Tomorrow is Leap Day! In celebration of this "extra" day, we encourage everyone to wear something EXTRA, like a crown, hat, or tutu! Let's add a bit of fun and extra joy to our day! 🎉

Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm

Front Office Email: susie.yoder@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

Principal's Email: urbanski@godwinschools.org

Phone: 616-252-2070 x3008

I hope this newsletter finds you well. I'm excited to share some highlights from the past week at Godwin Heights Middle School, where learning and growth are thriving!

1. Middle School Dance: Our students had a blast at the Middle School Dance last week, showcasing their creativity, positive energy, and fantastic dance moves. It was a joyous celebration of our vibrant school community.

2. 6th Graders Multicultural Fair: The 6th graders put together an impressive Multicultural Fair, sharing diverse traditions, customs, and cuisines. It was a fantastic opportunity for students to learn from one another and appreciate the richness of cultures within our school.

3. Winter Season 2 Sports Wrap-Up: As we wrap up the Winter Season 2 sports, we applaud the dedication and sportsmanship displayed by our student-athletes. Congratulations to all teams for their hard work and achievements.

4. Looking Forward to Solid Learning: With the month leading up to Spring Break, I'm excited about the upcoming learning opportunities. Our dedicated teachers have engaging lessons and activities planned, ensuring a solid academic experience for your children.

I appreciate your ongoing support in fostering a positive and enriching environment at GHMS. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out.

Our lost and found is overflowing! Coats currently in lost and found must be picked up by Friday or they will be donated and/or discarded. We no longer have a location to maintain them as they continue to increase in the building.

Check the bins outside the cafeteria for your missing items. Valuables, like keys, money, glasses, rings, etc are kept in the office.

Click here for a link to the full district calendar.

February

2/28 Away Girls Basketball Game vs. Comstock Park

2/29 Latin X Youth Conference

March

3/1: GVSU - Girls of Color Summit

3/6: Early Release - 1:10 PM; Band Concert

3/7: MSBOA Band Festival

3/20: Early Release - 1:10 PM

3/27: Early Release/PTC - 1:10 PM; 8th Grade Field Trip - MiCareer Quest

3/28: Half Day/PTC - 11:15 AM

3/29: No School

April

4/1-5: No School

4/10: Softball Practice

4/15: TRIP Field Trip; Track Away Meet @ Sparta Middle

4/16: Boys Baseball Away Game vs. Lee Middle

4/17: Early Release - 1:10 PM; Girls Soccer Home Game vs. GRPS 1; Track Away Meet @ Hopkins Middle

4/18: Boys Baseball Home Game vs. Zion Christian

4/19: Girls Soccer Away Game vs. Kent City

4/22: Boys Baseball Away Game vs Potter's House; Girls Soccer Home Game vs. GRPS 3; Track Away Meet vs/ Sparta Middle

4/23: Boys Baseball Away Game vs Tri-Unity Christian; GHPS Health & Wellness Committee Meeting - 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM

4/24: Girls Soccer Home Game vs. Kelloggsville Middle

4/29: Girls Soccer Away Game vs. GRPS 2; Track Home Meet vs. Belding Middle

4/30: Boys Baseball Away Game vs. NorthPointe Christian

May

5/1: Early Release - 1:10 PM; Guskus Spring Athletic Pictures; Girls Soccer Home Game vs. NorthPointe Christian

5/2: 7th Grade Field Trip to 3 Mile Project; Boys Baseball Home Game vs. Lee Middle

5/4: Softball Home Game vs Lee Middle

5/6: Girls Soccer Away Game vs. Hopkins Middle; Track Home Meet vs. Comstock Park

5/7: Boys Baseball Away Game vs. Zion Christian

5/8: Girls Soccer Away Game vs. GRPS 1

5/9: 6th Grade Pinery Park Groundswell Project; Boys Baseball Home Game vs. Tri-Unity Christian

5/10: Youth Summit

5/11: Softball Home Game vs. Lee Middle

5/13: Girls Soccer Home Game vs. Kent City

5/14: Boys Baseball Home Game vs. Potter's House

5/15 Girls Soccer Away Game vs. GRPS 3

5/16: 6th Grade Field Trip to Yankee Springs Rec Area; Boys Baseball Home Game vs. NorthPointe Christian; Softball Away Game vs. Lee Middle

5/17: Move-Up Day

5/20: Girls Soccer Away Game vs. Kelloggsville Middle

5/22: Early Release - 1:10 PM; Girls Soccer Home Game vs. GRPS 2; 8th Gd Farewell Night

5/24: Half Day - 11:15 AM

5/27: No School

5/29: 8th Gd Michigan Adventure Trip

5/31: Half Day, Last Day of School - 11:15 AM

During the months of February and March, English Language students will be taking the WIDA test. This test measures growth in English Language proficiency in the areas of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. If your child is in the EL Program atGHMS, they will be taking this test. Please talk with your child and encourage them to do their very best. Also, be sure they are getting their proper rest. Feel free to reach out to your child's EL teacher or the main office to find out which days your child will be testing.

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 27, and Thursday, March 28th for Parent Teacher Conferences! More details to come.

Did you know? Missing just 2 days a month can impact your child's proficiency in school. Chronic absenteeism affects math & reading skills, with only 1 in 4 becoming proficient in math by 8th grade. Low-income & African-American students face even greater challenges, with just a 10% and 3% chance of proficiency, respectively, if chronically absent. Our district is dedicated to addressing this issue through initiatives like the Strive for Less Than 5 campaign, encouraging fewer than five absences a year for student success!

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.

If you've moved recently, please update your address with the school office. You can easily do this by emailing a picture to susie.yoder@godwinschools.org or bringing in person a utility bill or any official document confirming your current address.

Having your most up-to-date information helps us deliver important updates to you and ensures a smooth enrollment process for your children in the upcoming school year. Thank you!

When your child is sick, it’s important to know when they should stay home from school. If they have a contagious virus or disease, keep them home. This will help them get better faster and keep their teachers and classmates from getting sick.

Talk to your child’s doctor or health care provider if you are unsure if they should stay home from school. 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.

If your child has a fever, they must stay home from school until they have been FEVER-FREE for 24 hours WITHOUT medication! Thank you!

Sickness is rampant this time of year. Please be aware that for the safety of our students, all medications must be stored in the main office. This includes medicated cough drops, pain relivers, etc.

For over-the-counter medications to be kept and administered at school, we require a parent signature. Prescribed medications must have both a physician's signature and a parent's signature for administration. Thank you for your cooperation.

Quick Facts:

• If students have a fever, vomiting or diarrhea, they are asked to go home.

• If students or staff are COVID positive and asymptomatic or well enough to return to school (No fever for 24 hours), a well-fitting mask is encouraged. Nothing is required.

• If your child tests positive, please notify the building office. We are still required by health code to report positive cases as a communicable disease.

We have free COVID tests in the office, available for all interested staff and parents.

Cherry Street Dental have been on site at GHMS. Cherry Street Dental is performing dental cleanings on students who have opted in for services. If you have any questions, please contact the office.

Exciting news! Hand2Hand signup is back for the 2nd semester at Godwin Heights Middle School. If your family could benefit from weekend food assistance, CLICK HERE to sign up.

How it works:

• Free and confidential participation.
• At the end of the week students who are signed up for the program will receive a minimum of 10 food items from the Hand2Hand pantry located on the school campus. These food items will be a combination of breakfast, snacks, lunch and/or dinner items. While the food items are meant for the student, they can be shared among the family as well. (Please note: if your student or another family member has food allergies it will be the responsibility of the parent/guardian to check the food your student brings home each week to ensure the food doesn’t contain ingredients which could cause an allergic reaction).

To learn more about Hand2Hand, please visit their website: http://h2hkids.org.

Godwin Heights Public Schools has a proud partnership with Feeding America West Michigan. They provide mobile food truck pantries to our school district once a month.

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 Wednesdays! Same time, same place, 4:45 pm in front of the high school, just one day later each month. Here is the schedule for the rest of the year:

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Wednesday, August 7, 2024

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

If you have your own bags, please bring them!

Please see the attached flyer with details about the American Red Cross of West Michigan's Home Fire Campaign for those in need of free smoke alarms. Those that request smoke alarms will have them installed by a Red Cross volunteer based on the client's availability. Smoke alarms and an emergency evacuation plan for the residents of the household will be provided. The installation is scheduled for Saturday April 20 and it’s for residents of Wyoming and preregistration is required. Home Fire Safety | Michigan Region | American Red Cross

Click here to place your order or scan the QR code below. Don't miss out on the memories!

Click the link for all athletic information: https://ghathletics.com/

The middle school team works hard to ensure your child is safe, learning, and a valued member of our building. If you'd like to commend a staff member for their exceptional work, please click here to complete this form. We look forward to sharing your positive messages with staff and our families alike.

As a Title One school, our building receives funding from the federal government to support instruction. In order to receive that funding, we must communicate specific information with our families. Linked below is a letter letting you know that, at any time, you may request information about the qualifications of the staff working in our building. If you have any questions regarding this process, please do not hesitate to reach out to our State and Federal Programs Director, Mary Lang. She can be reached via email at lang@godwinschools.org or by phone at 616-252-2030.