2/16 & 2/17: No School, Mid Winter Break
2/20: Returning Student Registration due - see details below
2/24: Early Release day
- 2:30 - 2:45 is for students with the last name A - I
- 2:45 - 3:00 is for students with the last name J - Z
2/27: Half Day of School, 11:30 AM dismissal
2/27: Tentive Date - Mosaic of Stories evening event, details TBD
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Dear Families,
We have a long weekend ahead, and if you’re looking for something meaningful (and fun!) to do together, we’ve created a Black History Month Digital Scavenger Hunt for your family.
This is not homework. It’s not something to complete perfectly. Think of it as a menu — choose a few activities, explore together, talk a little, and enjoy learning something new or revisiting familiar ideas and stories that you are inspired by.
Black history is American history. It is full of courage, creativity, brilliance, joy, music, science, leadership, activism, and imagination. This scavenger hunt is designed to help your family continue to discover that together.
Black History Month Digital Family Scavenger Hunt
Challenge: try at least 5 of these ideas
Bonus: try at least 1 from each category!
WATCH
- Watch a short video about Ruby Bridges (PBS Kids or YouTube read-aloud).
- Watch “Kid President Explains Martin Luther King Jr.”
- Watch a BrainPOP Jr. video about Rosa Parks.
- Watch a short clip about Mae Jemison, the first Black woman astronaut.
- Find a short video about the Harlem Renaissance.
💬 Family Talk Prompt:
What surprised you? What felt brave? What felt joyful?
READ
- Read a picture book by a Black author (local library or YouTube read-aloud).
- Listen to a read-aloud of “I Am Every Good Thing” by Derrick Barnes.
- Read about Katherine Johnson, the NASA mathematician.
- Explore a biography of someone you’ve never heard of before.
- Read a book that celebrates Black joy, not just struggle.
💬 Family Talk Prompt:
What strengths did you notice in the person we learned about?
LISTEN
- Listen to a song by Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald or Louis Armstrong or Nina Simone.
- Play a song by Beyoncé and talk about her impact.
- Listen to a children’s podcast episode about civil rights.
- Explore a gospel, jazz, hip hop, or Motown song.
💬 Family Talk Prompt:
How does music tell stories? How can music bring people together?
DISCOVER
- Look up a Black inventor and find out what they created.
- Research who invented the traffic light, the super soaker, or the home security system.
- Find out what Juneteenth celebrates.
- Learn about a local Black leader in your own city.
- Discover one way Black culture has influenced something you use every day.
💬 Family Talk Prompt:
How has this person’s work impacted our lives?
CONNECT & CREATE
- Make art inspired by a Black artist (try Alma Thomas or Jean-Michel Basquiat).
- Write a thank-you note to a community leader.
- Cook a recipe inspired by Southern or African cuisine.
- Create a family playlist celebrating Black artists.
- Talk about how your family can “look out for” neighbors and stand up for fairness.
💬 Family Talk Prompt:
What does it mean to be brave in small ways?
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Why This Matters
Black History Month reminds us that for many people in our country, it has always been “a time like this.” And it also reminds us that even in difficult times, Black communities have created extraordinary joy, genius, activism, beauty, and breakthroughs.
When families explore history together, children learn empathy, courage, and curiosity. They learn that history is not just about the past — it shapes how we treat one another today.
If you participate, we’d love to hear about it!
Send me an email, PS message, or comment with a pic of your family and I will feature it on a post!
Wishing your family a joyful, meaningful long weekend together.
In partnership,
Lisa
e. nuyensl@childdiscoverycenter.org
o. 616-459-0330
c. 517-206-3868 (VM or VN or text)
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GRCDC’s Board of Directors has approved a new authorizing partnership with Grand Valley State University beginning July 1, 2026, including a seven-year authorization reserved for schools exceeding their goals. We are deeply grateful to Grand Rapids Public Schools for their longstanding partnership and the role they have played in our growth.
This decision reflects alignment with our strategic plan and a commitment to building capacity for the future. Our mission, values, staff, and daily experiences for students will remain the same, while expanded resources and support will strengthen our work. We look forward to this next chapter with excitement and remain committed to transparency and partnership with our community. More INFO TO COME!
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IMPORTANT: Returning Registration Process for Current Students is LIVE: The registration form for the 2026-2027 school year is live on Skyward Family Access. Please complete this by Friday, February 20th. If you do not complete the registration form, your child will not have a spot on the class roster at GRCDC next year. Thank you to the 57% of families who already completed the form! The form is short and will only take a couple of minutes per child to complete. Please contact the office if you need your Skyward Family Access password or account reset.
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Update: Arrival Timing Special Memo: This week, with the exception of today, Friday 2/13, the arrival line ran more smoothly. Thank you for your efforts this week. Please continue! If you missed the memo sent out last week, here is the link: Arrival Timing Special Memo Why did we send this memo? The past few weeks of heavy winter weather have brought challenges to the beginning of the school day. As a result, we need to reset expectations about arrival timing and the school's procedure. School instruction begins at 8:20. We have had an average of 50 students arriving between 8:18 - 8:20 AM each day. It is not possible to fit that number of cars in the car line in that 3 minute time period. Please read the memo and make adjustments to your family's arrival plan to help enable a safe and on time arrival for the start of instruction.
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2026 - 2027 School Year Info: The first day of school for next year will be 8/24/2026. Back to School night will be 8/20/2026 and attendance is required. Please finish family vacations on or before 8/19/2026. The complete school calendar will not be finalized until May or June. We will update you when we have more information.
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Families with Healthcare Connections: We are looking to upgrade the office thermometer for better accuracy. If you are in healthcare and have a recommendation or a lead on a device we could put in our inventory, please contact the office here on ParentSquare or by emailing the office.
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Lost and Found Weekly Post: No new post this week.
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Upcoming Events
- Mosaic of Our Stories - Tentative date is Friday February 27 at 6:30pm. This event may move to a different evening, more details to come.
- Movie Night - Friday March 13 at 6:30pm
Family Team Meetings
- The next Family Team meeting is Thursday March 12 after the Community Meeting.
- Dates for the year are: April 16, May 14
Find Family Team on ParentSquare!
Family Team is moving communication off Facebook and onto ParentSquare. The GRCDC Narwhals - Families of Current Students Facebook group has been archived, so stay up to date through the Family Team GRCDC Narwhals Group on ParentSquare.
Let's Connect
We want to hear from you! If you have an idea, question, or suggestion for the Family Team email us at grcdcfamilyteam@gmail.com.
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Board Game Club: We have another great club to offer for K-2nd grade students--Board Game Club! During the meetings, kids will learn lessons through playing different board games. We will play a combination of cooperative and competitive games. Lessons will include teamwork and cooperation, resilience and perseverance, respectful and fair play, and reinforcement of the 3Bs. To register interest in this club, please complete this form. The club leader will reach out if your student is enrolled in the club or placed on the waiting list.
If you're interested in volunteering, we would love for you to join us.
Dates the club will meet: March 4, March 11, and March 18
Time: after school until 5:15 PM
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Club meeting schedule:
2/18 - Girl Scouts until 6:00
It's Cookie Time!
We have 25 girls in the GRCDC troop, and all of them are selling cookies. This year, you could order from an individual scout, or use the new TROOP COOKIE SITE to order. Ordering from the Troop Site benefits the WHOLE TROOP, and helps us raise money for activities and adventures.
This year, the girls are raising money to go camping and horseback riding.
Choose the "Girl Delivery" option, and we'll deliver cookies to school (no need to pay for shipping).
Cookies should be delivered the first week of March.
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- If you are experiencing a housing crisis or issue, please contact us at 616-459-0330 and our Homeless Liaison will reach out to you.
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Families Supporting Families! We want to support our families. We are collecting the information for any family-owned businesses within our community. If you own a business, please fill out this survey. We will add you to the directory once we receive your information.
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OK2SAY: If you receive a threat or know of a threat of violence against your community, please contact your local law enforcement or call 9-1-1. Non-emergency tips can be submitted the following ways:
- Call: 8-555-OK2SAY, (855-565-2729 )
- Text: 652729 (OK2SAY)
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Email: OK2SAY
- Visit: OK2SAY website
- OK2SAY Mobile App: Available for download for Apple, Google and Android mobile devices.
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Absence Reporting: If your child will be absent from school, please contact us by 8:20 AM if possible. There are a few ways you can contact us about an absence:
- Email office@childdiscoverycenter.org
- Call the main office, 616-459-0330
- Send a ParentSquare message
- If you contact a teacher only regarding attendance, please know that they do not always have time to inform the office about your child's attendance. Your first contact should always be the school office. If you want to include the teacher and inform them as well, go for it!
If we do not hear from you, ParentSquare will send an automated message around 8:50 AM that you may also reply to. If you do not contact the office to excuse the absence, it will be marked unexcused.
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