Steve Minard, Principal

Kristi Bast, Secretary

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

Our next EARLY DISMISSAL will be on Wednesday, September 25, 2024. Parent pick-up begins at 1:30 PM. Buses depart and the final bell rings at 1:45 PM. Please plan accordingly to arrive on time.

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

Please join us for our Godwin Heights Homecoming Football game on Friday, October 4, 2024 at 7:00 PM. The Godwin Heights Wolverines will be playing Fruitport High School at 7:00 PM on the

Carl P. Bahre Football Field , located at 3501 Hillcrift Avenue SW.

The homecoming parade will be held before the game -- details to follow!

Show your GODWIN PRIDE! #wearegodwin

Hope to see you there!

Monday, September 30, 2024

Mismatch Clothes Day!

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Wear your craziest socks, pajamas or both!

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Represent your favorite team --wear your favorite team colors!

Thursday, October 3, 2024

Wear a hat or make your hair crazy!

Friday, October 4, 2024

Proud Wolverine Day! Wear your favorite blue and gold!

North Godwin Elementary fall Parent and Teacher Conferences will held this week; October 14 -- October 18, 2024.

Students will have an altered schedule this week as follows:

Monday, October 14 (normal school day)

Tuesday, October 15 (normal school day)

Wednesday, October 16 (normal school day)

Thursday, October 17 (EARLY DISMISSAL with parent pick up beginning at 1:30 PM; final bell at 1:45 PM)

Friday, October 18 (HALF DAY OF SCHOOL with parent pick up beginning at 11:30 AM; final bell at 11:45 AM)

Please be sure to arrive on time for your scheduled conference/s. It is important to keep your scheduled time, as our teachers and translators have very full schedules to accommodate every student family. Thank you for your understanding!

Thank you to ALL students and their families that supported North Godwin Elementary by selling Frandale's sub sandwiches and breads in our fall fundraiser! Our profits totaled nearly $2,500.00! This money will go a long way in helping our school to provide "extras" for our students and staff throughout the school year. We appreciate all of you so much! 🙂

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.

National Potato Month

It is hard to imagine a world without potatoes. Once indigenous to South America, specifically Peru and Bolivia, the potato has become a staple food in much of the world. In fact, it is an integral part of the food supply in many countries. In the United States, every state grows the stupendous spud!

National Honey Month

September is a sweet time to celebrate National Honey Month! This delicious food holiday celebrates the most important time for beekeepers and producers across the country.

September is a time when bees begin preparing for winter, which means honey collectors are busy bees working to harvest honey. National Honey Month provides opportunity to recognize the dedicated people who bring honey into our homes.

National Mushroom Month

All through September, National Mushroom Month celebrates the wide variety of mushrooms available. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also takes advantage of the opportunity to educate people on the versatility mushrooms offer, including health benefits. As a result, mushrooms are gaining more and more appreciation as we learn more about them. To fully celebrate the heritage of mushrooms, we must first learn about the Mushroom Capital of the World. Located just outside Philadelphia, PA, you will find a small town known as Kennett Square. Surprisingly, this small Pennsylvanian town produces over a million pounds of mushrooms a day. Each year Kennett Square holds the annual Mushroom Festival starting with a parade. Visitors also enjoy tours of mushroom farms or visit vendors to buy food and other goods.

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:

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Wednesday, December 11. 2024

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

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

Parents and Guardians,

By now you should have received your student's initial photograph packet or proof. If you are unsatisfied with the photo, you can send it to school with your student on RE-TAKE DAY. They will present it to the Geskus Photographers, which will signal that you want a RE-TAKE.

If your child was absent on our original picture day, they will be photographed on October 24. We will also photograph any NEW students who have enrolled since September 6, the date of our original photo day.

If you need a new order form for RE-TAKE Day, simple let your student's teacher know, or call Mrs. Bast in the office. We do have a few extra ordering forms. Parents can also order their students's photos online at: https://www.geskusphoto.com/

Who We Are:

TEAM 21 is a collaborative after school and summer program serving students in both Godfrey-Lee Public Schools and Godwin Heights Public Schools under a collective grant. Mr. Eric Mockerman supervises the program for both Godwin Heights and Godfrey-Lee Public Schools.

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 - 14 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 Tuesday, September 3, 2024. 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 most early release school days, the program still runs, but with altered program hours of 1:45 PM to 4:30 PM.

At this time, North Godwin Elementary only has 1 group leader. Therefore, only 14 students have been accepted into the program. There is a long wait list. As group leaders are hired and more spots become available in the program, those students who are on a wait list will be contacted. Preference is given to students who are most in need of support academically (behind grade level), as well as those who turned applications in early.

Appications are accepted in hard copy only -- applications can be obtained from our informational table in the main lobby at North Godwin Elementary. If you would like an application to be sent home with your student, simply call the office and we will arrange to have one sent home in their backpack.

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 Emma Colon, our TEAM 21 Coordinator, at: emma.colon@godwinschools.org

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.

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/