November 10, 2022

West November Newsletter

Mrs. Mierle-Kruggel and students at the Spooktacular!

Read what's happening at West this month!

 

NO SCHOOL FOR ALL STUDENTS - FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11

THANKSGIVING BREAK  WEDNESDAY,  NOVEMBER 23-25  RETURN TO SCHOOL NOVEMBER 28

 

PRINCIPALS CORNER

Hello West Families,

This school year is flying by at West! It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner.  I want to personally thank all families that attended the  Reading Spooktacular on October 27. A special kudos to the West reading committee and all the staff that planned and supported this successful event.  The West PTO is planning a Holiday Craft event where all students will have the opportunity to create a gift. Look for more details soon on the Holiday Craft opportunity.

Please continue to support your student by reading to them or having them read to you every night.  The ability to read at grade level is an important predictor of a student's future success.  Reach out to your students' teacher or myself if you need strategies on how to support any academic needs.

Please feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions or concerns.

Yours in Education,

Chad Tolson - West Principal

IMPORTANT PTO INFORMATION

West PTO would like to thank everyone who volunteered and came out to support the Scholastic Book Fair! It was a record event and we were able to donate more than $1300 in books back to the school. 

Important Dates:

  • PTO meeting - Monday, November 21 at 5:30 at West
  • Community Action House food drive - November 28 through December 8
  • Upcoming Popcorn Fridays are November 18 and December 9 - thank you to those who generously donated to support our free popcorn Fridays and our volunteers who help make this happen!

Exciting upcoming events, include Staff Appreciation, and the return of the Holiday Craft and Winter Carnival - more details to follow.

If you would like to help support West PTO, we are still in need of donations and volunteers. Donations or checks made out to “Holland West PTO” can be delivered to school. For more information or to sign up for updates, please email HollandWestPTO@gmail.com. We look forward to supporting our amazing staff and students at West!

NURSES NOTES

Colder weather brings us indoors, which inevitably brings on more illness. Let’s start reminding children to cover coughs/ sneezes with their elbows and to properly wash their hands. If your classroom would like an interactive hand washing session with nurse Nicole please reach out to her and she will schedule a time to come teach. 
 

This year, Michigan schools who agree to participate in a COVID-19 testing program are eligible for grant funding and additional personnel called Health Resource Advocates (HRA).  The good news is that Holland Is participating in this program and will benefit with two additional Holland Hospital School nurses that will specifically support COVID-19 testing and mitigation efforts in each of our buildings.  Please join me in welcoming Elizabeth Wiersma and Hannah Lee.  Beth Wiersma will be servicing Holland High School and Hannah Lee will be servicing Holland Middle School, HLA and West. Fill out the form below to request a backpack kit. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1s2N_nVk6aau-iXkC2EpWSayT9sd1uyUcbChMdh25CkM/edit#responses

We will be participating in the Backpack Testing Program.  This is available to all staff and students.  Essentially, the HRA will distribute COVID-19 at-home tests to those who would like them.  Students and staff members do not need to be symptomatic to request a test; tests can be requested as a precaution in the event one does become symptomatic. Ask your school RN for more information.

Nicole Stewart RN, MSN, CPNP
School Nurse
Holland Hospital School Nurse Program
West PK-5

 

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN STEM?

Dear Parents, 

We will be learning all about the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in class this week. Students will get an opportunity to create their own balloon/float. We are in need of materials to help make these projects. If you have any of the following items around the house that you would be willing to donate, we would love to have them! 

  • Balloons
  • Small boxes
  • String/Yarn
  • Aluminum Foil Straws
  • Newspaper
  • Toy cars
  • Cans
  • Toilet paper/paper towel rolls
  • Felt material
  • Playdough or Clay 

If you think of any other creative materials that could be used, feel free to send them in. Thank you for your support! 

Sincerely, 

Janis Johns

PBIS 

Thank you so much for all the parents who took the time to complete our School Climate Survey this Fall.

WINTER REMINDERS

As we near the cold winter season, it is very important that we make sure our children are coming to school with the appropriate clothing.  We will be going outside during the school day, so please be sure to have your child dressed for the weather.  A winter jacket, gloves/mittens, hat, and boots should be worn to school each day.  Your child can bring a pair of shoes to wear during class time in their backpack or they can leave them here at school in their locker.  We do have a few donated winter weather clothing items, so let us know if there is something we can help you out with.  

REMIND

REMIND is the best way to get “Snow Day” announcements from HPS.  It’s also the way teachers at West will let you know about important things that are happening in the classroom and at school.  Remind lets you choose to receive and send messages through a mobile app, text messaging, email, or all three!  You already have a Remind account created for you! Learn more about Remind on the district website!

FLU SEASON and COVID TESTING

Did you know the symptoms of COVID-19 and the flu are very similar? If your student or anyone in your home is feeling sick, please stay home from school! It’s also a great idea to get tested. Read all about FREE COVID Home Test Kits available for all HPS students.  

MEET SOME STAFF MEMBERS AT WEST!  Click the link below to watch an introduction to our newest West staff:

 

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