Inclusion Is Who We Are - ZPS Inclusion Week February 23-27
From February 23 through 27, Zeeland Public Schools will launch our first ever district wide Inclusion Week through our one of a kind, longstanding zLINKS program, a peer-to-peer model rooted in friendship, understanding, and belonging.
Inclusion Week is not just a themed week or a one-time effort. It reflects who we are striving to be as a school community. It reflects our shared and deliberate commitment to putting into action what we say matters most.
Across every building, from our Early Childhood Center to our high school campus, students will participate in shared spirit days and age-appropriate learning experiences that bring special education inclusion to life.
Our youngest learners will talk about what helps friends feel safe and comfortable. Elementary classrooms will celebrate unique interests, practice being teammates who include others, and experience Unified Basketball in action. Middle school and high school students will engage in purposeful conversations, peer-led activities, and community-building moments that strengthen connections across differences.
At the high school campus, the half-day on Thursday will conclude with a dedicated experience focused entirely on connection and community. At the same time, the heart of the week will be felt in every hallway, lunchroom, classroom circle, and playground conversation across the district.
Superintendent Hetherton shared, “One of the things I love most about Zeeland is that people care about each other. Inclusion Week is just an extension of that. It is students reaching out to students. It is choosing kindness. It is making sure no one feels alone in a hallway, at recess, or at a lunch table. That is the kind of school system we want to be and the kind of community we already are at our best.”
We know we are not finished. Inclusion is ongoing work. But this week marks an important step forward together toward schools where every student is seen, valued, and truly belongs.
All schools will participate in common spirit days throughout the week. Be sure to check out our short district-wide video highlighting students from every building and their excitement for Inclusion Week.