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

September 3, 2026

Dear Holbrook Families,

Week two of school has been a wonderful, but fast, week. Students are settling into new routines and began their mathematics (Reveal) and reading (CKLA) lessons this week. On Monday and Tuesday each student participated in the DIBELS screener. Throughout the week our social-emotional success team visited every classroom to support students. I’m happy to report that students are engaged in learning and working hard.

Curriculum Night
This year we will hold a Curriculum Night on Wednesday, September 23rd from 5:30–6:30 PM. Information sessions will be in each classroom teacher’s room; every teacher will offer two identical sessions (5:30–6:00 PM and 6:00–6:30 PM). This event is geared toward guardians to share curriculum, grading scales, and learning targets for each grade level. Please join us for this information event — we look forward to seeing you and answering your questions.

Kat Farr, Principal

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
*Consultation with parents and teachers
*Community resource referrals (including longer- term therapy services)

How Can I Support Parents?
*Helping to handle social or emotional concerns you have about your child
*Family difficulties or concerns that affect your child at school
*Referrals for community resources
*Helping your child to be on time to school every day
*Discussing concerns about your child’s academic achievement
*Improving parent-child communication

I am excited and honored to serve you and your child! Please contact me if you would like to speak with me about your child. You can book a phone appointment with me at my booking page here: Mrs. Conner’s Booking Page. You can reach me in my office at (517) 925-5526, or you can email me at connern@glcomets.net.

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.
*2026-27 Parent/Guardian Needs Assessment

We’re Off to a Great Start, Holbrook!
The 2026–2027 school year is officially underway, and the Holbrook PTO has lots happening already! From our schoolwide fundraiser to our first PTO meeting and Popcorn Fridays, there are plenty of ways for families to get involved and help support our students, teachers, and staff. Be sure to check out everything happening below so you don’t miss a thing!

Our Schoolwide Fundraiser Has Launched!
Our schoolwide fundraiser officially kicked off on September 1, and now it’s time to get our Holbrook Comets registered and ready to go!

Get started at:  app.PoP4Kids.org
Holbrook Group Code: VVU6T

Parents, be sure to check backpacks! Students were sent home with detailed information about the fundraiser. If you haven’t already, help your student get registered and add at least 10 family and friends as contacts.

Once contacts are added, families can share the fundraiser with friends and family nationwide to help support Holbrook!

Students who add 10+ contacts will also unlock the Spin-to-Win game for a chance to win prizes from more than $125,000 in nationwide prize giveaways!

We are so grateful for the participation and support of our Holbrook families and community. Let’s go, Comets!

Our First PTO Meeting Is NEXT WEEK!
Join us Thursday, September 10 at 6:00 PM for our first PTO meeting of the school year!  PTO meetings are a great way to learn what’s happening at Holbrook, share ideas, help plan upcoming events, and find ways to get involved. There is no commitment required just because you attend! Come when you can and help how you can—we’d love to have you.

Holbrook Library - Virtual option available - 6:00 PM

2026–2027 PTO Meeting Dates:  September 10, October 1, November 5, December 3, January 7, February 4, March 11, April 8, May 6

Meeting agendas, minutes, virtual meeting information, and any updates will be shared on our Facebook page.

Popcorn Fridays Are Back!
One of our favorite Holbrook traditions is back for another year! Students can enjoy popcorn on designated Fridays throughout the 2026–2027 school year.

Purchase Popcorn for the Year
Want to check popcorn off your list for the entire school year? Families can purchase their student’s popcorn for the year online through Zeffy:  https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/popcorn-fridays-2026–27

We Need Popcorn Volunteers!
Popcorn Fridays wouldn’t be possible without our volunteers! Sign up for the dates that work best for your schedule—there’s no need to commit to every Popcorn Friday.

https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0F4AAEAB2FA3FCCE9-64605668-popcorn?useFullSite=false

Stay Connected with Holbrook PTO
Our Facebook group is one of the best ways to stay up to date on PTO news, school events, volunteer opportunities, meeting information, reminders, and other important updates throughout the year.  Join the Holbrook Elementary PTO Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1NSSZqSQRW/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Want to Support the PTO?
There are lots of ways to support Holbrook PTO! Whether you attend a meeting, volunteer, participate in a fundraiser, scan Box Tops, or make a donation, every contribution helps us do more for our students and staff.

Families and community members who would like to make a direct donation to the PTO can do so through Zeffy:  https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-support-holbrook-students-teachers-and-staff

Box Tops for Education
Don’t forget to scan your receipts for Box Tops! It’s a quick and easy way to earn money for Holbrook through purchases you’re already making.  https://www.boxtops4education.com/s/get-the-app.  Thank you for continuing to support our Holbrook students, teachers, and staff. We’re excited for everything ahead this year!

Go Comets!

Daily Choice » Soybutter & Jelly Sandwich with Cheese Cubes & CheezIts
Mon., Sep 7 » NO SCHOOL
Tue., Sep 8 » Pizza Bites Crunchers
Wed., Sep 9 » Grilled Cheese
Thu., Sep 10 » Waffles & Sausage
Fri., Sep 11 » Beef & Cheese Nachos

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.

Library will start up next week.  If your child still has a library book that was checked out last year, please be sure to send it back to school with them so they can continue to check out books from our library!

If your student needs additional food at home, the Grand Ledge Blessings in a Backpack program is here to help. For more than 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 discreetly in their backpack or locker at the end of each week during the school year, except during school breaks. Some of the food items distributed may include 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 complete the permission form that was sent home or request a form from the school office. Please return the completed form to the school office by Wednesday, September 9, so your student can receive their first bag on September 17.

Almcrantz
Arbour - TBD 
Barnhill
Houdek (formerly Boots)
Browning
Cano
Carver
Davis
Diaz
Diller - does not have one
Fender
Ford
Griffin
Haney
Harvey
Herington
Kowalesky
Kruse
Long - TBD
Mena
Miller
O’Neill
Priese
Sherman
Stevens
Vanderlaan
Warren
Werner

*compiled by the PTO

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 9th, for your student to receive the first bag on September 17th.

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 Policy
To ensure every child can participate safely, please do not send edible items for birthdays due to allergies and dietary restrictions. We will celebrate students with songs, books, and other classroom activities. If you would like to send a celebration item, please choose a non-edible item such as stickers, pencils, or small fidgets that can be shared and sent home. This is optional — we will happily celebrate every student who wishes to be recognized on their special day.

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.