GRCES Evergreen Campus

We are so excited to welcome your family to Grand Rapids Christian Evergreen Campus! Whether your child is joining one of our preschool classrooms or our Young Fives program, they are an important part of our Preschool community.

Our teachers are eagerly anticipating the start of a new school year and look forward to helping each child grow spiritually, explore the world around them, and learn through developmentally rich, play-based experiences designed for their stage of development.

Preschool and Young Fives teachers will reach out to families during the first week of August to introduce themselves and share important information about the upcoming school year.

In the meantime, we are praying for our incoming Preschool and Young Fives students and hope your family enjoys the summer season, as August will be here soon!

Emily Jansen
Principal, GRCES Evergreen Campus

These required forms must be submitted prior to the start of the school year. Your child will not be able to start school until these forms and documents have been submitted.

Completed forms can be mailed to the school office at 1630 Griggs St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, emailed to GRCEVDocuments@grcs.org, or dropped off in person between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays beginning August 3, or during the Evergreen Open House on Monday, August 17, from 5:00–7:00 p.m.

Evergreen Back to School BBQ and Open House

Monday, August 17, 2026, from 5:00–7:00 p.m.

Required forms are due at this time.

Visiting Days

Thursday, August 20, or Friday, August 21, 2026

Visiting Day aims to ease your child’s first-day jitters and address any parental concerns. It is a chance for your child to meet their teachers, familiarize themselves with the classroom, and ask any questions they may have.

• Your scheduled date and time will be confirmed by your child’s teacher in August.
• Visits are limited to parents and your child; no siblings, please.

First Days of School

Monday, August 24, or Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Labor Day Break

Friday, September 4–Monday, September 7, 2026

GRCES Evergreen Preschool

Please prepare the following items for your child. Each item must be labeled with your child’s name.

• Full-size backpack spacious enough to fit personal belongings
• Appropriate clothing for indoor and outdoor learning
• Sturdy running shoes
• Winter gear
• Spill-proof water bottle
• Extra set of clothing: shirt, pants, socks, and underwear, labeled and stored in a gallon-size Ziploc bag with your child’s name
• Lunch box with a snack

For Full-Day Students Only

• Lunch box with a morning snack and lunch. Hot lunch is also available for purchase. More information regarding hot lunches will be provided in August.
• Small blanket for rest time. It is important that your child is able to independently manage taking it in and out of their locker.

Drop-Off, 8:10–8:25 a.m.

• Parents must park and walk to drop off their child.
• If no parking spaces are available, park on the east side of the turnaround nearest to the nature playground/Door 4.
• Enter through the main Evergreen entrance, Door #1.
• Walk with your child to their locker, then to the classroom door to sign them in.

Pick-Up for Half-Day Students, 11:30 a.m.

• Parents must park and walk to pick up their child.
• Waalkes and Butler classes: Pick-up at the Nature Playground.
• VanHill class: Pick-up at the Evergreen Main Entrance, Door #1.

Pick-Up for Full-Day Students, 2:45 p.m.

• Parents must park and walk to pick up their child.
• Waalkes, Butler, and VanHill classes: Pick-up will be from the Nature Playground.
• Huisman class: Pick up and walk to Door 25.

What is the snack and meal plan?

Families are responsible for providing snacks and lunch for their child daily. The school offers a hot lunch option at a cost, including milk. Half-day students only require one morning snack.

What are the potty training requirements?

Our preschool requires children to be fully potty-trained and bathroom independent. Please read our Preschool Bathrooming Readiness Policy.

What does rest time look like?

After lunch, the children transition into a time of rest or quiet time. We will provide a rest mat. Your child may bring a small blanket. We will offer books, music, or a quiet independent activity. We encourage you to communicate with your child’s teacher about their sleep needs.

How should my child be prepared for outdoor time and different types of weather?

Being outside in God’s creation is important for your child’s whole development. We go outside in many types of weather. Please be aware of the weather to make sure your child is prepared.

How do teachers handle a child’s separation anxiety?

Children handle separation differently, and our staff is equipped to support them. Try a brief and positive goodbye routine to ease the transition, as lingering can prolong distress. Typically, children settle within minutes after their parents leave. Minimize your anxiety, as children may sense it and struggle more. Don’t hesitate to seek advice from your child’s teacher for additional strategies.

How can I get my child ready for preschool?

• Practice zipping coats and backpacks.
• Encourage independent use and unpacking of lunch items.
• Guide them in following one- to two-step directions.
• Help them master taking shoes on and off.
• Share and enjoy read-aloud stories together, promoting listening skills.
• Review the Bathrooming Readiness Policy for more ideas.

Do you have before or after-school care?

Kids Care is our before and after-school care program. If you wish to be added to the wait pool for the 2026–2027 school year, visit the website.

What if I have more questions?

Your child’s teacher will be a great resource to answer questions as we begin the school year. There will be time to ask questions during your child’s classroom visit. If you have questions about your enrollment or readiness, please contact Jessie Renz, Admissions Director.

These required forms must be submitted prior to the start of the school year. Your child will not be able to start school until these forms and documents have been submitted.

Completed forms can be mailed to the school office at 1630 Griggs St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, emailed to GRCEVDocuments@grcs.org, or dropped off in person between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays beginning August 3.

• Monday, August 17: Evergreen Back to School BBQ and Open House, 5:00–7:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, August 18: First Day of School, half day with 12:00 p.m. dismissal
• Wednesday, August 19: Before and AfterCare begin
• Tuesday, September 1: Classroom Connect, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
• Friday, September 4–Monday, September 7: No School, Labor Day Break

GRCES Evergreen K–5th Grade Bell Times

Half Day Release Time: 12:00 p.m.

Calendars

Kindergarten through 5th grade students should bring the following items labeled with their name:

• Large backpack without wheels that fits a folder, library book, and lunch bag
• Water bottle
• Weather-appropriate outdoor gear; recess remains outdoors unless unsafe due to thunder and lightning, heavy rain, or below-zero wind chills
• Wired headphones that fit over the ear, not earbuds
• Tennis shoes for P.E. to keep in the locker

Additional supplies for students will be communicated by teachers and/or provided by GRCES Evergreen.

Before School Drop-Off Procedure

Location: Evergreen turnaround drive and parking lot, 1630 Griggs St. SE. Traffic is one-way, west to east.

• Drop-Off: Pull into the pick-up lane, proceed to the east end as far as possible near the Nature Playground/Door 4, and drop off your student.
• Assistance: If your student needs help unbuckling, park in a space to assist them safely.
• Parking spaces: As much as possible, reserve parking spaces for ELC and preschool families.
• Prior to 8:00 a.m.: If no parking spots are available, you may park on the east side of the turnaround near the nature playground/Door 4 and walk your child into the building.
• After 8:00 a.m.: If the east side of the turnaround is full, the west end may also be utilized for parking.

After School Pick-Up Procedure

• Adult verification: Notify the school when your child is being picked up by someone not listed in your ParentVue “release to” section. Unfamiliar adults will be asked to display ID prior to pick-up.
• Pick-Up: Enter the lot, pull into the pick-up lane, and proceed to the east end. Staff will walk students to the pick-up line. Remain in your vehicle.
• If you need to exit your car or assist with buckling, park in the designated spaces.
• Avoid crossing through traffic or between cars.
• Staff members are to remain on the sidewalks monitoring students; parents and caregivers are responsible for walking children from the sidewalk to a parking space.
• Late Pick-Up: Students not picked up by 3:15 p.m. will be taken to the office. Call the school office at 616.574.5900 if delayed.

For questions, contact Principal Emily Jansen at 616.574.5902. Thank you for ensuring the safety of our students and families.

The Grand Rapids Christian Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization would like to extend a warm welcome to new and returning families! We are a volunteer organization made up of parents and staff who have the privilege of supporting our school community throughout the year. We are seeking representatives from the Evergreen Campus to join us.

Schoolwide events such as Grandfriends Day, Christmas celebrations, and the End of Year Picnic are not possible without your support. Your contributions, through sharing of your time, knowledge, and resources, make a difference. We encourage you to prayerfully consider how you can volunteer at GRCES this year. Please fill out the PTO Interest Form to get connected.

We are thankful for the blessing of a strong Christian community at GRCES and for the support of families. Thank you for your continued faithful commitment to our staff and students!

Volunteering at the GRCES - Evergreen is rewarding for you, helpful for us, and fun for your child. There are so many ways to get involved at EV.

The Volunteering at EV guide details both whole-school and classroom opportunities for getting involved, along with guidelines and expectations for working with students.

Each volunteer must complete a Volunteer Clearance Form each school year.

Specific bus routes with pick-up and drop-off locations will be determined by Grand Rapids Christian Schools and/or Grand Rapids Public Schools and communicated through the GRCS Transportation Department.

Questions regarding busing should be directed to the GRCS Transportation Department at 616.574.5710 or transportation@grcs.org.

Students are welcome to bike or scooter to school. A bike rack is stationed outside the main entrance, Door 1, where students are encouraged to park and lock bikes and scooters.