Dutch Weekly August 23 - 29
Welcome back, Dutch!
What a first week it has been.
Holland Hall welcomed more than 1,600 students to campus, including these young scholars in the Middle School.
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Eleven new faculty members began classes — two in the Primary School, four in the Middle School, and five in the Upper School (with another to start in the Spring semester to teach a special course.)
Three alumni came back as teachers this year — all three had to call a former teacher by their first name for the first time.
Seven outstanding teaching assistants came on board to be in classrooms in the Primary and Middle schools.
One beloved former teacher and substitute stepped up to be a Primary School teacher for the year. Mary Kay Hobbs will be a 2nd Grade teacher this year!
The Seniors welcomed the Freshmen to the Upper School circus in style, with clowns, monkeys, ringmasters and more. Many moms were kissed with not-so-gentle encouragement from the upperclassmen.
Two Holland Hall volunteers stood out this week for their amazing work on the Primary School Back to School Bash! Jamie Misner and Abby Graves put in countless hours leading a committee that made sure our youngest students and their parents were able to reconnect, play a little, and do some early shopping. "It helps my kids feel more connected at school when they see their family up here volunteering,” Abby said. Check out all of the ways to get connected by going to the Parent Section of the website!
And, finally, two very unwelcome visitors were dispatched quickly by the school's crack security and maintenance teams. The wasp in 8th Grade Social Studies and the "good" rodent-eating snake who was making a home in the Primary School flower beds were rehomed, although many teachers aren't sure they were rehomed far enough away!
Convocation is next Friday
Friday, August 29 is our annual all-school convocation. Please note this is a uniform day for all students. Students may change into their Hall Brawl or Dutch Day shirts after convocation is over. Please remember uniform bottoms!
Parents are again welcome to line up on the Alumni Walk to cheer on the students as they file into the Walter Arts Center for this beloved Dutch tradition. Unfortunately, space doesn't allow parents to attend the WAC event, but it will be livestreamed on the app or at gotohh.org/stream.
Want to download the school photographer's pictures?
Smugmug is available to all Holland Hall families, and downloads are free. You may also order prints from the site, but it's not necessary. For the privacy of our students, please don't share the password outside of the Holland Hall community and never online.
To see and download photos, go to hollandhall.smugmug.com.
The password is OneDutch!
Did you know the Holland Hall app did that?
The Holland Hall app, which is available wherever you purchase apps, has an anonymous tip line. If a student or community member needs to be anonymous, they can go to the app and click "tip line" at the bottom of the home screen.
The app also has livestreams, calendars, links to the Parent Portal, directories, and more.
Your uniform questions answered
Q. Where can I find an up-to-date dress code?
A. The Parent section of the website, hollandhall.org/parents, or here.
What kind of sweatshirts can my Primary or Middle School student wear all day in the classroom?
A. Any crewneck, 1/4-1/2 zip or full-zip solid navy, black or heather gray sweatshirt (performance material or fleece) with no visible logo except the Holland Hall H-logo (and Adidas, because we are an Adidas school for athletics.)
Q. What about hoodies?
A. Hoodies are only allowed on Fridays for Dutch Days.
Q. Can I buy a sweatshirt anywhere?
A. Yes. BUT, to wear it during the school day, it must have a reasonably sized H-logo on the left side of the chest in an approved gray, black, white or red ink or thread. So feel free to buy sweatshirts with no logo and have them embroidered with a vendor from our approved list. Find that list here. You may also buy them from the Dutch Zone, Lands' End, Tommy Hilfiger Uniforms, or, locally, at C&J Uniforms.
Q. Why does Upper School get more options?
A. One of the perks of getting to the Upper School is more freedoms in what students may wear. So sweatshirts may also be white and can be decorated with HH logos, the word Dutch, club names, sports and more in red, black, Holland Hall blue or white ink.
Sweatshirts must still be solid white, black, navy or heather gray with no visible logos except for HH and Adidas. And they must be purchased through an approved vendor — the school, Lands' End, Tommy Hilfiger Uniforms or C&J. Boutique or homemade sweatshirts are not allowed. And no representations of a lion or Dutch the mascot are allowed outside of the school-approved image.
Q. Can we wear turtlenecks or mocknecks?
A: No.
Q: How about sweaters?
A: Yes, crewneck or cardigan sweaters in solid navy or black with just an H-logo are allowed throughout the school.
Q: Do coats have to have the Holland Hall logo?
A: No. If a coat is meant to be taken off when students come in the building, it may be any coat. If a student wants to wear an outer layer in the classroom, it must be logoed.
Q. What's up with Dutch Days?
A: Dutch Days are when you can wear any Holland Hall shirt received or purchased through the school with uniform bottoms in the Primary and Middle schools. Hoodies MAY BE worn on Dutch Days.
Q. What about Upper School Dutch Days?
A. Again, Upper school students get a few more privileges. They may wear uniform bottoms, BLUE jeans or khaki or navy uniform shorts on Dutch Days.
Q. Seriously? Upper School students can wear shorts on Dutch Days? What about Lululemon?
A. Shorts on Dutch Days must be a tailored fit in khaki or navy. Many athletic brands now make nice, tailored shorts that would be acceptable.
Q. What about Dutch Packages for athletics?
A. Most Dutch Packages include at least one uniform-compliant option.
Q. When is the Dutch Zone open?
A. All families are welcome to shop the Dutch Zone in the Tandy Dining and Wellness Center in the middle of the campus from 9-11 a.m. Wednesdays, 8-10 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays, then 2-4 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays. The Dutch Zone trailer will also be set up at home football games.
Q. Have more questions?
A. Maybe this video well help!
Important traffic notes to be aware of as school starts
Please drive the speed limit while on campus, 14 mph. Please be aware that new speed bumps were installed this summer — if you aren't driving the speed limit, you will feel them!
Primary School:
Please take note of pick-up and drop-off lanes — especially Kindergarten students who pick up and drop off in different locations.
If possible, please avoid arriving too early for drop-off, which blocks the exit for visitors.
Middle School:
Fourth grade families, please enter the middle gate, then take an immediate left onto the road that is parallel with 81st Street. Students will exit your car on the inside lane and cross the bridge to the 4th grade entrance. If you need to park, please use the lane closest to 81st Street.
Upper School:
When dropping off, please pull all of the way forward to allow the maximum number of cars to fit in the drive and avoid back-ups. This is especially true for student drivers who are trading places with a parent.
Traffic Maps:
PRIMARY SCHOOL
Primary School Library hours explained
We are fortunate to have the Maloney Family Library, which is first and foremost a resource for our Primary School students and faculty. Our handbook states that children in Kindergarten–3rd grade may check out books weekly with their class, and our younger students may enjoy the collection with a family member. We love that parents model a love of reading, and we encourage families to enjoy the collection together. To ensure that our students have consistent access to the materials they need for classwork and special programs, we are clarifying the following guidelines:
Parents may check out one book at a time for family use.
Display books, Redbud Read-Aloud titles, and other program-specific resources are reserved for student use only.
Visits to the library and parent checkouts should take place after school hours, not during scheduled library classes or during the school day.
We are grateful for your understanding and cooperation as we work to keep our library collection accessible and engaging for all students.
Dress Code updates: Scout uniforms
Thank you for your attention to our dress code updates. Beginning in the 2025–2026 school year, Boy Scout and Girl Scout uniforms should be reserved for activities outside the school day and will not be part of the daily school attire.
Get all of the Extended Day Program details
Please click here to read the all the information for drop off and pick up to include the times, locations, and phone number to call. This will make for a smooth running morning and afternoon for everyone!
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Middle School Back to School Night is Sept. 11
Dear Middle School Parents,
We are excited to welcome you to our Middle School Back to School Night, this year, with your student(s) by your side!
When: Thursday, September 11
Time: 6:00–7:30 p.m.
Where: Middle School Building
This event is designed as an Open House, so you may come and go as your schedule allows. Enjoy this special chance to experience your child’s school world together.
You’ll step into your child’s school day with opportunities to:
* Visit classrooms
* Meet teachers
* See their locker and some of their work
* Experience the spaces where they learn, connect, and grow
And who better to guide you than your child? They’ll lead the way, sharing the places and moments that make up their Middle School experience.
We look forward to seeing you there!
UPPER SCHOOL
Reminders About US Attendance
Attendance Policy
Parents must inform Mrs. Alford, US Attendance Coordinator, by 8 a.m. at USattendance@hollandhall.org or 539-476-8287 if a student will be absent from school or tardy to school.
Planned Absences
Students who have a planned school-related absence OR personal absence need to complete an absence form. This requires them to meet with each teacher to discuss any work they may miss while they are out. The form should be completed, signed by a parent, and then turned in to Mrs. Alford prior to the scheduled absence. These forms can be found in the US Business off by Mrs. Alford’s desk.
Arriving Late/Leaving Early
Parents must notify Mrs. Alford via email or phone call if their student(s) will arrive late to or leave early from campus. Students should communicate directly with teachers to discuss any work they missed due to their late arrival or early departure.