The Weekly Update #4

As we close out September, it is hard to believe how quickly the first month of school has gone by. While the warm days of summer linger, the fall season is just around the corner, and with it comes a fresh energy in all our schools.

Our students have returned to school with enthusiasm and have settled into their routines with ease. The joy of learning is evident in classrooms across the district, and it has been inspiring to see friendships flourish and students seize new opportunities. Beyond the classroom, our athletes are competing with great energy and sportsmanship, and our fine arts students are already achieving incredible things in their programs and performances. I encourage you to come out and support our students because, whether it is at a game, concert, or play, they are working hard and representing our district with pride.

Our staff has also had a strong start to the year. They continue to engage in professional development and collaborate in ways that enhance the learning experience for every child. Their dedication and passion are the foundation of our success, and I am deeply grateful for the work they do each day.

This year, we have also taken important steps to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Hudsonville Public Schools, along with every district in Ottawa County and throughout the state, has adopted the I Love U Guys protocols for emergency response. Staff and students in grades PK through 12 have already been introduced to the system through age-appropriate training and videos, and we have shared that same information with parents to help keep everyone on the same page. The program is widely supported by local and state law enforcement, providing a consistent and clear way to respond in the unlikely event of an emergency. While we hope never to need it, having a shared language and plan is one more way we are working to protect and care for your children.

On an exciting front, we recently refinanced bonds from 2015, which will save our community about $1.7 million. It is similar to refinancing a home loan, where getting a better interest rate means paying less over time. There was significant interest from investors, and our bonds sold quickly, which is a strong indication of confidence in our district. S&P also affirmed our solid “A+” rating, noting our prudent budgeting and healthy financial position. This is an outstanding example of how careful planning helps us be good stewards of taxpayer dollars while continuing to support our students and schools.

As always, I would like to thank you, our families, and community, for your continued support. Whether you are volunteering in classrooms, cheering at games, attending performances, or connecting with staff during conferences, your involvement makes a difference. Together, we are building an environment where every student can thrive.

I am excited about the year ahead and look forward to celebrating the growth, learning, and achievements of our students in the months to come. Thank you for trusting us with your children. It is a privilege we never take lightly.

Sincerely,

Dr. VanderJagt

We need substitute bus drivers. Our fantastic transportation department can get you the training to make you successful in this fulfilling role. Be a Hudsonville Hero and become a substitute bus driver. Call 616-669-1740 or email eagles@hpseagles.net today!

Students at the 5/6 Building at Georgetown are learning about algorithmic thinking, a way of solving problems by creating a step-by-step process, or algorithm, to produce a desired outcome. It is a fundamental skill in computer science and programming, so we are excited to inspire new young minds who will shape the future of the industry.

Since algorithmic thinking is one way to break down a complex task into smaller, more manageable parts, students were challenged to complete a puzzle without using their sight. The engagement and learning were welcome byproducts of this fantastic experiment.

Our Eagles will be featured on the morning Daybreak broadcast on Wood TV8 on Friday, October 10. As part of the Football Frenzy Tailgate, Hudsonville Public Schools will be holding a food drive from Friday, October 3, through Wednesday, October 8, at each of our buildings. Please send your non-perishable food items for our football players to collect. This drive benefits Feeding America and presents an incredible opportunity to showcase your school spirit while helping to combat food insecurity.

The Hudsonville Education Foundation (HEF) has exciting opportunities for everyone this fall as we raise funds for teacher grants and student scholarships. Alumni, business leaders, community advocates, and individual supporters of all ages are encouraged to participate.

GVSU FAMILY DAY – October 18
Join fellow Eagles for football and fellowship at Lubbers Stadium. Purchase your 2 PM game ticket through gvsulakers.com/HEF—$5 of every ticket benefits HEF’s mission!
Bonus: The ticket holder tailgate for our eagle fans will begin at 10 AM. More details to come.

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 HEF ON YOUR SOCIALS: LINKEDIN, FACEBOOK

Be sure to follow, like, and share videos, event news, and updates on HEF's Facebook and LinkedIn pages. NEW: Follow the new "HEF -Hudsonville Education Foundation" and alert friends to the update. HEF continues to fuel transformative learning experiences district-wide. If you are interested in joining a committee to further this work and lend your expertise and energy, please email HEF Executive Director Lacey Dixon at ldixon@hpseagles.net.

SAVE THE DATE: 5/6/26 SPRING SOAREE AT FARMHAUS CIDER

This year, South Elementary is focusing on the story I Am We for their school theme. I Am We by Peter H. Reynolds explores the powerful idea that each individual's uniqueness contributes to the strength and unity of the community as a whole. I Am We reminds us that together, we are stronger, kinder, and more creative than we could ever be alone. As part of South's first building-wide activity, students listened to the book and decorated their own hot air balloon, which was posted in a school display.

We are delighted to introduce a new member of our school community who is bound to bring warmth, comfort, and joy to our students and staff: Roo the Hudsonville Hound!

The purpose of HPS School Support Dogs (Hudsonville Hounds) is multifaceted, as studies have shown that the presence of comfort dogs can reduce stress and anxiety and improve the overall emotional well-being of individuals. This is particularly beneficial for our elementary school students and teachers, as it can help them feel more comfortable, safe, and relaxed in their learning environment. Georgetown Elementary is thrilled to be the pilot school for the new Hudsonville Hounds Program

Roo is a one-year-old female Chocolate Lab that comes to us fully trained by Interquest CARES, owned and operated by Kim Heys. Kim has also worked extensively with Rockford, Forest Hills, East Grand Rapids, and other districts as they developed their school support dog programs. Roo will be working closely with our student support specialist, Mr. Matt Cooley, library paraprofessional Emily Becker, and teachers to provide support to students who may be experiencing anxiety, stress, or simply in need of a furry friend to brighten their day.

Last month, Wish for Wheels and ESPEC North America, Inc delivered a brand new bicycle to every second grade student at Forest Grove Elementary. Wish for Wheels is a non-profit group that works with local businesses to help children roll into a brighter future. ESPEC, of Hudsonville, sponsored the event and had a team of volunteers build the bikes and delivered them to the school on the same day. The ESPEC volunteers also stayed to help fit each student to their new bike and even taught some children to ride for the first time. It was such a joyful occasion brought to Forest Grove thanks to our extremely generous business community. We are so thankful to Wish for Wheels and ESPEC for making this possible.

Although we are well into the start of the year, we want to share more of what happened in our summer programs.

Last month we reported that 178 students participated in our K-8 summer tutoring, multilingual, and exceptional learner programs.

In the High-Leverage Tutoring program, staff delivered small-group instruction focused on targeted math and reading skills using evidence-based intervention materials. We are excited to share the growth that resulted: 93% of students either met or made progress toward their intervention goals. This success was made possible through an intentional approach and the dedication of our outstanding tutors.

The Multilingual Learners (ML) Summer Program provided targeted academic and language development support through high-leverage tutoring, with the goal of accelerating both content learning and English language acquisition. We saw fantastic results, with many students who knew zero to less than half the words on the pretest gaining the knowledge to know all or almost all of the words on the post-test. This targeted approach to building vocabulary was a key factor in helping our students make significant gains.

The Exceptional Learners Summer Program provided an engaging and supportive learning experience for students with IEPs in rising first through eighth grade. The adult-to-student ratio (1:2) allowed for more individualized instructional experiences to address academic, communication, and adaptive needs. Students also had the opportunity to participate in weekly large motor activities and learning through art.

In addition to all of that, 126 students participated in Summer Soar, completing weekly activities to earn books and other prizes. We distributed over 400 books!.The 8th to 9th Grade Jumpstart program gave 20 incoming freshmen an in-depth introduction to high school, preparing them for success, and our High School Credit Recovery students earned nearly 40 academic credits, putting them on a stronger path to graduation.

Thank you to our dedicated teachers, supportive parents, and participating students. Your partnership helped keep minds active and prepared for the school year and beyond!

🙌🦅🏈💙💛

The third and fourth graders at Park Elementary have a new leadership opportunity by serving on the first ever Park Elementary Student Council. Those who were interested had to complete an application, create a poster, and make a speech in front of their classes. Each student then had the opportunity to vote for two classmates they felt would best represent them at the student council meetings. We are so proud of the courage and creativity they showed during this process. We can't wait to see how these student leaders positively impact their school community.

Ms. Haagsma's 3rd Graders from Bauer Elementary are participating in a postcard challenge. The class is trying to collect postcards from every state as a way to learn about the geography of The United States. Postcards are flooding in from all around the nation. They even received one from an NFL team-The Pittsburgh Steelers!