615 Jones St., Grand Ledge, MI 48837 | Phone: 517-925-5480 | Fax: 517-925-5523 | COVID Line: 517-925-5725
School hours are 8:55am-3:55pm. Please do not drop students off before 8:40am. Students must be picked up by 4pm.
Message from the Principal
September 6, 2024
Holbrook PRIDE High academic achievement is a priority at Holbrook Elementary. We also believe that in order for every child to achieve their highest potential, they need to develop strong social - emotional skills. The behavior expectations we teach at Holbrook fall under the belief that we are:
Otherwise referred to as Holbrook PRIDE! Our teachers and staff have been busy engaging our students this week by teaching many procedures, routines, and behavior expectations for all areas of our school including: the classroom, hallway, bathroom, cafeteria, and playground. One of many ways we recognize, acknowledge, and affirm positive behaviors is by giving students a “Comet Catcher.” Comet Catchers are special notes given to students when they are noticed demonstrating positive behaviors throughout the school. You can participate at home by talking with your child about positive behaviors, being kind, and earning Comet Catchers at school.
Drills at Holbrook Safety is a top priority at Holbrook Elementary, and to ensure the well-being of all our students and staff, we will be conducting regular safety drills throughout the school year. These drills are designed to ensure swift, coordinated responses in the event of an emergency. We may also have the support of local emergency responders during these drills to provide expert guidance and enhance our preparedness. Discussing and practicing drills such as fire drills and severe weather drills at home is a great way to help your child understand these procedures.
Kat Farr, Principal
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 atps.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.
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.
Updating Student Contact Information
Click this link to update your address, name, phone number, email, emergency contacts, medical updates.
To change an address we need two proofs of residency. These are the only forms that we can accept. *Property Tax Statement (the taxes you pay on your home twice a year) *Lease/Rental Agreement (with your name, the address, and the signature pages sign by both the lessee and lessor) *Utility Bill *Mortgage/Home Closing Documents *Cable/Internet Bill *Home/Renter's Insurance
Driver's licenses and voter registration cards are NOT acceptable for this purpose
You can email the documents to hirschmana@glcomets.net or edgettt@glcomets.net.
If you have questions please contact our office at 517-925-5480.
Blessings in a Backpack
If your student needs additional food at home, the Grand LedgeBlessings 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.
Holbrook's Picture Day is Tuesday, September 17. EVERY student will have their picture taken that day. Order packets will be sent home with students this week. If you prefer, you can order online at geskusphoto.com/fallorders and use code 4849KIUGZBPCEZ.
Please note that packages 1-5 will receive a yearbook at the end of the school year. Yearbooks may be ordered individually (item 14).
Mrs. Morgan's Message
September is Library Card Sign Up Month.
If you are GLPS Student then you may already have a Digital Library Card with GLADL! Your Student ID is your library card number. For example if your name is Jane Patron your student id might be “jp23468” — please note the first two letters must be lower case. Your initial PIN number was set to 1234. Log into your Library Account to change your PIN.
With a Digital Library Card you are ready to start using ALL of our online resources. If you would like to upgrade your eCard to a full Library Card, just stop by and have your parent/guardian complete the registration process. Need help — please call 517-627-7017 or email questions@gladl.org
Upcoming 2024-25 Dates
Sept 12 » PTO Meeting 6 pm
Sept 17 » Picture Day
Oct 3 » PTO Meeting 6 pm
Oct 4 » NO School - Teacher PD
Oct 23 » BK/K Field Trip - Peacock Road Tree Farm
Nov 1 » NO School - Teacher PD
Nov 7 » PTO Meeting 6 pm
Nov 15 » HALF Day of School
Nov 19, 21 & Dec 3 » Conferences
Nov 27-Dec 2 » Thanksgiving Break
Dec 5 » PTO Meeting 6 pm
Dec 23-Jan 6 » Winter Break
Jan 9 » PTO Meeting 6 pm
Jan 20 » NO School - MLK Day
Feb 6 » PTO Meeting 6 pm
Feb 14 » NO School - Teacher PD
Feb 17 » NO School - President's Day
Mar 6 » PTO Meeting 6 pm
Mar 7 » HALF Day of School
Mar 11, 13, 18 » Conferences
Mar 21-31 » Spring Break
Apr 3 » PTO Meeting 6 pm
May 1 » PTO Meeting 6 pm
May 23-26 » NO School - Memorial Day Weekend
Jun 5 » PTO Meeting 6 pm
Jun 6 » HALF Day of School - LAST DAY!
Counselor's Corner with Mrs. Conner
September’s School Counseling Lesson: Meet the Counselor Beginning in the month of September I will be scheduling monthly school counseling lessons with each BK-4th grade classroom. The lesson for the month of September will be a "Meet the Counselor" lesson. This lesson introduces students to the role of the school counselor and will highlight how I am here to help and support them here at school.
What Does a School Counselor Do? School counselors work alongside teachers and parents to help students develop socially and emotionally, and to help remove any barriers there are to learning!
What Services Do School Counselors Provide? *Classroom lessons focusing on social skills, how to take care of strong feelings, problem solving, kindness and compassion, etc. *Small group counseling *Short term individual counseling *Community resource referrals (including longer- term therapy services)
We hope everyone is enjoying the excitement with our first fundraiser, especially “The Best Day Ever” coming up to celebrate!! As of today, our combined efforts have raised $10,655! Way to go Holbrook families!
Our first Popcorn Friday is coming up Friday, September 13. Popcorn will be $1 per bag (max 2) and all funds will go back to the PTO to help support our teachers and classrooms.
Our next Holbrook PTO meeting is Thursday, September 12 at 6 pm. Our monthly meetings are always open to the public. We strongly encourage all families to attend at any time, and remember, if you care for a Holbrook student in any way, you are already a member of the PTO!
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 LedgeBlessings 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 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.
District & Community News
Sep. is Library Card Sign-up Month
Sep. is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Sep. 2 » Labor Day
Sep. 7 » Ganesh Chaturthi
Sep. 8 International Literacy Day
Sep. 8 » National Grandparents Day
Sep. 8-14 » National Arts in Education Week
Sep. 11 » Patriot Day
Sep. 15 - Oct. 15 » National Hispanic Heritage Month
Sep. 15-16 » Mawlid Al-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet Muhammad)
Sep. 17 » Citizenship/Constitution Day
Sep. 17-23 » Constitution Week
Sep. 17 » Sybirak’s Day (Poland)
Sep. 18 » National School Backpack Awareness Day
Sep. 21 » International Day of Peace
Sep. 22 » First Day of Autumn
Sep. 28 » National Good Neighbor Day
Sep. 29 » Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival; Mooncake Festival)
Sep. 29 - Oct. 6 » Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)
Sep. 30 » National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Canada)
Is something missing? Please share with John Ellsworth, GLPS Director of Communications, any additional Recognitions & Acknowledgments you think we should include on this list or upcoming lists – email him at EllsworthJ@GLcomets.net.
Grand Ledge Public Schools is excited to offer free breakfast and free lunch to all students this school year – thanks to the Michigan School Meals Program!
The information collected from the application / Education Benefits Form for the Michigan School Meals Program is used to provide additional services and benefits beyond just school meals. The information is needed to ensure students get all the benefits they are entitled to and so schools receives state and federal funding for educational programs. Without this information, Grand Ledge Public Schools could lose critical funding for educational programs that help our students.
Paper applications are also available in all school offices or by calling the food service office at 517-925-5733.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with Darrin Gyurich at 517-925-5733.
Annual Notices for FERPA & PPRA
No action is required of families, but Grand Ledge Public Schools (GLPS) is legally required to annually provide families with information about the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). FERPA information is on our website at GLcomets.net/FERPA, and PPRA information is on our website at GLcomets.net/PPRA.
Destination Imagination Lets Brains Have Fun! Learn More Sep. 16 or Sep. 19
Be creative, study science, be artistic, and understand how things work – all while making friends and having fun by joining Destination Imagination!
DI is a STEAM-based, competitive extracurricular activity that promotes creativity and teamwork for students in grades 3 through high school. Early learning opportunities are also available for K-2 students.
Each year, teams pick a challenge to tackle, work on it at weekly practices, try their hand at instant challenges and then showcase their teamwork and solutions at a regional tournament. Challenges are in the technical, scientific, fine arts, improvisational, engineering and service learning categories. Click this link for a brief video overview of the challenges.
Interested parents and students from any Grand Ledge school can learn more about the program and this year’s challenges on Monday, Sept. 16, 6:15-7:15 p.m. in the Delta Center Elementary media room or Thursday, Sept. 19, 7-8 p.m. virtually via Google Meet,. The meetings have the same content: you’ll learn about this year’s challenges and how the program works.
Your student GLADL library eCard number is your Student ID. For example if your name is Jane Patron, your student ID might be “jp23468” — Your initial PIN number was set to 1234.
With a Digital GLADL Library Card you are ready to start using ALL of the library's online resources. Need help — please call 517-627-7014 or email questions@gladl.org.
Just stop by the Grand Ledge Area District Library with a parent or guardian to upgrade your eCard to a full Library Card. With a full-access Library Card, you can request books from GLADL & Mel and have them delivered to your SCHOOL LIBRARY! MelCat gives you access to over 40 million items from over 400 school, public, and university libraries across Michigan.
Lifeline is an FCC program that helps make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. Lifeline provides subscribers a discount on qualifying monthly telephone service, broadband Internet service, or bundled voice-broadband packages purchased from participating wireline or wireless providers. The discount helps ensure that low-income consumers can afford 21st century connectivity services and the access they provide to jobs, healthcare, and educational resources.