December 16, 2025

West December News #3

Dear West Families,

We are counting down the days until Winter Break! A HUGE shoutout to all of the West families and the West PTO for donating items and volunteering for the fun events we have had this month!! We would not have been successful without you!!

Please help keep our West kiddos warm! Students go outside to play unless the air temperature is below 10 degrees, or the windchill is below -10 degrees. Plan to send your student(s) outdoor clothing (snow pants, boots, mitten, winter coat, and hat) each and every day. Please also let your student(s) know that they are expected to wear their winter clothing when going out to recess. It is a good idea to label outdoor clothing with names because many students have similar looking items. We still have many donated winter clothing items. Contact our office if your child(ren) is in need of anything.

With the temperatures being so cold, it is extremely important that students are dropped off and picked up at the correct time. Student drop-off begins at 8:00 AM. Before that time there is no supervision on the playground. All students, except bus riders and preschoolers, get dropped off in the drop-off lane and walk into the front doors. Students should not enter the main office during this time as we are not equipped for supervision. If you need childcare before school starts, then please look into our free Books and Games Club: https://www.hollandpublicschools.org/our-schools/west/books-games/

School ends at 3:36 PM Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and at 2:36 PM on Wednesdays. Please make sure to talk to your student(s) about after school transportation plans and communicate any changes to the office and/or the classroom teacher as soon as possible.

Don’t forget to check out our daily announcements by going to this link: December Announcements 

Please contact our administrative team with any questions or concerns!

Warmly,

Chad Tolson, Principal

Jennifer Heinritz, Assistant Principal

Important Dates:  

  • Dec. 15-19– Holiday Spirit Week!!

  • Dec. 15 and Dec. 16– Candy Cane Grams for Sale

  • Dec. 17 and Dec. 18- PBIS Gingerbread House Party

  • Dec. 18– Breakfast With Buddies (see info. below)

  • Dec. 19– Half Day, 11:35 dismissal

  • Dec. 20-Jan. 4– Winter Break

  • Jan. 5– School Resumes

This Week’s PBIS Focus Lesson

This week’s focus lesson is Hallway Expectations. Please ask your child about the rules we follow in the school hallways!

Afterschool Pick-Up Reminders

Please make sure to talk to your student(s) about after school transportation plans. Any changes must be communicated with the classroom teacher(s) at the beginning of the day. Transportation changes made after the beginning of the school day must be called into the main office as soon as possible.

Here are a few quick reminders to help Pick-Up go safely and smoothly:

  • Please stay in your vehicle when in the circle drive in the front of the building

  • Pull your vehicle as far forward along the sidewalk as possible (all the way to the construction fence)

  • Continue to pull forward as other cars leave

  • Talk to your student(s) about watching for your car and getting in quickly 

  • Do not “pull through” the drive in the middle, instead wait in the car line. This makes it dangerous for other cars and students. We know this is frustrating, however, we must keep students safe.

  • DO NOT motion students across the traffic to get into your vehicle. Again, this is not safe!

Candy Cane Grams

Our West PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) team is running a Candy Cane Gram Sale the week of December 15th. Candy Cane Grams are a fun way for students to celebrate friendships and appreciation for others. Each Candy Cane Gram comes with a candy cane and handwritten card that is delivered to the recipient. Candy Cane Grams will cost .50 cents. All proceeds will go to fund our West Power H Store! We do need volunteers to help push the special Candy Cane cart and sell grams to students during the day on Dec. 15 and Dec. 16.

Breakfast with a Buddy

Breakfast with a Buddy is a fun way for our West students to bring a favorite adult to school. This event will be held on Thursday, December 18, from 7:30 AM-8:15 AM in West’s gym. During this time students and buddies will have a light refreshment and play a game or do a craft. Please RSVP by December 15 via the QR Code.