10/19: GRCDC Board Meeting, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
10/20: Early Release Day, 2:30 Dismissal
- 2:30 - 2:45 for last names A - I
- 2:45 - 3:00 for last names J - Z
10/26 - 10/29: Grade 3 at the Public Museum 9:00 - 1:45 all week
10/29: Family Team Meeting, 8:45 - 9:45
10/30: No School, Staff Professional Development
11/11: 6th Grade Information Night in the GRCDC Gym, 6:30 - 8:00 PM (5th grade families only)
11/13: Family Movie Night, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
11/19: GRCDC Town Hall in the GRCDC Gym, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
11/23: GRCDC Virtual Town Hall, 8:00 - 9:00 PM
12/10: School Picture Retake Day MOVED to Thursday, December 10th
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What's for Breakfast and Lunch? Click Here, then click on Grand Rapids Child Discovery.
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ICYMI
Dear Families,
We are up to 128 Thank Yous to Teachers!!! I'll keep the link open this weekend- please take a moment to thank your child's classroom teacher and/or a specials teacher! You can also use the comment section to thank anyone in the building! Scan this QR code or click this link! This will take 5ish minutes and will mean the world to the teachers. Thank YOU so much!
Lisa
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GRCDC is entering an exciting period of growth and long-term planning, and we’re looking for members of our community who want to help shape what comes next.
Over the past several years, we’ve worked to strengthen the school’s foundation- building capacity, improving systems and governance, and creating greater long-term stability. Now, we’re looking ahead: how can GRCDC thoughtfully grow its impact while protecting the values and educational approach that make our school distinctive?
We are especially interested in connecting with current or former GRCDC parents and community members with experience in education, philanthropy/fundraising, accounting/finance, or construction, architecture and building/facilities planning. You do not need prior board experience. You do need curiosity, a commitment to GRCDC’s mission and values, and a willingness to bring your perspective and expertise to the work.
We currently have opportunities to serve at two different levels of commitment:
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Board of Directors: Board members help steward the school’s mission, strategy, finances, and long-term direction. Terms are three years, and members must be available for in-person board meetings at GRCDC on the third Monday of each month.
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Board Committees: Committee service is a great option for those who want to contribute their expertise with a lighter commitment. Meetings are typically virtual, scheduled around members’ availability, and length of service varies by committee and project.
Interested in learning more? Please contact board@childdiscoverycenter.org. A conversation is just that- a chance to learn more about the opportunities and see whether there might be a good fit. We can't wait to hear from you!
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Media Release for 26-27 School Year: Thanks to the 42 families who completed this. Everyone else, please take a moment to complete the media release sent with the 10/9/26 Link Letter (here's the link). Please let us know if you have any questions about the media release. On a phone, you can find the form above this post (see image). On a computer/browser, you will see an option to "complete form" at the bottom of the post. |
Thank you GRCDC Alums, Maeve and Oisin!: Last weekend 2 GRCDC alums helped clear out the garden boxes in front of the school. We appreciate your hard work and how you stay connected to our pod! |
Thank you from Ms. Swartz:
Dear GRCDC Community,
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported the Love family with your kindness and generosity. This has been such a difficult time for Mon’Tayviana and her family, and the outpouring of love and support from our school community has been incredibly touching.
The first graders and I are missing Mon’Tayviana so much, and we look forward to the day when she is able to return. In the meantime, your generosity is helping give her family the ability to focus on being by her side and supporting her as she continues to heal.
Thank you for surrounding Mon’Tayviana and her family with so much love and support as they begin this next part of her healing journey. I am incredibly grateful to be part of a school community that comes together for one of our own when it matters most.
Sincerely,
Ms. Swartz
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Part of the role of the Family Team is to work with the school to provide extracurricular after-school clubs for GRCDC students. |
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Art Club: Art club is FULL. Families who are enrolled will be added to the Art Club ParentSquare group soon. If you want to be added to the wait list for Art Club, please email Janelle DeBlaay janelle.deblaay@gmail.com
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Club Meetings this week:
- 10/19: Book Club, 4:15 - 5:30 PM
- 10/20: Drama Club, 3:00 - 4:15 PM
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Winter Gear Drive
Family Team is collecting cold weather essentials to ensure every student stays warm and comfortable through the winter season.
On Wednesday October 28, specific donations requests will be shared in a post on the Family Team GRCDC Narwhals Group on ParentSquare where families can sign up to provide gear donations. No identifying information will be shared - only items and sizes.
Donations will be accepted Monday November 2 - Thursday November 12. Volunteers are needed to sort donations on Friday November 13. Sign up for this will also be on the Family Team GRCDC Narwhals Group on ParentSquare on Wednesday October 28.
Winter Wreath Sale
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Volunteers are needed to take delivery, label boxes, assist with pickup at drop off and pick up. Sign up on ParentSquare starting November 4.
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
- Our monthly meetings are held on Thursdays after the K-2 Community Meetings: Oct 29, Nov 12, Dec 3, Jan 14, Feb 11, Mar 11, Apr 15, Apr 29, May 13
- Movie Night Friday November 13. Doors open at 6:00pm, and the movie starts at 6:30pm. Concessions available for purchase; cash and GiveButter accepted.
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- 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.
- Want to support GRCDC family owned businesses in the local community? Check out the GRCDC Business Directory
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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.
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GRCDC Threat Reporting Form: It takes everybody in the school community to keep a school safe! In short, if you see or hear something, say something! GRCDC has a team of staff that have been trained to assess and respond to any threats to the school community. Please use this form to make a report.
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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)
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Email: OK2SAY
- Visit: OK2SAY website
- OK2SAY Mobile App: Available for download for Apple, Google and Android mobile devices.
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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 and include Jessie Hammond + Rachel Harth
- 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.
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Lunch Count FYI: Did you know that the GRCDC lunches are ordered by 8:30 AM from the central kitchen at the Aviation High School? Once the order is in, the food is prepped and delivered to GRCDC. It is very important that all lunch orders are in at arrival time so that we can provide the lunch that is on the menu for the day. If your child is late, we will do our best to ensure they receive a lunch; often, we may have to provide a different lunch than the menu in these instances. It would really help us out if you contact the office by 8:30 AM if your child will be late or out for the day, so we can have an accurate count. |
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