The Link Letter 11.6.2026

Dear Families,

This week, our country held midterm elections- elections being an essential part of our democracy. In the weeks leading up to the election, a child couldn’t turn on the radio, the TV, or even turn down their block without seeing or hearing messages about the election, the candidates, the arguments, the insults, the hopes, and the fears of adults around them.  I have been thinking that children in our community this week have been carrying questions and thoughts about all of this, and they are very specifically watching what we all do.  As we know, children are always watching- whether or not they say so.

One of the lessons that I learned from GRCDC during the COVID pandemic was that GRCDC is not actually a physical space- the school building at 409 Lafayette.  GRCDC is, rather, a shared commitment to being in community with one another, to support the growth and learning of children and to act in ways that embody the core values of inspiration, connection, potential, and equity.  Each of us in the school community made a choice to join this community- nobody shows up here by accident!  We all have chosen an Education Based on Relationships and that choice asks for some very specific things from adults.  An Education Based on Relationships asks adults to show up for one another and one another’s children, to approach one another with curiosity and care, and to be open to learning new things together that might even change our way of thinking!

This way of being and learning together translates into what we want every child, family member, and staff member to experience in our community.  When children come to school, they should expect that their voice will be valued, their ideas matter, and their individual strengths will be recognized and celebrated in the classroom.  Families and staff members should expect the same.  

Children hear and observe how we talk about others, how we hold disagreements, and how we show care in our community.  I am asking each one of us, and committing myself, to stay curious, to take responsibility for our own impact, and to extend our care and concern beyond our closest relationships.  In that way, we can count on this community, even when we disagree, and allow our shared values to guide our action.  The question I have for each of you today is:  what would it look like in this next week if you helped someone feel the care and belonging we want for our own children at GRCDC?

Have a great weekend!

Lisa

Have a great weekend!

Lisa

When?  November 19, 2026 at 6:30 pm

Where? at GRCDC!

What is it?  An opportunity to share important updates with families about our school- strategic plan updates, the budget, the data, and planning for the future!

Who?  All are welcome.  We are working to secure child care.  Please click here to request child care for the event!

Enrollment for incoming Kindergarten students in the 2027-2028 school year: 

Do you have a younger sibling of a current GRCDC student in your household who will be ready to start Kindergarten next fall? The 27-28 application is now open and due by February 28, 2027. You may complete the application here. Note: This is not for current GRCDC students. We have a different process for current students that will begin after Winter Break.

School Picture Orders: We have not yet received a shipping notification for school photos. We know that the pictures will be here before December 10th, which is the make up/retake day. 

Lost and Found Post: Please check out the photos of the items currently in the lost and found in this post. Items not claimed will be donated next Friday.

Make Up Picture Day Volunteer Opportunity: If you have availability, we would love to have support on the Make Up/Retake Picture Day. Please sign up here.

Drug Free, Weapon Free, Smoke Free Campus: Please be aware that GRCDC is a drug free, weapon free, smoke free, vape free campus. This includes the entire school property, inside, outside on the property, in the car line and on the walk up line. This is a school board policy and law in the state of Michigan.

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. 

It’s time to celebrate our minds! Our 3rd Neurodiversity Spirit Week is 11/9-11/13. Neurodiversity is a word used to describe the natural differences in how people’s brains work. It reminds us there isn’t one “right” way for a brain to work or develop. We celebrate minds of all kinds!

Scan the QR code or click here for more details 

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:

Girl Scouts FYI: GRCDC hosts one troop that splits into two age groups for meetings: 1st–3rd graders (Daisies and Brownies) and 4th–5th graders (Juniors). Each group has two co-leaders, supported by parent volunteers.

Unfortunately, the troop is currently full, but we are maintaining a waitlist. Girl Scouts tends to have very little turnover because scouts usually renew year after year and fund their activities through annual cookie sales.

There is always the option to start a new troop at GRCDC! If there is a high level of interest, the local Girl Scout service unit would be thrilled to help you get one started. Girl Scouts is 100% volunteer-run, girl-led, and girl-funded, and adult helpers are essential to meeting safety ratios.

Here is some helpful information on Girl Scouts and starting a troop:

-The Girl Scout Difference

Additionally, our local service unit hosts many fun events that individual families can opt into. You can check out the upcoming schedule here:

- Event Calendar link

Please let the troop leaders know if you are interested in joining the waitlist or becoming a troop leader by completing this interest form! 

Join us in the gym on Friday November 13 from 6:30pm - 8:00pm for game night. Dress comfy and bring your favorite game to play with friends. Concessions available for purchase; cash and GiveButter accepted. Volunteers are needed to help run concessions. Sign up on ParentSquare.

Our winter gear drive is now live. Sign up on ParentSquare to see the specific items requested and to commit to donating them. Items will be accepted through Thursday November 12. Volunteers are needed to sort donations on Friday November 13. Sign up for this on ParentSquare as well.

Thank you for supporting the winter wreath sale. We surpassed our goal by almost $1,000! Volunteers are needed to help take delivery and organize wreaths on Tuesday November 17 at 8:30am. Volunteers are also needed to assist with order pickup at dismissal November 17-19. Sign up on ParentSquare.

We'll celebrate the winter solstice with crafts, stories and hot cocoa. This event takes place during the school day on Thursday December 17. If you're interested in planning this event and/or volunteering the day of, please connect with us!

Family Team has a group on ParentSquare called Family Team GRCDC Narwhals Group. Opt into this group to stay in the know about events, fundraisers and other initiatives.

Family Team regularly shares information through the weekly Link Letter, Friday Folders, and on the Family Team GRCDC Narwhals group on ParentSquare. 

No updates this week.

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:

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.