Students by Welcome back to School sign
Girl wearing Sunglasses with Bright Future
Principal Folkert talks with little girl and father
boy poses for pic with 2nd grade rocks sign

Weekly Newsletter

Happy October! 

Lots of information in our Newsletter this week:

Next week is Homecoming Week: Powderpuff game, Spirit Days, Homecoming parade, and HOCO football game!

Wednesday, October 8th @ 8:30 am: First Coffee & Connect with Jefferson Administration and support staff 

October 15 is Picture Make-up Day!

Parent Teacher Conference sign-up is out! Conferences are Oct. 14, 22, and 23. 

1/2 day Oct. 23rd and NO school Oct. 24th

October 30th: Fall Festival! Please send in your candy donations to the Candy Monster in the Office!

Click below for all the details of the events above!

More...

Homecoming 2025 - Jefferson

Homecoming week is full of fun events for all HPS Students, Families, and Alumni!

  • Powder Puff & Alumni Football Game | Sunday, October 5, 5pm
  • Homecoming Parade | Friday, October 10, 6pm
  • Homecoming Game | Friday, October 10, 7pm
  • HOCO Fun Run | Saturday, October 11, 9am
  • HOCO Dance | Saturday, October 11, 8-11pm
More...

Firearm Safety and Harm Prevention

Legal ownership of firearms comes with important safety responsibilities to prevent accidental firearm injuries and deaths, thefts, and suicide, including among children.

  • Under House Bill 5451, beginning October 1, 2025, Michigan law will require school districts to distribute a safe storage informational notice—developed by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)—to the parent or legal guardian of each student each October.
More...

HPSPodcast 6.6

This week we talk with HLA Principal Iliana Vasquez about 2nd Annual Gentex STEM Night and first ever Paper Airplane Contest! It happens Thursday, 5-7pm at the HHS Commons.

Weekly Newsletter- Week of September 22nd

Hi Families,

September Dates to Note:

25th- District STEM Night at Holland High School 

Gentex is sponsoring the 2nd Annual Districtwide STEM Night on Thursday, September 25, 5-7pm in the HHS Commons

Chemistry Experiments

Robotics Demonstration

LEGOs

Virtual Reality Games

Community Partners

and more!

Whose paper plane can fly the furthest? Fold and fly your plane in the Paper Airplane contest to see if it's you! 

Talk to your STEM teacher, Mrs Bigler to learn more!

https://www.hollandpublicschools.org/pub/news/posts/3291

Education Benefit Form: We are still looking for a lot of families to fill out the Education Benefits Form

Completing the Education Benefits Form is a key step to unlocking essential support for all HPS students. Federal & state resources are allocated based on the income data collected through this form. Without this data the district could lose out on critical funding. 

Next week, teachers will be reaching out to families on a case-by-case basis to make sure we get everyone accounted for. It only takes about 5 minutes!

https://www.hollandpublicschools.org/pub/news/posts/3298

A reminder about attendance: Regular school attendance matters! Research has shown that students who miss more than 10% of school days are at a higher risk of lower grades in high school and college, and an increased chance of high school dropout. Parents/guardians, help your student succeed by helping them to establish a morning “get ready” routine, come up with a “plan B” for transportation if your student misses the bus, and if your student is sick, call school and provide a doctor’s note if possible so their absence can be excused.

Can't believe it is already the end of September! The year is off to a GREAT start! 

Districtwide Outdoor Movie Night

HHS Student Senate is hosting a movie night featuring Cars 2.  

  • Friday, September 19, 8pm at HHS Soccer Field
  • All grades/ages are welcome
  • Bring a lawn chair or blanket 
  • Snacks for purchase

Districtwide STEM Night & Paper Airplane Flying Contest

Gentex is sponsoring the 2nd Annual Districtwide STEM Night on Thursday, September 25, 5-7pm in the HHS Commons

  • Chemistry Experiments
  • Robotics Demonstration
  • LEGOs
  • Virtual Reality Games
  • Community Partners
  • and more!

Whose paper plane can fly the furthest? Fold and fly your plane in the Paper Airplane contest to see if it's you! 

Talk to your STEM teacher to learn more!

More...

Parent Information Night

Thanks to all the parents who were able to come to our first Parent Information night on Tuesday. If you didn't make it out, here is the presentation that we went through. Please note the QR codes at the end of the presentation. These will bring you to our Education Benefit form (need filled out by ALL families to ensure we receive all possible funding to support our students), Volunteer Form (required to volunteer in a variety of ways throughout the school year), and the Parent Engagement Survey (let us know how you would like to get involved at Jefferson this year). 

Weekly Newsletter September 8th

Welcome to our first full week of school! 

Lots happening this week:

  • Tuesday 9/9 Parent Information Night 5:00pm 
  • Thursday Nurse 5K (more information below) 6:00pm at the High School
  • Students are taking their NWEA fall tests this week!
More...
Our teachers were excited to start the year!!!

Weekly Newsletter

Happy Labor Day! 

I hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend. Looking forward to this week, a couple of things to note:

Picture Day is Friday, September 5th. Picture forms will be coming home on Tuesday. Please return them with your student on Friday or before. 

Dutch Football Elementary Night! 

 HPS K-5 students are invited to participate in pre-game and halftime activities at the Dutch Football game on Friday, September 5, at 7 pm.

  • All K-5 students and their families will be admitted FREE!
  • All K-5 students will be allowed to run the field and welcome the Varsity football team before the game.
  • All K-5 students are invited to participate in an on-field event during halftime.

Parent information night is Tuesday, September 9th, from 5-6 pm. Come learn about how we support your students at school, how you can get extra out-of-school resources, and ways you can give your feedback and get involved. 

Our year is off to a great start! 

Please remember to take 5 minutes to fill out the Educational Benefit Formto ensure we are able to get all the funding we need for extra support for all of our students. 

Thanks, and see everyone tomorrow morning!

Jefferson Calendar

Jefferson Calendar
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26 27 28 29 30 31  
  • 6 October
    thru October 10
    • Jefferson SPIRIT WEEK
      Date: Oct 6 - Oct 10
      Calendar: Jefferson Calendar
      Monday: Comfy Day Tuesday: Jersey Day Wednesday: Mismatch Day Thursday: Fall Fit Day Friday: Red + White Day
  • 14 October
    • PreK-5 Conferences 4:15 PM to 7:15 PM
      PreK-5 Conferences
      Date: Oct 14
      Time: 4:15 PM to 7:15 PM
      Calendar: Jefferson Calendar
  • 22 October
    • PreK-5 Conferences 4:15 PM to 7:15 PM
      PreK-5 Conferences
      Date: Oct 22
      Time: 4:15 PM to 7:15 PM
      Calendar: Jefferson Calendar
      TK-5 Conferences
  • 23 October
  • 24 October
  • 6 November
    • THRIVE TOGETHER: Family Mental Health Night
      Date: Nov 6
      Time: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
      Location: Holland Middle School 373 E 24th St, Holland, MI 49423, United States
      Calendar: Jefferson Calendar
      Join BeNice and other area organizations as we give students and families tools for improving Mental Health, dealing with stress, and coping strategies. Plus fun, games, crafts, and FREE Pizza.
  • 26 November
    thru November 30
    • HOLIDAY BREAK
      Date: Nov 26 - Nov 30
      Calendar: Jefferson Calendar
  • 19 December
  • 20 December
    thru January 4
    • HOLIDAY BREAK 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
      HOLIDAY BREAK
      Date: Dec 20 - Jan 4
      Time: 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
      Calendar: Jefferson Calendar
  • 19 January
  • 17 February
  • 25 February
  • 27 February
    thru March 2
  • 3 April
    thru April 12
    • SPRING BREAK
      Date: Apr 3 - Apr 12
      Calendar: Jefferson Calendar
  • 24 April
  • 7 May
  • 25 May
  • 2 June
  • 3 June

Jefferson Elementary
282 West 30th Street
Holland, MI 49423
Phone: 616-494-2500
Fax: 616-393-7569

Staff & Teachers

School Times:

 

  • Full Day | 8:30am* - 3:36pm
  • Wednesday Early Dismissal | 2:36pm
  • Half Day | 8:30* - 11:35am

*Please do not arrive at school earlier than 8:15

 

Jefferson Office Hours:

  • 8am- 3:35pm | M-F (August-June)

 Jefferson Media Center 

STEM Resources

Morning Drop-off:

  • For the safety of our students during morning drop-off time, please remember the following:
  • Pull your vehicle all of the way forward to the curve (by the playground gate) to unload your student(s).
  • After your student(s) has exited your vehicle, please pull forward, out of the way, so that the next car may unload.  
  • Students may only be dropped at the curb by the playground.  Students may not  be dropped off in the outer lane of the parking lot, on the street, or in the front of the building.
  • Parking is NOT allowed curbside!  Please park in the parking lot if you need to stay longer or get out of your car with your child.  This will help keep traffic moving!

Afternoon Pick Up

  • For the safety of our students during afternoon pick-up time, please remember the following:
  • Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten students will be picked up at the West doors on VanRaalte Avenue. Door #13
  • Siblings of TK and Kindergarten students will also picked up at door #13.
  • 1st-5th graders will be picked up in the parking lot.  There is a “drive” lane and a “pick-up” lane.  Students may only be picked up at the curb, not in the “drive” lane.  
  • PLEASE, PLEASE, no parking in the pick up or drive lanes.  We are trying to keep traffic moving quickly and safely for everyone.
  • All of the siblings will be picked up at the youngest child’s waiting place. This will allow parents to only have to make one stop.
  • Please do not motion students across the traffic lanes to the parking lot, or motion students into the traffic lanes to get into your vehicle.  We want to keep our students safe!

We are Here For You and your student.

Click here for emotional & mental health resources.


 

Volunteer at Jefferson:

We love when parents or guardians get involved. Make sure to fill out the district volunteer form (once each school year) and return it to the office.