Grand Rapids Christian Middle School

These required forms must be turned in to the school office. Your child will not be able to start school until these forms have been submitted.

Please feel free to contact Kristi Elzinga if you have any questions. We appreciate your attention to this matter. It is our top priority to ensure a safe and healthy environment for each student.

Bell Times

Calendars

Schedules by Grade

Student Supply List 2026–2027

Supplies are to be purchased by students. Supplies may need to be replenished during the year as needed.

Fifth Grade

• 2 single-subject spiral notebooks
• 1 pocket folder for homework; folders for other subjects are provided
• 3 dozen sharpened pencils
• 1 highlighter
• 1 scissors
• 1 black Sharpie marker
• Colored pencils
• Wide-tip markers
• Pair of earbuds to keep at school, with mic optional
• Calculator with an exponent feature
• Spanish Immersion Students: 1 two-pocket folder

Sixth Grade

• Pair of earbuds/headphones (corded preferred)
• 2–3 dozen sharpened pencils
• 3 different colored highlighters

• 1.5” binder 

• 5 pocket dividers for binder 

• 3 ring binder pencil pouch 

• Optional: Calculator (TI-30 XIIS) 

• Optional: Boots/shoes to leave at school for ravine projects  

Seventh Grade

• 1 pair of earbuds; students are required to have earbuds as they are used frequently
• Planner, optional
• 5 one-inch binders: Bible, ELA, Science, Math, History
• Loose-leaf notebook paper
• 1 subject spiral-bound notebook
• Pencils, pens, and erasers for the school year
• Scientific calculator — TI-30X IIS
• Colored pencils and/or markers
• Spanish Students: 1 one-inch binder with 5 dividers and loose-leaf paper
• Spanish Immersion Students: 1 one-inch binder
• ASL Students: 1 two-pocket folder

Eighth Grade

• An organizational system; choose one option below
• 6 one-inch binders: Bible, ELA, Science, Math, History, Study Skills
• 2 one-and-a-half-inch binders for core classes on particular days
• 1 pair of earbuds, with mic optional
• 1 set of 5 dividers for Math
• Scientific calculator — TI-30X IIS
• Pens, pencils, and erasers
• Spanish Students: 1 one-inch binder with 5 dividers and loose-leaf paper
• Spanish Immersion Students: 1 one-inch binder
• ASL Students: 1 two-pocket folder

Back to School Open House

Monday, August 17, 2026, from 6:30–8:00 p.m.

You and your child are invited to come and check out the classrooms and connect or reconnect with teachers and friends. Please come and go as you are able this evening. We look forward to seeing you!

New Student Orientation

Monday, August 17, 2026, from 9:45–11:00 a.m.

This event is for new students who will be transferring to GRCMS from another school outside of Grand Rapids Christian Schools for the 2026–2027 school year. Students will meet their grade-level teachers, and Mrs. Sara Seth, Principal, will go over logistical information about life at GRCMS.

Please RSVP by emailing Katie Bouwkamp with attendee names by Tuesday, August 11, 2026. Students may attend with or without their parents. We look forward to welcoming you!

Classes begin on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 8:00 a.m., with dismissal at noon. Lunch will not be served at school on the first day.

At GRCS, the safety of your children is of utmost importance to us. Because our school campus is situated on a major traffic artery and street, your cooperation is needed. During the times middle school children are driven to school and picked up after school, the guidelines listed below must be followed.

Although there is a great deal of detail below, it is essential that you review and understand these directions for the safety of students.

• Doors open and students can arrive at school as early as 7:30 a.m. daily. Please enter through doors 1 and 5 this year.
• During drop-off and pick-up times, the half-circle drive and parking area on Chesaning Street are for bus drop-off only. Buses need access to the circle drive from 7:30–8:00 a.m. and 2:45–3:15 p.m.
• Parents and high school drivers should drop students off and/or pick them up in the flow-through parking lot near the gym along Shiawassee Street. There are arrows and signs marking the flow of traffic through this lot. Students can enter through door 5.
• There will be a trained crossing guard at the corner of Chesaning and Burton, Englewood and Burton, and at Chesaning and Shiawassee to help student walkers and bikers safely cross during drop-off and pick-up times.
• Bikers should have bike locks and must park their bikes on racks during the school day. One rack is stationed near the playground and Chesaning Street; the other is near the gym along Shiawassee Street. Wearing a bike helmet while biking or scootering is essential.
• There is no student drop-off, pick-up, or parking allowed along Chesaning Street.

Thank you for cooperating with our traffic flow as we prioritize student safety. We appreciate your partnership and are excited to serve your families this coming school year!

GRCMS Athletics Information 2026–2027

Welcome to Grand Rapids Christian Middle School. Let’s get you connected to other students and the GRCS community right away. If you are interested in exploring athletics at GRCMS, we are excited to have you!

• Visit the athletics website.
• Sign up for a sports camp this summer.
• Sign up for a team in the fall. This is a great way to have fun and get connected to the community at GRCMS right away.
• Contact Kevin Broene, Athletic Director, if you want to join something. Most families have already signed up, so please reach out if you have not yet done so.
• Get email ready: Make sure your inbox is ready to receive communication from coaches and from the athletic director. Coaches send weekly information to help you stay organized throughout the season.
• Parent Zoom Meeting: This meeting helps parents navigate middle school sports as fans, work with coaches, discuss FAQs, and help their child positively experience athletics. The meeting date will be emailed in early August if you have signed up for a sport.

Fall Sports

• Cross Country
• Boys Soccer
• Boys Tennis
• Volleyball
• Golf Clinic
• Football

Winter 1 Sports

• Boys Basketball
• Coed Bowling Club

Winter 2 Sports

• Girls Basketball
• Coed Swim Team, March
• Wrestling
• Ski Team, Boys and Girls

Spring Sports

• Girls Tennis
• Girls Soccer
• Softball
• Track
• Boys Volleyball
• Lacrosse, Boys and Girls

GRCS Youth Sports: Contact Kirk Sundberg, Youth Sports Director, for information about middle school football and boys and girls lacrosse.

Academics

• Game Club
• MathCounts
• Math Madness
• Robotics
• Scripps National Spelling Bee

Fine Arts

• Yearbook
• Theater and Performance
• Drama Club
• School Play/Musical

Athletics and Fitness

• Team and Club Sports

The Grand Rapids Christian Middle School Parent Teacher Organization would like to extend a warm welcome to new and returning families. We are looking forward to a new school year and getting you connected when it works into your schedule.

GRCMS PTO is a volunteer organization made up of parents, teachers, and administrators who help support the educational opportunities and extracurricular activities for our school.

The PTO is dependent on financial support, participation, coordination, and most importantly, prayer. Your contributions to our organization make a difference. As more opportunities arise, we will communicate these with you. There will be additional information available at our Back to School Open House on Monday, August 17.

If you would like more information about how to get involved in GRCMS PTO, please contact Angelica Rodriguez. Thank you in advance for your help!

At GRCMS, the work of Christian education is a partnership between home and school. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, guardian, or trusted friend, your presence matters. Volunteering helps create a Christ-centered environment where students are known, supported, and equipped to live lives of purpose.

This guide is designed to answer a common and meaningful question: “How can I get involved?”

How to Get Cleared to Volunteer

To ensure a safe and welcoming environment, adults who wish to volunteer at Grand Rapids Christian Middle School — including helping in classrooms, on field trips, or with other activities — must complete a Volunteer Clearance Form each year.

Once you submit the form with the required information, Grand Rapids Christian Schools will perform a background check, ICHAT clearance, on your behalf. We will only contact you if there is an issue with the information provided or if the results require any limits on your ability to volunteer.

Volunteers must also review and agree to follow our Volunteer Guidelines, which help maintain a respectful, Christ-centered environment. If you have any questions about the clearance form or process, please contact the school office.

If you plan on driving students, you will also need to provide insurance information by filling out the attached form below. These forms will be generated and collected through the office. Please let us know who your volunteers are and when your event is taking place. This is done for the safety of students and volunteers. Background checks will be good for one school year and are required for those helping with hot lunch, field trips, fundraisers, and other school activities.

School Opportunities

Classroom Opportunities

Volunteer Guidelines and Expectations for Working with Students

• Respect the Teacher’s Role: The supervising teacher leads instruction and classroom management. Your role is to support and assist.
• Confidentiality is Key: Keep personal or sensitive information about students confidential. This protects their dignity and privacy.
• Positive and Supportive Interactions: Model kindness, patience, and encouragement as you interact with students.
• If You’re Volunteering in Your Child’s Classroom: Depending on the opportunity, maintain a teacher-student dynamic during volunteer time. Discuss expectations with your child beforehand.
• Maintain Appropriate Boundaries: Avoid situations that could be misunderstood or make others uncomfortable. Be mindful of physical boundaries and conversation topics.
• If You Notice a Concern: Share any concerns with the supervising teacher or school staff right away.
• Safety First: Always follow school safety protocols. Your attention helps keep our school safe and welcoming.

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.