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February 28: Make Up Day for Snow Days

Dear Hudsonville Families,

 Wow…what a winter we are having!  The incredible amount of snow and the extreme cold temperatures have placed a significant burden on many of our families.  Please know that school officials are out on the roads by 4:30 a.m. assessing the conditions and making a determination with students’ safety at the forefront of our decision.

 As of January 29, 2014, Hudsonville Public Schools has exhausted seven (7) days due to inclement weather.  According to the Michigan Department of Education’s Pupil Accounting Manual, Section 2.B.3:

 “The first six (6) days (or equivalent hours) of scheduled pupil instruction that is not provided because of conditions not within the control of school authorities such as severe storms, fires, health conditions, and infrastructure issues, shall be counted toward the required 1,098 hours of pupil instruction.”

 We want to communicate our district’s plan on how we are going to address making up the instructional time needed to meet state requirements and needed student instruction.  On our calendar, we have a staff records/professional development day scheduled for February 28th.  While we recognize the importance of this day, we now have extenuating circumstances that require us to make proactive adjustments to the calendar. Thus, February 28 will now be a student instructional day.  Please know we considered many calendar adjustments including mid-winter break and spring break, however, we believe the February 28th date seemed least disruptive to our families by providing advanced notification.  By adding this day, we will be in compliance with current statute.

  It is challenging to predict what the weather conditions will be in the remaining months of winter.  It is possible that we may have additional inclement weather days.  Two years ago, the Governor signed legislation that waived the minimum day requirement allowing schools to add minutes of instruction to accomplish the needed 1,098 hours of instruction.  Some speculate that with the winter we are having, this may happen again.

 If we should encounter the need for additional inclement weather days, we may begin to add minutes to the instructional day or further adjust our calendar.  We will continue to keep you posted and will notify you should this be a needed course of action.

 Respectfully,

 Nick Ceglarek, Superintendent

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BLOG BITS 1/30/14

Happy Thursday Georgetown Parents! winter24letitsnow-th

NEWS FROM THE OFFICE………. Wow….. what a winter we are having so far!!!  It is only the end of January so hold on tight there might be more in sight!!  The last two weeks since our last “Blog Bits” have been quite uneventful!  Go figure, snow days tend to make the weeks really quiet around here at school!  I would like to say we really deserve our upcoming winter break, but it seems as though most of January has been a winter break for us!!  Take advantage of this time with your children and make some memories that they will have forever of this wonderful snowy month of January!  Look forward to seeing all the students back next Tuesday and lets start February off right!!  Woot ~ Woot!!!  : )

WINTER WEATHER………. Just a friendly reminder that we DO NOT keep students in from recess or before school starts unless the temperature or wind chill is BELOW 0 degrees.  We keep a close eye on this is the office so we are making sure the students are safe.  : )   With this being said we started noticing this trend  before break and it has been increasing since we have returned to school that a lot of students want to enter the building before the first bell rings at 8:45am.  Unless the temperature/windchill is BELOW 0 degrees or it is raining the students MUST go around from the circle drive to their playgrounds.  Please make sure your students come prepared for the chilly weather in the morning to be out on their playgrounds.  If students arrive before 8:45am they will be sent around to their playground.  : )   If you, as a parent, are coming into the building for any reason your child is welcome to come in with you.  Thank you for abiding by these rules.

LUNCH MENU……….  Here is the hot lunch menu for FEBRUARY……. feb. 2014 hud lunch  Deposit Slip

BACK BUS LOOP…….. Is for Busses ONLY!!!   Please do not drop off or pick up students here.   Students must be picked up/dropped off in front of the school.  Remember that the front loop is for busses only as well in the afternoon..  Please park in a marked parking spot when picking up students.  In the morning you may drive through the circle drive to let students off.  Thank you.

KINDERGARTEN ROUND UP……….KindergartenBelieve it or not…… it is that time of year!!  Kindergarten Round Up will be held on Thursday, February 27 at 7:00pm.  We will be holding it here at Georgetown Elementary in the Multi-Purpose room.  There will also be a morning session if you are unavailable to attend the evening meeting, it will be held at South Elementary at 10:00am on Thursday, February 27 as well.  Registration packets will be made available in all elementary buildings on Monday, January 20.  Please remember….. it is not a first come, first serve basis, so there is not a rush to get these turned in first.

GIRLS ON THE RUN ……

LIBRARY NEWS…….. The due date written in the January Pizza Hut Book-It calendar is INCORRECT!  Please change the date to FEBRUARY 15!! Thank you : )

PTC NEWS……..Box Top BOX TOPS…… The next Box Top Competition will be ending on FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14!  Make sure you are collecting your Box Tops and when you send them in make sure the Student Name/Teacher Name and NUMBER of Box Tops is on the bag!!  This is a huge help to the volunteer moms who count all of our Box Tops  : )   There will be another collection for after Spring Break  : )

MARCO’S PIZZA NIGHT…….. winner is……. 3rd grade….. Mrs. McDonald!  Way to go 3rd graders.  They will be enjoying a pizza party for lunch on Marco’s!!

P.E. NEWS…….. JUMP ROPE FOR HEART…….. Pledge sheets should have come home with your students last week.  If your child did not receive on please have them see their P.E. teacher.  Some may have been missed due to the snow day LAST Friday.  This is a great way to encourage your children to help those who are suffering from this awful condition.  Pledge sheets are DUE BACK TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11.   For more information please go to the P.E. Blog.   Thanks for all you do!!

COMMUNITY NEWS……… FEEDING AMERICA MOBILE FOOD PANTRY………..  Free Food, Thursday, January 30 , 6:00 – 7:00 PM.  Feeding America West Michigan Mobile Food Pantry will be at Hudsonville Congregational United Church of Christ, 4950 – 32nd  Ave.  The food is free to those in our community who are struggling in these tough economic times. There will be an assortment of food, consisting of fresh seasonal produce and other high quality grocery items. If you have questions or need more information please call 616-669-1295.

MILES OF SMILES MOBILE DENTAL UNIT……....tooth Is scheduled to be in Allendale School District in February and March!  This unit provides FREE dental services for financially qualifying children.  The Miles of Smiles Mobile Unit will not be coming to Hudsonville, however, Allendale is the closet location that they will be at and you are welcome to schedule them to be seen in Allendale.  : )  You may call 1-800-467-5905 to schedule an appointment or ask questions.  The registration form, parent letter and information flyer are also attached.  Thank you!!  MOS Registration  MOS:Parent Ltr   MOS Flyer Generic
HUDSONVILLE LACROSSE……..  Registration for the spring season will begin February 1st.  Please sign up at www.hudslax.com.  3rd -8th grade Boys and 6th-8th grade Girls teams for 2014!!  Questions can be directed to Susan Coxen 669-3662 or Drew Ysseldyke 460-8522.  Lacrosse is not a HPS sanctioned sport and is not sponsored by HPS.
GVSU BASKETBALL GAME FOR YOUTH…….. GVSU is planning a youth basketball themed game on February 1st and they welcome youth basketball teams (8th grade and younger) to be a part of the events that day and watch Grand Valley basketball. Throughout the day (potentially) there will be a scrimmage, promotional giveaways, autographs from players, and pep talk with the coaches. The experience for the players would be very memorable and enjoyable! Please let me know if you are interested? Thanks!
Sincerely,
Tim Layer
630.857.0067
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Screen Shot 2014-01-16 at 2.40.54 PMJoin us between games for:  
-Introduction of boys and girls varsity basketball players and who they are representing.
 -A moment of recognition for those impacted by cancer.  
-Special performances by the Hudsonville Drum Line, Pep Band and HHS Dance Team.

Hoops and Hope purple T-shirts and Zox Straps will be sold for $10.00 each during the basketball home games at Hudsonville High School beginning January 24, 2014 and they will also be available at Eagles Landing (while supplies last). By wearing the special T-shirt and/or Zox Strap, students in grades Pre-K through 12th will be able to attend the games for FREE!

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SNOWMAN FESTIVAL……… 3 snowman2nd Annual Snowman Festival!:  City2Shore Real Estate is sponsoring the 2nd Annual Snowman Festival at Rosewood Park in Jenison on Saturday, February 22, 2014 from 10am until 1pm.  Join us for some family fun as we come together to create an entire village of snowmen!  1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies will be awarded.  What does your most creative snowman look like?  Patriotic?  School Spirit?  Family Memory? Favorite Character?  You decide!  Call City2Shore Real Estate to register your family (662-9664).  Visit the City2Shore Facebook page for further information and contest rules.

MARKET DAY AND MUSIC………  HOPA is still in need of vendors for its Market Day & Music. This will take place at Hudsonville High School on March 8, 2014 from 10:00am to 2:00pm. For more information, contact hopamarket@gmail.com owww.facebook.com/hopamarket. This is another great way to support the Hudsonville Orchestra department. If you or someone you know is interested, please let us know!

OTTAWA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH……. The GRAND HAVEN office has  MOVED!!!  The new address is 1207 South Beechtree Street, Suite B, Grand Haven, MI 49417.  PH.. 616-846-8360…. FAX…616-844-1778….. www.miOttawa.org/miHealth  Grand Haven New Office Hours: Monday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Wednesday &  Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.;  Closed 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

S.O.A.R. II………..  For the past three years, we have been working on accomplishing our district’s long-range planning goals outlined in S.O.A.R. I (Strategic Objectives to Achieve Results).  A report of the many accomplishments during the past three years can be found on our district’s website.  Some of the accomplishments include, but are not limited to, implementation of all day every day kindergarten, additional extra curricular opportunities for students (Middle School drama/musical productions and lacrosse as a club sport), and an increased focus on relevance/21st Century Skills in our classrooms.

To continue our great tradition of excellence at Hudsonville Public Schools and to elevate our successes, we are asking for your help in the development of our next strategic plan.  We have completed the first phase of development (Focus Groups) and are very thankful for the wealth of information we received regarding the strengths of Hudsonville Public Schools and areas to focus on in the future.  An executive summary can be found on our website.

We are now entering our next phase in the research:  Randomized Needs Assessment Survey.  If you are asked to participate, please consider taking part in helping us set the direction for the next three years. In February, we will be opening the survey to all parents and community members.  We will email the link to the survey when it becomes available.

Sincerely,

Nick Ceglarek, Superintendent; Ken Hall, Board of Education President

COMMUNITY ED NEWS………. Hudsonville Community Education has many offerings for your kids.  For more information or to register, please visit www.hudsonvillepublicschools.org or call Rebecca at 669-7747, ext. #3.  Listed below are some of the activities that are available currently.

Upcoming Winter Activities to be on the lookout for………..  KITCHEN CREATIONS….LEARN TO SKATE (ROLLERBLADING)…..

winter24UPCOMING DATES

1/31 ~ NO SCHOOL/WINTER BREAK

2/3 ~ NO SCHOOL/WINTER BREAK

2/4 ~ Jet’s Pizza Night

2/7 ~ Popcorn Friday

2/19 ~ Marco’s Pizza Night

2/27 ~ KINDERGARTEN ROUND UP @ 7:00pm

2/28 ~ SCHOOL in SESSION- Make up Snow Day.  (This change was made on 1/30/14)

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

MRS. NURENBERG  : )Snowman

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Snow Day Readers ROCK!

 

Reader11

The best part of the snow days:  Seeing photos of Georgetown kids READING!  Thank you to parents for encouraging your readers and sending the photos my way.   Mrs. VandenBerg (our super librarian) has added your words to your totals.

readers12

I had planned to get another incentive (math) set up and posted today, however, much of my school day included “calendar surgery” to reschedule meetings and teacher observations as well as other odd jobs that are part of being a principal.  Also, the longer I worked with the sunshine coming in the window, the more I thought, “We will be back to normal tomorrow…no worries if I can’t get to this.”  Please, let us be back to normal tomorrow!

For those wondering about how many days we receive before we make up days, the answer is SIX.  Today was day SEVEN.  Our superintendent, Mr. Ceglarek, has been working throughout the day to create a plan to communicate to parents and staff.   Bottom line for all of us who work with kids:  One snow day is magical and romantic, beyond that it is lost instruction time — and we MISS the CHILDREN!

Hoping for normalcy tomorrow,

Mrs. Reagan

 

 

 

 

 

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Fingers Crossed for Tomorrow!

Empty Hallways during Snow Days
Empty Hallways during Snow Days

I am watching the weather right now and the forecast is for wind chills to be between -10 and zero…and maybe we could hit 4 degrees by noon!  That will feel like a HEAT WAVE!   If you haven’t been by the school since the storm began, check out these photos of the snow piles.  You have to look closely to find our school behind the white mounds.

georgetownsnowedin

As you can see from the photo above, it is VERY QUIET and lonely at school on snow days.  I am ready for everyone to come back so we can get into our learning routine again.   Attention everyone:  NO MORE SNOW DAY DANCES!

I have a few readers to celebrate…their photos are below.  Search the photos for an impressive fort made by David and Logan — both third graders at Georgetown.

Hoping to see you all tomorrow!

Mrs. Reagan

 

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Girls on the Run Shoe Fitting: FEB 5

Our snow days have made the shoe fitting quite a challenge.  I think it has been rescheduled three times.  I do have a new date:  FEB 5 from 3:45 to 6pm.  Let’s hope for normal Michigan weather on this day!  The fittings will take place in the hallway near the gym.

If you have questions, please contact:    

  Stacey VanDyke

         learn. dream. live. run.

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Snow Day Readers and More

Reader 3My inbox is being flooded with photos of readers.  I have also gotten a few names of readers — some of them camera shy so they only want their name and book title shared.  That works for me…you get extra credit for reading on a snow day with or without a photo!

reader 5

I have received some questions from parents regarding the million words club.  Mrs. VandenBerg, our librarian, keeps a tally of the word count from year to year–it carries over.   It is possible for all kids to become MILLIONAIRES by the time they reach 5th grade…so get those book titles into school.  The information on the club can be found here:  HOW TO BECOME A MILLIONAIRE.

Reader 4

Enjoy these photos of the readers….and the snow day fun.  Keep those emails coming so I can grow the extra credit list.

Mrs. Reagan

readers 6

snow day fun

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Shoe Fitting: Feb 3 @ 3:45 pm

Parents of Girls in Grades 3-5:

If your daughter is enrolled in the after school Girls on the Run program, please be aware that the shoe fitting date has changed again.  It will be held on Monday, February 3 from 3:45-6:00 pm.   This will take place in the hallway near the gym.

If you have questions, please contact:    

  Stacey VanDyke

         learn. dream. live. run.