Dear Lakeside Elementary Families,

As we head into the holiday season, I like to reflect on all of the amazing things about Lakeside. I am thankful for your partnership in making our school such a wonderful place. It is a pleasure to work with the staff, students, and families of our Lakeside community.

Last week our fifth grade team enjoyed a little extra time with a small group of students as a part of the PTO ROAR! Fundraiser teacher experience. Please check out these photos of their fun bowling experience. 

      
                         

Thanksgiving Break
Just a friendly reminder that this is a short week with no school on November 23-25. I hope that you enjoy this extended time with loved ones.

Halloween Candy Collection for Troops
As a final service project for Veterans Day, Lakeside Elementary is looking to collect any leftover Halloween candy to send to troops through a partnership, once again, with Operation Shoebox. Please send in any extra candy to the Lakeside main office by November 22 so that it can be packaged and mailed overseas during the Thanksgiving holiday. Please contact the main office for any questions. 
 

Scholastic Book Fair:  November 28-December 2
The PTO-sponsored Scholastic Book Fair begins next week! Please join us in the Learning Commons on November 28 - December 2 to purchase the newest books for your child(ren). Your help is needed to make this event a success. Please click here for various volunteer opportunities. Thank you to all who have already signed up to help. All monies raised at the Book Fair are donated back to the Lakeside Elementary Learning Commons for all students to enjoy.  Please see more information below in the PTO section of the newsletter.

We have arranged several opportunities for friends and family to visit the fair:

• November 28 - December 1 after school until 4:00 p.m.
• November 29 from 6:30-7:15 p.m. (see below) 

Bedtime Stories are back! On Tuesday, November 29 from 6:30-7:15 p.m. drop off your child(ren) in the Lakeside Gym while you go shop at the Book Fair. This is a great time for parents/guardians to shop for holiday gifts. While you are shopping, the teachers and I will host read alouds and reader’s theaters while the PTO provides popcorn for students to enjoy as they listen. Students are encouraged to wear their pajamas and bring a blanket and water bottle.
 

Harry Potter Yule Ball is Back!
On Saturday, February 25 from 6-9 p.m. East Grand Rapids will be hosting a Yule Ball for all Harry Potter enthusiasts in grades 3-8 and for anyone who would like to join in on the fun. We are looking for one Lakeside parent/guardian who may be interested in volunteering for the event. Please reach out to me at sthelen@egrps.org to learn more. 

Winter Showcase
This year Lakeside Elementary will host a Winter Showcase on Friday, December 9 at 9:15 a.m. in the gymnasium. This event is a musical performance for students, teachers, and families, demonstrating all that has been learned in Specials courses (Art, Music, Physical Education, and Spanish) throughout the first semester. To learn more about this event, please click here for a letter from Mrs. Kline and Ms. Pugia. 
 

Musical Auditions Announced for Mary Poppins, Jr.
We are so excited to bring a musical theatre opportunity back to Lakeside Elementary for the 2022-23 school year!  This winter we will be creating the wonderful world of Mary Poppins, Jr. This year we have two days for students in grades 3-5 to sign up for auditions. Dates are Thursday, December 8 and Friday, December 9 with time slots available at 3:30, 4:00, 4:30 and 5:00 p.m.  Students only need to sign up for ONE time slot. Please click here to sign up and here for additional information. Opportunities for students in grades K-2 to be involved in Mary Poppins, Jr. will be communicated in January. 

Calendar
Please click here for upcoming events at Lakeside Elementary. Please mark your calendars for the following events:

• November 23-25:  No School; Thanksgiving Break

• November 28-December 2:  Scholastic Book Fair

• December 5:  Board of Education Meeting

• December 9:  Winter Specials Showcase- Please see this letter from Mrs. Kline and Ms. Pugia.

 

Keeping Our Kids Safe Community Presentation
The Community Action Council and EGRPS have partnered with the FBI and the Michigan Child Protection Registry to bring our school community the opportunity to learn more about how to keep kids safe online. Please see this flyer for more information on the November 30, 2022 presentation.

Santa Claus Girls
Santa Claus Girls (SCG) is a non-profit organization that provides both toys and clothing items to children ages 12 and under in time for the holidays. Their mission is to ensure that children ages 12 and under do not go without gifts during this time of celebration. Presents are gift-wrapped and delivered to the children’s residence on Saturday, December 10 by volunteer drivers to be received by a parent or caregiver. Online registration is currently available at http://www.santaclausgirls.org  Several languages can be selected on the website for ease of registration. Ongoing updates are posted to the Santa Claus Girls Facebook page. If you have any questions regarding the program or gift distribution, please visit santaclausgirls.org. More details are available on their flyer linked here.         

Volunteer Consent Form
In order to volunteer in our school buildings or school-sponsored events, EGRPS has a process that requires volunteers to complete a background check. If you have not completed the Volunteer Consent Form via registration through Skyward, click here to do so. This form is not available in the office and must be completed online. It is recommended that volunteers complete this form as far in advance as possible to ensure the background check process can be completed prior to the date of volunteering. The completion of this fillable form online ensures that a badge will be in the office for you to wear when you check in as a school volunteer. It is required that this form is filled out each year. To best support the students and staff as a volunteer, refrain from bringing younger siblings with you when serving in a volunteer role. 

Volunteers: Driving Students on Field Trips
In order for any parent/guardian/volunteer to drive students on a field trip, they must have an approved volunteer consent form on file that includes submission of a driver’s license and an unrestricted driving record. 

Please note: Regardless of when an incident occurred, if a driving record includes any of the following citations or violations, the volunteer will be restricted from driving: alcohol or drug-related charges, points, excessive speeding, reckless driving, etc. If a driving record contains any of the above listed citations, you will receive an email notifying you that you are restricted from driving students other than your own. 

Additionally, individuals with an out-of-state driver’s license are unable to be approved for transporting any students other than their own as we are not able to complete a full background check without a Michigan driver’s license. 

We appreciate your understanding and patience as we review, consider, and ensure the safety of our students.    

Scholastic Book Coming to Lakeside

 

Lakeside will once again be a sponsor with Cannonsburg Ski Resort. Below is the punch card information for the upcoming season with Thursday remaining the weekly date. With this link, you are able to purchase your orders directly from the Cannonsburg Store.  Our Ski Club organizer, Jen Andrzejewski will be traveling to Cannonsburg to pick up passes intended for holiday gifts. Families will be contacted prior to our holiday break to pick up their passes from the Lakeside office.  When placing your order, please add Lakeside as the sponsor and note that Thursdays will be the "Lakeside" day of the week as this ensures us a spot/table in the lodge.

Although orders may be placed throughout the season, please have your order placed by December 2 if you wish to receive your passes prior to our holiday break beginning on December 16th.

https://cannonsburg.com/product-category/passes/

 

---

Click here for important Free and Reduced Lunch Information.

---

Lunch Menu
Please click here for a digital lunch menu!