Holland Middle

Thanks to all of the parents who have donated Gift Cards for Teacher Appreciation Week!!!

Important Events:

• Friday, 5/17- 8th grade students will visit the High School
• Tuesday, June 4th- Cook-out/Field Day
• Wednesday, June 5th- Last day of school and ½ Day
• 8th Grade Awards Ceremony will be held in the Gym from 7:45-10:35.

After School Tutoring-

Will be held Tuesday and Thursday this week from 2:25-3:45

Shout Outs -

Did you know that every week Mr. Cassidy sends out an email to staff called “The Holla”? It is an accumulation of positive notes provided to him about our staff from staff, parents, and community members. If you have something positive that you would like to share, please send an email to Mr. Cassidy. Messages from parents are placed at the top of these weekly emails and are very meaningful to our staff.

In our first year, HMS continues to create its own traditions while following the Vision, Mission, and Core Values of all Holland Public Schools.

VISION STATEMENT

Holland Public Schools

The Choice for Educational Excellence

Compassionate Staff, Leading Edge Programs, Committed Community

Right for Me

MISSION STATEMENT

Embrace, Engage, and Empower each student for success in an ever-changing world.

Core Values

We value…

• Success for All-Our students develop their innate abilities to be life, career, and college ready.
• Educational Excellence-We provide state and nationally recognized academic programs and extra-curricular activities measured by high standards of performance and personalized support.
• Innovation-We continuously improve through the study and implementation of best practices and programs with high expectations for achievement.  
• Passion-We employ committed, talented, and passionate individuals who care for the students and families they serve.
• Inclusion-It is our collective responsibility to foster respect, a sense of belonging, and success that honors each individual.
• Equity-We ensure that our policies, practices, and programs serve our growing and evolving community.
• Safety-We provide all students and staff powerful learning opportunities in safe, secure, and predictable environments.
• Collaboration-We intentionally develop family and community partnerships to share the responsibility for the success of our students.
• Proactive-We study and respond to the ever-changing needs of our community and intentionally invest the necessary resources to support our vision and mission- 

It is Tulip Time Week!   With that comes an interesting schedule.   

Wednesday, 5/8- ½ Day of School with Dismissal at 10:35.

The Schedule for the day:   

 1st Hour- 7:35- 8:17

 2nd Hour- 8:20-9:02

 3rd Hour-  9:05- 9:47

 4th Hour-   9:50- 10:35

Thursday, 5/9- 1/2 Day of School with Dismissal at 10:35. If the parade is canceled, there will be a full day of school, and lunch will be served.

 The Schedule for the day:  

 5th Hour-  7:35-8:35

  6th Hour-  8:38-9:35

  7th Hour-  9:38- 10:35

TULIP TIME MS BAND GUIDELINES and DIRECTIONS

Tulip Time 2019-Parade Guidelines/Line-Up

for HMS 7th/8th Grade Band

(Please review both pages for ALL line-up times and locations)

Parade Guidelines

• Please note: Students must make arrangements to have their own transportation (ie: walking, vehicle) to and from each parade. It is up to parents and students to plan a meeting destination after the band’s participation when each parade is over. It is completely up to students to make arrangements with their parents as to what they will be doing and where they will be following each parade. Once the drum majors dismiss the band at the end of each parade, the Band Director and adult assistants are no longer in charge of them. Parade participation is MANDATORY of all Holland Public 7th and 8th grade band students for ALL THREE Tulip Time Parades (please refer back to the introductory letter/calendar given out at the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year).
• Please note: Students must arrive to downtown Holland wearing the full band uniform (completely black dress pants, completely black socks, and completely black comfortable shoes-no open toe and/or heel and do not wear dress shoes) as well as their red band polo shirt (with white t-shirt underneath that does not show through the polo). Also, students (guys and girls)  must have their hair tied back if long enough to do so. If not, sides of hair/bangs must be clipped back from the face. In addition, no students may wear any type of jewelry or accessories (ie: sunglasses, watches, rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, etc.).  Students will NOT march if they are not dressed appropriately and as stated. Students will turn in their band polo shirts to the band director immediately at the end of the Saturday parade.
• Please note: Students may not show up at the parade site with the instrument in the case. Instrument cases must be left at home or in your vehicle.  
• Please note: Prior to each parade, come properly hydrated (water, not pop). Water bottles or any other type of food/beverage are not allowed before the parade in the line-up area (unless given out by the director) or during the parade. Consider applying sunscreen before arrival as well. Also, restroom facilities downtown are scarce. Use the restroom before leaving your house!!!
• Please note: Percussionists, banner carriers, and anyone else with an instrument on the band trailer must get their instruments/banner off the equipment trailer by 1:25 p.m. each day. NO LATER!!!!! The truck will be located each parade day on East 10th Street between Columbia and Lincoln Avenues. The truck leaves this site promptly at 1:30 p.m.!!!!!! GET YOUR EQUIPMENT OFF THE TRUCK ON TIME!!!!!

Parade Line-Up Times and Locations

Wednesday, May 8th, 2019 Volksparade (Division 3 #23)

• Reporting Time: 1:30 p.m.
• Reporting Location: Assemble on East 9th Street between Columbia Avenue and Lincoln Avenue facing Columbia Avenue.
• Parade Ending: near Kollen Park on Van Raalte Ave. between 12th and 13th Streets

Thursday, May 9th, 2019 Kinderparade (Division 3 #7)

• Reporting Time: 1:30 p.m.
• Reporting Location: Assemble on East 9th Street between Columbia Avenue and College Avenue facing Columbia Avenue.
• Parade Ending:  near Kollen Park on Van Raalte Ave. between 12th and 13th Streets

Special Note* If the Thursday parade is postponed due to inclement weather, Friday, May 10th will become a half day of school and we WILL march on Friday!

Saturday, May 11th, 2019 Muziekparade (Division 5 #5)

• Reporting Time: 1:15 p.m.
• Reporting Location: Assemble on East 9th Street between Columbia Avenue and Lincoln Avenue facing Columbia Avenue.
• Parade Ending: front of Holland High School on Van Raalte Ave.

Special Note* Saturday parade is never canceled unless weather is life-threatening.

Finally, please note that any/all line-up locations are subject to change prior to the last few days before the start of the parades per the Tulip Time organization. We will notify students of any last-minute changes in line-up locations.

After School Tutoring-

Will be held Tuesday this week from 2:25-3:45

Shout Outs -

Did you know that every week Mr. Cassidy sends out an email to staff called “The Holla”? It is an accumulation of positive notes provided to him about our staff from staff, parents, and community members. If you have something positive that you would like to share, please send an email to Mr. Cassidy.   Messages from parents are placed at the top of these weekly emails and are very meaningful to our staff.   

In our first year, HMS continues to create its own traditions while following the Vision, Mission, and Core Values of all Holland Public Schools.

VISION STATEMENT

Holland Public Schools

The Choice for Educational Excellence

Compassionate Staff, Leading Edge Programs, Committed Community

Right for Me

MISSION STATEMENT

Embrace, Engage, and Empower each student for success in an ever-changing world.

Core Values

We value…

• Success for All-Our students develop their innate abilities to be life, career, and college ready.
• Educational Excellence-We provide state and nationally recognized academic programs and extra-curricular activities measured by high standards of performance and personalized support.
• Innovation-We continuously improve through the study and implementation of best practices and programs with high expectations for achievement.  
• Passion-We employ committed, talented, and passionate individuals who care for the students and families they serve.
• Inclusion-It is our collective responsibility to foster respect, a sense of belonging, and success that honors each individual.
• Equity-We ensure that our policies, practices, and programs serve our growing and evolving community.
• Safety-We provide all students and staff powerful learning opportunities in safe, secure, and predictable environments.
• Collaboration-We intentionally develop family and community partnerships to share the responsibility for the success of our students.
• Proactive-We study and respond to the ever-changing needs of our community and intentionally invest the necessary resources to support our vision and missio-- 

Nick Cassidy

Principal

Holland Middle School project to teach students STEM skills while feeding local families

HOLLAND, Mich., April 25, 2019 – Holland Middle School is partnering with several local organizations to build a hoop greenhouse with an underground low-cost, energy-efficient heating system on the Holland Middle School campus.

The greenhouse will be used as a tool to educate students about botany and nutrition while providing locally grown produce for students and families in need.

After laying the groundwork during spring break, students, teachers and volunteers from Herman Miller’s Sustainability Resource Team will gather on Thursday, April 25, to erect the greenhouse. Construction will begin at 9 a.m. on the front lawn of Holland Middle at 373 E. 24th St., and is expected to be completed by around 2 p.m.

The greenhouse project is the vision of Bill Boerman, who teaches STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) curriculum at Holland Middle. 

Some students at the school are already well on their way to developing great gardening and nutrition skills.

“Over the past year, we have added hydroponic grow towers in the building to grow greens that students can snack on, and students have learned the science of infusing water with plants to create vitamin water to stay hydrated. The hoop house will serve as an educational tool for the entire school,” Boerman said.

Funding for this innovative educational tool is coming from Ottawa Department of Public Health through Ottawa Foods and Herman Miller Cares.

“Our main priority is reducing hunger, encouraging healthy eating and increasing sourcing from local foods. This project really does it, and that’s why we are thrilled to be a part of it,” said Lisa Uganski, health educator for Ottawa County Department of Public Health and coordinator of Ottawa Foods, a group made up of 40 organizations.

Herman Miller and its foundation, Herman Miller Cares, have stepped forward to support the greenhouse project with both a small grant and volunteers from the company’s Sustainability Resource Team, who will help out on build day.

For years, the iconic furniture maker has had gardens at its Zeeland headquarters, so Herman Miller employees are eager to bring this experience to a local school, said Diane Bunse, Herman Miller’s Corporate Safety and Sustainability Specialist.

“It was a project that the sustainability team could get their arms around and support. It also aligns with our corporate commitment for caring for the environment and helping kids,” Bunse said.

Expertise has come from Grand Valley State University and the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District. Youssef Darwich, who oversees GVSU’s sustainability program along with Ottawa Area Intermediate School District instructor Tony McCaul and para-professional Paul Zelenka, who teach agricultural science, provided guidance on the project.

The school's greenhouses uses a climate battery system, which functions similar to the city of Holland's snowmelt system but uses air circulated underground, rather than heated water, to regulate both the hot and cold extremes all year round.

“I really can’t say enough about Bill and his ability to pull together all these resources to create this educational tool,” said Darwich. “Students learn about agriculture and growing, but through that process, the greenhouse becomes a tool for teaching many subjects, like math and even literature.”

“Ottawa County is a regional cradle for bedding and nursery plants, so it’s natural an innovative greenhouse project would find support in the region,” said Boerman. “This project is being nurtured by some of the names that put Ottawa County on the map as a growing hotspot.”

Zelenka, whose family’s former Holland-area nursery was one of the biggest in the U.S., donated hoops and hardware for the greenhouse from his business, P&B Farms. Zelenka says he has been impressed watching how Boerman has brought his eighth-grade Advanced STEM students into the entire greenhouse planning process.

“He is teaching students how to plan a budget and build a project. He’s helping students see the big picture of how it happens,” Zelenka said.

For Dirk Jonker, a third-generation owner of Jonker’s Gardens, the project has been an opportunity to share his passion for growing with his alma mater. Jonker, who graduated from Holland High in 2000, not only donated water cans, fertilizer and landscape fabric to the effort, but visited Boerman’s class to explain how greenhouses work.

“I think it's cool that he’s showing kids how food comes from plants,” said Jonker. “Anytime a teacher comes to us for help teaching about botany, we are excited to help.”

Support runs deep for the project, with more than a dozen businesses and organizations giving money, services or supplies. Other partners include 28 Specialties, who provided excavation services to prep the site during spring break, Zeeland Lumber and Fence Consultants, who contributed supplies, and the city of Holland, who donated compost.

No School for students on Friday, 4/26.   

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR 8th GRADE PARENTS!

As you know from past announcements, the 8th graders will be going on a field trip this week.  There has been a small change to the date of the trip. The trip will be held on Wednesday, April 24 and not on Thursday, April 25.  The original permission slips that were sent home before Spring Break had the old date that we had to change due to transportation issues.  We are still going to use the permission slips that were turned in so that we don't cause more work for families. If you have a concern or question with the April 24 date, please feel free to reach out to Karen Legg (616 494-2478).  If your 8th grade child has not yet turn in a permission slip for this trip, please send it back ASAP.  Thank you!

M-STEP Information

Questions: Email Rene Bair

DATES:

6th/7th grades:

• May1: 6th/7th ELA  
• May 2: 6th/7th Math  
• TBD Make-up dates

How to Prepare Students:

• Good night sleep the night before
• A good breakfast either at home or at school
• Avoid all appointments on test days:  If they miss school or arrive late, they will have to test on a make-up day, missing that day’s instruction- We start testing at 8 am

MSTEP Need to Know:

• Online test
• Unlimited time
• 8th grade does social studies and science
• 6/7th do math and ELA
• All test, except the science test, adjust to your student’s abilities to get their score.  Meaning, if the student answers incorrect, they then would get an easier question for the next one.  Same would be in the reverse for if they answer correct.

Upcoming 8th Grade Field Trip Opportunity---  Permission Slips Needed!

All 8th grade students should have brought home a permission slip for an upcoming field trip (April 24) to the CareerQuest event in Grand Rapids.  We have extended the deadline to turn in these slips because some were distributed late due to testing this week. Please ask your child about their permission slip and encourage them to get it in ASAP.  The only exception to this is the 8th graders who have Advanced STEM. They will not be attending the trip due to an activity they are having in class that day so they do not have to hand in a slip. Please email Mrs. Legg if you have any questions.

Mr. Harris Update:

Many of your students know Mr. Rick Harris.  He works in our In-House room and has a passion for working with students...especially those who may need some extra guidance.    Mr. Harris has been struggling with kidney failure and is now in the process of finding a kidney donor. If you are willing, please share update on Mr. Harris.  

HMS Greenhouse Update:

This Thursday, April 25th is build day!  

Stronger Together-

Ridge Point Community Church will be hosting a program of encouragement, strength, and hope for families of incarcerated individuals.  Meetings will be the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month and dinner is provided. If you would like more details, please email Lauren DeRoo.

H.O.P.E.-

Helping Others Pursue Excellence is offering a Youth Deterrent Program which is a positive, proactive approach to deterring and reducing youth incarceration.   Cared Straight...not “Scared Straight”. If your child is heading down the wrong path and you would like some additional resources and help, this may be a great program.  If you would like more details, please email Lauren DeRoo.

After School Tutoring-

Will be held Tuesday and Thursday from 2:45-3:45.

Shout Outs -

Did you know that every week Mr. Cassidy sends out an email to staff called “The Holla”? It is an accumulation of positive notes provided to him about our staff from staff, parents, and community members. If you have something positive that you would like to share, please send an email to Mr. Cassidy.  Messages from parents are placed at the top of these weekly emails and are very meaningful to our staff.   

In our first year, HMS continues to create its own traditions while following the Vision, Mission, and Core Values of all Holland Public Schools.

VISION STATEMENT

Holland Public Schools

The Choice for Educational Excellence

Compassionate Staff, Leading Edge Programs, Committed Community

Right for Me

MISSION STATEMENT

Embrace, Engage, and Empower each student for success in an ever-changing world.

Core Values

We value…

• Success for All-Our students develop their innate abilities to be life, career, and college ready.
• Educational Excellence-We provide state and nationally recognized academic programs and extra-curricular activities measured by high standards of performance and personalized support.
• Innovation-We continuously improve through the study and implementation of best practices and programs with high expectations for achievement.  
• Passion-We employ committed, talented, and passionate individuals who care for the students and families they serve.
• Inclusion-It is our collective responsibility to foster respect, a sense of belonging, and success that honors each individual.
• Equity-We ensure that our policies, practices, and programs serve our growing and evolving community.
• Safety-We provide all students and staff powerful learning opportunities in safe, secure, and predictable environments.
• Collaboration-We intentionally develop family and community partnerships to share the responsibility for the success of our students.
• Proactive-We study and respond to the ever-changing needs of our community and intentionally invest the necessary resources to support our vision and mission- 

Nick Cassidy

Principal

Holland Middle School

616-494-2425