Holland Middle

HMS Weekly Update- 5/23/21

Please read through this weekly update and if you have any additional questions or concerns, please email the following staff members: 

Mr. Cassidy (ncassidy@hollandpublicschools.org ) safety protocols, general questions

Mrs. Bair (rbair@hollandpublicschools.org )   Online instruction, schedules

Mrs. Legg (klegg@hollandpublicschools.org )  Online instruction, schedules

Mrs. Ortega (aortega@hollandpublicschools.org )  Registration

Nurse Byl (ebyl@hollandpublicschools.org )   Medication or health related questions  

Stay Connected:

Sign up for HPS text alerts regarding school closings, emergencies, and school related information.  

https://mobile-text-alerts.com/subscribe/hps/

Important Upcoming Dates:

5/26/21-   10:45 am-  Rising Freshmen meeting with High School Coaches on the bleachers by the football field at HMS.     This is only for students.    

5/31/21- No School- Memorial Day   

End of the Year Celebrations:

6/10/21- Last day of school with dismissal at 10:35. 8th grade awards assembly will be 8:30-10:00 in the cafeteria. We are still working out details on how/if we can include parents. 

Needed Immunizations for Incoming 7th Graders and New Students:

Students entering 7th grade and students entering any grade in a new school district, need to have the following immunizations by the start of school as mandated by state law:

• 4 doses of DT/DTP/DTaP/Td OR 3 doses, if the first dose was given after the first birthday

 • 1 dose of Tdap at 11 years of age or older, upon entry into 7th grade or higher

 • 4 doses of polio OR 3 doses, if dose #3 was given after the 4th birthday

• 2 doses of MMR (measles/mumps/rubella) vaccine at or after 1 year of age

• 3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine

• 1 dose of MCV4 (quadrivalent conjugate meningitis vaccine)

• 2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine at or after 1 year of age OR evidence of immunity (blood test) OR reliable history of having had chickenpox

If a parent is waiving one or more vaccines, which are required for their child to enter school, the parent will need to make an appointment at their local health department to obtain a NEW waiver prior to the start of school.  

Antigen Testing for Athletes:

As you may be aware, orders from MDHHS require all athletes ages 13-19 to complete a COVID-19 antigen test on a weekly basis throughout their season. Students who turn 13 years old during the season are not required to participate in testing until after their 13th birthday, and students who will be 12 years old or younger for the entire season are exempt from the testing program altogether.  

The Middle School will test from 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m on Mondays for the remainder of the season.

In order for your child to participate in the testing program, the two attached forms (consent form and code of conduct) must be completed and returned to the middle school office. Completed forms can also be emailed to skisner@hollandpublicschools.org. Hard copies of the forms will be distributed to team members at practices. 

A link to the MDHHS Interim Guidance for Athletics is available at the following link: March 20th Interim Guidance.  

Please know that your child must participate in the testing program in order to be a member of a team this season. If you have any questions, please contact Sara Kisner, HPS Athletic Trainer, at skisner@hollandpublicschools.org or 494-2235.  

Notes from Nurse Byl: 

"Children 12 and older are now eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine. Here's what you need to know: https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/news/covid-vaccine-for-children/  

If interested, here's where you can sign up: https://vaccinatewestmi.com/events/categories/ottawa-county/" 

"May is Asthma Awareness Month. Asthma is one of the most common lifelong diseases. 1 in 13 Americans (more than 25 million) live with asthma, a disease affecting the lungs and causing repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. Learn more about Asthma here: https://www.epa.gov/asthma "