Steve Minard, Principal

Kristi Bast, Secretary

Telephone (616) 252-2010 and Fax (616) 252-2011

Parents and Guardians,

Each day our students are OUTSIDE for up to 15 minutes (earliest drop off is 8:00 AM and the starting bell rings at 8:15 AM) in the morning, during lunch recess for 15 minutes, and for a short extra afternoon recess, UNLESS:

1. It is raining

2. Our school area is under a thunderstorm or tornado warning

3. The temperature is below 16 degrees

4. The wind chill is below zero

5. A student has a medical note for exclusion from a physician

In order for a student to be exempt from outdoor recess on any given day, we MUST HAVE A NOTE FROM A PHYSICIAN on file stating the reason, temperature threshold for staying indoors, and/or the duration of the exemption (dates).

Parents, please be sure that your student is properly dressed for outdoor weather EVERY DAY. This includes a warm, waterproof coat, snow pants, gloves, hats, and boots. If you need help securing any of these items, please call the school office, or email Mrs. Bast at: bast@godwinschools.org

Godwin Heights Athletics is holding a Girls Basketball Youth Development Camp for grades 3rd through 8th. Their goal is to help young female athletes build a strong foundation in basketball while having fun in high-energy environment. Focus will be on the basics. Students will work together to grow their skills and love for basketball.

Cost: $20.00

Start Date: Saturday, November 23, 2024

End Date: Saturday, December 21, 2024

3rd - 5th: 11:00 AM - 12:00 NOON

6th - 8th: 12:00 NOON - 1:15 PM

The Cherry Street Dental Hygiene team will begin servicing North Godwin students on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. They will be in our building for several weeks, possibly until the holiday break, or shortly thereafter, depending upon how many students they can service per day. Families that elected for Cherry Street Dental Services during enrollment will have their insurance information reviewed to determine whether or not their child will be on the patient list.

If you have any specific questions about Cherry Street Dental Services, please contact:

Aubrey Warfield, Manager of School Programs

Ferguson Dental / Cherry Street Health

101 Sheldon Blvd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

616.776-2345

aubreywarfield@cherryhealth.com

Get in the holiday spirit!

Monday, December 16: Holiday Colorful Gear, wear holidays colors (red, green, gold, silver, etc).

Tuesday, December 17: Deck the Halls, wear your hippest holiday shirt or sweater.

Wednesday, December 18: Head to toe Holiday Fun, wear your holiday socks, hats, necklaces, etc.

Thursday, December 19: Holiday Character Day, dress as your favorite holiday character!

Friday, December 20: The Polar Express, wear your pajamas to school!

Hello North Godwin Families!

My name is Lindsey Summers, and I am the site liaison for our Girls on the Run team here at North Godwin. We are currently looking for 1-2 volunteer coaches for our team this spring. Practices will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school from 3:15 PM until 5:00 PM. Practices will start the week of February 24th through May 17th, 2025. Coaches must be 18 years of age, but it does not matter if they are related to the student. As an added bonus, your girl will receive 30% of her registration fee for the program. If you are interested in joining our team, please reach out to me by email at: lindsey.summers@godwinschools.org.

Lindsey Summers

What: Wolverine Winterfest

Activities: Raffles, Photo Booth, Games, Prizes, and Live Screen Printing

Date: Thursday, December 12, 2024

Time: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM

Where: Godwin Heights Physical Education Building (HIGH SCHOOL)

North Godwin Elementary is hosting an after-school Bible Club for interested students. It is held every Tuesday from 3:15 PM to 4:45 PM in classroom #12 at North Godwin. Transportation is not provided for this club. Students who choose to attend will need to be picked up by a parent promptly at 4:45 PM. To register, visit: https://www.mibibleclubs.org/

Thank you!

The 18th annual South Kent Santa parade will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. the parade starts at the 34th Street Mall, which is located at 3375 Division Avenue South and travels southward. It ends at 4157 Division Avenue South. We hope to see you there!

Celebrate the holidays at the Wyoming Public Library!

We are located at: 3350 Michael Ave SW, Wyoming, MI 49509. Telephone # (616) 784-2007

We have many free events for families this month including:

December 05, 2024 -- 4:00 PM-5:00 PM - Meet the Reindeer

December 12, 2024 -- 4:00 PM-5:00 PM - Christmas Crafts

December 16, 2024 -- 6:00 PM-7:00 PM - Meet the Sled Dogs

December 19, 2024 -- 4:00 PM-5:00 PM - Make a Gingerbread House

December 31, 2024 -- 11:30 AM - Happy NOON Year Eve Party!

Please join us!

The Kent County Health Department (KCHD) is alerting residents to a rise in whooping cough, also known as pertussis, cases in Michigan. Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial infection that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. While it can affect anyone, babies and people with chronic illnesses are at the greatest risk for severe complications.

The attached letter, linked in both English and Spanish, may be beneficial for families that would like to learn more about this infection.

Our next EARLY DISMISSAL will be on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. Parent pick-up begins at 1:30 PM. Buses depart when the final bell rings at 1:45 PM. Please plan accordingly!

Half Day of School on Friday, December 20, 2024

Parent pick-up begins at 11:30 AM; Buses Depart when the Final Bell rings at 11:45 AM

No School

Monday, December 23, 2024 through Friday, January 3, 2025

Classes Resume on Monday, January 6, 2025

Please remind your students to check the Lost & Found bins, located in the main lobby. Our bins are overflowing with misplaced items. Thank you!

At North Godwin Elementary, our entire school, staff included, is part of one of our 5 HOUSE TEAMS, Earth, Water, Fire, Wind and Space! Students are assigned to a team in 3rd grade and stay on that team for their entire 3 years at North Godwin. New students in all grades are assigned to teams after they enroll.

House teams in schools are a fun, positive way to build stronger relationships among students, faculty, and staff. By setting up houses that include students from all grade levels, we enable students and staff to make investments in each other and share powerful moments together. House teams in schools also:

• Make large schools feel smaller
• Create stronger peer connections
• Cultivate a sense of belonging
• Improve school culture and climate
• Enable organic character education
• Foster faculty, staff, and student ownership
• Promote positive relationships
• Instill a sense of school pride
• Help reduce behavior issues
• Increase academic achievement

ALL STUDENT ABSENCES MUST BE REPORTED TO THE NORTH GODWIN OFFICE!

IMPORTANT PARENT REMINDER!

All absences must be called in to the school office each day at 616-252-2010! OR, emailed to Mrs. Bast: bast@godwinschools.org.

Absences not reported to the office will be recorded as UNexcused.

The Literacy Center of West Michigan is offering FREE classes for North Godwin Elementary parents who wish to learn English as a second language. Classes are held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Mondays and Wednesdays. Free childcare is available. Please call McKenna at 616-551-4553 to register.

Our Feeding America truck distributions will be once a month on WEDNESDAYS! Food trucks start at 4:45 pm in front of the high school. If you have your own bags, you are encouraged to bring them!

Here is the schedule for the rest of the year:

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g8jzgNQfqROOPszZhYNwk0miwI-4m9JS/view?usp=drive_link

December 18 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM

December 20 ~ 1/2 day of school Dismissal at @ 11:45 AM

December 23 - December 31 ~ No School HOLIDAY BREAK

January 1 - 3 ~ No School HOLIDAY BREAK

January 6 -- FIRST DAY BACK TO SCHOOL AFTER HOLIDAY BREAK

January 15 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM

January 20 ~ No School

January 29 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM

February 18 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM Spring P/T Conferences

February 19 ~ 1/2 day of school -- Dismissal at 11:45 AM for MID-WINTER BREAK

February 20 ~ No School MID WINTER BREAK

February 21 ~ No School MID WINTER BREAK

February 26 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM

March 12 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM

March 26 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM

April 3 ~ 1/2 day of school -- Dismissal at 11:45 AM

April 4 ~ No School SPRING BREAK

April 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11 ~ No School SPRING BREAK

April 23 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM

May 7 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM

May 21 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM

May 23 ~ 1/2 day of school -- Dismissal at 11:45 AM MEMORIAL WEEKEND

May 26 ~ No School -- MEMORIAL DAY

May 30 ~ 1/2 DAY OF SCHOOL -- DISMISSAL AT 11:45 AM -- LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

We are excited to announce that construction is complete on the new Cherry Health School Based Health Center located independently at Godwin Heights High School. The entrance to the clinic is on 36th Street near the main doors to Godwin's PEB sports complex. Anyone wishing to receive services at the clinic must enter through the Cherry Street School-Based Health Center doors, as the public will not be able to access the clinic through the high school.

This is a WONDERFUL addition to our Godwin community. All Godwin Heights students ages 5-21, enrolled in the district, are able to receive health services, regardless of their ability to pay. The clinic will also take appointments for any members of the Godwin community by appointment, or walk-in (as available).

The medical services being offered at the Cherry Health School-Based Clinic incude:

Sports Physicals

Wellness Exams

Vaccinations

Injuries

Illness

Prescribed medications, like antibiotics

Test for common viruses and bacterial infections like strep throat, ear infections, and COVID-19

Mental Health Services

Confidential testing for sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, and more!

If you have further questions about utilizing these services being offered in our Godwin Heights community, call 616-965-0435.

The clinic is open from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM every TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY and FRIDAY!

As a public school, we are held accountable to public school laws that govern attendance. The Kent Intermediate School District oversees all public schools in Kent County to be sure that all are operating under the laws and of the Michigan Department of Education.

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 is home to Godwin Heights Public Schools’ 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders!

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/