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.
Message from Principal Farr
February 20, 2026
March Reading Month Throughout March, Holbrook Elementary will be enjoying a schoolwide read-aloud of Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate. Each student will receive their own copy of the book to follow along as staff members take turns reading chapters to the entire school community. A flyer with more information is coming home today. If you are able, we kindly welcome a $5 donation to help offset the cost of the books. Families are also invited to sponsor an additional student if they wish. We are excited to share this reading experience together!
Early Pick-Ups & End-of-Day Changes We’ve recently seen an increase in early pick-ups. When the office is aware of an appointment, staff will make every effort to have students ready upon arrival. Please note this is a best-effort support, and extra time may be needed if students are transitioning between activities or cannot be sent to the office right away. If your child’s dismissal plans change, please contact the office prior to 3:30pm. Students will receive a note informing them of their dismissal change. Notes are delivered to classrooms at 3:30pm.
Electronic Devices Reminder As a reminder, electronic devices must be turned off and stored during the school day. This helps reduce distractions and prevents unauthorized recording or photography. Students may use devices before entering and after leaving the building unless they are required for medical purposes. Please refer to the GLPS Elementary Handbook (page 15) for full details.
Possession of Cell Phones, Smart Watches, and Other Electronic/Recording Communication Devices The use of cell phones, smart watches, or any other ECD are prohibited to be used during the school day. It is recognized that some students may need access to these devices for transportation purposes after school and are therefore permitted after dismissal. During school, however, cell phones, smart watches, and other ECDs shall be turned off and stored away out of sight. If you are concerned that an electronic device might be stolen, broken or inappropriately used, please do not allow your student to bring it to school.
Conferences: Conferences are the week of March 2nd, 2026. Conferences are 15 minutes in length and held in the teacher’s classroom, with Friday, March 6th conferences held virtually. Please use the attached link to sign up for a conference time for your student. http://www.ptcfast.com/schools/Holbrook_Elementary]
Thank you for your continued partnership and support!
Kat Farr, Principal
Yearbook 2025-26
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.
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.
Mrs. Morgan's Library Message
SPRING 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.
FAMILY SHOPPING HOURS will be: Monday, March 2nd, 4pm - 6pm Tuesday, March 3rd, 5pm - 8pm (during conferences) Wednesday, March 4th, 4pm - 6pm Thursday, March 5th, 5pm - 8pm (during conferences) Friday, March 6th, 8am - 1pm
Scholastic continues to offer ONLINE BOOK FAIR shopping too! Beginning March 2nd, you can log in to:https://www.scholastic.com/bf/holbrookelementary1 to preview the Fair and shop online from the comfort of your own home! Purchases will be shipped to the school for you to pick up. The online book fair will be available from March 2nd - March 15th.
Please consider setting up an eWallet (an e-gift card) for your student to use for book fair purchases. (See information and instructions below.)
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 help our library grow with the profits we earn from the Fair.
Thank you for your support for our school!
Mrs. Conner's Counselor Corner
This Week is National Random Acts of Kindness Week!
National Random Acts of Kindness Week is an annual week-long event dedicated to encouraging, celebrating, and spreading small acts of kindness. For elementary students, it’s a wonderful opportunity to build empathy, strengthen friendships, and create a positive school community. Research shows that acts of kindness can: *Boost happiness and self-confidence *Reduce stress and anxiety *Strengthen relationships
Here are a few simple ways to celebrate at home: *The "Secret Agent" Mission: Encourage your child to do a "secret" chore or act of kindness for a sibling or neighbor without asking for credit. *Family Kindness Jar: Keep a jar in the kitchen and have everyone write down kind acts they did during the day, reading them together on Friday. *Compliment Challenge: Challenge your child to give three genuine compliments to people they interact with. *Write thank you notes to community helpers. *Bake a treat for a neighbor. *Leave an encouraging note in your child’s lunchbox.
February 2–6 was National School Counselor Appreciation Week, a special time to recognize the important role school counselors play in supporting students’ academic success and social-emotional well-being. We were proud to celebrate Ms. Connor and the incredible impact she makes each day at Holbrook. From guiding students and supporting families to fostering a caring and positive school environment, Ms. Connor’s dedication and compassion truly make a difference.
Thank you, Ms. Connor, for all you do for our students and school community. We are so proud to have you as part of our Comet family — you help our Comets shine bright every day!
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.
Upcoming 2025-26 Dates
Feb 20 » Popcorn Friday
Feb 24 » ASD Field Trip - GLHS Unified Club
Mar 3 » In-Person Conferences 5-8
Mar 5 » In-Person Conferences 5-8
Mar 6 » HALF DAY - Virtual Conferences 1-3
Mar 11 » 3rd Grade Field Trip - Abrams Planetarium
Mar 19 » PTO Meeting 6pm
Mar 20 » Popcorn Friday
Mar 20 » PTO Glow Dance
Mar 27-Apr 3 » NO SCHOOL - Spring Break
Apr 6 » NO SCHOOL - Staff PD
Apr 9 » PTO Meeting 6pm
Apr 17 » Popcorn Friday
May 7 » PTO Meeting 6pm
May 15 » Popcorn Friday
May 15 » 1st Grade Field Trip to Boulder Ridge
May 20 » 4th Grade Field Trip to Wharton Center
May 21 » 2nd Grade Field Trip - Tour of Grand Ledge
May 22 » NO SCHOOL - Staff PD
May 25 » NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day
Jun 4 » PTO Meeting 6pm
Jun 5 » HALF DAY - LAST DAY!
PTO Postings
The next PTO meeting of this school year will be held, Thursday, March 19, 2026.Please note the date change!! Due to the Mother/Son dance the PTO meeting was pushed back a week!! 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
Conference Meal Donations Needed! Spring conferences are coming up, and we’re hoping to help keep our amazing teachers fueled during their long days! If you’re able to donate a meal item or contribute in any way, we would be so grateful. Please sign up using the link below to see what’s needed. Thank you for supporting our staff!
Glow Dance! Save the date!Mark your calendars the annual Glow Dance will be Friday March 20th in the Holbrook gym! More information coming soon! We are also looking for volunteers to help the Glow Dance go off without a hitch! Sign up here to volunteer at the dance! https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0F4AABAD2BA7FAC34-62296413-2026
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.
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 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 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.
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.
TEACHER APPRECIATION MONTH is just around the corner. To honor our hardworking educators, submit a short video! MDE is seeking student- and family-created teacher appreciation videos to feature during Teacher Appreciation Month in May. Get creative! Videos can be a student speaking, the family sharing, or a drawing with voice-over. Find instructions on our Teacher Appreciation Month webpage.
Youth Mental Health Action Day 2026 – Student Tickets are FREE!
Please consider an opportunity for students in Michigan to participate in the “Youth Mental Health Action Day 2026: Piecing It Together – A Mosaic Made Strong with Every Voice" on Thursday, May 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This statewide event unites youth, families, and community partners for engaging activities, interactive sessions, and a resource fair dedicated to youth mental health. Students will acquire practical tools; connect with mental health professionals, policymakers, and legislators; and discover methods to take action within their schools and communities.
Youth Mental Health Action Day is organized by the Association for Children’s Mental Health, Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network, and Youth United.
Grand Ledge Emergency Assistance Program (GLEAP) - The GLEAP Food pantry serves the Grand Ledge School District. ID and proof of residency are required. Call ahead to place an order at least 1 hour before the pantry closes. Open Tuesday (10:00 AM – 5:00 PM) and Thursday (10:00 AM – 3:00 PM). 4980 Burt Ave. 517-627-4348
MI Capital Cares - Resource for finding the services and supports you need within your community. Select one of the service areas listed to search for the resources you need or call 2-1-1 at the toll free number 866-561-2500 for additional assistance.
Catholic Charities of Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton Counties - This charity has an active community kitchen, food pantry, and bread rack. Hot breakfast (9:00 - 10:30 AM) and lunch (11:30 AM- 1:00 PM) provided Monday - Friday at the Cristo Rey Campus. Call for an appointment to access the food pantry, 517-372-4700.
Helping Hands Food Pantry Charlotte - Clients are subject to low-income guidelines and residency requirements and are required to sign a statement attesting to their need and the accuracy of the information. Open Tuesday (11:00 AM - 5:30 PM), Wednesday (10:00 AM - 4:30 PM), and Thursday (9:00 AM - 4:00 PM). 621 Jefferson St, Charlotte. 517-543-8737
The Salvation Army - This location has a food / personal needs pantry and hot meals available. The food pantry is open Monday thru Friday (9:00 AM -12:00 PM and 1:00 - 4:00 PM). Walk-In only. Hot meals are served Tuesday - Friday (12:00 -1:00 PM). 525 N. Pennsylvania Ave. 517-484-4424
517 Living - Provides a list of the greater Lansing food-focused non-profits.