The Appleseed
August/September 2022
Update from the Superintendent
Dear Hudsonville Community,
I hope your summer has been enjoyable, and you have been able to spend quality time with family and friends enjoying this beautiful Michigan weather. We anxiously look forward to greeting our students, staff, and families in and around our schools as we embark on the 2022-2023 school year! As we enter the month of August, it is hard to believe that another school year is just around the corner. As such, families can expect to receive information from their child's school building this week.
Over the next few weeks, Hudsonville Public Schools will be finalizing plans for the 2022-2023 school year. We have been hard at work hiring highly qualified staff and look forward to the amazing work they will do with our students throughout the year. We also have a few other updates as we wind down the summer months.
As many of you have witnessed firsthand, plenty of work is being done on our campuses. The new high school fieldhouse is coming out of the ground and taking shape along 32nd Avenue. This is exciting for our community as we will now have a high school venue to hold our entire student population, increase space for athletic programs, and expand building use for additional co-curricular programs in the future. Thanks to the support from all of you in the community and the passing of the 2019 bond referendum, this is but one of the many exciting improvements taking place across our district. Additional areas of improvement include:
We are thrilled to report that the updated parent dropoff/pickup at Georgetown Elementary will be completed this summer.
The new 5/6 building on the north end of the district continues to move forward on schedule, with the first group of students entering the building in the fall of 2023. Take a drive along 36th Avenue just north of Baldwin and see this facility taking shape.
The connection between the Freshman Campus and high school is moving along nicely and is scheduled to open sometime this school year. We might even be able to have students use this new indoor facility before the weather takes a turn.
Forest Grove Elementary is seeing the latest addition to its facility, as the new gym is being built. This should be ready for occupancy sometime later this school year (hopefully early 2023).
Design work for Park Elementary and Bauer Elementary is well underway and we hope to begin the additions and renovations about a year from now.
Each of these exciting improvements will have a long-lasting impact on the current and future students of HPS as well as our entire community. We continue to be so very grateful for the community’s continued commitment to the students we are privileged to serve.
We are fortunate to have a tremendous team of educators across the district, and I am pleased to announce that we have added over 50 new certified staff to our faculty for this coming school year.
Because of the work of our teachers and the commitment of our students to their education, we continue to see an increase in students successfully passing Advanced Placement (AP) courses and the number of students receiving academic recognition through the National Honor Society and Scholarship awards. We are blessed to have rigorous and well-rounded academic programming alongside phenomenal teachers and supportive parents.
Thank you again for your continued support of the district and the students we serve at Hudsonville Public Schools. We’re eager to welcome students back on Monday, August 22nd, and look forward to celebrating their accomplishments as Hudsonville Eagles throughout the year.
Sincerely,
Dr. Doug VanderJagt, Superintendent
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL- AUGUST 22, 2022
Daily class sessions are as follows:
- 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
ECSE (Monday-Thursday)
- 8:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m/ 12:45 p.m. to 3:40 p.m.
Middle Schools
- 7:50 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.
Freshman Campus/High School
- 7:50 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Open House Dates 2022 - 2023 School Year
REGISTERING NEW STUDENTS
ELEMENTARY SECONDARY
Alward Elementary ..........................616-669-6700
Bauer Elementary ............................616-669-6824
Early Childhood Center ...................616-797-0842
Forest Grove Elementary ................616- 869-9429
Georgetown Elementary .................616-797-9797
Jamestown Lower Elementary ......616-662-1478
Jamestown Upper Elementary........616-896-9357
Park Elementary ..............................616-669-1970
South Elementary ............................616-669-9362
IMPORTANT FOOD SERVICES UPDATE
2022-23 School Year
Meals will NOT BE FREE for the 2022-23 school year. You can apply online at
http://www.familyportal.cloud (fastest and easiest way), print one from our website, or pick up a
paper application from your school’s office.
The Food Service office will be open starting Wednesday August 11, from 9:00am to 3:00pm.
Our regular school year hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm.
Visit our website, www.jenhudfood.org for links to the Free & Reduced Meal Application, our digital menus with Nutrislice, and additional information about food service.
Meal Prices
Breakfast $1.25 Elementary & $1.50 Secondary
Lunch: $2.50 Elementary & $3.50 Secondary
Families that qualify for Reduced-Price Meal Benefits will receive all meals for FREE.
Breakfast service starts on the first day of school.
You can check meal account balances or deposit funds by setting up a free online account at
http://www.familyportal.cloud.
If you need your student’s ID number, please call 457-2400 or email us at
foodservice@hpseagles.net after August 11.
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Barb Hooper- Vice President
Chad Tuttle- Treasurer
Larry Kapenga- Asst. Treasurer/Secretary
Dawn Sneden- Secretary
Steve Bowerman- Trustee
Mark Davis- Trustee
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING TIMES
The regular Board of Education meetings for Hudsonville Public Schools are held at the Hudsonville High School Auditorium, 5037 32nd Ave, Hudsonville, MI 49426, at 7:00 p.m.
The regular meeting dates for the 2022/2023 school year are as follows:
August 11, 2022
September 8, 2022
October 13, 2022
November 10, 2022
December 8, 2022
January 19, 2023
February 9, 2023
March 9, 2023
April 13, 2023
May 11, 2023
June 8, 2023
July 14, 2023
The Board of Education work sessions for Hudsonville Public Schools are held in the Media Center at the Freshman Campus, 3370 Allen St, Hudsonville, MI 49426, at 6:00 p.m.
The work session dates for the 2022/2023 school year are as follows:
August 22, 2022
September 26, 2022
October 24, 2022
November 26, 2022
December 2022 Tentative
January 30, 2023
February 27, 2023
March 27, 2023
April 24, 2023
May 22, 2023
June 26, 2023
July 2023 Tentative
HUDSONVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ADMINISTRATION
Dr. Doug VanderJagt
(616) 669-1740
Superintendent
Patrick Briggs
(616) 669-1740
Assistant Superintendent of Finance
Ami Taylor
(616) 669-1740
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum
and Instruction
Anne Armstrong
(616) 669-1740
Assistant Superintendent of Human
Resources
Mandy Thomas
(616) 669-1740
Director of Special Services
Melissa Bernard
(616) 896- 1920
Student Services Coordinator
Kathy Levandoski
(616) 669-1740
MTSS Coordinator
Heather Stauffer
(616) 669-1740
Special Services Coordinator
Craig Steenstra
(616) 669-1740
Instructional Technology Coordinator
Andy Secor
(616) 669-1740
State and Federal Coordinator
Jordan Beel
(616) 669-1500
High School Principal
Nate Allen
(616) 669-1500
High School Assistant Principal
Delia Bush
(616) 669-1500
High School Assistant Principal
Jeremy Verwys
(616) 896-9375
Jamestown Upper Elementary Principal
MacKenzie Stefanich
(616) 669-1970
Park Elementary Principal
Mark Heagle
(616) 669-9362
South Elementary Principal
Rebecca VanSomeren
(616) 797-0842
Early Childhood Center Director
Rob Matthews
(616) 669-7757
Transportation Supervisor
Joel Olson
(616) 669-1500
High School Assistant Principal
Joe Szymanski
(616) 669-1510
High School Assistant Principal
Ben Farkas
(616) 669-1500
Athletic
Casey Glass
(616) 669-1500
Assistant Athletic Director
Ryan Crete
(616) 669-7750
Baldwin St Middle School Principal
Tracy Horodyski
(616) 669-7750
Baldwin St Middle School
Assistant Principal
Bill Ross
(616) 896-1920
Riley St Middle School Principal
George Murphy/ Matt Baer
(616) 896-1920
Riley St Middle School Asst Principal
Heidi Mucha
(616) 669-6700
Alward Elementary School Principal
Josh Meersma
(616) 669-6824
Bauer Elementary School Principal
John Gillette
(616) 896-9429
Forest Grove Elementary School
Principal
Randy Waldie
(616) 797-9797
Georgetown Elementary Principal
Peter Geerling
(616) 662-1478
Jamestown Lower Elementary
Principal
Rebecca Fabiano
(616) 669-1740
Community Education Director
Mike Petroelje
(616) 669-1500
School Safety/Security Director
Jeff Smucker
(616) 669-4877
Technology Director
Stephanie Fast
(616) 669-1740
Public Relations Manager
ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT PLAN AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW
SEVERE WEATHER POLICY
Tornado Watch
Students normally will not be dismissed early. They will dismiss at their regular time. Weather conditions will be closely monitored. After-school activities will be canceled during a tornado watch.
Tornado Warning
Students will not be dismissed during a tornado warning. All students will go to areas designated by the building principal and take cover. If the warning is lifted during school hours, all students will be dismissed at their normal time and bus students will be transported home. All athletic practices and events are canceled until the warning is lifted. Athletic practices and events in progress when a warning is issued will be stopped and all athletes will be moved to designated cover areas.
•Feel free to pick up your child(ren) at any time during severe weather. Report to the office to do so.
•Please do not call the school unless an emergency exists to keep the phone lines open.
ADVISORY TO ALL PARENTS- PEST MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
Hudsonville Public Schools has adopted an Integrated Pest Management program. Inherent with this are the District’s efforts to reduce pesticide use as much as possible. While it may occasionally be necessary to apply a pesticide, this program does not rely on routine pesticide applications to resolve problems. We use various techniques such as habitat alteration, sanitation, mechanical means, exclusion, etc. to prevent pests from becoming a problem.
As required by Michigan law, you will receive advanced notice of non-emergency application of a pesticide (insecticide, fungicide, or herbicide), other than bait or gel formulation, which is made to the school, school grounds, or buildings. This advance notice of a pesticide application will be given 48 hours before the application by the following two methods:
1) Posting at the primary entrances to your child’s school. The entrances that will be posted are the main entrance and those that have a sidewalk that leads directly to a parking lot.
2) Posting in the common area located by the main office of the school.
Please note that notification is not given for use of sanitizers, germicides, disinfectants, or anti-microbial cleaners. In certain emergencies, such as an infestation of stinging insects, pesticides may be applied without prior notice to prevent injury to students, but you will be promptly notified following any such application, via the two posting methods identified (above).
You may review the school’s Integrated Pest Management program and records of any pesticide application upon request by contacting Amy Alward, Administrative Assistant, by phone at 662-1477, or email: aalward@hpseagles.net.
Parents or guardians of children attending the school are also entitled to receive the advance notice of a pesticide application, other than a bait or gel formulation, by first class United States mail postmarked at least 3 days before the application, if they so request. If you would like to be notified by mail please contact Amy Alward, Administrative Assistant, by phone at 662-1477, or email: aalward@hpseagles.net.
Please give the department person or administrative assistant, your name, mailing address, and school(s) your child or children attend. They will put your name on the advance notification by US Mail list.
Hudsonville Public Schools
Email: eagles@hpseagles.net
Website: https://www.hudsonvillepublicschools.org/
Location: 3886 Van Buren Street, Hudsonville, MI, USA
Phone: (616) 669-1740
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hudsonvilleps