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The Link Letter 12.19.2025

Posted Date: 12/19/25 (01:39 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

December 19, 2025

Upcoming Events:

12/19: Mobile Dentist forms due
12/19: Half Day of School, 11:30 dismissal
  • 11:30 - 11:45 is for students with the last name A - I
  • 11:45 - 12:00 is for students with the last name J - Z
12/22 - 1/5: No School, Winter Break, the first day back from break is Tuesday, 1/6 and is an early release day
1/6: Early Release day
  • 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
1/12: GRCDC Board Meeting, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
1/15: Family Team Meeting, 8:45 - 9:45 AM


What's for breakfast and lunch this week? School Meals Menu
What are the school hours? Click Here
GRCDC Winter Break from December 20 to January 5th, with students returning January 6th.
 

Message from the Executive Director

CLICK HERE to GIVE to GRCDC !
 

Central Office Updates

Mobile Dentist Brings Dental Services to GRCDC: We partner with the Mobile Dentist program to bring optional dental services to school for one day each school year. The dentist is coming to school on Friday, January 30th. This program accepts students with or without insurance. For those without insurance, you can pay a reduced fee for services or apply for a grant to have the costs covered. To sign up and for more information, please fill out the flyer that will be sent home today and return by 12/19. You may also sign up online here.
Lost and Found Weekly Post: Please see the lost and found post from earlier this week and claim your child's items by Tuesday, 1/6.
 

Mary Free Bed Construction Updates

No new updates this week
 

Family Team Updates

Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who volunteered for our first semester events and attended Family Team meetings. Your time and effort is recognized and appreciated. There will be several opportunities to volunteer in the second half of the year, so be on the lookout. 

Family Team Meetings
  • The next Family Team meeting is Thursday January 15 after the Community Meeting.
  • Dates for the year are: February 12, March 12, April 16, May 14
Girls On The Run:
We are so excited to have such high participation from our families in this upcoming GOTR season, as both coaches and student athletes. We are looking forward to a great 2026 season!  

We still have a few spots open if you would like to sign up your 3rd-5th grader to participate. The GOTR season runs Feb 23rd-May 16th, Tuesdays 3pm-4:30pm, Thursdays 4:15pm-5:30pm.  Registration link here! Scholarships are available through the registration process. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Aimee at ritsemaa@childdiscoverycenter.org
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. 


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. 
 

Extracurricular Opportunities

Club meeting schedule:
1/7: Girl Scouts, 3:45 - 6:00 PM
 

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. 
 

ICYMI Section

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
  • 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.