Dear EGRMS Families,

Please click on the East logo for this week's personal video message from Mr. Dykhouse.

If you are unable to view the video, please see the slides posted HERE. 

Sincerely,
Jeff Dykhouse
Principal
Twitter: @EGRMSPrincipal

EGRMS Spirit Week Schedule:

Tuesday - Tropical Tuesday
Wednesday - Matching Day
Thursday - Throwback Thursday
Friday - East Day & Homecoming Parade

This week's parent resources for our TRAILS program include the following:

Emotions: Students will continue to practice noticing their emotions and will learn the purposes of their emotions. Students will further their understanding of how emotions lead to behaviors and how emotions can vary in intensity. Awareness of emotions can help us have more control over our behavior choices.

Try this activity with your student at home!

·         Remind your student (and encourage them to remind you!) to share the intensity of their emotion when they say they are feeling a certain way. For example, if your student says “I’m so mad” encourage them to rate their emotion from 1-10, 10 being most intense. This helps students put their emotions into perspective and more accurately describe their experience. Use the Feelings Thermometer for reference.  

• All Annie ads and well wishes are due today.
• Please review this document to learn how you may support EGRMS Theatre and the fall middle school musical scheduled for October 14th and 15th.

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! 

Dear EGRPS Families,

With the expiration of the COVID “free lunch for all students” program, every family is encouraged to submit a free or reduced lunch application.  It has been reported by some families that the online application (http://egrps.mealapp.org) has not worked for certain birthdates.  The software vendor has acknowledged this problem and is working on a solution.  

Due to the uncertainty of how long a resolution will take, and the importance to families and the District that all eligible families complete an application, the attached paper application is being distributed.  Please consider completing this application and returning it in an envelope to your building secretary.

By completing this application, you are ensuring your family has access to all potential benefits available under a variety of state and federal programs, including the EGRPS Opportunity Grant program. In addition to individual benefits, many important school programs receive funding based on the number of students who qualify for free or reduced school lunch. Examples include elementary reading support, county special education funding, and various mental health and wellness programs. 

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact one of the following individuals:

1. Assistance with the attached application.
Contact: Your building principal or secretary who can identify the best support person for you.

2. Questions about a previously submitted online application or the attached application.
Contact: Steve Slabbekoorn at 616-819-1662 or slabbekoorns@grps.org

3. Questions about the EGRPS Opportunity Grant program.
Contact: Heather Krajewski, Grant Coordinator, at 616-752-7166 or grants@egrps.org

4. General questions about the food service program.
Contact: Carol Hoeksema, Head Cook, at choeksem@egrps.org

5. Questions about how state and federal funding relates to this application.
Contact: Anthony Morey, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, at 616-235-3535 or amorey@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!” 
 

Our winners this week are:
Emelia Custer, 6th Grade
Charlie Craig,7th Grade
Alex Stout, 8th Grade
Elsa VanDeven, 8th Grade

• The Student Council had a successful Kids Food Basket Brown Bag event last week.  The Student Council decorated brown bags to help KFB meet their goal of collecting 200,000 bags by September 30th. 

• The Student Council does not meet today nor next week.  The next meeting is Monday, October 17th.  All students are welcome to attend meetings.  See Mrs. Bonner in room 206 with questions (MBonner@egrps.org).

• The Student Council is walking in the Homecoming Parade.  Students who want to participate should meet on Beechwood (between Lake Drive and Woodcliff) at 4:00 pm on Friday, October 7th.  The parade will start promptly at 4:30 pm. Students who are interested in tossing candy, should bring their own candy and a bag. Stay tuned for more communication (via our Student Council Canvas course) on the Student Council t-shirts. 

Please use this link to learn about an opportunity for our students studying the flute.

School Board Candidate Forum

You are invited to Meet the Candidates for the East Grand Rapids Public Schools’ Board of Education. On Monday, October 17th, at 7:00 p.m. the EGR PTO Council is hosting a Board Candidate Forum in the East Grand Rapids High School Performing Art Center (PAC). 

Annie Jr.

All Annie ads and well wishes are due TODAY. Here is the link to get your well wishes and ads in!  And mark your calendars for October 14th and 15th to see Annie in person!

Lounge Snacks
Each week we'd like to show our appreciation to the teachers and staff at the Middle School by bringing in snacks/drinks to the teachers lounge. Below you'll find the sign-up with details on when/how to drop off your items. Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Sommer Dockery @ 773.329.1734. Thank you so much for your continued generosity and support!  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044EAFA82BA2FF2-egrms2

Information related to middle school sports may be found by visiting the eastgr.org website and selecting the Parks & Recreation icon.

Homecoming this Friday is a big time for the Foundation. The recipients of our Excellence in Teaching Awards (Breton Downs elementary teachers Nicole Vanderplow and Jenny Bergstrom, high school teacher Tad Vandenbrink) and James and Georgia Nicholas Endowed Award (high school teacher Elisha Murphy) will be riding in cars in the parade Friday at 4:30pm. At the football game Friday at 7pm, we'll have an Alumni Tent, with a "Spin-to-win" prize wheel for alumni to win some fun East swag. To see everything that's happening in our schools and our community every week, visit the Cheat Sheet on our website at egrsf.org/events/the-cheat-sheet.html.