September 24, 2026
------------------------- TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENTS ----------------------------
--7th grade Brown volleyball beat Wayland 21-18 in both the first and Third sets. Between all three sets Presleigh Elzinga had 7 aces while serving. Ava Hossink had 2 digs in the second set to Sophie VanderPloeg for 2 assists and Sadie Zweering got 1 kill.
--7th grade Gold volleyball beat Wayland Union. Lydia Hunderman served great with 4 aces. Yuli Fregene kept the ball off the floor with 4 digs. Kaydence West, Lydia Hunderman, and Teagan Wilkosz all tied for highest number of kills.
--The 8th grade Brown volleyball team lost to Wayland last night 1-2. They came out strong in the first set with scoring runs from Liv McCammon and Lulu Vis, but weren't able to keep up in the last two sets. Highlights for the match were Lulu Vis with 4 aces and 8 kills, Liv McCammon with 14 assists and 3 aces, and Madi Klassen with 6 digs. The chix play home on Monday against Holland.
--8 Gold Volleyball took yesterday's match 3-0 from Wayland. The team was helped by contributions from Molly Koernolje (two 3 passes, 4 aces), Gabby Villasenor who passed a 2.0 in serve receive, had a team high 7 digs, and added a kill, and Kyla Kraai who contributed a dig, an assist, a kill, and served a perfect 7 for 7 including an ace.
--Last night the 7th grade football team took on the Forest Hills Central Raiders. The game started fast, with the Chix scoring in 4 plays and then the Rangers answering right back in 3 plays. However, the Chix dominated the game from there. The Chix had two touchdown runs from Shae Sattler, a touchdown run from Owen Trulock, and Max Ras had two onside kicks recovered by Lucas Monzo and Fischer Brink to rattle off 20 unanswered points heading into halftime with the lead 27-8. The second half was more domination from the Chix, as the offense had two touchdowns from Shae Sattler and one from Owen Trulock. Big shoutout to the offensive line group of Fischer Brink, Zach Martin, Daxton Weaver, Ben Kornoelje, and Collin Meilleur, and Tyler Black who opened the way for the runners. Defensively, the Chix were led by Silas Hunsberger and Hudson Osburn in tackles and Carson Hop recovered a fumble. The Chix won the game with a final score of 46-16 and improve to 4-0 on the year. Next week they will take on the Holland Christian Maroons at home.
--The 8th grade football team took on the Forest Hills Central Raiders last night as well. The Chix started fast with a touchdown run by Bryce Meyer and extra point to Isiah HIll. Followed by an onside kick from Carter Bailey recovered by Val Alvarez which led to a touchdown pass from Meyer to Collin Byker. The Chix continued to roll, with touchdowns from Jacob Hallifax and Collin Schout and an extra point scored by Kai Glerum as they took a 27-8 lead into halftime. The Chix defense stood out in the second half. Holding the Rangers scoreless they were highlighted by interceptions from Carter Bailey and Bryce Winfield as well as sacks from Dro Lusingo and Sam Tammenga. The offense continued to score, with touchdown runs from Bryce Meyer and Bryce Winfield as well as an extra point scored by Dro Lusingo the Chix won the game with a final score of 40-8. Next up your 3-0 Chix take on the Holland Christian Maroons.
------------------------- REMINDERS FOR STUDENTS ----------------------------
--Cityside Middle School is bringing back Odyssey of the Mind this school year! Odyssey of the Mind is an international creative problem-solving program where teams work to solve a complex, open-ended "long-term problem" over several months. This often includes building a device, creating a performance, or designing a structure. OM is a program that is open to any and all students here at Cityside. Tryouts for the OM team will be held on September 23 from 5:00-7:00 pm at Cityside. Click HERE for the informational flyer.
--Friendly reminder: Please try to turn off your Chromebook completely at least once a week! Shutting it down allows important system updates to install properly and keeps everything running smoothly.
--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 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. 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.
--Chromebook Charging Reminder
Charge Nightly: Bring your Chromebook fully charged every day! No loaner chargers are available from Mr. Navetta this year.
Check with your teacher first: There should be a couple chargers in each classroom to use for a quick charge.
CBC Station: Leave your device with Mr. Navetta briefly to charge during the day.
Media Center Station: Check in with Ms. Gillespie before plugging in your device.
--Hey everyone! We’ve noticed more Chromebooks coming in for repairs lately, so here’s a quick "Pro-Tip" guide on how to avoid accidental damage and those pesky repair fees:
Clear the Ports: Only chargers and USB cables belong in the ports. Anything else—pencils, clips, or snacks—will break the device. If the port breaks, you’ll be responsible for the total cost of a new Chromebook.
Hands Off the Keys: We know they’re clicky, but please don't pull them off! Replacing just one key will cost $40.
Pack with Care: Screens are sensitive to pressure. Avoid stuffing your bag too full or dropping it roughly. A cracked screen is a $150 fix.
Replacement Chargers are available for $15.
Bottom Line: These devices are valuable tools for your education. Please handle them with care to avoid repair bills and lost study time!
--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. This is a food-free library. Drinks are allowed only in covered, spill-proof containers.
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.
--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. They must stay in your locker until after school.
--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 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.
-------------------------------- FOR PARENTS ----------------------------------
--Parents: Follow THIS LINK for information about ZPS Tech Insurance for the 2026/2027 school year.
--Click this link for the ZPS 2026 - 2027 Calendar
--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 appointment, 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 (616-748-3250) 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. 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. Visit Z for Me 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. For more info: ZPS School Messenger
--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.
--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.
--The 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 ----------------------------
--Student Athletes: Shuttle buses for athletes going from Cityside to the high schools are to board buses 47 & 49 first. Once those fill up the drivers will direct you to board any other bus which will have open seats for you.
--2026/2027 SPORTS SIGN-UPS: Final Forms will open for the 2026/2027 school year on May 1, 2026. Please see the CITYSIDE ATHLETICS WEB PAGE for information and requirements about signing up student athletes. All registration and sports sign ups must be done online in the Final Forms website. If your student is planning to participate in any sports during the upcoming school year, please remember that they must have a new sports physical that is dated AFTER April 15, 2026. Please bring sports physicals to the office to the attention of Mrs. Nelson or upload a PDF copy into your student's Final Forms record. If you have any questions or need any assistance, please contact Tammy Nelson at: tnelson@zps.org.