High School News

 

Weds April 21 Schedule

Next week Weds, April 21 will be an asynchronous virtual learning day for students. Teachers will assign work for their classes but there will be no live zoom sessions for students so that teachers can attend Professional Development sessions. Teachers will be available via email for student questions. 

2021-22 GRCS District Calendar 

Click here to download the district calendar for next year!

Next-Day COVID Testing Sites Available to Students

The Kent County Health Dept. has opened up testing locations to serve students in any school district in Kent County. If you would like to take advantage of this free testing with next-day results for your student, use this link to sign up.

Note: You will need to choose Grand Rapids Public Schools, Wyoming, or Sparta locations. Other locations only test their own staff/students. 

Virtual ←→ In-Person Learning

We are asking that families that wish to make a change in their student’s learning plan (in-person to virtual or vice versa) make a request by 3:00 pm on the Thursday prior to their change. All changes can only take place on Mondays this semester. This notice is necessary so that we can make adjustments in classroom furniture to optimize physical distancing and to prepare for potential contact tracing. 

To make a change in your student’s learning plan, contact your child's counselor and they will walk you through the process. Please note that parents/guardians, not students, must make these requests.

If your child is home because of illness or quarantine, they do not need to register as virtual but they may join their classes online if they feel well enough to do so. Please report all illness/absences to our attendance line at 616.574.5521 or email HSattendance@grcs.org. 

Experience a one-of-a-kind blend of theatre, comedy, and spontaneity at the GRCHS Improv Show! 🎭

Students will present live improvisational comedy in which the plot, characters, and dialogue of a scene are made up on the spot, based on audience suggestions.  The show is on April 19 from 6:00 pm — 8:00 pm in the Center for Arts and Worship at GRCHS. This event is free, but tickets will be required for entry. All tickets must be "purchased" online in advance — there will be no walk-up or in-person tickets the night of the show. Masks are required. See you there!

Host an International Student at Grand Rapids Christian Schools

Yes, it’s true: we are expecting to have a number of international students join us in August 2021! If you are interested in other cultures, enjoy hospitality, and want to have an enduring impact on a young person's life then this could be a great opportunity for your family!

Hosting is a powerful way for families of all ages to be a testimony through their daily lives. Host families receive a monthly stipend to cover costs and we provide orientation, training, and ongoing support throughout the school year.

For more information contact Joelle Williams at jwilliams@grcs.org or 616.574.5652.

Winterim 2022

This Thursday at 7 pm there will be a Zoom meeting to learn about Winterim 2022 travel options. Students and parents are welcome to attend. Mr. Karsten will go over general travel information (7-7:30 pm) before opening up breakout sessions for individual trips (7:30 and 7:45). Use this Zoom link (which will also be emailed) to attend. Come learn the exciting options for Winterim 2022! 

New GRCS Band Website

Check out our GRCS Band Website to stay up to date with the latest info and newsletters about our band program!

Yearbook Orders 📷

We have a limited supply of yearbooks left. Purchase your copy today online at Jostens.com.

Spring SAT Test Prep Workshops 

Are you taking the SAT on May 8?  Focused practice immediately before the test is the best investment you can make! 

 — Small group format — Individualized instruction — Proven strategies

SAT 4-day workshop: May 3—6

• Target date: May 8 SAT
• Schedule: Mon—Tue 6:00 pm — 8:00 pm, Wed—Thur 6:00 pm — 9:00 pm
• Instructors: Mrs. Parker, Mrs. Madole, and Mrs. Hartemink 

To register or inquire about either workshop, contact shartemink@gmail.com or 616.498.1372.

Awakening Summer Camp

Awakening is a weeklong camp (June 13-18 in person) at Hope College for students entering grades 9-12 in the Fall of 2021. Awakening builds emerging worship leaders in all worship art forms from preaching to all things musical, visual art, dance, and technology. Students give it such high reviews that many return for multiple summers. Check out the videos and registration at hope.edu/awakening  

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Coming to the Center for Arts and Worship

GRCHS Theatre presents “RANKED,” a New Musical, via LIVESTREAM

Ranked has been described as Putnam County Spelling Bee meets The Hunger Games.

Written before the 2019 college admissions scandal and the recent Netflix documentary “Operation Varsity Blues,” Ranked presents a world where high school academic rankings determine everything. But what happens when the unthinkable happens? With a compelling story and an exciting score, Ranked challenges audiences to question their own ideas about what constitutes academic success, how students are to reconcile the expectations of family and society with their own gifts and talents, and what integrity, happiness, and community really mean. 

Join us for the Michigan Theatrical Premiere of Ranked via LIVESTREAM on April 29-30 and May 1. Whether you watch the performance on your iPad, computer screen, or television (via AppleTV, Roku, or AirCast), your entire family can enjoy the performance for only $10! Digital tickets will be available for purchase soon. Visit the CAW website for more information on how to secure your “seat” at the show!  

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From the Counseling Department

Please visit the Counseling Department webpage for the latest information from the GRCHS Counseling Department, including curriculum and class information, ACT and SAT testing information and prep classes, college planning guides, and much more.

Junior Parents

The counselors will continue to offer Junior Parent Conferences to Juniors and their Parents through April 2021. The Zoom conference helps students and families prepare for the senior year and applying to colleges. Please contact Jill Anderson at JAnderson@grcs.org to schedule yours today. 

Upcoming Saturday ACT dates: 

June 12, 2021

Registration deadline of May 7 with a late deadline of May 21.
Register at ACTstudent.org

Upcoming Saturday SAT and SAT Subject Test dates:

May 8, 2021

Registration late deadline April 27.
Register at collegeboard.org. 

June 5, 2021

Registration deadline of May 6 with a late deadline of May 26.
Register at collegeboard.org. 

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From the Athletic Department

Sports Physicals

Current 8th-11th graders planning to play sports at Grand Rapids Christian High School in 2021-22 school year need to have an MHSAA physical form on file with the high school athletic office before they are allowed to participate. A valid physical for 2021-22 must be completed any time after April 15, 2021. You may turn in the completed physical to the GRCHS athletic office by mail or email (to cgroendyk@grcs.org) as soon as you finish it, even if it is before the end of this school year or during the summer. You may print out a physical form here. This form must be completed with all signatures in order to participate in sports at GRCHS. You may attach your doctor’s office physical form for the doctor portion of this form but the parent portion and all signatures need to be completed on this form.  

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Food Service News

Free Meals and Snacks

High School is still offering FREE Breakfast and Lunch each day!  Breakfast opens at 7:30 am choose from the following:

• Big Apple Bagel w/ Cream Cheese
• Yogurt Smoothie
• Strawberry yogurt parfait
• Egg, Cheese and Sausage Muffin Sandwich
• Coffee Smoothie
• Cereal, crackers, and other grab-and-go breakfast items.
• All items are served with fruit and milk. 

Free Lunch continues each day as well. Pizza Hut PIzza, Grab and Go salads and sandwiches, popular grill items, and our daily chef choice. All served with fruits, vegetables, side salads, and milk. A la carte items are not free such as bottled and canned beverages, cookies, snacks.

P-EBT Benefits- Who is eligible?

Students must participate in a virtual or hybrid school schedule for at least 5 consecutive days in the current 2020-21 school year, beginning 9/9/20 Students must be eligible for Free on Reduced meals for the 2020-2021 school year. Visit the Parent/Guardian FAQs for answers to questions you may have.

Free and Reduced Lunch Benefits

We encourage you to fill out a meal application at lunchapp.com if you feel you would qualify for Free and Reduced meals. One of the criteria to qualify for the P-EBT benefits is that you have an application on file as well as a virtual learner. 

Be a Part of the Food Service Team

Looking for fun, servant-minded serving staff to work 2-3 days per week in the Fall of 2020.  A great opportunity to be on the same schedule as your student.  If you are interested in working at any of our school sites next year please, email nmichaels@grcs.org.

Great News! Free Meals and Snacks continue through September 30, 2020. We will update should that be extended past this date.