Back to School

Hello HLA Families!

What an incredible week it has been, from Donuts with Dudes and our Chipotle Fundraiser to STEM Night, our HLA community continues to show up and shine! Thank you for your ongoing support and participation.

It’s officially fall, but we’re feeling extra grateful for the stretch of beautiful weather ahead this week! 

Our fall benchmark assessments are now complete, and we’re diving into the data to plan differentiated instruction and provide targeted support for each student. This allows us to better understand your child as a learner and meet them right where they are.

As we move into Week 6 of the school year, we’re continuing to strengthen routines and expectations to help students thrive both academically and socially.

Read on to discover all the exciting things happening at HLA in the days ahead!

EVERY student in the district will gain from ALL families completing the Education Benefits form.

• Enhances Student programming (more counselors, tutors and supplies)
• Academic Savings (reduced test, college and athletic fees)
• Technology Access (Internet/computer support at home)
• Nutritional Assistance (summer grocery funding)

It's back-to-school for HPS students and on the HPSPodcast this week we're talking with HHS Student Senate President Maggie Telgenhof.

• Listen Now!

Holland Public Schools is implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Bus Expectations across our district's transportation services. This initiative aims to create a safe, respectful, and responsible environment for all students who utilize our school buses.

 In partnership with the Critter Barn, Holland Public School is now offering Pre-K Farm School.

• 4-year-old students will travel to the Critter Barn each week for lessons about life on the Farm.
• Lessons they learn at the farm will help teach students about Math and Reading.
• Develop and nurture each child's academic, social, emotional, and creative abilities.
• Students will build friendships and experience caring teachers.

There are limited openings in the 25-26 HPS Pre-K Farm School.

We are excited to welcome you back for another great year at Holland West! You will see that we are entering into our 1st year of a complete remodel at West.  The east wing of the building will be under construction in the 1st phase and shouldn’t interfere much with our daily operations.  However, we will be cozy at the other side of the building with every classroom and office now in use.

We’re excited for another great school year at Holland Public Schools—full of learning, connection, and opportunities for every student.

• HPSPodcast 6.1 - Listen Now!

We are excited to see you all back for another great year at Holland Heights @Longfellow.  We are here at Longfellow for one more year before we go back to our “HOME” up in the Heights as construction will be completed next spring.  The new building is looking great and we are excited to get there next year!!

School Starts Thursday, August 21. (Open House is Tuesday, August 19, 4-6pm at your school)

Calendar Highlights:

• First Day of School | Thursday, August 21
• Homecoming | Friday, October 10
• Thanksgiving Holiday | November 26 - November 30
• Holiday Break | December 20 - January 4
• MLK Day | Monday, January 19
• Mid-Winter Break| Friday, February 27 - Monday, March 2 
• Spring Break | Friday, April 3 - Sunday, April 12
• Class of 2026 Commencement |Tuesday, May 19
• Last Day of School | Wednesday, June 3

These dates are tentative, pending ratification of The Board of Education at the April Board of Education Meeting.

There is much to celebrate in this season of Thanksgiving and much to bring hope as we begin to look towards a new year.  

 Listen to HPSPodcast 5.16 with Superintendent Nick Cassidy

As we head into Thanksgiving break, I want to express thanks and gratitude for our talented educators who inspire and nurture the potential in every child, for our committed staff who keep our schools running smoothly, and for our students who remind us every day why we do what we do. I am equally grateful for our families and community members, whose trust and investment in our schools enable us to provide opportunities that shape the future.