Every Member Should

Above and Beyond #7

Did you know a Lakeview teacher did home visits during Christmas break? Another did them after school so she could meet with parents at a time that was convenient for them! And another teacher regularly decorates the tree in the courtyard that was dedicated to Michael Eastman, a former student at this school who died as a young man. His mom was an HPS teacher. She takes pictures of the tree and sends them to her sometimes. Another teacher spends a little extra time after school daily with a hearing impaired student to increase his signing and communication. These are just some of the amazing things Lakeview teachers are doing to make HPS great.

Above and Beyond #6

On a beautiful Halloween Day, Jefferson School held its first Walk-A-Thon. A Walk-A-Thon is simply students walking around the Holland High track and collecting pledges for each lap walked or one pledge for the entire walk.

Our purpose was two fold. One, to promote a healthy lifestyle, and second, to obtain extra money for field trips. With the blessing of our PTO, the Walk-A-Thon was planned and Jefferson School was able to collect $6,000 extra dollars for 4th and 5th grade field trips to the Outdoor Discovery Center, skiing at Bittersweet or any other location.

All the children had a wonderful time and a great time was had by all.

A Comment from the HEA to the Holland Community

“ The teachers of the Holland Public Schools wish to assure the citizens of Holland that the excellent delivery of education will continue on a daily basis within each school building. To all students and parents: you can rest assured that all students will be safe, nurtured and cared for by our highly qualified and veteran teaching staff. The care that all students have received will continue and all parents can rest assured that their child's/children's teacher(s) will be there for them."

Charles Bullard
President
Holland Education Association

Thinking of retirement?

Annually the MEA sponsors several Pre-Retirement Workshops during each school year.

The next workshop is scheduled for:

Saturday, January 24, 2009 (9:00 a.m. until Noon)

Location: Muskegon Community College

This is a free workshop and if you are planning to retire within the next couple of years you should attend this workshop.

To register for the workshop please call: 1-800-458-9213 and provide your name and school district that you teach in.
Spouses are welcomed as long as there is room.

Above and Beyond #5

THE HOLLAND HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR THE COGNITIVELY IMPAIRED
by Tamsin Troff

During the course of every calendar year some very exciting things take place in the CI program at HHS. Our school day activities are chock full of classes and activities ranging from several specially geared academic and life skill classes, to our Work Study program which involves 29 students being placed in volunteer positions in area businesses, two mornings each week.

We also arrange and fund raise for multiple field trips so that our students can participate in social situations that they may not normally be exposed. Most of these trips are within the community but every eighteen months we go on “the big one”. We alternate between having a camping experience at Camp Algonquin for three days and two nights, and having a city trip to Chicago for the same amount of time.

As a result of writing and being given a grant from the Holland Area Arts Council, our students will enjoy a second twelve week period (one hour a week) working with artists and making art at the HAAC. Our students were so proud last year when they showed off their art work at an evening open house attended by the public, family and friends!

We have traditions, too. This winter will be the twenty-third year that we have had a spaghetti dinner and then go to a HHS basketball game as a group. In the fall we have a pizza party before going to a HHS football game.

The planning for these students doesn’t take a vacation or know about business hours. We not only work with the students, but wind up being somewhat involved with their entire family. Although this sounds ominous and sometimes is, it is important for the comfort and trust of the parents. It also paves the road for good working relations when siblings grace our door.

Above and Beyond #4

Stop by Holland Heights on a Monday or Wednesday between 3:37 and 5 pm and you'll see a group of 15 boys running. For the first time, Holland Heights has a Total Trek Quest running team. Total Trek is the equivalent of Girls on the Run, but it's for boys. This program wouldn't be possible without the coaching of our very own 5th grade teacher, Todd McKay. Twice a week, Mr. McKay volunteers his time to run with the boys and teach lessons about self-esteem. The program culminates on November 22 with a 5K Celebration Run. Thanks to Mr. McKay for going above and beyond by giving of his time and energy for such a great program.