December 9 - Sensory Friendly Unified Event 6:30 pm
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
The Principal's Pen
With the amount of snow we've had this week, the sledding hill has been open for sledding. Students must have all proper snow attire to go sledding (winter boots, snow pants, winter coat, hat, and gloves). The students really enjoy this opportunity and as long as we have enough snow and personnel available, we are happy to give this opportunity to our students.
With the amount of snow we've had this week, the sledding hill has been open for sledding. Students must have all proper snow attire to go sledding (winter boots, snow pants, winter coat, hat, and gloves). The students really enjoy this opportunity and as long as we have enough snow and personnel available, we are happy to give this opportunity to our students.
As I mentioned a few weeks ago, students will be going outside during the day unless it is raining or below zero degrees with the windchill(elementary handbook on p. 8). Please ensure your child has the appropriate winter attire to enjoy the season. The school does not have a plentiful supply of winter gear, so be sure your students are bringing those items to school. If you are a family in need of winter gear, please reach out to our counselor, Annie Reik, at reika@glcomets.net.
Willow Ridge PBIS H.E.R.O. Headquarters!
This week we recognized our November H.E.R.O.'s of the Month!
These students were recognized for being a HERO by exhibiting Honesty, Encouragement, Respect and Ownership
Henry Calabro
Theodora Harmon Alex Hernandez
Grant Hess
Elizabeth Eitienne Lawrence Lahaie Alexandra Allen
Leon Sabin
Cameron Wedell
Judah Allison
Amelia Anderson
Cylus Bouwens
Saylor Bair
Courtney Lynch
Isla Pinckney
Silas Nykamp
Zelda Rashid
Hudson Vue
Maren Clark
Jackson Hillard
Josephine Junak
Kennedy Schultz Natalie Tate
Lincoln Checo
Declan Rambo
Cora Schuettler
Piper Martinez
Ruth Sims
Corey Benjamin
Jacob Kanaby
Genesis Saucier
Coraline Burns
Charlotte Calabro
Skye Hayhoe
Grayson Gee
Elnaz Ibrahim
Khang Nguyen
Josephine Daskaluk
Ava Kahl
Gabriel Loar
Carson Hayden
Austin Santamaria
Aaliyah Taylor
Dax Behnke
Tyson Guillen
Keegan Schutt
Sylvia Brokstad-Franks
Brayden Doig
Jayna Buzun
Addison Onan
Zinnia Sheahan
Ella Behnke
Dominic Dann
Liliana Redman
Elias Bryan
Emma O'Connor
Chelsea Xiong
Gabriel Bedtelyon
Emilia Dobie
Aria Saunders
Santa's Secret Shop
Santa’s Secret Shop will be held in the Library on December 10 and 11 during the school day. If you want your child to participate, please send them with money and the envelope filled out with who they are supposed to buy for. All volunteer slots have been filled. Thank you so much for helping to make this event possible for our students!
We have much to be thankful for at Willow Ridge. Last week and this week, all classes read the book Thankful, and we are creating a paper chain of things for which we are thankful that will decorate our library through January.
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 two weeks:
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)
Library emails: Please remember that library emails are sent out to everyone with books checked out on the business day preceding their library day. Receiving an email does not mean that your student’s books are overdue. This is just a reminder to help locate any books that need to be returned. Students may also renew books if they need more time to finish.
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. The last collection will be on 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.
Modeled after the world-famous Young Americans’ workshop, this event offers students in 3rd -8th grades a chance to meet, rehearse and perform with Grand Ledge High School musical theatre students. REGISTER TODAY!
The students who participate in the workshop will learn fun musical pieces complete with choreography, have a chance to take part in real auditions, immerse themselves in a special workshop of their choice and hang out with the top performing artists at the high school. Also, at the conclusion of the event, students will demonstrate what they have learned and perform along with the high school directors in an amazing show for family and friends.
Registration Fee $100 ... fee includes: snacks both days, dinner on Saturday, performance t-shirt, and FREE admittance to the final performance for friends and family.
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.
December 2025 - Food Resources
* 39ers Community Meal at Delta Township Enrichment Center - Call 517-484-5600 for the menu/to order a meal. Meal orders are required. Meals must be ordered before noon, the business day before the lunch you want to attend. If you have ordered lunch and are unable to attend, please call and cancel. M/W/F, 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m., $4 suggested donation for ages 60+, $7 charge ages 59 & under, Enrichment Center Activity Room
Additional Resources (updated 11/21/25)
Grand Ledge Emergency Assistance Program (GLEAP) - The GLEAP Food pantry serves the Grand Ledge School District. ID and proof of residency are required. Call ahead to place an order at least 1 hour before the pantry closes. Open Tuesday (10:00 AM – 5:00 PM) and Thursday (10:00 AM – 3:00 PM). 4980 Burt Ave. 517-627-4348
MI Capital Cares - Resource for finding the services and supports you need within your community. Select one of the service areas listed to search for the resources you need or call 2-1-1 at the toll free number 866-561-2500 for additional assistance.
Catholic Charities of Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton Counties - This charity has an active community kitchen, food pantry, and bread rack. Hot breakfast (9:00 - 10:30 AM) and lunch (11:30 AM- 1:00 PM) provided Monday - Friday at the Cristo Rey Campus. Call for an appointment to access the food pantry, 517-372-4700.
Helping Hands Food Pantry Charlotte - Clients are subject to low-income guidelines and residency requirements and are required to sign a statement attesting to their need and the accuracy of the information. Open Tuesday (11:00 AM - 5:30 PM), Wednesday (10:00 AM - 4:30 PM), and Thursday (9:00 AM - 4:00 PM). 621 Jefferson St, Charlotte. 517-543-8737
The Salvation Army - This location has a food / personal needs pantry and hot meals available. The food pantry is open Monday thru Friday (9:00 AM -12:00 PM and 1:00 - 4:00 PM). Walk-In only. Hot meals are served Tuesday - Friday (12:00 -1:00 PM). 525 N. Pennsylvania Ave. 517-484-4424
517 Living - Provides a list of the greater Lansing food focused non-profits.
