Welcome to West Elementary

The Grand Rapids Gold will host the Noblesville Boom on November 28 at 7pm at the Van Andel Arena. 

• All HPS families can attend the game for FREE!

Our West Pumpkin Decorating Contest begins tomorrow! This year’s theme is Favorite Family Friendly Movie or TV Character. Read more about the contest and other West information in this week's West News.

Parent/Teacher Conferences are a great way to engage with your student's teacher!

Grades PreK-5 Conference Schedule | Please schedule a conference time at the link below.

• Tuesday, October 13 | 4:15-7:15pm
• Wednesday, October 21 | 3:30-6:30pm
• Thursday, October 22 | 12:30-3:30pm

Grades 6-12 Schedule | Conferences at HMS and HHS are un-scheduled/walk-in.

• Thursday, October 15 | 3:30-6:30pm
• Tuesday, October 20 | 3:30-6:30pm

Welcome to Fall Y’all! October has so much going on– Conferences, pumpkin decorating and our West Spooktacular! Speaking of conferences, sign-up for your time here- PTCFast LINK

Nutrition Services is excited to bring a little extra fun to our cafeterias by celebrating special National Days throughout the school year. These give us another opportunity to make mealtime enjoyable, introduce students to different foods, and encourage participation in our school meal programs.

• National Taco Day | October 6  - We will kick off the month by celebrating with a delicious Breakfast Taco! 
• Count Day Celebration | October 7 - All students in attendance will receive a refreshing Cool Tropics treat. 
• National Apple Day | October 21 - We will celebrate by serving Apple Cobbler with lunch. 
• National Pumpkin Day  | October 26 - Everyone who eats lunch with us that day receiving a delicious slice of Pumpkin Bread.

HPS families are invited to an informative and interactive session with Hope College professor Dr. David Myers from 4–5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30, in the Holland High School Performing Arts Center.

Welcome to the last week of September and the beginning of October!

The Michigan Art Education Association has named Julie Jacobusse the MAEA 2027 Elementary Art Educator of the Year! 

• This is a great honor for Julie and Holland Public Schools.

Jacobusse teaches art at Holland Heights and West Elementary.

Holland Public Schools, along with GENTEX Corporation, will host out 2nd Annual districtwide STEM Night and Paper Airplane Flying Contest on Thursday, September 24, 5-7pm at HHS. This week, we talk with STEM Teacher Janis Johns about what you and your family can expect at the FREE event!

• LISTEN NOW!

Dear West Families,

It's Homecoming Week! Let’s celebrate HPS with laughter, fun and, of course, Spirit Week!

• Monday 9/21- Friday 9/25- Spirit Week

  • Monday: College Day

  • Tuesday: Hat Day

  • Wednesday: Wacky Day

  • Thursday: Superhero Day

  • Friday: Red and White Day

• Friday 9/25, 6pm- Join us for the Homecoming Parade from Centennial Park to Hope College Stadium!

• Friday 9/25, 7pm- Holland v. Calvin Christian, Halftime performance by HHS Marching Band, and crowning of the Homecoming Royalty

This Week’s PBIS Focus Lesson is Bus Expectations! Help your student have POWER on the bus by watching today’s morning announcements!

West students begin each morning by watching and interacting with our virtual Daily Announcements. The announcements include jokes, celebrations, important information and more! Follow our Daily Announcements HERE.

Please keep in mind that we do not allow students to bring energy drinks of any brand to drink at school. Energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine, which can have negative side effects on children. Sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade are okay.

Thank you to all of our West families for your continued patience as we evaluate and adjust our drop-off and pick-up procedures to make the system run safely and smoothly! A few quick safety reminders:

Parent Pick-up Reminders

• Only cross traffic where we have our 5th grade safeties

• Pull your car as far forward as possible and continue to move forward when there is room

• Only use the pick-up lane if you STAY in your car

Please contact our administrative team with any questions or concerns!

Warmly,

Chad Tolson, Principal

Jennifer Heinritz, Assistant Principal

We have so many fun opportunities this September and October!!

HPS STEM Night- Thursday, September 24, 5-7pm at the Holland High Commons. Check out all the cool STEM demonstrations from local partners and compete in the district-wide Paper Airplane Contest. First place wins $100, second $75, and third $50. FREE. Sponsored by GENTEX.

2026 School Nurse Fun Run- Thursday, October 1 at 6pm at Kollen Park. Register by September 7 to vote for the 2026 Fun Run shirt color & guarantee a shirt! Use code at checkout: funrun26

Dudes and Donuts at West Elementary- October 1

Who: Dads (or other Dudes) + kids

What: Donuts!

Where: The Gym

When: Thursday, October 1, 2026 7:45-8:15 AM

Why: Have a donut with your student and hear about opportunities to get involved at West. 

RSVP for Dudes and Donuts here!

Volunteer at West- we are looking for Recess Rangers and/or Traffic Aides! 

We are looking for parents and guardians who are available to be an extra helping hand.

Recess Rangers arrive at 11:00 AM and stay until about 1:00 PM. They spend time with students during lunch recess, help manage conflict peacefully, and model responsible behavior to students. 

Traffic Aides arrive at 8 AM and stay until about 8:45 AM. They help manage the flow of car traffic in the front drop-off area.

1. Volunteers must fill out the volunteer background check on our website at least one week ahead of time.

2. Sign up for a time slot on our SignUp page. 

Thanks for your help and for getting involved!

West PBIS Power Store Donation and Volunteers

Our first West Power H Store is this week! PBIS stands for Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, and makes up the foundation for how we support students at West. Our West Power H Store is stocked with a wide range of items that students can “purchase” with their saved tickets. Students LOVE visiting the store!! We are always looking for volunteers to help run the store and donations of prizes! 

Power H Store Volunteer Sign Up

Power H Store Wish List

Homecoming Week is coming up! As we head into next week, West will be filled with spirit days, smiles, and plenty of Holland pride! We love seeing our students get excited, cheer each other on, and create memories together! 

Spirit Week Dress-Up Days

• Monday: College Day-- Wear clothing from your favorite college team!
• Tuesday: Hat Day-- Wear your favorite hat!
• Wednesday: Wacky Day-- Wear a crazy and silly outfit!
• Thursday: Superhero Day-- Wear your cape or other superhero gear!
• Friday: Red and White Day-- Wear Holland gear, or red and white!

Students & families from each of the K-5 Elementary Schools are encouraged to come to the Varsity Football Game on Friday Night for Elementary Night at Dutch Football. We're talking about it this week with HHS Athletic Director Blake Muller.

• Listen Now!