The Weekly Update #4

Dear Hudsonville Families,

As we approach the end of another school year, I want to take a moment to thank you for the incredible support you've shown throughout the past year. Your partnership has made a meaningful difference in the lives of our students, and I'm continually inspired by the strength of this community and the shared commitment we all have to education.

It has been a year full of growth, learning, and connection. From our youngest learners taking their first steps in the classroom to our seniors preparing to step into the next chapter of their lives, there's so much to celebrate. In just a few days, we'll gather in our fieldhouse to honor the graduating Class of 2025—a remarkable group of students who have demonstrated perseverance, leadership, and heart. We are proud of each of them and look forward to all they will accomplish beyond Hudsonville.

This summer, we are putting the finishing touches on the final project from our 2019 bond. All major construction work across the district will officially be wrapped up after a few final projects are expected to be completed by early fall. We're incredibly grateful for the community's investment, which has helped us create modern, student-centered spaces that will serve Hudsonville learners for years to come.

I also want to thank our community for the overwhelming support of the Ottawa County Special Education proposal earlier this month. Your vote helps ensure we can continue providing high-quality educational opportunities for all students. That kind of support doesn't just sustain our programming—it uplifts them.

While summer is a time to rest and recharge, I encourage families to stay engaged in learning through reading, discovery, and meaningful time together. Whether exploring a local park, working on a creative project, or simply enjoying a good book, these moments can make a lasting impact.

As always, the district office remains open and available to assist with any questions you may have over the summer months. The 2025–26 school year will begin on Wednesday, August 20, and our calendar is available on the district website to help with planning.

Thank you for your trust, involvement, and commitment to Hudsonville Public Schools' success. It is an honor to serve this community, and I look forward to the continued journey ahead.

Wishing you and your family a restful, joyful, and safe summer.

Warm regards,

Dr. VanderJagt

Superintendent

This month, 4th graders from Georgetown Elementary had the opportunity to participate in an interactive concert called Link Up, a program organized by Carnegie Hall in collaboration with the West Michigan Symphony in Muskegon. The West Michigan Symphony is one of a select few orchestras nationwide chosen to partner with Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute for this special event, and we were so excited to be part of it!

We traveled to the beautiful historic Frauenthal Theatre in Muskegon, where we were treated to a fantastic performance. After months of preparation, our students were excited to attend the concert and participate!

Since January, we've been preparing by learning about orchestras and the different instrument families, improving our singing, mastering the recorder, reading and playing music notes, and exploring works by various composers. This year's theme, "The Orchestra Sings," focused on melody. Around 1700 students from across West Michigan attended the three concerts, bringing the total audience to over 5000!

The concert was highly interactive, with our students singing along to many songs, listening closely, and even moving to the music. The highlight was when our students had the chance to play their recorders alongside the symphony in two different pieces.

The grand finale had everyone on their feet, clapping to "The Stars and Stripes Forever." Confetti cannons and a colorful light show on the theatre's ceiling and walls were another highlight for the students. It was a fun and memorable experience!

Over the past two weeks, HPS’s Industrial Technology programs participated in the Michigan Industrial Technology Education Society (MITES) annual trades competition. Each program sent a sampling of the best work throughout the year in multiple categories to compete with other programs throughout the state, starting in regionals with six local counties hosted at Rockford High School, and advancing to the state level hosted this year in Gaylord, Michigan. Starting with an initial 35 projects submitted to the regional competition, our middle school students had 31 projects advance to the state level, where they received the following awards:

1- Divisional award for the group project won by our Links class group project

7 - First place awards

7 - Second place awards

2 - Third-place awards

9 - 5-10th place awards

Several honorable mentions

It is such a joy to see our Eagles take flight and show their skills in such a grand manner. We are proud of them and the quality craftsmanship they have demonstrated this year. Congratulations to our students and Mr. Price and Mr. O'Rourke.

The high school drafting classes, taught by Rechelle Goosen, and the high school woodshop classes, taught by Wayne Haight, competed in the annual MITES (Michigan Industrial and Technology Education Society) State Competition held in Gaylord, Michigan. Each year, MITES holds a Regional Competition at Rockford High School where five counties (Kent, Ottawa, Allegan, Ionia, and Montcalm) of schools compete against each other in various divisions such as Woods, Mechanical Drawings, Architectural Drawings, Plastics, Electronics, Metals, Additive Manufacturing, etc.

The drafting classes compete in the Mechanical Drawing, Architectural Drawing, Additive Manufacturing, and Animation divisions. Each division is divided into smaller classifications such as board drawings to CAD drawings and renderings. The classifications are also divided into grade levels (C = 9th and 10th grades, B = 11th and 12th grades) to promote competition among students of similar abilities. The top 6 finishers in each classification at the Regional Competition move on to the State Competition, where they compete amongst the rest of the schools in Michigan.

The high school had 189 projects qualify for the State Competition, and 154 came home with a top ten honor and 68 with a top three place finish. Three students received a Divisional Award, the highest honor you can receive in your grade level. Those winners were Drew Bauer in Mechanical Drawings "C" Level, Tristan Gauthier in Mechanical Drawings "B" level, and Noel LaRuffa in Architectural Drawings "B" level. The following students had a project place in the top 3 at the state competition: Aaron Hunt, Aidan Ohanyan, Alaina Bolles, Andrew Boerman, Aurek Swiatlowski, Avery Ehrhardt, Brooks Hoover, Bryce Hall, Cam Rogers, Claire Aukeman, Curtis Ellis, Daniel Craver, Dawson Weemhoff, Drew Bauer, Eli Kramer, Ethan Wilcox, Fiona Bielecki, Gideon Lemmen, Graham Sarber, Gwen Marsh, Haley Rowell, Jack Watson, John Schepers, Jordan Mast, Kaylin Chamberlin, Kerrigan Hussey, Kiahn Yarnal, Lucas Gunnink, Maddie Murchison, Mason DeWeerd, Micah Theis, Miles Brendahl, Noel LaRuffa, Owen Haarsma, Shea Williams, Teagan Sorensen, Tristan Gauthier, Westin Wohlfert, William Massom, Will Overbeck.

The students at Park Elementary recently moved into their new classrooms at the end of April. Students and staff have been eagerly awaiting the newly renovated classrooms. It has been very exciting for the students to learn about the progress of their new classrooms, to see pictures of the construction and development process, and then finally move into their new learning spaces this school year. Thanks to the community support for the 2019 bond, everyone at Park is enjoying the beautiful spacious classrooms that will offer many opportunities for learning and growing for years to come!

It's time to say farewell to our graduating seniors. However, there is still a bit of "housekeeping" that needs to be done for your senior's lunch account.

You may ask, "Aren't meals free this year?" The answer is "YES" but there may still be money on your senior's meal account (OR they may owe a few cents).

We've created quick form to tell us what to do with the money that may be left on your student's lunch account. Please take a quick minute to respond. You will receive a confirmation email with your responses.

https://forms.gle/XSc52jYZcZ8ymsrU7

Refunds will be processed between May 26 and June 6.

If you have any questions after completing the form, please call us at (616) 457-2400 OR send us a separate email to: foodservice@hpseagles.net and we can help!

Thank you,

Mary Darnton, Food Service Director

Although it is bittersweet to say goodbye, we are so thankful for the time and the service of all of our retirees. Together they have 492 years of service! It is so incredible to imagine how many lives they have touched. Congratulations!

Jamestown Lower Elementary has been exploring the fantastic world of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math). Our students have been busy unleashing their creativity and technical skills to create something truly special.

Using our 3D printer, they've designed and brought to life animals in their natural habitats. From the African Savanna to Yellowstone National Park to the Himalayas, each project showcases a blend of art and science.

These projects weren't just about printing incredible animals but about learning. Students researched different habitats, understood the animals that live there, and then used technology to represent them. It is hands-on learning at its finest, combining creativity, problem-solving, and a lot of fun.

The results are truly remarkable, and we're so proud of the hard work and imagination our students put into these projects. It's exciting to see how STEAM class can bring learning to life.

Elementary schools are using art to spread kindness and learn coping skills. Ms. Alisha Kremer, LMSW, a new HPS Mental Health Therapist, started an afterschool program called Kindness Club. With the support of our Positive Behavior Interventions and Support Specialists, they meet monthly to discuss ways they can be positive in their classroom, school, and the greater community. Each craft serves as a toolbox of new strategies to utilize at home and school.

Recently, at one of the schools, they spread kindness by putting positive notes on lockers to encourage students. The hallways were filled with joy the next morning as students came to school and found positive affirmations on their lockers. Currently, Kindness Club is by invitation only. We hope to spread it to more students in the future.