Park Newsletter
August 25, 2023
A Note from Mrs. Stefanich
Hello Park Families,
What a wonderful first week of school! I had a great time stopping into our classrooms and even reading to some classes this week. Your children are already building great friendships and creating classroom families after just a few days. We are looking forward to some cooler days ahead at school, but please continue to send your child to school with a labeled water bottle. This next week we'll dive into full days. It is normal for your child to be extra tired and even a little crabby as they transition into these longer days of school. Remember that they've likely worked really hard to keep it together at school all day, and sometimes that means children fall apart when they get home. One thing that helps at my home is to offer water and a snack right when we get home. Try to keep a low key evening schedule with a consistent bedtime routine. Reading books together and snuggling before bed is a great way to help your child wind down and connect. However, if your schedule is packed full with sports schedules, driving siblings around, getting groceries, etc, just remember to take some time to connect with your child each day. On our busiest days, we try to fit in a quick game of Uno before bed to connect and talk about our days.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and a great week ahead,
Mrs. Stefanich
Reminder from the Office
Please remember to return your Student Information Sheet and any other forms from your yellow folder ASAP. Thank you.
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.
Important Dates
Important Dates
Please check the HPS Student Calendar for early release dates and breaks for the 23-24 school year!
Fri. Sept 1-Mon. Sept 4 NO School Labor Day Weekend
Fri. Sept.15 Early Release 12:15PM
Fri. Oct. 6 COLOR THE PARK
School Lunch Information
Breakfast & Lunch
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.
Community News and Education
Community News
The following programs are not sponsored by Hudsonville Public Schools
Gary Byker Library of Hudsonville Upcoming Events for Kids
To Register, go to our calendar @ https://hudsonville.evanced.info/signup
NOT Your Normal Book Club (Book: Wingbearer Book 1 by Marjorie Liu): Tues. Sept 12, 4:30pm: Ages 9-13
(Once you have registered for the book club, you can swing by the library to pick up your free copy!)
Maker Monday: Paint & Chill Pointillism: Mon. Sept 18, 4:30pm: Ages 9-18
Family Story Time: Mondays & Tuesdays starting Sept 11, 10:15am: Ages 5 & under
Stay & Play: Sept 14 & 28, 10:15am: Ages 5 & under
Aurora Chasing: Viewing the Northern Lights: Sept 7 at 6:30pm - For ages 10-Adults: Have you dreamed of viewing the Northern Lights? Get the advice and tools you need to finally catch an Aurora display near your home.
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)
Fall Session - week of 9/11/23 through week 10/23/23
Winter Session - week of 1/8/24 through week 2/19/24 (indoors)
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/