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Blog Bits 4/2/2015

spring break

Blog Bits 4/2/2015

News from the Office….

It’s Spring Break!! Hope everyone that is going away travels safely! For those of us staying here, I hope the weather cooperates and we can enjoy some outside time ourselves! I can’t believe we are on the last leg of the school year already! Mr. Rob put the GaGa Ball Pits together and the kids are loving it! The weather should be perfect to put these to good use when we return to school.  The talent show was also a fun way to end the week! What a lot of talent we have here at Georgetown! Hope everyone has a wonderful break!!!

M-Step Testing….

Immediately following Spring Break, we will begin an intensive period of on-line testing for the state assessment.  This test, formally called the MEAP, is now called M-STEP.  To find out more about the test, please read this letter issued by the State Superintendent of Schools, Mike Flanagan:  M-STEP Parent Letter

Our fifth graders will take the tests over a 2-3 week period of time beginning April 13.  Fourth graders will take the test in the three weeks following this and finally, third graders will take the test the last three weeks of school.

Our Fifth Grade testing schedule is roughly outlined below.  We ask that your child attend full day, everyday during the testing.   Once  a student has started the test, they cannot stop until completed.  If the students stops midway through the test without completing it, all unanswered questions are wrong.

Classes taking the test every  morning (9-12):  Mrs. Walenta, Mrs. Gort, Mrs. Ball.  Class taking the test in the afternoon (12:30-3:30), Mrs. Burdis.

m-step gr 5

News from the PTC….

April 14 and 15 – Jet’s Pizza Night! Pick up a yummy pizza and help support Georgetown elementary.

April 17 – Popcorn Friday

Art News….

The fifteenth annual student art show is coming up April 20-28 at the City Hall in the lower level. The reception for Georgetown Artists is Thursday, April 23 from 5:30-7:30. See this flyer for more information.2015 Art Show GES

5th Grade News….

April 13-May 1 – M-Step Testing Window for 5th Grade

April 20 – Instrument Fittings, AM

April 29 – Band and Orchestra Parent Information Meeting, BMS 7:00 PM

April 30 – Band and Orchestra Parent Information Meeting, RMS 7:00 PM

May 1 – Course Selection Sheets Due Back

May 6 – Parent Camp Meeting, 6:00 PM in Multipurpose Room

May 11 – Sixth Grade Orientation for BMS parents and students at BMS

May 20, 21, 22 – Camp

May 24 – Memorial Day

June 2 – 4th/5th Grade Field Day

June 3 – Rain Date / Make up date for Field Day

June 5 – Last Day of School, 1:00 dismissal

Vote May 5….

VoteANNUAL OPERATING MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSAL

On May 5, voters will be asked whether to renew Hudsonville Public School’s non-homestead millage. This is an annual renewal generating approximately $4 million dollars of operating revenue each year for our school district.

The non-homestead millage was established in 1994 with the passage of Proposal A. Proposal A shifted a large portion of property taxes to a state education tax and an increased sales tax. As a result of Proposal A, school districts must levy 18 mills on non-homestead properties to receive the full per-pupil foundation allowance

It is important to note this is NOT a tax on primary residences and is NOT a new tax.

It is a proposal to continue the existing 18 mill assessment on only non-homestead properties such as industrial and commercial property and second homes. State law requires school districts levy this tax or lose a significant portion of their state per-pupil foundation allowance funding, which would potentially require cuts to student programs.

Dennis Baine, Director of Business and Finance
For more information, please contact: E-mail: dbaine@hpseagles.net; Phone: 616-669-1740

Community News….

  • Is your daughter going into 1st-8th grade next fall and interested in cheering? Hudsonville Rocket Cheerleading will be having their registration dates on Tuesday, Maycheerleading 12th  and Monday, August 3rd.  Both will be from 5-8pm and take place at the Hudsonville High School cafeteria.  The registration deadline is Tuesday, August 4th (no late registrations will be accepted).  The cost of registration is $75 and includes an end of year banquet and trophy.  An additional uniform cost applies for those that do not have one.  Used uniforms will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis (though most used uniforms come later at the registrations as girls turn them in).  The 1st-6th grade girls will be cheering at the Hudsonville Youth Football games and the 7th & 8th grade girls will be cheering at the Hudsonville Club Football games. Check out the Hudsonville Rocket Cheer Website for more info (www.hudsonvillerocketcheer.com).  If you have questions about the program, please contact Coach Britni via e-mail at hudsonvillerocketcheer@gmail.com.  We look forward to seeing you at registration!
  • Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 16, 2015 for a free and fun discovery program at the Hansen Nature Trail at Millennium Park! Just pull on your comfortable walking shoes, gather the family and make your way down Butterworth Avenue to Riverbend Street to one of Kent County Park’s hidden gems, Hansen Nature Trail. There is parking along Riverbend or take the free trolley that runs from John Ball Zoo and back. This experiential family event for kids of ALL ages runs from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. It includes a scavenger hunt where kids get a trail guide to be stamped and entered into a drawing for a free “Discover! Millennium Park” t-shirt—along with a “discovery” trail walk to learn about a truly interesting ecosystem and things like:

     the birds and mammals that make their home on the Hansen Nature Trailspring flowers

     the variety of native and non-native trees around the park

     the unique ponds and learn why they were created

     the wildflowers and native plants thriving in the area

     the history of the Hansen Nature Trail

     and even interacting with the local reptiles, amphibians and birds of prey!

    Goals

     The Discover Program seeks to expose and increase the appreciation of a greater number of people to Kent County Parks.

     Enhance the awareness and appreciation of natural ecosystems.

     Transfer the knowledge gained by participating in interpretive programs in order to change practices in people’s own back yards.

  • Community Easter Egg Hunt
    Kids up to 10 yrs old!
    Gather prize-filled eggs!
    SEARCH FOR ONE OF THREE GRAND PRIZE EGGS!easter egg basket
    Saturday, April 4, 2015 @ 10am
    Hughes Park – 40th Avenue, Hudsonville
    The event is FREE; however, if you are able to make a voluntary donation, all proceeds
    will go to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.
    There will be a short presentation hosted by The Critter Barn before the Easter Egg Hunt.
    Any questions, please call RE/MAX Grand Valley – 669-0990
  • Free Food, Thursday, April 16 2015, 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.
  • CAMP INVENTION
    In partnership with the National Inventors Hall of Fame, Hudsonville Christian School is pleased to offer the nationally-acclaimed Camp Invention program to children entering grades one through six June 15-19.  It’s an exciting, weeklong summer adventure with lessons that explore connections between science, technology, engineering and innovation.  Availability is limited, so visit www.campinvention.org or call 800.968.4332 to secure your child’s spot today!  If you have any questions about the program at HCS, please call or email Sharon Leerar (915-1861 or sleerar@4hcs.org).  Register by May 12 to receive $15 off the base price!

Innovation in Education Award….

Three years ago the Hudsonville Education Foundation (HEF) approved the Innovation in Education Award.  This award is intended for an individual or group of individuals who exhibits a passion for innovation and directly impacts students in the Hudsonville Public School District.  Recipients of the award could include teachers, administrators, employees, and volunteers.

Nominations for the Innovation in Education Award are being accepted April 1-30, 2015.  The HEF Board will review the nominations and the $500 award will be delivered to the winning nominee(s) at our welcome back celebration in August.

Submit a nomination at http://hudsonvilleeducationfoundation.org/applications/iie

Community Ed Offerings….

Click here to view the latest offerings with class descriptions, dates, and cost.  

Upcoming Events…

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