Grand Rapids Christian Schools 2021 Health and Safety Plan

August 17, 2021

Dear Parents:

The members of Grand Rapids Christian Schools Board of Trustees, administrative team, faculty, and staff are fully committed to protecting the physical and emotional health and wellbeing of our students and staff. As a Christian education institution, we are also fully committed to honoring the important role parents play in the upbringing of the children God has placed in their loving care. In that context, each of these groups have prayerfully contemplated Grand Rapids Christian Schools' response to health and safety recommendations issued by the CDC, MDHHS, Kent County Health Department, and various other relevant medical associations, spending a great deal of time in particular on what we will institute regarding students and staff wearing masks while at school. Like you, our board members and administrators have a variety of backgrounds and opinions, which serve us well. 

We are each aware of the health and safety challenges we face as we begin the new school year. Grand Rapids Christian Schools' health and safety plan, which was initially communicated to parents on August 12, is based on what we know at this time. We recognize that adjustments to the plan may be necessary and are prepared to do what is needed to meet our primary goals, namely to protect in-person learning and the health and safety of students and staff. 

We recognize that nothing we communicate about masks being optional or required will change peoples' minds on either side of this particular issue. Everyone seems to have an answer from their point of view for any argument, data point, research, news article, or social media post. It’s extraordinary to see so many good people — intelligent, responsible, caring, and wonderful Christians — having such diverse perspectives on the issue of masks in school. 

Disagreement, when expressed within a Christian context, is not a bad thing as long as it doesn’t create harmful division. Our district-wide faith theme for the coming year, One Another, reflects our sincere hope to be united in Christ's teaching found in John 13: 34-35, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

This and many other passages in the Bible focus on the unity we share in Christ as we navigate these and other discussions together as a Christian school — out of love and respect for others' points of view on topics that could lead to disagreement and result in a divided Christian school community.

While we continue to closely monitor local dialogue and health data, we recognize the importance of confirming our plans with you as they are known at this time. The Health and Safety Plan provides details on the protocols GRCS will institute as we open school on August 18. The Plan, approved by the Board of Trustees at its Retreat on August 16, mirrors what we summarized to parents in our August 12 email with a few updates that we have learned since that time.

While certainly unique in our lifetimes, COVID has been and will continue to be a challenge God has placed before us. It is a challenge that we will navigate through prayer and with hope in the knowledge that God is with us and is our source of strength and help.

The Open House events hosted at our school campuses this week have been wonderful examples of our theme in action. Families gathered and shared in the excitement and joy of coming together as a single school community to kick off a new school year. Let us each be encouraged by His promise, let us support One Another as taught through His holy word, and let Grand Rapids Christian Schools be a light for others to see.

Blessings to you and your children as we launch another year of learning and deepening the faith in the hearts and minds of our students. They are gifts from God, and we are honored to serve them and you in the year to come. That is our promise.

Tom DeJonge
Superintendent, Grand Rapids Christian Schools

2021 Health and Safety Plan