Superintendent

Hudsonville Public Schools
3886 Van Buren
Hudsonville, MI 49426
Phone: (616) 669-1740
Fax: (616) 669-4878

Superintendent
Dr. Douglas VanderJagt
 

Dear Hudsonville Families,

It’s hard to believe that 2025 is already coming to a close. The year has gone by quickly and has been filled with so many moments worth celebrating. This time of year always reminds me how important it is to slow down, give thanks, and appreciate the people around us. I hope you and your family enjoy a season full of peace, joy, and connection.

As we move into the new year, one of our main priorities will be developing a new three-year strategic plan for Hudsonville Public Schools. Our current plan, SOAR V, concludes at the end of this calendar year, and we are preparing to launch SOAR VI. This process will help us identify priorities and guide decision-making as our district continues to grow and evolve. Throughout the winter, we will gather feedback from many different voices in our community. In February, we will host focus groups that include parents, staff members, community leaders, senior citizens, booster members, and representatives from local businesses. Their input will help shape a districtwide survey that will be distributed later in the spring. The survey will invite all members of the Hudsonville community to share their thoughts on topics such as building capacity, financial planning, and educational opportunities. The results will help guide our Board of Education as it plans for the future of our district.

Although we have yet to experience our first snow day of the season, winter weather is right around the corner. When the snow begins to fall, please know that the safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority. We monitor road conditions closely and work with local officials before making a decision. Our goal is to announce any closings or delays by 5:45 a.m. Families will receive a phone and email notification, and updates will also appear on local media outlets. For those who prefer social media, I will post weather-related updates on X (formerly Twitter) at @dvanderjagt70. These updates will also be posted on Facebook and Instagram.

Recently, several of our school leaders attended a safety conference focused on protecting children from sextortion and human trafficking. These are serious topics, but learning about them helps us keep our students safe. Sextortion happens when someone online tries to trick or scare a child into sending pictures or personal information. Human trafficking is when someone is forced to do work or activities they do not want to do. We encourage families to talk often about online safety and to remind children never to share personal information or pictures with people they do not know. If something online ever feels wrong or uncomfortable, it’s important to tell a trusted adult right away. This could be a parent, teacher, counselor, or police officer. To help support these conversations at home, our district website includes a short podcast and helpful links for families to learn more.

Thank you for making Hudsonville such a special place to live, grow, and learn. I am grateful for our students, staff, and families who make this community so strong. I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and a great start to 2026.

Warm regards,

Dr. VanderJagt