Child Discovery Center » News

Diversity Week Feb. 13-17

Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:43:59 +0000

We hope you can join us for the performances at morning meeting during Diversity Week. And of course, we want all of our families to join us for the Diversity Luncheon on February 15. Our school is not the only place celebrating diversity this month. On Saturday, February 4 the Grand Rapids Public Museum is hosting the Ethnic Heritage Festival. For more details, click here.

Open enrollment begins on February 1, 2012

Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:00:10 +0000

Enrollment applications for the 2012-2013 school year will be accepted from February 1, 2012 through April 13, 2012. For the enrollment page, click here. Students currently enrolled will be automatically admitted for the next school year as long as they have applied for re-enrollment by April 13, 2012. If the number of applications exceeds the number of seats available, students will be selected for admission by random lottery. Applications received after the deadline date are accepted on a first come, first served basis. We will post the 2012-2013 application on this website on February 1, 2012.

In honor of this day – January 16, 2012

Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:23:00 +0000

Dear Families, In honor of this special day, I would like to share the link below. There are many thingsI could write and or say, but I could never match his words or spirit. Please take time to listen and reflect on the life and work of this great man. Peace, Miss M Martin Luther… continue reading →

Happy Birthday!

Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:43:14 +0000

Happy 40th birthday to our beloved Mr. Trevor!

Today in History: December 1

Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:45:53 +0000

On the evening of December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks, an African American, was arrested for disobeying an Alabama law requiring black passengers to relinquish seats to white passengers when the bus was full. Blacks also were required to sit at the back of the bus. Her arrest sparked a 381-day boycott of the Montgomery bus system and led to a 1956 Supreme Court decision banning segregation on public transportation. For the full article, please click here.

Wish Lists are ready!

Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:51:24 +0000

Many of you have asked how you can help the GRCDC. To this end, the staff has developed a wish list. These are items the GRCDC needs for the discovery classrooms, studio, special education, and sound and movement at 409 Lafayette. If you would like to donate your time, items or monies towards these items please contact Jeanne Englehart at 616-827-7705. A direct link to the wish list can be found here.

Thanks for voting!

Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:41:16 +0000

Thank you to everyone who voted! The winners will be announced in January.

Another Example of GRCDC Community and Commitment: The Move from 5th Street to Lafayette

Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:29:59 +0000

Once it was final, the papers signed, it sunk in. We are moving and now! This move wouldn’t have been possible without the efforts of many people.

The countless hours and mountains of patience of our volunteer move-in manager, Raymond McDaniel

The even more countless hours of our maintenance supervisor, Eric Cole

While there were many parents and school board members who spent countless time preparing the school Chris Hanks and Tim Glasser spent countless hours preparing the grounds and filling in where every necessary. Chris was instrumental in recruiting volunteers and matching their skills with tasks.

And special recognition goes to Ray Lantinga, Keith Milanowski, Tony Sutter, Jason Potts, Jim Boosamra, Peg Jefchak, Heidi Chase, Rachel Harth, Craig and Rachel, Brigett and Kitty Glasser.

Principal Erin Melcher was on site to answer questions and give tours and direction as well as move, haul and clean. New Executive Director Jeanne Englehart volunteered time to clean restrooms but she admits that someone else had to remove the bat from a toilet before she would continue.

The vision and persistence of our Board President, Lorissa MacAllister

The professional help and guidance of Ted Lott (LottMetz AIA) and Dan Lamore, Charlie Alm (Christman Construction)

The support of subcontractors who changed their schedules to meet our needs was fantastic: Superior Flooring (Dave Beerens), Century Floor Refinishing, (Trent Schutz), Acadia Brick (David Mentinga), American Fence Rectors, Parking Lot Maintenance (Pat Branigan), DC Beyer, Buist Electric (Dick Norden and Tim Fisher), Scott Anscomb, professional painter, Michael Brown, professional floor care. Raymond reports that there was an overall savings of $38,000 by using volunteer labor. Over the period of 52 days, he estimates there was more than 500 hours were donated. One great story of the summer:

Myra Lilly, is a grandmother of a GRCDC student and wanted to help. She excused herself by saying she don’t do much but she toured the school and focused on “touch up” painting and cleaning. She was there so often that she became a landmark in the school. Returning volunteers would look for her and greet her as they started their shift, “Hi, Myra”.

The transformation is well on its way but not complete. As funds and plans become available the building needs many more repairs. While we are all anxious for beautification, there is a long list of maintenance and repairs that still need to be addressed. Fundraising plans are in place and opportunities to donate and volunteer will soon be published on the web site on a page called “Get Connected”.

See Our Report Card

Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 17:41:36 +0000

See the Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center 2010-2011 Michigan School Report Card from the Department of Education.

A “Good News” Story about Public Education in Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 18:53:23 +0000

The Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center Finds a New Home in a Downtown Neighborhood The Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center (GRCDC), a charter school of the Grand Rapids Public Schools, closed on the purchase of the building known as Vandenberg School on June 29, 2011. Vandenberg School is located at Lafayette and Wealthy in Heritage Hills.

The GRCDC, a charter school of the GRPS, has been exceeding expectations of families and students since it opened in 2000. It started in response to the parents and teachers from the Aquinas College Child Development Center, (a Reggio Emilia Pre-School) who wanted to open a grade school so their children could continue to work and learn within the framework they had become accustomed. The first year enrolled 85 students. Current enrollment for fall 2011 is 232 students.

The GRCDC has been renting the school building owned by the St. Adalbert Parish on Fifth and Davis SW. The existing school, while adequate in size in the short term, has the infrastructure issues of an older building and it was apparent that the GRCDC had needs this facility wasn’t going to be able to supply in the future. The diocese plans to use the property of its own ministry needs going forward. While many options were considered in a new school location, Lorissa MacAllister, Board President, Lott Metz Architects and Christman Construction, studied, planned and created a budget to relocate the school to the Vandenberg School and in February 2011 the GRCDC School Board approved the proposal to make an offer to purchase the facility.

“In so many ways, this is a successful transaction” says MacAllister. “Our school community stays downtown, the GRPS realizes some cash flow and the relief of maintaining the school, we restore and develop a historic structure, and through the process we have become more organized and are prepared to be even a stronger force in our community for quality education and sustainable practice.”

The school is currently occupying the building, preparing it for the fall and the first day of school is September 6, 2011.

Vandenberg School was designed by Henry H. Turner and constructed in 1922 for the Grand Rapids Public School system. While beloved by its surrrounding neighborhood, in recent years it has been underutilized and in danger of being torn down for parking.