Hello parents!

We have had a great winter in music class! This is the time of year when we learn about music rather than prepare for a program.

PreK, Kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade students have been singing various songs and even writing and recording their own song! Third graders are about to finish a unit on instruments and their families. Fourth graders are preparing for our May 9 field trip to the symphony and 5th grade students have been playing ukuleles and bucket drumming!

After spring break, all students in 1st through 5th grades will be square dancing! Square dancing is a fantastic steady beat activity, but it has many other non-musical benefits as well. Students have to work together as a team. Each member of the team has to pay attention to instructions or the team will fall apart! There are many left/right coordination aspects to square dancing, which is so good for developing brains. Also, the mental focus required to complete a complex square dance helps to train kids’ brains!

In May, we will be starting a unit called The Music Olympics. Each class will be split into five countries with kids representing a country for the duration of the unit. They are playing music themed games while reviewing music concepts they have learned throughout the year!

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Mr. Scott Barry

Music Teacher

Alward Elementary

sbarry@hpseagles.net

Hudsonville Public Schools will be asking voters to consider two important ballot initiatives on May 2, 2023.

First, there is the Non-Homestead Millage which, if approved, would levy 18 mills from commercial and industrial properties. This does not affect the taxes on residential property owners unless they own a second home in the district. The Non-Homestead Millage would generate approximately 6.8 million dollars, which makes up about 7.2% of the school district’s total general budget. Only 16% of voters cast a ballot in the 2022 Non-Homestead Millage Election, so your voice in this election is very important.

If passed, this millage will not increase taxes for families who only own a primary residence in the district. It will have minimal impact on the property tax bill of businesses and second homes because it will only be a continuation of the 18 mills that have been levied in past years. These funds are used to directly support staffing, programming, and various other student supports.

Next is the Sinking Fund Millage Renewal. A sinking fund is a savings account into which a local school district can deposit voter-approved local millage revenue in order to pay cash for projects or repairs as they arise rather than having to borrow through short-term notes or long-term bonds.

This enables the district to pay directly for unforeseen maintenance, such as a new boiler, a roof leak, parking lot repairs, updated technology infrastructure, and individual student technology. Hudsonville Public Schools has been operating with a sinking fund for the past 25 years, and continuous funding is needed since our buildings continue to age.

If you have any questions, please go to our website at www.hudsonvillepublicschools.org or call the district office at 669-1740.

Thank you for spending the time to learn about these two important ballot items.

Please vote on May 2.

Do you want to open your heart and home and give a foreign exchange student a lifetime experience? Please consider hosting an exchange Student for the 2023/2024 school year. There are over 1,000 students to choose from all over the world. For more detailed information, visit cetusa.org

If you’re interested or have more questions, please reach out to Lisa Finnie at email ALfinnie@charter.net or call (616)446-1839

REGISTRATION FOR: Fall 2023/Spring 2024
VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION ONLY: Open from April 1st to April 30th (Opens at noon on 04/01)
*** Only coaches/volunteers can register during this time. (NO PLAYERS)
*** Depending on how many coaches volunteer will determine how many spots we can open for players.

PLAYER REGISTRATION ONLY: Open from May 1st to May 30th (Opens at 7:00 PM on 05/01)
*** Will be open for Player Registration ONLY – No Volunteers.
*** Will open as many player spots as we have coaches for.
For information/questions, email: rc.ayso676@gmail.com

Please check out our website for important information on Health Services.

Please do not send medications to school with your child. Please come into the office to drop off medications. Thank you!