on the weather and make informed, timely decisions about snow days, communicating through our established channels.

A significant vote is approaching this spring for Hudsonville School parents and community members. On May 7, two ballot proposals will be presented for your decision. The first is the annual Non-Homestead Millage renewal, a measure that has consistently received voter approval for the past 28 years. This renewal is crucial, as it contributes approximately $7.8 million in operational funds for our school district each year. It's important to understand that this isn't a new tax, nor does it apply to primary residences. The Non-Homestead Millage primarily impacts businesses, secondary homes, and certain agricultural properties, maintaining the existing 18 mills rate. Additionally, this year introduces a new proposal seeking two mills for the Headlee rollback. This measure doesn't seek extra funds but aims to maintain the non-homestead levy for an extended period of four years, saving the district an estimated $46,500 per election cycle over those four years. Approval of both measures means we won't need to request a vote on the non-homestead millage until 2028. Your participation in the vote on May 7 is highly valued.

In January, we celebrated National School Board Recognition Month. I want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to our dedicated school board members. Their tireless commitment and unwavering dedication play a pivotal role in shaping the educational landscape of our community. These individuals volunteer their time and resources, making crucial decisions that affect the future of our students and schools. Their service often goes unnoticed, but it is integral to our success. Let's take a moment to acknowledge and thank them for their invaluable contributions in guiding the path of education in our community.

We have now crossed the midpoint of the school year. It's inspiring to see our students excel both academically and in their community and school engagements. We're fortunate to have an outstanding team of teachers and support staff – among the finest any district could ask for. Our bus drivers deserve special recognition for their dedicated care of our students, navigating challenging routes in often difficult weather with skill and safety. Additionally, our administrative team consistently goes the extra mile to uphold the exceptional standards of Hudsonville. I feel immensely grateful to work alongside such an incredible staff across our district, and I hope you share this sentiment of appreciation.

Thank you for your continued support of Hudsonville Public Schools.

Dr. VanderJagt

Superintendent

MTSS is a framework for schools to proactively identify and address students' academic and behavioral needs. Instead of waiting for a student to struggle, MTSS aims to catch difficulties early and provide timely support to ensure all students get what they need.

MTSS works like a pyramid with three tiers of support, each increasing in intensity:

• Tier 1: Core Instruction for all: This is the foundation of learning, where all students receive high-quality instruction tailored to their grade level.
• Tier 2: Targeted Instruction for some: For students who need extra support, Tier 2 provides data informed, targeted interventions both within (scheduled small groups) and outside of the school day (tutoring and summer learning).
• Tier 3: Intensive Intervention: For students with more significant needs, Tier 3 offers individualized and intensive support, such as one-on-one instruction or specialized programs.

The key to MTSS is its data-driven approach. The MTSS team and teachers regularly assess students' progress and use this data to identify students who need additional support. This helps ensure that students receive the right level of support at the right time.

Think of MTSS as a team effort. Teachers, parents, administrators, and MTSS Academic/PBIS specialists work together to create a supportive school environment where all students can thrive. Together we work to provide the necessary support to help all students succeed.

HPS Early Childhood Programs Open House for the 2024-2025 School Year and 2024 Summer Program

Registration/Open House Night:

Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at the Early Childhood Center from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. The Early Childhood Center is located at 5535 School Avenue (main entrance off Madison Avenue).

Programs include: 3 & 4 year old Preschool, Before/After School Care, and Summer Care.

This is a chance to gather information about the programs, meet staff, and visit the Early Childhood Center. There is no formal presentation and children are welcome.

Online registration will open Wednesday, February 7, at noon. The registration link can be found at hudsonvillepublicschools.org A $100 fee per child is due ($50 non-refundable registration fee; $50 credit towards future tuition). Please note that enrollment fills quickly.

For more information, please email eccoffice@hpseagles.net or call the Early Childhood office at 616-797-0842, ext. 1.

During WIN (What I Need) time on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Riley Street Middle School, students are broken into two learning teams based on their individual needs:Intervention or Enrichment. While some students are working on growing their math and ELA skills, other sixth, seventh, and eighth graders have learned how to invest in the stock market, build walls and run electricity to outlets, play the game of Chess, teach Spanish to Jamestown Elementary students, or produce artwork to beautify the middle school. Whether they are working to fill learning gaps or acquiring new real-life skills, it’s Riley students for the WIN!

In 2022, federal legislation created a new program to fill hunger gaps during summer break, called

Summer EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer). The program is being administered by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Michigan Department of Education (MDE).

A household can receive $40 per month per child in June, July, and August 2024 (for a total of $120

per child); benefits will come in the form of preloaded cards that families can use to purchase

groceries.

Summer EBT benefits will be issued to students who have a completed and approved Application for

Meal Benefits on file as of February 14, 2024. If you already have an approved application, automatically receive Free or Reduced Meal Benefits, or already receive EBT Benefits, you do NOT need to re-apply.

Completion of the form does not automatically qualify your student for the summer benefits. These

benefits will be based on annual incomes and household size as noted by you on the form.

If your address has changed this year, be sure to update it with your school district to ensure your

benefit card is sent to the right address.

This WILL NOT impact your student receiving free breakfast and lunch at school.

Click HERE for Income Guidelines!

Go online to apply now: https://hudsonville.familyportal.cloud

If you have any questions, please contact Food Service at foodservice@hpseagles.net or 616-457-2400.

The Hudsonville Education Foundation is celebrating 20 years of investing in and enriching education for Hudsonville Public Schools students!

Help HEF celebrate two decades of service and discover the important role community support plays in supporting academic success by watching the video below.

Learn more at www.hudsedfound.org.

Curiosity. It’s something that we all have; a commonality we all share. As you walk through the hallways of our wonderful schools you will see curiosity all around you. It’s visible inside classrooms as kids collaborate, as they work independently, as they have discussions in class, as they make choices about what books they’re going to read, what topic they will research and write about. You will see it in the arts programs where students can explore music, STEAM, P.E. and art classes. You will see it on the playgrounds or social spaces where kids interact through conversations or making snowmen or playing a game they’ve made up. Curiosity brings us together. It grows our thinking. It allows us to explore new things and share those new learnings with others. It allows us to be excited about the world around us.

Alward Elementary was proud to host an extraordinary visit from the United States Department of Agriculture and the Michigan Department of Education. Since school meals have become free for all students, Alward's breakfast count is up two hundred percent. This was a unique opportunity for our fantastic food service staff and students to show off how we fuel up to start our school day right. Among the honored guests were USDA Under Secretary Stacey Dean and MDE State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Rice. Thank you to our fabulous food service team, who, under the leadership of Mary Darnton, continue to move mountains to keep our students fed.

While practicing their how-to writing pieces, the kindergarteners at Georgetown Elementary have been getting hands-on with some magical indoor snow. Students learned how to make the snow independently before writing three-step instructions describing the process. They even included pictures and suggestions for how to play with the snow. The Kindergarten Team at Georgetown loves creating hands-on experiences with their incredible students.

We are so excited to announce that Ms. McClure, the principal of the 5/6 Building @ Georgetown, is the 2024 American String Teachers Association Michigan Administrator of the Year! This award celebrates Ms. McClure's excellent leadership and support of music education in our district. She was honored on Jan. 26, 2024 at the Michigan Music Conference.