Dear EGRMS Families,

Please click on the EGRMS logo for this week's newsletter.

Sincerely,
Jeff Dykhouse
Principal

Please view an updated announcement concerning EGRPS food service here.

Parents/guardians must conduct a daily health screener on each of their children prior to them attending school or a school-related event. The student screener is a simple checklist helping parents screen their child for COVID-19 symptoms and close contact. The form (which may be found here) also provides direction for next steps if symptoms or close contact concerns exist.

Thank you for keeping our school a safe place!

Masks on School Property

After reviewing information from the Kent County Health Department and Center for Disease Control, I am sharing requirements and recommendations regarding masks worn on school property. Students may wear cloth face covers including gaiters (masks that slip over the head and are pulled up), but may not wear masks with vents/valves in them due to the fact that the vents/valves allow virus particles to escape. Because this is new information and some families may need time to replace their child(ren)’s mask, we are implementing this requirement on Monday, September 14. As a reminder, we do have disposable school masks available that the office can provide students when needed. Please review the below images from the CDC for more information or click here. 

We are asking that all individuals on school property, including during drop-off and pick-up, are wearing masks and social distancing to the extent feasible. Your assistance in enforcing these expectations before and after school will help to keep everyone safe and contribute to our ability to remain in school. Thank you for being positive role models for our students.   
 

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!” 

This week's winners are:

Matthew DeBoer, 6th Grade
Joseph Norcutt, 7th Grade
Harper Smith, 8th Grade

Fall MAP Testing for K-8 Students

The State of Michigan is requiring students enrolled in grades K-8 to take a benchmark assessment in reading and math both in the fall and spring of the current school year. East Grand Rapids has in the past administered the MAP assessment in grades 2-7 and will be expanding to give it in K-8 this year to meet the state mandate. The MAP is an online assessment that takes approximately 45 minutes for each section, reading and math, for a total of 90 minutes to complete. 
 

• Students currently learning in a face to face format will take the MAP math test the week of  September 21 in class with their teacher.
• Parents of virtual learners will want to review the letter sent out on Friday, September 18th by clicking here.  Parent proctors are expected to monitor student screens during MAP testing. 

• REGATTA REIMAGINED – October 12th - 16th 

EGR Middle School PTO will hold its one and only fundraiser for the 2020-2021academic year, The Regatta Reimagined, during the week of October 12.  EGR Middle School's building budget was reduced by 20% and the PTO intends to help fill the funding gap and provide classroom support for all departments.

As the name suggests, the event will look different this year, but will nonetheless be a community building week in which students will apply engineering, design, and creativity concepts to boat-themed projects.  All middle school students, regardless of learning modality, will be able to participate in these events.

Click here for the Regatta Informational Flyer. 

• REGATTA SPONSORSHIP – October 5th print deadline

Without the generous support of our parents and corporate sponsors, we simply would not be able to provide resources to the middle school in support of our children’s education.  It is our hope that through your generosity we can continue to provide excellent opportunities. Click here for the Regatta Sponsorship Form.

Sponsorship Levels:

• Individual - $50
• Skipper - $250
• First Mate - $500
• Captain – $750
• Commodore - $2,500

Sponsor online via SchoolPay.com (service fee applies).

• All-virtual students (Hybrid+ and Pearson) are welcome to come for pictures. We will also use this day for any make-ups. The schedule will be as follows:

• In-person students will be called down during the breaks between virtual students to have their pictures taken. 

There’s still time to register to play in this year’s Gerken Open golf outing!

Just like the Masters, we are moving the 2020 Gerken Open to the fall. The new date is Monday, October 5, at Thousand Oaks Golf Club. This year’s event features an on-course progressive tailgate party with fall favorite food and drink. With sports and other activities impacted by the shutdown, this year’s event, which benefits The Gerken Fund and the Team Boosters, is more important than ever. Sponsorships are available at many levels. Registration for this always-popular event is open now. This event often sells out so don't wait to sign up. Use the online reservation form to become a sponsor and to register for the event.

• 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.