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The Link Letter 10.17.2025

Posted Date: 10/17/25 (4:44 PM)
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A whimsical illustration of a narwhal with colorful details, the logo for Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center.

The Link Letter

October 17, 2025
GRCDC is in session on Monday 10/20

Upcoming Events:

10/21 - 10/24: Family Team Take Me Outside Events each night this week, 6:00 - 7:00
10/21: 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
10/30: Family Team Meeting, 8:45 - 9:45 AM
10/31: No School for Students, Staff Professional Development Day
11/4: GRCDC Family Book Club, 6:30 - 8:00 PM
11/7: GRCDC Family Movie Night, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
11/17: GRCDC Family Book Club, 6:30 - 8:00 PM
11/20: School Picture Makeup/Retake Day
11/25: Half Day of School, 11:30 dismissal
11/26 - 11/28: No School, Thanksgiving Break

What's for breakfast and lunch this week? School Meals Menu
 

Message from the Executive Director

ICYMI!
Thank a Teacher! (click here)

Dear Families,
We still have a few teachers who only have a handful of "thank yous" on the form. Please fill out the form this weekend- it will take 5 minutes- to thank your child's teacher for their hard work! It makes the darker month of October so much brighter!

Please take the time to fill out the THANK A TEACHER FORM! Let's make sure every single teacher receives at least 5 "thank yous"! I filled mine out, did you?

Sincerely,
Lisa
Lisa Nuyens, Executive Director
e. nuyensl@childdiscoverycenter.org
o. 616.459.0330
c. 517.206.3868 (text or VM)
 

Central Office Updates

School Photo Preview: Your child's school photos are available to view on the shop.hrimaging.com website. If you did not purchase photos yet, you can order now through the website. Picture make-up day is November 20th. If your child was absent on picture day or if you would like the photo retaken, please send a message to your child's teacher.

If you don't have an existing account with HR Imaging, you can set one up. To access the photos, you will need your child's student ID number. See the next article on how to check ParentSquare to get that student ID number.
ParentSquare Skill Corner - Checking ParentSquare for your child's Student ID number - For online picture ordering, some of you may need your student's ID number. You can find the ID number in ParentSquare by following the steps in this document.

Lost and Found: The lost and found is overflowing. Items will be donated at the end of next week. Please stop in a check for your child's items before next Friday.
Coats on the Playground Alert!: At GRCDC, students are required to wear a coat, jacket, warm fleece, or thick (extra layer) hoodie when it is 50 degrees or colder. When it gets even colder, heavier gear is required. Next week the forecasted low temp during morning recess will be in the COATS REQUIRED range. Please find your student's gear this weekend so they are prepared.
Arrival and Dismissal Reminders: We have noticed some issues and wanted to remind everyone of the arrival and dismissal procedures around the building. The main thing to remember is that there are only right turns around the building, regardless of the direction you approach it. The map is below, and then an explanation to follow:
A map outlines the arrival and dismissal procedure for a building, showing streets, parking, and entrances.
  • There are no left turns allowed into the family parking lot or from Logan Street to Cass Ave. If you are approaching the building from northbound Lafayette, you must go past the school and use the roundabout to turn around and get into the car line.
  • Arrival: Make sure you are pulling up as far as you can before you let your child out, either to the car in front of you or to the last drop off zone sign. 
  • Arrival: If your child takes extra time getting out of the vehicle, wait until you pull up close to the staff member standing in the street before letting them out of the car. This staff member is usually Mr. K.
  • Follow staff instructions and please don't honk. There may be an issue in front of you that you can not see. Please be patient and wave down a staff member if you think there is an issue.
An advertisement for substitute paraprofessionals at Child Discovery Center.
Illustration promoting Neurodiversity Week, with people moving boxes and a plant.
Email Ms. Kelli to help plan Neurodiversity Week: wiltsiek@childdiscoverycenter.org
 

Mary Free Bed Construction Updates

Wealthy Street is fully open! We don't know of any construction impacts to our building or dismissal process in the near future.
 
A colorful flyer announces 'Take Me Outside Week' with daily activities.

Family Team Updates

Take Me Outside Week
Family Team is participating in Take Me Outside Week October 20-24. Join us Monday through Friday at 6:00pm - 7:00pm for casual events to get outside and build community with other narwhal families. All events will take place or start at GRCDC. Come to one, all or some events as it fits your schedule. 

Wreath Sale Fundraiser
While our mums are still alive, it's time to think about snow flying and winter wreaths (oh my!). The wreath fundraiser starts today, Friday October 17 and ends Friday October 31. Delivery will be November 19. Order yours at https://givebutter.com/wT3Xwn. 

What Exactly Do Fundraisers Fund?
Equity is a pillar of our school and Family Team raises funds to make our events free or low cost for families. Our big three fundraisers - mums, wreaths, spring flowers - fund the bulk of our large events like fall fest, winter wonderland, Mosaic of our Stories, and the family dance. 

Smaller fundraisers like concessions at Movie Nights help us break even on food costs for those events. Same with the Book Swap; donations help replenish books if inventory runs low. Merch sales on Bonfire have a small profit margin and monies go into our general fund. 

This year we are also helping to fund Connected by Curiosity project work by contributing to admission and transportation costs for field trips and other experiences. We're also working this year to re-establish classroom mini grants for teachers. 

Additionally, we rely on donations from local businesses and organizations to offset event costs. 

How can you help? Aside from monetary donations, you can get support Family Team efforts in the following ways:
  • Attend Family Team meetings; participate in discussions and decision-making. Attend meetings when you can! Participating in Family Team IS NOT all or nothing!
  • Volunteer to help with donation / fundraising requests. Family Team works hard to keep events equitable for all GRCDC families. We need help with requesting donations from community organizations and businesses. If you have irregular pockets of time, this could be an opportunity for you!
  • Help plan special events like Fall Fest, Winter Wonderland, Mosaic of Our Stories, and Family Dance.
  • Volunteer for events and extracurricular clubs throughout the year. This is a perfect low commitment opportunity; one and done! You can volunteer to set up, tear down, or run a station. This volunteer opportunity is typically 1-2 hours at a time.

Find Family Team on ParentSquare!
Family Team is moving communication off Facebook and onto 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. 

Can you insert the link to join here?

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

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. 
A hand holds a book titled '10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World'.

GRCDC Book Club

"10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High Tech World" 

A group of parents will be gathering to discuss the book "10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High Tech World" by Dr. Jean Twenge. This is intended to be a supportive group to catch up on current research and explore the topic with other parents. We will be hosting an 2-part evening book group on Tues. 11/4 and Monday, November 17, 6:30-8pm. At the first gathering, we plan to discuss the first half of the book/five principles, and discuss the remainder at the second gathering. While we encourage you to read the book, we also welcome you to join if the topic interests you, whether you read the book or not! You can attend both or one of the dates.



Book description for '10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World' by Jean M. Twenge.
We will provide childcare at the school for children ages 3 and older, by two GRCDC alumni.

The book can be purchased locally at Books and Mortar, and if you mention it is with GRCDC, they are able to provide a 10% discount on this title. They have a couple of copies in store, and if you need to order it through them, it takes a few business days. The Kindle version is also a more affordable way to access the book. If cost is a concern, please let us know if you would like one of a small number of copies the school will purchase.

Interested? PLEASE RSVP HERE or Please reach out below with any questions!

Mihaela Friedlmeier friedlmm@gvsu.edu
Amy Depotty - amy.depotty@gmail.com
 

Extracurricular Opportunities

Club meetings this week:
10/22- Drama Club
10/23 - Lego Club 3rd - 5th

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:  
  1. Call: 8-555-OK2SAY, (855-565-2729 )  
  2. Text: 652729 (OK2SAY)   
  3. Email: OK2SAY   
  4. Visit: OK2SAY website   
  5. OK2SAY Mobile App: Available for download for Apple, Google and Android mobile devices. 
 
School hours and car line information are displayed on an orange background.