9/4 & 9/7: No School, Labor Day Break
9/8: Early Release Day, 2:30 Dismissal
- 2:30 - 2:45 for last names A - I
- 2:45 - 3:00 for last names J - Z
9/9: Community Meeting for 3rd - 5th feat. Ms Nuyens and Mr. K, 8:30 - 8:45 AM
9/10: Community Meeting for K - 2 feat. Ms Nuyens and Mr. K, 8:30 - 8:45 AM
9/10: Family Team Meeting, 8:45 - 9:45 AM, directly after the K-2 Community Meeting
9/21: GRCDC Board Meeting, 6:00 -7:30 PM
9/28: No School for Students, Staff Professional Development Day
10/2: School Picture Day - more info coming soon
What's for Breakfast and Lunch? Click Here, then click on Grand Rapids Child Discovery. We are working with the food vendor to update the menu, there will be changes to this menu thoroughout the week
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Hello, Families!
This week, we will hold our first Community Meetings of the school year!
Community Meetings are a beloved GRCDC tradition that brings our school community together a couple of times each month to celebrate, connect, and learn together. During these gatherings, classes may share a “community offering,” such as something they are learning about, thinking about, or creating in class. Some Community Meetings will also feature special guests or topics we are exploring as a school.
This week’s meetings will give children an opportunity to learn or remember our Community Meeting routines and practice gathering together as a community.
Families are always welcome to attend! Please drop your child off as usual, then pull around and park in our lot or on a nearby street. You may enter through the orange door at the back of the school.
The Community Meeting for grades 3 through 5 will be held on Wednesday, and the Community Meeting for grades K through 2 will be held on Thursday. The Family Team will meet in the cafeteria directly following Thursday’s Community Meeting.
Routines and traditions like Community Meeting create continuity, connection, and pride within our GRCDC Narwhal Pod. Children get a window into what is happening in other classrooms and an opportunity to see and celebrate one another in new ways.
I hope you can join us for a Community Meeting or two this year. If you cannot, we completely understand. We know families have many demands on their time. We will share class offerings on ParentSquare whenever possible so that you can watch them and talk about them with your child.
Have a wonderful weekend. We look forward to seeing you next week!
Sincerely,
Lisa
Executive Director
c. 517.206.3868 (voicemail or text)
o. 616.459.0330
nuyensl@childdiscovercenter.org
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Lunch Count FYI: Did you know that the GRCDC lunches are ordered by 8:30 AM from the central kitchen at the Aviation High School? Once the order is in, the food is prepped and delivered to GRCDC. It is very important that all lunch orders are in at arrival time so that we can provide the lunch that is on the menu for the day. If your child is late, we will do our best to ensure they receive a lunch; often, we may have to provide a different lunch than the menu in these instances. It would really help us out if you contact the office by 8:30 AM if your child will be late or out for the day, so we can have an accurate count. |
Ms. Rachel on Medical Leave: Ms. Rachel will be on medical leave from August 31 through September 11. During her absence, our team is here to support you. Please use the following communication and support routes:
- Attendance notices: Email office@childdiscoverycenter.org or message Jessie Hammond on ParentSquare.
- Classroom questions or concerns: Contact your child's teacher
- Academic or Curriculum questions: Contact Sarah Cooper, coopesar@childdiscoverycenter.org
- General school operations questions: Email office@childdiscoverycenter.org or message Jessie Hammond on ParentSquare.
- All other concerns: Contact Lisa Nuyens on ParentSquare, email nuyensl@childdiscoverycenter.org or text (517) 206-3868
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Community Meetings start after Labor Day: Twice a month, we will hold Community Meetings. During this time, we have some announcements, share in a community offering from a specific class (each class gets a chance), and sing our Narwhal Cheer. The first community meeting will be a kickoff for the year and will be led by Ms. Nuyens and Mr. K:
- Grades 3-5, Wednesday, September 9th, 8:30 - 8:45 AM.
- Grades K-2, Thursday, September 10th, 8:30 - 8:45 AM
- At arrival time, parents and students will walk in at the orange door. Parents will sign in for the meeting with the staff member at the orange door and head directly to the gym to wait for the meeting to begin. Students will go to their class for breakfast, to put their things away, and come down to the gym with their class at 8:30.
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Part of the role of the Family Team is to work with the school to provide extra curriclar after school clubs for GRCDC students. Currently, there are 2 opportunities for students in 3rd - 5th grades: |
Book Club for 3rd - 5th grade: If you love reading and talking about books, we'd love for you to join Book Club! The club will start on September 21 and run through October 12, from 4:15–5:30. During the meeting, there will be time to read, talk about the book you're reading, look up words you don't know, and make bookmarks! Please sign up using this Google Form. We'd love to see you there! |
Drama Club for grades 3rd - 5th is back this fall, and this year the club will present a short play! There are enough parts for everyone, but students are also welcome to work backstage and create the set, props, and costumes. The club will meet every Tuesday from 3-4:15pm, with the performance scheduled for November 18th during a special morning meeting. If your student wants to participate, please complete this interest form by 9/16. There are also opportunities for parent volunteers to support this club. Contact Liz Hoonhorst if you are interested or have further questions: hoonhorstl@childdiscoverycenter.org. |
What is Family Team?
Family Team is you! All GRCDC families are considered members of our parent-teacher organization. We support classroom project work, fund field trips, coordinate seasonal celebrations, head after school clubs, host school movie nights and book swaps, provide monthly staff appreciation lunches, and support literacy initiatives.
Family Team is a volunteer-based, participate how and when you can and donate what you can, organization. Monthly meetings are held on Thursdays after the K-2 Community Meetings (dates listed below). There are many ways to get involved with Family Team besides attending meetings: volunteer to help plan events or lend a hand day-of; help with fundraisers and other short-term projects; lead or assist with an extracurricular club; and share our fundraisers with your network.
Family Team is a low-pressure community where you can participate in whatever way works for you. Whether you can lend a hand once in a while, volunteer regularly, or simply share an idea - all are welcome here!
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Narwhal Nation Merch Sale
Get your Narwhal Nation gear! Original designs by paras Ms. Chloe and Ms. Kelli are available for purchase this year as well as a classic narwhal logo tote. Proceeds from Ms. Kelli's design support Neurodiversity Spirit week.
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Upcoming Events & Opportunities
- Our monthly meetings are held on Thursdays after the K-2 Community Meetings: Sept 10, Sept 24, Oct 29, Nov 12, Dec 3, Jan 14, Feb 11, Mar 11, Apr 15, Apr 29, May 13
- Playground Party at GRCDC playground/green space: Sunday Sept 13, 1p-3p
- Annual Fall Fest at GRCDC playground/green space: Saturday October 3, 1p-3p
- See a complete list of events in this week's Friday Folder and in the graphic below.
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Let's Connect
Family Team regularly shares information through the weekly Link Letter, Friday Folders, and on the Family Team GRCDC Narwhals group on ParentSquare.
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- Donation: The office would like to have on hand gently used leggings, sweats, and boys' gym shorts. You may bring any donations to the front door or send them with your student. We do not need hoodies or shirts at this time.
- Project: The new railing in the greenspace needs to be stained to protect it from the weather. If you have skills/expertise in this type of work and are willing, please contact Mrs. Rachel.
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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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GRCDC Threat Reporting Form: It takes everybody in the school community to keep a school safe! In short, if you see or hear something, say something! GRCDC has a team of staff that have been trained to assess and respond to any threats to the school community. Please use this form to make a report.
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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 and include Jessie Hammond + Rachel Harth
- 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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