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

Please review this document to learn how you may support EGRMS Theatre and the fall middle school musical scheduled for October 14th and 15th.

EGRHS Tutoring Club for EGRMS
Every Tuesday we will be offering free tutoring sessions at 3 p.m. for middle schoolers needing additional assistance in any subject. Our first session will be tomorrow, September 20th, in the High School Learning Commons.  Information regarding this opportunity may be found here.

• Please note, filling out the form is required every week to participate in the sessions. 
• Please use this link to sign up.

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

EGRMS Spirit Week Schedule:

Monday - PJ Day
Tuesday - Tropical Tuesday
Wednesday - Matching Day
Thursday - Throwback Thursday
Friday - East Day

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:
Lena Kolkamp, 6th Grade
Izzy Hunt, 6th Grade
Jack Leestma ,7th Grade
Jane van der Elst, 8th Grade

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

THANK YOU for joining us at John Collins Park on September 23, 2022 for EGRMS PTO’s annual REGATTA fundraiser!  With the collaboration of 600+ students, 50 EGRMS staff members, 100+ parent volunteers, EGR Water Polo team, EGRHS Key Club, and the tireless efforts from the planning committee and PTO Executive Board, we celebrated our middle schoolers’ hard work and collaboration at the launch of their cardboard boats on Reeds Lake. We hope your child enjoyed this memorable experience.  

Special thanks to EGRMS Principal Jeff Dykhouse; Assistant Gail Wolford and Secretary Jennifer Webb; EGRMS staff-led Regatta committee; Julia Ratchford, EGRMS PTO Board members, Teri Tesseris, and Laura Schnieder for all of the coordination and effort to make Regatta a reality.  Kudos to Stephanie Hoekstra, Deb Sears, Liz Stouten, Elizabeth DeLyria and Kateri Schutt of the fundraising committee who worked tirelessly and creatively to secure $45,000 in donations. 

EGRMS PTO would like to recognize and express our gratitude to the Commodore level sponsors: Kathleen Jacobitz, Eileen DeVries Family Foundation and Meijer for their generous support.  Additionally, we appreciate the invaluable in-kind donations from Warren Mason, Bright Format, Tesa Tape, Kara Murphy, Frames Unlimited, EGR Trash & Recycling, and Gerritt’s Appliance. 

All of the money raised will stay at EGRMS.  PTO will allocate the funds to provide  classroom support for all departments; support for elective courses such as Art and Innovation Lab; support for clubs such as Science Olympiad and Theater and any immediate needs that arise, such as tools and technology that will enhance the learning experience for all students. 

Join us again next year for Regatta 2023!
Beth Chappus
 

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
 

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).

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

What’s Next?

That’s a question we never stop asking our EGRPS staff. In our fall newsletter, we share highlights of four grants among the 34 we funded last year totaling $238,114. This month, we’ve already had two Big Check Days to tell teachers their time-sensitive grants had been approved. Right now, teachers are applying by October 1 for a new round of fall grants that our board will consider at its next meeting. This vital work for our students and schools never stops.

So what’s next? We can’t wait to see! And we can’t wait to share the news with you.

• For more upcoming events, please be sure to check with your child and reference the MS Calendar which may be found here.
• EGRMS Daily Announcements may be found here.