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The Link Letter 12.5.2025

Posted Date: 12/05/25 (05:00 PM)
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A whimsical illustration of a narwhal with colorful details, the logo for Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center.

The Link Letter

December 5, 2025

Upcoming Events:

12/8: Board Meeting, 6:00 - 7:30 PM- The Board will be discussing our upcoming Reauthorization. ALL are WELCOME!
12/9: Early Release Day:
  • 2:30 -2:45 is for students with the last name A-I
  • 2:45 - 3:00 is for students with the last name J- Z
12/10: Family Music Class with Ms. Jaclyn for Swartz's class, 4:15 - 5:15, RSVP to Ms. Jaclyn's post!
12/10: Family Team Meeting - Virtual, 6:00 - 7:00 PM
12/15: GRCDC Now: State of the School - virtual town hall, 7:00 - 8:00 PM
12/17: Community Meeting for 3rd - 5th feat. Ms. Jaclyn + 3rd grade, 8:30 - 8:45 AM
12/18: Community Meeting for K - 2nd feat. Ms. Jaclyn + 2nd grade, 8:30 - 8:45 AM
12/18: Winter Wonderland Event during the school day
12/19: Mobile Dentist forms due
12/19: Half Day of School, 11:30 dismissal
12/22 - 1/5: No School, Winter Break, the first day back from break is Tuesday, 1/6 and is an early release day

What's for breakfast and lunch this week? School Meals Menu
What are the school hours? Click Here
 

Message from the Executive Director

You are invited! See info below:
An advertisement with a child's photo and text about supporting children's education.
Informational flyer with ways to support GRCDC, including volunteering and financial help.
CLICK HERE to GIVE to GRCDC !
In Partnership,
Lisa Nuyens
Executive Director
e. nuyensl@childdiscoverycenter.org
o.616-459-0330
c. 517.206.3868 (text or voice note/mail)
 

Central Office Updates

Mobile Dentist Brings Dental Services to GRCDC: We partner with the Mobile Dentist program to bring optional dental services to school for one day each school year. The dentist is coming to school on Friday, January 30th. This program accepts students with or without insurance. For those without insurance, you can pay a reduced fee for services or apply for a grant to have the costs covered. To sign up and for more information, please fill out the flyer that will be sent home today and return by 12/19. You may also sign up online here.
Lost and Found Weekly Post: Please see the lost and found post from earlier this week and claim your child's items by Tuesday, 12/9
 

Mary Free Bed Construction Updates

No new updates this week
 

Family Team Updates

Winter Gear Drive 
Our winter gear drive is now live. Click on the hand in the upper left corner to see the specific items requested and to commit to donating them. Thank you for helping us collect these cold-weather essentials to ensure every student stays warm and comfortable throughout the winter season. 

Donations will be accepted at the office through Thursday December 11. Volunteers are needed on Friday December 12 to sort donations. Sign up to donate and/or sort on ParentSquare

Winter Wonderland
Thursday December 18 students will journey through seasonal stations to celebrate the wonder of the new season over hot chocolate, songs, crafts, story-time and a bit of “snowy” fun. While our students are getting their pre-break energy out, our hardworking teachers and staff will get an extra break in their day.

Volunteers are necessary for this school day event to help spread some joy. We are looking for help throughout the day and across multiple stations. Sign up to volunteer on ParentSquare

Girls on the Run
Girls On The Run registration is OPEN! Register before Dec. 11th! Click here to reserve your spot! Late registration will open Dec. 15th if we have more spots available on our team. 

Our GOTR season is from Feb. 23-May 16. Practices are Tues. 3pm-4:30p and Thurs. 4:15p-5:30p. 

Scholarships are available! The registration fee can be $20-$130 with a scholarship. Your scholarship amount will be shown to you as you go through the registration process. If your scholarship does not meet your needs, please reach out to Ms. Aimee. There are other options available. Girls On The Run wants everyone who wants to participate to be able to! 

Reach out to Ms. Aimee with any questions at ritsemaa@childdiscoverycenter.org

Family Team Meetings
  • The next Family Team meeting is a virtual meeting on Wednesday December 10 at 6:00pm (link forthcoming).
  • Dates for the year are: January 15, February 12, March 12, April 16, May 14
Find Family Team on ParentSquare!
Family Team is moving communication off Facebook and onto ParentSquare. The GRCDC Narwhals - Families of Current Students Facebook group will be archived later this fall, so stay up to date through the Family Team GRCDC Narwhals Group on ParentSquare. 


Let's Connect
Join the Family Team GRCDC Narwhals Group on ParentSquare. The Facebook group “GRCDC Narwhals - Families of Current Students” will be archived later this fall. We want to hear from you! If you have an idea, question, or suggestion for the Family Team email us at grcdcfamilyteam@gmail.com. 
 

Extracurricular Opportunities

Club meeting schedule:
No club meetings this week
 

Community Resources

  • If you are experiencing a housing crisis or issue, please contact us at 616-459-0330 and our Homeless Liaison will reach out to you.


  • Families Supporting Families! We want to support our families. We are collecting the information for any family-owned businesses within our community. If you own a business, please fill out this survey. We will add you to the directory once we receive your information.

  • OK2SAY: If you receive a threat or know of a threat of violence against your community, please contact your local law enforcement or call 9-1-1. Non-emergency tips can be submitted the following ways:  
  1. Call: 8-555-OK2SAY, (855-565-2729 )  
  2. Text: 652729 (OK2SAY)   
  3. Email: OK2SAY   
  4. Visit: OK2SAY website   
  5. OK2SAY Mobile App: Available for download for Apple, Google and Android mobile devices. 
 

ICYMI Section

Absence Reporting: If your child will be absent from school, please contact us by 8:20 AM if possible. There are a few ways you can contact us about an absence:
  • Email office@childdiscoverycenter.org
  • Call the main office, 616-459-0330
  • Send a ParentSquare message
  • If you contact a teacher only regarding attendance, please know that they do not always have time to inform the office about your child's attendance. Your first contact should always be the school office. If you want to include the teacher and inform them as well, go for it!
If we do not hear from you, ParentSquare will send an automated message around 8:50 AM that you may also reply to. If you do not contact the office to excuse the absence, it will be marked unexcused.
A memorial tribute to Saleem, a Yorkie, with text and a photo.