Wolverine Weekly

Email: urbanski@godwinschools.org

Phone: 616-252-2070 x3008

Dear GHMS Families,

I hope this message finds you well and staying warm! Despite the interruptions from our recent snow days, I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible engagement and flexibility demonstrated by both our students and staff during this short week.

Our teachers have been working diligently to keep students focused and engaged in their learning, making the most of every moment in the classroom. It has been wonderful to see students actively participating in meaningful discussions, collaborating on projects, and demonstrating perseverance as they catch up on missed learning. Their adaptability and positive attitudes continue to be truly inspiring!

As we approach the end of January, I’d like to take this opportunity to emphasize the importance of daily attendance. Regular attendance plays a key role in academic success, and we encourage students to be present and engaged every day. Additionally, we offer daily tutoring to support students with their learning. Tutoring is available by sign-up and provides an excellent opportunity to stay on track academically.

Please remember that our team is always here to support you and your child—whether it’s with academics, attendance, or any other needs. Thank you for your continued partnership in helping our students succeed.

Student Handbook / Manual del Estudiante

Student Code of Conduct / Código de Conducta

Website: https://ms.godwinschools.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GodwinMiddle

Wednesday, Jan. 29: Junior Achievement Visits; Assembly; Early Release (dismissal 1:10 PM)

Thursday, Jan 30: Athletic photos after school

Monday, Feb. 10: Board of Education Meeting

Wednesday, Feb 12: Count Day
Tuesday, Feb. 18: Early Release; Parent/Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, Feb. 19: Half Day; Parent/Teacher Conferences
Thursday, Feb. 20 - Friday, Feb. 21: No School, Mid-Winter Break
Monday, Feb. 24: Board of Education Meeting
Wednesday, Feb. 26: Early Release
Thursday, Feb. 27: Secondary Band Concert

Tuesday, April 14: PSAT for 8th Grade

Tuesday, April 22: MSTEP testing
Wednesday, April 23: Early Release; Health & Wellness Meeting

Thursday, April 24: MSTEP testing
Monday, April 28: Board of Education Meeting
Tuesday, April 29: District Art Show

Tuessday, May 6: 7th Grade Field Trip to 3 Mile

Wednesday, May 7: Early Release

Thursday, May 8: Math MAP

Friday, May 9: Youth Summit
Monday, May 12: Board of Education Meeting
Friday, May 23: Half Day
Monday, May 26: No School - Memorial Day
Wednesday, May 28: 8th Grade Farewell Night
Friday, May 30: Half Day for Students - Last Day of School

Godwin Heights Public Schools is committed to the safety of all students. We have policies in place to safeguard information and privacy. While we value the unique diversity within our school community, we understand that recent actions and rhetoric can elicit fear for many students and families. Should your child need academic or social-emotional support, please know our staff is here to help.

For families who may need additional support or have specific questions about immigration policies, we encourage you to connect with trusted local resources:

• Hispanic Center of West Michigan: (616) 742-0200 | hispanic-center.org
• Michigan Immigrant Rights Center: (734) 239-6863 | michiganimmigrant.org
• Refugee Education Center: (616) 247-9611 | refugeeeducationcenter.org
• Kent County Welcome Plan: kentcountynewamericans.org

At GHMS, we are proud to offer daily tutoring to help students thrive academically. Students are able to sign up daily during advisory or earlier. Parents will then recieve a notification by call, email, and text by 1 PM letting them know that their child has signed up. Any student who signs up for tutoring will be expected to attend. If you receive the tutoring message and do NOT want your child to stay after school, please contact the school office as soon as possible to remove them from the tutoring list.

Transportation is not provided at the end of tutoring. Please plan on picking up your child at 3:15 PM on regular school days, and 2 PM on Early Release days. Thank you!

If you have any questions about tutoring, please contact our Dean of Students, Mike Durga: durga@godwinschools.org

TEAM 21 Hours

Monday - Thursday: 2:30 PM - 5:20 PM

On early release days, dismissal is at 3:55 PM.

Contact Information

Serena Haas

Phone: 616-292-4111
Email: serena.haas@godwinschools.org
Office Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:15 PM (Best time to reach: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM)

Meagan Schaefer, RN, BSN

Godwin Heights District Nurse

Meagan.Schaefer@GodwinSchools.org

• Does your child have Diabetes, a Seizure diagnosis, Anaphylaxis, Sickle Cell, a mental health condition, limited mobility, food allergies, Asthma, a cardiovascular condition, an autoimmune condition, etc.? We need to know in order to keep your child safe while at school. Please email Meagan.Schaefer@GodwinSchools.org to ensure your child’s medical needs are met!
• You can look on Synergy to see if your child’s medical condition is up to date. If not, please reach out!

• Parent/Guardian needs to walk medication into the front office. Students CANNOT transport medications. Medications brought in by students without proper documentation will NOT be administered and a parent will need to complete the correct forms before medication can be given.
• Written parental and doctor’s permission for prescriptions & parental consent for over the counter medications (see attachments)

• Prescription medication must be in the original bottle with the current order on the label.
• Must indicate a time on the bottle OR a separate order is needed. Rx must be current.
• Over the counter medication must be in the manufacturer’s container and must be kept in the office for student to use as needed. Medication cannot be expired. A doctor’s order in not needed for over the counter meds.
• ONLY 9th-12th Grade Students may SELF-CARRY inhalers and EpiPen/AuviQ’s.

• Fever free for 24 hours without use of fever reducing medications before returning to school.
• Free of vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school.
• On antibiotics for 24 hours after taking the first dose of antibiotic for an infection.

Because of all the infectious germs around us, it is particularly important to practice good hand washing skills, avoid sharing drinks with each other, and aim to get at least 8-10 hours of sleep each night.

• Students need a Doctor's note explaining what restrictions are needed for school, such as an elevator pass, P.E. limitations, etc. The doctor's note should include an end date for restrictions. Provide this note to your school’s front office.
• A parent note is good for 1 P.E. class only.
• If your student needs a wheelchair, walker or any other assistive device for mobility, it will need to be provided from home.
• Concussions- Students MUST be cleared by a doctor BEFORE returning to SPORTS/ACTIVITIES. Please keep your coach informed. Cherry Health is available to help with concussions. Call 616-965-0435 for an appointment.

Athletic Director: Brandon Kimble (616) 252 -2054

Click here for a map of athletic locations.

If you have any questions, contact the coach:

Cassie Medina (616) 366-2678

cassie22chan@gmail.com

Godwin Heights Girls Varsity Basketball Coach

• Practice is usually from 2:45 PM to 4:45 PM, unless there is an early release or a snow day.

• Practices are held in the wrestling room, located in the high school. Use the skywalk to get across to the high school. Refer to the image for directions to the wrestling room if you're unfamiliar with its location.

Questions? Contact Coach Underhill

• Email: andrewunderhill48@gmail.com
• Phone: (616)-970-1523

Godwin Heights Public Schools proudly partners with Feeding America West Michigan which provide mobile food truck pantries to our school district once a month. These distributions are at 4:45 pm in front of the high school on these dates:

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

If you have your own bags, please bring them!

Front Office Email: susie.yoder@godwinschools.org

Español: dolores.perez@godwinschools.org

Location: 100 Wexford St SE, Wyoming, MI, USA
Phone: 616-252-2070