March 11 - In Person Parent Teacher Conferences 5:00-8:00 pm
March 13 - In Person Parent Teacher Conferences 5:00-8:00 pm
March 14 - Popcorn Day
March 14 - Yearbook Order Deadline
March 18 - Virtual Parent Teacher Conferences 5:00-7:00 pm
March 19 - PTA Meeting 6:00 pm (DATE CHANGE)
March 20 - Crazy Sock Day for Down Syndrome Awareness
March 21-28 - No School - Spring Break
March 31 - No School - Teacher PD Day
April 1 - Classes Resume
April 15 - PTA Meeting 6:00 pm
The Principal's Pen
Thank you to the First Grade families who were able to attend our math night this past Wednesday. The kids seemed to have a great time doing the various crafts and games!
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent Teacher Conferences will be held:
Tuesday, March 11 from 5:00 - 8:00 pm - IN PERSON
Thursday, March 13 from 5:00 - 8:00 pm - IN PERSON
Tuesday, March 18 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm - VIRTUAL
Here is the link, or you can click on Parent Teacher
Benjamin Checo Maren Clark Brennan Cobb Henry Dahlmann Greyson Davis Brayden Doig Elizabeth Dyjach Asher Edgley Audrey Efting
Alysia Farnsworth
Melanie Fox
Trey Gibbs
Brice Gribble
Tyson Guillen
Charles Hall
Emberlynn Han
Scarlett Harmon
Lacey Harrison
Ethan Herman
Keaghan Howland
Mackenzie Jenkot Alexis Jensen Jacob Kanaby Ronald Kendall Violet Kessler Rafael Lopez Perez Susan MacMillan
Jaden Martin
Quinn McKenna
Selena Nassery
Addison Onan
Josie Pehlivanoglu
Claire Ptaszynski
Lydia Redman
Eldaiah Robbins
Brantley Root
Jillian Schmidtman
Birdie Schopmeyer
Miles Sinko
Alba Smith
Henry Sowash
Ella Stowell
Riley Wight
Ezra Wixson
Abigail Yang
PTA News
On Tuesday, March 11th, the PTA will be providing Cugino's for our amazing staff during conferences. Please consider signing up to bring in something using the link below.
Please have all donations turned in to the office by March 7th
Please drop off desserts March 11th in the morning.
Our next PTA meeting is on Wednesday, March 19th at 6:00 pm in the Willow Ridge Art room for our March PTA meeting.
Yearbook Order
Yearbook orders are being placed online with Geskus Photography. Please use the link below to place your order. Yearbooks were not included in the fall picture package. So if your child wants a yearbook, you must order now! The yearbooks will be printed and delivered to the school. They will be sent home with students who ordered them at the end of the school year. Order Deadline has been extended to 3/14/25.
A big THANK YOU is in order to everyone for supporting our book fair last November. With some of the funds raised from that event, I was able to purchase over 60 new Who Was and What Was books to add to our nonfiction collection! I also purchased and made available this week some early reader nonfiction titles from National Geographic Kids, and a few cookbooks, which were a big hit! We got up to date with our Babysitter’s Club and Magic Tree House graphic novels, and replaced some lost and well-loved books as well.
Even though we aren’t having a spring book fair this year, you can still support the Willow Ridge Library by shopping our year round Literati Online Store!
to shop, and our library receives 10% back in rewards which can be used to purchase books and kits which will benefit our whole school.
Library Schedule:
Monday - BK and Kindergarten
Tuesday - First and Second grades
Wednesday - Third Grade
Thursday - Fourth Grade
~ Mrs Garnaat
Morning Drop Off Line
A couple of drop off notes:
Do not turn left into the parking lot when coming south on Nixon. Please follow the traffic pattern shown below to get in the loop.
The only exception to this is for employees who have a laminated sign in their window. Please allow these staff members to turn into the parking lot. Thank you for your cooperation!!
Spare Clothes in Lockers
While our office is under construction for the remainder of the school year, there will not be any extra clothing to offer in case of accidents. Please send in clothes (socks, underwear, pants and shirt) to keep in their lockers. Thank you for your support and patience as we all navigate through this construction phase to make our school even better!!
Possession of Cell Phones, Smart Watches, and Other Electronic/Recording Communication Devices
The use of cell phones, smart watches, or any other ECD are prohibited to be used during the school day. It is recognized that some students may need access to these devices for transportation purposes after school and are therefore permitted after dismissal. During school, however, cell phones, smart watches, and other ECDs shall be turned off and stored away out of sight. If you are concerned that an electronic device might be stolen, broken or inappropriately used, please do not allow your student to bring it to school.
Attendance / Absence Policy Update
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 new 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. The approval is good for one calendar year. After that year is up, you will need to reapply.
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, stickers, etc.
Absent Students
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.
Illness Reminders
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.
Delta Township District Library
United Resiliency Center
Wireless Emergency Alert & Statewide Tornado Drill, Mar 19
ALERT! This is a reminder. GLPS Supervisor of Student Safety Chris Chester is reminding you that on Wednesday. March 19, 2025, there will be a wireless emergency alert test and a statewide tornado drill that GLPS is participating in. ALERT! This is a reminder.
BE PREPARED, part of Severe Weather Week, Mar 17-23
The Michigan Department of Education wants to provide students the opportunity to say positive things about their teachers, so they know they’re appreciated. We’ll feature the videos on MDE platforms during May for Teacher Appreciation Month! Help students submit their videos to us!
Art and Music Events Coming Up at Grand Ledge Area District Library
Library Land March 1 – 31 | For Children 0 - 6th Grade Take a Journey through our Children’s Library! Sing silly songs, find books, tell a story -- Can you do them all? Earn an Instant Prizes for playing each time you visit GLADL, and books as prizes for completing the game! One game card per child, please. Turn in all Game cards by March 31, 2025.
Other MiRM Activities Include: • Early Literacy Activity Table • Guest Storytime Readers • Scavenger Hunts • Teen Activity Table • “Guess This Book” Guessing Jar Game • Sign up for our “Dino-ROAR into Reading” Reading Challenge!
"Woman of the Watch, Keepers of the Light" Wednesday March 12 | 6pm - 7:30pm | Ages 12+ “Women of the Watch, Keepers of the Light,” written and performed by Kamryn Marck and directed by D.B. Schroeder, is an uplifting 45-minutes of music, laughter, and simple honest storytelling. The performance follows Kamryn as she relives family trips to lighthouses in Michigan, which ignites a passion to share the spectacular stories of various female lighthouse keepers of the Great Lakes. She details the lives of four particular keepers by donning voice and movement. As she steps into these brave women’s shoes, she discovers the tragedy of the hardships they faced and the beauty of their spirits. The performance is followed by a Q & A.
Glitzy Green Party Saturday March 15 | 12:30pm - 2pm | All ages Families are invited to join us for a festive time before the St. Patrick's Day parade. We will have crafts and our Library Land game available while you wait for the parade to begin.
Clay Pot Leprechaun Hats Monday March 17 | 4:30pm - 5:30pm | All Ages Get into the St. Patrick's Day spirit with our Clay Pot Leprechaun craft! Transform a simple clay pot into an adorable leprechaun hat using paint and ribbon to make a charming decoration.
Aquarium in a Jar Monday March 24 | 6pm - 7pm | All Ages Dive into creativity with our Aquarium in a Jar craft! Patrons of all ages are invited to design their very own miniature aquarium in a jar using an assortment of miniature sea creatures, colorful pebbles, and aquatic themed decorations.
Balloon Animals Workshop with Mr. Greg! Wednesday March 26 | 11am - 12pm | Ages 6+ Kids learn some basic skills to make Balloon Animals! Join Mr. Greg, "Balloon Zoo Wrangler" and have some fun making their own Balloon Creations! Learn types of balloons to use, where to get them, how to inflate them and twist and bend to make a fun creation to take home!
Hoop it Up! Hula Hoop Show & Class Wednesday March 26 | 6pm - 7pm | All Ages Kids, teens and adults--Come "Hoop it Up" with us this Spring! This fantastical hula hoop show begins and ends with a hoop dance performance. Sandwiched in the middle, kids of all ages will learn how to hoop dance, how to build hula hoop huts, and of course parents are encouraged to join us! We'll spin, move and try something new as we move to fun music! Presented by Nat Spinz and the Motley Misfits Circus Entertainers.
GLPS Student Art Showcase & Reception Wednesday April 9 | 5:30pm - 7pm | All ages Nearly 100 different objects of art, created by student artists of all ages from Grand Ledge Public Schools, will be on display throughout the library. Enjoy refreshments while you view all the fantastic creations. Artists’ works remain on display thru April 30.
Paint a Recycled Bookend for Earth Week! [Registration Req.] Monday April 21 | 6pm - 7:30pm | All Ages Repaint and recycle old bookends in wild colors to make a unique new creation! We’ll have the acrylic paints and other creative materials on hand for you to make a one-of-a-kind creation that’s yours to keep! One bookend per registered participant, wear old clothes. Best for ages 8 and up, young children may require adult assistance.
"Trees and Water & Worms--Oh My!" Earth Week Open House! Wednesday April 23 | 5:30pm - 7pm | All Ages During our Earth Week Open House kids can learn some fun hands-on STEAM Earth Science! Kids see how water moves through our ecosystem using the hands-on "EnviroScape" water display from the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, get "hands on" with worms-- nature's recyclers-- at the Vermicomposting display from Eaton County Resource Recovery, and learn about local wildlife and ecosystems from Eaton County Parks Deputy Director and Naturalist Ethan Jacobs. Kids can make some fun "earth friendly" crafts too! Free seed giveaways (while supplies last) and information on other green initiatives in our community. Kids who registered for a Free Tree seedling from our partner Neighborhood Forest will be notified when the trees are ready for pickup too!
Lego-Palooza! Thursday April 24 | 6pm - 7pm | All Ages Come get creative with LEGO bricks at the library’s LEGO-Palooza! Each child will get a tray of LEGO bricks and the challenge is to build their most fantastic creation from just those bricks. How imaginative can you be? Some Duplo bricks will be available for younger children to use.
Dragon Eggs Monday May 12 | 6pm - 7pm | Ages 5+ Using air-dry clay, shimmering jewels, and an assortment of other craft supplies, participants will design and create their own magical dragon eggs.
Enchanted Forest Festival Sunday May 18 | 10am - 4pm | All ages Lincoln Brick Park Step outside into a world of magic at Lincoln Brick Park during the Enchanted Forest Fest! Wander forest trails and seek springtime surprises like birds, flowers, mushrooms-- and maybe some fairies, wizards, and other magical denizens of the forest! Vendors and magical fun-makers of all sorts will be on hand! Enjoy what makes a forest truly "magical" during this enchanted springtime adventure! Visit the Grand Ledge Area District Library's "colorful" tent and get a peek at our Summer Reading Program "Color Your World" too! Fun & games, arts & crafts, prizes and reading too-- for all ages!
Melted Bead Suncatchers Monday May 19 | 6pm - 7:30pm | Ages 5+ Brighten up your windows with our Melted Bead Sun Catcher Craft! Using pony beads and cookie cutters, participants will design dazzling sun catchers.
Trim & Ride Your Bike in Wacousta Memorial Day Parade Saturday May 24 | 10am | All ages w/ adult assistance Kids can trim their bikes and ride in the Wacousta Memorial Day Community Parade on Saturday May 24! We’ll provide red, white and blue patriotic trims (while supplies last) for families to decorate kid’s bikes, wagons, strollers or scooters—and a spot to ride in the parade as we honor and remember with gratitude all those who serve and served our country. Please Note: Decorating 10-10:45am, parade starts promptly at 11 am.
