I am typing this week’s update with my foot elevated, from the comfort of my couch, watching the wind whip through my hemlocks.   Like most of you, I hope my power stays on and this storm is winter’s final appearance.  We need SPRING!

One of my first to do’s on Monday was getting a handle on lost and found.  Above are the items still not found as of Friday at 3 pm. If you see a sweatshirt or winter jacket that belongs to your child, send them down to retrieve it!

Our fifth graders did an amazing job on the M-STEP tests this past week.  They took ELA (reading/writing), science and math.  Total testing time was approximately 10 hours.  We have one more test to go: social studies.  This will take place on Tuesday.  For those students who were absent or need more time to complete tests, we will provide opportunity throughout the week.  We want our students to take the time they need to do their best.  The tests are complex and require focused attention, complex thinking/reasoning and the ability to complete multi-step directions.  Our fifth graders are doing an amazing job.  We’re very proud of them.

The test results for our district are used to evaluate our success in educating our students.  The state also using other measures — however, these test scores play a big role in our ranking against other schools in the state.  As you can see from the most recent ranking of schools, Hudsonville’s performance is outstanding.  We currently rank #15 in the state — above many schools in the West Michigan area.  The teachers at Georgetown (as well as all the HPS schools), spend hours above and beyond the teaching day working on lessons, taking courses (often paying for these personally), and purchasing items for their classrooms with their own money.  They are beyond dedicated to doing all they can to support your children as learners.  I feel honored to work with them.

A snapshot of our week is below.  A quiet week school wide — with the exception of our much loved and anticipated POPCORN FRIDAY.  Many thanks to parents (YOU) for funding this and those who volunteer to pop and deliver.

Be safe this weekend!

Mrs. Reagan

Blog Bits 1/8/2016

News from the office….

Well, for those of you that have been into school this week, you have seen our new entrance. We have heard some really positive feedback and we appreciate your patience as we work through new procedures! The new glass was installed today and that will make it warmer and brighter which will be great!

A couple new procedures are….

If you drive your child to school in the morning, use the front lot for drop off.  Do not drop your child off in the BUS LOOP area.  This is for busses only.

When your child arrives to school, s/he needs to walk directly to the playground.  Explain to your child that s/he cannot go through the building to the playground — all students must walk from the front loop to their playgrounds.

The front door can be used if:

1. It is raining outside.
2. Your child arrives after 8:45 am.

When you walk into the building, there are now three doors in lock position that prevent visitors from entering the academic area.  All visitors will be buzzed into the office to sign children in or out as well as for volunteering purposes. Thanks for your help with this!!

Mark your calendars also for Winter Break. There will be no school on Feb 8 and 9.

PTC News….

•Meeting Date Change Our January Parent Club Meeting is no longer January 14.  The meeting date is January 28 @ 6:30 pm in the Media Center.

•It’s time to start collecting BOX TOPS to earn money for our school!  Our fall collection earned enough for a grade 2/3 GAGA PIT.  This will be installed this spring.

The Winter Box Top money will go toward funding projects that support materials for learning:  books, tech tools, online school learning programs and much more.

Download a fun WINTER BOX TOP COLLECTION FORM:  WinterHatsMittens BOX TOP FORM

We also have forms in the office and in a prior post.  We will take either form — also take box tops in bags.

DUE DATE FEBRUARY 15.

Thank you from Lori Simpson, Box Top Chairperson and the Parent Club Board

•Marco’s Night January 20  Make it an easy supper night and order from Marco’s. The class that orders the most pizza will win a pizza party for their class and Marco’s also donates a portion of the proceeds back to the school.

Kindergarten For Next Year….

Kindergarten Registration packets will be available on Monday for you to pick up in the office or print off  of Hudsonville Public Schools website. Search enrollment in the search window.

Kindergarten Round Up will be the evening of March 1. Mark your calendars!

Early Childhood Open House….

HPS Early Childhood Programs Parent Information/Registration Night for the 2016/2017 School Year and 2016 Summer Programs will be Tuesday , January 19, 2016 at the Early Childhood Center from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. It is located at 5535 School Ave.Programs include 3 and 4 year old Preschool, Young Fives, Before/After School Care, and Summer Care.This is a chance to gather information about the programs, meet staff, and visit the preschool classrooms. There is no formal presentation; feel free to come anytime between 6 and 8. Children are welcome and activities will be provided.For more information, please call Shellie or Holly at 797-0842

Community News….

• Car Seat Checks Offered At Hudsonville Fire Station

  Four-out-of-five car seats are improperly installed so the City of Hudsonville’s Fire

  Department is hosting a Car Seat Check on January 28 by partnering with Nationally 

  Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians from Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital’s Injury 

  Prevention Program.

   

  The car seat checks will be available January 28 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm at 3275 

  Central Blvd, Hudsonville, MI 49426.  

   

  All car seat inspections are free, but do require an appointment. A limited number of 

  low cost replacement car seats are available at all locations, for those who qualify. Children 

  who need a replacement seat must be present with parent or legal guardian.

   

  Interested individuals should visit www.spectrumhealth.org/injuryprevention-lakeshore.

  All safety checks require an appointment. Call 748.2285 to request at time.

  •FREE Parenting Class

   

  Do your kids drive you crazy sometimes? Well you certainly are not alone! Raising children and teenagers is one of the most difficult things we will ever do. That’s why it makes sense to come join us for an awesome parenting class that begins on Thursday, January 14th, at the Baldwin Street Middle School. The class will help you sharpen your parenting skills in areas such as discipline and communication, and much more. It is taught by a parenting professional who is a parent himself. He will bring you a wealth of practical “school of hard knocks” information that will help parents of all backgrounds with kids of all ages. You will both learn and have fun at the same time. The class is 10 weeks long and runs from 6:00 to 8:00. For more information or to register, please contact Howard at (616) 396-2301 x145 or hmatthews@pathwaysmi.org. The class is FREE and is sponsored by Pathways, MI.

  •Please read the attached flyer in regards to Hudsonville Hockey Student Night.  It is THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 9 and the game starts at 5:30pm!!  You

  may want to get there early, the first 200 students can get a package deal with some cool “extras”!! The flyer is attached with all of the details. Thank you!! Hockey Flyer