Steve Minard, Principal

Kristi Bast, Secretary

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

In observance of the Labor Day Weekend there will be NO SCHOOL on Friday, August 30, 2024 and Monday, September 2, 2024.

Enjoy the long "last weekend of summer" as you celebrate the social and economic achievements of American workers.

SCHOOL HOURS

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 dismissal 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

Geskus Photography will be on site at North Godwin Elementary for School Picture Day on Friday, September 6, 2024. Order packets will go home with students about 1 week before the big day.

Your student's pictures will arrive approximately 3 weeks after our School Picture Day.

TIPS for GREAT PHOTOS:

Plan out your child's outfit. Look through clothes and think about which outfits look best on your child. Think about what colors look best on them. Make sure to stay away from busy patterns, white, bright colors, and clothing with words or big logos.

Keep accessories simple. Big earrings, watches, bracelets, necklaces, scarves, or other accessories will distract from your child's face and smile.

North Godwin's tradition of hosting Principal's Coffees for our parents and guardians will kick off this year on Friday, September 13, 2024. The event is held from 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM in the North Godwin cafeteria. Parents are invited join our Principal, Steve Minard, and our Instructional Specialists, Karen Baum and Kelly Compher, for coffee and donuts. At each event, select students will be honored for their contributions to our PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports), a school-wide framework that aims to create a safe and effective learning environment for all students by establishing a positive culture and individualized behavior supports.

Parents and Guardians will have an opportunity to ask questions. This is a great way to connect with your child's school. At North Godwin, our goal is to strengthen the bridge between school and home. We hope to see you there!

Principal

Mr. Steve Minard

Administrative Secretary

Mrs. Kristi Bast

Instructional Specialists

Mrs. Karen Baum

Mrs. Kelly Compher

Youth Development Coordinator

Mr. Keontre Miskel

ASD

Miss Amber VandenBosch

Mrs. Jessica Worm

3rd Grade

Mrs. Sarah David

Mrs. Abby Derry

Mrs. Jennifer Huver

Mrs. Traci Krepps

Mrs. Angela Winer

4th Grade

Mrs. Abby Anderson

Mr. Matt Jen

Mrs. Beth Richardson

Mrs. Kim Tidey

Mrs. Diane VanderMeulen

5th Grade

Mrs. Tracy Hill

Mrs. Jessica Lossing

Ms. Jen Meyers

Miss Meghan Shannon

Mrs. Emily Whelan

Special Education

Ms. Lindsay Bowen

Mrs. Julie Friel

Mrs. Amanda Lamos

ELL

Mrs. Mindy Lange

Art Teacher

Ms. Dawn Soblesky

Library Teacher

Mrs. Hayley Carlisle

Music Teacher

Mrs. Christine Jenkins

Physical Education Teacher

new Physical Education Teacher coming soon!

Multi-Tiered System Specialist

Mrs. Charity Harrison

Social Workers

Mrs. Kaleigh Salata

Mrs. Maddy Mullane

Speech-Language Pathologists

Ms. Rachel Fetterhoff, 3rd, 4th, and 5th

Mrs. Jenna Snyder, ASD

Occupational Therapist

Mrs. Katie Burpee

Paraprofessionals

Miss Kerry Berres, Reading

Ms. Lindsay Geerling, ASD

Mrs. Pam Griggs, Special Education

Miss Monica Hernandez, ELL

Ms. Gigi Johnson, Reading

Mrs. Neredia Martinez, ELL

Miss Talisha McCullough, Special Education

Mrs. Grace Pointer, Reading

Mrs. Jessica Silva, ELL

Miss Davia Speight, ASD

Miss Lindsey Summers, Reading

Ms. Maria "Ivy" Vasquez, ASD

Mrs. Cindi Visco, Special Education

Miss Trista Werkema, Special Education 1:1

Mrs. Hafsa Younef, ASD

Custodians

Mr. Gary Wolters (Days)

Mr. Kevin Kimbrell (Evenings)

Mr. James Collins (Evenings)

Food Service

Ms. Peggy Bentley

Mrs. Fran Skeel (Lead Cook)

Mrs.Tara Sova

Edustaff Premier Substitutes

Miss Emily Dean

Miss Samantha Sebright

T.E.A.M 21 Program Coordinator

Miss Emma Colon

T.E.A.M 21 Group Leaders

Mrs. Ida Cabrera

additional group leaders coming soon!

KSSN Community School Coordinator

Mrs. Carolina Diaz

KSSN Clinician

new KSSN Clinician coming soon!

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:

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Wednesday, December 11. 2024

School bus transportation (to and from school) is available to all resident students who reside within the Godwin Heights Public Schools district boundaries.

Bus routes/stops for the 2024-2025 school year are finalized.

WEST GODWIN and NORTH GODWIN ELEMENTARY AM ROUTES / BUS STOPS:

https://4.files.edl.io/097d/08/13/24/114726-778f3163-c15a-496f-996e-2c4e83664e22.pdf

WEST GODWIN and NORTH GODWIN ELEMENTARY PM ROUTES / BUS STOPS:

https://4.files.edl.io/75b0/08/13/24/123405-d7da5507-c06f-4e9f-a122-4892d50c0854.pdf

Godwin Heights Public Schools' Transportation Department would like to welcome you and your child to an exciting new experience. Transportation is provided to those students that reside within the district boundaries.

Parent responsibilities

1. Assure your child arrives at the correct bus stop 5 minutes before the bus arrival time ready to board and not waiting in a vehicle.
2. Assure your child reaches the bus stop safely.
3. Accept joint responsibility with school authorities for proper conduct of your child while riding the bus.
4. Make sure that students are dressed for the weather while waiting at the bus stop.
5. Explain to your child that on occasion a bus may take a different route than what they are used to and they should not be upset. They will arrive at their correct bus stop or school.

Proper behavior while riding the bus

1. Students will be seated as directed by the driver and may be assigned a seat.
2. Students need to be seated quickly upon entering the bus.
3. Students are expected to sit three in a seat, when required.
4. Students are to remain in their seats while the bus is moving. Switching of seats can only occur with the permission of the driver.
5. Students should only bring items aboard the bus that they can hold in their lap.
6. Items not allowed in school are not allowed on the bus. This includes skateboards and rollerblades.
7. Students are to keep emergency exits clear at all times.
8. Students should not use foul or inappropriate language.
9. Yelling, loud voices or horseplay is not permitted on the bus.
10. Eating or drinking on the bus is not permitted.
11. Students should help keep the bus clean by putting all trash in the trash can.
12. Students can only get on and off at their designated bus stops.
13. Students should remain seated until the bus has stopped at their bus stop.
14. Students are not to be talking on their cell phones while riding on the bus.

Bus riding rules

1. Students are to follow the directions of the driver or aide.
2. Students should keep their body, language, and property to themselves.
3. For safety reasons, students need to sit facing forward with their backs against the seat and their legs facing forward.
4. Students should use proper classroom behavior on the bus which includes talking in a quiet voice.
5. Students are to remain in their seats until they arrive at their bus stop.

Bus stop rules

1. For the safety of all students, students are required to be at their designated bus stop 5 minutes before the scheduled pick up time. Students should be ready to load the bus and not waiting in vehicles when the bus arrives.
2. Students that are required to cross the road to get on or off the bus shall do so in front of the bus for their safety.
3. Students are not allowed to go to another bus stop if they are late for the bus. Parents need to take them to school.
4. Students shall be respectful of the surrounding property, such as mailboxes, grass or landscaping at the stop while waiting for the bus and leave the bus stop location clean of any litter.

At North Godwin Elementary we are fortunate to have secured a special grant that allows ALL OF OUR STUDENTS to EAT FREE!

All GHPS buildings participate in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs called the Community Eligibility Program(CEP). All enrolled students are eligible to receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at school at no charge to your household each day of the 2024-2025 school year. Your student/s will be able to participate in these meal programs without having to pay a fee or submit a meal application.

______________________________________________________________________

BREAKFAST

Each morning at the first bell, students will enter their classrooms from the playground. Breakfast options and milk will be on their desk!

LUNCH

Our North Godwin lunch schedule is as follows:

3rd Grade: 11:00 AM - 11:35 AM

4th Grade: 11:40 AM - 12:15 PM

5th Grade: 12:20 PM - 12:55 PM

Each day there is at least one hot menu item and one cold menu item offered, along with a fruit/salad bar and choice of chocolate or white milk.

Here is a link to our monthly breakfast and lunch menus that will be updated once school starts: https://godwinschools.nutrislice.com/menus-eula

Our Godwin Heights Food Service Department considers it a privilege to be charged with the nutritional care of your student, a responsibility that is taken very seriously. If your child has a food allergy or restriction, please be sure that you have noted it as a health condition in PARENTVUE, or report it to the school office before August 19, 2024 when school starts. Thank you!

Jamie Schumaker - Director of Dining Services

Email: jamie.schumaker@godwinschools.org

Phone: 616.252.2077

ALL student medications must be cleared through the school office with appropriate medical paperwork on file. Parents may not send students to school with prescription or non-prescription medications unless the appropriate paperwork has been submitted to the school office.

Emergency Medications

It is necessary to have the proper Godwin Heights Public Schools paperwork completed for any emergency medication housed at school. Links to the forms that must be completed by a physician and signed by a parent are listed below. All completed forms must be accompanied by an emergency action plan (obtained by a physician), as well as the medication in the original pharmacy packaging with the student name on pharmacy label

Daily Rx Medications

In those circumstances where a student must take prescribed medication at lunch during the school day, the following guidelines are to be observed:

1. Parents should, with their physician’s counsel, determine whether the medication schedule can be adjusted to avoid administering medication during school hours.
2. The Godwin Heights Public Schools "Authorization to Administer Medication and/or Treatment" form must be completed and submitted by a physician and signed by a parent before the student will be allowed to begin taking any medication during school hours.
   
3. Parents will be required to bring the medication to school in the original pharmacy packaging with the student name on the bottle. A two to four week supply of medication is recommended. Medication may not be sent to school in a student’s lunch box, pocket or other means on or about his/her person. Together, the parent and the school office secretary will count the pills and log what is being dropped off. Both the parent and the school representative will sign the log verifying what is being dropped off each time.
4. Medication that is brought to the office will be properly secured.
5. Parents will be asked to sigh out and pick-up any unused medications. Any unused medication unclaimed by the parent will be destroyed by school personnel in conjunction with our Corewell Health Nurse Liaison when a prescription is no longer to be administered, or at the end of a school year.

Non-Prescription / Over-the-Counter Medications

Non-prescription / Over-the-Counter student medications must be housed in the school office. In the interest of safety for all students are not allowed to self-carry any medications while at school. A parent or guardian must complete the NON-PRESCRIPTION portion of the form below, sign it, and return it to the school office, along with the medication in the original packaging. Examples include: cough drops, Tylenol, Motrin, allergy pills, and the like.

Link to District Medication Administration Form (Rx, non-prescription, and emergency medications):

Administer Medication English

Administer Medication Spanish

If you need assistance, please call the school office at 616-252-2010.

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

August 30 ~ No School

September 2 ~ No School LABOR DAY

September 11 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM

September 25 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM

October 9 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM

October 17 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM -- P/T Conferences

October 18 ~ 1/2 day of School @ 11:45 AM -- P/T Conferences

October 30 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM

November 13 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM

November 20 ~ Early Release @ 1:45 PM

November 27, 28 & 29 ~ No School THANKSGIVING BREAK

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

Who We Are:

TEAM 21 is a collaborative after school and summer program serving over 1,800 students annually in the City of Wyoming. Godfrey-Lee Public Schools and Godwin Heights Public Schools have a collective grant for this program.

What We Do:

We are working to improve the lives of youth and their families in our community. TEAM 21’s mission is to foster academic, social, and emotional growth among students through mentorship and activities, working together with the schools where programming takes place.

Activities:

TEAM 21 is a multi-faceted program that strives to provide enrichment and meet the dynamic needs of the students we serve. The program aims to expose our students to new experiences, broadening their horizons and allowing them to develop and cultivate new interests in many areas, including the following:

• Academic Enrichment
• Arts of All Kinds
• Career Readiness
• Community Service
• Family and Community Events
• Health and Wellness
• Sports & Fitness
• STEM

Staff:

Our staff, who come from a variety of backgrounds and have varying interests, are united by a single mission: to make a positive impact on youth in our community, serving as mentors and caring, consistent adults ready to make a difference in the lives of our students.

To ensure that each student has a high-quality experience in the program, TEAM 21 works to maintain staffing levels of 1 staff member for every 12 students. Staff participate in many on-going professional development trainings, from classroom management techniques and large group management trainings to content area trainings. Our staff participate in a minimum of 16 hours of on-going training each year.

Additionally, TEAM 21 staff undergo a rigorous state and federal background check process prior to their employment.

The first day of T.E.A.M. 21 programming at North Godwin Elementary is slated to be Tuesday, Spetember 3, 2024, which is the day after Labor Day. The T.E.A.M. 21 program is held Mondays through Thursdays only (no Friday programing) from 3:15 PM to 6:00 PM. On early release school days, the times differ, but a calendar will be provided to applicants who are accepted.

Space in the program is limited. Precedence is given to student applicants who are most in need of the academic support to meet grade level requirements.

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications for the 2024-2025 school year will be available soon. Please check back! Once the application is available, please download it and return it to the North Godwin Elementary school office. Parents will also need to complete an online questionnaire. Links to these items will be available soon!

TEAM 21 is HIRING adult group leaders and Program Coordinators!

If you would like to become a part of the TEAM 21 staff, please email Jordan Severe-Holcomb, our TEAM 21 Coordinator, at: jordan.severeholcomb@godwinschools.org

North Godwin Elementary recognizes the importance of communication and collaboration, and provides iPads for students to be productive in the classroom. However, to keep the focus on our students developing academically as well as acquiring the necessary skills for face-to-face interaction with peers and adults, we feel it’s imperative to reduce the unnecessary distractions that our elementary school-aged children are facing.

• All phones/devices are brought on campus at one’s own risk.
• Electronic devices such as cell phones/gaming devices and or apple watches are to be turned off during the school day and must remain in the student’s backpack~ not in clothing pockets or on the person. Place device all the way inside of the backpack so that it is not visible.
• The school is not responsible for lost or stolen devices.
• Phone calls, texting, and videotaping of oneself or others is strictly prohibited at any time during the school day to include classrooms, library, school-yard, cafeteria, common areas or restrooms.

Baton Twirling classes are being offered by Athletic Sensations here in the Grand Rapids area. Please visit their website, linked above for more information!

Parents and Guardians,

If you have MOVED since registering your student for the 2024-2025 school year, it is VERY IMPORTANT to call the school office and update your address!

RESIDENTS

If your student was a RESIDENT of the Godwin Heights Public School district, but you have since moved out of the district and wish for your student/s to return to Godwin Heights for the 2024-2025 school year, you MUST COMPLETE a SCHOOL OF CHOICE APPLICATION no later than 3:00 PM on Monday, August 19, 2024 in order for your child to continue at Godwin Heights. You will also need to provide (1) new proof of residency.

If you are RESIDENT of the district and MOVED to a different address within the district, you will need to contact the school office and provide (2) new proofs of residency.

SCHOOL OF CHOICE

If you are an established School of Choice family and have moved, you will simply need to notify the school office and provide (1) new proof of residency.

Bus transportation is limited to those students who reside within the Godwin Heights Public Schools district boundaries.

Kids’ Food Basket exists to increase access to healthy food for children and families. Their core belief is that food is a right, not a privilege. Because that is not yet a reality, they mobilize human and financial resources to break down barriers that cause food insecurity. Their services include a flagship "Sack Supper" program, community-driven farming, family food provision and educational programming. Collectively, they are working toward realizing a hunger-free West Michigan for all.

Each school day (unless otherwise noted), your student/s are eligible to take home a FREE sack supper at dismissal. An "opt-out" letter will go home with your student/s during the first week of school. If you do NOT wish for your child to receive a sack supper, you can opt-out. Otherwise, all students will be offered a take home sack supper. No sign up is necessary.

Every Sack Supper contains:
One serving of fruit
One serving of vegetables
One serving of protein
A healthy snack

Please encourage your student/s to be respectful of these sack suppers. They are not meant to be opened on school buses, or improperly discarded on school property or neighboring lawns. Kids Food Basket research estimates that 1.1 million Michigan residents are food insecure. A great community effort goes into funding and operating the non-profit Kids Food Basket program and we expect our students to respect the impact that it makes in the lives of so many families. In partnership with Kids Food Basket, we can ensure that local students have access to healthy, life-affirming food to help them thrive and foster their limitless potential.

Godwin Heights Public Schools will again be partnering with Cherry Health to offer dental and vision services for our students during the 2024 -2025 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.

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/