Holland Middle

Upcoming Important Dates-

Tuesday, March 10- Half day for students- Dismissal at 10:35
-Students will attend hours 1-4
-Parent-Teacher Conferences- 12:30-3:30
Thursday, March 12- Parent-Teacher Conferences 4:30-7:30
**Testing Dates at Information at bottom of Newsletter**
Friday, April 3- Spring Break Begins
Monday, April 13- Classes resume

Parent Teacher Conference Information-

Teachers will be in grade-level specific locations (8th Orchestra Room, 7th in Media Center, and 6th in Cafeteria). Upon entering the school, be sure to stop by the tables to pick up your child’s progress report, STAR scores, and vaccination information. You will then be able to meet with each of your child’s teachers. We ask that you try to keep the meetings to 5 minutes each. A group of students will be helping administer a parent survey which takes less than 5 minutes. There will also be a station set up to provide refunds to parents who paid the technology fee if their child has NOT taken home their chromebook. More information is below.

8th Grade HS Information Night-

If you were not able to attend the High School Information night, please use the following link to view the presentation.
8th to 9th Grade Presentation
https://drive.google.com/…/1TZ3M3YzqsiNhlSFyvmK6xKnez…/view…

You can also email Mr. Cassidy at ncassidy@hollanpublicschools.org and he can email you a copy of the presentation.

Learning Resource Fee Refunds-

After much discussion with teachers, our technology department, and parents we have decided that Chromebooks will NOT be assigned to individual 8th graders and sent home as originally planned. Refunds will be issued [at conferences] to the parents who paid the $20 learning resource fee. A table will be set up at conferences with a list of people who paid the fee. Please be able to provide identification at that table. Individual students who have been assigned computers for Path, Online Courses, PBL, or as part of their individual learning plans will not receive a refund as those students have been able to take devices home. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mr. Cassidy at ncassidy@hollandpublicschools.org.

Junior Police Academy-

Applications are now being accepted for Junior Police Academy. Only 50 applicants will be selected and only a few spots remain. Please visit the following link for information, schedules, and eligibility criteria. https://www.cityofholland.com/340/Junior-Police-Academy

You can also contact Office Sokolove at asokolove@hollandpublicschools.org

Immunization and Waiver Information-

Students entering 7th grade need to have up-to-date immunizations. Since 1978, Michigan Law requires each student to possess a certificate of immunization or valid immunization waiver at the time of registration or no later than the first day of school upon entry into kindergarten, 7th grade, or into a new school district involving grades 1-12. A student who fails to meet the immunization requirement or have a valid waiver, shall not be admitted to school. Letters have been sent home to current 6th graders who will not meet the immunization requirement before the start of 7th grade. Please plan ahead to get your child up to date or a valid waiver.

Even if we already have a waiver on file a NEW ONE is needed at the start of 7th grade.

8th Grade Farewell Dance Parent Help-

The 8th grade student council is sponsoring an end-of-the-year, 8th grade only (a special farewell to HMS) “dress your best” dance on May 15. We are hoping to get parents involved by donating the food, beverages, and paper products. We also need a few volunteers to help with the set-up and clean-up crews. We have created a sign- up genius to recruit help. Please sign-up to provide support for this fun event… here is the link for sign-ups... https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F084CA4A62CA02-8thgrade
Email Karen Legg if you have any questions klegg@hollandpublicschools.org.

Positive Behavior at HMS-

At HMS, reinforcing positive behavior is a big priority. Students can be recognized for good behavior in the following ways:

- Earning red DUTCH tickets that can be turned in at lunch for prizes or entered in a raffle for Village Inn Pizza or Jimmy John's sandwiches.
- Teachers send home DUTCH High Five postcards in the mail to students who they feel are doing a good job in class and being a good classmate.
- Students and teachers also nominate students for Upstander Shoutouts. When a student or teacher sees a student going out of their way to help someone else, they can complete an Upstander form and turn it into the office. Mr. Cassidy then reads the Upstander Shoutouts during the morning announcements and students receive a Be NICE t-shirt.

We value our DUTCH expectations at HMS!

D - Diverse. This expectation means that HMS learners understand and respect that individuals are unique and have different strengths, needs, and perspectives!
U - United. This expectation means that HMS learners work together to help everyone do their best and to put forth their best effort.
T - Thrive. This expectations means that HMS learners put in effort to do very well in what they try to learn or achieve.
C - Committed. This expectation means HMS learners are dedicated to learning, success, safety, and their futures!
H - Honorable. This expectation means HMS learners have integrity and act in a way that deserves praise and respect.

Shout Outs-

Each week Mr. Cassidy sends an email out to teachers called the Holla. It is an email consisting of anonymous compliments and praise that staff shares with each other regarding their team going above and beyond for others. If you would like to share a positive message with a staff member and have it included in this weekly message, please email it to Mr. Cassidy at ncassidy@hollandpublicschools.org. You will be copied on the Holla on Friday.

Upcoming Testing Dates and Information:

DATES:
8th grade:
April 14th PSAT (8th grade), 6/7th field trips
April 15th PSAT day 2 for students with extended time
April 21 & 22 8th grade mstep (Science and Social Studies)
April 15-21, 28-29 PSAT Make-ups

6th/7th grades: TENTATIVE DATES
April 14th 6/7th field trips
April 28 & April 29 6th and 7th M-STEP (ELA and 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

Testing Day:

Cell Phones:

Cell phones need to be left at home on testing days. It is PSAT policy that if any electronic device makes a noise during testing, then that student must be removed from the testing room and their scores cancelled. This situation is considered an PSAT irregularity and
as a testing center, we must follow their rules. A school consequence will also be enforced.

Food:

Students can bring snacks for their break times. They will not be allowed to drink or eat
during the test.

Watches:

Programmable watches or smart watches are not allowed. Like cell phones, if a
watch makes a noise, then the student will be removed from the testing room and his/her score cancelled.

Calculators:

Students will be provided a calculator on testing day for PSAT. Students can
bring their own
Breakfast: Please try to make sure your student eats a substantial breakfast on test days.

It is important to properly fuel the body and mind.
Early Dismissals and Absences: We start testing promptly at 8 am. Late arrivals or early dismissals will mean needing to test another day. Please avoid this.

PSAT Need to Know:

PSAT Information for Parents and Students- https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/…/psat-8-9-studen…
Test for Reading/ Writing/ Math for 8th grade students
Multiple Choice for the whole test
Students are only marked wrong if they answer it wrong. If they leave it blank, it does not count against them
The tests are timed
Students with accommodations who get extended time may have their test over 2 days, depending on the accommodations
PSAT is a practice test for the SAT. They will take SAT 11th grade.

MSTEP Need to Know:

Online test
Untimed test
8th grade does social studies and science
6/7th do math and ELA
All tests, 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 correctly.

Nick Cassidy

Principal

Holland Middle School

616-494-2425