Bauer Bits
April 12, 2024
From the Principal's Desk
From The Daily Coach:
Winning at any level is hard. To sustain winning is even harder.
The UConn Huskies men's basketball program captured its second straight National Championship Monday night after defeating the Purdue Boilermakers, 75-60, in Phoenix. Winning at any level is hard. To sustain winning is even harder. This is the university's sixth NCAA men's basketball title, its second under coach Dan Hurley. The Huskies' victory is a powerful reminder: winning isn't just about talent — it's about building a resilient and battle-tested team culture. Under Hurley’s leadership, the program's success highlights the importance of prioritizing culture while finding the right talent fit to compete at a high level. Let's delve into key takeaways from Coach Hurley's approach that can be applied to leadership across various arenas.
1. Prioritize Culture Without Compromise
Coach Hurley's tenure at UConn exemplifies the delicate balance between talent acquisition and preserving team and organizational culture. While talent is crucial, compromising on culture can undermine the leader and the program's long-term success. Leaders must prioritize values, accountability, and role fit above individual skills.
2. Understand the Whole Picture
Coach Hurley's emphasis on understanding players and their parents underscores the importance of holistic leadership. Taking the time to comprehend individuals' backgrounds, motivations, and support systems allows for better alignment within the team and program. By understanding the human beyond their talent or role as best as possible, we as leaders can make more informed decisions that benefit the organization and its members.
3. Embrace Timeless Values
Coach Hurley sees himself as an "old school" leader. "We got a real old school culture here of accountability," Hurley said. "I'm an old-school coach in terms of the tone I take with my players in practice." This "old-school" approach emphasizes timeless values such as discipline, effort, and selflessness. No matter the generational shifts, these values still transcend industries and eras, serving as pillars for sustainable excellence.
4. Choose Your Inner Circle Wisely
Coach Hurley's warning about negative influences within the team's inner circle highlights the importance of selecting the right people. Surrounding your organization with positive and supportive influences is essential for maintaining a healthy team dynamic. As leaders, we should carefully curate our inner circles around our programs to ensure they align with the organization's values, goals, and vision.
5. Champion "We Over Me" Mentality
Coach Hurley's focus on prioritizing the team over individual interests echoes the importance of fostering a collective mindset that the team can believe in and take ownership of. Leaders should instill and live daily this "We over Me" mentality within their teams, promoting collaboration, mutual commitment, and shared buy-in to the sacrifices and discipline that greatness requires daily.
Coach Dan Hurley's leadership journey with the UConn Huskies offers valuable insights for us as leaders striving to build our own talented and winning teams without compromising organizational culture. As we draw inspiration from Coach Hurley's achievements, let us apply these lessons to our own leadership endeavors in sports, business, and life.
As you lead yourselves, your families and our community, you can benefit from this leadership wisdom as well. To all of you who support our Bauer culture . . . THANK YOU! YOU are part of what makes us leaders in our field.
You are Bauer. You are the difference!
Mark Your Calendar
- Monday, April 15th: Hearing Screening - Grades K/2/4
- Tuesday, April 16th: Bauer Art Showcase - 5:00-7:00pm
- Wednesday, April 17th: Vision Screening - Grades 1/3
- Wednesday, April 17th: Hat and Popcorn Day
- Monday, April 22nd - Friday, April 26th: BOGO Book Fair
- Wednesday, April 24th: Last Day of Tutoring
- Wednesday, April 24th: Michigan Awesome Fundraiser
- Friday, May 3rd: Early Release - 12:15pm
Please check the HPS Student Calendar for early release dates and breaks for the 2023-24 school year! You can also check out the 2024-2025 student calendar here.
Art Awesomeness
The 22nd Annual Hudsonville Student Art Show which includes over 800 works of art created by outstanding artists from all grade levels of Hudsonville Public Schools starts next week. Bauer Elementary will be celebrating an artist reception on Tuesday, April 16th from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at the Hudsonville City Hall Community Room. The show is open daily from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m April 15th - April 24th, except Friday - Sunday. If you can’t attend on Bauer's night, you are welcome to visit the show any of the other times it is open. I look forward to seeing you at the art show!
4th Grade Field Day Shirts
Bauer Parent Club News
Spring BOGO Book Fair
This is the one we have all been waiting for: Buy One, Get One FREE!! Our Spring BOGO Scholastic Book Fair will run April 22-26 and it’s the perfect time to stock up on books for summer reading or simply add some new titles to your home library! Each class will have the opportunity to shop at the book fair on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday morning – your classroom teachers will be able to provide you with expected shopping day(s) for your student(s). Friday will be a last call for kids who were unable to come with their class. Money (cash, check or e-wallet) can be sent in with students. E-wallet can be set up HERE on the Scholastic website. We look forward to meeting with all of the shoppers!
Please see the example below on how books will ring up at the register:
4 books priced $10, $8, $6, $4. You will pay $10, get the $8 FREE; pay $6 and get the $4 FREE. Total: $16. Don't forget tax!! $16 x 0.06 = 0.96, bringing your total to $16.96 with the above example!
We still need a few more volunteers to help with Book Fair – please sign up to help HERE.
SAVE THE DATE: Michigan Awesome Fundraiser
We are teaming up with local retailer Michigan Awesome for a can’t miss fundraiser to directly benefit our Bauer students! For ONE DAY ONLY on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24th, Bauer family purchases made at Michigan Awesome will generate 25% back for Bauer! Michigan Awesome offers apparel, drinkware, accessories, home goods, and artisan foods from makers across our great state. You’re sure to find some great options for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduation gifts, visiting friends and relatives – or just to rep your love for our beautiful state! Take a sneak peek at all the goodies and mark your calendars to shop April 24th! (Stay tuned for Bauer’s shopping code!)
BAUER BASH is BACK!
Bauer Bash is returning for a second year!! This fun event is for all current Bauer families and incoming ‘24-25 pre-kindergarten and kindergarten families. We’ll have two savory food trucks and a sweet option as well! We’re excited to announce we’re adding some fun entertainment this year as well. This is intended to be a time to gather and celebrate the end of the school year while enjoying some social time with our wonderful community. Please save the date: Friday, May 17th, 5-8 PM at Bauer Elementary.
Attention 4th Grade Parents!
Parents of Bauer 4th grade students should have received an email with a short survey to complete ahead of participation in our upcoming 4th Grade Celebration. Please check your email and send us your response! If you did not receive the email, please reach out to your child’s teacher.
BNO Volunteer Thank You
Shout out to the crew that made Boys’ Night Out at Craig’s Cruisers a great success last month! Val Willock, Kristen Simons & Jenny Montag stepped up to put the event together and Courtney Voorus, Mary Manilla, Eva Kristiani, Tracy Campbell and Peter O’Doherty provided day-of volunteer support. We’ve heard lots of positive feedback and we loved seeing the pictures of our Bauer Boys and their special guests having FUN!
Raise Right Recap
Although we only had a total of four orders for gift cards through our RaiseRight spring gift card drive, those orders generated $51.81 for Bauer Parent Club. Just think of what we could raise (right?) with more orders! If you’re returning to Bauer next year, stay tuned for our fall and spring gift card drives where you purchase physical gift cards and RaiseRight donates back to Bauer – a great option for seasonal gift-giving!! And remember: e-cards may be ordered ANYTIME (using Bauer’s RaiseRight enrollment code 817E45BA6L851) and used for your regular purchases, directly benefiting our school community!
5/6 Georgetown PTC Needs YOU
​​Calling all parents of current 4th and 5th grade students: 5/6 Georgetown PTC is looking for people interested in joining the 5/6 PTC Board for the 24/25 school year to keep the momentum going! President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer positions will be open, as well as the Amazing Race committee chairperson position. Please reach out with questions or interest via 5/6 Georgetown PTC Facebook page or via email at 56gptc@gmail.com.
WHO YA GONNA CALL?
Have you ever needed goods or services and wished you had a directory of Bauer families and alumni that you could go to first? The Bauer Parent Club feels the same! The BPC has created a directory to house Bauer family businesses, trades and vendors. Participants will be responsible for maintaining up-to-date information and we hope this will be a handy tool to connect and support Bauer families. If you would like to be represented in the directory, follow this direct link. Please contact the parent club at bauerparentclub@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.
BPC on the ‘Gram
We’re trying to add a social media presence over on Instagram as it’s a preferred platform for many. Since we’re concerned with elementary age kiddos and the internet is a complete jungle – our IG account will be private. (Just like our Facebook group page, you will need to request to follow.) Thanks for following along!
Miles of Smiles
Miles of Smiles is looking to come to Bauer Elementary on May 9th. Miles for Smiles is no cost dental services for children who meeting the following requirements:
- Children 0-20 years old with Medicaid insurance/Healthy Kids Dental or uninsured
- Live or attend school in Ottawa County
- Do not have a dentist
- Have not had a dental checkup in the last 6 month
Library Updates
- The last library dates for this school year are Tuesday, April 30th and Thursday, May 2nd.
- All library books will be due on Friday, May 10th.
- Students are responsible for returning all of their library books or the replacement cost by the end of the school year.
- Report cards will not be mailed home at the end of the year for students who have outstanding library books.
5/6 Building at Georgetown Orientation/Tour
Hello incoming fifth grade students and families -
The 5/6 Building @ Georgetown is excited to welcome our new fifth grade students for the 24-25 school year! To help with this transition, we are planning two orientation/tour evenings for students and their parents/guardians on Monday, April 22 and Monday, April 29. On these evenings, we will have three different time slots starting at 6:00, 6:30, and 7:00. During these orientations, we will give an overview of what fifth grade will look like at 56G and then provide families with tours of the building. To help answer some questions that you may have at this time, check out this short presentation about fifth grade at 56G.
We are looking forward to meeting you all soon and welcoming you to the 5/6 Building @ Georgetown!
Middle School Musical - The Wizard of Oz
Hello Everyone!
Our Middle School Musical this year is The Wizard of Oz and tickets are on sale NOW! The students from Baldwin and Riley St. have worked so hard and can't wait to show you what they've been working on since January! The shows are Friday, April 19th at 7 PM and Saturday, April 20th at 2 PM. Students get a discounted rate, so make sure you click on the student price for any kids that you are bringing to this family friendly show!
HERE is the link to buy your tickets!
Hudsonville Education Foundation Spring SOARee
2024-25 PK/Kindergarten Registration
2024-2025 school year PK/Kindergarten enrollment link is open!
To be eligible for pre-kindergarten or kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year, children must be five years of age on or before December 1, 2024.
Attendance
If your student will not be attending school due to illness or other reasons, please call the office at 616--669-6824 or email ehuizen@hpseagles.net AND apalmbo@hpseagles.net BEFORE 9:00 am. Students who are not called in by a parent/guardian will be marked with an unexcused absence.
If your student will be late, arriving after 8:45 am, please call the office at 616-669-6824 in the morning.
If your student will be late and needs a hot lunch, please let us know when you call. Hot lunch needs to be ordered by 10 am.
COVID Tests
Free at home COVID tests are available in the office.
Drop Off Procedures
If you are dropping your child off in the mornings we ask that you are mindful of a few details. When dropping students, please use the entire straightaway. We are having issues with folks stopping too soon and this creates a less efficient drop off. When you are allowed to pull forward, please pull all the way up to the grassy area at the end of the straightaway. The drop off area extends from this grassy area all the way back to the paper gator. Even our youngest students are capable of walking this short distance to the south building doors. Please have them exit your vehicle and head straight to the sidewalk to make their way into the building. Additionally, we close the doors at 8:45 sharp. If you arrive at 8:45 or later, please send your child in through the front/office doors by the flagpole.
Your attention to these details will make things more efficient so THANK YOU in advance!
Volunteer/Visitor Policy
The HPS criminal background check is required for all school volunteers. In order to complete this request, we ask that you fill out this volunteer form at least 48 hours prior to volunteering. Once your request is submitted, all Volunteer status updates (Approval, Denial or Limited Access Approval) will be sent directly to the building you have selected to volunteer in.
The Hudsonville Public School District has the right to approve or deny your request if your background check does not meet the standards of HPS Board Policy.
If you have any questions regarding the Volunteer Background Check process, please contact our Human Resources Department at 616-669-1740 or by emailing our office at eagles@hpseagles.net.