Big Opportunities - Step Up to HMS

This month, we are celebrating National Nutrition Month, an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This year’s theme focuses on how we can fuel our bodies for the future while enjoying the flavors of the present! In this month's Nurse Notes:

• Fuel for the Future
• Nutrition by the Numbers
• "Monster" Energy Bites

Whether you are a student fueling up for a big test, a staff member looking for an afternoon energy boost, or a parent planning family dinners, nutrition is the foundation for success in and out of the classroom. 

End of the Year Field Trips and The Expectations

• 6th Grade:  JOHN BALL ZOO- May 18th
• 7th Grade: AIR ZOO- April 30th
• 8th Grade: Michigan Adventures- May 27th

 WEEK AT A GLANCE:

All clubs are running this week!  Robotics is back in action! 

Friday- Activity night #2 2:45-4:30 $5- Sold Friday at lunch! 

March 6, 2026

Dear Families,

During the middle school experience, a unit of “Human Reproductive Health” is included as part of the 7th grade curriculum.  This unit has been carefully planned, recently reviewed by a district Reproductive Health Advisory Board, and supported by the Holland Public Schools’ Board of Education.  This unit is taught during P.E., for up to 12 sessions to all 7th grade students. 

This reproductive health unit will be taught by Cory Hershey, a certified health teacher and P.E. teacher at Holland Middle School. We believe this is important as students know their P.E. teacher and are comfortable with their peers in the classroom.

Topics within the content of this unit include the following: self-esteem, adolescent growth and development, the reproductive system, pregnancy and birth control, sexual harassment, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS.  While all of these topics are part of the unit, Holland Public Schools’ reproductive health program is based upon the foundation of abstinence.  Students are reminded regularly of this foundation.  The school’s role in providing reproductive health information is to remain factual and non-judgmental.

The reproductive health unit will be taught in several sessions in order to accommodate all 7th graders.  The sessions are scheduled March 20- April 2nd. The bottom portion of this letter is an authorization that excludes your child from attendance and participation in this unit.  If you do not want your son or daughter to attend this class, please sign the form below and return it to the office.

We recognize that this topic of instruction is sensitive in nature.  We also recognize the importance of providing such education to our students.  If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact me.

Respectfully,

Rene Bair

Rene Bair

Principal 

rbair@hollandpublicschools.org

If you choose to have your child excluded from the presentation, please sign below and return this portion to the school office by March 13, 2026.

I do not give permission for my child_____________________________________________, to participate in the unit of study “Human Reproductive Health.”

____________________________________                     ___________________

Parent Signature or Guardian                              Date

This week our 8th grade student council is hosting a donation drive to support Harbor Humane Society. Students are encouraged to bring in requested items, which will be collected as part of a friendly grade-level competition. Each donated item will earn gold coins for the student’s grade.

At the end of the drive, the grade level with the highest number of coins will earn a special 7th period celebration, where students can participate in activities such as music and dancing in the cafeteria, bracelet making and board games in the media center, or open gym.

This is a great opportunity for students to give back to the community while participating in a fun school-wide event. A list of requested donation items will be posted around the school and can be found below. Thank you for helping support animals in need!

HPS Nutritional Services Monthly Newsletter:

• Celebrating Breakfast in Schools
• National School Breakfast Week menu
• No cost breakfast and lunch each school day for ALL students

National School Breakfast Week is March 3-6 

National School Breakfast Week celebrates the important role a nutritious school breakfast plays in helping students start their day ready to learn, grow, and succeed. Observed each year during the first full week of March, NSBW shines a spotlight on the School Breakfast Program and the dedicated school nutrition professionals who fuel students every morning!