Dear EGRMS Families,

Thank you for the incredible support of the 2019 EGRMS Regatta last Friday.  Not only did we have great weather, but our students once again demonstrated excellent behavior (especially for an event with such freedom and responsibility).  For those of us who know the middle school prior to the creation of the Regatta, there is no doubt the Regatta has been a powerful creator of opportunities for our students through not only the event itself but also through the resources it provides our teachers.  Our sincere appreciation to everyone who supported it.

As I wrap up my last week as middle school principal, I am humbled by the incredible support for our students and staff.  I know that great things are happening across our school and that we also have room for further innovation and improvement.  I have confidence that the middle school is in good hands and is well-positioned for the next chapter of growth.  Our new middle school principal, Mr. Jeff Dykhouse, will start next Monday, September 30th.  Mr. Dykhouse and I have met to ensure a smooth transition and I will further support him with vital information as the remainder of the year progresses.  Mr. Dykhouse can be reached at jdykhous@egrps.org.

If I can ever be of service to your family, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. 

Sincerely,
Anthony Morey
Principal

EGRMS Spirit Week

   

We aim to maximize instructional time each school day.  Ideally, students will come to school prepared with all the necessary materials, lunch money or sack lunches, and knowledge of plans for after school.  Each delivery to a student disrupts a class and often creates a late arrival to the next class period. 

We ask parents to keep such requests for a delivery to true family emergencies only.  Forgotten school work, technology, or musical instruments may be stressful to a student, but the small lessons of keeping these matters in perspective, namely that they do not require a special parent delivery, is what we strive for all students to understand.  As such, parent requests for deliveries will be handled consistent with the urgency of the situation and all non-emergency deliveries communicated to students at the end of the school day.

Please consider the following when dropping an item off in the main office:

• Label the item prior to arriving at the middle school.

• Place the item on the student Drop-Off table.

• Instruct your child to check the Drop-Off table throughout the day as students will not be called out of class.  Be in touch with your child using the same means of the original communication.

Alumni Homecoming Tent

Calling all East alumni! The EGR Schools Foundation and Alumni Association is hosting an Alumni Tent at the Homecoming football game this Friday night. The tent will be on Gerken Plaza inside Memorial Field from 6:30pm until halftime. Stop in to visit with old friends, make some new ones, or catch up with your fellow Pioneers! The classes of 1959, 1984, and 1994 will also be in town for reunions this weekend so stop and say hello.  Questions? Email Alumni Relations Coordinator Maria Allen at mallen@egrps.org.

Students are issued “Way to Go” cards for demonstrating Respect, Responsibility or Personal Best by doing the right thing!  As students receive these cards, they are placed in the container located in the Main Office. Every Friday, names are drawn and announced during the afternoon announcements.  Each student selected, has the opportunity to pick a prize from the prize basket simply as a way to say “Thanks, we appreciate and recognize you!” 

Names were not drawn last week due to Friday's Regatta.  Next drawing will be this Friday, September 27th.   

The Hearts of Gold committee is excited to announce the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan as our 2019 partner! The Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan leads the fight to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy and to accelerate therapies to stop seizures, find cures, and save lives. Awareness activities and fundraising will kick off in September. The Hearts of Gold events will culminate on Friday, October 18, 2019 at the East Grand Rapids High School home varsity football game against Grand Rapids Christian. Hearts of Gold is an annual EGR community-wide effort to raise funds and awareness for a non-profit organization, focusing on the physical and mental health of children while teaching our kids about philanthropy. Since 2009, Hearts of Gold has raised $663,000 for non-profit organizations throughout the state. 2019 will be extra special as it marks our tenth anniversary! For additional information about Hearts of Gold, go to the Hearts of Gold website or find Hearts of Gold on Facebook by searching @egrheartsofgold.

• T-shirts will be sold on October 8th and 9th during all three lunch periods. 
• T-shirts prepaid via SchoolPay may be picked up during lunch on October 8th & 9th.

We need your help! The Hearts of Gold Committee is looking for volunteers to help sell t-shirts and Dippin Dots at all lunches during the week of the the Hearts of Gold Football Game on October 14th through 18th. This is one easy way to contribute to the success of the campaign and our community.  View the sign up here:  2019 Hearts of Gold T Shirt and ice cream sales - Middle School.

• EGRMS Daily Announcements may be found here.
• ALL SCHOOL DIRECTORY
  This is the last week to order the spiral bound All School Directory. Save time, paper and ink and support the EGR High School PTO. You may order through School Pay at https://www.schoolpay.com/pay/for/East-Grand-Rapids-All-School-District-Di/SyY71S.  Orders are due by October 1^st.  Print the advertising form here.
• For more upcoming events, please be sure to check with your child and reference the MS Calendar which may be found here.