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.

May 15, 2026

4th Grade Showcase
This week our 4th graders performed an amazing showcase filled with art and both vocal and instrumental music. They have spent weeks working on their musical and artistic skills under the guidance of Mrs. Sherman and Mrs. Davis. It was a performance well done!

Special Olympics
Some of our Holbrook students attended Special Olympics today at Michigan State University. Many athletes walked away with place ribbons. They demonstrated Holbrook PRIDE the entire event and represented Grand Ledge well.

Family Fun Night
Tonight is Family Fun Night from 5:30–8:00. We look forward to seeing you this evening for an exciting night of bounce houses, face painting, food trucks, and dunking staff in the dunk tank.

Enrollment
I am hoping you can help relay some important information regarding Holbrook Kindergarten for the 2026-2027 school year. Do you have a child at home who will be ready for Kindergarten/Begindergarten next school year? Or, do you have a neighbor, relative, or friend with a child who will be ready for Kindergarten next school year? Children must be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2026 in order to attend K next school year. Children who turn 5 between September 2 - December 1, 2026 may be eligible for BK. Please visit the following link or pass along to someone you know who may need it to begin the enrollment process here.

Thank you again for being part of our school community.

Kat Farr, Principal

Supporting Kids’ Mental Health

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to recognize the importance of emotional well-being for children, families, and our entire school community. Just like physical health, mental health plays an important role in a child’s growth, learning, relationships, and overall happiness. When children feel emotionally safe, supported, and connected, they are better able to manage challenges, build confidence, enjoy relationships, and thrive both at home and at school.

As parents and caregivers, small everyday moments can have a big impact on your child’s mental wellness. Here are some simple ways to support your child’s emotional health:

Promote Healthy Routines
Consistent routines help children feel safe, secure, and prepared for each day. Prioritize:
*Adequate sleep
*Nutritious meals and snacks
*Regular physical activity
*Predictable routines for meals, homework, playtime, and bedtime

Healthy routines create stability and help children build lifelong habits that support both physical and emotional wellness.

Make Time for Connection
Quality time helps children feel valued, heard, and loved. Spend one-on-one time with your child by reading together, playing a game, taking a walk, or simply talking about their day.

Create opportunities for open conversations by asking thoughtful questions such as:
*“What was the best part of your day?”
*“Was anything challenging today?”
*“What did you notice in your body before you felt upset?”

When children share their feelings, acknowledge and validate their emotions. Statements like “I understand why you feel that way” or “It’s okay to feel sad sometimes” help children feel safe expressing themselves.

Create Healthy Screen Habits
Technology can be a helpful tool, but balance matters. Too much screen time can impact sleep, mood, and social connections. Set healthy boundaries around screen use and encourage activities that support physical, social, and emotional growth, such as:

*Playing outside
*Reading
*Creating art
*Building with toys or materials
*Participating in sports or family activities

Teach Coping Skills
Children benefit from learning simple strategies to manage big emotions. Practice calming techniques together, such as deep breathing, stretching, or muscle relaxation.

For example:
"Take a slow breath in through your nose… hold it… now slowly breathe out through your mouth as your body relaxes."

Encourage your child to notice how their brain and body feel before and after using these strategies.

Reach Out for Support
If you notice ongoing changes in your child’s mood, behavior, sleep, appetite, or ability to cope with everyday challenges, don’t hesitate to seek support. Talking with your child’s school counselor, pediatrician, or a mental health professional can make an important difference. Early support helps children build the skills they need to succeed.

Helpful Resources
Mental Health America — mhanational.org
Child Mind Institute — childmind.org
National Institute of Mental Health — nimh.nih.gov

ALL LIBRARY BOOKS ARE DUE BACK TO SCHOOL!

This week we had our last library checkouts for the school year!  ALL LIBRARY BOOKS ARE DUE BACK TO SCHOOL BY NEXT THURSDAY,  MAY 21st!  Any  books that do not  get returned will be billed to  your student’s account.

BOGO BOOK FAIR!!
We will be hosting a BOGO Book Fair the week after Memorial Day weekend!   EVERYTHING - ALL BOOKS AND OTHER ITEMS - will be  BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE!!  

BOGO BOOK FAIR SHOPPING HOURS will be:
Tuesday, May 26th, 8am - 7pm
Wednesday, May 27th, 8am - 7pm
Thursday, May 28th, 8am - 7pm
Friday, May 29th, 8am - noon

PLEASE NOTE: If you plan to shop during school hours, you will need to bring your ID and check in in the office!

ONLINE BOOK FAIR SHOPPING IS available May 25th - June 7th; however, the BOGO SALE APPLIES TO IN  PERSON  PURCHASES ONLY.  Visit https://www.scholastic.com/bf/holbrookelementary to shop online.

We are again offering the option for an eWallet (similar to a giftcard) for students to use for BOGO book fair purchases.

Families can set up an eWallet at https://www.scholastic.com/bf/holbrookelementary. 

Please note:  any eWallet funds NOT used during the book fair will NOT be refunded, but will be turned into a gift card that can be used online with Scholastic or to fund an eWallet for a future book fair.

Plan to come and enjoy the Book Fair and stock up on books for summer reading!

Holbrook Field Day Volunteer Signup ... Thanks for volunteering to help out - You ROCK!   We wouldn't be able to do this without your help. Our Field Day is on May 29th!

Please fill out your information below to volunteer and we will be in touch - Thank You! https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSd77TOQb.../viewform...

You must have a current background check with the district, so please complete this form if you haven't already done so. https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/NDIzNDplbi1VUw==

Daily Choice » Blueberry Muffin with Yogurt, String Cheese & Goldfish
Mon., May 18 » Popcorn Chicken
Tue., May 19 » Personal Cheese Pizza
Wed., May 20 » Mac & Cheese
Thu., May 21 » French Toast Sticks & Sausage
Fri., May 22 » NO SCHOOL

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.

PTO Postings
The LAST PTO meeting of this school year will be held, Thursday, June 4, 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. 

Stay Connected with Holbrook PTO!
Please like and follow the Holbrook Elementary PTO Facebookpage for PTO updates and volunteer opportunities.  https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1NSSZqSQRW/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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

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 3:30 pm 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.