Park Newsletter
March 8, 2024
A Note from Mrs. Stefanich
Hello Park Elementary!
Park Challenge
We had so much fun participating in the Park Challenge this year! Our first place class was Mrs. Hills, second place was Mrs. Hendree and our third place class was Mrs. Kunzi! But honestly, all our students did their part in spreading joy and kindness throughout the last two weeks. They even brainstormed some new "words of the week" for me to use in the coming weeks!
Construction Update
We have completed the area in the front where our generator goes, and have the sidewalk re-cemented. Coming soon will be some clean up landscaping around that area. You can see how beautiful our gymnasium is looking from both sides of the building! Much of the brick is complete, and we look forward to seeing some progress on the inside very soon. Our classrooms, small group rooms, and gym will be open next Fall and we can't wait!
Teacher Requests
This is the time of the year that we sometimes receive teacher requests. As a general rule, we do not accept teacher requests for students. The main reason behind this is that so many factors go into creating class lists. Teachers consider classroom make up, including academic needs, behavioral needs, emotional needs, positive and negative peer relationships, and student personalities in order to create balanced classrooms across all three classrooms. Taking teacher requests limits our ability to do this.
Additionally, your request might mean your child misses the opportunity to be in a positive peer group or friendship match that would greatly impact their year. Requesting limits the ability for our teachers to create the very best combinations for our students. Thank you for understanding and helping us create the most balanced and positive classroom experiences that we can.
M-Step Dates
M-Step is coming up and we want to share our testing dates early so you can plan your appointments and days away from school around these dates. Third grade will be testing on April 17, 18, 23 and 24. Fourth grade will be testing on April 30 and May 7 & 8. If your child is sick these days, please do not send them to school. We will make sure they have an opportunity to test on a make-up day. As a reminder, your child has already learned everything they need to know for the M-Step. Help them have a healthy breakfast and a great attitude about the test. It's a great chance for your child to show off the great work we do at Park Elementary and in Hudsonville. Your child gets the chance to help our district shine!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Mrs. Stefanich
Recent Words of the Week
Elaborate - to add more information to, or explain something you have said
Reflect- to think carefully or deeply about
Important Dates
Mar. 9 -11:30am-1:15pm or 1:30-3:15pm Girl VIP bowling
Mar. 15 - Early Release
March 26 - Parent club meeting 7PM
Mar. 28 - All school skate at Terry Hall
Mar. 28-April 7 - Spring Break
April 17-18 and April 23-24 - 3rd Grade M-Step
April 30 and May 7-8 - 4th Grade M-Step
Parent Club Info
The next Tarry Hall Skating party will be March 28th. More information to come.
PARK PARENTS’ CLUB MARCH MEETING DATE/TIME CHANGE:
To accommodate more parents for the meeting with Dr. VanderJagt, our March PPC meeting has been changed to March 26th at 7pm in the STEAM room. Please join us to discuss remaining events for this year, as well as an update and information from Dr. VanderJagt. We hope to see you there!
As always, thank you so much for all of your help to support and spoil our students and staff. We wouldn’t be able to do this without all of your help!
Check out our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/ParkParentsClub?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Mary Poppins - HHS Musical - March 14-17
Join us for a show too supercalifragilistic to miss. This musical features a cast of 77 HPS students. Come see our actors literally SOAR through this unforgettable performance. Buy your tickets today! https://bit.ly/3I29W7z
Hudsonville Public Schools Annual Education Report
The Annual Education Report (AER) is designed to meet state and federal requirements for reporting to parents and communities. The report provides detailed data on state administered student assessment results, accountability results, teacher qualification information, and the state results for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).
Parents and the community can access AER information for the district and individual schools by clicking
on the Annual Education Report tab on our website. If you have any questions regarding the AER information, please contact your child’s building principal.
HPS Early Childhood Programs
Open House/Registration Night for the 2024-2025 School Year and the 2024 Summer Program
Registration: Begins Wednesday, February 7, at noon. Registration must be completed using our online link, which will be available on the ECC Website. A $100.00 fee per child is due at the time of registration, and you will receive a $50.00 credit towards future tuition.
The link to register for all programs can be found on the Hudsonville Public Schools website, under the Early Childhood Programs tab. Please note that enrollment fills quickly.
For more information, please call the Early Childhood office at 616-797-0842, ext. 1.
HPS Community Education
While it might be dreary outside, we have plenty of engaging activities to keep your kids entertained until the weather warms up. Make sure to register early so your child doesn't miss out on the fun!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Check Out Our Electronic Flyer!
Rebecca Fabiano
Community Education Director
616-669-1740
Hudsonville Competitive Robotics Informational Meeting
Is your student interested in computers, logic, building, mechanics, or robotics?
Join us to learn about the thrilling world of competitive robotics through Hudsonville Robotics! This informational meeting will give families insights into how we use technology and competition to foster teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity.
We will be offering an array of classes this spring to help students build their skills to compete in an amazing fall competition. The introductory meeting will be held on Monday, March 25, from 7 pm to 8 pm at the High School in room 110. The club program is open to boys and girls starting grades 5-12 next fall.
For more information, please email info@hudsonvillerobotics.com or visit https://HudsonvilleRobotics.com.
Community News - Not sponsored by Hudsonville Public Schools
Gary Byker Library of Hudsonville Upcoming Events for Kids
To register or for more details, see our event calendar @ Hudsonville.LibraryCalendar.com
Move to the Music: Mondays & Tuesdays, 10:30am: Ages 5 & under
Yoga Storytime: Wednesdays, 10:15am: Ages 6 & under
Maker Monday: Food Showdown: Mon. March 11, 4:30pm: Ages 9+
D&D for Tweens: Fri, March 15 1-3pm & Thurs, March 28 12-3pm: Ages 9-12
Eclipse Week Activities: From Monday, 4/1 – Friday 4/5, kids can come participate in an eclipse-themed activity or craft in anticipation of the April 8th eclipse! 4/1-Eclipse Chalk Art, 4/2-Make a Solar-Viewing Glasses Case, 4/3-UV Bracelet Making, 4/4-Make a Sun Clock, 4/5-Constellation Wheel
Kids Winter Reading Program: Ages 8+; Log your reading & earn prizes along the way! January 8 – March 30
Check out how to get a free National Park Pass for your Fourth Grader!
AYSO Epic Program
The mission of the AYSO EPIC Program is to provide a quality soccer experience for individuals whose physical or mental disabilities make it difficult for them to successfully participate on mainstream soccer teams.
Our EPIC program is open to players ages 4 and above. Players will meet once a week during the fall, winter, and spring seasons for a weekly practice & game session. EPIC Buddies and their EPIC Coach will assist our EPIC players as they practice soccer drills and play in a weekly game. Anyone in or outside of the Hudsonville/Jenison area is eligible to participate.
EPIC Registration for 2023 Fall, Winter, Spring (7 weeks each session)
Spring Session - week of 4/8/24 through week 5/20/24
By registering for EPIC, you are registering for all sessions at once. Players will have the opportunity to provide session availability. Volunteers are requested for all sessions for player familiarity and consistency.
Each week, we will meet on one day. The day, time, and location are being determined so that information will be provided after registration.
AYSO EPIC: https://ayso.org/epic/
EPIC Register: https://www.ayso676.org/
School Breakfast and Lunch Information
In 2022, federal legislation created a new program to fill hunger gaps during summer break, called Summer EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer). The program is being administered by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Michigan Department of Education (MDE). A household can receive $40 per month per child in June, July, and August 2024 (for a total of $120 per child). Benefits will come in the form of preloaded cards that families can use to purchase groceries.
Summer EBT benefits will be issued to students who have a completed and approved Application for Meal Benefits on file as of February 14, 2024.
If you already have an approved application, automatically receive Free or Reduced Meal Benefits, or already receive EBT Benefits, you do NOT need to re-apply.
Completion of the form does not automatically qualify your student for the summer benefits. These benefits will be based on annual incomes and household size as noted by you on the form.
If your address has changed this year, be sure to update it with your school to ensure your benefit card is sent to the right address.
This WILL NOT impact your student receiving free breakfast and lunch at school.
Click HERE for Income Guidelines to see if you might qualify.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR BENEFITS!
If you have any questions, please contact Food Service at foodservice@hpseagles.net or 616-457-2400.
Breakfast and Hot Lunch are available everyday to all students. This year, school lunches are once again free to our students! This is such wonderful news and we look forward to feeding your children each day! Of course, you can still pack a lunch for your child if you prefer. (As a reminder, hot lunch is only free if your child takes a fruit or vegetable on their tray. Please remind them they have to *at least* put it on their tray for the lunch to be free.)
New! Family Portal: https://familyportal.cloud
- Apply for Free and Reduced Price Meal benefits! If you are wondering if you would qualify, here are the Income Guidelines. Free and Reduced Meal Benefits are based on household size, income amount (gross), and income frequency. We encourage all families to apply, even though school lunches are free. Applying is confidential, and provides our school with additional supports for students.
- You will need to register a new account to monitor accounts or deposit online; Send Money to School accounts no longer exist.
- Regardless of benefits status, Milk-only purchases remain at $0.50 per carton. Milk is included as part of the whole MEAL benefit. However, if all your child wants is a carton of milk, their account will be charged 50 cents.
Our website www.jenhudfood.org is loaded with information. Please click on any of these links for more information:
- Digital Menus by Nutrislice (look for updates in August to Nutrislice)
- How Meal Service Works and Depositing Money
- Meal Charge Policy
- Follow us on Social Media!!
Contact us:
Email: foodservice@hpseagles.net
Phone: (616) 457-2400
2140 Bauer Road
Jenison, MI 49428
Menu's, Free and Reduced Information, nutrition information and lunch account info can all be found on the Jenison/Hudsonville Food Service Home page.
Parents, please review our district wide Student/Parent Elementary Handbook. This is new this year and is full of great information that may answer many questions. Please take a look and let me know if you have any specific questions regarding this handbook. Some notable items are listed below:
- Student dress code prohibits clothing promoting alcohol, violence, etc. Additionally, dress code prohibits bare midriffs, sides, or backs.
- Cell phones and smart watches are not allowed at school. They need to be powered down and in backpacks during school hours.
School begins at 8:45 a.m.
Parent drop off: no earlier than 8:35 a.m.
School ends at 3:45 p.m.
Office hours: 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Opt-In for Text Messages
In order to receive text messages from Park and HPS, you will need to Opt-in. Please see this link to Opt-in to text messages so you don't miss any important information.
How do recipients opt-in to receive text messages?
- Text “YES” to 68453 from each phone or device from which they wish to receive texts.
- Confirm that your phone is on file at your school
How do recipients opt-out of receiving text messages?
Recipients not wishing to receive text messages to a particular number can simply do one of the following:
- Don’t opt-in, and don’t reply to the opt-in invitation message.
- Text “STOP” to 68453 at any time.
- Opt out online at http://schoolmessenger.com/txtmsg
- Request that the SchoolMessenger system administrator adds the number to the account’s phone number block list.