GODWIN HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL

October 6th

• PowderPuff Game ~ 6:30 - 8 PM @ Godwin Football Field

October 7th

• Pupil Count Day
• College/Career Workshop during 2nd & 3rd Hour ~ @ Collab. Ctr.
• Collaboration Meeting ~ 2:55 PM @ Collab. Ctr.
• Feeding America Food Truck ~ 4 PM @ HS

October 8th

• Mock Rock & Court Introductions @ Aud.

October 9th

• Homecoming Assembly @ Gym
• Homecoming Game: Godwin vs. Belding at Home ~ 7 PM @ Godwin Football Field

October 10th

• Homecoming Dance ~ 8 PM - 10 PM

Godwin Heights High School has made an important update to its parking policy to help ensure the safety and accessibility of our school. Please take a moment to read the attached letter for details regarding parking and the bus loop.

Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences are coming up for Godwin Heights High School and Middle School on Thursday, October 15th from 5:00–8:00 PM and Friday, October 16th from 12:00–3:00 PM.

Conferences are by appointment only, with online scheduling opening Monday, October 5th at 9:00 AM. Please review the Parent-Teacher Conference Letter below for scheduling instructions, early dismissal times, and other important conference information.

A quick reminder that ParentSquare is now Godwin Heights’ primary communication tool for direct, two-way communication between teachers and families. With Parent-Teacher Conferences coming up, now is a great time to make sure you’re connected and receiving important messages from your student’s teachers.

ParentSquare brings schoolwide updates and classroom communication together in one place, with messages available by email, text, the ParentSquare app, or web browser and in your preferred language. ParentSquare has replaced TalkingPoints and includes direct messaging and real-time language translation.

Families are automatically connected using the phone number and email address provided to the school. For the best experience, families are encouraged to download the free ParentSquare app, where you can view Godwin messages, communicate with teachers, customize your communication preferences, and update your contact information.

Dear Godwin Heights Families,

We are writing to share an important state-wide update regarding student work permits.

Beginning October 2, local school districts will no longer issue or distribute youth employment permits. The State of Michigan is transitioning to a centralized online system called the Youth Employment Permit Portal (YEPP), managed by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.

Key details for families and working students:

• New Work Permit Process: Minors and employers will now complete and process all youth employment permits online through the new statewide portal.

• Initiated by Employers: The work permit application process will now start directly with the employer, who will also maintain the electronic copy of the permit.

• Existing Permits Remain Valid: Any current work permits already on file remain valid. However, if a student changes jobs or gets a new employer, they will need to use the new YEPP portal.

To learn more or to access the portal, please visit Michigan.gov/YouthEmployment.

Thank you for your partnership as we adapt to this new state process! Please feel free to reach out to the main office if you have any questions.

Best regards,

GHHS

Estimadas Familias de Godwin Heights,

Nos dirigimos a ustedes para compartir una actualización importante a nivel estatal con respecto a los permisos de trabajo para estudiantes.

A partir del 2 de octubre, los distritos escolares locales ya no emitirán ni distribuirán permisos de empleo juvenil. El Estado de Míchigan está cambiando a un sistema centralizado en línea llamado Youth Employment Permit Portal (YEPP), administrado por el Departamento de Labor y Oportunidad Económica de Míchigan.

Detalles clave para las familias y los estudiantes que trabajan:

• Nuevo proceso de permiso de trabajo: Los menores y los empleadores ahora completarán y procesarán todos los permisos de trabajo en línea a través del nuevo portal estatal.

• Iniciado por el empleador: El proceso de solicitud del permiso de trabajo comenzará directamente con el empleador, quien también mantendrá la copia electrónica del permiso.

• Los permisos existentes siguen siendo válidos: Todos los permisos de trabajo actuales que ya estén archivados seguirán siendo válidos. Sin embargo, si un estudiante cambia de trabajo o tiene un nuevo empleador, deberá utilizar el nuevo portal YEPP.

Para obtener más información o acceder al portal, visite Michigan.gov/YouthEmployment.

¡Gracias por su colaboración mientras nos adaptamos a este nuevo proceso estatal! No duden en comunicarse con la oficina principal si tienen alguna pregunta.

Atentamente,

GHHS

It’s Homecoming Week, so show your Wolverine spirit and join in on this year’s Spirit Days!

Monday: Animal Pattern Day
Tuesday: Lumberjack vs. Camper Day
Wednesday: Alien Invasion – Dress as an alien or astronaut
Thursday: Polar Bear vs. Grizzly Bear – Dress in all white or all black
Friday: Biker vs. Surfer

Be creative, have fun, and represent Godwin Heights all week!

Come out and show your Wolverine Pride at the Godwin Heights Homecoming Parade on Friday, October 9th at 6:00 PM!

The parade will begin at 35th St. SW & Reiser, travel along 34th Street, and end at 34th & Hillcroft. Parade participants should arrive at the high school by 5:45 PM.

Bring your family and friends, cheer loud, and help us celebrate Homecoming together!

Families of Godwin Heights students can receive 50% off a family membership at the Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center! The discounted membership is $47 per month, normally $97 per month.

To receive the discount, bring a school ID, report card, or other proof of enrollment when signing up in person at the Kroc Center. Membership includes access to fitness and recreation areas, discounts on programs and camps, free drop-in fitness classes, Child Watch services, and more.

As part of Michigan’s Safe Storage Law requirements, families are being provided with information and resources regarding the safe storage of firearms in the home.

Please review the resources below for important information about Michigan’s Safe Storage Law and ways to help keep children and families safe.

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 7. 2026

Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Wednesday, December 2, 2026

The University of Michigan is looking for Michigan students and parents/guardians to share their thoughts and experiences with school cellphone policies as part of an ongoing research study.

Separate online focus groups are available for students ages 13–18 and parents/guardians of students ages 13–18 attending Michigan public schools. Focus groups will take place October–December, last about one hour, and participants will receive a $25 electronic gift card for participating.

Interested in participating? Scan the QR code on the flyer or use the sign-up information provided to learn more and choose a time that works for you.

• Seniors need to turn in their parent-signed senior contracts
• Seniors are not allowed to be off campus for lunch without a gold ID from the office
• Seniors must be in attendance 85% of the time to participate in senior events, including but not limited to homecoming, prom, and graduation

With the school year in full swing, our fall sports teams are already out there competing and representing Godwin Heights!

Winter sports will be here before you know it, so now is a great time to start thinking ahead. If you’re interested in playing a winter sport or want more information about opportunities available at Godwin Heights, reach out to Athletic Director Kimble to get connected.

Stay involved and keep an eye out for more information as winter sports get closer!

10/2

• Boys Varsity Football v. Calvin Christian School (Away) - 7:00PM

10/5

• Girls Freshman Volleyball v. Grand Rapids Union HS (Away) - 4:30PM
• Girls JV Volleyball v. Grand Rapids Union HS (Away) - 5:30PM
• Girls JV Volleyball v. Grand Rapids Union HS (Away) - 6:30PM

10/6

• Girls JV Volleyball v. The Potters House High School (Home) - 4:00PM
• Boys JV Soccer v. Lee High School (Away) - 4:30PM
• Boys Varsity Soccer v. The Potters House High School (Away) - 5:30PM

10/8

• Boys JV Soccer v. Tournament (Home) - 4:30PM
• Girls Freshman Volleyball v. Comstock Park High School (Home) - 5:00PM
• Boys Varsity Soccer v. Tournament (Home) - 6:00PM
• Girls JV Volleyball v. Comstock Park High School (Home) - 6:00PM
• Girls Varsity Volleyball v. Comstock Park High School (Home) - 7:00PM

10/9

• Boys Varsity Football v. Belding High School (Home) - 7:00PM

Keeping our students safe during breakfast and lunch is important. If your child has a food allergy, intolerance, or other special dietary need, please review the resources below. The Parent Special Diet Guide provides helpful information, while the Special Diet Statement should be completed when a special dietary accommodation is needed at school.

Please review the forms and contact Food Services via the Main Office with any questions.

Godwin Heights Public Schools is committed to the safety of all students. We have policies in place to safeguard information and privacy. While we value the unique diversity within our school community, we understand that recent actions and rhetoric can elicit fear for many students and families. Should your child need academic or social-emotional support, please know our staff is here to help.

For families who may need additional support or have specific questions about

immigration policies, we encourage you to connect with trusted local resources:

• Hispanic Center of West Michigan: (616) 742-0200 | hispanic-center.org

• Michigan Immigrant Rights Center: (734) 239-6863 | michiganimmigrant.org

• Refugee Education Center: (616) 247-9611 | refugeeeducationcenter.org

Website: https://www.godwinschools.org/
Location: 50 35th Street Southwest, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
Phone: 616-252-2050
Facebook: facebook.com/godwinhighschool
Twitter: @GodwinSchools