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Note from Dr. Cannon


September 30, 2019

Dear Breton Downs Families, 

As we head into fall it is the time of year to schedule for Parent/Teacher Conferences.  Parent/Teacher conferences will be held on Thursday, October 17 and Tuesday, October 22. This is a wonderful time to discuss your child’s progress and areas of growth with the classroom teacher.  

Once again, the three elementary buildings will provide online scheduling to families through the Skyward Family Access System as the primary means to schedule Parent/Teacher Conferences.  The communication for P/T Conferences is listed below:

Wednesday, October 2  - Email Communication:

  • Families will receive an email message indicating how to sign up for Parent/Teacher Conferences through the Skyward Family Access System

  • Access to schedule Parent/Teacher Conferences through the Skyward Family Access System opens

Monday, October 7 - Email Communication:

  • Families will receive a reminder email message indicating how to sign up for Parent/Teacher Conferences through the Skyward Family Access System

Tuesday, October 8 - Email Communication:

  • Access to schedule Parent/Teacher Conferences through the Skyward Family Access System will close at 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 10 - Email Communication:

  • Families who did not schedule for Parent/Teacher Conferences through the Skyward Family Access System will be assigned a conference time

If you have received this information electronically then EGRPS has a valid email address on file.  It is important that you are able to log-in to your child’s Skyward account prior to October 2. Please click here for directions on how to login/access your child’s Skyward Family Access account.  If you experience any difficulties with Skyward, please contact Mrs. Rogers at 235-7552 for assistance. 

Camp Miniwanca

Last week our 5th grade students traveled to Camp Miniwanca for three days and two nights of team building and leadership opportunities.  Our 5th grade teaching team worked hard to plan activities for our 67, 5th grade students. Highlights of the trip included climbing Mount Baldy, attempting and completing the ropes course, eating family-style meals in the lodge, and singing songs at Council Circle. It was a wonderful experience for them and the weather was fantastic.  A special thanks to Mrs. Rieth, Mrs. Gast, Ms. Chen, Mr. Kenward, Mrs. Klopsic, Mr. Putnam, Mr. Paauwe, and Mrs. Rogers for a great camp experience.

Lice

As a reminder I’d like to review certain best practices regarding head lice.  Each school year, a number of our students will experience head lice, which is considered a “nuisance condition” by the Michigan Department of Community Health.  The Michigan Head Lice Manual, co-published by the Department of Education and the Michigan Department of Community Health (August 2013 Revision), guides school policies and practices regarding head lice and is a great resource for parents.  The manual can be found here. 

The number one recommendation for parents is to check your child’s head weekly for lice and/or nits.  Discovering head lice early can often greatly lessen the burden of dealing with it. Since direct head-to-head contact is required for transmission, increases in cases of head lice often follow sleep-overs, extended family gatherings, and other activities where children are likely to engage in play that involves head-to-head contact. If you don’t already have the practice of checking your child built into your weekly routines I would encourage you to consider starting as this is an issue that can occur throughout the school year.

The Michigan Head Lice Manual is a useful resource and addresses a number of harmful myths and misinformation surrounding head lice.  It is important to have factual information and the Myths and Facts page can be viewed here. While dealing with head lice is not fun for anyone involved, please remember that lice do not jump, fly, and only survive for a short time away from a human head.

If you ever have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at ccannon@egrps.or

Warmest regards,

Caroline

https://twitter.com/principalcannon

Grace Lin Author Visit

This coming October, author and illustrator Grace Lin will be presenting to all elementary students in a joint effort sponsored generously by the Friends of the East Grand Rapids Library, East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation, and three elementary PTOs with support from the EGR Kent District Library.  ...READ MORE

Hearts of Gold - Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan


Each year East Grand Rapids Public Schools participates in a community-wide fundraiser called Hearts of Gold. Students, staff, parents, and community members work together to raise money for a local organization that supports a great cause. This year’s Hearts of Gold partner is the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan. ...READ MORE
Hearts of Gold - Shirt Inforatmion
Did you miss your chance to buy this year’s HOG shirt on Schoolpay? No worries!! Shirts will go on sale at school on the following dates and times. School sales are CASH/CHECK ONLY. Stop by and get your shirts!! ...READ MORE
Hearts of Gold - Raffle

You can also support HOG by buying raffle tickets for these two walnut and gold epoxy charcuterie/serving boards donated by Alysia Devries.  1 ticket - $5, 3 tickets - $10.  All money goes to the HOG campaign (all time and material has been donated).  Contact me for Venmo or PayPal details at alysia.devries@gmail.com.  Winner gets to choose their board, second place winner gets remaining board.  Drawing will be videotaped and shared.

This Is It!  Last Week to Be Part of History!!

More than 875 families, including more than 130 EGRPS staff members, have contributed to Now&Forever. If you’re not one of them, this week is your last opportunity to join this historic effort to create a sustainable source of funding for our schools. ...READ MORE

Literacy Coaching Corner

Be the example for the young reader(s) in your home.
 
Children imitate much of what they see in their everyday lives. Reading is no exception. You can be the lead influencer when it comes to reading at home. Show your child(ren) the importance of reading for pleasure. Pick up a book, magazine, or newspaper and model positive reading behaviors each night. ... READ MORE

Choir News


For information about our 4th and 5th grade choir, please click here.

Field Trip Fees

If you have not paid your students field trip fee online through School Pay please do so here.  If you are not sure or you prefer to write a check or pay with cash just stop by the office.

 

Parent's Night Out


The Parent’s Night Out Committee is looking for volunteers to assist with auction item procurement in the coming months. Please email Laura Schneider (
lschneider618@gmail.com) if you’d like to volunteer!

Volunteers

The PTO needs volunteers! Mrs. Fields, Box Tops, the Legislative Committee, PNO, Breton’s Got Talent, and Chess Club are just some of the committees in need of more volunteers. Many of these opportunities provide valuable funds for the PTO, which all go directly back to the school to assist both students and faculty. Please contact Catherine Chamberlin if you would like to volunteer (
rinchamberlin@gmail.com)

Box Tops

It's that time again!  Our U of M vs MSU Box Top$ competition.  Drop off your box tops until Monday, October 28 or download the Box Top$ app - no more clipping!!!  For more information click here.
Breton Bulldogs Service Club
The Breton Downs PTO is once again offering an after school service club where students will help organize and partake in community service projects. The service club is open to all 4th and 5th grade students, but will be limited to 20 students. Fifth grade students will be given first priority. The club will meet every other month after school until 4:30 pm or 5:00 p.m. Sign up here by Monday, October 7th.
 
Video of Recent Vaping Presentation

If you were not able to attend recent Community Conversations Series on Vaping , the district has archived a video of it here.

Presenters Dr. Shelly Schmidt and Dave Stults shared both the social and physiological reasons behind why vaping is so addicting for today’s teens. In addition, they also spoke about how to talk to your student about vaping and provided resources regarding where to get help.
IB Diploma Programme
Our one and only session entitled, "Intro to IB" is being offered Thursday, October 10 at 6:00 p.m. in the high school learning commons. This session is geared towards families who are beginning their research and wish to learn more about the mission, philosophy, and intended outcomes of the IB Diploma Programme. Please click here to learn about other educational opportunities this year. 
Additional Information

School News Network

Our district is a proud partner of School News Network, visit their site for news items about EGR and other local schools!


Girls On the Run

Breton Downs is looking for 1-2 Girls On the Run parent volunteer coaches for the 2020 season!   Over a period of 10 weeks, girls in the 3rd through 5th grade will participate in an after-school program that encourages positive emotional, social, mental and physical development.  The season will begin in March and wrap up with a celebratory 5k in May.  If you are interested in coaching, or would like to receive more information please email Molly Anderson at manderso@egrps.org


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 here or by submitting a form with payment to any school office. Orders are due by October 1st.


EGR Spirit Shop

Looking to spruce up your EGR wear?  Stop and shop at the EGR Spirit Shop located at the high school.  Click here for more information.
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