October 2, 2025
------------------------- TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENTS ----------------------------
--Homecoming is next week (10/3-10/10), so it's time for spirit days! Don't be the boring student, dress up for all 5 days!
Monday: Mismatch Day, wear different shoes, socks, and even hair styles, the crazier the better!
Tuesday: Grade Neon Day, the brighter the better!8th grade-pink, 7th grade-blue, 6th grade-yellow.
Wednesday: Jersey Day, support your favorite team!
Thursday: Hawaiian Day
Friday: Chix Gear Day
--Last night the 7th grade football team played against the Creekside Dux. The Chix defense got the game started with a fumble recovery by Bryce Winfield, setting up the offense in great position. The offense capitalized, with a touchdown pass from Bryce Meyer to Colin Schout. Then the Chix defense got a great stop on the Dux, setting up Max Leeson for a touchdown score to make the score 12-0. After another stop by the Chix defense, the offense drove down before Joseph Neidlinger scored a touchdown. Carter Bailey then kicked an onside kick to give the Chix offense the ball back, and they made the most of it with another touchdown pass from Bryce Meyer to Collin Schout as the Chix took a 25-0 lead into halftime after Graham Kamphuis ended the Dux next drive by getting an interception. The second half was much of the same, highlighted by hard runs from Brennan Mansfield and another touchdown run from Joseph Neidlinger the Chix dominated the Dux with the final score being 32-0. Next up the 5-0 Chix end their season at Byron Center.
--Also last night the 8th grade football team took on the Creekside Dux. The Chix started hot on offense, driving all the way down before Avett Whitmyer capped off the drive with a touchdown run and extra point to give the Chix a 7-0 lead. The Dux got a drive of their own going, but that ended after Bryson Fantin recovered a fumble to get the Chix offense back on the field. However, after a couple of back and forth stops by both defenses the Chix took that 7-0 lead into halftime. After halftime the Chix defense got a stop when Landon Zinke intercepted the Dux and set the Chix offense up for a touchdown run by Caiden Leslie. The Dux then responded with two quick touchdowns of their own before the offensive line combination of Levi Hoffman, Drew Taylor, Colton Ras, Bryson Fantin, Alex Anghel, and Levi Nichols opened a hole for Avett Whitmyer to punch in another touchdown and extra point to give the Chix a 21-14 lead. The Dux offense then marched down and scored, but the Chix defense stood tall and stopped the Dux extra point attempt to give the Chix a 21-20 victory. The Chix will end their season next week at Byron Center.
--7th Grade Gold Volleyball played West Ottawa on Wednesday evening and won 2 out of the 3 sets. Palmer White had a dig leading Miranda Sullivan to get a kill. Kyla Kraai had 2 aces serving and Maddy Beisel had 2 kills off of assists from Addi Crane.
--8th Grade Gold Volleyball swept West Ottawa in all 3 sets last night. The team served 25 aces and passed a fantastic 2.6 in serve receive. Team leaders were Ellie Barkey with 4 three-passes, Kenzie Klein-Horsman with 4 aces, and player of the game Holly Morley with 2 digs, 2 three-passes, an assist, and 7 aces.
--The 7th grade Brown Volleyball team played West Ottawa on Wednesday and swept them all three sets. Their record moves to 5-2 on the season! Tenlee Trobridge led the Chix in serving, with a 10 point serving run and 9 aces. Avery Smith added 6 aces, 2 digs and an assist and Gabby Villasenor had a dig, 2 assists, a kill and a block! Sapphire Ram added 4 digs and 2 kills. Brooklynn Lecours also had an ace, 3 digs and an assist to add to the win. The team is back in action on Monday against Zeeland Christian at 4pm at home. Cheer on your Chix!
--The 8th Grade Brown Volleyball team beat West Ottawa last night 3-0. The Panthers had a strong defense that caused a lot of tough rallys, but the 31 kills the Chix totaled were too much for them to handle. Lucy Gruppen contributed 7 of those, Myah Davis had 6, and Elise Hoeksema had 8. Mali Koenigsknecht led in assists with 13, along with 5 aces and a kill. Gabby Follman added 9 assists and 3 digs. The girls are home on Monday against Zeeland Christian.
------------------------- REMINDERS FOR STUDENTS ----------------------------
--This Friday, October 3, is a half day for students. Those who have 2+ missing assignments in the gradebook will be required to work with Mrs. DenBoer in order to get caught up. You will be notified on Tuesday if you are required to join Mrs. DenBoer on that half-day. If by Friday morning, you have your missings down to one or fewer in the gradebook, you will follow your regular half-day schedule. All this to say, use your time wisely this weekend to get caught up on any missing work! YOU CAN DO THIS! Go Chix!
--Early winter sports start the week of October 18. If you are planning to try out or participate in 6/7/8 Girls Swim & Dive, 7/8 Girls Competitive Cheer, or 7/8 Boys Basketball, please make sure you are registered and ready to start in Final Forms. If you need help or have any questions, please email Mrs. Nelson at tnelson@zps.org.
--Are you interested in science, technology, engineering, or math? Are you excited to learn new concepts, create innovative projects, and connect with new people? Join our Chix in STEM club! We offer hands-on activities, experiments, coding, and robotics projects. No prior experience is necessary—everyone is welcome, regardless of their interest or skill level! Our first meeting will be on Monday, October 6th from 2:35-4:00 in room 125/Mrs. VanFarowe's room. Any questions please contact Mrs. VanFarowe, or the student leader Violet DeGroot. We hope to see you there!
--Hey everyone! We've been seeing a bunch of issues with Chromebooks lately, so let's go over a super important reminder to keep your device safe and working. Here are the rules to remember:
DON'T stick anything into the ports. That means no paperclips, no pencils, no snacks—nothing! Sticking things into the charging or USB ports will break your Chromebook, and you'll have to pay the full replacement cost for a brand new one.
DON'T pull the keys off! We know those little keys might look tempting, but pulling them off the keyboard damages them. Each key we have to replace is a charge.
Also, be careful when packing into your backpacks. The screen can get broken if something pushes too hard against the outside. Replacement of the screen is $150.
Let's treat our Chromebooks like the valuable tools they are so we can all keep learning!
--Please join us on Friday, October 17th for YOUTH NIGHT at the Zeeland East vs. Forest Hills Central football game. All elementary and middle school students will get into the game for FREE with a paying adult. Tickets will be passed out at schools the morning of October 17th.
Elementary students will be asked to gather in the south end zone with their elementary school following the end of the first quarter of the football game. Students will then be welcomed and introduced to the crowd during halftime.
A quick reminder that students entering into the game need to be accompanied by an adult.
Don’t miss out on a great night showcasing our CHIX pride and students in our district!
What: YOUTH NIGHT
Where: Zeeland Stadium at the ZE vs. Forest Hills Central football game
Date: Friday, October 17th
Time: Kickoff at 7pm with elementary students introduced at halftime
--Students: Just a reminder that backpacks aren't allowed in classrooms during the school day. They must be left in your locker; that includes during 6th hour. Students have been taking backpacks to their 6th hour class; they must stay in your locker until after school. Thanks so much!
--Heading to the Library After a Half-Day of School? We’re glad students enjoy spending time at the Howard Miller Library after school. To ensure the library remains a safe, respectful space for everyone, please remind your student of the following expectations:
- Respect the space – Seating belongs in chairs, not in aisles or hallways. Backpacks and instruments must be kept out of walkways.
- Keep it quiet – Low voices help maintain a calm environment for all visitors.
- One person per computer – Public computers are for individual use only.
- Snacks only, please – Small snacks and covered drinks are welcome. Full meals (like pizza) should be enjoyed elsewhere.
The library is a shared community space, not a supervised gathering area. We appreciate your support in helping students use it responsibly. Thank you for helping us maintain a positive environment for all visitors.
--Students: Having good ATTENDANCE and being at school as much as possible is so important to a successful education. Please make every effort to arrive to school on time, to get to class on time, and to come every day. We love having you with us here at Cityside!
--If your Chromebook needs to be repaired, please bring it to Mr. Navetta in the CBC by 9:00 in the morning so it can be sent off to the technology office the same day. Just a reminder: Mr. Navetta does NOT have any loaner Chromebooks or charging cords for kids who forget them at home. Please make sure you are charging your Chromebook fully at night and make sure you take it to school every day. If you forget it, you will need to call home to have someone bring it to you. If you forgot to charge it, bring your cord from home. Please completely shut down your Chromebook at least once a week to install any updates that are out there and please remember to fully charge it at home each night.
--Students: You must use a crosswalk when crossing the road at any time because we care about your safety. State law requires you to ONLY cross at a crosswalk. It is illegal and unsafe to cross anywhere else. Please make sure to find the closest crosswalks and use those to get where you need to go before or after school. Thank you!
--If you leave school early for any reason, you MUST go through the office and let them know you are leaving. Thank you.
--A quick reminder about Success Time: If you have been assigned success time or lunch detention, first drop off your assignments and Chromebook (if needed to complete your assignment)to the LGI room and then grab your lunch so you're ready to get to work right away. If you've turned your assignments in and have a signed slip, you have 3 options:
1. Hand your signed slip to Mrs. DenBoer in the LGI on your way to lunch.
2. Put your signed slip in the folder on Mrs. DenBoer's office door in the Media Center.
3. Put your signed slip in the Success Time Folder on the front desk in the Main Office.
--Students: There is now a donation bin/box beside the Lost and Found table outside of the office. The bin/box is for clothing donations that will go to the organization City on the Hill to help clothe homeless people. Feel free to donate old used clothes by simply putting them in the box. Thank you for your help!
-------------------------------- FOR PARENTS ----------------------------------
--This is a friendly reminder to get Chromebook insurance before the enrollment period closes on October 31, 2025.
To sign up, visit the e-Funds for Schools website, and select the "Pay for Optional Fees" option. You can find more details about the insurance program HERE.
--If your child will not be in school, for any reason, you MUST call the attendance line at 748-3205. Thank you!
--If you need your child out of school early for an appt, etc. please call the office ahead of time and we will try to have your student waiting for you. We will then send them outside when they see you pull up. Teachers normally will not let a student leave class early unless they are called down by the office. Thank you!
--If you are picking your child up from school for any reason you must call the office before we will let them go. You may also call their cell phone in addition to the office, but the office must hear from you. 616-748-3250. Thank you!
--Please make sure you have an Infinite Campus Parent Portal account set up. You will be able to check your student's bus schedule, grades, attendance, etc. with the Parent Portal. If you have any questions, please contact Heidi Wolters at hwolters@zps.org.
--Sign Up to Receive the 'Z for Me,' our ZPS district email newsletter- Stay informed about the latest ZPS news, events, and updates, including important district announcements (school closings, etc.), upcoming events, and more. See this Flyer and visit www.zps.org to sign up.
--ZPS utilizes the School Messenger system to deliver text messages straight to your mobile phone with important information, including school
closings, safety alerts, and more. You can participate in this free service just by sending a text message of "Y" to our school's short code, 67587.
--Any message needing to get to a student must be received by 1:20 pm. We call students down at the beginning of their last hour during announcements so we are not disturbing classroom instruction time.
--We need your help to ensure our schools receive important state and federal funding by completing the Education Benefits Form, which collects information for educational program grants. Even though all students get free breakfast and lunch this year, filling out this form can also provide your child with additional services like summer food support, help with school fees, and potential household support for internet and cable. Questions? Please see your building principal. Scan the code on this Informational Flyer for more details.
--We would like to offer your student the opportunity to participate in a program at Cityside Middle School called “Hand2Hand”. This program helps provide a student with food for the weekends and is intended for families who currently may be experiencing a financial burden. Please contact the front office if you would like to participate. Please see the attached Hand2Hand Registration Flyer which is in both English and Spanish. Print it off and return it to the Cityside front office.
**Our Miles of Smiles (MOS) mobile dental unit is scheduled to be in Ottawa County Schools during the 2025-2026 school year. Our mobile dental unit provides no cost, preventive and restorative dental services for financially-qualifying children. Unfortunately, MOS will not be visiting your school this year. However, we want parents to know that they can schedule their child to be seen on our mobile unit when we locate at another Ottawa County School. Miles of Smiles can be accessed by using the following informational application link: MILES OF SMILES
--Please do not have lunch food delivered from area restaurants to our students for lunch. We aren't allowed to sign your credit card receipts, and often the order only comes with a student's first name on it making it very difficult for us to know who it is for. Students often don't know a lunch is being delivered for them, so they don't come to pick it up and the food goes uneaten. Thanks for understanding!
------------------------- ATHLETICS ANNOUNCEMENTS ----------------------------
--SPORT SIGN-UPS: FINAL FORMS REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR THE 2025/2026 SCHOOL YEAR. Please see the CITYSIDE ATHLETICS WEB PAGE for information on signing up student athletes. All registration and sports sign ups will be done online in the Final Forms website for the 2025/2026 school year. Drop in locations for sports physicals are also listed on the athletic web page. If your student is planning to participate in any sports during the 2025/2026 school year, please remember that they must have a new sports physical that is dated AFTER April 15, 2025. Please bring sports physicals to Mrs. Nelson in the CBC or upload a PDF (Preferred format) into your student's Final Forms record.
--Hey Chix Families! Have you heard the big news in athletics? For the first time ever, the Zeeland Athletic Boosters are allowing you to directly support our Cityside athletics the next time you volunteer! New to Cityside or new to our Athletic Boosters? No problem! Everyone is encouraged to volunteer! The Zeeland Athletic Boosters are our biggest partner when it comes to supporting our athletes. From purchasing equipment or jerseys, to providing scholarships to our Senior Athletes, our Boosters help support athletic excellence at Zeeland Public Schools. The next time you volunteer, just write “Cityside” for the team/program you would like to sponsor. By doing this, the funds you raise will go directly to our Cityside Athletics account. Workers earn $10/hour at any ZPS athletic event! Sign up here! Go Chix!
--Boys Tennis players should take Bus #34 which will take you over to Creekside. This bus will arrive a few minutes after the other busses have left.
--Any other athletes needing to get to the high school for practice can ride either Bus #47 OR #40 to the High School.