The Weekly Update #4

With the arrival of spring, the days are lengthening, and the promise of blooming flowers fills the air. As our high school seniors gear up for their final stretch at HPS, our elementary students eagerly stow away their snow pants in anticipation of summer. Amidst this seasonal transition, we are diligently preparing for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. The planning process for the new school year is well underway. Soon, returning students will be assigned to classes led by exceptional teachers and supported by dedicated staff. Our administrative team is hard at work finalizing staffing requirements and warmly welcoming new families into our school community.

As we navigate the remaining months of this school year, there are a couple of crucial matters that require your attention. These issues revolve around two significant ballot initiatives scheduled for a vote this spring. On May 7, Hudsonville School parents and community members will have the opportunity to cast their votes on these important proposals.

The first proposal pertains to the annual renewal of the Non-Homestead Millage, a measure that has garnered voter approval for the past 28 years. This renewal is vital as it provides approximately $7.8 million in operational funds for our school district each year. It's essential to note that this renewal does not introduce a new tax and does not affect primary residences. Instead, it primarily impacts businesses, secondary homes, and specific agricultural properties, maintaining the existing 18 mill rate.

Additionally, a new proposal seeks two mills for the Headlee rollback. This measure does not seek additional funds but aims to sustain the non-homestead levy for an extended four-year period, resulting in an estimated savings of nearly $150,000 over those four years. Approval of both measures will alleviate the need for a vote on the non-homestead millage until 2028. More information on these proposals can be found on our website. Your participation in the vote on May 7 is greatly appreciated.

Furthermore, we are making significant progress in various construction projects across the district. The addition to Bauer Elementary will be completed in time for the upcoming school year, while Park Elementary and the Early Childhood Center will be fully operational by the fall of 2025. For updates on current construction timelines and photos, please visit HPSbondprojects.com.

I also want to take a moment to remind you of the upcoming solar eclipse scheduled for April 8th. While we will be in school during the event, it's crucial to emphasize the potential dangers associated with viewing the eclipse without proper eye protection. After school hours, when students might be tempted to observe the phenomenon, it's paramount that they are aware of the risks involved and take necessary precautions. Please encourage your children to refrain from looking directly at the sun without certified solar viewing glasses or other safe viewing methods. Their safety is our top priority, and your support in reinforcing this message is greatly appreciated.

As we embrace the joys of spring, with its longer days and revitalizing energy, I encourage you to relish the additional daylight and the fresh air and perhaps take an extra walk on a dry sidewalk. Spring activities abound, and we eagerly anticipate seeing you at one of the many events our students have the opportunity to participate in. We are excited to announce our upcoming Art Showcase scheduled for April. This event promises to be a wonderful celebration of our students' creativity and talent. Please mark your calendars and join us as we admire the incredible artwork produced by our students throughout the year. Your support and encouragement mean the world to us, and we can't wait to share this special occasion with you.

Wishing you a rejuvenating start to spring, and please remember to cast your vote on May 7, 2024.

Dr. VanderJagt

Superintendent

March is Reading Month and it has been a full-court press of learning and fun at the Grove. Students earn basketball cut-outs for reaching reading goals to display everywhere at school. As students collectively reach new milestones, they are rewarded for their hard work with reading-related and basketball-themed celebrations. Students have participated in favorite book door art, classroom buddy connections, dress-up days, and March Madness challenges. The month kicked off with a visit from our Hudsonville Eagle Girl's Varsity Basketball team who read and discussed the themes from the book entitled, “I Promise” by Lebron James. During their visit, these impressive high school student-athletes exemplified exceptional Eagle pride, style, and energy! Thank you, Ladies!

There are times when student behavior requires intervention. It is important to remember that although an incident may involve more than one student, due to student privacy laws, the district cannot share disciplinary actions regarding students with other parents or students. This can lead to misinformation being shared by others, which can cause frustration and the impression that a particular situation has no consequence. Furthermore, even if accurate information is shared by the student or the parent, confusion can ensue as people attempt to compare discipline outcomes to other incidents. These comparisons often leave out various conditions that may elevate or mitigate discipline in each instance.

There is a new state requirement that requires incoming pre-k/kindergarten students to receive an oral health assessment beginning the 2024/2025 school year. If your child is a current pre-k student, this does not apply to your student.

The Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) can be completed by your child’s dentist, one of our HPS clinics (dates listed below), or at the local Health Department. There is no cost if the assessment is done by the local Health Department or at an HPS Clinic. The Hudsonville location of the Ottawa County Health Department will be having clinics this summer but dates are still to be determined. Individual appointments can also be made with the Health Department and can be made by calling (616)-396-5266.

The oral assessment is a very brief screening that takes just a few minutes to complete - no treatment is performed and it is simply a quick look in the mouth. If follow-up is needed, the form will list specific details regarding necessary follow-up. Assistance is available through the Health Department for any student that does not have a dentist and/or dental insurance.

For documentation, complete the dental exam section of the kindergarten health appraisal form: Link to Health Appraisal Form OR complete the separate oral health assessment form: Link to KOHA Form - either option is acceptable. Please note that the old versions of the health appraisal form say the dental exam is optional, in Ottawa County it is now required and is NOT optional. Once the assessment and documentation are complete, please submit your child’s paperwork into the health appraisal section in Powerschool or to your child’s school.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your child’s school administrative assistants.

HPS Oral Health Assessment Clinics:

Location: Hudsonville Administrative Office - 3886 Van Buren St. Hudsonville, MI 49426

*Park in the main parking lot and use the sidewalk on the South side of the building to walk to the portables located directly to the east of the building. Follow the signs to the north portable closest to Van Buren St.

Dates:

April 25th: 4pm-6pm

May 22nd: 4pm-6pm

May 28th: 11am-2pm

Helpful Resources:

Information for Parents

Spanish - Information for Parents

Ottawa County Health Department- Dental Health

Each year, our GSRP preschool classrooms have an opportunity to partner with our high school lifeguarding class to have one week of swimming lessons. This is a fabulous opportunity for our preschool students to learn from our high school students. The best part is that all the students are having so much fun in the pool that they forget they are even in a class!

During WIN time at Riley Street Middle School, Mr. Lockhart, 8th grade History teacher, ran an enrichment opportunity for 8th grade students to complete in the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce Civics essay contest. Students crafted essays using core democratic principles, primary sources, and civic virtues. They first identified a problem facing their community, and then shared how a citizen might solve that problem.

Two 8th graders, Emma Van Hill and Jack Laning, have been announced as regional finalists. Emma wrote on the social hierarchy of students in middle school, and Jack focused his essay on violence in schools. Both students now advance to the live quiz event testing their civic knowledge. Congratulations, Emma and Jack, and best of luck in the next round!

Mr. Greg went above and beyond to make lunchtime exciting at South Elementary this spring. He set up brackets and let students vote on a winning lunch entree each day. There were even some wonderful guest announcers that stopped by for the occasion. Although walking tacos took the championship, the real winners were the students who delighted in the excitement that this competition brought to the cafeteria.

The Hudsonville High School Theatre Department put on an incredible show complete with aerial stunts and audience participation. The production involved an impressive ensemble of 77 actors supported by a dedicated backstage crew of 65 members and a live pit with a professional orchestra. Thank you to the amazing volunteers who stepped up and gave of their time and talents to make this experience possible for our students.

On Friday, March 8, 2024, the stories of fond memories echoed throughout the halls of Hudsonville High School as Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame (DAHOF) Inductees, next of kin and family members gathered to celebrate the unveiling of the permanent installation of the DAHOF made possible by the generosity of the Wierda family in memory of their beloved wife and mother, Marcia Wierda, ‘58, educator and 2017 DAHOF Inductee.

The Distinguished Alumni, Hudsonville Public Schools Board of Education Trustees, District Superintendent, Administration, Hudsonville Education Foundation Board of Directors and DAHOF Committee gathered for lunch, conversation and a guided tour of the high school facility.

Dr. Elmer Vruggink, ‘45 and 2020/21 DAHOF Inductee and Dr. Robert Visscher, ‘47 and 2017 DAHOF Inductee were among the eldest esteemed alums, boasting graduating class sizes in the mid-thirties nearly eighty years ago. A span of six decades separated the youngest and the oldest alums in attendance and while much has changed throughout the years, one thing remains the same: their shared pride in being a Hudsonville Eagle.

“Not only are we thrilled to be able to permanently honor the alumni who have blazed trails in their respective areas of influence, but we are equally excited for students to see the display as daily inspiration that they can achieve great things too. We are very thankful to the Wierda family for making this possible,” said Janessa Smit, Executive Director of the Hudsonville Education Foundation.

The 10ft x 6ft display resides between the Main Office and Fine Arts Auditorium on the north side of the Hudsonville High School campus in a high visibility area for students and community members to enjoy.

In partnership, Hudsonville Public Schools and the Hudsonville Education Foundation established the DAHOF in 2017 to celebrate the achievements and talents of distinguished alums. Since its inception, twenty-four alumni have been inducted at the Eagles of Excellence Gala, a formal awards program and ceremony held each fall.

Learn more, read bios, submit a DAHOF nomination and get connected with the Hudsonville Education Foundation Eagle Alumni Network here: https://hudsedfound.org/alumni-hof.

Park students love to dig into projects while following the Engineering Design Process or the Scientific Inquiry Process.

• Kindergarteners exploring pushes & pulls while having a hoot with Loopin’ Louie.

• 1st Graders show off their engineering skills with lighthouses, including a working light and bell, after studying Light & Sound.

• 2nd Graders thought long and hard to build an insulated cooler to preserve their popsicles! (Properties of Matter)

• 3rd Graders are saving the tiger who has fallen into a hole with simple & compound machines.

• 4th Graders explore energy through building circuits, including using wind/solar energy.

• 4th Graders also put their circuit skills into action, creating a Play-Doh controlled bongo with younger students.

The sixth-grade ELA students at Riley Street Middle School were immersed in investigating the question How do Hudsonville-area businesses and organizations help make Hudsonville a great place to live? By partnering with our amazing Hudsonville-area businesses, students practiced narrative and informational reading and writing skills to write business stories as well as to create infographics to inform the community about what that business does. The business partners visited to check student work and to provide students with feedback for revision. On Wednesday, March 6, student teams presented to the public about their partner businesses at the RMS Business Showcase. All of the sixth-grade students did an excellent job, but the following teams earned the most votes for their presentations.

Kindergarten recently had a fun penguin-themed day! The students enjoyed various activities, such as reading nonfiction books to learn cool penguin facts. They also read a collection of fiction books all about a silly penguin named Tacky. The students performed a Tacky cheer in front of the class, working on their expression and fluency. To keep the theme going, they snacked on black and white treats and even learned how to draw their own penguins. As if that wasn't exciting enough, they also discovered how to make pretend snow to complement their "How To" writing unit.

The early childhood staff, students, and families spent the months of February and March collecting food items for Hand2Hand. Many students had the opportunity to visit with the Hand2Hand staff and explore the H2H van when it came to pick up the donations.

Forest Grove Elementary celebrated its annual school carnival, affectionately called "Fun Night," on Friday, March 15. Guests were treated to a host of carnival edibles, games, prizes, and a ton of family fun. This event serves a dual purpose of gathering together our school community to raise funds through our raffle, silent auction, and wristband action while providing a meaningful time to connect with old neighbors and new friends for food, fellowship, and fun. Kids of all ages enjoyed taking turns at the Cake Walk, Duck Pond, Bean Bag Toss, and Plinko. Many more enjoyed the cotton candy, face painting, and raffle items galore. Forest Grove is thankful for the army of volunteers who made this event a complete success, including the 26 National Honor Society Members, all juniors and seniors from Hudsonville High School, who served as our game hosts on this memorable evening. Way to go, EAGLES!

This event exceeded our attendance expectations as we were able to spend time with 70+ of our ECC families! We had over 125 children attend (each leaving with a new book to take home!). We couldn't have done this without you and our generous book donors including Mejiers, Love Inc, and many more.