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The Link Letter 10.23.2026

Posted Date: 10/23/26 (08:03 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 16, 2026

Upcoming Events

10/26 - 10/29: Grade 3 at the Public Museum 9:00 - 1:45 all week
10/27: Early Release Day, 2:30 Dismissal
  • 2:30 - 2:45 for last names A - I
  • 2:45 - 3:00 for last names J - Z
10/28: Community Meeting 3-5 feat. WZZM Teacher of the Week, 8:30 - 8:45
10/29: Community Meeting K - 2 feat WZZM Teacher of the Week, 8:30 - 8:45
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

For Frequent Reference

What are the school hours? Click Here

What's for Breakfast and Lunch? Click Here, then click on Grand Rapids Child Discovery.

2026-2027 School Calendar: You may find the PDF of the calendar here, click here to subscribe to the Google Calendar, or view it on our website.
 

From the Executive Director

Dear Families,
A big thank you to Valley City Sign for helping us refresh our signage! Valley City Sign is a long-standing local business that has served West Michigan and beyond for the last 78 years. They originally designed, produced, and installed our main sign and recently updated and refreshed everything to look like new and be compliant with the laws of the state of Michigan. Because cost was a concern, Valley City Sign generously donated the labor for this important project.  If your business is looking to update or refresh its signage, we highly recommend reaching out to Valley City Sign!  Tell them the GRCDC Narwhals sent you!

Have a great weekend,
Lisa
A white sign for the Grand Rapids - K-5 Public School Child Discovery Center, featuring a narwhal illustration.
A flyer with an orange background and a yellow calendar page announces a GRCDC Family Town Hall on November 19 at 6:30 PM at school.

Central Office Updates

No Parking in Front of the School: In recent weeks, a couple of school families have received parking tickets when parked in front of the school on Lafayette Ave. This zone has been designated by the City of Grand Rapids as a no parking zone. If you are dropping off a student and not leaving your car, you may still use that area for a brief drop off. If you are coming inside, please park in the lot. 
Media Release for 26-27 School Year: Thanks to the 62 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. 
 

Extra Curricular Club Opportunities

Part of the role of the Family Team is to work with the school to provide extracurricular after-school clubs for GRCDC students. 
Club Meetings this week:
  • 10/26: Art Club, 4:15 - 5:15 PM
  • 10/27: Drama Club, 3:00 - 4:15 PM
 

Family Team Updates

Winter Gear Drive
Family Team is collecting cold weather essentials to ensure every student stays warm and comfortable through the winter season. 

If your child is in need of winter gear, please fill out this confidential form by THIS SUNDAY October 25.

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
A promotional graphic with a pink background, overlapping abstract leaf shapes, and the white text 'GRCDC WREATH SALE'.
Cozy up your space this winter with wreaths from Vormitagg Nursery. Orders due Friday October 30th. Pickup starting November 17 at dismissal. Order yours at https://givebutter.com/grcdc-fall-2026-wreath-sale. 

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.
 

Mary Free Bed Construction Updates

No updates this week.
 

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.
     
  • Want to support GRCDC family owned businesses in the local community? Check out the GRCDC Business Directory
     
  • 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.
     
  • 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.  
     
  • 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 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.
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.