GRCMS Campus News 

School Photos 📸

School photos will be taken tomorrow, Wednesday, September 2 during the morning. All students will be photographed for school records. Ordering information has been sent home with students. If you would like to order online, click here! Use order code 50860ZB

VIRTUAL LEARNERS: We are inviting our virtual learners to come and have their picture taken any time between 11:30am – 12:30pm. We are using two classrooms to maintain social distancing. Please enter and exit through the gym doors. Mrs. Moes or Mrs. Elzinga will be stationed there to let you in and out.

8th graders will also have their pictures taken on picture day for records and IDs. As parents, you may choose to have this photo be your graduation picture in the yearbook that comes out in May, or you may submit a photo of your own

PLEASE remember to complete the Daily Health Assessment 😷

During COVID-19 reporting the health of your student will be VERY important. GRCS will be using a health tool developed by the Kent County Health Department in order to check your student for symptoms daily.

Each day that your child attends school a parent is REQUIRED to fill out the student health check.

You will receive a text in the morning to complete the health check. If your student comes to school and the health check has not been performed you will be required to take your student to the office.

If your student is experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms please keep them home and contact your doctor.

Birthday Treat Information

Due to food sharing restrictions during COVID–19, we cannot have students bring in birthday treats this year.

Student Schedules 

Class lists have been finalized. Nor further changes will be made at this time.

Kent County COVID-19 Testing Sites

Thank you to everyone for your positive attitude and teamwork to get the school year off to a good start! All things considered, the first few days of school went well last week. Parents are getting used to completing the health screening tool, and students and staff are acclimating to the new protocols at school.

The Kent County Health Department recently asked all area schools to share the following information about testing sites with their families. These are County sites, and their lab results are currently coming back in 48 – 72 hours. Other testing sites are also available and can be used.

For more information on testing sites or to register for a testing day, call 616.632.7200 or register online.

Attendance

When a student will be late or is absent from school, a parent or guardian must call the attendance voicemail (616.574.6389), or send an email to msattendance@grcs.org by 8:00 am. 

If the student is not reported late or absent by this tie, calls will be made until we can be certain of the child's safety and well being.

Students who arrive after the school day has started must report to the school office. To receive an admission pass, students must be excused by the parent (by calling in, a note, or email), or it will be considered a tardy.

Advance notice must be given for all absences other than illness. Students who are absent from school all day may not participate in after school extra-curricular activities (clubs, plays, sports, etc). To participate in the activity, the student must be present for at least half of the school day.

Cell Phone/Electronic Device Policy

Students may bring their cell phones and communication devices to school and must have them turned off/silenced for the full school day and while on our campus. This includes before and after school. Students may not open or use their school-issued devices until the official start of the school day at 8:00 AM. Use of school–issued devices are not allowed after school while riding or being on GRCS or GRPS buses. 

GRCMS reserves the right to confiscate any cell phone, communication device, or school-issued device when a student is not using it according to our guidelines, policy and expectations. Any confiscated device must be picked up by a parent or guardian. Students who possess inappropriate material on electronic devices brought to school will be subject to disciplinary action. Students who repeatedly use their phones without permission will be subject to disciplinary action.

The school prohibits the use of any video or picture–taking device from any restroom, locker room, classroom, or other location where students and staff have a reasonable expectation of privacy.  A student improperly using any device to take or transmit images or video will face disciplinary action up to and including a ten day suspension, loss of privileges, and may be recommended for expulsion. Taking or transmitting images during testing is prohibited. Students caught transmitting images or messages during testing will face disciplinary action.

Appointments During the School Day

Appointments should be made at times that have the smallest impact on a child's learning. Sometimes, however, appointments may require that a student leave the campus during the school day. To leave during the school day a written note or email/call from the parent must be sent to the school office. Students must report to the office to sign out and will only be released to persons authorized in writing by the parent or guardian. These policies are in place to protect the kids.

Health & Medicine 

The office personnel and other staff have been trained in first aid and CPR. Acetaminophen, Ibuprofin, Benadryl, and an Antacid are the only over the counter medications dispensed from the office and only when a parent consent has been indicated on the enrollment form.

The administration of other medications at school is discouraged. When it is necessary, school personnel will only administer medication that is brought into the building by an adult, and a school Prescription Medication Authorization FORM has been completed by the parent. In cases of insulin dependence, severe allergic reaction, asthma, etc. parents must provide the school with an action plan and the required response supplies. 

School Office Hours

The offices are open from 7:30 am. to 4:00 pm. Please make sure students are not dropped off at school before 7:30 am. Students who are in the building past 3:15 pm. must be under the supervision of a teacher or coach, or be registered and attending Homework Club.

Peanut and Tree Nut Allergy Information

GRCMS has a growing number of students who have severe food allergies and thus our school's need to exercise precautions and practices to provide a safe school environment for them. For these students, it is important that there is strict avoidance of certain foods in order to prevent a life-threatening allergic reaction. 

We are asking for your help as a Christian school community! Any exposure to peanuts/nuts may cause a life-threatening allergic reaction that requires emergency medical treatment for some of these children. To reduce the chance of this occurring, we are asking that you do not send any peanut or nut containing products to school with your child that will be eaten in the classroom.

If your child has eaten peanuts/nuts before coming to school, please be sure your child's hands and face have been thoroughly washed before entering the school.  Further, we discourage the sharing of snacks and lunch items as well. We appreciate your support of these practices, procedures, and expectations!

Homework Club (After School Care)

Parents, please be aware that Homework Club is only available on full days of school. Be sure you have your registration form filled out and turned in to the middle school office.

NEW this year! Parents will be billed on a monthly basis. All fees will be included in your tuition bill. An email will be sent out monthly with this information for your reference. 

EXTRA Yearbooks

If you didn't purchase a yearbook last year and would like to purchase an extra, please email Mrs. Heidi Zylstra (hzylstra@grcs.org) to let her know you'd like one. The cost is $25 and should be brought to the office. Once payment is received, your yearbook will be brought to your homeroom teacher.

Individual Student Schedule Viewing

To view your student's schedule, simply log on to ParentVue or StudentVue. Select the student whose schedule you wish to view and then click on "Class Schedule." Please note that class lists and schedules may be subject to change. 

Spanish for the Week 

"Dios es bueno todo el tiempo."

"God is good all the time."  

Hot Lunch News & Updates

Hot Lunch Changes 

As we navigate the start to the 2020–2021 school year, the students will only receive one option for hot lunch each day. This will be re-evaluated after a few months with the hope to give a second option.

Also, please note that on Fridays students will only be given one slice of cheese pizza only. This will also be re-evaluated as we move into the school year.

Free and Reduced Applications 

Has your financial status changed? Now is the time to go to Lunchapp.com and fill out an application. Go to Grand Rapids Christian Schools. It's super easy!

All applications are valid for the first 30 days of school. If you have questions, please email nmichaels@grcs.org.

Attention Parents: Meal Magic Accounts 

As we have started the school year, please make sure there is money loaded on the school accounts. If uncertain what the balance is, you can check that out here!

GRCS Technology

Internet Filtering

Our goal is to allow safe access to valuable online educational content both on and off-campus on school-issued devices while remaining CIPA compliant and maintaining security.

GRCS uses Content Keeper as our internet filtering solution. Content Keeper can handle SSL decryption without hindering network performance. It gives us very granular web filtering options and policy control over the content students can access while enabling us to have more insight into students’ online activity. If your home router has parental control features available, you may implement this in your home without interfering with the filter on the school device unlike you could do with our previous filter, Securely.

If the school notices inappropriate internet usage, the administration will contact you as needed. In the case of repetitive issues, school may send you automated internet usage reports.

Are you looking for the student and parent online directories?

Staff, student, and parent directories are available online.

For quick access to the staff directory, select Contact at grcs.org. To access the student and parent directories on the grcs.org Parent Portal, select Parents > Parent Portal and log in to your Parent Portal account.

Not sure how to login to your Parent Portal account? Go to the GRCS Tech YouTube channel to learn how to access the directories.

The GRCS Online Directories tutorial will help you navigate there.

The GRCS Website Portal Account Set Up will show you how to create an account if you have not yet done so.

PTO News  

Community Engagement Opportunities (CEO)

Community Engagement Opportunities (CEO) is a great way to connect your family and our school. We would love to encourage anyone to get involved, whether that be to donate financially, or participate in many of our events. 

Please check out this SURVEY as it gives many options of how to become engaged in our school community. 

GRCMS Athletics and Youth Sports    

GRC Recreation Programs  

Did you know GRC has our own Recreation Department? We offer sports programs for GRCS students and students from the surrounding area. For a complete look at what we have to offer go to www.grcs.org/youthsports  

Our programs will follow the same Health and Safety Protocols as we are following in school. Masks for coaches, hand sanitizer for players, disinfectant for equipment, and social distancing. 

Register at www.grcs.org/youthsports. Your password AND username is your email address. For questions, please email sboender@grcs.org

Boys Basketball Clinic 🏀

GRCHS Varsity Basketball Coach, Eric Taylor would like to refine your son’s basketball skills. He is a firm believer that fundamentals are important to learn early so they can be practiced correctly, repeatedly.

• Dates: September 23 – October 17
• Days: Wednesdays & Saturdays
• Site: GRCS Elementary – Iroquois courts
• 5th & 6th Grade Times: 5:30 pm — 6:30 pm (Wednesdays) & 1:00 pm — 2:30 pm (Saturdays)
• 7th & 8th Grade Times: 6:45 pm — 7:45 pm (Wednesdays) & 2:45 pm — 4:15 pm (Saturdays)
• Cost: $70
• Register By: September 18

Youth Sports Performance Training 101  

101 is geared towards helping athletes build a sports base for strength, speed, balance, and power. It also includes developing our young athletes’ qualities for them to become better student-athletes. Varsity coaches will be invited as guest speakers for the last 10 minutes of class.

• Dates: October 26 – November 18
• Days: Mondays and Wednesdays
• Site: GRCHS
• Ages: 3rd — 8th grades (students will be divided by 3rd–5th and 6th–8th grade)
• Time: 6:00 pm — 7:15 pm
• Cost: $65
• Register By: October 16

New 2 You 

New 2 You is an upscale thrift shop run primarily by volunteers and supports Grand Rapids Christian Schools. New 2 You is located at 2929 29th St SE and is loaded with great deals. Stop in and shop! Many of you have used this time of staying at home to clean out your closets, drawers, and basements. Use our contactless drop off for your gently used donations! 

Check out new2youshop.org/ for lots of great information.