January 6, 2026

January Newsletter #1

Dear West Families,

We are so happy to welcome our students and families back to school after winter break! We hope your days were filled with fun, rest, and special moments together. We can’t wait to see our students’ smiles as we jump back into learning and routines. We look forward to a great start to 2026 as we continue to learn, grow, and have fun together at school.

Next week, students will be participating in NWEA testing. These assessments help us understand your student’s growth and plan instruction to best meet their needs. To help your child do their very best, please make sure they get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at school on time each day.

January’s PBIS class reward is a Hot Chocolate Bar! Students in each class will be working together to save 300 Power H Tickets to earn the reward. Check out volunteer and donation opportunities on our West website.

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/

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

Please contact our administrative team with any questions or concerns!

Warmly,

Chad Tolson, Principal

Jennifer Heinritz, Assistant Principal

Important Dates:  

  • Jan. 5– School Resumes

  • Jan. 19– MLK Jr. Day No School

  • Jan. 30– Hot Chocolate Bar

This Week’s PBIS Focus Lesson

This week we will be reviewing the routines and expectations for all areas of the building. Help your student come back to school with POWER by asking about the expectations they are reviewing. The Daily Announcements are a great resource for reviewing expectations!

Outdoor Clothing

Our crazy Michigan weather is in full effect! Students play outside even in the cold and snowy weather. Please send your student(s) with everything they need to stay warm and dry when playing outside in the rain, snow and cold. It is also helpful to add in an extra pair of socks and a plastic grocery bag for wet feet and/or clothing. We always are in need of extra snow pants, boots and winter coats. If you have any items that your student(s) has outgrown, please consider donating them to West!

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!