The Hudsonville Public Schools Board of Education Newsletter!
March/April, 2015
The Appleseed
Dear Community,
As you may recall, Hudsonville Schools purchased the current Heritage School building and associated acreage in
November 2014. Throughout January and February, we held eleven focus groups and two town hall meetings, with
over 240 individuals providing valuable feedback. The purpose of these meetings was to ascertain the impressions
of our students, staff, parents, and business/community leaders around the use of the newly purchased Heritage
School building.
Utilizing the Board of Education and community parameters of Equity, Flexibility, Opportunity for Students, and
Fiscal Responsibility, the Facilities Committee researched a comprehensive list of options, two of which were
presented to the community via the focus groups and town hall meetings: a K-5 elementary or a 5-8 middle school
(also turning BMS and RMS into 5-8 schools).
Detailed reports highlighting the findings of the focus groups and town hall meetings can be found on our website.
The data from our stakeholders greatly aided our Facilities Committee's recommendation and the Board of
Education’s decision.
On Thursday, February 12, the Board of Education unanimously voted to turn the Heritage School building into
Hudsonville Schools’ eighth elementary school with an anticipated opening in the fall of 2016.
In addition, the Board unanimously supported an August 4, 2015, ballot proposal which, if approved by voters, will
raise just over $20 million dollars by maintaining our current debt millage rate for six additional years. This will
allow the district to address enrollment growth needs and other improvements without raising the current tax rate.
If approved by voters, proceeds from this election would support:
•Renovations to the Heritage School building
•Safe/Secure entrances at all buildings
•Significant renovations to Alward Elementary
•Addition of ten classrooms at Riley Street Middle School
•District-wide technology enhancements
•Bus replacements
The next steps in the process are to prepare a thorough Bond Application, which must receive Michigan
Department of Treasury approval before proceeding. We have a meeting scheduled with the Treasury for March
9th. After a 30-day review period, our Board of Education will be asked to approve the official Bond Election
Resolution and proceed with an election. At that time, we will plan on providing additional information about the
specifics of the proposed bond issue.
We are so grateful to the 240+ individuals who provided valuable data and feedback that helped inform the
Board’s decisions.
Respectfully,
Dr. Nicholas Ceglarek, Superintendent
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PAGE 1
The Hudsonville Public Schools Board of Education Newsletter!
March/April, 2015
New State Assessments ~ Just Around the Corner
The Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP) replaces the forty year-old Michigan Educational
Assessment Program (MEAP), moving the state assessment from the fall to the spring and from paper/pencil
administration to an online format. This change allows student measurement to be based upon current versus prior
year learning.
As in previous years, English language arts (reading, writing, and listening) and mathematics will be assessed in grades
3 - 8. Science will be assessed in grades 4 and 7, and social studies in grades 5 and 8. The 11th grade Michigan
Merit Examination (MME) consists of ACT Plus Writing (a college entrance exam) and WorkKeys (a work skills
assessment) as well as the M-STEP summative assessments which will measure student growth in English language
arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Beginning in the spring of 2016, the ACT Plus Writing will be replaced
by the SAT.
Specific testing dates vary by grade level, with testing occurring between March 3 - June 6. Please pay special
attention to the dates provided by individual buildings to ensure that your child is present and rested for the assessments. A parent information video that provides additional information about the M-STEP can be viewed by clicking here. Additional information on the SAT will be provided to high school parents in the coming months.
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PAGE 2
The Hudsonville Public Schools Board of Education Newsletter!
March/April, 2015
PLEASE VOTE TUESDAY, MAY 5
ANNUAL OPERATING MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSAL
On May 5, voters will be asked whether to renew Hudsonville Public School’s non-‐homestead millage. This is an annual renewal generating approximately $4 million dollars of operating revenue each year for our school district. The non-‐homestead millage was established in 1994 with the passage of Proposal A. Proposal A shifted a large portion of property taxes to a state education tax and an increased sales tax. As a result of Proposal A, school districts must levy 18 mills on non-‐homestead properties to receive the full per-‐pupil foundation allowance funding from the state. It is important to note this is NOT a tax on primary residences and is NOT a new tax. It is a proposal to continue the existing 18 mill assessment on only non-‐homestead properties such as industrial and commercial property and second homes. State law requires school districts levy this tax or lose a signiMicant portion of their state per-‐pupil foundation allowance funding, which would potentially require cuts to student programs.
For more information, please contact: Dennis Baine, Director of Business and Finance
E-‐mail: [email protected]
Phone: 616-‐669-‐1740
VIP Cafe
The 3rd graders at Park
Elementary recently enjoyed
an afternoon with some
special guests during their VIP
Cafe. The 3rd graders were
asked to invite one person
who plays a significant role in
their lives to this fun-filled
event. Grandparents,
parents, siblings, and even
Park's principal, Mr. Field, were among the VIPs! The 3rd graders and their guests were treated to an assortment of
goodies, while enjoying games and a variety of activities such as slideshows, poetry, and Reader's Theaters. The 3rd
graders loved the chance to have their VIPs in their classroom; while the VIPs were impressed with the leadership the
3rd graders took in preparing for this event. A wonderful time was had by all!
Countryside Mobil Supports Bauer Students
For the last two years Countryside Mobil, located on the
corner of 48th and Port Sheldon, has been nominating Bauer
Elementary to receive the Exxon Mobil Alliance Grant. They
have graciously donated $500 that Bauer staff have been able
to use to purchase math and science materials. On behalf of
the Bauer staff and students, we thank Countryside Mobil for
your generosity and thoughtfulness!
4th graders with sign that says
“Thank you Countryside Mobil!”
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PAGE 3
The Hudsonville Public Schools Board of Education Newsletter!
March/April, 2015
Want to stop the defiance, disrespect, and yelling?
Fair Haven Church, Jenison Public Schools, and Hudsonville Public Schools invite parents, friends, and the community to a
practical, life changing, and laugh-out-loud funny parenting workshop.
Celebrate Calm Founder Kirk Martin, and his son, Casey, will
provide parents and teachers with a dozen of strategies that will
eliminate defiance, disrespect, yelling, bullying, sibling fights, and
more that characterize our homes and classrooms. Kirk provides
concrete, practical strategies that work with kids of all ages in
everyday situations to:
Join us on one of these two dates:
Tuesday, March 24, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Wednesday, March 25, 9:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Fair Haven Church
2900 Baldwin St.
Hudsonville, MI 49426
• Get your kids to listen the first time.
• Stop defiance, disrespect, and yelling.
• Stop whining, tantrums, and sibling fights.
• Get kids off video games/screens without a fight.
• Create stress-free mornings, homework time, and bedtime.
Visit www.CelebrateCalm.com/events/Fair-Haven-Church for a sneak peek of what you will experience on March 24 - 25.
This isn't your typical parenting lecture! You will feel understood, supported, and heard. Plus you will laugh a lot (great
therapy!) and leave with at least 10 practical, concrete strategies that actually work in your daily life.
Arrive early for the special Q&A with Kirk (that begins 10 minutes prior to the workshop beginning).
~ Both workshops will contain the same content.
~ Perfect for parents with kids ages 2 - 22!
Contact Brett with any questions. 1-888-506-1871 or [email protected]
HUDSONVILLE EAGLE 5K
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Starting at 9:00 a.m.
Located at Hudsonville High School, 5037 32nd Ave, Hudsonville, MI 49426
Registration:
$20 (12 & under with shirt)
$25 (Adults with shirt)
No refunds.
Race T-shirts guaranteed to runners registered by March 18; shirts not guaranteed to runners registered after March 18.
Packet pick-up: Friday, March 27, at Harvest Health in Hudsonville from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 28, at
Hudsonville High School 7:00 a.m. - 8:50 a.m.
•
Aid station on course
•
Post-run refreshments
•
Raffle prizes after the race
•
Award medals for top finishers in each age group, male and female.
Timing: Classic Run Mgmt - ChronoTrack System. Results will be posted following the run.
Age divisions: 10-12, 13-14, 15-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 or better
Awards ceremony after the run for 1st/2nd/3rd of each age group, male and female.
No strollers or pets allowed on the race course. Children 12 yrs. and younger must be accompanied by a parent/guardian
to participate.
Any questions, please email us at [email protected]
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The Hudsonville Public Schools Board of Education Newsletter!
March/April, 2015
Ruff Reader at Alward Elementary
Students at Alward Elementary School are reading with a special buddy
these days. First graders and other students have the opportunity to read
with a specially trained dog named Maize. The beautiful dog is owned by
Jodi Koster who brings Maize weekly to read with students at Alward.
Maize is a 2 1/2 year old Weimaraner. She started training with West
Michigan Therapy Dogs when she was 11 months old. The training is an 8
week class where the dogs are introduced to different situations, smells, and
sounds. At the end of the 8 weeks, there is a final test for the dogs and their
handlers. After they both pass, they are required to
go to 3 shadow visits. Mazie did her visits at
Zeeland Hospital visiting patients, Sheldon
Meadows visiting the residents, and the KDL
Library for a Ruff Reader program. She did great
at all the visits, but really loved the kids at the library.
This is Mazie’s 2nd year volunteering at Alward with
the Ruff Reader program. She is always very excited
to go to school and see the kids and the teachers.
On Wednesdays, Jodi gets out Maize’s vest and tells
her "It's time to go to work". She runs right out and
jumps in the car! Maize likes to say "Hi" to Mrs.
Nurenburg and Mrs. Moore in the office before heading
down the hall to read with the first graders.
Maize and the Ruff Reader program has been a great addition to the reading curriculum. Maize is a sweet, gentle,
and quiet listener to children as they read. The kids absolutely adore her and can’t wait for their times to read with
Maize! Maize is helping our kids become more confident and fluent readers!
Jamestown Students Visit the
Grand Rapids Symphony
On Tuesday, February 17, the fifth graders of Jamestown
Elementary attended a performance by the Grand Rapids
Symphony Orchestra, conducted by longtime associate
director John Varineau. In preparation for the field trip, the
students learned about each composer and listened to
each piece of music. Considering the students have also
spent class time listening to a read-aloud of a Beethoven
biography, it was especially significant that they were able to hear one of the great composer's most famous works:
The first movement of Symphony No. 5. They also were able to learn about the four instrument families.
In the weeks before the concert, the fifth grade students had the opportunity to create drawings inspired by
the Aladdin Suite, composed by Carl Nielsen. Some of their artwork was projected on the big screens while the
music was played! A new piece of music called First Fruits of the Harvest was also performed. It was composed
just for the Grand Rapids Symphony by Stewart Goodyear.
For Jamestown fifth graders, the highlight of the performance was that one of their very own, Elle Kiszka, got to be
on the stage and conduct the final piece of music, a Sousa march! It was an experience she will never forget!
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The Hudsonville Public Schools Board of Education Newsletter!
March/April, 2015
Early Childhood Programs – Now Enrolling
For the summer 2015 and school year 2015-16 programs
Full Day Preschool for 3 & 4 Year Olds
Full day (morning preschool with a full day of childcare)
Monday – Friday
6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
2 days minimum per week
Children must be 2 years and 9 months – 5 years and potty trained to attend
$160.00 per week or $38.00 per day
Half Day Preschool for 3 & 4 Year Olds
2 day session $75.00 per month (9 monthly payments)
3 day session $99.00 per month (9 monthly payments)
Children must be 3 or 4 by Dec. 1, 2015 and potty trained to attend
Great Start Readiness Preschool – Tuition Free/Reduced
Half Day or Full Day available
Monday – Thursday
*Students must qualify for this program
Children must be 5 years by September 1, 2015 to attend
Young Fives Program
Monday, Wednesday, and every other Friday
9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Program is designed to provide a part-time experience for our young fives prior to enrolling in kindergarten.
Children must be 5 years by December 1, 2015 or students who have been a part of a preschool program for three consecutive years
$62.50 per week
Summer Childcare Program
Held at the Early Childhood Center, 5535 School Ave (main entrance off of Madison)
Monday - Friday (minimum of two days per week/set schedule is required)
6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Ages 2 years and 9 months - 5th grade
June 9 – August 28, 2015
Preschool children - $150.00 per week or $35.00 per day
Schoolage children - $145.00 per week or $34.00 per day (field trips included in tuition)
(Students are considered schoolage if they have completed PreK/K)
Summer activity calendar includes: special visitors (policeman, magician, fireman), gym enrichment, summer schoolage curriculum,
swimming, and field trips (ice cream, bowling, museum, parks, and much more)
Before and After School Care
Care available at Bauer, Georgetown, South, Jamestown, (Forest Grove bussed to and from) and the Early Childhood Center (Alward/
Park students are bussed to and from ECC).
Registration
To register, please mail a registration form to the Early Childhood Programs, 5535 School Ave, Hudsonville, MI 49426. Registration
forms and information flyers are available online at hpsearlychildhood.org. For more information, please call the Early Childhood
Center Office at 616-797-0842.
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The Hudsonville Public Schools Board of Education Newsletter!
March/April, 2015
Don’t Miss the
Art Show!
The 15th annual Hudsonville Student
Art Show will be held April 20 through
28 at the Hudsonville City Hall
Community Room. The show will be
open to the public during City Hall
business hours from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
during the week, and artist receptions
will be held from 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Monday through Thursday. The districtwide show features student work from
Pre-kindergarten through 12th
grade and includes spectacular pieces in clay, acrylic and
tempera paint, pastel, and a variety of other media. The
show is free and open to the public.
Don't forget our new show location! Hudsonville City Hall Community Room, lower level
3275 Central Boulevard, Hudsonville. Additional information and reception dates for each school
can be found at the Art Department website by clicking
here.
FREE PLAYGROUPS!
Did you know that the Early Childhood Programs offers FREE monthly play groups for children birth Kindergarten? Little Learners is an interactive parent/child program serving Hudsonville and surrounding
area families from birth to kindergarten. This free program offers various centers of play, including book
reading, crafts, and activities allowing your child and yourself to capture and create enjoyment from our
monthly themes. It is a wonderful time for children and adults to learn through play.
**Additional services including developmental screenings can be scheduled in advance. Resource
Networking is also available upon request.
Age: Birth - kindergarten
Site: Early Childhood Center, 5535 School Ave (main entrance off of Madison Ave)
Details: Classes will be 1 hour in length (from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.) and generally scheduled on the
same weekday each month.
For more information, please contact Deb Kortman at 797-0842 or email her at [email protected].
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The Hudsonville Public Schools Board of Education Newsletter!
March/April, 2015
Winter Fun
Fest Huge
Success!
On Saturday, Feb 7, 2015
HHS Eagle Renaissance
and Student Council
sponsored their Winter
Fun Night.
There were lots of activities to help beat the winter blues!
Kids had fun with a giant inflatable obstacle course, bungee
run, pedestal jousting, airbrush tattoos, a photo booth, and a
mechanical bull. There was even swing dancing in the Aux
Gym with special help from several HHS alumni. Thank you to
all of the kids who showed up for a really fun event. We can’t
wait for next year!
Alward 4th and 5th Graders
Read Into March Madness
The 4th and 5th graders at Alward Elementary are
celebrating March Madness with a book tournament! The list of the “Sweet Sixteen” books was compiled with
student input, a bracket was created, and predictions of
the winners were made early in February. Students have
been madly reading the sixteen books to be able to
participate in voting for their favorites. A battle of two
books takes place every couple of days up until Spring
Break. Which book will be our tournament champ?
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Thank You!
The Hudsonville Education
Foundation would like to thank
those individuals and businesses
who donated in 2014.
Through their generosity, we
raised $6,500 in our year-end
campaign. Did you know that United Way contributions can be
earmarked to the Hudsonville Education Foundation?
Also, your employer may have a "Matching Gifts"
program, which means they would match some or all
of your donation to the Hudsonville Education
Foundation. Contact your Human Resources
representative at work to find out more.
The Hudsonville Education Foundation's mission is
to foster educational opportunities for Hudsonville
Public School students by providing funding for
resources that enhance education and encourage
innovative learning.
To learn more about the Hudsonville Education
Foundation visit hudsonvilleeducationfoundation.org
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The Hudsonville Public Schools Board of Education Newsletter!
30 SECOND TIMEOUT
“THE CHALLENGE TO MOTIVATE”
~By Kevin Wolma, Athletic Director
How often have you sat in the stands watching your
child compete and thought, “Why doesn’t he play
hard?” or “Why doesn’t she seem motivated?” Motivating your son or daughter in any area of their
life is one of the most challenging things we face as
parents. Addressing this issue and being able to
answer those questions may have a tremendous
impact on the growth and development of your child
no matter their age.
As parents the first question we need to ask is
“Whose goal is it?” Too often the goals or
expectations we have for our kids meets our own
selfish needs and not the needs of the particular child. Our dreams may not be their dreams. I once had a
conversation with a college coach about this very
subject. He so badly wanted his daughter to play
volleyball and compete at a high level with the hopes
of her being able to play at the college level some day. His daughter listened to her dad and did everything he
said. She played travel volleyball along with high school
volleyball and developed into a really good player. Her
dad noticed she was never very excited about all of
her accomplishments and wondered why she did not
seem very motivated. His daughter one day said she
wanted to be done playing and just focus on becoming
an artist. Artist??? He could not believe his daughter
would rather be involved with art than play volleyball. She reluctantly went to college and played volleyball
for a couple of years and finally decided she had lost
the will to compete. Again, she explained to her dad
that all she wanted to do was become an artist. Her
dad, disappointed and confused, was worried this
choice would have very little influence in her life, and
would not prepare her for the world that lay ahead. The exact opposite happened. She graduated with
honors, received her doctorate, owned an art studio
on the east coast, and ran an art school. Why did she
have so much success? She found her passion despite
her dad’s desires. One of the main goals of motivation is to help your
child find their passion. Naturally someone is going to
be motivated when they love what they are doing. That is the easy part of motivation. The real question
becomes how do we motivate our son or daughter
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March/April, 2015
when it is not their natural passion. By definition,
motivation is the process that guides and maintains
goal-oriented behaviors. According to Greg Shelley
and his article, 5 Keys to Motivating your Athletes,
motivation can come in different forms. Some people
use fear tactics to motivate. Threatening your child
and using consequences to motivate may seem like it
works in the short term. However, when done
consistently, the child is going to lose their passion and
the sport no longer is fun. Many athletes have quit
their favorite sport because of this. Incentives are also
a short-term solution to motivation. Over time the
athlete will lose their desire to play because the
incentive becomes greater than the real reason they
started playing the sport in the first place. In order to
create any long-term motivation, the child needs to
understand the purpose for “why” they are involved
with the sport. This purpose creates an environment
of personal growth where the athlete is encouraged to
motivate themselves. To help our child determine the
purpose, it may help to sit down and ask him or her
some questions.
It is important for our kids to determine what their
goals are for whatever sport or activity they are doing. This simple exercise will provide essential information
to the parents that their goals may be different than
their own goals. After these goals have been
identified, the parents can use this information as a
way to guide your child through those adverse times
when they need motivation the most. Another way
parents can assist in motivating their son or daughter,
especially if they have been struggling, is to have them
recall a time when they had success in that particular
sport. As a coach, I tried this motivational technique
with one of my golf teams on the way to a match. We
had lost our two previous matches. I had each golfer
talk about a great shot they hit during the course of
the year. After doing this for 10 minutes, I told them if
you start to struggle think about all those great shots
you have hit during the year. Not only did each player
shoot a season low, but the team broke the school
record that day! The power of positive thinking is
always a great motivational tool.
As we know, motivation can be a complex subject, but
it is my hope that this article provides some insight and
tools to use. Focusing on the positive, along with
identifying goals will allow our kids to develop longterm motivation that will last long after the game is
over. Remember our goals may not be their goals.
PAGE 9
The Hudsonville Public Schools Board of Education Newsletter!
March/April, 2015
Hudsonville Community Members,
In 2011, you overwhelmingly approved a school bond to build a new competition pool and
renovate our current pool/fitness facilities. Renovation of our main high school campus will result
in the following list of enhancements to the current pool and adjacent fitness areas: new family
changing areas, new locker rooms, a new cardio fitness room, and an updated weight room. Construction and demolition of our current pool/fitness facilities will begin Friday, April 3rd, 2015. The timeline for completion of our new competitive swimming facility and renovations of our old
competitive space will be the fall of 2015. Demolition and construction will result in the temporary closure of
the locker rooms with limited access to the pool. Community morning and weekend events will be canceled. Our A.M. lap, Saturday open swim, and morning
community basketball will be canceled until the completion of the locker room area. As a result of the spring and
summer construction, we will postpone our swimming lesson programming for the summer of 2015. Limited
summer competitive programming will still remain while the pool area is being renovated. Hudsonville
Community Education will offer two sections of lessons in the winter and early spring to offset a reduction in
other program offerings. With the new and renovated spaces, we look forward to offering these fun activities:
•
A.M. open/lap swim
•
Saturday afternoon open swim
•
Noontime lap swim on weekdays
•
Adult water aerobics classes during the day
•
Swimming lessons during the week
•
Age Group Swim Team (HEAT)
•
USA swimming and diving
•
Masters swimming
•
Cardio and weight room access
If you have any questions, please contact Ian Kobes, Pool Director, at 669-1500, ext. #20243.
The third grade at Georgetown
Elementary was able to take advantage
of the snowy winter with a trip to the
Holland Discovery Center. Our classes
explored a natural area in winter on
snowshoes with a naturalist. We were
also able to experience habitats,
adaptations, and predator and prey
relationships.
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PAGE 10
The Hudsonville Public Schools Board of Education Newsletter!
High School Student to Raise Funds for
Children in Need of Prosthetic Limbs
Born without her right
hand, senior Bailey Gulch
has initiated a fundraising
effort for the Mary Free
Bed Rehabilitation
Foundation, with the goal
of raising $1,000 for
children in need of
prosthetic limbs.
Her goal is to bring
awareness to this topic
by sharing her story.
Mary Free Bed was
founded in 1891 when a
group of Grand Rapids
women recognized the need
for medical care for patients
of limited financial means in
our community. Today, it is the
only independent, non-profit,
nationally accredited, acute
care rehabilitation hospital in
West Michigan.
March/April, 2015
Mrs. O’Gorman, a life skills teacher at HHS, and her
students have partnered with Hudsonville’s Student
Council to help Bailey raise
her goal amount. Students
are currently working on
raising money through
“Clash of the Stache”, t-shirt
sales, St. Patricks Day photo
booth, sponsors, games and
other activities run during
lunches.
High school boys will have the chance to compete in
our “Clash of the Stache” facial hair growing contest for
the month of March to raise money. They can sign up
to compete and win an award in the following
categories: Pencil Stache - Beard, Trash-Stache, WalrusStache, Most Creative Stache. There will be voting at
lunches in March to determine winners.
Bailey, who battled prosthetics her entire childhood, is
pursuing a future in the field, and is also considering a
new arm herself, at a cost of more than $50,000.
Please consider a financial contribution in support of
this foundation and Bailey. To donate to the fundraising
effort, checks may be made out to Mary Free Bed
Rehabilitation and sent to Hudsonville High School,
Attn: Mrs. O’Gorman, 5037 32nd Ave., Hudsonville, MI
49426.
Alward Elementary School’s “One School, One Book”
Alward Elementary School families embarked on a unique experience to
continue its’ read aloud mission. From January 21 - February 19, all families read
the book, The Trumpet of the Swan. Every family received one copy of the book
and one chapter was assigned each evening. Classrooms answered daily trivia questions to encourage and reward attentive,
aggressive listening, and participation. The winning classroom had the
opportunity to host a swan “trophy” in their room for a day. Throughout the
One School, One Book reading challenge, you could hear chatter in the hallways
and lounge about the adventures of Louis, the trumpeter swan. Upon
conclusion of the book, students watched the movie and analyzed differences
between the movie and book. Building a community of readers continues to be a focus at Alward Elementary School. It is evident that One
School, One Book was a fun, engaging way to promote a lifelong love of literature.
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PAGE 11
The Hudsonville Public Schools Board of Education Newsletter!
March/April, 2015
Second Graders at
Park Share the Love!
The second graders at Park Elementary
extended the school's theme of Be the
One into their Valentine celebration this
year by making their own Valentines for
each other. Each second grader made a
unique Valentine for every person in his
or her class. All together the three
classes made over 2,000 valentines!
Girls Varsity Basketball
Team = Family!
The Varsity Girls Basketball team has learned
many valuable lessons on the court. However,
this year they have learned more valuable life
lessons off the court. They started off the
season spending the day at Harbor House
Ministries playing games and talking with some
of the great individuals with disabilities. Then
they had the opportunity to deliver Christmas
presents to families in need in the Grand
Rapids area over the Holidays. Their final
opportunity to give back came at the Renucci
house where they were able to cook meals for families
with sick family members at Spectrum Health and Helen
DeVos Children’s Hospital.
At the conclusion of last season, the returning players
got together and came up with one word that they
wanted to focus on for 2014/15 season. The word they
settled on was “Family”.
Senior Morgan Bull put it this way, “Family gives us a
sense of togetherness and makes us feel a part of
something bigger than basketball.” Senior Captain
Courtney Callaghan added, “Family is more than just
what happens on the court, learning these life lessons
has made it all worth it.” The focus on becoming a family
has helped the Eagles become a very close knit team
who has learned many important life lessons, in addition
to the lessons they have learned on the court.
Becoming a family has not only improved the team
chemistry but has also improved their play on the court.
The Eagles are currently 10-8 overall and 6-2 and tied
for 1st place in the league.
Senior Captain Madilyn Keller summed up her
experiences this year by saying, “The experiences we
have had this season have been unforgettable and have
helped our team grow as a family.”
Hudsonville Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, height, weight,
marital status, handicap, disability, or limited English proficiency in any of its programs or activities. The following oﬃce has been
designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies:
Human Resource Director, Hudsonville Public Schools, 3886 Van Buren, Hudsonville, MI 49426, (616) 669-1740
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PAGE 12