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.

Above and Beyond #3

East K-8 has established a "family" atmosphere. Each family is headed by a staff member and includes a group of students ranging from grades 1 - 8. This year's family theme is character traits. The families meet monthly to discuss and do an activity highlighting a specific character trait. Each staff member at East k - 8 goes above and beyond by facilitating each family meeting. Lois Mulder has played and integral part in the success of the family concept. She has put in many extra hours, researching, planning, training staff, gathering materials and organizing implementation of the lessons. In short East K - 8 has a true family atmosphere because of the dedication and hard work of Lois Mulder, teachers, staff and administrators.

Above and Beyond #2

Beth Byrne is currently a first grade teacher at Harrington Elementary School. Over the last 10 years, Beth has voluntarily held a Summer Reading Club for her students. The students in her class are invited to come back to school during the summer months once a week for two hours. During that time, Beth does a read-aloud story where she continues to build upon the comprehension skills she taught during the school year. Each student also practices their reading using their own box of leveled books. Beth is there to support and encourage them. Since the arrival of the Big READ Bus during the summer months, Beth coordinates her club to be held on the same day as its stop at Harrington. This allows the students to take a book home from the box she provides, and visit the Big READ Bus to check out another book. Thanks to Beth for going “above and beyond” to support the students at HPS!

Probationary Teacher meeting

The HEA encourages all probationary teachers and their mentors to attend the Annual MEA Probationary Teachers' Workshop

This workshop is intended for all first, second, third and fourth year probationary teachers as well as their mentors and any other interested HEA members.

The 2008 Probationary Teachers' Workshop will be held on:

Tuesday, October 14, 2008--Holland Double Tree Inn Conference Center--4:00 PM until 9:30 PM.

Registration is from 4:00-4:30 PM, the MEA provides all materials and a free dinner. There is no cost to attend this workshop. Everything is free.

Not only can you receive very important information but all hours can be counted for "mentoring hours" as well as PSD hours.

In order to register all you have to do is call: 1-800-458-9213 and provide your name and the name of the school district you teach in.

All of you are strongly encouraged to attend this fantastic workshop.