September 23-27 - Homecoming Spirit Week (see below)
October 2 - Student Count Day
October 4 - No School - Teacher PD Day
October 15 - PTA Meeting 6:00 pm
November 1 - No School - Teacher PD Day
November 15 - Half Day for Students - Dismissal at 12:10 pm
November 19 - Parent Teacher Conferences 5:00-8:00 pm
November 21 - Parent Teacher Conferences 5:00-8:00 pm
November 27-29 - No School - Thanksgiving Break
December 2 - No School - Teacher PD Day
December 3 - Parent Teacher Conferences 5:00-7:00 pm
The Principal's Pen
This week the students wrapped up their NWEA and Acadience testing for reading and math. Teachers and myself are scheduled to meet beginning on October 3rd to analyze the data provided by those assessments and make goals surrounding all kids making academic progress throughout the year.
Our new school counselor, Ms. Annemarie Reik, will be officially starting in our building this Wednesday. We are excited to have her join our team and I know the students are going to love having her. If you ever need to get ahold of her, her email is reika@glcomets.net.
Don't forget that next week is Homecoming Spirit Week. Willow Ridge, along with many of the other buildings, have partnered up with Grand Ledge High School's Spirit Day themes. Participation is completely voluntary, but if you want to participate for any or all of the days, be sure to see below for the specific themes.
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.
Morning Drop Off Line
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
This week Third and Fourth grade classes had a lesson on how to find books more independently in our library. The Willow Ridge Library is organized in a system I call “Dewey-ish,” meaning our organization mostly follows the Dewey Decimal System, with some exceptions that make it more elementary friendly. I hope that this lesson will help our older students feel more confident in their ability to locate things they want to read in our library and others.
We had a great return rate from all grades this week! Thank you for helping your child remember to return their library books on time. This ensures that there is a wide selection each week for all students. If your student forgets their library book, they can still participate in all library activities, and we have a large selection of “just looking books” that they may look at during their library time.
When does your child’s class visit the library?
Begindergarten and Kindergarten - Monday
First and Second Grade - Tuesday
Third Grade - Wednesday
Fourth Grade - Thursday
~ Mrs. Garnaat
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.
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
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!
Sep. is Library Card Sign-up Month
Sep. is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Sep. is National Suicide Prevention Month
Sep. 15 - Oct. 15 » National Hispanic Heritage Month
Sep. 17-23 » Constitution Week
Sep. 21 » International Day of Peace
Sep. 22 » First Day of Autumn
Sep. 28 » National Good Neighbor Day
Sep. 29 » Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival; Mooncake Festival)
Sep. 29 - Oct. 6 » Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)
Sep. 30 » National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Canada)
Oct. is National Bullying Prevention Month
Oct. is Learning Disabilities Awareness Month
Oct. is National Principals Month
Oct. is Down Syndrome Awareness Month
Oct. is National ADHD Awareness Month
Oct. is Crime Prevention Month
Oct. is Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Oct. 2-4 » Rosh Hashanah
Oct. 2 » National Custodial Workers Recognition Day
Oct. 3-12 » Navaratri
Oct. 7 » Child Health Day
Oct. 11-12 » Yom Kippur
Oct. 11 » International Day of the Girl
Oct. 6-12 » Fire Prevention Week
Oct. 6-12 » National Metric Week
Oct. 14-18 » National School Lunch Week
Oct. 14 » Indigenous People's Day
Oct. 14 » Columbus Day
Oct. 16 » Boss’s Day
Oct. 16 » World Food Day
Oct. 19 » Sweetest Day
Oct. 20-26 » America’s Safe Schools Week
Oct. 21-25 » National School Bus Safety Week
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.
National Suicide Prevention Month
A comprehensive approach is essential to addressing suicide. This month, explore concrete strategies that you can take to make a difference. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is dedicated to advancing the National Strategy for suicide prevention. Together, we all have a role to play in creating a safer, healthier community.
988 offers 24/7 judgment-free support for mental health, substance use, and more.
Text, call, or chat 988.
Annual Notices for FERPA & PPRA
No action is required of families, but Grand Ledge Public Schools (GLPS) is legally required to annually provide families with information about the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). FERPA information is on our website at GLcomets.net/FERPA, and PPRA information is on our website at GLcomets.net/PPRA.
Stopfinder – GLPS Transportation Uses the Stopfinder App
If your family uses GLPS Transportation, please install the Stopfinder App. This is another tool for families to get prompt communication about bus transportation events and issues. The Stopfinder app also has customizable alerts (ETA alerts, geo alerts), but the real value is the increased communication that is possible between families and the GLPS Transportation team.
Lifeline is an FCC program that helps make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. Lifeline provides subscribers a discount on qualifying monthly telephone service, broadband Internet service, or bundled voice-broadband packages purchased from participating wireline or wireless providers. The discount helps ensure that low-income consumers can afford 21st century connectivity services and the access they provide to jobs, healthcare, and educational resources.
NEW Community Giving Program Coordinated by Grand Ledge Chamber
Seven Grand Ledge charities, programs, and nonprofits have come together to form a "one stop shop" resource for neighbors to use. Once a form for the program is filled out, all nonprofits receive the information and provide the help they can. Watch the FOX47NEWS story about the new Community Giving Program.
