District News

Members of the Holland Orchestras invite you to celebrate Halloween with them this week at their De-Composers Concert. 

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The De-Composer's Concert is Wednesday, October 29 at 7pm in the HHS PAC!

A night of music inspired by Tim Burton hosted by Holland Orchestras.

• Wednesday, October 29, 7pm at HHS PAC
• Tickets just $10 | Available at the door and online.

COME DRESSED TO SCARE IF YOU DARE!!!!!!!

This week we hear from the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award Winners.

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The Holland Educational Foundation will honor each of these Alumni at their Red Tie Gala on Saturday, November 8 at 5:30.

Holland High School is proud to continue a Veterans Day tradition of honoring the brave individuals who have served in the armed forces. Veterans Day, observed every November 11, is a time to recognize the dedication, loyalty, and sacrifices made by veterans to protect our freedoms and uphold our nation’s values. Taking time to express gratitude can make a lasting impact, not only on veterans but also on our own sense of community and shared history.

Parent/Teacher Conferences are a great way to engage with your student's teacher!

Grades PreK-5 Conference Schedule | Please contact your teacher to set an appointment for conferences.

• Wednesday, October 22 | 4:15 - 7:15pm
• Thursday, October 23 | 12:30 - 3:30pm

Grades 6-12 Schedule | Conferences at HMS and HHS are un-scheduled/walk-in.

• Tuesday, October 21 | 3:30-6:30pm

HHS Student Senate invite all HPS Families to a districtwide Trunk or Treat

• Sunday, October 26, 5-6:30pm
• HHS Back Parking Lot
• Wear a Costume and come ready for a fun time!
• FREE!

Take a look at the Holland Dept of Public Safety School Resource Officers (SRO) and Community Policing Officers who are assigned to our schools.

• Ofc. Nicole Hamberg - Holland High
• Ofc. Nic Wedeven – Holland Middle
• Ofc. Spencer DeGraaf – Heights
• Ofc. Padron-Hernandez – West and HLA
• Ofc. Rod Mendoza - Jefferson

Join BeNice. and other area organizations as we give students and families tools for 

• Improving Mental Health
• Dealing with stress
• Coping strategies 
• Plus fun, games, crafts, and FREE Pizza.

Thursday, November 6, 5:30-7:30 at Holland Middle School. For kids K-8 and their families.

Legal ownership of firearms comes with important safety responsibilities to prevent accidental firearm injuries and deaths, thefts, and suicide, including among children.

• Under House Bill 5451, beginning October 1, 2025, Michigan law will require school districts to distribute a safe storage informational notice—developed by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)—to the parent or legal guardian of each student each October.

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HPS is proud to partner with be nice. to help our students and families THRIVE!

• Learn more about the be nice. program's  four-step action plan that's proven to save lives.

HPS is celebrating National School Lunch Week. This week, we talk with the Director of HPS Nutritional Services, Aretha Banks.

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Halloween Safety  - Kids love the magic of Halloween, but costume and traffic safety are essential for trick-or-treaters. Here are some tips to keep everyone safe.

Holland Public Schools Nutrition Department will be taking our students on a trip around the Globe to celebrate National School Lunch Week. Please join us a we celebrate these different cuisine styles from around the world.

Drop in, on-the-spot interviews on:

• Tuesday, October 14, 8:30-11am at Holland Heights/Longfellow (45 E 25th)
• Thursday, October 16, 8:30-11am at Holland West (500 W 24th)

We're looking for:

• Instructional Assistants
• Bus Aides
• Bus Drivers
• Guest Teachers 
• Sub Secretaries

Spend your days with great kids and a great staff. Plus, work the same schedule as your student! 

Holland Public Schools is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all students, regardless of their status. We believe every child has the right to pursue a public education free from fear or discrimination, and we remain steadfast in our mission to serve every child and family in our community with dignity and respect. 

It's Homecoming Week and on the HPSPodcast this week, we're talking with Angie Martin with the Holland Educational Foundation about all the great ways for Alumni and the Holland community to celebrate with students.

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Congratulations to 92.7 The  Van‘s September Teacher of the Month. Stephanie Carlson from 5th Grade Teacher at Jefferson Elementary School 

Mrs Carlson was nominated by Joanna Gonzalez who says "Stephanie is great with her kids and makes learning fun!"

Special thanks to Keller Williams Harbortown.

HPS Nutritional Services Monthly Newsletter

Holland Public Schools has been awarded both the 10 Cents a Meal Grant and the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grant for the 2025–2026 school year. While these two programs are separate, we’ll be combining our efforts to ensure our students enjoy locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the school year.

Congratulations to our September Students of the Month!

• VENELOPE GARCIA - 6th grade
• AMYRA ANDRLIK - 7th grade
• DAVIS CURRIER - 8th grade

Homecoming week is full of fun events for all HPS Students, Families, and Alumni!

• Powder Puff & Alumni Football Game | Sunday, October 5, 5pm
• Homecoming Parade | Friday, October 10, 6pm
• Homecoming Game | Friday, October 10, 7pm
• HOCO Fun Run | Saturday, October 11, 9am
• HOCO Dance | Saturday, October 11, 8-11pm

Each year, 1.5 million students enter the National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the PSAT/NMSQT. 

• Wilson Lin was named a Semifinalist in the competition! This is an incredible honor, recognizing you among the top 1% of high school students in the country. The program offers three types of awards: the National Merit $2,500 Scholarship, corporate-sponsored scholarships, and college-sponsored scholarships, awarded to about 7,880 students annually. 
  
  
• Emma Deenik has been recognized as a Commended Student.  Only 34,000 students nationwide earn this recognition, placing them among the top 50,000 high scorers. While Commended Students do not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, this honor highlights students’ outstanding academic achievement and potential for continued academic success.

HPS will celebrate our partnership with Be Nice. helping students and families THRIVE!  Join us at the home football game on Friday, September 26, 7pm.

• Visit the Be Nice. table before the game for information about their four-step action plan that's proven to save lives.
• Meet former Lions quarterback Eric Hipple
• In-game information about the four-step Be Nice. action plan.
• Halftime performance by the Holland Marching Band.. .plus fun on-field student games
• Holland Dutch v. Belding 

This week we talk with HLA Principal Iliana Vasquez about 2nd Annual Gentex STEM Night and first ever Paper Airplane Contest! It happens Thursday, 5-7pm at the HHS Commons.

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She Named Him "Little Fire" tells the powerful and heartbreaking story of Gloria White and her son Aidan. It was created by HHS Alum Tails Jekel (Class of 2022). The oil painting is being displayed during ArtPrize in the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.

Our schools have adopted The “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol (SRP). Students and staff will be training, practicing, and drilling the protocol throughout the year.

• SRP is a uniform, planned, and practiced response to any incident is the foundation of a safe school. 
• The SRP is action-based, flexible, and easy to learn. It rationally organizes tactics for response to weather events, fires, accidents, intruders and other threats to personal safety.

HPS is committed to providing safe and secure learning environments for students & staff.

HHS Student Senate is hosting a movie night featuring Cars 2.  

• Friday, September 19, 8pm at HHS Soccer Field
• All grades/ages are welcome
• Bring a lawn chair or blanket 
• Snacks for purchase

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!

HPS is proud to partner with be nice. to help our students and families THRIVE!

• Learn more about the be nice. program's  four-step action plan that's proven to save lives.

Students at Holland High School have a new way to connect with service opportunities in our city! Learn more about the new Rotary Interact Club at HHS.

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Check out the monthly newsletter from the Holland Hospital School Nurses!

• A recap of the 12th annual School Nurse Fun Run!

Congratulations to this month's Caught Being Awesome winner from the Van Andel Institute for Education, Michelle DeBoer, of Holland Language Academy!

HPS Students and Staff will celebrate the kickoff of Hispanic Heritage Month on Friday night. This week, we talk with HLA Principal Iliana Vasquez about the 5th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Community Celebration

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HPS Nutritional News Monthly Newsletter

• School Breakfast Program
•  Celebrating 25 Years of Service 
•  10 Cent-a-Meal for Michigan Kids & Farms

The registration deadline for the Annual Holland Hospital School Nurse Fun Run is September 8. Get all the details in this week's HPSPodcast.

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The Dutch Football season opens on Thursday v. GR Union at Hope College. This week, we're talking with Seniors Tanner Kingery and Xavier Murphy about their goals for this football season.

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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 we start the 2025-26 school year, I want to update you on an important issue in Lansing that could impact our students, staff, and programs in the coming months.

It's back-to-school for HPS students and on the HPSPodcast this week we're talking with HHS Student Senate President Maggie Telgenhof.

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 In partnership with the Critter Barn, Holland Public School is now offering Pre-K Farm School.

• 4-year-old students will travel to the Critter Barn each week for lessons about life on the Farm.
• Lessons they learn at the farm will help teach students about Math and Reading.
• Develop and nurture each child's academic, social, emotional, and creative abilities.
• Students will build friendships and experience caring teachers.

There are limited openings in the 25-26 HPS Pre-K Farm School.

We’re excited for another great school year at Holland Public Schools—full of learning, connection, and opportunities for every student.

• HPSPodcast 6.1 - Listen Now!

School Starts Thursday, August 21. (Open House is Tuesday, August 19, 4-6pm at your school)

Free Veggies available at the HMS Greenhouse on Tuesdays (August 5, 12, and 19) 10am-12n

• blackberries
• raspberries
• peppers
• cucumbers
• beans
• jalapeno peppers
• tomatoes
• flowers
• and lots more coming!

This week, we get a summer update from Superintendent Nick Cassidy - along with details about the 2025 Bond Proposal on the August 5 ballot for Holland Voters.

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Calendar Highlights:

• First Day of School | Thursday, August 21
• Homecoming | Friday, October 10
• Thanksgiving Holiday | November 26 - November 30
• Holiday Break | December 20 - January 4
• MLK Day | Monday, January 19
• Mid-Winter Break| Friday, February 27 - Monday, March 2 
• Spring Break | Friday, April 3 - Sunday, April 12
• Class of 2026 Commencement |Tuesday, May 19
• Last Day of School | Wednesday, June 3

These dates are tentative, pending ratification of The Board of Education at the April Board of Education Meeting.

This week we talk with the Future Prep'd team from Holland High School and hear about the answer to their driving question: How can HPS unite the community around the success of ALL students?

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MEET UP & EAT UP SUN MEALS (Serving those that are 18 years & under through the summer months)

We look forward to seeing you and your child(ren) at a site near you. 

***NO 7-DAY BOX SERVICE JULY 3^rd

This week we get an update on what's happening with the Holland Educational Foundation from Executive Director Kate Bolt.

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We're busy this summer hiring great people to work with the great kids at Holland Public Schools.

We currently have openings for:

• Bus Drivers
• Lunch Servers
• Cleaning Services
• Substitute Teachers
• More!

This week we talk with Candis Deboer about Period Project 49423.

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HPS is proud to provide 7-Day Meal Boxes to families in the district during the summer months.

Each box will contain a menu with food prep instructions and food items for 7 breakfasts and 7 lunches per week. 

• Meal pick-up will be located at Central Wesleyan Church (446 West 40th St. Holland MI 49423 - Door A) from 12:00-1:00 PM 
•  Thursday, June 12 through August 7, 2025

There is no need to register for these meals... just stop by during the pick-up time to receive the meals for your student(s).

Created by Ready for School and delivered by teachers, Kindergarten Readiness Camp combines the routines of a typical school day with play to build the academic and social skills that kindergarten teachers say they want to see in their students. When a child is curious, asks questions, and is comfortable in the classroom environment, it helps with being ready to learn.

• June 16 - July 31 at West Elementary
• FREE for all HPS families with a K-student enrolled in the 2025-2026 school year
• Breakfast and Lunch provided at no cost
• Transportation available
  
  
  

This week, we talk with Alba Rodriguez Lima, the State Champion in High Jump!

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Joy Kooyer (3rd Grade at West Elementary) has been awarded $5000 for self-designed professional development!

Fund for Teachers, one of the nation's leading organizations supporting preK-12 educators, has announced its 2025 grant recipients, including Mrs. Kooyer. After a rigorous review process, her proposal was selected and she was awarded a grant to visit the setting of "Number the Stars" - her favorite book for 3rd Grade readers.

Heathy food to feed your summer! Summer meal sites provide breakfast & lunch for children 18 and younger, Monday through Friday all summer long... at no cost to families.

• No registration needed. Just drop in.

This summer, Herrick District Library, Ottawa County Parks and Recreation, and the City of Holland Recreation Department are coming together to present the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge: The Truth is Out There.

• Pick up a trail map beginning June 9 to complete the challenge. Maps are available at either Herrick District Library location.

The Holland High School Athletic Department recognized the incredible achievements of our student athletes during Athletic Awards night.

• 2025 Male and Female Athlete of the Year
• Milton L. Hinga Award
• Holland Athletics Power H Impact Award
• State Champion Alba Rodriguez Lima

Our theme this year, which is also one of our core values, was United.  

• We believe Holland Public Schools is the center of a thriving city, and it is our responsibility to unite the community around the success of ALL students. 

HPS is proud to award $29,000 in Teachers Live Here grants to Meghan Kelly! Along with $26,500 in down payment assistance, Kelly also received $2,500 to assist with closing costs because she is purchasing a home within the school district boundaries.  

HPSProud of Louis, Aaron, and Jewish. #GoDutch

Superintendent Nick Cassidy will host an informational meeting on Tuesday, June 3 with presentations at 6pm and 6:30pm concerning the 2025 Bond Proposal that will be on the August 5 ballot for Holland Voters. He'll also answer any questions residents may have about the proposal.  The meeting will be held in Administration Bldg. - Board Room.

HHS Socials Studies Teacher Nick Vartanian was the Keynote Speaker at the HPS 2025 Commencement on May 21.  His address was titled "Willing to Serve".

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month and your school nurses want to promote positive mental health for our HPS family.  

Hosted by  the HHS Disc Golf Club and the SHORE Clubs, 

• Wednesday, June 4th after the last day of school (First groups will start around 11:00 AM)
• 2 person teams - All Students & Staff are invited to play | If you need a teammate, register as a "free agent."
• 3 Divisions: Beginnger (9-holes), Intermeidate/Advanced (9-holes), Advanced (18-holes)
• Prizes for: Longest Drive, Longest Putt, Closest to the Basket, Top Teams in each division

Congratulations to the Class of 2025! This week, we replay the speech from our Commencement Student Speaker, Miriam Lopez-Koolhaas - Student Senate President.

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HPS is celebrating its largest group of recipients of the Seal of Biliteracy 

• 21 students received 21 seals in 4 languages other than English.

Since the state started awarded them in 2019, HPS has awarded 95 seals to 91 students in 12 languages.

At their regular meeting this week, members of the Board of Education recognized the 2025 Retirees from Holland Public Schools.

2025 Top 10 students (listed alphabetically):

• Valedictorian: Adam Alderson (4.476 GPA)
• Salutatorian: Gabriel Bos (4.442 GPA)
• Alexander French
• Hadleigh Hilgert
• Hailey Huggett
• Hannah Maginnis
• Emma Margaron
• Eleanor McMullen
• Ruby VanHuis
• Ryland VanderPloeg

An additional 31 students earned Gold Cords for a GPA of 3.5–4.0, and 29 students receiving Red & White Honor Cords for maintaining a GPA above 4.0.

Follow the Class of 2025 as they tour the district on their final day of school! 

For the safety of all students and staff, Holland Public Schools takes this matter very seriously.  

• Staff members are discussing with students the potential consequences of participating in this “challenge”.
• Students will be held accountable for damage.
• We also encourage parents/guardians to have conversations with students about social media, student behavior, and potential consequences.

HPS Orchestras Director Mrs. Oneill (formerly Mayer) will retire after this school year.  All string orchestra alumni who played under Mrs. O’Neill’s direction (at either the middle or high school level) are invited to perform alongside the current Holland High School Orchestra at the Spring Concert on Monday, May 19 at 7pm in the HHS Performing Arts Center. 

HPS will host the annual Registration & Enrollment Block Party on May 21.  This week, we talk with HHS Community Coordinator Tyler Mouw about it.

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Sunday, August 17 at Winding Creek Golf Club

$125/Player

• 18 Holes
• 2 carts/team
• Awards Dinner
• Player Gifts
• Raffles
• $20/Awards Dinner Only

Register now!

• Get your team together OR we can build a team for you.
• Registration deadline is August 10.

HPS is proud to award two more Teachers Live Here grants to Holland educators:

• Isabella Smith (Kindergarten at Jefferson)
• Alec Driscol (Holland Middle School)

Along with $26,500 in down payment assistance, they could also get $2,500 to assist with closing costs if they purchase a home within the school district boundaries.  

HMS Teacher, Kyle Kreps was awarded $5,000 for being named the 2025 Power H IMPACT Award Winner.  

We invite you to congratulate Kreps as he represents HPS in the Tulip Time KinderParade.

Congratulations to the Holland High School Chorus for their Division 1 Excellent Rating at MSVMA State Choral Festival on Friday - something this group hasn’t done before!

HPS Families and members of the Holland Community will have one more chance to give input on the district's five-year facility plan on Monday, May 12, 3:45pm at Holland Language Academy.  Superintendent Nick Cassidy will discuss:

• Phase 1 of the Plan (Redistricting K-5 buildings)
• Phase 2 of the Plan (Building Renovations, Facility Construction, and Use of Existing Facilities)
• Results of a Community Survey 

This meeting was originally scheduled to happen on Monday, April 28 but was cancelled to give additional time to gather more/better information about the Facility Plan.

The Holland High Forensics team is headed to the State Competition at Saginaw Valley State University. 

• Annie Lou Howell- Poetry 9/10
• Chaza Ben- Extemporaneous
• Mia Rodriguez- Duo Commentary
• Eleanor McMullen- Duo Commentary
• Leila Sundararajan- Program in Oral Interpretation 

Congrats to Jocy, Zion, and Emma!  They are great examples of what it looks like to #GoDUTCH - Diverse, United, Thrive, Committed, and Honorable!

Karinna Martinez (12th Grade) was recognized today for her Honorable Mention winning entry in C-SPAN's annual student video documentary competition, StudentCam.

Dutch Theatre's production of The Wizard of Oz runs May 1-4 at the HHS PAC. This week, we talk with cast members Sophia Palmateer and Hailey Huggett.

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Congratulations to the following artists for being selected to receive a 2025 District Art Award:

• Vik Howard - 12
• Evelyn Lewin - 12
• Olivia Weiss - 10
• Abbie Cox - 6
• Clara Ward - 7
• Rebekah Salas - 8
• Jensen Mullennix -  JEF | 4
• Eliza Cardenas-Gallegos - HLA| 4
• Levi King - HTS | 4
• Elin Klinge - WST | 4

These artists' works will be displayed in the Board Training Room at the District Administration Building until April of 2026.

15 Holland Early College Students collectively earned 860 college credits, an average of 57 credits each. 

• 8 HEC students earned their full Associates Degree!

The HPS Art Department is proud to show the incredible works of art created by students from all HPS buildings. 

• May 1-15 in the Art Gallery at Holland High School

An Opening Night reception will be held on May 1, 4:30-6pm in the Art Gallery at Holland High School.

This district-wide essay contest invited students to reflect on what courage means in their own lives and/or how community impacts the world around them. 

Congratulations to our Essay Contest Winners:

• K-5:  June Nelson | 5th Grade at HLA
• HMS:  Nevaeh Mullennix  | 7th Grade
• HHS:  Skyana Chiv  | 10th Grade

Winners shared their essays at the Exhibit Opening Dinner sponsored by the Holland Educational Foundation on Tuesday, April 22.

This week, we talk with Grace Dattadeen and Shiloh Maples. They are student-docents for the Community of Courage, Anne Frank Exhibit now open at Holland High School.

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Senior Vik Howard's American Icon was awarded First Place at the Holland Area Arts Council Debut 2025 Art Show.

Junior Owen Baer's Metal Face Munchies Cereal Box design was awarded Honorable Mention.

Junior Mark Jordan received the Holland Friends of Art Award for Fallout.

Community of Courage, a student-guided exhibit about the life of Anne Frank, will be at Holland High School April 20-May 7, 2025.

Community partners and the general public are encouraged to experience the exhibit on the following dates:

• Thursday, April 24, 6-8pm
• Tuesday, April 29, 6-8pm
• Monday, May 5, 8am-3pm
• Tuesday, May 6, 8am-3pm
• Wednesday, May 7, 6-8pm

Look what's new in a cafeteria near you!  Now offering Cereal Bowls.

• Cinnamon Toast Crunch
• Trix
• Cocoa Puffs
• Lucky Charms
• Blueberry Chex
• Honey Cheerios

A great way to start your day! 

The Holland High Varsity Quiz Bowl team, Dutch Nerd Army finished 16th overall in the Class A State Quiz Bowl Tournament at UM-Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 12.  The team was led by Senior Ben Rund-Scott, the top individual scorer for the DNA.  Also competing for the DNA were seniors Adam Alderson, Alan Juarez, Eleanor McMullen, and Mia Rodriguez, along with junior Wilson Lin.  Everyone was able to contribute and score at the event.

This week we hear from the 2025 Power H IMPACT Award Finalists.

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Here's what staff members are saying about our Students of the Month at Holland Middle School.

• Calia Campos | 6th grade 
• Benedict Ortiz | 7th grade
• Jay Hughes  | 8th Grade

We have immediate openings for bus drivers at Holland Public Schools:

• Starting pay: $22.30/hour
• Paid Training
• License Fee Reimbursement

Contact the Transportation Department to set up an interview -  616.494.2950