November 24 - Twelve Days of Giving Begins (see below)
November 26-28 - No School - Thanksgiving Break
December 1 - No School - Staff PD Day
December 9 - Sensory Friendly Unified Event 6:30 pm (see below)
December 10 & 11 - Santa's Secret Shop
December 22-January 2 - No School - Winter Break
January 5 - No School - Staff PD Day
January 6 - Classes Resume
January 19 - No School - MLK Day
January 20 - PTA Meeting 6:00 pm
February 13 - No School - Staff PD Day
February 16 - No School - President's Day
** IMPORTANT NOTE **
When reading through the newsletter, you may see a notice at the bottom that says
"[Message clipped] View entire message."
Please click on this link to view the rest of the information in the newsletter. This area of the
newsletter provides information on community happenings such as art shows, sports camps,
learning opportunities, and a lot more! The monthly lunch menu is the final item in the newsletter.
The Principal's Pen
Well it was an eventful week with both planned activities, like the PTA assembly and lockdown drill, and the not-so planned activities like the broken sprinkler head in one of the classrooms. With all of that, I am just very thankful to the staff here who take care of your children and follow our emergency procedures perfectly. I am also extremely impressed with how well the students did given the circumstances!
Earlier this month Dr. Barnes sent a survey out to families regarding how our schools support you and your family. This a concerted effort in gathering input from families to help celebrate successes and drive change regarding building relationships, communication, and support. If you haven't already done so, please take a moment to complete that survey here.
We will not be publishing a newsletter next week since we are only in school Monday and Tuesday. I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!
Fun Run Reward
One of the rewards from the Fun Run is an all school pajama day. This will take place on Monday, November 24!
Santa's Secret Shop
Santa’s Secret Shop is back this year headed again by Kelli Bohnet. This PTA event will be held in the Library on December 10 and 11 during the school day. Information on this event is coming home in today's Friday Folders. This is a good opportunity for our students to purchase that special gift for their parents and other family members in a safe, controlled environment. All students will have a chance to visit the shop during these days. Volunteers are needed to work at the store. Please use this link to sign up. Make sure you are signed up and cleared through the volunteer registration process or you won’t be able to help out!
November and December are busy months at school and sometimes the library is used for school events. When that happens, I work with the teachers to ensure that students still have a chance to check out books. Here is a rough outline of the library schedule for the next few weeks:
Week of 11/24: Monday and Tuesday classes (no school Wednesday through Friday)
Week of 12/1: Wednesday through Friday classes (no school Monday, no library Tuesday)
Week of 12/8: Classes will sign up for a time to check out books on Monday or Tuesday
(library being used for Santa’s Secret Shop on Wednesday and Thursday)
Week of 12/15: Regular library schedule! (last week before winter break)
Thursday: Sweet, Weidenbach, Rozycki, Oetting, Nelson
Friday: Ford
“You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child.” ~ Dr. Seuss
~ Mrs Garnaat
Shopping Tour Toy Collection
There are many young children in Grand Ledge who do not know the joy of receiving presents at the holidays. Willow Ridge would like to help bring joy to these girls and boys by collecting toys for the Grand Ledge Shopping Tour to distribute at their annual Holiday Party. Needy children in grades K-4th will each receive a new toy from Santa at the party. This would be a wonderful opportunity for the whole family to get involved in the spirit of giving to those less fortunate. You and/or your children may bring NEW UN-WRAPPED toys to school and place them in the barrel near the office until December 8. Thank You!
Attendance / Absence Policy
All absences from school conflict with the continuity of learning and need to be avoided when possible. Regular school attendance is necessary to academic success and continuous and consecutive attendance in school is required by State law; 10-undocumented absences limit per school year. The 10-absence limit per school year includes both Explained Absence (AE) and Unexplained Absence (AU).
In order to help provide supports for students and families, GLPS closely monitors explained and unexplained absences. We also work with families to ensure that as many absences as possible are documented, because undocumented absences can trigger truancy considerations.
Documented Absence (AD) - Absence that includes a note from a professional (ie. doctor, dentist, lawyer, etc.) to explain the absence. Absences are only considered documented for the days identified in the note. For example, if a doctor excuses a student for Monday and Tuesday, but the student is absent on Wednesday and Thursday as well, only Monday and Tuesday’s absences are considered documented. Any absence that does not include a note from a professional is considered undocumented.
Explained Absence (AE) - Undocumented absence in which a parent/guardian calls the office or sends a note to alert the school their child will not be in attendance, but does not include a note from a professional (ie. doctor, dentist, lawyer, etc.). This is important because explained absences are necessary for schools to meet pupil accounting requirements.
Unexplained Absence (AU) - Undocumented absence in which a parent/guardian does not call the office to alert the school their child will not be in attendance.
Attendance Policy - Undocumented Absences
A student's school will send a letter after 6 undocumented absences and after 10 undocumented absences in a school year, providing you with notice of the absences and outlining steps to help your child attend school regularly.
A student's school will communicate with families if the student has undocumented absences on more than 10% of the first 30 days.
Ten (10) or more days of undocumented absences in a school year can be sent to court. However, GLPS will make every effort to work with you and your student before it gets to that point.
Please note that school related absences, such as field trips or athletic events, are not factored into any truancy related processes.
Extra Clothes
PLEASE send your child to school with an extra set of clothes to keep in their locker for emergencies. This could mean they wet their pants, fell in the mud, spilled their lunch, etc. If they use those clothes, please send in another set to keep in their locker.
BREAKFAST IS ONLY SERVED UNTIL 8:55.
If you arrive after
8:55, you will not be
able to get breakfast.
Background Checks
If you are interested in working with students during the school day or chaperoning field trips, you need to complete the volunteer application here. This process will run a thorough criminal background check. Once approved, you will need to check in at the office using our Raptor system that will run your state issued ID and print you out a badge to wear. You will need to check in at the office and run your ID each time you volunteer.
Birthday Treats
Our classes do not have students bring in birthday treats. We have a number of food related allergies across the building so that is a practice we have not done for quite a number of years now. If your child wants to bring something for the class, it can be non-edible items like bookmarks, pencils, etc.
Absent Students
Illness Reminders
The office needs to be notified if your child will be absent or tardy. You can leave a voice message on the attendance line at 517-925-5812. In that message, please leave the following information:
* Student Name
* Teacher
* Reason for Absence (out of town, funeral, car trouble, sick, etc. If your child is sick, please leave the nature of the illness – fever, vomiting, pink eye, cough, respiratory trouble, head lice, etc.
PLEASE NOTE: Teachers can only mark students unexcused. The office has to change those to excused absences after you call in or bring your child to school. This can take some time to get all the absences updated. If your child is still marked unexcused after 11:00, please feel free to contact the office.
We ask that your child be 24 hours free of fever, vomiting or diarrhea before you send them back to school after they have been out sick. We appreciate your cooperation with this!
Is something missing? Please share with John Ellsworth, GLPS Director of Communications, any additional Recognitions & Acknowledgments you think we should include on this list or upcoming lists – email him at EllsworthJ@GLcomets.net.
Community Feedback Survey Form
This survey is a chance for families and community members to share your thoughts about our school. Your feedback will help us understand what we’re doing well and where we can grow. Your voice matters — the information you share will guide us in making our school a place where every student and family feels welcome, respected, and supported. Thank you for taking the time to share your perspective and help us strengthen our school community.
GLPS Supervisor of Student Safety Chris Chester is sharing information from the Michigan State Police regarding the recent updates to Michigan’s child passenger safety laws.
Grand Ledge Education Foundation » Trivia Night & Sponsorships
The Grand Ledge Education Foundation (GLEF) is a 501(c)3 organization that provides extra funding for special projects within Grand Ledge Public Schools classrooms, and they are doing a TRIVIA NIGHT fundraiser.
BE A BUS DRIVER – join the GLPS transportation team! Probationary pay begins at $21.50 per hour, then regular driver pay starts at $25.50/hour. GLPS bus drivers have access to SET-SEG Plum Health Center, and many health services are provided at no cost (or minimal cost if you have an HSA). $500 signing bonus distributed as follows: $250 disbursement once all hiring and training has been completed, then the remaining $250 disbursement 6 months from the date of hire or end of school year, whichever comes first. Paid Training is provided to obtain a Class B CDL with Passenger and School Bus endorsements. Must have a 10-year clean driving record. Apply today or contact Pete Bucholtz, Transportation Supervisor, and Nicole Freels, Assistant Transportation Supervisor / Dispatcher. Call them at 517-925-5300 or email them at bucholtzp@glcomets.net and freelsn@glcomets.net.
