The Weekly Update #4

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! As we embark on another exciting academic journey, I am thrilled to share some updates and important information with you. Our dedicated team has worked diligently over the summer to ensure a smooth and successful year for all our students.

First and foremost, I am delighted to announce that Mr. Matt Baer, formerly our Assistant Principal, is now the new Principal of Riley Middle School. Mr. Baer brings a wealth of experience and a passionate commitment to student success. His leadership will undoubtedly contribute to creating a nurturing and dynamic learning environment at Riley Middle School. We are excited to see the positive impact he will have on our students, staff, and community. Additionally, we welcome Mr. Gabe Buzinski as the new Assistant Principal at Riley Middle. Mr. Buzinski joins us from Denver, Colorado, and we are confident he will be a great addition to our team.

Along with welcoming new staff throughout the district, we have made significant progress on various construction projects. The addition at Bauer is now fully operational, and the major renovations at Park Elementary are coming along nicely. The new Robotics area at the high school is nearly complete, and the Early Childhood Center is scheduled for completion by the end of the calendar year. These improvements aim to enhance our facilities and provide our students with the best possible learning environment. We appreciate your patience and support as we continue to upgrade our schools to meet the evolving needs of our students and community.

This year, we are implementing an important change to our secondary school schedule to support our teachers' professional development. This will affect Baldwin Middle, Riley Middle, and the High School. We will release our secondary students 30 minutes early on two scheduled Wednesdays each month. Please note that this will not impact the bus schedule; students who take the bus will still follow their regular schedule. This time will be dedicated to Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) for our secondary teachers. PLCs are crucial to our ongoing efforts to improve instructional practices and student outcomes.

During PLC time, teachers will collaborate to analyze student data, share effective teaching strategies, and develop targeted interventions to support student learning. This dedicated time allows our educators to engage in continuous professional growth, ultimately benefiting our students through enhanced instruction and personalized support. We understand that this schedule adjustment may require some planning on your part, and we appreciate your cooperation in ensuring a smooth transition for your children.

As we begin this new school year, I am grateful for your continued partnership and support. Together, we can create a positive and enriching educational experience for our students. Please stay connected with us through our school website, newsletters, and social media channels for updates and important information throughout the year.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's school or my office. We are here to support you and ensure every student has a successful and fulfilling year.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. We look forward to a wonderful 2024-2025 school year filled with growth, achievement, and new opportunities.

Warm regards,

Dr. VanderJagt

Superintendent

We invite families with students who are new to the district to enroll their child online. If you need further assistance please call the appropriate building.

Breakfast will be served each day that school is in session, beginning on August 21. Sack Lunches will be available for students to take home August 21 and 22 and on Early Release Days.

Breakfasts and Lunches will be FREE to all students in the 2024-25 school year. However, we encourage any family to apply for additional Child Nutrition and Educational Benefits. Click here to complete the application. There is important student support funding that HPS receives that is tied to approved applications. Approved applications also ensure that families receive any and all discounts related to Athletics, Technology, Testing, Summer School, Home Internet, etc. To receive any potential discounts, you MUST return THIS FORM to Food Service. You can visit our website at www.jenhudfood.org to find links to menus and more information about School Meals. Contact Food Service at foodservice@hpseagles.net or at (616) 457-2400 if you need assistance with anything related to meal service.

Dr. Barb Hooper................President

Nick Bolhuis.....................Vice President

Greg Chanski....................Treasurer

Dawn Sneden...................Secretary

Andrew DeWitt.................Asst. Secretary/Treasurer

Ken Hall............................Trustee

Mark Davis.......................Trustee

Click here for the board of education meeting dates for the 2024/2025 school year.

You won’t want to miss this year’s Eagles of Excellence Gala on Monday, November 4, 2024 at The Pinnacle Center. Join nearly 300 community members at this prestigious event as we recognize current students and educators, honor the extraordinary achievements of alumni, and celebrate the 20th anniversary of Hudsonville Education Foundation’s philanthropic support for Hudsonville Public Schools.

2024 Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees:

- Roger D. Miller, M.D., Class of 1958
Career Achievements

- Sandra VanDam Anderson, Ph.D., M.S., B.S.N., R.N., Class of 1961
Career Achievements

- Col. Peter J. Gryzen, Class of 1993
Career Achievements

- Jesse Reimink, Ph.D., Class of 2005
Career Achievements

Inaugrual Lifetime Legacy Award Recipients:

- Donald Van Doeselaar

- Marvin H. Patmos and June (Serum) Patmos, ‘38

Students to be recognized as Eagles of Excellence will be announced this fall.

Please visit www.hudsedfound.org/gala.html event, inductee, ticket and sponsorship information.

The Hudsonville Public School District has conducted an extensive asbestos survey of all its buildings. Based on the findings of this inspection, a comprehensive management plan has been drafted. This plan details the response actions that the district will be taking regarding asbestos containing materials found in its buildings. This plan is available for inspection at the Administration Office without cost or restriction during normal business hours. If you desire to have a personal copy, please notify the main Administration Office and it will be supplied to you within five working days at a cost of 30¢ per page.

During severe weather, the following school policy is in effect:

Tornado Watch

Students normally will not be dismissed early. They will dismiss at their regular time. Weather conditions will be closely monitored. After-school activities will be canceled during a tornado watch.

Tornado Warning

Students will not be dismissed during a tornado warning. All students will go to areas designated by the building principal and take cover. If the warning is lifted during school hours, all students will be dismissed at their normal time and bus students will be transported home. All athletic practices and events are canceled until the warning is lifted. Athletic practices and events in progress when a warning is issued will be stopped and all athletes will be moved to designated cover areas.

•Feel free to pick up your child(ren) at any time during severe weather. Report to the office to do so.

•Please do not call the school unless an emergency exists to keep the phone lines open.

Dear Parent/Guardian:

Hudsonville Public Schools has adopted an Integrated Pest Management program. Inherent with this are the District’s efforts to reduce pesticide use as much as possible. While it may occasionally be necessary to apply a pesticide, this program does not rely on routine pesticide applications to resolve problems. We use various techniques such as habitat alteration, sanitation, mechanical means, exclusion, etc. to prevent pests from becoming a problem.

As required by Michigan law, you will receive advanced notice of non-emergency application of a pesticide (insecticide, fungicide, or herbicide), other than bait or gel formulation, which is made to the school, school grounds, or buildings. This advance notice of a pesticide application will be given 48 hours before the application by the following two methods:

1) Posting at the primary entrances to your child’s school. The entrances that will be posted are the main entrance and those that have a sidewalk that leads directly to a parking lot.

2) Posting in the common area located by the main office of the school.

Please note that notification is not given for use of sanitizers, germicides, disinfectants, or anti-microbial cleaners. In certain emergencies, such as an infestation of stinging insects, pesticides may be applied without prior notice to prevent injury to students, but you will be promptly notified following any such application, via the two posting methods identified (above).

You may review the school’s Integrated Pest Management program and records of any pesticide application upon request by contacting Amy Alward, Administrative Assistant, by phone at 662-1477, or email: aalward@hpseagles.net.

Parents or guardians of children attending the school are also entitled to receive the advance notice of a pesticide application, other than a bait or gel formulation, by first class United States mail postmarked at least 3 days before the application, if they so request. If you would like to be notified by mail please contact Amy Alward, Administrative Assistant, by phone at 662-1477, or email: aalward@hpseagles.net.

Please give the department person or administrative assistant, your name, mailing address, and school(s) your child or children attend. They will put your name on the advance notification by US Mail list.

Hudsonville Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX, including in admission and employment. https://www.hudsonvillepublicschools.org/about/civil-rights-compliance