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

School is dismissed early at 1:10 for teacher's professional development.

Tutoring will be held in room 111 from 1:15 - 3:15.

Join us in celebrating Rashida Mitchner, our incredible GHMS Social Worker, during National School Social Work Week! Rashida's dedication to helping students access resources, addressing mental health concerns, and providing therapy fosters a positive school environment. Thank you, Rashida, for all that you do!

Principal's Email: urbanski@godwinschools.org

Phone: 616-252-2070 x3008

I hope this message finds you well. Last week, our LEAP day was a blast as everyone dressed with a little extra flair! Your creativity and spirit truly lit up the school.

This week, our English language learners are taking the WIDA test. We wish them the best of luck, and we're confident in their abilities.

As spring seems to be on the horizon early this year, let's stay focused on academics and continue to showcase Godwin PRIDE. Keep up the great work, everyone! As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns, I'm more than happy to assist in any way I can.

Sixty of our 8th graders recently participated in the LatinX Youth Conference, hosted by the Hispanic Center. This event aimed to inspire a love for learning, explore career options, and affirm identities. With inspirational speakers, thought-provoking career panelists, dancing, and opportunities to connect with students from other schools, it was a memorable experience.

It was a special treat to listen to Delia Fernandez-Jones, Associate Dean and Associate Professor at MSU, as the introductory speaker, who is a relative of our own Ms. Gomez.

On March 1st, 10 girls from our school attended the Girls of Color Summit at GVSU's Center for Women & Gender Equity. This day-long program focused on social justice and leadership, empowering student leaders to create positive change. The theme "Young, Gifted & Me" highlighted talents and self-acceptance. Keynote speaker Erica Robertson encouraged students to define their own narrative and embrace their strengths. The event aimed to inspire confidence and celebrate diversity, uniting students from 22 schools across Michigan.

March

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

3/7: MSBOA Band Festival

3/13: Art & Music Showcase 3-8 @ The Stray

3/20: Early Release - 1:10 PM

3/21: Student Choice Lunch

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

3/28: Half Day/PTC - 11:15 AM; Book Fair

3/29: No School

April

4/1-5: No School

4/10: Softball Practice

4/15: TRIO Field Trip; 6th Grade MSTEP ELA; Track Away Meet @ Sparta Middle

4/16: 6th Grade MSTEP Math; Boys Baseball Away Game vs. Lee Middle

4/17: Early Release - 1:10 PM; 8th Grade PSAT; 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: 7th Grade MSTEP ELA; Boys Baseball Away Game vs Potter's House; Girls Soccer Home Game vs. GRPS 3; Track Away Meet vs/ Sparta Middle

4/23: 7th Grade MSTEP Math; Boys Baseball Away Game vs Tri-Unity Christian; GHPS Health & Wellness Committee Meeting - 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM

4/24: 8th Grade MSTEP Science; Girls Soccer Home Game vs. Kelloggsville Middle

4/25: 8th Grade MSTEP Social Studies

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: 6th Grade MAP Math Test; 7th Grade Field Trip to 3 Mile Project; Boys Baseball Home Game vs. Lee Middle

5/3: 6th Grade MAP Reading Test

5/4: Softball Home Game vs Lee Middle

5/6: 7th Grade MAP Math; Girls Soccer Away Game vs. Hopkins Middle; Track Home Meet vs. Comstock Park

5/7: 7th Grade MAP Reading; Boys Baseball Away Game vs. Zion Christian

5/8: 8th Grade MAP Math; Girls Soccer Away Game vs. GRPS 1

5/9: 8th Grade MAP Reading; 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 at GHMS, 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.

Special shout out to two of our scholars were featured in this flyer for our upcoming art show!

Bird in the upper left - Kira Christiansen (8th)

Giraffe in the Lower Left - Lily Boynton (7th)

A School Lunch Menu Where Students Have A Say:

Godwin Heights Middle School Launches New Student Choice Program

Students to taste recipes and vote on favorite food stations they want in their cafeteria

Students at Godwin Heights Middle School will have the opportunity to make the lunch menu their own when they launch the new “Student Choice” program this Spring. Designed to empower students to share their voice and play an active role in choosing what they want to eat, this innovative program allows secondary students to taste and vote on what they want to eat at lunch.

On March 21st, Jamie Schumaker, Director of Dining Services will cook up a variety of recipes for students to sample from selected new food concepts. Students will then vote on their favorite option from Chromebooks at a ‘voting booth’ in the cafeteria. The winning food concept will debut in the cafeteria in the coming months. At Godwin Heights Middle School, the new culinary concept options to vote on will include:

• Chaat House: Inspired by the regional flavors of India, Chaat House’s recipes are filled with tastes perfected over generations.
• The Smoothie Station: Smoothie Station concept, featuring healthy wholesome drinkable breakfast, lunch, and snack options packed with fruits and dairy in more than a dozen flavor combinations.
• Bok Choy: A new Asian Concept inspired by Food Network’s Chef Jet Tila offering an assortment of new cutting edge recipes.

“We know there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to in-school dining,” says Jamie Schumaker. “That’s why we’re committed to working collaboratively with students to understand what foods and flavors have the greatest appeal, and to get them excited about what they eat when they’re in school. It’s another way we’re continuing to transform the school dining experience for all students.”

The Godwin Heights Middle School café team, along with Chartwells K12 visiting Chefs, Registered Dietitians, and Marketing Teams will be cooking, serving and sharing menu information with students at Godwin throughout the program. Student ambassadors have also been identified to help promote voting and to encourage every student to ‘voice their choice’ in the new program.

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

Wednesday, April 17 will be an early release at 1:10 for all students in grades 6-12. On that day, our 8th-grade students will be taking the PSAT. The PSAT is a state-wide assessment that measures skills that students have mastered over time and that connect to future success in college and career. If you would like to know more about the test, visit https://tinyurl.com/yk398dea

Beginning in April, all students in grades 6-8 will be participating in State Testing, as well as District Level Assessments. The PSAT and MSTEP are both tests designed to measure where students are in their academic progress and based on Michigan State Academic Standards. The MAP test is our district-level assessment that we use 3 times per year to monitor student growth throughout the year.

The specific testing days are listed below. Please do your best to get your student to school on time, well-rested, and with their charged chromebook.

6th Grade Testing

Monday, April 15- MSTEP ELA

Tuesday, April 16- MSTEP Math

Thursday, May 2- MAP Math

Friday, May 3- MAP Reading

7th Grade Testing

Monday, April 22- MSTEP ELA

Tuesday, April 23- MSTEP Math

Monday, May 6- MAP Math

Tuesday, May 7- MAP Reading

8th Grade Testing

Wednesday, April 17- PSAT

Wednesday, April 24- MSTEP Science

Thursday, April 25- MSTEP Social Studies

Wednesday, May 8- MAP Math

Thursday, May 9- MAP Reading

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

• Sign up for spring sports, such as track, baseball, softball, and girls soccer will occur at the end of March - stay tuned.

• The season will commence after spring break.

• Spring Athletics Photos will be held May 1st @ 1:30pm.

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!

Jenison Wild invites 3rd-8th grade students from all local schools to participate in their 2nd annual 3v3 tournament Saturday, April 20 at Jenison High School.

REGISTER HERE: https://forms.gle/7yMAfboP6HvSK7rPA

Girls and boys in grades 3-8 are invited to form 4-person teams and compete.

• Girls brackets begin at 9am with boys starting after they are completed. (Exact times will be available after registration closes)
  
• Open to players from any school or team
  
• Cost is $120/team, payable through Venmo
  
• Register by March 20 to receive a t-shirt. Registration will remain open until April 13.
  
• Trophies are presented to winning teams in each bracket. Prizes for toilet bowl champions will also be provided.
  

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

The Literacy Center of West Michigan offers free English classes for parents. While the current semester is closed, registration for the Fall semester is just around the corner. Call the number on the flyer for more information and to secure your spot!

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

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.