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The Link Letter 12.12.2025

Posted Date: 12/12/25 (05:04 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 12, 2025

Upcoming Events:

12/15: GRCDC Now: State of the School - virtual town hall, 7:00 - 8:00 PM
12/16: 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
12/17: Community Meeting for 3rd - 5th feat. Ms. Jaclyn + 3rd grade, 8:30 - 8:45 AM
12/17 OR 1/14: TENTATIVE: Family Music Class with Ms. Jaclyn for Swartz's class, 4:15 - 5:15, RSVP to Ms. Jaclyn's post - date will be confirmed by Monday 12/15
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
  • 11:30 - 11:45 is for students with the last name A - I
  • 11:45 - 12:00 is for students with the last name J - Z
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 to the VIRTUAL GRCDC NOW: State of the School on Monday, December 15 at 7pm. I can't wait to see you there...and by "there" I mean on my Zoom screen. Use this Zoom link to participate:
Invitation to a virtual "GRCDC NOW: State of the School" event on Monday evening, December 15, 2025, from 7:00-8:00pm.
CLICK HERE to GIVE to GRCDC !
 

Central Office Updates

Broadway GR Opportunity: Our school has been given free tickets (limit of 100) for families to see Disney's, The Lion King. This is made possible through the Seats 4 Kids program.  The show is for ages 6+ and runs 2 hours and 30 minutes. The date and time that has been reserved for GRCDC to attend is Thursday, April 23rd at 7:30 PM. Important Notes - make sure you read before registering your interest in tickets:
  • Tickets are limited to enrolled GRCDC students and one adult per family.
  • Priority for tickets will be based on program qualifications.
  • This show will run until after 10:00 PM and may not be a good choice for all students on a Thursday night, please plan accordingly. 
  • Max reservation per family is 4 tickets, 3 GRCDC enrolled students and one adult.
  • Families will provide their own transportation to this event and will need to pay for parking.
  • Please only complete the interest form if you are sure you will be able to attend on Thursday, April 23nd.
  • We will notify you via email if you have secured tickets. If needed, we will form a wait list once all tickets have been claimed. 
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, 12/16
 

Fifth Grade Humane Society Drive

The Fifth Grade will be collecting donations the week of December 15 - 19th for the Humane Society. The items needed are:
Students or parents can bring items in and place them in the decorated boxes around the school. Thank you for your support!
 

Mary Free Bed Construction Updates

No new updates this week
 

Family Team Updates

Winter Gear Drive:
We are still looking for a variety of donations and have extended the drive to Tuesday December 16, with volunteers needed to sort donations on Wednesday December 17. You can drop off donations at the office, in the car line, or to Discovery Care staff. 

Click on the hand in the upper left corner of the post on ParentSquare 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.   

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.

Family Team Meetings
  • The next Family Team meeting is Thursday January 15 after the Community Meeting.
  • Dates for the year are: 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:
12/17: Girl Scouts, 3:45 - 6:00 PM
 

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.