Author: Amy Hoekstra

Here is an update from the book fair! Currently State is ahead in our All for Books coin collection! We have 2 more days to collect coins and Thursday the winner will be announced. The winning team will wear their colors on Friday! Go GREEN or Go BLUE?? Time will tell!! Thank you!

Correction to an earlier post about BMS Music Program Parent Information Night:

This week, our 5th graders will be touring Baldwin Middle School for a sneak peak at sixth grade life.  These are school day visits that include a tour of the school, introduction to offerings and instrument fittings.   

Next week, March 18 @ 6:30 pm, 5th grade parents are invited to attend a music program informational meeting at BMS.

Our 27th week of schools begins with Day Light Savings Time — we lose an hour of sleep which means more daylight eventually and tired kids (and adults) in the meantime.

In addition, we have evening Parent/Teacher Conferences and Scholastic Book Fair.  Our 5th graders will also be touring Baldwin Middle School for a sneak peak at sixth grade life (school day visits).  Next week, March 18 @ 6:30 pm, 5th grade parents are invited to attend a music program informational meeting at BMS. It’s hard to believe that our 5th graders are almost middle schoolers!

Our Parent Teacher Club is also hosting the first parent/child event this Saturday — Parent and Daughter day out at Rebounderz.  The Parent/Son day is on March 28.   Many MANY thanks to the team for organizing these events — and collecting registrations, money, etc.  These are all volunteer positions — and if I haven’t said it enough, YOU ARE SO APPRECIATED!

Enjoy the sunshine this weekend…and here’s to a week 27!

Mrs. Reagan

Just a reminder, today is Early Release Friday! We will be dismissing at 12:15 today March 6. If your child is a car rider, please be at school by 12:10 for pick up.  Food Service will be offering a sack lunch on early release days. Children can order a lunch with their teacher in the morning and will have them to take to their destination.  The cost will be $2.25.  Free and reduced benefits will also apply.

March has arrived….and this is cause for celebration!  Although it is still winter, it is the month that marks our turn toward springtime.

Some of you may have heard that the 5th graders played pillow polo hockey against a select team of athletic educators on Friday.  You may also have heard that the athletic educators won ( 6 to 1).  AND…there are also some reports that the athletes on one team (particularly one) was a bit confused about the rules — and might have accidentally suspected the ball was an apple, might have accidentally stepped on the ball or any number of errors.  HOWEVER, it was a great time.  For parents of the fifth graders that played against us:  YOUR KIDS ARE SUCH COMPETITIVE ATHLETES — and GOOD!  The athletic educators hope to return to school tomorrow after a weekend of ice, heat and stretching.

A tremendous thank you to everyone who kindly picks up their children when they are sick — as well as those who considerately keep them home when they are ill.  It has been a rolling wave of illness late fall into present time.  Our youngest population (those 100% adorable and precious kinders and first graders) have been nailed this year.  Their immune systems have been exposed to viruses of all sorts and varieties.

We are doing EVERYTHING we can to keep our classroom surfaces, knobs, handles and faucets clean.  Last week, Mr. Rob spent hours washing down light switches and all the latches on the lockers.  Thank you to all who have sent in wipes and soap to help us stay on top of this tremendous and important task.

Some tips:  Please clean your child’s water bottle regularly.  Also, wash mittens/gloves, scarves and jackets.  These are frequently used to cover sneezes and clean up noses!

We are receiving questions from parents about how to talk to their children about the coronavirus.  An excellent kid (and adult) friendly cartoon was created by some exceptionally talented NPR writers/illustrators (with assistance from expert in science, psychology and social work).  Click on this link for the pdf and foldable version.

PARKING REQUEST (AKA Scolding):  Our poor office staff is receiving complaints regarding parents who are refusing to park in a PARKING SPOT to come into school to pick up their child.   When you sit in your car and do not park, the traffic flow comes to a halt.  When you park your car (and it is not in a spot) and then go inside to get your child, people are BLOCKED in their parking spot and cannot exit.

I have also received suggestions from parents to have a parking attendant in the morning and afternoon — and I would love to have the funds to pay an adult for 50 minutes (25 min am; 25 min pm)to stand in front and politely remind people to PARK THEIR CARS.  At this time all our school funds are going toward supporting learners during the school day with the goal of helping all children to be strong learners and more.    We have less than 70 school days left…and it’s time for all parents to SOAR in parking!

Heres to a fabulous 4.5 day week!  The teachers will be working on report cards Friday afternoon in preparation for evening PT CONFERENCES on Monday 3/9 and 3/11.

Mrs. Reagan

For those of you that still want to turn in your sign up and money for the Boys and Girls Night out at Rebounderz:

The TOTAL price is $16 which includes jumping and laser tag. If you ONLY want to do laser tag the total is $8.

IF YOU HAVE ALREADY OVERPAID, YOU WILL BE REIMBURSED AT THE EVENT!!

Blog Bits 2/28/2020

News From the Office…

I can’t believe that the last of the classroom parties are done already! This year is just flying by!  We are on the countdown for Spring Break! We only have 5 more weeks until Spring Break! CRAZY!!  We will be having Parent Teacher conferences on March 9 and 11 and book fair is also that same week. We do still have a couple yearbooks left if your child wanted one. They are $10 and you can get them in the office. Thank you and have a great weekend!

Spring Break dates – April 3 – 12

Next Early Release…

Our next early release is on Mar 6. We will be dismissing at 12:15 on Mar 6. If your child is a car rider, please be at school between 12:10 and 12:15 for pick up.  Food Service will be offering a sack lunch on early release days. Children can order a lunch with their teacher in the morning and will have them to take to their destination.  The cost will be $2.25.  Free and reduced benefits will also apply.

PTC News…

Mar 6 – Popcorn Friday

Mar 9 – 13 – Book Fair

Mar 12 – Jet’s Pizza Night

Mar 14 – Parent/Daughter Night Out at Rebounderz

Mar 19 – PTC Meeting, 6:30 in the school library

Mar 29 – Parent/Son Night Out at Rebounderz

•••PLEASE READ CORRECTION FOR REBOUNDERZ!!! The TOTAL price is $16 which includes jumping and laser tag. If you ONLY want to do laser tag the total is $8.

IF YOU HAVE ALREADY OVERPAID, YOU WILL BE REIMBURSED AT THE EVENT!!•••

*****It’s book fair time again and we are still in need of some volunteers!! Thank you all for being willing to volunteer! We really appreciate your time! The kids love this event and it takes a lot of hands to put it together. Please let us know if you are able to work a partial shift or if there are hours that work better for you. We will work you in any way we can!! Also for your time you will receive 10% off your book fair purchases. Here is the link to sign up. If you have any questions, please contact Audrey Straub at astraub1@hpseagles.net Thank you so much!*****

Community News…

•The Heritage Christian School Spring Children’s Clothing and Toy Sale will be held on Saturday, March 14, from 9 am – 12:00. Items for sale include infant to teen clothing, outdoor/indoor toys, books, games, shoes and sandals, sports equipment, baby gear, maternity, and more. Delicious baked goods are also for sale! Located in the large gym at Heritage Christian at 6340 Autumn Dr., Hudsonville. Now accepting cash, checks, and credit cards. Hope to see you there!

•Holy Cross Consignment Sale

1481 Baldwin St in Hudsonville

Friday March 27 from 9:00-3:00 and Saturday March 28 from 9:00-1:00

holycrossjenison.org/consignmentsale

•HPS International Celebration

Please join the Hudsonville EL (English Learners) Department for an international celebration on Friday, April 17 at 5:30 pm in the Hudsonville Freshman Campus Cafeteria.  There will be a showcase of food, music, clothing, dances, and more from a variety of cultures. Your entire family is welcome to attend and we invite you to participate and represent your culture.

We will celebrate the food from different cultures. If you would like to prepare or purchase food, please tell us what food you would like to bring by filling out the form through the attached link. You do not have to bring food in order to attend the celebration.

We also hope to have some students and families share songs, poems, and/or dances from different cultures. If you would like to participate in this way, you can also indicate it through the link below.

Whether you come just to watch and/or enjoy the food or come to represent your heritage, we hope to see you there!

Please reply using the link below by Wednesday, April 1. If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Manzer rmanzer@hpseages.net (high school EL teacher) or Victoria Cooley  vcooley@hpseagles.net (ECC, K-8 EL teacher)

Click this link to indicate your interest-bit.ly/HPSInternationalCelebration

Community Ed…

• You can click here to go to the community education page on the Hudsonville Public School website. There are many activities for your kids to look into!

Upcoming Events

Last call for The Kids Heart Challenge!  It will be done on Friday! We hope you’re having a ball and feel as rewarded as we do helping fight heart disease and stroke. Keep up the great work, you’re making a HUGE difference!

Remember, more than 50% of kids are not getting the physical activity they need to be healthy. You’re helping to change that. We have a special incentive at our school.  If we can get 50% of our students registered and taking the healthy challenges, we will receive an additional $500 to purchase new PE equipment.  Help us reach our goal!  Get your student registered for Kids Heart Challenge today!

http://www2.heart.org/goto/georgetownhudsonville