Wolverine Weekly
Monday, September 16 - Friday, September 20
Principal's Email: urbanski@godwinschools.org
Phone: 616-252-2070 x3008
Principal's Corner
We continue to be off to a great start! Here are some of the highlights from the week:
NWEA Testing Update:
We have successfully completed our Fall NWEA testing, with only a few make-ups left to go. I am incredibly proud of our students for showing perseverance and dedication throughout the testing process. The learning environment we’ve created together is truly supporting our students' success, and it shows in their efforts.
Lockers:
Our students are doing a great job managing their lockers, and it’s wonderful to see the organization skills in action!
Grade Monitoring:
With more assignments and assessments being entered into grade books, I encourage all parents and guardians to regularly check in with their students regarding grades. Staying engaged and informed will help support our students as they continue to work hard this semester.
Fall Sports and Activities:
Our Fall sports season is in full swing, and it’s been exciting to watch our students compete on the courts. In addition, several of our clubs will be starting up this coming week, providing even more opportunities for students to get involved.
Upcoming Events:
Mark your calendars for our 6-12 STEM Night on September 24! It’s going to be an exciting evening showcasing our students' interests in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in making this year a success!
GHMS School Calendar
September
Tuesday, Sept 17: 8th Grade Tech Talent Showcase field trip @ KCTC
Tuesday, Sept 24: STEM Night @ HS
Wednesday, Sept 25: Early Release (1:10 PM Dismissal)
Monday, Sept 30: Picture Retakes; Athletic Team Photos
October
Wednesday, Oct 9: Early Release (1:10 PM Dismissal)
Thursday, Oct 17: Early Release (1:10 PM Dismissal), Parent Teacher Conferences
Friday, Oct 18: Half Day (11:15 AM Dismissal), Parent Teacher Conferences; End of 1st Marking Period
Wednesday, Oct 30: Early Release (1:10 PM Dismissal)
November
Wednesday, Nov 13: Early Release (1:10 PM Dismissal)
Wednesday, Nov 20: Early Release (1:10 PM Dismissal)
Wednesday, Nov 27 - Friday, Nov 29: No School
December
Wednesday, Dec 18: Early Release (1:10 PM Dismissal)
Friday, Dec 20: Half Day (11:15 AM Dismissal); End of 1st Semester
December 23 - January 3: No School
Upcoming Events
8th Grade Field Trip 9/17
Godwin Heights Middle School will be taking the 8th grade class to KCTC on Tuesday, September 17th to explore careers in technology. Opt-out forms were sent home two weeks ago. If you do NOT want your child to attend, call the office as soon as possible.
This field trip is a great opportunity for our students to get to see KCTC firsthand, as they may take classes there during their junior or senior years of high school.
"TalentFirst has been partnering with the Right Place on a Tech Showcase that will take place during Tech Week Grand Rapids. Tech Week Grand Rapids is a multi-day collection of events designed to showcase the region's vibrant tech community. The Tech Showcase is on Tuesday, September 17th at the Kent Career Technical Center and the purpose is to expose middle school students to careers in technology. There will be several companies displaying hands-on exhibits, in a similar format as the MiCareerQuest, just smaller and focused on Tech."
Website: https://www.techweekgr.com/events/student-tech-showcase
STEM Family Night 9/24
Please join us with your student(s) for a night of fun, engaging science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) activities! On Tuesday, September 24, from 6:00pm to 7:30pm, come to the HS Collaboration Center for a variety of hands-on experiences. Enjoy activities such as computer coding, participating in Mini Metric Olympics, interacting with robots, creating Hexagon Kaleidocycles, and more. It’s an evening filled with exploration and learning that you won’t want to miss!
Picture Retake Day 9/30
Don't miss Picture Retake Day on Monday, September 30th! Students will have another chance to get their photo taken for the yearbook and official school ID. Families can preorder photos online at geskusphoto.com/fallorders using code 273EXHHNVCXKX.
School News
Physical Education Update
Students in Physical Education at Godwin Heights Middle School have been busy this school year evaluating their health related fitness components. Students have been using the Fitness Gram evaluation system to assess their health in cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, and body composition. Students will learn to read their results, set goals, and create a plan to reach their goals this year in Physical Education. Please help remind your student to remember appropriate shoes and clothes to wear in PE for participation.
Looking for fitness fun. Follow the Physical Education Health September Calendar:
Get Involved: Middle School Green Club Starts Soon!
The Middle School Green Club is now accepting sign-ups for this year! This environmental club focuses on exciting projects throughout the year, including growing plants, raising salmon, working on watersheds, and enjoying various outdoor activities. If your student is interested in making a difference and loves outdoor work, this is the perfect club for them. Sign-up forms are available from Mr. Mull in room 225. The first meeting will be on Tuesday, September 17th, and will run until 3:30 PM. We look forward to a great year of environmental activities and projects!
Join the GET-IT Club: Girls Empowered in Technology!
The GET-IT Club is offering an exciting opportunity for female students to dive into hands-on technology education and sharpen their skills in app design. This year’s focus will be on creating mobile applications, with the chance to explore coding, web design, robotics, and more! The club meets on Mondays from 2:35 PM to 3:35 PM in Mrs. Mardis’s class, Room 218. Families will need to arrange transportation home. Don’t miss out on this chance to build community, solve real-world problems, and make your mark in the tech world. See Mrs. Mardis to sign up!
After School Tutoring Information
Tutoring is available right after school until 3:15 PM on regular school days. On Early Release Days, tutoring runs from dismissal until 2:00 PM.
How to Sign Up:
- Students can sign up for tutoring during their advisory period.
- You may call the office to request your student to stay after.
Please note, only students who are signed up will be able to attend tutoring, and if they sign up, they are expected to stay.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Mr. Durga at durga@godwinschools.org.
Weekend Food Assistance
At Godwin Heights Middle School, we partner with Hand2Hand to provide weekend food for our students in need. This food includes: granola bars, cereal, milk, yogurt, noodles, canned soup, etc. If you are interested in signing up for this program, please click here to fill out this link and we will add you to our list.
Once on this list, your student should expect to pick up food at the end of every week from Mr. Rodriguez, our KSSN Coordinator. It is imperative that your student pick up food every week of the program (unless absent). We have limited slots and want to ensure that we are utilizing this program to the best of its ability and serving as many families as possible. Thank you!
TEAM 21
Thank you for your interest in the TEAM 21 after-school program! All spots are currently full, but you may still submit an application to be placed on the waitlist. You can download the application below or have your child stop by the office to pick one up. The TEAM 21 coordinator will contact you only if a spot becomes available.
TEAM 21 Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM
On early release days, dismissal will be at 3:55 PM.
TRIO Accepting Applications
The TRIO Educational Talent Search program of Grand Valley State University is currently accepting new 6th-12th grade scholars at Godwin Middle School and Godwin High School.
This FREE program assists scholars by providing workshops and individual meetings at their school on college-going topics, career exploration, financial literacy, college visits, study skills, financial aid awareness, assistance with completing financial aid applications, field trips, summer programming and more! The program is grant funded through the United States Department of Education. First priority for admission goes to scholars who meet federal low-income eligibility guidelines and those who would be the first in their family to attend college. Our application form is available in both English and Spanish.
To see eligibility details and to apply, visit: https://www.gvsu.edu/ets/how-to-join-22.htm
Attendance
How to Report an Absence
If your child will miss school for any reason, please either email our attendance administrative assistant Ms. Perez at dolores.perez@godwinschools.org or dial the school number (616) 252-2070 and press "2" to leave a message on our attendance line. In your message please include your relationship to the student, the student's name, the date(s) they will be absent, and the reason for their absence.
If your child attended an appointment, please have your child bring a note from the doctors office to the middle school office to excuse their absence.
Click here to learn more about our attendance policy. Thanks for helping us keep our awesome students safe & accounted for!
All Things Health & Medicine
Click here to meet our nurse and learn more about health and wellness at Godwin Heights Middle School.
Should My Child Stay Home?
As a general rule, your child should not go to school if they have:
- A fever over 100.4° Fahrenheit (F) or 38° Celsius (C) – Your child can return to school after they’ve been fever-free for 24 hours without antipyretics. Antipyretics are medicines that treat or prevent fever.
- Signs they are weak and tired. This is common with the flu.
- Diarrhea – Having loose poop (stool) more often that isn’t caused by a change in diet.
- Throwing up (vomiting) – More than 2 times in a 24-hour period.
- Coughing that disrupts normal activity.
- Wheezing or get short of breath.
- Pain from earache, headache, sore throat, or recent injury.
- Yellow or green drainage from the eye(s).
- A new rash – Not all rashes mean your child must stay home from school. Check with their doctor or health care provider.
Cherry Health Clinic at Godwin Schools
Godwin students may use this clinic free of cost. Please call 616-965-0435 to make an appointment.
Athletics
Click the link for all athletic information: https://ghathletics.com/
Click here for a map of athletic locations.
Athletic Director: Brandon Kimble (616) 252 -2054
Volleyball
Practice is held Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays from 3 PM - 4:30 PM. All home games will be played at the HS Gym.
Contact the coach if you have questions:
7th Grade - Mia Panella mia.panella@godwinschools.org
8th Grade - Airyanna Munguia airyannamunguia2@gmail.com
Cross Country
Practice is 3 PM -4:15 PM Monday through Friday.
Contact the coach if you have questions:
Coach: Nick Blaskowski
nick.blaskowski@godwinschools.org
231-818-1343
MS Boys Soccer
Practices are from 3:30 PM -5 PM Monday through Thursday, with exceptions for games & weather.
Contact the coach if you have questions:
Coach: Reese Stuart reese.stuart@godwinschools.org
MS Football
Practice started Wednesday, August 21 3-4:30
Contact the coach if you have questions:
Coach: David Drake drake@godwinschools.org
Community Resources
Kent District Library Writing Contest
There are three categories, Youth, Teen, and Adult and each category has three cash prizes of up to $500. You can find more info here.
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, October 9, 2024
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
If you have your own bags, please bring them!
Girls in Aviation Day 9/21
Join us for the Girls in Aviation Day Event hosted by the Women in Aviation Great Lakes Chapter on September 21st from 11 AM to 3 PM at Avflight - Grand Rapids Airport. Geared for girls ages 7-18, this event aims to inspire youth to explore opportunities in the aerospace industry. Highlights include static aircraft displays, airfield tours, aviation-themed activities, and more.
Shop for Godwin Heights Gear
Contact Us
Front Office Email: susie.yoder@godwinschools.org
Español: dolores.perez@godwinschools.org
Location: 100 Wexford St SE, Wyoming, MI, USA
Phone: 616-252-2070
Website: https://ms.godwinschools.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GodwinMiddle