2/27: Mosaic of Stories Event, 6:00 - 7:30 PM, see details below
3/3: 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
3/6: Portfolio Session Scheduling Begins, 7:00 AM, see details below
3/9: GRCDC Board Meeting, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
3/12: Family Team Meeting, 8:45 - 9:45 AM
3/13: Movie Night @ GRCDC, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
3/20: No School for Students, Portfolio Prep Day
4/1: Portfolio Day, alternative schedule, see details below
4/2 - 4/10: Spring Break, No School
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ICYMI:
Dear Families,
When you first enroll at GRCDC, you are told "everyone is a member of the Family Team"- but, what does that REALLY MEAN? Why do we say that? And, how does being a "member of the Family Team" work?
GRCDC's Reggio-inspired approach emphasizes the critical importance of relationships to the learning process and to the growth of everyone! The relationships between the families, children, and educators are central and included in that are relationships between families. The stronger the bonds of families with their children and one another, the stronger our school community is as a whole! The Family Team invites EVERYONE to show up in the life of our school!
We live in a strange time where we have access to the curated thoughts, experiences, photographs, and videos of millions of people at the click of a button- highly aligned to our interests, beliefs, and aesthetic, if we wish. However, many of us still feel a deep sense of loneliness, isolation, or disconnection in our daily lives- especially when raising young children! Getting involved with the Family Team and school events allows families to socialize and connect together as a family, rebuilding the idea of the school as a hub of the community. You can participate as little or as much as you would like- but please consider participating in some way.
Next Friday, on the evening of February 27, the Family Team will be hosting an event called "The Mosaic of Stories". This is a event to be attended by the whole family- a thoughtful and low-lift way to share stories with one another, look for things in common (instead of having the "algorithm" find them!), and learn from our differences! Please mark your calendars for this event. All details below. Can't wait to see you there!
Most sincerely,
Lisa
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Q: Who will provide therapies? I believe GRPS staffs us now.
A: Services like OT, PT, Speech/Language, School Social Work on a child's IEP may still be provided by related service providers from GRPS or a different agency. Contracting with GRPS for those services was not/is not related to our authorization.
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Portfolio Day, Wednesday, April 1st: On Wednesday, April 1, GRCDC celebrates the growth and connections of students in our Annual Portfolio Day. This is a special day in which the teachers and families come together on an alternative schedule. Please plan to attend school with your child for a half hour session on Wednesday, April 1. Only the parent(s) and the student should attend the session. Please make child care arrangements for siblings who do not attend GRCDC. This event is only for parents and students. We do not have the space for extra family members such as grandparents or other relatives. The half hour portfolio session is the only instruction that is planned for April 1st. You will be able to sign up for a session through a sign up post on your child's teacher ParentSquare page. The sign up will be posted on March 6th at 7:00 AM.
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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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Lost and Found Weekly Post: We have not had time for the traditional post with photos AND the lost and found is overflowing. If you would like to look through it, the best time is during morning arrival.
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Communication Expectations: From the Family Guidebook: Teachers and staff should reply to any email sent within 48 hours. If you need additional help or you are not receiving the response you need, please contact Lisa Nuyens via email nuyensl@childdiscoverycenter.org or through ParentSquare. *Messages sent to teachers in the morning may not be able to be read until after school hours.*
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Mosaic of Stories—a special evening where families create art together and share the stories that make us who we are.
What: Create a family hand artwork while connecting with other families
When: 2/27/26, 6:00-7:30 PM
Where: GRCDC
Who: All families—bring everyone!
Cost: Free
Here's what will happen:
You'll sit at a table with other families and art materials will be waiting. You'll create a hand that represents your family—your culture, traditions, languages, values—whatever feels true to you.
And while you create, you'll talk. You'll meet your table neighbors. You'll hear their stories. You'll share yours. Conversations about heritage, traditions, identity, what makes each family unique.
When your hand is finished, you'll add it to a large community mosaic that will display in our school as a reminder of the beautiful diversity we share.
This isn't a craft project. It's relationship-building through creating together.
No artistic skills needed. No pressure to share anything you're not comfortable with. Just come, create, connect.
Education is based on relationships. Let's build them together. We can't wait to see you there.
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Upcoming Events
- Mosaic of Our Stories - Friday February 27 at 6:30pm
- Movie Night - Friday March 13 at 6:30pm
- Book Swap at Portfolio Day - Wednesday April 1
Family Team Meetings
- The next Family Team meeting is Thursday February 12 after the Community Meeting.
- Dates for the year are: March 12, 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. |
After School Club meeting schedule this week:
3/3 - GOTR
3/4 - Girl Scouts and Board Game club
3/5 - GOTR
It's Cookie Time and Cookie Booth 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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