615 Jones St., Grand Ledge, MI  48837  |  Phone: 517-925-5480  |  Fax: 517-925-5523  | COVID Line: 517-925-5725

School hours are 9am-3:55pm.  Please do not drop students off before 8:40am.  Students must be picked up by 4:05pm.

To report a positive Covid case, please complete the Covid Reporting Form.

September 22, 2023

Curriculum, Essential Learnings, & Course Offerings

Thank you for responding to our FAMILY ENGAGEMENT #1 survey. If you haven’t yet, the form will remain open for you to do so. Your input helps us improve the teaching and learning here at Holbrook Elementary.

One piece of common feedback I have received thus far in that survey is regarding families wanting to know what their child will be learning. As a starting place, all of our grade level essential learning is posted on our district website under our Academic Services department: https://www.glcomets.net/ourdistrict/administrativedepartments/academicservices/curriculum/ 

Part of our school improvement process here at Holbrook calls on teachers to work in Professional Learning Community (PLC) teams. The PLC process is built on the foundation of four critical questions:

What do we want students to learn?
How will we know they’ve learned it?
How will we respond when a student experiences difficulty in learning?
How will we support a student who has already learned it?

The PLC process is supported by three sets of core practices that work together throughout the year. These practices start with:  Learning as our fundamental purpose; Building a collaborative culture; and A focus on results. 

We use the term “practices” because, as in other professions like medicine, law, engineering, and architecture, there are principled ways of doing the work that can be identified, learned, and continually improved over time. These practices are now being used to support the development of a common vision of high quality professional learning community teams so that teaching and learning can improve for all students. 

Dr. Bill Albrecht, Principal

INTRODUCING STRESSBUSTERS!
Everyone has big feelings/strong emotions at times. Children, adolescents, and teens who learn to manage those feelings at an earlier age have a big advantage in life. It's an important skill for growing minds! Families Forward is teaming up with local partners to provide fun and engaging skills-based groups called "Stressbusters." These groups will help youth of all ages learn practical skills to help them manage life stress, improve their social skills, manage anger and other feelings, and have fun doing it!

Children do NOT need to be receiving services through Community Mental Health to attend these free, drop-in groups.

There are groups being offered at the Grand Ledge Area District Library (131 E Jefferson St. Grand Ledge, MI) starting September 26th. Times are below.

Starting September 26th ...
Tuesdays
3-6 year olds – 4:-4:45 pm
(Snack time in-between groups)
7-14 years olds – 5-6 pm

HOLBROOK SMALL COUNSELING GROUPS
If you feel that your child may benefit from participating in one of these small groups, please complete this google form.

The Small Group Counseling topics are listed below.
*Building Resilience (identifying stressors, coping skills, social support, positive thinking)
*Changing Families (dealing with divorce and separation)
*Executive Functioning Skills (planning, organizing, self-control, focus)
*Emotional Intelligence (identifying, understanding, and managing emotions)
*Friendship/Relationship Skills (problem solving, I-messages, boundaries, encouraging others)
*Healing Hearts (grief recovery)
*Social Skills (depending on the needs of the group)
*Worry (emotional and physical symptoms of anxiety, coping skills, reframing thinking)

FREE COMMUNITY MEAL
The Grand Ledge United Methodist Church is providing a free meal the first Wednesday of each month from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm. Rides are available for families as needed.  Location:   Grand Ledge First United Methodist Church, 411 Harrison Street, Grand Ledge, Michigan 48837.  Call June for more information at 517.627.3256.  If you family would need a ride to the event please email: sara.holding86@gmail.com

First and second grade students and teachers spent some time this week learning how to create books using their iPad from an Apple Learning Specialist. Students enjoyed learning from Mr. Eric from Apple!

Student Drop Off/Pick Up
When dropping off your child in the drop off line, please make sure your student is able to exit the vehicle themselves with their belongings, otherwise please park and walk them to the crosswalk.

Medication Drop Off
If your student will require medication during the school day, you will need to provide the proper paperwork.  All medications must be turned into the office by an adult.  This includes over the counter medications, any ointments, and cough drops.  Medical paperwork can be found on the district website under Parent Resources Medical Paperwork

Blessings in a Backpack
If your student needs additional food at home, the Grand Ledge Blessings in a Backpack program is here. For over a decade, this program has provided bags of food for weekend meals at no cost to hundreds of students in the Grand Ledge area. For students attending school in-person, a bag of nourishing, kid-friendly food will be placed discretely in their backpack or locker at the end of each week during the school year (except during school breaks). Examples of some of the food items distributed are: macaroni and cheese, canned vegetables, soup, oatmeal, granola bars, fruit cups, and beef ravioli. If you would like your student to participate in the program, please fill out the permission form that went home or request one from the office. Return the form to the school office by Wednesday, September 13th, for your student to receive the first bag on September 21st.

Picture Day and Yearbooks
Picture day will be September 19th. Your student will bring home an order form this Friday. If you are ordering a package please check if it includes a yearbook or not. Pictures can be ordered at the following link:  Geskus Picture Order Form

Lost and Found
The lost and found is located near the gym in playground vestibule. If your student is missing something, please have them check the lost and found. Labeling clothing/items will also help us to return things to students.

Need Shoes or Boots?
The Old Newsboys Association of Greater Lansing is a nonprofit charitable organization whose sole purpose is to provide footwear to needy school children. This includes well fitting school shoes, warm boots and socks. For, assistance and to obtain a request for footwear form, please contact our office (hirschmana@glcomets.net).

End of the Day Changes
If you need to change end of the day plans for your student, please contact the office prior to 3pm so proper notes can be delivered to classrooms. Thank you so much!!

Late Arrivals
If your student is going to be late and needs school lunch, you must call the office by 9:15am to order lunch for them.

Illness Reminders
We ask that your child be 24 hours free of fever (without fever reducing medications), vomiting or diarrhea before you send them back to school after they have been out sick.  We appreciate your cooperation with this!

Change of Clothes
Please send in a change of clothing with your student to be left in their locker. Students have spills during lunch or get muddy/wet on the playground. The office supply of clothing is very limited and students are often more comfortable in their own clothing.

Student Birthday Treat Policy
Student birthday treat policy will be up to each individual classroom teacher. Communicate clearly and often with your student’s families regarding your specific policy so they know your expectations. Keep in mind that not all students celebrate birthdays, and not all birthdays are positive for students. Also be sure to be mindful of allergies. Food must be store bought & prepackaged. Encourage healthy snacks at all times.

Raptor Visitor Management System Starting
Grand Ledge Public Schools will continue using the Raptor Visitor Management System to enhance the safety of our school buildings. The Raptor system will better allow us to screen school visitors, providing a safer environment for our students and staff.  School visitors will be screened during the school day before being allowed to leave the main office and enter the school building. School visitors will be asked to present a valid, government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license), and it will be scanned or manually entered into the Raptor system. Once entry is approved, Raptor will issue a badge that identifies the visitor, the date, and the purpose of the visit. A visitor’s badge will not be necessary to drop off an item in the main office or to pick up paperwork from there.

Volunteering & Chaperoning
Persons wishing to volunteer for Grand Ledge Public Schools are required to complete the Volunteer Registration Form and be approved prior to serving as a volunteer.  All volunteers MUST check in at the office to receive a BADGE prior to proceeding to any other area on school property.  Please visit District Volunteer Application to complete the process.