Blog Bits 4/17/2015
News from the office….
We hope you all enjoyed your time off! We are now in the home stretch of the school year, I can’t believe it!! The last couple months of school will be busy with the M-Step testing. We ask that you please try NOT to schedule appointments for your children during the time frame that they are going to be testing. Thank you in advance for this! Fifth grade will be testing from 4/13-5/1. Fourth grade will be testing from 4/27-5/15. Third grade will be testing from 5/18-6/5. Have a great weekend and enjoy the spring weather!!!
News from PTC….
April 22 – Marco’s Pizza Night, Pick up a wonderful pizza and help support our school!!
May 1 – Popcorn Friday
May 12 – PTC Meeting, you will be voting new PTC board members in at this meeting so please come and show your support for the school!!!
5th Grade News….
April 20 – Instrument Fittings, AM
April 29 – Band & Orchestra Parent Information Meetings, BMS 7:00 PM (may attend either)
April 30 – Band & Orchestra Parent Information Meeting, RMS 7:00 PM (may attend either)
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, and 22 – Camp
May 24 – Memorial Day
June 2 – 4th/5th Grade Field Day
June 3 – Rain Date for 4th/5th Field Day
June 5 – Last Day of School, 1:00 dismissal
Art News….
Student Art Show April 20-28!!! Thursday, April 23 from 5:30 – 7:30 is the reception for Georgetown artists. It will be held in the lower level of the Hudsonville City Hall 
Building. 3275 Central Blvd. See the flyer here for more information.2015 Art Show GES (2)
Vote May 5….
ANNUAL 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….
- Starlight Ministries and Fifth Third River Bank RunRun for a Purpose! This year run or walk the Fifth Third River Bank with Team Starlight. Run in honor or memory of someone you’ve lost and help raise funds and awareness for Starlight Ministries and get a cool shirt and a free pre-race pasta dinner. But most importantly, know that you are supporting the great work of Starlight Ministries. For information, visit their website at www.starlight.com and click on the River Bank Run link on the front page.
- Feeding America Mobile Food Pantry in Jenison on April 24On Friday April 24, 2015 GUMchurch (Georgetown United Methodist) will host a Feeding America Food Mobile Food Pantry from 6pm to 7:30pm.
All pantry items are available at no charge to anyone who comes to get them and without any sort of “proof of need”. If you think some extra groceries can help you out, then we do too!For more info, visit www.GUMonline.org or call 616-669-0730 - Doll Tea PartyAmerican Girl Doll Grand Prize – $7 (Byron Center)April 25th, 1:00 – 2:30pm$7 pre-registration at http://southharbor.org/events/doll-tea-party/
(space is limited)
$8 at the door
For moms, grandmas, aunts, sisters, daughters, and dolls!
Includes special tea with crafts, activities, door prizes, treats, photo booth, and more! There will be a raffle at $1 per ticket or 6 for $5 for many doll accessories from American Girl, as well as an American Girl Doll Grand Prize. Bring your dolls, dress-up, and have a great time with other girls and women.
South Harbor Church
1951 64th Street
Byron Center, MI
- CAMP INVENTIONIn 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!
- 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, May 12th and Monday, August 3rd. Both will be from 5-8pm and take place at the Hudsonville High School cafeteria. The registration deadline isTuesday, 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! - Challenge of Children Workshop This a one day FREEworkshop being held at Hope College on THURSDAY, MAY 14. Registration deadline is MONDAY, MAY 11. Here is the link if you are interested in registering online…. www.challengeofchildren.org Please read the attached flyer with all of the details. CHALLENGE OF CHILDREN
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- 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 toRiverbend Street to one of Kent County Park’s hidden gems, Hansen Nature Trail. There is parking alongRiverbend 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 guideto 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 Trail
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.
- 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 toRiverbend Street to one of Kent County Park’s hidden gems, Hansen Nature Trail. There is parking alongRiverbend 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 guideto 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 Trail
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 News….
I hope you and your family had a restful spring break! Summer is only eight weeks away – where did this school year go?
There are some great camps and classes for your kids this summer. Registration is now open.
To check out all of the great activities we have to offer, please click here.
If you would like to view the 2015 Hudsonville Community Education Brochure as a pdf or to print any pages,click here.
Please call or email me if you have any questions or feedback.
Rebecca Fabiano
Hudsonville Community Education
669-1740
Upcoming Events….
