Available Supports for Families 
It is important that all children have access to the various opportunities offered at school including field trips, evening PTO-sponsored events, book fairs, etc. As a staff, we never want money to be a barrier to participation for a child. If your family is experiencing monetary challenges, please reach out to the classroom teacher or building principal. All information is confidential and we have options to support you and your child(ren). 
 

Current COVID-19 Guidance 
If your child tests positive for COVID-19, 5 days of isolation is recommended. Individuals may return any time during days 6-10 if their symptoms are largely resolved and fever-free without the use of medication. It is also recommended that a mask be worn on days 6-10. Each school is required to report all communicable diseases to the Kent County Health Department (KCHD). If your child tests positive for COVID-19, please notify your building administrator. Thank you for helping keep everyone safe! 

 

Supporting Absent Students 
While we encourage families to plan vacations in coordination with the school calendar, we understand that absences will occur for many reasons. If your child misses school due to illness or vacation, please encourage them to work on to IXL, read a good book, and write in a journal. We are unable to replicate a school day of instruction during an absence or upon the student’s return. Your child’s teacher will be sure to touch base with your child when they are back in the classroom.

 

Mary Buzalski, Administrative Assistant: Hi, its Mrs. B! I am celebrating my 10th year at Lakeside Elementary and my 26th year in Education.  I have an undergraduate degree in business/marketing. My transition from a marketing career into education happened due to my love of children and also so I could spend more time with my family.  I most enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I am part of a fun trivia team that meets every Wednesday. My best friend from 4th grade and my brother are part of the team. I also love to cook, garden, do handy work and read a good book. Whenever I can, I get my toes in the sand and can spend hours looking for shells. My favorite animals are foxes, hedgehogs and otters; favorite foods are a cheeseburger with olives, favorite author is Mitch Albom, and favorite singers are Jackson Brown, Garth Brooks, Billy Joel, The Ramones and The B52s.  I have been lucky enough to see an unbelievable amount of concerts over the years!  

My husband Jim and I have three daughters and I am also an adoring grandmother. Two of our daughters are elementary school teachers and our oldest daughter supervises the zookeepers who care for the carnivores at John Ball Zoo!  Even though I do love my job, my favorite day of the week is Sunday when my family gathers for Sunday dinner at our house.
 
Katie Potter, Attendance Secretary: Hi, my name is Katie Potter and this is my 6th year working for EGRPS, with the past 2 years at Lakeside. I have a undergraduate degree majoring in English from Florida Gulf Coast University (Go Eagles!).  A few of my favorite things are trivia, podcasts, esoterica, Harry Potter, tchotchkes, Halloween, a good box and a variety of books. I have a postcard collection from around the world which includes almost every continent.  My favorite foods are Tex-Mex, Thai, Italian and any food from India. My favorite animal is the anteater, favorite author is John Irving, and the best concert I have ever went to was the Backstreet Boys. 

My husband Spencer and I have a Lakeside Lion. Our daughter, Daphne is in the 5th grade this year.  You can often see me outside of the Lakeside office at different East sporting events working admissions. 
 

Social-Emotional Behavioral:
 

Dear Lakeside Parents,

I’m excited to begin this 2022-2023 school year with our students and staff at Lakeside! I am confident this year will be a year of new learning opportunities for our students. One learning opportunity students engaged in the first full day of school was “Playground Tours.”
Playground Tours allowed students to learn school-wide behavior expectations from Lakeside staff members. Each classroom rotated to different playground stations (i.e., Gaga ball, Play Structure, Field Games and Boundaries, Kickball, Problem- Solving, etc.) and learned how to have fun while being safe, respectful, and responsible at each station.
The station I facilitated focused specifically on problem solving. The students and I identified/discussed the difference between an adult sized problem (i.e., big problem, someone is hurt/sick on the playground) and a kid sized problem (i.e., small problem, minor arguments/disagreements). We also discussed how, instead of arguing, we can use different strategies such as “Rock, Paper, Scissors” to solve problems. Finally, we reviewed the Lakeside Elementary problem-solving model “TLC”.  

TALK 

• Say what’s on your mind

• No name calling

• No disrespect 

LEAVE

• Leave the situation

• Walk away

• Just ignore it

CONTACT

• Connect with an adult

• Let an adult know you need help

This activity was a great way for our students to learn how to solve problems easily and effectively. We encouraged students to try to solve problems on their own first before getting an adult and/or Safety involved (try TL before C). 

We thank you for your partnership and look forward to a great 2022-2023 school year!

Chad Jackson, School Social Worker
Lakeside Elementary
616.235.7553 ext 4139

 Learning Commons will open soon!
Lakeside’s Learning Commons will open to students soon and we would love your help organizing, shelving books and helping the students navigate the library throughout the year. If you’re interested in volunteering please sign up here to help with your child’s class or as an alternate.  

Room Parents Needed
Are you willing to help your child's teacher by collaborating with parents to organize parties?  Can you help collect donations from families and coordinate gift giving to your child's teachers throughout the year?  If this interests you please fill out this form.  Being a Room Parent is a great way to help your child's teacher.  Thank you!

ROAR! 
Roar will be September 23, 2022 from 6:00-9:00 at the Nyal Deems residence here in East. It’s a night for the community to come together for Lakeside by raising funds to support programming and teacher mini grants. To purchase tickets or sponsor the event, click here. We need volunteers to make ROAR possible. Please sign up here to help with our ONE fundraiser of the year. There are many opportunities before the event and during!

Some of the most popular auction items at ROAR are themed gift baskets from each grade at Lakeside.  If you would like to contribute items or funds to help purchase items please fill out this form.  A grade level representative will follow up with you.  Thank you!


Special Kindness Counts YETIs!
Kindness Counts YETI wine glasses and mugs will be available for purchase during ROAR.  They are $40 each and include a full pour of the drink of your choice!  Come early as supplies are limited! 

                   

Kindness Counts Shirts!
We are offering limited edition Kindness Counts shits until the end of September.  If you'd like to buy a Kindness Counts shirt please click here.  

  2022 Pioneer Picnic!
The Pioneer Picnic is right around the corner! You are invited to attend this community event on September 7th at Memorial Field.  Click here for more information.

New this year: An On-line Auction for the Ultimate East Grand Rapids Football Experience.  Please click here to sign-up for your chance to win:
 

  2022 Homecoming Parade!
The 2022 Homecoming Parade will take place on Friday, October 7, 2022 at 4:30 PM. We would like to welcome all elementary/middle school groups who are interested to participate. Your group will need to be chaperoned along the the route. All parade participants should gather on Beechwood at 3:45 PM. Your group will need to make signs or wear team "uniforms" to help our crowds know who your group is celebrating.  If your group would like to participate in the parade, please contact Heather McKinney, EGRHS Asst. Principal no later than Friday, September 23, 2022 via email (hmckinne@egrps.org).