Celebrating Seasons, Not Holidays: The GRCDC Way
At GRCDC, we believe that school should be a place where every child and family feels seen, valued, and included — every single day of the year. Over the years, we’ve explored many different ways to approach holidays, always with one guiding question in mind: What best serves our children and our community while staying true to our Reggio-inspired philosophy and our core values of Potential, Inspiration, Connection, and Equity?
As we strengthen our post-COVID family engagement and schoolwide systems, we’re returning to our original approach — one that honors our roots and our values. GRCDC will not celebrate secular or religious holidays (such as Halloween, Christmas, or Valentine’s Day) as a school. Instead, we’ll focus on the natural rhythms of the year — the seasons, the community, and the wonder that each brings.
This approach keeps us centered on what’s most meaningful:
Connection — Celebrations that include all families, beliefs, and traditions.
Curiosity — Learning about holidays and family traditions through curriculum, stories, and conversation.
Community — Coming together in joyful ways that reflect the beauty of nature and our shared humanity.
Equity — Avoiding commercialism and exclusivity while building belonging for all.
What You’ll See (and Not See)
Classrooms won’t be decorated for or celebrate holidays. Instead, teachers and children will explore what makes each season special — the cozy feeling of winter, the anticipation of change, the growth of spring, the gratitude of fall. Families remain the perfect place for holiday celebrations, while our school focuses on connection and learning.
What We Will Celebrate
We’re still a school that loves to celebrate together! Expect events like Fall Fun, Winter Wonder, Spring Social, Movie Nights, and our cherished Portfolio Day and End-of-Year Celebration.
The Family Team continues to partner with school staff to design new opportunities for families to share their unique cultures, traditions, and stories — the kinds of experiences that make our community so rich.
We’re grateful for your partnership as we create a community that celebrates every child, every family, every season. Together, we’re building something beautiful — a community connected by curiosity and grounded in belonging.
Family Connection Ideas for the Fall:
- Take a nature walk and notice signs of the new season.
- Share a family tradition or story with your child’s class.
- Reflect together: What makes this time of year feel special to you?
In Partnership,
Lisa Nuyens
Executive Director
e. nuyensl@childdiscoverycenter.org
o.616-459-0330
c. 517.206.3868 (text or voicenote/mail)
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