Hello, ‘26-’27 School Year!

Back To School Supplies 

Books & Games | Before School Program

• Students in the program must be dropped-off between 7:15-7:30am.  (Don't be late! Parents will be responsible for students who are late until the regular school day begins at 8:00am.)

• Books & Games is  FREE for all HPS students to attend!

• Students will be expected to follow ALL school rules while attending the Before-School program.

Please register using this link, making sure to complete a separate registration for each child in your household.

Classroom assignments 

Classroom assignments and Class schedules will be available on HPS Mobile App 

Communication

Download the new HPS Mobile App. This two-way communication tool will keep you connected to what's happening at school: snow day announcements, newsletters from your principal, and messages from your teachers. Download now at https://www.hollandpublicschools.org/pub/news/posts/3628. 

The Red Note is posted every Sunday at 3 PM on our school website which will also come through your HPS app, and your teacher’s newsletter goes out every Monday with classroom news and reminders.

Follow us on social media for updates and photos from our school community.

• https://www.instagram.com/holland.language.academy/
• https://www.facebook.com/HLAconnections/

End of Day Procedures

Students are dismissed promptly at 3:21 p.m., and all students including bus riders, walkers, and others will leave when the bell rings.

To help with safety and traffic flow, dismissal is by last name:

• A–M: Pick up on 20th Street

• N–Z: Pick up on 19th Street

If you have children with different last names, please decide together which location works best for your family.

Staff will be supervising students until 3:26 p.m. If you arrive after that, you will need to check in at the main office to pick up your child. We appreciate your help in arriving on time so that we can keep things running smoothly and respect everyone’s schedules.

First Day of School Parade – 8:00 a.m.

We are excited to kick off the year with one of our favorite traditions.

Please meet in the main parking lot in front of the office. Plan to arrive early and park a few blocks away, as the main parking lot will be closed for the event and we will have 325 students and their families gathered there.

Here’s how it works:

• Look for your teacher’s name on a stand and line up with your class.

• All students and families are welcome to join the celebration.

• Enjoy the balloons, music, smiling faces, and first-day excitement.

• When your class is called, walk in together with your group.

Kindergarten families: Kindergarten classes will enter last, and parents will not walk students inside. This helps make the goodbye smoother and eases the transition into the classroom. We know this can be emotional, especially for first-time families, and we appreciate your understanding, patience, and encouragement as we help our youngest learners start the day feeling confident and ready.

Food Service 

All HPS students will get free breakfast and lunch in 2026–2027, breakfast will be served 7:45-8:10am. 

To keep this funding, we need your help! Please fill out the Education Benefits Form—it only takes a few minutes and helps our schools get important resources for students.

Your form = more support for our kids. 

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 .

Picture Day,  September 8 

Picture Retakes, October 27 

Popcorn Fridays 

HLA Popcorn Fridays Are Back!

We are excited to offer Popcorn Friday once a month for our students! To make this fun tradition possible, we need parent volunteers to help prepare and distribute popcorn from 8:00–10:30 a.m.

Without volunteers, there is no Popcorn Friday, so please consider signing up and joining the fun! Please sign-up here. 

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 4, 2026

• Delivery: Shirts will arrive the week of September 21st  and be sent home with students from the main office.

School Supply List 

Click here to view the supply list.

School Times:

• Full Day | 8:15am - 3:21pm

• Wednesday Early Dismissal | 2:21pm

• Half Day | 8:15 - 11:20am

Transportation

The Transportation Department will send a message early next week about bus stops and times. Learn more about the MyRideK-12 App: https://www.hollandpublicschools.org/for-parents/transportation/

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: 

• HLA Family Night: HLA FIFTEEN 

  • Tuesday, August 25, 2026 

  • 4:00, 4:30, 5:15, or 5:45 p.m.

• Conchas con Caballeros (male students with male adult) 

  • Kinder- First grade, Monday, September 16, 8:30-9:00am

  • 2nd - 3rd grade, Tuesday, September 17, 8:30-9:00am

  • 4th-5th grade, Wednesday, September 18, 8:30-9:00am
    
    
    

• Donas con Damas (female students with female adult) 

  • Kinder- First grade, Monday, November 16, 8:30-9:00am

  • 2nd - 3rd grade, Tuesday, November 17, 8:30-9:00am

  •  4th-5th grade, Wednesday, November 18, 8:30-9:00am
    
    
    

• Gentex & HPS K-12 STEM Night 

  • Thursday, September 24, 5-7pm, at Holland High School Commons
    
    

• Trunk or Treat

  • Thursday, October 29, 6:00-7:00pm
    
    

• HLA VIP Day, Friday, December 11

  • 3rd & 2nd grade, 9:00-9:45

  • 1st & 5th grade, 10:00-10:45

  • Kinder & 4th grade, 1:00-1:45

HLA Math Family Night

• Tuesday, January 26 

HLA Reading Family Night 

• Thursday, March 25 
  
  

• Field Day
  Monday, June 7, 12:30-3:00 
  
  
  
  

2026-2027 Calendar Highlights

• First Day of School:  August 27
• Labor Day Weekend | No School: September 4-7
• Fall Break | No school: October 23
• Professional Development Day | No school: November 6
• Thanksgiving Break: November 25-27
• Holiday Break: December 20- January 3
• MLK Day | No School: January 18
• Midwinter Break: February 26-March 1
• Professional Development Day | No school: March 19
• Spring Break: April 2-April 11
• Professional Development Day | No school: April 23
• Memorial Day | No School: May 31
• Last Day of School: June 9
• See the full 2026-2027 Academic Calendar https://www.hollandpublicschools.org/the-district/2026-2027-calendar/