GRCMS Campus News 

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, they may be pulled from class to answer a couple of questions and get their temp taken.

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

Parents of 8th Graders

If you would like to submit a graduation photo of your student for this years' yearbook, they are due Friday, December 4, and should be emailed to grcmsyearbook@gmail.com. This is completely optional, however, if no other photo is submitted, the school photo taken in September will be used.

GRCS Robotics–Grades 6th–8th

Good news! We have come up with a plan for your 6–8th grade students. This is a different offer, but still just as fun. Please read the details below:

Note to those who already registered: If you have already registered for the Competitive MS Team (which will NOT be happening in 2020), please email julie.wildschut@grjrrobotics.org back to clarify if you still want to participate in this NON–competitive team. You do not need to re–register. Similarly, for those who are no longer interested or eligible for this program, please let Julie know.

• For 6-8th graders only. (5th graders can join next year when they are in 6th grade)

• It is a building, teaching program – not a competitive program. Students will learn a lot and be prepared to be leaders next year.

• The fee has been lowered to $100 per student, which includes a team shirt.

• There will be no leagues or tournaments, but opportunities for in–house tournaments.

• Register at grjrrobotics.org this week (by Thursday, September 17)

• Practice will start next week (September 21)

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.

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 

No tengas miedo, porque yo estoy contigo.  Isaías 41:10

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.  Isaiah 41:10

Hot Lunch News & Updates

USDA Offering FREE Lunches for ALL Students 

Grand Rapids Christian Schools is pleased to announce that the USDA will continue offering Free Meals for ALL students through December 31, 2020, or until funding runs out.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Nancy Michael's, Food Service Director, nmichaels@grcs.org.

Tracking Meal Magic Accounts 

If you are curious about what the balance is on your student's lunch account, 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  

Magazine Sale Starting NEXT Week

The annual magazine sale will be held from September 23 – October 16. This is a big fundraiser and each sale generates a significant return to the school. Start making a list of emails of those that would be interested in renewing their subscription, or wanting to place a new order. NEW–Ordering will be digital only this year!

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 

Volunteer Opportunity

We are looking for two more folks willing to drive our pick-up truck and trailer to homes and businesses to pick up furniture items.  You will join a couple of other fun folks (with masks) and spend a few hours on the road.

We also pay for your lunch while you are out! We require garage only pick-ups and NO stairs for your safety.

Tuesday or Wednesday from 9:00 am — 3:00 pm.

Interested or know someone?  Email new2youkaren@grcs.org for more info.