615 Jones St., Grand Ledge, MI  48837  |  Phone: 517-925-5480  |  Fax: 517-925-5483
Holbrook Website

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

March 20, 2026

March is Reading Month 
This week we read chapters 28–38 (pages 131–189) of Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate. Students enjoyed reading “under the stars” in our Crenshaw-themed library and have been following along with our staff read recordings of the chapters. We’re still wondering how the purple jelly beans are showing us more about Jackson in the story — it’s sparked some thoughtful conversation. We will find out more as we finish Crenshaw next week. 

Many classrooms have also enjoyed visits from mystery readers throughout the month, which has been a lovely boost to student excitement for reading.

Handicap Parking
We have had many calls and emails lately regarding handicap parking. As a reminder, this is a space reserved for those with proper plates and tags. GLPD does monitor handicap parking, as it is illegal to park in a spot without proper tags or to block handicap parking. Thank you for your support in this matter.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support!

Kat Farr, Principal

Supporting Kids With Self-Esteem
Self-esteem refers to how a person feels about themself and their abilities. Children with high self-esteem are more likely than other children to be confident, resilient, and assertive. Healthy self-esteem in children is strongly linked to academic achievement, peer acceptance, and a supportive relationship with caregivers. Signs of low self-esteem in children include negative self-talk (“I can’t do anything right!”), reluctance to try new things or take on challenges, sensitivity to criticism, and social withdrawal. Vulnerable times for drops in children’s self-esteem include transitions, such as moving to a new grade or school, developmental changes, such as the onset of puberty, and social challenges, such as peer conflict and bullying.

Caregivers can support healthy self-esteem in their children in a number of ways!

Critical Thinking
Kids are often bombarded by messages from peers, media, and social media about who they should be. These messages can sometimes be unhelpful, making kids feel like they don’t measure up. Encourage your child to think critically about messages they receive from others by asking questions like “Is this true or realistic?” and “Does the person sending this message have my best interest at heart?”

Provide Opportunity
Create opportunities for feelings of competence by giving your child challenging but achievable tasks and encouraging activities that help them develop new skills, such as playing a new sport or learning an instrument.

Independence
Encourage independence and responsibility by allowing your child to make age-appropriate choices and supporting them in solving problems on their own.

Praise
When offering praise, be specific. It’s also most helpful when praise is focused more on their effort and/or character vs. the outcome (“Great job creating that beautiful painting!” vs. “I’m so proud of how you kept trying, even when it was hard”).

How to Cope
Help your child cope with mistakes by normalizing them as an important part of life. Encourage your child to develop strategies for bouncing back from a mistake, such as asking for help, practicing, and planning what to do next time. Remind them that mistakes don’t define who they are and that they can learn to talk kindly to themselves when things go wrong.

Books to Read With Your Child
Better Than You by Trudy Ludwig
When I Feel Good About Myself by Cornelia Maude Spelman
I Am Me: A Book of Authenticity by Susan Verde and Peter Reynolds
Rock What Ya Got by Samantha Berger

The next PTO meeting of this school year will be held, Thursday, April 9, 2026. All meetings are held in the Holbrook Library at 6pm. There is a virtual option to attend posted on the PTO Facebook page the day of the meeting. Any staff member, parent, guardian, caregiver or grandparent of a student at Holbrook is automatically a member of the PTO at no cost or obligation. Even if you do not have a lot of time to volunteer, there are many ways to help contribute to the PTO.  PTO meetings will be on the first Thursday each month, unless otherwise scheduled ... 4/9, 5/7, 6/4.

Stay Connected with Holbrook PTO!
Please like and follow the Holbrook Elementary PTO Facebookpage for PTO updates and volunteer opportunities. 

Help Fuel Our Students! 
We’ve updated our Holbrook Elementary Snack Wish List and could really use your support! Every donation helps keep our students energized, focused, and ready to learn. Let’s come together to make sure every child has access to nutritious snacks! Your generosity truly makes a difference!  https://a.co/4Hv8Pq4

Box Tops
Don’t forget to scan your Box Tops to help support with your normal weekly grocery purchase! It is quick and easy! Sign up today! https://www.boxtops4education.com/s/get-the-app

Popcorn Fridays volunteers needed! 
We also still need volunteers to keep popcorn Fridays possible! Please consider volunteering to help support this student loved event!  https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0F4AABAD2BA7FAC34-58219042-popcorn

 Glow Dance! See you tonight!! 
Mark your calendars the annual Glow Dance is To ight!!!  March 20th in the Holbrook gym! 

Glow dance Volunteers needed!!!
We are also still looking for a few more volunteers to help the Glow Dance go off without a hitch! If we aren’t able to fill a few more volunteer spots, we may have to scale back some of the fun extras like food or face painting/tattoo's. Sign up here to volunteer at the dance!  https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0F4AABAD2BA7FAC34-62296413-2026

Daily Choice » Build Your Own Pizza!  Flatbread, Marinara and Mozzarella Cheese
Mon., Mar. 23 » Bosco Sticks & Marinara
Tue., Mar. 24 » Confetti Pancakes & Sausage
Wed., Mar. 25 » Chicken Nuggets
Thu., Mar. 26 » Ham & Cheese Croissant
Fri., Mar. 27 » NO SCHOOL - Spring Break

Students who bring lunch from home may purchase milk for $0.50 if they choose.

Please note that students do not have access to a microwave for lunch.

To celebrate March is Reading Month and our All School Reads book, Crenshaw, our students had the opportunity to spend time this week reading in our Crenshaw-themed reading area in the library.  A tremendous thank you to our PTO for creating such a magical space for our kids to enjoy reading!

If you ordered a picture package in the fall, you should be receiving a yearbook at the end of the year. If you didn't order a picture package, you can still order just a yearbook.

To place an order for a yearbook, please visit [https://store.geskusphoto.com/](https://store.geskusphoto.com/).

If you are uncertain, please call the Holbrook Office at 925-5480 to confirm you are on the list to receive a yearbook at the end of the school year.

Attendance Reporting
There are several ways to report an absence at Holbrook. When using any of the options below please include the following information; Child's full name, teacher and the reason for their absences. We keep track of all illness for the Barry-Eaton Health Department.  If your child is going to be tardy please let us know what their choice for lunch is before 9:15 am. Thank you!
1. The fastest way is using the online portal at ps.glcomets.net. Once you have logged in, select “Attendance Monitor” from the left navigation menu. Then, click “Report New Attendance.” After you have entered the date, reason, and explanation, click Submit. Please note: online attendance reporting is not available in the app; it is only available on the website.
2. Email hirschmana@glcomets.net or edgettt@glcomets.net.
3. Call the main office at 517-925-5480. Feel free to call anytime day or night and if you need to leave a voicemail message, please include your student's full name, teacher and the reason for the absence.

Update Contact Information
Do you need to update contact information (email, address, name, emergency contacts, etc. for you, your child, or people associated with your child? Please visit www.glcomets.net/ourschools/holbrook-elementary.

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 11th, for your student to receive the first bag on September 19th.

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 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!

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).

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.  If your student will be moving to a different school next year, be sure to select both their current school and the school they’ll be attending.  For example: If your child is currently in 4th grade at Holbrook and will attend Hayes next year, select Holbrook and Hayes on the application. This ensures you’ll be cleared to volunteer at both locations when needed. Applications are valid for one calendar year.