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.

GRCS Robotics is Starting!

In the GRCS VEX Robotics club, students work in teams to design, build, and drive a robot through a game field to score points. We have a ton of fun applying engineering skills, being creative, and solving problems. Everyone is welcome! No experience is necessary.

Key Dates:

• Tuesday, September 8: Registration closes. Visit grjrrobotics.org to register for this club.
• Wednesday, September 9: First official meeting. 6:15-8:30, Evergreen campus of GRCS–We will also have a short outdoor meeting to review professionalism and safety/health expectations for the students.
• Saturday, September 12: Build Day. Time TBD, Evergreen campus of GRCS
• Middle school: We still need more coaches! If you are interested in coaching or can connect me with someone who is, please email Julie. If you are the parent/guardian of a middle schooler, please register so we can get a better idea of the middle school participants.
• More information: Website: grjrrobotics.org or email Julie.wildschut@grjrrobotics.org.

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 devices 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 videos 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. Please call the attendance line or the office to notify of an appointment. If the office knows in advance, the student can be ready and waiting to be picked up. The student may sign themselves out and head outside once they see their parent/guardian pull up in their car. When dropped back off, they can come to the office to sign in and get a pass for class. 

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 

Ahora bien, la fe es la garantía de lo que se espera, la certeza de lo que no se ve.  Hebreos 11:1

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.  Hebrews 11:1 

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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!

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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.

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PTO News  

Magazine Sale Coming Soon

The annual magazine sale will be held from the end of September to mid-October. This is a big fundraiser and each sale generates a significant return to the school. Start making those lists of who needs to renew subscriptions or anyone who may need a new order!

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. 

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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

Fall Boys Lacrosse 🥍

Time to pick up where we left off….oh yeah, we didn’t have a Spring season!  That’s ok, Coach Nedd is back and ready to play some lacrosse! Whether you are new or experienced it’s time to get out and play.

• Dates: September 9 – October 14 (6 weeks)
• Days: Mondays and Wednesdays
• Site: GRCS Elementary – Iroquois Field
• Ages: 3rd — 8th grades  
• Time: 3:30 pm — 5:00 pm
• Cost: $60
• Register By: August 28 (Still taking registrations)

Fall Learn to Play and Skills and Drills Girls Lacrosse 🥍

Come bring a friend and learn to play lacrosse. All skill levels welcome. If you are a current player, come work on your game. The coach is Julie Roossien. We ask that all players provide their own mouth guard, stick, and goggles.

• Dates: Tuesdays, September 8–October 13 (6 weeks)
• Ages: K–8th grade, girls
• Site: GRCS Elementary – Iroquois Field
• Time: 3:30 pm — 5:00 pm
• Cost: $45
• Register By: August 30 (Still taking registrations)

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

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New 2 You 

GRCS Family Sale — Wednesday, September 9

Our families and supporters at Grand Rapids Christian Schools are THE BEST, and we have something special just for you!

On Wednesday, September 9, we will open our doors to YOU at noon so you can be the first ones to shop our fall clothing collection an entire day before we announce it to the general public.  We have stored thousands of fall clothing items and accessories, and this year it is by far the largest assortment we have ever had. You know how picky we are... we only put out the BEST! Name brands, designer brands, and enough great quality clothing to outfit your entire family.  Just in time for chilly weather!

Grab a friend and get in line before noon and enjoy this amazing shopping opportunity!

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.