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
November 15, 2024
Veterans Day This week we honored our Veterans. There are about 18 million Veterans living within the United States. Many of the students in our school are a relative of a Veteran or current Service member. To all Veterans in our school community and beyond, we extend a heartfelt appreciation. Your dedication and sacrifices ensure our freedom. We encourage families to take a moment to honor our Veterans who have served to protect our country.
Conferences We are excited for the upcoming elementary conferences next week, which provide a wonderful opportunity for you to engage with your child’s teachers and learn more about their progress and experiences in school. These conferences are scheduled in-person for Tuesday, November 19th, Thursday November 21st and virtually on Tuesday December 3rd.
During the conferences, you will have the chance to discuss various important topics, including your child's academic achievements, strengths, and areas for improvement. Teachers will share insights on classroom behavior, social interactions, and engagement in learning activities. It’s also a great opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have regarding your child’s education and to collaborate on strategies that can support their growth and success.
We strongly encourage all guardians to participate in these conferences, as building a strong partnership between home and school is essential for your child’s development. Conferences will be 15 minutes in length and begin and end promptly at their scheduled time. We also encourage families to check out our community tables in the cafeteria hallway, as well as our lost and found.
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in your child's education. We look forward to seeing you at the conferences!
Kat Farr, Principal
Counselor's Corner with Mrs. Conner
Mobile Food Pantry Events There are a number of mobile food pantry events being held by the Greater Lansing Food Bank over the next several weeks.
What to expect at a mobile food pantry: *Anyone in need of food can attend a GLFB mobile distribution. *You do not need to provide identification or proof of residency to receive food. *If you are unable to attend a distribution, someone else may pick up food on your behalf. *Distributions may end sooner than published time if food runs out. *Drivers and passengers are required to stay in vehicles at all times. Restrooms are not available. *Food will be placed in your trunk or backseat. *If you are feeling sick, please stay home and arrange for someone to pick up food for you.
Distribution Schedule Saturday, November 16, 2024 9:00 AM - Ingham County, South Church of the Nazarene, 401 W. Holmes Rd., Lansing, MI 48910 Google Maps | Apple Maps
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 4:00 PM - Clinton County, Greater Lansing Food Bank, 5600 Food Ct, Bath, MI 48808 Google Maps | Apple Maps
Thursday, November 21, 2024 2:30 PM - Ingham County, New Mount Calvary Church, 3800 W Miller Rd, Lansing, MI 48911 Google Maps | Apple Maps
3:30 PM - Ingham County, University Lutheran Church, 1020 S Harrison Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823 Google Maps | Apple Maps
Saturday, November 23, 2024 9:00 AM - Eaton County, Alumni Stadium Parking Lot, 805 Greyhound Drive, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827 Google Maps | Apple Maps
9:00 AM - Clinton County, GracePointe Wesleyan Church, 1023 S US 27, St Johns, MI 48879 Google Maps | Apple Maps
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 5:30 PM - Ingham County, Tabernacle of David Church, 2645 W Holmes Rd, Lansing, MI 48911 Google Maps | Apple Maps
Friday, December 6, 2024 12:00 PM - Ingham County, Robinson Memorial Church, 509 Charles Street, Lansing, MI 48912 Google Maps | Apple Maps
Tuesday, December 10, 2024 12:30 PM - Ingham County, Capitol City Senior Apartments, 3200 S Washington Ave, Lansing, MI 48910 Google Maps | Apple Maps
Wednesday, December 11, 2024 1:00 PM - Ingham County, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 549 E. Mt. Hope, Lansing, MI 48910 Google Maps | Apple Maps
The PTO provides dinner for teachers and staff working long hours on conference nights. Can you help us round out our meals with some donations? To donate please visit the Holbrook Elementary PTO Facebook page.
Box Tops for Education Flyers were sent home with students last week. We’re a Box Tops for Education school! Download the Box Tops app and enter the referral code: FDOBOXHB to start earning for our school today!
The last PTO meeting of 2024 will be Thursday December 5th. All meetings are held in the Holbrook Library at 6 pm, and childcare is provided. 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.
Be sure to check the lost and found in the main hallway during conferences.
Lunch Menu
Daily Choice » Muffin Fun Lunch (blueberry muffin, yogurt, cheese stick & Goldfish crackers) Mon., Nov 18 » Cheese-filled Bosco Breadstick with dipping sauce Tue., Nov 19 » Cheeseburger Wed., Nov 20 » Chicken Nuggets Thu., Nov 21 » Confetti Pancakes & Chicken Sausage Patty Fri., Nov 15 » Beef Hotdog
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.
Mrs. Morgan's Message
FALL BOOK FAIR!!
We invite you to visit our Scholastic Book Fair during conference week and check out hundreds of fun, engaging, affordable books for the whole family to enjoy.
Book Fair Family Shopping hours will be: Monday, Nov. 18th, 4:00pm - 6:00pm Tuesday, Nov. 19th, 5:00pm - 8:00pm Wednesday, Nov 20th, 4:00pm - 6:00pm Thursday, Nov. 21st, 5:00p -8:00pm Friday, Nov. 22nd, 9:00am - noon
Scholastic continues to offer ONLINE BOOK FAIR shopping too! Beginning November 18th, you can log in to: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/holbrookelementary to preview the Fair and shop online from the comfort of your own home! Purchase your holiday gifts ahead of the rush, or even after the Fair has closed at school. Purchases will be shipped to the school for you to pick up. The online book fair will be available from November 18th - December 1st.
This year we are offering the option for an eWallet for students to use to make book fair purchases.
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 get a great start on holiday shopping while helping our library grow with the profits we receive from the Fair.
Thank you for your support for our school!
Upcoming 2024-25 Dates
Nov 15 » HALF Day of School
Nov 19, 21 & Dec 3 » Conferences
Nov 26 » 1st Grade Field Trip to Abrams Planetarium
Nov 27-Dec 2 » Thanksgiving Break
Dec 5 » PTO Meeting 6 pm
Dec 6 » 3rd Grade Field Trip - Wharton Center "The Science of Magic"
Dec 6 » Popcorn Friday
Dec 6 » BK/K Field Trip to Sun Theater
Dec 9 » PTO Holiday Shoppe 9:30am-3:30pm (student shopping)
Dec 10 » PTO Holiday Shoppe 9:30am -3:30pm (student shopping)
Dec 11 » PTO Holiday Shoppe 4-7pm (family shopping)
Dec 23-Jan 6 » Winter Break
Jan 9 » PTO Meeting 6 pm
Jan 10 » Popcorn Friday
Jan 20 » NO School - MLK Day
Feb 6 » PTO Meeting 6 pm
Feb 7 » Popcorn Friday
Feb 14 » NO School - Teacher PD
Feb 17 » NO School - President's Day
Feb 24 » 4th Grade Field Trip - Capitol Building
Mar 6 » PTO Meeting 6 pm
Mar 7 » HALF Day of School
Mar 11, 13, 18 » Conferences
Mar 14 » Popcorn Friday
Mar 21-31 » Spring Break
Apr 3 » PTO Meeting 6 pm
Apr 4 » Popcorn Friday
May 1 » PTO Meeting 6 pm
May 2 » Popcorn Friday
May 14 » 4th Grade Field Trip - Wharton Center
May 23-26 » NO School - Memorial Day Weekend
Jun 5 » PTO Meeting 6 pm
Jun 6 » HALF Day of School - LAST DAY!
Important Information from the Office
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. 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.
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.
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.
District & Community News
Nov. is National Native American Heritage Month
Nov. is National Youth Homeless Awareness Month
Nov. is Child Safety and Protection Month
Nov. 15 » America Recycles Day
Nov. 15 » Guru Nanak Dev Sahib’s Birthday Festival
Nov. 18-22 » American Education Week
Nov. 20 » Education Support Professionals Day
Nov. 21 » National Parental Involvement Day
Nov. 22 » Substitute Educators Day
Nov. 20 » Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution
Nov. 25 - 29 » National Family Week
Nov. 28 » Thanksgiving Day
Dec. 1 » World AIDS Day
Dec. 2 » National Special Education Day
Dec. 2 » International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
Dec. 3 » Giving Tuesday
Dec. 3 » International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Dec. 7 » Pearl Harbor Day
Dec. 9 » Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Dec. 10 » Human Rights Day
Dec. 15 » Bill of Rights Day
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.
November is Child Safety & Protection Month
The CDC has a Tips for Parents webpage. It notes, "As a parent, you play an important role in helping your child develop the habits and behaviors that can affect their lifelong health and well-being." The page has some resources too: