Welcome back to another exciting school year at West!
Dear West Families,
I hope you had a refreshing summer. Our team is eager to reconnect with your children and dive into a year filled with engaging activities and enriching experiences. We’re committed to supporting each student’s growth and look forward to collaborating with you to ensure a successful year. Mark your calendar for the Back to School Open House on August 20 from 4:00-6:00 p.m.! Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!
Yours in education,
Chad Tolson
Principal, West
Start/Dismiss Times:
- 8:30am-3:36pm
- Half Day: 11:35am
- Early Release on Wednesday: 2:36pm
Here's more information you'll need to know before the first day of school
- Class lists and bussing information will be release on Parent Portal by Friday, August 16. Check your Parent Portal Account.
- Important dates at West will be posted on our school's webpage. You can subscribe to this online calendar.
- Books & Games provides students with an hour of supervised reading, homework help, and games, plus a free breakfast an hour before school starts each morning. Sign up today!
- Suggested School Supply Lists
- No Cost Breakfast & Lunch in 2024-2025
- Behavior Expectations while riding the bus.
- Remind is the best way to stay connected to what's happening at school!
Related News Articles
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.
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.
Volunteers must fill out the volunteer background check on our website at least one week ahead of time.
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!
Gentex is sponsoring the 2nd Annual Districtwide STEM Night on Thursday, September 24, 5-7pm in the HHS Commons
Join HPS students and staff as we celebrate the start of Hispanic Heritage Month!
- Before & During the Holland Dutch Football Game
- Friday, September 18, 6pm at Ray & Sue Smith Stadium | Hope College
Activities
- Face painting,
- Food Trucks (Dos Climas & Tarriko)
- Hispanic Heritage Interactive Board
- Parade of Flags
- Holland Dutch Football Game
- Pre-game music & Halftime program from The Holland High School Marching Band
- Performance by Balet Folkloric Sol Azteka
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.