Sunday, August 31, 2025
We’re starting the week with another short four-day schedule, and next week will be our first full week of school. As we settle into routines, we’ll also begin our fall benchmark assessments. These assessments help us understand where each child is starting, so we can plan instruction that best meets their needs.
Here’s to a strong start as we move into the fall season!
Attendance
Dear HPS Families,
As part of our continued efforts to support student success through improved attendance, we are updating how we code absences, per the OAISD recommendation. Starting this 2025-2026 school year, absences will be marked as:
Absence Confirmed (AC) – when a parent or guardian contacts the school,
Absence Unconfirmed (AN) – when we do not receive communication from a parent or guardian
Tardy (T) elementary students arriving between 8:20 and 8:30
Secondary students arriving within 10 minutes of class starting
Late Arrival (LA)- elementary students arriving between 8:30 and 9:15
Elementary Absent Timeline
OAISD Elementary | School Day 8:15 to 3:21 | |
8:20 – 8:30 | Tardy | |
8:30 – 9:15 | Late Arrival | |
9:15 – Lunch | Half day absent | |
Lunch – 2:30 | Half day absent | |
2:30 – 3:21 | Left early |
This change reflects a shift from an excuse-based system to one focused on learning goals and high expectations for attendance. We know that every day of school matters, and even excused absences result in lost learning time. By focusing on overall attendance patterns rather than reasons, we can better identify students who need support and work together toward consistent, positive attendance habits.
There will still be exceptions for medical needs, school-related activities, and other special circumstances.
Thank you for your partnership in helping all students attend, engage, and thrive every day!
This new system enables us to focus on encouraging consistent attendance rather than tracking excused versus unexcused absences. Please note that there will still be exceptions for medical needs, school-related events, and other special circumstances.
Thank you for your continued support in helping every student attend, engage, and thrive!
Chipotle Fundraiser: Wednesday, September 24, 5:00-9:00
Mark your calendars and plan to join us.
Dutch Football Elementary Night. All K-5 students and their families are invited to attend the Holland Dutch Football game on Friday, September 5. FREE! K-5 students can participate in pregame and halftime activities.
https://www.hollandpublicschools.org/pub/news/posts/3290
2nd Annual Districtwide STEM Night and Paper Airplane Contest hosted by GENTEX Corporation - September 25, 5-7pm in HHS Commons. This family fun event is FREE and will feature Chemistry experiments, Robots, Virtual Reality and demonstrations for community partners. PLUS, fold and fly your paper plane in the first-ever HPS Paper Airplane Contest!
https://www.hollandpublicschools.org/pub/news/posts/3291
The Holland Hospital School Nurse Fun Run is Thursday, September 11, 6-8pm at HHS. The Fun Run has raised $383,500 since 2013 to make sure every HPS Building has a nurse on site! Register your family by September 8!
https://www.hollandpublicschools.org/pub/news/posts/3283
Hispanic Heritage Month Football Game - MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Join us for our Fifth Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration as our Holland Dutch take on Holland Christian! Let’s come together to embrace diversity, celebrate culture, and show our community spirit. This is a wonderful opportunity for your children to experience the richness of diversity and culture outside of the school day.
📅 Friday, September 12
🕕 Doors open at 6:00 PM
🏈 Kickoff at 7:00 PM
We can’t wait to see you there!
HLA Recess/Cafeteria Hero Sign Up 2025-2026
Looking for a way to volunteer with children? Sign up to be a Recess/Cafeteria Hero!Choose as many days as you’d like during either 11:05–11:45 or 11:55–12:35. It’s a great chance to see your child at recess or in the cafeteria while supporting all of our students.
Please read the instructions in the document carefully. If you have any questions, contact Mrs. Kim Stevenson at kstevens@hollandpublicschools.org.
Parent Involvement Opportunities
We’re excited to host Muffins with My Special Person and Donuts with Dudes this September! Read all the details, and most importantly, let us know if you’ll be joining so we can plan ahead.
Parent Reader Raffle!
Congratulations to Yahaira Luna, parent of Aerith Castelazo-Luna Kinder student, for winning this week’s $50 gift card! Thank you to all the families who entered. Be sure to keep reading our newsletters, for the next raffle will pop up!
Picture Day - Tuesday, September 2nd
Tuesday, September 2, Students should come ready to smile!
Room Parents
What is a Room Parent?
A Room Parent is the link between teachers and families. They help coordinate volunteers, organize classroom events, and gather donations when needed, so teachers can focus on teaching and kids can focus on learning.
Room Parent Assignments
You’ll hear soon from your classroom’s Room Parent, who will be reaching out for support throughout the year.
Maestra Mercado - Kinder | Adrianna Saldivar (Indie’s mom) |
Maestra Marroquín- Kinder | Blanca Astua ( Carmen’s mom) |
Maestra Bol- First | Amy VanderMeer (Ezra’s mom) |
Maestra Peñaloza- First | Anna la Rosa (Pennie’s mom) & Anita Guzman (Christian’s mom) |
Maestra DeBoer- Second | Gely Lima (Allison’s mom) |
Maestra Gallegos- Second | Jeraldine Parra (Luciana’s mom) |
Maestra Urbina- Third | Lisa Nelson (Lucy’s mom) |
Maestra Rodriguez- Third | Robyn Mulder (Zander’s mom) |
Maestra Lepper- Third | Carolyn Buck (Jadon’s mom) |
Maestra Hernández- Fourth | Katie Pitcher (Ada’s mom) |
Maestra McNeil- Fourth | Blanca Astua (Rafael’s mom) |
Maestra Morin - Fifth | Leanne Rodriguez (Noah’s mom) |
Maestra Holland-Anderson- Fifth | Blanca Green (Landon’s mom) |
Toys Stay at Home
As we settle into routines, please help us minimize distractions by keeping toys at home. Children are excited to share them but get very upset if they’re lost, and it takes away from valuable learning time. We have plenty of fun activities here to keep them busy, thank you for your support!
School Shirts
Order Your HLA Grade-Level Shirts Today!
Don’t miss your chance, place your order now!
Grade-Level Colors:
Kinder: Yellow
1st Grade: Blue
2nd Grade: Red
3rd Grade: Orange
4th Grade: Green
5th Grade: Purple
Prefer something neutral? You can also choose a white shirt with a red logo.
Important Dates:
Order deadline: Friday, September 5, 2025
Delivery: Shirts will arrive the week of September 15 and be sent home with students from the main office.
Volunteers
Each school year, anyone wishing to enter the school for an event or volunteer opportunity must be registered and approved as a volunteer. This form must be completed annually. Please submit it as soon as possible, so you are set for the school year.
Upcoming HLA Events:
Muffins with My Special Person
Kinder- First grade, Monday, September 15, 8:30-9:00am
2nd - 3rd grade, Tuesday, September 16, 8:30-9:00am
4th-5th grade, Wednesday, September 17, 8:30-9:00am
Donuts with Dudes
Kinder- First grade, Monday, September 22, 8:30-9:00am
2nd - 3rd grade, Tuesday, September 23, 8:30-9:00am
4th-5th grade, Wednesday, September 24, 8:30-9:00am
Gentex & HPS K-12 STEM Night, Thursday, September 25, 5-7pm, at Holland High School Commons
HLA Family Night: Language Fidelity, Thursday, October 2, 6-7pm
Trunk or Treat, Thursday, October 30, 6:00-7:00pm
HLA VIP Day, Friday, November 14
3rd & 2nd grade, 9:00-9:45
1st & 5th grade, 10:00-10:45
Kinder & 4th grade, 1:00-1:45
Related News Articles
HPS K-5 students are invited to participate in pre-game and halftime activities at the Dutch Football game on Friday, September 5 at 7pm.
- All K-5 students and their families will be admitted FREE!
- Participate in Pregame and Halftime Activities!
GoDutch!
EVERY student in the district will gain from ALL families completing the Education Benefits form.
- Enhances Student programming (more counselors, tutors and supplies)
- Academic Savings (reduced test, college and athletic fees)
- Technology Access (Internet/computer support at home)
- Nutritional Assistance (summer grocery funding)
Join HPS students and staff as we celebrate the start of Hispanic Heritage Month!
- Before & During the Holland Dutch Football Game
- Friday, September 12, 6pm at Ray & Sue Smith Stadium | Hope College
Activities
- Face painting, 7:00-8:00
- Food Trucks, 7:00-9:00 (Poncho’s Tacos & Dolce Minicakes)
- 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 Holland High Cheer team
- Performance by Banda MexiCuba
Gentex is sponsoring the 2nd Annual Districtwide STEM Night on Thursday, September 25, 5-7pm in the HHS Commons
- Chemistry Experiments
- Robotics Demonstration
- LEGOs
- Virtual Reality Games
- Community Partners
- and more!
Whose paper plane can fly the furthest? Fold and fly your plane in the Paper Airplane contest to see if it's you!
Talk to your STEM teacher to learn more!
Holland Hospital invites all students, families, friends and faculty to join us for the annual School Nurse Fun Run on Thursday, September 11 at Holland High School.
As Holland High School prepares to host the last home football game of the season, here is a reminder about some of the rules and expectations for students and families who attend the game:
- Middle school age and younger MUST be an accompanied by an adult.
- No student backpacks.
- No re-entry for any spectators.
- All school rules apply to events held at Hope College.
- The stadium and parking lot is a drug free school zone which includes any vape products.
- HHS Students with 5Star App will be admitted for FREE.
- HMS Students with an athletics pass will be admitted for FREE.
Holland will host Ottawa Hills at the Hope College Stadium, Thursday at 7pm. #GoDutch
Holland Public Schools is implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Bus Expectations across our district's transportation services. This initiative aims to create a safe, respectful, and responsible environment for all students who utilize our school buses.