Note from Dr. Cannon
May 16, 2022
Dear Breton Downs Families,
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 76, 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 Fire Circle. It was a wonderful experience for them and the weather was fantastic. A special thanks to Mrs. Rieth, Mrs. Buffin, Ms. Chen, Mr. Konbloa, Mrs. Kline, Mrs. Klopcic, Mrs. Huffer, Mrs. Sheridan, and Mrs. Rogers and the many parent volunteers for a great camp experience!!
  
This is the time of year that we need to thank our many volunteers for their support throughout this past school year. From our library volunteers, chaperones on field trips, to room parents and more…we cannot thank you enough for the work you do supporting our students and school! We appreciate your support and look forward to more opportunities during the 2022-2023 school year.
Also coming to an end on Wednesday is Running Club! Our students have thoroughly enjoyed running laps this Spring to earn punches on their cards. Next Monday, May 23, is the culminating event, the LBW Race, and we hope many young runners will participate in this community event beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the high school.
Spring Concert on May 19
Spring is in the air and the EGRPS Elementary Music teachers, Mrs. Kline and Mrs. Pugia, have been working with students to prepare a performance that showcases their learning throughout the school year. We look forward to welcoming families to this event on Thursday, May 19 at 2:00 p.m. in the Breton Downs gymnasium. Please see this letter from Mrs. Kline for more information including how to watch via livestream.
Miniwanca Munchies will be sold on Friday, May 20
Who doesn’t love fresh popcorn?? This week the Breton Downs 4th grade students will be selling popcorn bags after school on Friday, May 20 from 3:10- 3:40 p.m. Each treat costs $1 and will be put toward the 2022-2023 Camp Miniwanca expenses for our soon to be 5th grade students. Look for the tables set up outside doors #1, #22, and between doors #12 and #13. We request 1 per student, but will definitely have extras available for siblings. Venmo is available with QR Codes at each table, for your convenience, as well.
Important Calendar Dates
If you ever have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at ccannon@egrps.org
Warm regards,
Caroline
Breton Downs Elementary Principal
 https://twitter.com/principalcannon
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School Supplies for the 2022-2023 School Year
As we start planning for the 2022-23 school year, I want to share information with you regarding school supplies. First, purchasing school supplies is voluntary and not required for your child to attend school. Below is a link to the suggested list of supplies from teachers that students will use throughout the school year. In addition, some of these school supplies may be used as “community” supplies and shared with the entire class and some may be used by just your child. Each grade level uses a combination of community supplies and individual supplies.
If your family wishes to purchase school supplies, listed below are some different purchasing options you might consider. As always, we encourage the East Grand Rapids community to purchase their supplies from local vendors and stores that are homegrown in Michigan.
Some options for purchasing school supplies for the 2022-2023 school year:
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Purchase from 1st Day School Supplies (May 2 - July 1) with delivery to your home - Information found here.
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Online shopping with delivery to your home or pick-up in store - Please use this suggested school supply list when purchasing online at local retail stores.
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Purchase in stores with this suggested school supply list below.
Thank you for your continued support of both the school district and our local businesses.
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First lego League (FLL) Sign-Up for the 2022-2023 School Year
EGRPS is excited to announce the continuation of First Lego League at each of the three elementary buildings during the 2022-2023 school year. This promotional video was shown in classrooms. Sign-up for current EGRPS students in grades K-5 is now open and ends on Friday, June 3 at noon. Please fill out this form to enroll your interested child(ren) on a First Lego League team for the 2022-2023 season. FLL is made possible by parent volunteers who serve as co-coaches. In order to make this school-sponsored, extracurricular offering possible, there must be two co-coaches per team. If you are interested in assisting with FLL, please indicate so on the Google Form. A technical background is not needed and training will be provided in August for all parent coaches.
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No Choir May 31
There will be no choir on Tuesday, May 31. The choir will perform at the End of the Year assembly on Thursday, June 2.
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District Device Program
The Engage 1:1 program at grades 6-12 is built around the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) model but it also offers an option for families to secure a district-provided device. Students who utilize the district-provided device option will be provided with a district-owned device to use during the 2022-2023 school year after completing the necessary application.
Once a student application is approved, students will receive their district-provided device prior to the beginning of the school year. Prior to receiving the device both the student and the parent will be asked to sign an agreement regarding responsibilities and submit a $50 deposit. The district is responsible for the maintenance and repair of the devices throughout the school year.
*Note-You must fill out an application each year. If you plan to roll over your deposit from a previous year, you must fill out the application as well.
Please visit the 2022-2023 Engage District Device Application here.
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Elementary School Playground Replacements
As proposed in the Parks Improvement Millage approved by voters last November, the City is working with the EGR School District to replace the playground equipment at the three elementary schools. As part of this process, a community input session will be held at each elementary school to gather input from parents, caregivers, and other playground users.
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Lakeside Elementary: Tuesday, May 17, 6:30 pm.
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Wealthy Elementary: Thursday, May 19, 6:30 p.m.
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Breton Elementary: Tuesday, May 24, 6:30 p.m.
Our playground consultant, MCSA Group, is also collecting input via an online survey. If you haven’t received a survey link from your school building yet, you can take the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/egrplaygrounds (please take the survey only once). Further engagement sessions, including an additional survey and three additional community forums, are scheduled for later this summer. Details about these opportunities will be communicated closer to those dates.
Mr. Anthony Morey, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, is also available to address specific questions related to these projects. He may be reached by email at amorey@egrps.org or by calling 616-235-3535. We are excited to see these outdoor spaces improved for the benefit of our students and community.
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Spring Performance
The students are preparing for the Breton Downs All-School Spring Performance on May 19th, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. This performance will be for students, staff, and families! As seating will be limited, this event will also be recorded and live-streamed for anyone who is unable to attend. The performance will be available to stream here. Please click here for more information regarding performance songs.
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Huffer's Highlights
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Please click here for a note from Mrs. Huffer sharing facts and resources. |
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Camp East 2022
Registration for Camp East is now open! For more information about these summer child care programs, please click here. |
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D&W Receipts
Please drop off D&W receipts to the front office. We are very close to meeting our collection goal.
Introducing Bravo!
Who: Breton Bulldog Parents
What: A parents night out fundraising event to support Breton Downs Elementary School. It is a great opportunity to meet other parents or catch up with old friends while enjoying hors d’oeuvres and bidding on fabulous items.
Where: Grand Rapids Yacht Club (conveniently located at 740 Lakeside Dr SE)
Why: To raise money for the PTO. The Breton Downs PTO will spend over $80,000 next year to enable valuable learning experiences for our students. This covers subscriptions to digital and printed learning resources, busing for field trips, teacher appreciation, support for special programs and events, Mini Grants to meet individual classroom requests, and MUCH more!
When: Saturday, September 24th 6:00-10:00pm
How can you help?
Sponsorships: Do you or someone you know own a business? Consider being a sponsor! Review our sponsorship form here to choose which level sponsor is best for your advertisement.
Donations: Consider donating items (gift cards, food/drink, baskets), services (salon, spa, fitness), or experiences (airbnb, memberships, discounts) for the auction. Click here for our tax deductible donation form.
Attend the event: Ticket sale information coming soon!
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Last week, a Foundation grant brought author Gary Schmidt to the middle school to lead several workshops with students. Schmidt is the author of Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy, which was awarded a Newbery Honor and a Printz Honor in 2005 and The Wednesday Wars, which earned a second Newbery Honor in 2008.
“Our goal in bringing best-selling, Newbery Honor author Gary Schmidt to our school was to expose students to someone they can look up to,” says Middle School English Teacher Andrea Adams “Gary Schmidt is a master in his craft, and to see the author of the books they’ve read and loved made this a memorable educational experience for all.
“Also, it just may entice an aspiring writer to chase their dreams.”
To learn more about how grants from the Foundation are funding extraordinary educational experiences for our students, visit egrsf.org.
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Lunch Info
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LBW Race
Registration is now open! Enter online here under the LBW East Grand Rapids Race heading. Register now to ensure a LBW t-shirt. More information can be found in this flyer. |
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