Keep Up with the latest Back-to-School Communications from the District!

The first day of the 2021-2022 school year is Tuesday, August 24th! By keeping up with communications from the district, you can be sure you won’t miss out on the great events and open houses leading up to the first day.

 

Orientations, Open Houses, and Enrollment Assistance

2021-22 Orientation and Open House dates are happening all month long! Click here to view the full schedule, and to learn where to find enrollment assistance.

If you missed getting help enrolling at your child’s school, be sure and come to the Enrollment Day event organized in part by the GRPS FACE office on August 20th and August 23rd!

We are hosting Enrollment Day at the following dates and locations:

• Steil’s Center (235 Straight Ave NW) on Friday, August 20th from 8:30-11:30 AM and 12:30-4:30 PM  
• Cook Library (1100 Grandville Ave SW) on Friday, August 20th from 8:30-11:30 AM and 12:30-4:30 PM  
• Yankee Clipper Library (2025 Leonard NE) on Monday, August 23rd from 8:30-11:30 AM and 12:30-4:30 PM  
• Link Up (1167 Madison SE) on Monday, August 23rd from 8:30-11:30 AM and 12:30-4:30 PM  

 

Planning for the 2021-2022 School Year

Based on guidance and direction from the Kent County Health Department, we are planning for all schools to be 100% in-person, five days a week, for the 2021-2022 school year. As with everything related to COVID-19, these plans are subject to change.

We are also planning to offer limited 100% virtual school options for students with extenuating circumstances due to documented medical conditions. If you wish to request a 100% virtual option for the 2021-2022 school year, please complete the following survey: http://www.grps.org/survey.

Based on the latest guidance for K-12 schools from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), and the Kent County Health Department (KCHD), here are the guidelines for the start of the 2021-2022 school year:

• Universal indoor masking for all students, staff, and visitors to PK-12 schools is strongly recommended, regardless of vaccination status.
• All unvaccinated students and staff who are eligible are strongly encouraged to get the COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccination is currently the leading public health prevention strategy to end the COVID-19 pandemic. Contact KCHD or your health care provider to schedule your vaccination.
• Masks do not need to be worn outdoors for recess or outdoor learning activities for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status.
• Athletics will continue to adhere to the rules set forth by the Michigan High School Athletic Association and guidance from the MDHHS and KCHD.
• Layered mitigation strategies will continue, including handwashing and respiratory etiquette, hand sanitizer, ventilation, and cleaning of classrooms and buildings.
• The COVID-19 Daily Health Screener is no longer required for students and staff. Students and staff should stay home if they are experiencing one or more of the COVID-19 symptoms.
• Families and staff will continue to be notified if they or their student has had close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual. Quarantine will only be required if unvaccinated students or staff live with a COVID-19 positive person OR if there is an outbreak in a school per the KCHD public health order still in place.
• All students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status must quarantine.

This may be subject to change should the district receive new guidance or public health orders from the CDC, MDHHS, and/or KCHD. Please look for additional updates and communications as we get closer to the start of school.

If you have not already done so, please complete the online GRPS Enrollment Form at http://enroll.GRPS.org.

Lastly, please mark your calendar with the important dates for the 2021-2022 school year. Click here to view the 2021-2022 calendar highlights. If you have any questions or want more information, please contact your student’s school directly.

Thank you again for your patience, understanding, and support as we navigated this unprecedented school year during a global pandemic.

 

Crosstown Throwdown football game & Citywide GRPS Alumni Reunion

The annual Crosstown Throwdown football game on Friday, August 27 at Houseman Field between Ottawa Hills and Union high schools will kick off a year’s worth of celebrations as Grand Rapids Public Schools marks its 150th Anniversary.

In addition to a football game between the GRPS crosstown rivals, the August 27 event will feature a citywide reunion with graduates of current and former GRPS schools invited from near and far.

The event will be a celebration of the district’s long history, featuring GRPS Hall of Fame recipients, past and present. Doors will open at 4:00 p.m. The Ottawa Hills vs Union game kicks off at 6:00 p.m.

Tickets to the Crosstown Throwdown are FREE, but registration is required. The stadium holds 6,000 and organizers expect a sell-out crowd. To sign up for this event, visit www.grpsf.org/150th-anniversary.

The district is also providing sponsorship opportunities for local businesses and individuals who would like to support the Crosstown Throwdown. More information on sponsorships is available at www.grpsf.org/sponsorships.

GRPS Superintendent Dr. Leadriane Roby said the district is eager to see alumni attend the August 27 reunion.

“We really want this to be the largest class reunion in GRPS history,” Roby said. “And we want people to be aware of the various sponsorship opportunities we will have for the different events. We want to encourage a healthy competition between the schools and classes, and, of course, since all proceeds raised will go to the GRPS Foundation, sponsorships will directly benefit our students. It’s definitely a win-win.”

Follow this link to find out more!