Great Lakes News - Dec. 19, 2025

Parents and Guardians,

As we head into our holiday break, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued partnership and support throughout the first part of the school year. It has been a busy and productive fall, and I am incredibly proud of our students and staff for their hard work and commitment to learning.

Students will be home for the next two weeks, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to school on Monday, January 5. I hope this break provides your family with time to rest, recharge, and enjoy the holiday season together.

As we look ahead to the new year, please note the following important information:

Online Registration for the 2026–27 school year will open on January 5.

Please be sure you have set up your Parent Portal account as soon as possible. Attached you will find:

Instructions for setting up Parent Portal
Parent Portal FAQs
Instructions for enrolling your child for the upcoming school year

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the Front Office at (616) 786-1200.

Thank you again for your support and for being such an important part of our school community. I wish you and your family a safe, restful, and joyful holiday break.

Sincerely,
Mr. Brummel

Upcoming Dates:

December 22 - January 4 - Holiday Recess
January 15 & 16 - Teacher Records Day (1/2 Day for Students)
January 19 - MLK Day (No School for Students)
January 27 - Panther Pride Breakfast (3rd/4th/5th Grade @ 9am)
February 5-9 - Mid Winter Break

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Parent Portal Instructions and Questions.pdf

How to Enroll for 26-27 School Year.pdf

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Looking for holiday themed books? Click here for snowy virtual read alouds.

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Morning Drop Off - As we did last year, we are not allowing students to be dropped off at school prior to 8:30 AM. Students dropping off early will need to wait at the front doors until they open at 8:40am. In order to ensure a safe and orderly start to the school day students will head directly into the building and our staff will assist them to their classrooms.

If your child is in lower elementary (Young K - 2nd grade), you will drop them off in the circle drive. If your child is in upper elementary (3rd - 5th) or if you have children in both upper and lower elementary you will be dropping them off at the event parking lot. If you need to get out of the vehicle to help your child, please park and walk with them to the drop off area.

Afternoon Pick Up - There are two options for students that do not ride the bus home and have someone that is picking them up at the end of the day. This procedure has not changed in the last ten years. However, it is very important for all parents or adults picking up their child from school to be aware of the procedures and to follow the procedures.

Option 1 is getting in the parent pick up line (the line starts in the Event/North Parking Lot) and waiting in your car for your child. This option is sometimes the slower option, but it does not require the driver to get out of their car.
Option 2 is parking in the Event/North Parking Lot (in the designated parking spaces, not the middle row) and walking your child to your car once they are released from school. For safety reasons, your child may not walk to your car without you.

Please do not park in the loop and walk over to pick up your child. Your patience and support during these parts of the day make all the difference. With icier roads ahead, please monitor your speed and surroundings as well. Thank you!!!!