56G News

Hello 56G Families,

What an exciting week it has been! As we come to the close of our first week of school, I want to take a moment to celebrate the joy, energy, and resilience our students, staff, and families have shown during this important transition to a new building and/or grade level. Over these first few days, I have seen students’ faces light up as they met new teachers, made new friends, enjoyed the various lunch choices, and were successful opening their lockers or finding their classes for the first time. Our staff has worked tirelessly to create warm, welcoming environments where every child can feel at home, and I am proud of the way our community has embraced the start of the 25-26 school year.

This week has been filled with laughter, connections, and the first steps toward a year of growth and discovery. While transitions can bring change, they also bring opportunity—and it is clear that our students are already finding a sense of belonging at 56G.

Below you will find detailed information about how we are supporting positive behavior and choice book reading at 56G. Please take a few moments to read more about these important pillars of our school and how they will impact all of our students. In addtion, we would love for you to fill out the google form below entitled, Tell Us About Your Child. The information gathered from this questionnaire is helpful for us to get to know your child better and help us understand how we can best support them while they are under our care.

Thank you again for your partnership, patience, and enthusiasm as we begin this new school year together. We look forward to building on this strong start and can’t wait to see all the incredible things our students will accomplish this year.

With gratitude and excitement,

Melanie McClure

At 56G, we are committed to helping students grow academically, socially, and emotionally by teaching and reinforcing positive behavior through a combination of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), the Responsible Thinking Process, and Restorative Practices. Together, these approaches help us create a safe and respectful learning environment for all.

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SOAR Expectations

Our school-wide expectations are built around the acronym SOAR:

• being Safe
  

• Owning it
  

• Acting responsibly
  

• being Respectful
  
  

Our staff is committed to teaching, modeling, and reminding students of SOAR behaviors throughout the school year so that expectations are clear in every area of the school.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Recognizing Positive Choices

We believe in celebrating student success! Staff acknowledge positive behavior choices by handing out SOAR cards to students they notice meeting or exceeding expectations. When a student earns a SOAR card, they write their name on their card and turn it into a bin located in our cafeteria. On Fridays during each lunch period, staff will draw a handful of SOAR cards. Students whose names are drawn get to each pick a prize from our SOAR cart.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Responding to Challenges

While our focus is on positive behavior, we know that students are learning and growing — and sometimes mistakes happen. When they do, our response is designed to encourage reflection and problem-solving and to foster growth and independence. Student discipline is about accountability for their actions in order to learn from the mistake(s) made.

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The Alternative Learning Center (ALC)

At times, students may spend some time in our Alternative Learning Center (ALC) to reflect on and grow from their mistakes. The ALC is a classroom staffed by a consistent individual who will help students pause, self-reflect, take ownership of their behavior, and repair harm with those who were impacted. The ALC staff will also support students in completing any missed work. Our goal is for students to leave the ALC ready to learn.

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Working Together

By teaching clear expectations, celebrating positive choices, and helping students reflect when challenges arise, we are supporting our district’s mission by preparing them for success in school and beyond. With your partnership at home, we can support our students in learning how to SOAR, building skills that will serve them for a lifetime.

• 25-26 HPS Student Calendar. Here you will find vacation days, early release dates and parent-teacher conference dates. Please note: 56G will follow the middle school schedule for Parent-Teacher Conferences.

• You can find all 56G events linked here.

Fifth Grade: Students will have access to their own Chromebook which will be kept at school.

Sixth Grade: All 6th graders will receive a Chromebook that they will use in school and get to take home. Please see below for important details:

• Action needed:
• Pay the $25 tech fee ($75 max per family). Follow these instructions (desktop / mobile), You can also bring cash or check to the office.
• Review device details on use, fees, and care on this guide doc.

Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) are not allowed to be used inside the school

building during the school day. “Personal Electronic Device” means a privately owned device that is used, or can be used, for audio, video, or text communications (ie. cell phone, smart watch, fitness tracker, tablet, gaming device, laptop or computer that is not

school-issued, wireless earbuds, etc.).

Students may keep personal electronic devices in their backpacks, but the devices

must be powered off and kept out of sight. Students at The 5/6 Building @

Georgetown are expected to have devices turned off and stowed in their backpacks at

all times while on school grounds. This policy has exceptions for students whose

Individualized Education Plan (IEP), 504 plan, or healthcare plan requires the use of an

electronic telecommunications device.

If a student is found in possession of a personal electronic device, the following protocol

will apply:

● First Offense: Staff member will confiscate the PED and deliver it to the main

office. The student can pick it up at the end of the school day.

● Second Offense: Staff member will confiscate the PED and deliver it to the main

office. Administration will notify parents of the second offense and the need for

the device to be picked up at school upon subsequent PED violations.

● Third+ Offense(s): Staff member will confiscate the PED and deliver it to the

main office. Administration will notify the parent(s) that they will need to pick up

the device. Further disciplinary action may be taken.

Recognizing that many parents rely on PEDs as convenient communication and

coordination tools, parents may call the main office to deliver urgent messages to their

child. Students are also permitted to use the main office phone to contact parents.

Students are personally and solely responsible for the security of their cell phones and

other electronic devices. The District is not responsible for theft, loss, or damage of any

cell phone or other electronic device.

Students may not use cell phones or other electronic devices while they are in locker

rooms, restrooms, or any other area in which others may have a reasonable expectation

of privacy.

Taking, disseminating, transferring, or sharing obscene, pornographic, lewd, or

otherwise illegal photographs, video, audio, or other similar data, whether by electronic

data transfer or otherwise (including via cell phone or other electronic device), may

constitute a crime under state or federal law. A student engaged in any of these

activities at school, at a school event, or on school-provided transportation, may be

subject to discipline. A student engaged in any of these activities outside of school may

be disciplined if the student’s activities substantially disrupt or negatively affect the

school environment.

Eating lunch in the cafeteria at 56G is a highlight for many students that have come through our building the past two years. Students enjoy having more entree choices, sides, and slushies! Some of our new and incoming fifth grade students can experience some anxiety and apprehension when it comes to some of the changes in the lunch room. A big part of that is using an ID or a PIN pad with their student number. Here is a diagram that you can print to help them practice their Student ID and entering it into a PIN pad. We hope that this will ease some of their anxiety around lunch and to support them with this transition. If you do not know your students ID, they will receive it with their password at the open house.

School Meals: Breakfast will be served each day that school is in session, beginning on August 20. Sack Lunches will be available for students to take home August 20 and 21 and on Early Release Days. Breakfasts and Lunches will be FREE to all students through September 30, 2025. We encourage any family to apply for Free & Reduced Meals and other 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.

• Breakfast will be served starting at 7:15.

• Breakfast consists of cereal, milk, juice, fresh fruit, and a cookie/cracker bar.

• Students that eat breakfast at school will eat breakfast in the cafeteria.

Sack Lunches on Early Release Days

• Students will let their first hour teachers know if they would like to order a sack lunch

Lunch Schedule

1st Lunch-10:40-11:10

• Sixth Grade Homeroom Teachers-Bowen, Nixon, Willmore, Scholten (Sneller), A. Wiebenga
• Sixth Grade Homeroom Teachers-Cardinal, Richardson, Teal, and Weberg

2nd Lunch-11:15-11:45

• 6th Grade Homeroom Teachers-Brower, Schwartz, Schwerin, and VanNoord

3rd Lunch-11:45-12:20

• 5th Grade Homeroom Teachers-Burmeister and J.Wiebenga
• 5th Grade Homeroom Teachers-King and Reed

4th Lunch-12:20-12:55

• 5th Grade Homeroom Teachers-Fischer and Karel
• 5th Grade Homeroom Teachers-Baas and Wysocki
• 5th Grade Homeroom Teachers-Higgs and Standish
• 5th Grade Homeroom Teachers-Gamble and Cho

Please complete the Medication Administration Authorization form for any medication to be administered for your student in the school setting.

A new Medication Authorization form must be completed for each medication and each time there is a change in dosage/instructions.

Non-prescription medication must be in the original container with the factory label and must not expire during the school year. For Non-prescription medications, please complete the top two sections of the Medication Administration Authorization form. Non-prescription medications will be stored and administered by school staff in the office.

Prescription medication must be in the original container with a pharmacy label. Prescription medications require BOTH the physician and parent authorization sections of the Medication Administration Authorization form to be completed.

ALL medication must be delivered to the office by a parent/guardian. Medication cannot be sent to school with a student.

No medication is to be carried by a student UNLESS both the physician and parent provide authorization for self-carry/administration of certain emergency medications including asthma inhalers and Epinephrine. Please complete the first and last sections of the Medication Administration Authorization form to authorize Self-Administration.

If your child has any of the following health conditions listed below (severe allergy, asthma, diabetes, seizures) that require treatment and/or a medication at school, please provide the required form(s) listed on the HPS health website from your child’s specialist.

Thank you to all who stopped by the 5/6G PTC table during the open house. We hope you enjoyed meeting teachers, touring the school, and took a flier/mint along the way. In case you missed us, here is information:

• Committee Descriptions
• Volunteer Interest Form
• Volunteer Background Check

We will be sending out information to volunteers in the upcoming events, so please be sure to fill out the form if you would like to be included!

Save the date for the 2025-26 5/6G PTC Meetings form 7-8pm in the 6th grade common space:

• Monday, September 15
• Wednesday, November 12
• Tuesday, January 13
• Wednesday, March 11
• Monday, May 11

Save the date for Skating Parties at Tarry Hall from 6:15-8:15pm on Monday, November 3, Tuesday, January 27, and Monday March 16. More information to come as we get closer to the dates.

For up-to-date information, be sure to follow the 5/6G PTC on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1ByvFxheP6/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/56g_ptc/)! You can also email us at 56GPTC@gmail.com at anytime.

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. Information about the evening, sponsorship packages, and individual tickets is available HERE.

About Hudsonville Robotics
We are entering our 11th season (est. 2014). HPS students have earned more than 190 awards, including three state championships. Each year, about 80 students participate, and we hope to expand. There are more than 200 VEX Robotics teams in West Michigan and over 40,000 worldwide.

Note that I am leading with Scholarships. I do have a few families inquiring who may reach out to you for support.

Scholarship Opportunities

• The student participation fee is $160 which is our actual cost to cover their team shirt, league play, tournaments, and equipment use.

• Scholarships are available for students who cannot afford the fee but demonstrate the academic drive and commitment to complete the 12-week season.

• This is not a discount or coupon—it ensures motivated students aren’t excluded because of finances.

• Robotics volunteers do not have insight as to who would benefit from a scholarship. We look to HPS leaders to make these recommendations.

• To recommend a student, please email info@hudsonvillerobotics.com with:

• Student’s name

• Your contact information

• A brief endorsement.

We encourage all students complete their training before joining a competition team. A student who is unprepared or drops mid-season can significantly impact their team.

Student-Centered Approach
Our teams compete in the VEX Robotics Competition, which provides a level playing field: all teams use the same library of parts and follow the same rules worldwide. Robots are designed, built, programmed, and operated entirely by students.

Mentors serve as resources, not directors. Adults don’t set strategy or design; they simply help students find answers to their own questions.

Competition Programs

Age Group

Program

Grades

Season

High School

VEX V5 HS Robotics

9–12

Sept 1 – Dec 15

Middle

VEX V5 MS Robotics

7–8

Sept 1 – Dec 15

Elementary

VEX IQ ES Robotics

5–6*

Oct 15 – Mar 15

*4th graders may join if they meet expectations.

For New Students Interested in Joining
Each April we offer a two-evening “Spring Training” class as an introduction. Students get hands-on experience in design, building, programming, and competition before committing. Additional training in late spring and summer helps students build a foundation before the season starts.

Student Development
Although it may look like “BattleBots” from the sidelines, robotics is much more. Students practice planning, time management, research, design, strategy, and teamwork. At events, they must collaborate with other teams, communicate with referees, present to judges, and manage stress while solving problems under pressure.

Why Robotics Matters
At its core, this program isn’t just about building robots—it’s about building students. We use technology and competition as a platform to teach resilience, problem-solving, teamwork, and confidence. Many students discover talents they didn’t know they had, and the experience often sparks lifelong interests in engineering, leadership, or collaboration.

Thank you for taking a moment to learn about our program. I look forward to sharing the successes of our students with you.

Pete Niemann

Additional Information

• Website: https://hudsonvillerobotics.com/

• Email: info@hudsonvillerobotics.com

• Application Information

• Student Expectation Document

• Robotics Education and Competition Foundation (RECF) – governing body

• If your student will not be attending school due to illness or other reasons, please call the office before 8:15 am. Students who are not called in by a parent/guardian will be marked with an unexcused absence.

• If your student will be late, arriving after 7:50 am, please call the office in the morning. Any students arriving after 7:50 am must be signed in by a parent/guardian.

• Planned absences of more than 3 days require a vacation request form to be filled out. Forms can be picked up in the office or emailed to you. Please turn in vacation request forms at least 5 days prior to the planned absence.

5th Grade Students: Head to the cafeteria.

• Car Riders: Enter the building through Door A (main entrance), go down the main stair case and hang out in the cafeteria.
• Bus Riders: Enter the building through Door G (gym doors) and head into the cafeteria.
• Teachers will come to the cafeteria to pick up their classes at 7:40 a.m.

Sixth Grade Students: Head to the gym.

• Car Riders: Enter the building through Door A (main entrance), go down the main stair case and head out to the gym.
• Bus Riders: Enter the building through Door G (gym doors) and head into the gym.
• Teachers will come to the gym to pick up students at 7:43 a.m.

Breakfast: Breakfast will be served at 7:15 a.m. for any student needing breakfast.

Student drop-off and pick-up are very busy times in the school driveway and hallways. If you are dropping your child off in the carline, please remain in your vehicle and follow the procedures below.

Car Line Drop-off Procedures

7:15 a.m.

1. Use the car loop at the main entrance of the building.

2. Stay in the right lane and drop off your child in the drop-off zone. Staff wearing yellow vests will be directing traffic. Please pull all the way up to either the stop sign for the unloading zone or to the car in front of you.

3. Students will exit the cars on the passenger side of the car in the unloading zone. Do not allow students to exit the car on the driver’s side for safety reasons. Staff will direct them to the door that they will go in.

4. Parents remain in their vehicles.

5. Do not pass cars in the car line. Stay in a single file line until the cars move in front of you.

To Keep Our Line Moving Tips:

1. Follow the procedures noted above.

2. Say your goodbyes and give kisses prior to dropping off in the car line. :)

3. Have backpacks/supplies ready to exit car with students.

4. Parents need to remain in their vehicles.

5. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding with our system and procedures. Safety is our number one concern for our students and their families.

Car Line Pick-up Procedures

2:45 p.m.

1. Pull into the parking lot and park.

2. Students will be walked out to the cross walk and then will go directly to their cars.

Car Riders:

Car riders will be walked out by staff to the parking lot. Please park in a parking spot and wait for your child in your vehicle.

Bus Riders:

Bus information will be coming from the Transportation office no later than August 16. Please contact the transportation office with any questions.

Walkers:

To ensure the safety of our students, we have designated buses to transport 56G students to BMS if they plan on walking home. We do have a service drive that connects 56G to BMS, but that drive is for buses only. Students should not be walking or riding their bikes on this drive during arrival and dismissal times. Walker Bus #'s will be communicated once we have them from the Transportation office.

Change in Transportation Home At the End of the School Day

If your child is going to have a change in transportation home at the end of the school day, please contact the main office to let them know of the change prior to 2:00 p.m. We want to ensure that the classroom teachers are notified in a timely fashion prior to end of day dismissal procedures.

If your child forgets to bring something to school, we will have a table set up in our front vestibule for "forgotten" items. Place the item/s on the table, fill out a slip of paper with your child's name and grade, and leave the items on the table. Our office staff will make sure that students get their items as quickly as possible.

Full Day

• Doors open at 7:15 a.m.

• School begins at 7:50 a.m.

• School ends at 2:45 p.m.

• Office hours: 7:15 a.m.-3:15 p.m.

Early Release

• Drop-off begins at 7:15 a.m.

• School begins at 7:50 a.m.

• School ends at 11:15 a.m.

• Office hours: 7:15 a.m.-3:15 p.m.

Teacher Team Time

• BMS, RMS and HHS will have teacher team time every other Wednesday changing their dismissal time on Wednesdays. Buses will still run their normal schedules starting at 2:45.
• 56G will NOT have a change in dismissal time. Therefore, we will still dismiss students at 2:45.

The HPS criminal background check is required for all school volunteers. In order to complete this request, we ask that you fill out this volunteer form at least 48 hours prior to volunteering. Once your request is submitted, all Volunteer status updates (Approval, Denial or Limited Access Approval) will be sent directly to the building you have selected to volunteer in.

The Hudsonville Public School District has the right to approve or deny your request if your background check does not meet the standards of HPS Board Policy.

If you have any questions regarding the Volunteer Background Check process, please contact Dwight Sneden dhoffman@hpseagles.net.

We greatly appreciate your support and willingness to volunteer for Hudsonville Public Schools. Go Eagles!

• Visit Our Website: Our school website will be updated on a regular basis as it will be the main source of information for our parents and community members.

• School Messenger: Regular communication from school messenger will be sent out via email, phone calls, or text messages to keep you in the loop on what is taking place at 56G!
  

• Social Media: Follow our story by liking us on...

• Facebook: Like us on Facebook-facebook.com/56Georgetown

• Instagram: Like us on Instagram @56georgetown.

Website: https://www.hudsonvillepublicschools.org/5-6-building-georgetown/index
Location: 8175 36th Avenue, Hudsonville, MI, USA
Phone: 616-272-7100
Facebook: facebook.com/56Georgetown