The Weekly Update #4

Dear Hudsonville Families,

Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year! I hope your summer was filled with good times, relaxation, and plenty of moments that made you smile. We’re excited to see our hallways buzzing with students again and to kick off a year full of learning, growth, and new adventures.

Students will begin the school year on Wednesday, August 20, with a half day, followed by another half day on Thursday, August 21. These shorter days help everyone ease into the new routine, and we’re looking forward to welcoming your children back.

Important news regarding our food service program: Breakfast will be served every school day starting August 20, with sack lunches available August 20–21 and on Early Release Days. Thanks to current funding, all meals are free through September 30, 2025, but this funding isn’t guaranteed beyond that date. We are urging legislators to finalize the state budget and continue support so every student can continue to receive meals. We encourage all families to complete the Free & Reduced Meal Application, as approved applications help secure essential funding for our schools and unlock discounts on athletics, technology, testing, and more. To receive any discounts, please be sure to return this form to our Food Service Department. For menus and more information, visit jenhudfood.org or contact foodservice@hpseagles.net or call (616) 457-2400.

I also want to share some exciting leadership news. Joe Szymanski, who has been serving as an assistant principal at the high school, will be moving to Forest Grove Elementary as their new principal. Joe is passionate about supporting students and families, and I know he’ll do a fantastic job leading Forest Grove. Meanwhile, Joe Kessel, who many of you know from his role as a high school counselor, will be stepping into a new role as assistant principal at the high school. Please join me in congratulating both of them as they take on these important new challenges!

This year, we’re also welcoming nearly 25 new staff members who bring fresh energy and enthusiasm to our schools. If you see any of our staff out in public or at events, don’t hesitate to say hello; it’s those simple moments of kindness that help make Hudsonville such a great community.

On a personal note, I always look forward to the start of the school year, not just for the energy and excitement the kids bring, but also for those moments when you hear laughter echoing down the hallways or see students making new friends. It’s a reminder of why we do this every day.

I encourage all parents and guardians to stay involved in your child’s education this year. Whether it’s attending school events, volunteering, or simply asking your child about their day, your support makes a huge difference in their success and happiness.

Thanks to the hard work of our custodial and maintenance teams, and with the completion of projects like the newly renovated Park Elementary, our schools are clean, safe, and ready for learning.

Your partnership means everything to us. Together, we create the kind of supportive environment where every student can thrive. Please stay connected through our website, newsletters, and social media for important updates. And as always, if you have questions or want to share your thoughts, we’re here to listen.

Thank you for trusting us with your child’s education.

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.

Greg Chanski...................President

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

Andrew DeWitt.................Treasurer

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

Ken Hall............................Asst. Secretary/Treasurer

Nick Bolhuis.....................Trustee

Joy Hemmes....................Trustee

Click here for the board of education meeting dates for the 2025/2026 school year.

For over 20 years, the Hudsonville Education Foundation (HEF) has helped spark innovation in our schools by funding creative teacher grants and awarding scholarships to first-generation college students. Thanks to donors and supporters across generations, HEF continues to fuel transformative learning experiences district-wide.

We are a foundation built around community, connection, and a legacy of lifelong learners. Whether you’re an alum, educator, parent, grandparent, or simply love living in Hudsonville, there’s a place for you.

Mark Your Calendar for Two Key Fall Events:

GVSU FAMILY DAY – October 18
Join fellow Eagles for football and fellowship at Lubbers Stadium. Purchase your 2:00 PM game ticket through gvsulakers.com/HEF—$5 of every ticket benefits HEF’s mission!
Bonus: The first 500 kids will receive a GVSU youth football jersey.

EAGLES OF EXCELLENCE GALA – November 3
Presented by Gemmen’s, our annual gala returns to the Pinnacle Center with heartfelt celebrations. We’ll induct outstanding alumni into the HEF Hall of Fame and honor students who exemplify excellence in the classroom. Sponsorship packages and individual tickets are available now.

Add to HEF’s momentum through your engagement, support, and time. If you are interested in serving this organization through a volunteer, committee, or board role—or simply learning more through regular updates—take our interest survey at survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JVMNTML.

Meet HEF’s Acting Executive Director, Lacey Dixon. With 20 years of nonprofit experience—including roles with the Arthritis Foundation, YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, and Grand Rapids Symphony—Lacey brings expertise in fundraising and mission-driven storytelling. Hudsonville has been home to the Dixon family since 2010, and Lacey and her husband Brian are proud parents of two Hudsonville students. Go Eagles!

Hudsonville Public Schools recently concluded three impactful summer learning programs designed to accelerate student growth and strengthen social engagement for students entering 1st through 9th grade. The High-Leverage Targeted Tutoring, Exceptional Learners, and Multilingual programs served a total of 178 students over five weeks, beginning July 8. This work would not have been possible without the incredible support of our dedicated staff and families. We are truly grateful!

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