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The Link Letter 1.16.2026

Posted Date: 01/16/26 (04:01 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

January 16, 2026

Upcoming Events:

1/18: Family Movie @ GRCDC, 3:00 - 5:00, doors open at 2:45 PM (back orange doors)
1/19: No School, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
1/20: 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
2/6: No School for Students, Professional Development for staff
2/16 & 2/17: No School, Mid Winter Break

What's for breakfast and lunch this week? School Meals Menu
What are the school hours? Click Here
Graphic announcing 'NO SCHOOL' on Monday, January 19th for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
 

Message from the Executive Director

Poster for a "Family Movie" event featuring Disney's "Ruby Bridges" on January 18 at 3:00 PM.
A graphic promoting "Family Friendly Ideas" for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, featuring activities like reading, equity walks, and acts of inclusion.
CLICK HERE to GIVE to GRCDC !
 

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. There is still time to sign up online: You may sign up online here.
Lost and Found Weekly Post: No post this week!
Illnesses: Lots of illnesses are going around the school right now- influenza, COVID, and various viruses. Please be mindful of this and know that we have taken some extra disinfection measures (thank you Shane!) and you may see various staff in masks. Please remind your child about hand washing and sanitizing, covering coughs and consider having them wear a mask if needed. This a good time to review our illness guidance as well, which can be found here.
 

Mary Free Bed Construction Updates

No new updates this week
 

Family Team Updates

Narwhal Merch
Family Team is happy to announce new Narwhal Nation merchandise, designed by our own Ms. Chloe and printed by local company Transfigure Print Co., is now available! Designs will be released throughout the year. Funds raised will support Family Team efforts such as yearlong project work at all grade levels including special experiences, field trips, and guest speakers.

Order the first design in the series here. Orders due by Friday January 30; pickup date TBD. 

Upcoming Events
  • Mosaic of Our Stories - Friday, February 27 at 6:30pm

Family Team Meetings
  • The next Family Team meeting is Thursday, February 12, after the Community Meeting.
  • Dates for the year are: 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 has been archived, so stay up to date through the Family Team GRCDC Narwhals Group on ParentSquare. 


Let's Connect
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 this week:
1/21: Girl Scouts

It's Cookie Time!
We have 25 girls in the GRCDC troop, and all of them are selling cookies. This year, you could order from an individual scout, or use the new TROOP COOKIE SITE to order. Ordering from the Troop Site benefits the WHOLE TROOP, and helps us raise money for activities and adventures.

This year, the girls are raising money to go camping and horseback riding.

Choose the "Girl Delivery" option, and we'll deliver cookies to school (no need to pay for shipping).
Cookies should be delivered the first week of March.
 

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.