10/4: GRCDC Family Fall Fest and Mum order pick up day, 1:00 - 3:00 PM
10/7: Early Release Tuesday, 2:30 Dismissal
- 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
10/8: Community Meeting, K - 2nd feat. Parker's class, 8:30 - 8:45 AM (make up for missed meeting due to water main break)
10/9 & 10/10: No School for Students, Parent Teacher Conferences will be held during the day and evening
10/13: Board Meeting, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
10/31: No School for Students, Staff Professional Development Day
|
Dear Families,
This upcoming week on Thursday and Friday, the teachers of GRCDC will hold Family Conferences. These conferences will feature a current snapshot of your child's learning and provide information about how they are doing with their social and emotional development at school. The focus of the conferences this year is on PARTNERSHIP. In our study of curiosity, we realized we wanted to shift away from an "information download" session and shift more into a conversation between families and teachers about the child- who they are, how they are doing, how learning is going and how to best support their next steps in their development. This is in keeping with the "wonderings" central to our Reggio-inspired philosophy.
In order to come to conferences as a partner, it is a good idea for you to do a little reflecting and preparing beforehand. We have a strong emphasis on the Family/Teacher relationship, with both the family and the teacher being essential and equal. To be fully ready for conferences next week, please make sure to:
- Look over and understand your child's iReady Scores. They will be in Friday Folders TODAY. Watch the video from Ms. Cooper linked below!
- Talk to your child about what they think is going well for them and where they think they are having a harder time. Find out what they MOST want you to know from conferences! In my family for example, 1 of my children literally asks me "does my teacher like me?" and another one asks me "did they tell you about my writing?" Ask your child what they would like you to share with or ask their teacher, too!
If these are your first conferences or you tend to be nervous or unsure what to do at the conferences, check out these awesome resources to help put you in a great mindset to partner with our amazing teachers:
YOUR voice is so important to us in best understanding and supporting your child. Teachers are working so hard to prepare for conferences and we look forward to learning all we can from you and with you! Have a great weekend!
Sincerely yours,
Lisa
Lisa Nuyens, Executive Director
e. nuyensl@childdiscoverycenter.org
o. 616.459.0330
c. 517.206.3868 (text or VM)
|
We are taking a pause from introducing the board members this week. Today we are featuring Mr. K, the SEL and Culture Coach.
Hello! My name is Andrew Kleinschmit (Mr. K) and I am the SEL and Culture Coach at GRCDC. I am one of the two SEL interventionists. This is my second year in this role and my thirteenth at GRCDC. Prior to my current position I taught 2nd and 3rd grade. I love that my current position allows me to connect and build relationships with all students and families. I have two children, Noah (11) and Liesl (7). Noah is a GRCDC alum and Liesl is a current 2nd grade Narwhal. Our family enjoys camping and being outside. I look forward to seeing families in the morning at the school drop off line and at school events. I am available to talk about how I can support your child and family during my office hours or via email. I look forward to connecting with you this year.
|
iReady Diagnostic Score Reports: In today's Home/School folders, you will find your child’s i-Ready Reading and Math scores from our fall assessment. These tests, given three times a year, adapt to each child’s level and help us plan more personalized learning. Your child’s teacher can answer any questions and address next steps with you at conferences on October 9 or 10. Click here to watch a short video explaining the diagnostic tests and how to read the reports. You can also visit iReady's Family Center for more details. |
Reminder: Parent/Teacher Conferences: On 10/9 and 10/10, students do not have school, so teachers may meet with each family for conferences. Conferences are a special time for teachers and families to come together and focus on your child. We’ll celebrate strengths, talk about areas for growth, and share what we’re each noticing. Together, we’ll make a plan to support your child’s progress, using both your insights and the snapshot of how they’re approaching grade-level skills. Scheduling instructions below:
|
ParentSquare Skill Corner - Two Minute Video Tip - Please click on the link to see how to sign up for appointments and conferences with the mobile app or on a desktop or web browser. |
School Pictures were on 10/3: If you missed ordering, don't worry! You can order online now or wait until retake day on November 20th. To order online, go to: https://hrimaging.com/
|
|
Office item needed: We would like to display the lost and found items on a clothing rack during conferences for easy identification. Does anyone have a clothing rack we can borrow for the event? If yes, please sign up here.
|
|
Find Family Team on ParentSquare!
Family Team is moving communication off Facebook and to ParentSquare. The GRCDC Narwhals - Families of Current Students Facebook group will be archived later this fall, so stay up to date through the Family Team GRCDC Narwhals Group on ParentSquare.
Family Team Meetings:
- The next Family Team meeting is Thursday October 30
- Dates for the year are:November 13, December 18, January 15, February 12, March 12, April 16, May 14
Upcoming Events & Opportunities:
-
Fall Fest is Saturday October 4 from 1:00pm - 3:00pm. Volunteers are needed to run a variety of stations. Volunteer sign ups are available in the Family Team GRCDC Narwhals Group on ParentSquare. If we cannot fully staff stations, Fall Fest offerings will be adjusted accordingly. You can also sign up to donate apple cider and water here, too. We are hosting a food drive for the Grand Rapids Pride Center at Fall Fest. Donations of non-perishables and/or grab & go meals are welcome. Items like soup, easy mac, canned meat, ramen, peanut butter are requested.
-
Mum Order Pickup: Thank you for supporting our fall fundraiser! Proceeds go toward funding school-wide events like Fall Fest as well as Connected by Curiosity project work by our students. Pickup will be Thursday 10/2 and Friday 10/3 at dismissal as well as at Fall Fest on Saturday 10/4. If you pick up your flowers outside of those times, please cross your name off the sheet on the clipboard that is with the mums.
-
Book Swap: Take a book, leave a book! No book to leave? Take a book anyway! Find the book swap carts near the office on Thursday 10/9 and Friday 10/10 during conferences. Book-themed stickers will be available for purchase for $1 to help sustain this initiative; payment through GiveButter.
-
Take Me Outside Week: Family Team is participating in Take Me Outside Week October 20-24. Be on the lookout for more information about casual evening events you and your family can attend.
Let's Connect
Join the Family Team GRCDC Narwhals Group on ParentSquare. The Facebook group “GRCDC Narwhals - Families of Current Students” will be archived later this fall. We want to hear from you! If you have an idea, question, or suggestion for the Family Team email us at grcdcfamilyteam@gmail.com.
|
The Lego Clubs are full for the fall. Be looking out for an opportunity to join in the spring. |
- 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:
- Call: 8-555-OK2SAY, (855-565-2729 )
- Text: 652729 (OK2SAY)
-
Email: OK2SAY
- Visit: OK2SAY website
- OK2SAY Mobile App: Available for download for Apple, Google and Android mobile devices.
|
|
|
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
