
North Godwin News
Week of September 25, 2023
Steve Minard, Principal
Kristi Bast, Secretary
Telephone (616) 252-2010 and Fax (616) 252-2011
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR NORTH GODWIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FUNDRAISER!
NORTH GODWIN ELEMENTARY FALL 2023 FRANDALE'S FUNDRAISER! $$$$$$ Friday, September 22 - Friday, October 6
Fundraisers are VERY IMPORTANT for our school and we appreciate participation from our students and their families. School fundraising is important because it funds our students’ extracurricular activities, field trips, and other educational enrichment opportunities. It helps to offset the costs of school supplies, textbooks, and much more. The "extras" are opportunities and experiences for our students that are not covered under general school budgets.
Another reason why school fundraising is important is that it ignites school pride! Not only do students benefit from the experience, but the entire school community can come together to support a good cause. School fundraisers can be a great way to bring people together while teaching kids valuable life lessons. We hope that you will consider supporting our school by participating in our fall Frandale's Fundraiser!
Our students will be given order packets to take orders and collect money. The fall fundraiser will run from Friday, September 22, 2023 through Friday, October 6, 2023. Your student/s will receive their fundraising order forms this week!
We will be selling submarine sandwiches, garlic bread and cinnamon rolls!
Godwin Heights Wolverines Homecoming “Spirit Week" Dress Up Days!--------------------------------------- September 25 - September 29, 2023
Mismatch Day
Dress up with mismatched clothing!
Tuesday 9/26:
PJ Day or Crazy Socks
Wear your craziest socks, pajamas or both!
Wednesday 9/27:
Sports Day
Wear your favorite team colors!
Thursday 9/28:
Hat Day/Crazy Hair
Wear a hat or make your hair crazy!
Friday 9/29:
Blue and Gold Day
Wear your favorite blue and gold, or Godwin gear!
Early Dismissal on Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Please note that there will be an EARLY DISMISSAL for all students on Wednesday, September 27, 2023. Parent pick up is at 1:30 PM. Buses depart and the final bell rings at 1:45 PM. Please plan accordingly and arrive at 1:30 PM if you are picking up a student! Thank you!
Principal's Coffee ~ Friday, September 29, 2023 at 8:30 AM!
Our Principal's Coffee is a popular monthly event. It is a meeting for parents to learn and give feedback to support our school. Our Principal, Steve Minard, will share what is going on at school. He asks for feedback and support, presents data and best practices, and makes space for parents to get involved in school activities. The Principal's Coffee also reinforces our PBIS initiative by honoring select students each month who have modeled positive PBIS behaviors and worked hard to achieve academic goals.
We hope to see you there!
A BIG Thank You to the Folks at the "Just Between Friends Sale"!
A Warm and Heartfelt Welcome to our New North Godwin KSSN Coordinator, Mrs. Carolina Diaz!
North Godwin Elementary is proud to be a designated Community School through our partnership with Kent School Services Network. As a Community School Coordinator, Mrs. Carolina Cortina Diaz is responsible for helping to build a bridge between our school and other community resources. She is able to bring together many partners to offer a range of supports and opportunities to children, youth, families in our community.
This past week was KSSN Appreciation Week area-wide. We are excited that Carolina has joined our North Godwin Elementary staff. We celebrate and support her efforts to help our school community by pairing families with resources, spear-heading our free food programs, fundraising, removing language barriers, securing necessary and emergency supplies, gathering monetary and in-kind donations, and much, much more.
Since it began in 2006, KSSN has grown from serving eight schools in three districts as a three-year pilot program to now serving 46 schools. Forty-seven community school coordinators work in Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Kentwood, Kelloggsville, Godfrey-Lee, Kenowa Hills, Cedar Springs, Godwin Heights, Grandville, Sparta and William C. Abney charter school. They are joined by mental-health site team clinicians and Department of Health and Human Services success coaches, who help families with public assistance programs.
Welcome, Carolina!
TEAMBUILDING EVENT FOR OUR NORTH GODWIN HOUSE TEAM!
Fire
Water
Earth
Wind
Space
On Wednesday, September 20, 2023, our teams met for their first of four teambuilding events during the school day. It was a great time filled with school pride!
Joseph Cantres,
Mrs. Kotarski's class -- 3rd grade
Miss Cierra Lowe,
Youth Development Coordinator
This team did their Earth House chant and then made Oreo Dirt cups --yummy! Then they played lightening tag!
Mx. Vertumna,
ASD Paraprofessional
Mrs. Kotarski,
ASD Teacher
Space House did a teambuilding cup challenge, a friend match up game, and also played 5 second rule!
FEEDING AMERICA MOBILE FOOD PANTRIES
One in every 9 people. At least 261,000 people in West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula are food insecure—meaning they don't have consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. Food insecurity exists for a variety of reasons, and anyone can experience a bout of it. Feeding America West Michigan, believes hunger is unacceptable and that their community has the power to change lives—one meal at a time. That’s why they've assembled a network of partners that they work alongside on their mission to relieve hunger and increase food security in West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.
Our Godwin Heights Feeding America truck distributions will now be every month on TUESDAYS! Same time, same place, 4:00 pm in front of the high school, just one day later each month. Here is the schedule for the rest of the year:
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
If you have your own bags, please bring them!
Welcome GVSU Mentors and Tutors!
In addition, we invite GVSU College of Education students to volunteer with us as mentors and tutors in order to fulfill their volunteer requirements for their teaching majors. GVSU tutors have signed up with willing classroom teachers to come to our school every other Friday afternoon to work with select students who may be in need of extra support in reading, writing, and mathematics. These approved volunteers build relationships with our students that give them confidence and one on one attention in the learning process.
Thank you so much GVSU! We love you!
A message from Cherry Street Health Services
Godwin Heights Public Schools will again be partnering with Cherry Health to offer dental and vision services for our students during the 2023 -2024 school year. These services will include a dental exam, x-rays, cleaning, fluoride, and sealants if needed as well as a comprehensive dilated eye exam. If glasses are prescribed, they will be ordered and delivered to your school after a discussion with a parent or guardian. This is a wonderful opportunity to have these preventative services completed at school if you do not have a dentist or vision provider or are already a patient with Cherry Health. If you would like these services and are unsure if you registered, please call Cherry Health School Linked Health programs at 616-776-2345.
Student Vision Testing by Cherry Health will begin in mid-October!
SAVE THE DATES for FALL PARENT and TEACHER CONFERENCES!
Students will have an altered schedule this week as follows:
Monday, October 16 (normal school day)
Tuesday, October 17 (normal school day)
Wednesday, October 18 (EARLY DISMISSAL with parent pick up beginning at 1:30 PM; final bell at 1:45 PM)
Thursday, October 19 (EARLY DISMISSAL with parent pick up beginning at 1:30 PM; final bell at 1:45 PM)
Friday, October 20 (HALF DAY OF SCHOOL with parent pick up beginning at 11:30 AM; final bell at 11:45 AM)
Our teachers will be communicating with parents in the coming weeks to schedule conferences.
North Godwin Scholastic Book Fair
North Godwin will be hosting our Fall Scholastic Book Fair the week of October 16th-20th, which is the week of Parent/Teacher Conferences! The book fair is an excellent opportunity to not only buy new books, but to also support our school. We are looking forward to this exciting event!
The Scholastic Book Fair will be held in the Library at North Godwin during the following dates and times:
Tuesday October 17th: 7:30 a.m. - 8:15 a.m., and then from 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday October 18th: 7:30 a.m. - 8:15 a.m., and then from 3:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday October 19th: 7:30 a.m. - 8:15 a.m., and then from 3:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday October 20th: 7:30 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.
We have a website for our school and it can be found at this link: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/NorthGodwinWeRock
You may purchase books online or in-person at our book fair. Online shopping will be open on October 16th. Forms of payment accepted include cash, credit cards, and checks.
If you have any questions, please contact Hannah Eichhorst at hannah.eichhorst@godwinschools.org or by calling (616) 252-2010 ext. 6120.
End of Day Safeties and Bus Crews!
Important School Reminders and Procedures
8:15 AM - 3: 15 PM
DROP-OFF PROCEDURE
Earliest drop-off is 8:00 AM in the drop off line, which is located in the parking lot.
Please note that the area painted in yellow in front of the main doors on 34th Street is designated for BUSES ONLY. Do not block buses in the designated bus line.
Parents who are dropping students off at school will do so in the car line beginning at 8:00 AM when our supervisory staff is visible and on duty in the parking lot. Playground supervision begins at 8:00 AM when our playground supervisors come on duty. ALL students report directly to the playground between 8:00 AM and the first bell at 8:15 AM. Students arriving after 8:15 AM must report to the main office for a tardy pass.
PICK-UP PROCEDURE
Parents who are pick up students at the end of the school day will do so in the parking lot car line. This is a quick and easy process, and one that is safest for our students and our staff. The pick-up line begins forming at 3:00 PM. Dashboard signs will be issued to parents and designated family members/friends who are authorized to pick students up at the end of the school day. Dashboard signs should be clearly visible to our parking lot team. The final bell rings at 3:15 PM when our buses depart. Parents and guardians who are picking students up are expected to be timely. School ends at 3:15 PM.
LATE ARRIVALS
Once school begins, learning begins! Students not in their seats when the morning bell rings at 8:15 AM are considered tardy and must obtain a tardy pass from the office. Students who are signed out before dismissal are logged with a leave early. The Kent Intermediate School District defines positive attendance as no more than 10 late arrivals or early departures per school year.
EARLY DEPARTURES
If your student has an appointment or other reason that deems it necessary for you to pick your child up early from school, you must do so before 3:00 PM. In the interest of dismissal safety, parents/guardian arriving after 3:00 PM must be in the car line.
CHANGES TO DAILY DISMISSAL ROUTINE
If you wish to make a last minute change to your student’s dismissal routine, we kindly request that you notify the school office by 2:30 PM, which is 45 minutes before dismissal. This allows our staff adequate time to notify the student, teacher, and bus teams of the change. Thank you for your support and helping to keep our students safe!
BUS TRANSPORTATION
All students who reside within the Godwin Heights Public School district are entitled to bus transportation. Students who reside outside of the district boundaries and attend Godwin Heights under Schools of Choice must provide their own transportation and will be held accountable to the same attendance policies as resident families.
ABSENCES
All absences must be called into the school office at 616-252-2010, or e-mailed to: bast@godwinschools.org. It is acceptable to leave a voicemail regarding an absence. Absences not phoned into the school office will be marked as UNexcused. The Kent Intermediate School District defines positive attendance as no more than 10 excused absences per school year.
ADVANCE NOTICE OF EXTENDED STUDENTS ABSENCES FOR VACATIONS, EMERGENCIES, AND/OR MEDICAL PROCEDURES
If your student will be out of school for 3 or more days in a row due to surgery, travel, or other types of business, please be sure that you complete an ADVANCE NOTICE OF STUDENT ABSENCE form and turn it into the school office before the absence event. If you need a form emailed to you,
please call the school office at 616-252-2010.
RECESS POLICY
ALL students are outdoors every day before school, during lunch recess, and for afternoon recess times UNLESS:
• The temperature is below 16 degrees
• The wind chill is below zero
• It is raining
• There is a severe thunderstorm warning in the area
• There is a medical restriction note on file in the
school office, signed by a physician, that outlines
specific temperature parameters that restrict a
student from outdoor recess due to a medical
condition.
During the winter months, students need winter coats, hats, gloves, snow pants and boots. If you are having any difficulty securing these items for your child, please contact the school office at 616-252-2010 and we will do our best to connect you with resources to obtain these items.
EMERGENCY CLOSURES DUE TO WEATHER
In the event of inclement weather, please be sure to check your text messages, email, and local television channels for updates on closures that reference our school district: GODWIN HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOLS, or visit: www,godwinschools.org
Godwin Heights 2023-2024 School Year Calendar
September 27 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM
October 11 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM
October 18 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM -- P/T Conferences
October 19 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM -- P/T Conferences
October 20 ~ 1/2 day of School @ 11:45 AM -- P/T Conferences
October 25 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM
November 8 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM
November 15 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM
November 22, 23 & 24 ~ No School THANKSGIVING BREAK
December 13 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM
December 22 ~ 1/2 day of school Dismissal at @ 11:45 AM
December 25 - December 29 ~ No School CHRISTMAS BREAK
January 1 - 5 ~ No School CHRISTMAS BREAK
January 8 -- FIRST DAY BACK TO SCHOOL AFTER CHRISTMAS BREAK
January 15 ~ No School
January 24 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM
January 31 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM
February 14 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM
February 21 ~ 1/2 day of school -- Dismissal at 11:45 AM for MID-WINTER BREAK
February 22 ~ No School MID WINTER BREAK
February 23 ~ No School MID WINTER BREAK
March 6 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM
March 20 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM
March 27 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM -- P/T Conferences
March 28 ~ 1/2 day of school -- Dismissal at 11:45 AM -- P/T Conferences
March 29 ~ No School SPRING BREAK
April 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 ~ No School SPRING BREAK
April 17 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM
May 1 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM
May 22 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM
May 24 ~ 1/2 day of school -- Dismissal at 11:45 AM MEMORIAL WEEKEND
May 27 ~ No School -- MEMORIAL DAY
May 31 ~ 1/2 DAY OF SCHOOL -- DISMISSAL AT 11:45 AM -- LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
Click below!
Attendance Policy
The normal attendance expectations for any given child in the Kent County Intermediate School District are as follows:
> that a child miss not more than 10 days of Excused Absences for the entire school year,
> that a child have no Unexcused Absences for the entire school year
> that a child have not more than 5 Tardies combined with Leave Early check-outs per semester.
> that a child have no Suspensions for the entire school year.
Godwin Heights Public Schools are held by law to report tardies and absences in excess of the guidelines listed above to the Kent Intermediate School District Office of Truancy and School Attendance-State Law Enforcement Division.
The primary rationale for positive attendance is the strong relationship between student attendance and student achievement. Chronic student absences reduces even the best teacher's ability to provide learning opportunities. Students who attend school regularly have been shown to achieve at higher levels than students who do not have regular attendance. This relationship between attendance and achievement may appear early in a child's school career. A recent study looking at young children found that absenteeism in kindergarten was associated with negative first grade outcomes such as greater absenteeism in subsequent years and lower achievement in reading, math, and general knowledge.
Poor attendance has serious implications for later outcomes. High school dropouts have been found to exhibit a history of negative behaviors, including high levels of absenteeism throughout their childhood, at higher rates than high school graduates. These differences in absentee rates were observed as early as kindergarten, and students who eventually dropped out of high school missed significantly more days of school in elementary school than their peers who graduated from high school.
North Godwin Elementary
Email: bast@godwinschools.org
Website: www.godwinschools.org
Location: 161 34th Street Southwest, Wyoming, MI, USA
Phone: 616-252-2010
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NorthGodwin/