2:45 - 3:00 is for students with the last name J- Z
9/17: Community Meeting, 3rd - 5th feat. Carley's class, 8:30 - 8:45 AM
9/17: Family Team Meeting, 8:45 - 9:45 AM
9/18: Community Meeting, K - 2nd feat. Parker's class, 8:30 - 8:45 AM
9/18: Family Team Meeting, 8:45 - 9:45 AM
9/29: No School for students, Staff Professional Development Day *please note the date*
10/3: School Picture Day - ordering information coming soon
10/4: GRCDC Family Fall Fest and Mum order pick up day, 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Message from the Executive Director
Dear Families,
As we are still in the first month of school, I love to take the opportunity to share with you some of the common structures of the school day- both inside the classroom and out! So far, we have looked at the 3 Bs and Community Meeting. Today, I would like to share with you another important component of life at GRCDC: hand signals! You can ask any child at GRCDC about their classroom's hand signals, and they will know something about them. Every classroom has a set of common hand signals we use, and many classrooms add hand signals that are "just for them"!
Why Use Hand Signals in the Classroom?
At GRCDC, we believe that all children have the right and responsibility to be involved in the classroom. Using hand signals is just one way that children can participate, communicate, and get needs met!
Hand Signals:
Reduce interruptions and give everyone a chance to ask for what they need
Give students a low risk way to participate in a class discussion or learning moment
Deprioritize verbal expression for children who may struggle with that skill
Allow multiple children to participate at once
Build engagement and awareness of the learning moment
Reinforce a culture of respect and listening to others
I can honestly say we sometimes use the GRCDC hand signals around the dinner table at home and you will definitely see them being used at Community Meetings! Ask your child if the hand signals below are the ones your child uses and if their class has come up with any unique signals, as well.
Have a great weekend!
Lisa
Lisa Nuyens, Executive Director
e. nuyensl@childdiscoverycenter.org
o. 616.459.0330
c. 517.206.3868 (text or VM)
Meet the GRCDC Board of Directors - Jennifer Tanis
When Jennifer Tanis and her partner Mike were choosing a school for their son, Jay, they hoped to find a place that reflected their family’s values and felt like a true community. GRCDC quickly became that—and so much more. From neighborhood walks to school filled with familiar faces, to soccer games coached by GRCDC staff, and the way every adult knows their son by name, Jennifer has experienced firsthand the magic this school cultivates through connection and care. Jay’s own words—“confident, brave, smart”—beautifully capture what GRCDC instills in its students. Serving on the board is Jennifer’s way of giving back to a school that so wholeheartedly nurtures those values in children and families alike.
Professionally, Jennifer is an assistant professor of social work at Hope College. Her work focuses on preventing child maltreatment and supporting family well-being through policy and practice. She brings over a decade of experience in clinical social work, including in medical and child welfare settings, and her research centers on strengthening families through supportive social policies like paid family leave. At Hope, she teaches courses on child welfare, social policy, and family-centered practice—always with an emphasis on relationship-building and equity. Jennifer is passionate about creating environments where individuals and communities can thrive, and that same spirit shapes her approach to board leadership.
Outside of work, Jennifer finds joy in laughter, nature, and community. Her favorite pastime is making her son belly laugh—and she’ll repeat a joke or dance move for as long as it gets a giggle. She finds balance outdoors, whether she’s tending to her garden, hiking with her family, or simply sitting under a tree. The Tanis family makes a point to explore a new national park each year—so far, Acadia, Dry Tortugas, and Zion top her list. A former yoga teacher and lifelong reader and writer, Jennifer thrives in spaces where people come together with care and curiosity. She’s always eager to connect and build community, both inside and outside the school walls.
Central Office Updates
Reminder: School Meals: The digital menu is now ready! We are still working with the food vendor on improvements to the menu to make it more readable and user friendly. Click here for the menu link. This menu is also linked in the ParentSquare. Here is a 1 minute video showing you where to find the link in the ParentSquare app:
ParentSquare Skill Corner - Attendance notifications: STARTING NEXT WEEK on 9/15, attendance notifications from ParentSquare will be sent around 8:50 AM. If your child is absent, please contact the office through ParentSquare, by emailing office@childdiscoverycenter.org or calling 616-459-0330. If we do not receive a notice from you and your child is not in class on time at 8:20, you will receive a notification via text, email, and voice call. Please respond promptly to any attendance notification you receive. As we learn this new system, there could be errors. If you receive a notification and you dropped your child off, please respond, and we will get back to you right away.
*Special note to families arriving at the end of the arrival time* Teachers are taking attendance at 8:20. If your child is dropped off in the car line at 8:19, the chances that they will make it inside the classroom before 8:20 are very slim. We will do everything we can to catch this in the attendance system; however, you may still get an autonotice through ParentSquare. Please respond promptly to any messages you receive.
Mary Free Bed Construction Updates
No new updates this week
Family Team Updates
Fall Fundraiser
Mum sale pickup will be Saturday October 4 at the Fall Fest. There will be a limited amount of 8 inch pots for $10 available if you did not order. Thank you for supporting this fundraiser and getting Family Team off to a great start!
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
Our first Family Team meetings will be held on Wednesday 9/17 AND Thursday 9/18 after Community Meeting. Join us to learn more about what Family Team does and sign up to get involved with events throughout the year. If you can't make it, don't fret! We will share the scoop in the Link and hold evening Family Team meetings this fall.
Fall Fest will be Saturday, October 4, from 1:00pm - 3:00pm at GRCDC. Opportunities to help plan and volunteer at Fall Fest are coming soon!
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.
Drama club is back this fall! OPENINGS ARE STILL AVAILABLE! This year’s theme is short skits. Students will be able to hone in their acting skills by practicing and performing short skits for their classmates! Not everyone has to perform, as we will also be learning how to run a play from behind the scenes. The club is open for students in grades 3-5. It will run on Wednesdays after school, starting 9/17. Pick up time for the club each Wednesday is 5:15 PM. A special performance for classmates and parents of the students will be on 11/6 at 8:30 AM. This interest form is due on 9/12, and Ms. Liz will confirm participation by Monday, 9/15. There are 25 spots available, and spots will be filled on a first come, first served basis. If your child is interested in participating, please complete this form by 9/12.
Community Resources
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.
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.
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:
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
