December 2025 Update from Mr. Crete

Dear Middle School Students, Families, and Staff,

As we head into December and the days get shorter, our school is entering a season that’s often both exciting and busy for families. This time of year brings special traditions, school events, and a natural opportunity to pause and reflect on how far students have come since the start of the year. I hope this message finds your family doing well and enjoying the holiday season. Thank you for your continued partnership during these first months of school. The support, communication, and encouragement you provide at home make a real difference for our students each day.

I also want to share a helpful tool you can use at home to stay connected to your student’s learning. Each Monday morning, teachers will update their Week at a Glance with homework, upcoming assessments, and daily learning topics. While plans may shift based on student needs or unexpected interruptions, this will provide a reliable overview of what your student is working on. If you have questions after reviewing it, you’ll be able to reach out to teachers directly for support. Students will have the link available on their log-in screen, and it will also be posted on the BMS website.

As we move through December, we want to help students finish the year strong while also recognizing that schedules can fill up quickly. Keeping consistent routines, prioritizing attendance, and encouraging students to stay organized will help reduce stress and set them up for success heading into winter break.

Please keep an eye on our upcoming calendar for early dismissal days, winter concerts, and events. We’re looking forward to celebrating the season together while continuing to build a positive, welcoming environment for every student.

Thank you again for your continued support of your student and our school community. Wishing you a safe, restful, and joyful holiday season, and a wonderful start to the new year.

Best regards,

Ryan Crete, Principal - Baldwin Street Middle School

Click here for 2025-2026 BMS Student-Parent Handbook

BMS Student Council Update

Library Information

Please take a few moments to review the information regarding the books in our library and the policies and procedures around restricting titles for your children.

BMS Library Information 2025-2026

Late / Lost Books

Students won't be able to check out another book until they return or replace an overdue book.

Renaissance Business of the Month

Athletics and Extracurriculars

Come out and support our Eagle athletes! All Middle School Winter 1 Sports Schedules can be found at: https://hudsonvilleathletics.com/

Winter 2 Sports Sign-Ups

The Winter 2 Sport Season begins January 5 and concludes in the second week of March. The sports offered in Winter 2 at Baldwin Street are:

Girls Basketball (A and B if we have the numbers for B teams)
Boys Swim and Dive
Co-ed Wrestling

Here is the link to sign up: Winter 2 Sports Sign Up Link

If you are interested in signing your student up for a Winter 2 Sport, please make sure the following is completed.

1. Completed Sports Physical Form (Must be dated after April 15, 2025 per MHSAA)

2. $75 Pay-to-play fee (This can be check, cash, or completed online here) (Type in "Pay 2 Play - Baldwin Middle School")

3. Signed Athletic Code Athletic Code Contract (This should pop up if you choose to pay online) or there are hard copies in the office.

Physicals can be scanned and emailed to Juli Smies - jsmies@hpseagles.net.

Forms must be printed, signed and brought into the office prior to or on the first day of Winter 2 sports tryouts or practices (1/5/26) . When all forms are signed and pay to participate is turned in, athletes will receive an entry ticket that must be brought to their coach on the first day of tryouts. Tickets will be handed out the week of December 15 at Lunches.

If your student played a Fall or Winter 1 sport that was not Football or Sideline Cheer, they do not need to pay the Pay2Play Fee again. *Please note that MS Football and sideline cheer are club sports and are a $50 fee, not the $75 Pay 2 Play Fee.*

Informational flyers for sports will be available at lunches and in the front office the week of 12/8/25. Coaches will also send out informational emails by 12/17/25.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.

Jon VanSlyke - BMS Athletic Director: jvansly@hpseagles.net

Juli Smies - Athletic Secretary: jsmies@hpseagles.net

Hudsonville MS Science Olympiad

Congratulations to this years Science Olympiad team with students from RMS and BMS! They placed 10th out of 38 teams at their first invitational! This years group has many new students to the Science Olympiad program, and this is an amazing accomplishment! Fire Up Eagles!

Hudsonville Robotics

Team 8860C – Uber Eats delivered in a big way recently at the VEX V5 tournament hosted by Grand Rapids Christian School. They earned a true triple-crown performance, taking home the Excellence Award, a Tournament Champion title, and finishing with the top overall Skills score. Their steady focus and commitment throughout the season showed in every match. They have also earned a spot at the State Championship in February. Congratulations to the students and coaches on an outstanding day!

Team Members: Ethan Ames (Baldwin), Clay Harmer (Riley), Connor Saxbee (Baldwin), & Evan Saxbee (Baldwin)

Honorable Mention

Team 8153A - The Mighty Masons are a team of first year students who were Finalists at the competition. Congratulations on earning the #2 spot.

Team Members: Henry Coblentz (Riley), Maddox Hamilton (Baldwin), & Noah Renbarger (Riley)

BMS Fine Arts Update

Ollie Haase and Tierney Brechting represented BMS at the MidFest Honors Band at Western Michigan University. They had a tiring but great day of playing and performing with over 125 other middle schoolers from around the state of Michigan! Congratulations to both of them and thank you for making BMS and Hudsonville proud! Thank you to Mr. Jacobs, Ms. Koella, and Mr. Hansen for their support of our band students and for providing this opportunity.

Food Service Update

Breakfasts and Lunches will be FREE to all students for the 2025-2026 school year. We encourage any family to apply for Free & Reduced Meals and other additional Child Nutrition and Educational Benefits. Click here to complete the application. There is important student support funding that HPS receives that is tied to approved applications. Approved applications also ensure that families receive any and all discounts related to Athletics, Technology, Testing, Summer School, Home Internet, etc.

To receive any potential discounts, you MUST return THIS FORM to Food Service. You can visit our website at www.jenhudfood.org to find links to menus and more information about School Meals.

Contact Food Service at foodservice@hpseagles.net or at (616) 457-2400 if you need assistance with anything related to meal service.

Additional Parent Volunteer Opportunities

Parents of Baldwin Street Middle School students! We need your partnership in many different ways during the school year. Opportunities include regular Copy Parent, volunteer during school day as needed, Activities, Library, and Others.

***All parent volunteers are required to have a background check on file. This includes Parent Chaperones that attend field trips throughout the school year. Please fill out our online "Volunteer Background Check Form" on the BMS website.

Please contact Jayme Santana or call the office at (616) 669-7750 if you are interested in helping out.

Community Resources

Hudsonville Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX, including in admission and employment. https://www.hudsonvillepublicschools.org/about/civil-rights-compliance

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