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.

January 16, 2026

Assessments
Students completed their DIBELS assessments this week; thank you for helping your child arrive on time and ready to learn. Some students have finished their NWEA testing, and others are scheduled to finish next week. Teachers will share individual results with families once all testing is complete.

Health Reminder
We encourage students to practice proper hygiene, especially during cold and flu season. Please remind your child to wash hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay home when feeling unwell so we can keep everyone healthy.

New Entrance Button
We have a new entrance button at Holbrook located on the pillar at the start of our entrance overhang. Please push the button to request entry to the office and be patient after pressing it — there are a few steps the system goes through before the door is released.

Have a wonderful MLK Day weekend. We will see you all back Tuesday for another great week of learning.

Kat Farr, Principal

January School Counseling Lesson
This month’s lesson focuses on compassion. Your child is learning that people can show compassion for others by saying something kind or doing something helpful. Learning about how to show compassion for other people helps children take action on their feelings of empathy and helps them get along well with others.

Things you can ask your child: 
*What does showing compassion mean? Possible answers: showing you care about others.
*What are some ways you can show care and concern for others? Possible answers: listening to them. Saying kind words. Helping them.
*When is a time someone might need you to show someone compassion? Possible answers: When someone is feeling sad, lonely, tired, or frustrated.
*How do you feel when someone shows you compassion? Possible answers: Happy, special.

Practice at Home:
Help your child notice when someone else could use some help or a kind word. For example:
*Your father has a lot of dishes to do after dinner. Do you think he could use some help?
*It sure looks like Mrs. Sanders could use some help picking up the trash. Can you do that?

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.
*To book a phone appointment with Mrs. Conner, visit Mrs. Conner’s booking page.

The next PTO meeting of this school year will be held, Thursday, February 5, 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.  PTO meetings will be on the first Thursday each month, unless otherwise scheduled ... 3/12, 4/9, 5/7, 6/4.

Stay Connected with Holbrook PTO!
Please like and follow the Holbrook Elementary PTO Facebook page 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

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

Penny Wars is back! 
Get ready to dig into those couch cushions—our friendly competition kicks off Monday, January 12th and runs through Friday, January 23rd.

This year’s Penny Wars celebrates Diesel’s 8th birthday, our beloved Holbrook service dog, while also supporting Canines for Change, the organization that trained Diesel, and supporting the Holbrook PTO. 10% of all proceeds will be donated back to Canines for Change.

We’ll share class rankings with teachers via email and post updates on our Facebook page on Friday, January 16th, with final results announced on Friday, January 23rd.

Prizes:
• Top-earning class: Pizza party with Diesel
• Next three top-earning classes: Cookies with Diesel

Four winning classes, one amazing cause, and a whole lot of fun celebrating Diesel and supporting organizations that make a difference!

On behalf of the staff and students here at Holbrook, THANK YOU to all that have provided snacks for our students.  We so appreciate your generosity.

Daily Choice » Blueberry Muffin with Yogurt, String Cheese & Goldfish
Mon., Jan. 19 » NO SCHOOL
Tue., Jan. 20 » Personal Cheese Pizza
Wed., Jan. 21 » Mac & Cheese
Thu., Jan. 22 » French Toast Sticks & Sausage
Fri., Jan. 23 » Chicken Sandwich

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.

Winter reminder:  Please remind your children to make sure that they are not putting their wet snow clothes (boots, mittens, snow pants) on top of their library books in their backpacks.  Also remind them that if their library book gets wet, they need to give it to an adult right away so that it can be dried out.  Sometimes wet library books are put into the collection bins (without notifying an adult) and aren't discovered until hours (or days) later.  At that point, the pages are generally sticking together and mold has started to set in, requiring that the book be replaced.

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 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.