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 4pm.

HALF DAY OF SCHOOL MONDAY, MAY 20 - Students Dismissed at 12:10pm

May 17, 2024

Embracing Literacy in the Great Outdoors: Tips for Enjoying Reading in the Sunshine!

As the weather warms up and the sun beckons us outdoors, let's not forget to bring our love for reading along for the adventure! With spring in full swing and summer just around the corner, there are countless opportunities to weave literacy into our outdoor activities. Here are some tips to help you and your family make the most of reading time amidst the beauty of nature:

Picnic and Page-turning: Pack a picnic basket filled with snacks and your favorite books, and head to a nearby park or even your backyard. Spread out a blanket, bask in the sunshine, and dive into a captivating story together. The fresh air and change of scenery will make reading even more enjoyable.

Storytelling Strolls: Take leisurely walks around your neighborhood or local trails while engaging in storytelling. Encourage each family member to take turns inventing parts of a story, building upon each other's ideas. This collaborative activity not only fosters creativity but also strengthens communication skills.

Literary Scavenger Hunts: Create a list of items related to books or literacy themes and embark on a scavenger hunt outdoors. Whether it's finding objects in nature that match the colors of a favorite book cover or spotting words in the environment that start with specific letters, this interactive game will keep everyone entertained while reinforcing literacy concepts.

Garden Reading Nooks: Set up cozy reading nooks in your garden or outdoor space, complete with cushions, blankets, and a selection of books. Encourage children to spend time reading surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature. You might even incorporate gardening-themed books to inspire green thumbs!

Audio Adventures: Explore audiobooks as a family during outdoor activities like gardening, bike rides, or nature walks. Listening to stories together enhances listening skills and allows everyone to immerse themselves in tales while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors.

Book Swaps with Friends: Organize a book swap with other families in the community. Gather in a local park, bring books you've already enjoyed, and exchange them for new literary treasures. Not only does this promote reading diversity, but it also fosters a sense of community among book-loving families.

Remember, the possibilities for combining literacy with outdoor fun are as vast as the open sky above us. By embracing reading in nature, we not only cultivate a love for books but also create cherished family memories that will last a lifetime.

Happy reading and adventuring!

Dr. Bill Albrecht, Principal

Celebrating Accomplishments
The end of the school year is a great time to look back at the year and celebrate your child’s accomplishments, both big and small. It’s important to help kids look back at what they have achieved including the small things that they may not have even realized were accomplishments. Making an accomplishment box can help kids do that. Understood.org has created an accomplishment box starter kit that is downloadable here:

How To Make An Accomplishment Box

The download includes instructions on how to create the box along with “My Accomplishments” sheets which focus on 4 areas: school, activities, social skills, and home. This would also be a great activity to begin at the beginning of the school year, taking time to regularly fill out new strips to help them reflect at the end of the year.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
To access local resources visit the Tri-County Community Health Guide.
To access social-emotional learning resources for home, visit Holbrook’s school counseling website.

May 16th was the birthday of Margret Rey, co-creator of the beloved literary character, Curious George, one of my all-time favorites.  Do you have a favorite  Curious George story?

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.

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.

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.

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).

Need Hats or Gloves?
Please call the office (517-925-5480) and let us know.  We have a supply of donated items that we'd love to get to your child if needed.

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!!

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!

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

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.