July 2016 | Vol. 16 | Issue 1 | Section A Thanks to the generosity of our advertisers, this newsletter was funded using minimal taxpayer dollars.

NON-

PROF

IT O

RG

ECRW

SS

US P

OSTA

GE

PAID

GR

AND

RAPI

DS, M

I PE

RMIT

#319

ECR

WSS

Po

stal

Cus

tom

er

1331

Fra

nklin

S.E

., PO

Box 1

17

Gran

d Rap

ids, M

I 495

01-0

117

Back to School!

It’s back to school time! We have so many great things to celebrate as we approach the start of the 2016-2017 school year. In less than five years, we have implemented the GRPS Transformation Plan with great success. We have strengthened, improved, and expanded our portfolio of school choices; we have sig-nificantly improved our talent

recruitment, retention, and development efforts; and we have strategically invested the tax dollars entrusted to us to restore stability and trust in the district.

The Transformation Plan is working!

Quality School Choices, Dynamic Teachers and School Leaders, and a Clear Vision Define the New GRPS By Teresa Weatherall Neal, M.Ed., Superintendent of Schools

■ SEE QUALITY SCHOOLS / A3

- Graduation rates are up. Overall graduation rates increased by 12% over the last 4 years. Notably, graduation rates increased by 21% for African American students, 15% for Hispanic/Latino, 22% for English Language Learners, and 15% for economically disadvantaged students over the same four year period.

- Test scores are up. We continue to see improve-ments in student growth and, once again, our high schools were among the top composite score gains in the county.

- Dual enrollment is up. Dual enrollment increased by 52% over the last two years. For students of color, dual enrollment increased by 70% in the last two years.

Fill out an enrollment form. Forms are available at Community & Student Services at 1331 Franklin St SE or online at www.grps.org/enrolltoday.

Bring in your child’s birth certificate, proof of residence (utility bill or rent receipt, cannot use driver’s license, cell phone bill or insurance bill), immunization record, and emergency contact information. Missing some information? That’s ok! You have 30 days to provide it after turning in your enrollment information, so don’t delay, enroll today!

Attend the orientation at your child’s school. Orientation dates and times are listed on page 4.

Enrollment is as easy as 1, 2, 3…

1

2

3

Grand Rapids Public Schools News - Section AGrand Rapids Parks & Recreation Activities - Section BCity of Grand Rapids & Public Library News - Section B

Grand Rapids Public Schools

JULY 2016Grand Rapids

Board of Education2016

Tony Baker, Ph.D., PresidentRaynard Ross, Vice PresidentRev. John Matias, Secretary

Monica Randles, M.D., TreasurerWendy Falb, Ph.D.

Jose A. Flores, Ed.D.Pastor Nathaniel Moody

Jennifer SchottkeMaureen Quinn Slade

Teresa Weatherall Neal, M.Ed. Superintendent of Schools

Equal Opportunity Institution: Grand Rapids Public Schools, as an Equal Opportunity Institution, complies with federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment, including Title IV and Title VII (with amendments) of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the Educational Amendment of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974 as amended 38 USC 20-12 and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. The District will not discriminate against any person based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, height, weight, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, disability or veteran status. The District’s Civil Rights Compliance Officer is Larry Johnson. Mr. Larry Johnson may be contacted at 1331 Franklin SE, P.O. Box 117, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-0117 or (616) 819-2100. The District’s Title IX Coordinator is Kurt Johnson. Mr. Kurt Johnson may be contacted at 1331 Franklin SE, P.O. Box 117, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-0117 or (616) 819-2010. Title IX Annual Athletics Compliance Report: Grand Rapids Public Schools is committed to securing athletic equity and provides annual Title IX reporting to the athletes and parents in an effort to bring increased attention and resources towards ensuring that gender equity as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments for 1972, Grand Rapids Public Schools annual report is available at www.grps.org.To comply with the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Parents Right-To-Know, parents may request information regarding the professional qualifications of the student’s classroom teachers.Please contact Micky Savage, Director of Human Resources, in Human Resources via email savagem@grps.org or at (616) 819-2028.

JULY 2016is published four times per year by

GRPS Communications OfficeGrand Rapids Public Schools

1331 Franklin St. SE, P.O. Box 117Grand Rapids, Michigan 49501-0117

Phone: (616) 819-2149Fax: (616) 819-3480

www.grps.org www.WeAreGR.comJohn Helmholdt, Executive Director of

Communications & External AffairsKalli Zielbauer, Communications Coordinator

Kyle Pray, Student Retention Recruitment Program Coordinator

Lynn Ritsema, Administrative Assistant

GRPS News

Mentor Program for African-American Boys Aims to ‘Create Next Generation of Global Leaders’ By Charles Honey, Courtesy of School News Network

Delicious-smelling bags of Popeyes chicken lie within reach of seven boys at lunch time. But before they dig in, Rob-ert Hurd has a few things to ask them.

“Any April suspensions?” he asks the third- through seventh-grade stu-dents gathered around the table. Nope, they answer. “No conduct reports?” Nope. That’s good, Hurd says, adding, “You guys can do it. I strongly, strongly believe in you.”

“Did I ever tell you being a strong-willed person was bad? No,” Hurd tells the students of Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Academy. “Strength is good, guys. It’s good to know who you are and feel strongly about what you believe in. But you’ve got to know how to direct it. You’ve got to be able to use that strength correctly. But then he zeroes in on one boy who, despite pulling good grades, draws teacher complaints about his behavior and attitude. Hurd looms over the group, all 6-feet-8-inches of him, and delivers a message as strongly as he once pulled down rebounds in college.

“If you do that, guys, you’re going to do well.”

Only then comes the takeout.

Hurd’s heart-to-heart at MLK Academy is one of many going on in Grand Rapids Public Schools between young African-American males and their adult community counterparts. It’s all part of Grade School to Grad School, an initiative to provide black male students with support and confidence to help them do well in school and life.

Now completing its second aca-demic year, the program pairs some 130 students with about 80 men, who agree to spend an hour per week through the school year with them. It focuses on stu-dents at Ottawa Hills High School and the elementary and middle schools that feed into it, with the intent to follow

them all the way to graduate school.

Growing Future Fathers and Leaders

G2G, as it’s commonly called, aims to avert the problems experienced by poorly educated men and foster success-ful futures by creating “an intentional shift in the way we engage African-American young men,” says program coordinator Emmanuel Armstrong III.

“We want these young men to grow to be fathers, to be husbands and to give back to the young men in the commu-nity,” says Armstrong, counselor coor-dinator of the GRPS Office of Parental Engagement. “Our mission is to create the next generation of global leaders. We want the young men to rise above the situation they are in and understand the greatness that is waiting for them.”

He works with a planning commit-tee that includes Superin-tendent Teresa Weather-all Neal, other current

and former GRPS officials, and repre-sentatives of Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University and the Grand Rapids Urban League. They provide professional development for the community mentors and set up field trips to museums and other activi-ties.

In March, they held an African-American Male Achievement Con-ference that attracted about 300 ninth-graders and 100 men from the community, who will pair up with stu-dents over the summer.

‘Born Brilliant’

In Grand Rapids, however, G2G is being extended next fall to provide men-tors to female students of all races and ethnicities, not just African-Americans. But the program for males remains focused on black students because, Arm-strong says, “Our research led us to the African-American male community first, because we saw that’s where the need was.”

Despite rising graduation rates among all black students in GRPS, too many male students are not graduat-ing on time or dropping out, he said. Studies show those who don’t receive di-plomas will face “some real dire struggles in their life,” he says. “It doesn’t mean you’ll have a life of crime, but it means you’ll struggle a little more than some-one with a diploma.”

High school graduates generally live longer, earn more and are less likely to commit crimes than those who drop out, according to a background paper on the G2G program.

The paper also noted African-Amer-ican males were suspended at twice the rate of all GRPS students in 2012-13 and were more often chronically absent, with higher absenteeism correlating to lower achievement.

Hurd sees a special struggle for young black males who see little positive reflection of themselves in their curricu-lum, textbooks or teaching staffs.

Some perceive school as “a celebra-tion of someone else’s culture” and easily doubt they can contribute meaningfully to society, he says. “I try to attack that mindset to let them know everybody can be successful.”

The intent is for mentors like him to walk alongside their students throughout school into early adulthood, sharing insights they’ve gleaned as engi-neers, educators and other professionals. Armstrong himself meets with students at C.A. Frost and Alger Middle School, going over their grades and personal issues.

While research shows black men commonly believe that others perceive them as having “deficits, not assets,” mentors tell them they are “born bril-liant,” he says.

“Once you instill that confidence and self-assurance in students, they can become a CEO of a Fortune 500 company.

Continue reading at www.School-NewsNet-work.org”

Students chose a statement on leadership to share with their families

At 6-feet-8-inches and a former basketball star, Hurd looms as an imposing presence

over the students he mentors

Fifth-grader Trevonte Buckley, here reading a statement he chose about leadership,

says Hurd “tells us how to do good things”

2 July 2016

GRPS News

- Student attendance is up. We have cut chronic absenteeism by 36% in the last two years.

- Suspensions are down. We have reduced suspensions by more than 5%, including a 26% reduction in lost instructional time due to suspensions. This is due in large part to our expanded use of restorative practices. More than 5,200 students participated in restorative practices in 31 schools with more than 450 trained district staff members.

- School safety is up. Security incidents are down 15%. Major incidents are down 26%.

- Parent engagement is up. The number of parents signed up for classes at Parent University is up 37% over last year. There were four times more course offerings avail-able than the previous year with 13,323 course attendees – up 65% over last year.

- Enrollment is stabilizing. We posted the best Count Days in two decades – back to back. We are now poised for enrollment growth!

I am so proud of what we have ac-complished. GRPS is blessed to have truly the most dynamic teachers, school leaders, and support staff in the region. These talented, dedicated, passionate ed-ucators are united and working together like never before to improve student outcomes and advance the vision of the GRPS Transformation Plan.

Coming this fall, we have several excit-ing developments that I believe exem-plify the vision and direction of Grand Rapids Public Schools.

- New/Expanded C.A. Frost En-vironmental Science Academy. Thanks to the voters and taxpayers of Grand Rapids, we have renovated the former Covell Elementary facil-ity to accommodate the expan-sion of C.A. Frost Environmental Science Academy from a K-8 to a PK-12. This is so symbolic because Covell was one of ten schools closed five years ago and it represents our intentional strategy to invest in and expand quality school choices that are working.

- New Grand Rapids Public Mu-seum School. The students at the

Quality Schools Continued from A1

new Grand Rapids Public Museum School will start school in brand new, cutting edge classrooms fol-lowing more than $4 million in renovations to the 4th floor of the Van Andel Museum Center. Grades 6-8 will be housed at the Van Andel Museum Center and grades 9-12 will be at the former Museum site at 54 Jefferson. Special thanks to our friends at City Hall, Mayor Ro-salynn Bliss, and the Grand Rapids City Commission for working with us on this historic opportunity.

- Demolition of 111 College NE. There were only two non-negotia-bles in the GRPS Transformation Plan: school uniforms and tearing down 111 College NE. This sum-mer, we made history by demol-ishing 111 College and righting a wrong that has been a longstanding rub and eye sore. As a result of the demolition, there will be signifi-cantly improved safety and traffic flow along with new and enhanced parkland and green space. Thanks to former Mayor John Logie and our friends in the Heritage Hill Neigh-borhood Association for being there

Bond Implementation Update Thanks to the voters and taxpay-ers of Grand Rapids, GRPS is moving forward with the implementation of the $175 million bond to secure, connect, and transform the district. $155 million is for school construction/renovations, $10 million for technology, and $10 million for security.

The projects have been divided into two phases. This was necessary simply because there is not enough capacity to do more projects upfront and the market is saturated with construction projects.

Phase I is focused primarily on the high schools (CA Frost HS, City, Ottawa Hills, Union phase I, SWCC HS phase I), as well as the high priority elementary/K8s (Buchanan, Brookside, Frost). This is consistent with the 2008 Building Improvement Plan that pri-oritized high schools for the next major

bond investments because none of them were touched by the 2004 bond. Phase II rounds off the work on high schools (Innovation Central, GR Montessori High, Union phase II, SWCC HS phase II) and then touches on the smaller projects that were not touched by the 2004 bond and/or were too large for Warm, Safe, and Dry investments (Riv-erside, Westwood, Zoo, Campus, Coit, Congress, East Leonard, North Park Montessori, Shawmut Hills, Sherwood Park).

We have also split the technol-ogy and security investments between the two phases. Our focus this fall is providing every teacher in the district with new technology to support and enhance instruction. We anticipate that the security investments will touch every school in the district, with most seeing a redesign of the main office/entry ways and/or new security technology.

RFPs for construction managers and architects and engineers are due in early July. Each of the applicants is required to include in their submission how they are going to provide oppor-tunity for locally owned businesses and employment opportunities for Grand Rapids residents on each of the projects. Our intent is to bring recommendations to the Finance Committee for approval at the July 25 meeting and then full Board approval at the August 1 meeting.

Once the construction managers and architect/engineers are on board, we will begin the process of appoint-ing local school advisory boards for each project that will include teachers, principals, support staff, parents, com-munity/neighborhood representatives, and district representatives. The advisory boards will hold several meetings with the design/construction team, and they will also help to organize open houses/

public meetings with students, parents, and neighbors to participate in the pro-cess. Given the tight timeline, we expect these advisory boards to do most of their work in August and September with the goal of having plans finalized by the end of October.

GRPS also plans to hold a vendor fair in August with the goal of part-nering with the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Urban League, NAACP, Hispanic Chamber of Com-merce, Hispanic Center, Grand Rapids Association of Black Businesses, Local First, and others to actively recruit mi-nority, women, and locally owned busi-ness to attend the fair and participate in the project bidding process.

For more information on the bond projects, feel free to contact Facilities at 616-819-3030.

to celebrate with us.

This is just the beginning. Com-ing fall 2018, we will be re-opening Ridgemoor Park Elementary as the new Ridgemoor Montessori Academy and opening the new Middle College program at Ottawa Hills High School where students will graduate with a high school diploma and Associates Degree at GRCC.

It has truly been my honor to serve as your superintendent during these ex-citing times. I encourage you to sign up for our We Are GR Enews and/or social media to learn more about all the great things happening at GRPS!

July 2016 3

4 July 20164 Orientation/Open House Schedule

Elementary (K-5) SchoolsBrookside ElementaryRegistration 8/23, 8/24 & 8/25, 9:00am-4:00pmOpen House 9/14, 5:30-6:30pmBuchanan ElementaryOpen House 9/14, 5:00-6:30pmBurton ElementaryOrientation 8/23 & 8/25, 6:00-8:00pm 8/30, 2:00-4:00pmOpen House 8/31, 6:00-7:30pmCA Frost Environmental Science Academy ElementaryOrientation 8/31, 6:00-8:00pmCampus ElementaryOrientation 8/11, 8/15 & 8/22, 8:00am-3:00pmOpen House 9/6, 5:00-7:00pmCesar E. Chavez ElementaryOrientation 8/31, 5:00-7:00pmCoit Creative Arts AcademyOrientation 8/31, 4:00-6:00pm

Congress ElementaryOrientation 8/24, 9:00am-4:00pm 8/25, 11:00am-7:00pmOpen House 8/31, 5:00-7:00pmEast Leonard ElementaryOrientation 8/31, 5:00-6:00pmKen-O-Sha Park ElementaryOrientation 8/31, 5:00-7:00pmKent Hills ElementaryOrientation 8/31, 4:00-6:00pmMulick Park ElementaryOrientation 8/31, 5:00-6:30pmPalmer ElementaryOrientation 8/31, 5:00-6:30pmSibley ElementaryOpen House 9/15, 4:00-5:30pmStocking ElementaryOrientation 9/1, 6:00-7:00pmOpen House 9/15, 6:00-7:00pm

K-8 SchoolsAberdeen SchoolOrientation 8/17, 10:00-11:00am and 5:00-6:00pmOpen House 8/31, 6:00-7:00pmDickinson Cultural CenterTo be determinedGerald R. Ford Academic CenterOrientation 8/23, 8/24 & 8/31, 10:00am-6:00pmParent Meeting 9/13, 6:00pmGrand Rapids MontessoriOrientation 8/31, 5:00-7:00pmHarrison ParkOrientation (K-5) 8/23, 11:30am and 3:30pm 8/25, 9:30am and 5:30pmOrientation (6-8) 8/23, 1:30pm, and 5:30pm 8/25, 11:30am and 3:30pmOpen House 8/31, 5:00-6:15pmMartin Luther King, Jr. Leadership AcademyOrientation 8/23, 9:00am, 12:00pm, and 5:30pm 8/25, 9:00am, and 12:00pmNorth Park MontessoriOrientation 8/31, 5:30-7:30pmShawmut HillsOrientation 8/31, 6:30-7:30pmMake-up Orientation 9/1, 10:00amSherwood Park Global Studies AcademyOrientation 8/30, 6:00pmSouthwest Community CampusOrientation 8/23 & 8/25, 12:00pm and 6:00pmOpen House 9/1, 5:00-7:00pm

Middle SchoolsAlger MiddleOrientation 8/22 & 8/23 8:00am-4:00pm (presentation at 9:00am & 2:00pm)Make-up Orientation 8/25 & 8/26, 8:00am-4:00pmOpen House 9/8, 4:00-5:30pm

Blandford SchoolOrientation 8/25, 6:00pm

Burton MiddleOrientation 8/24, 4:00-5:30pm (6th grade) 8/24, 4:00-6:00pm (Refugee) 8/25, 4:00-5:30pm (7th grade) 8/30, 12:00-1:30pm (8th grade)Make-up Orientation 8/31, 10:00am-12:00pmOpen House 8/31, 5:00-6:00pm 9/6, 9:00-10:30am

CA Frost Environmental Science Academy High MiddleOrientation 8/23, 3:00pm (6th grade)

Center for EconomicologyOrientation 8/23, 3:00pm (6th grade)

City High Middle (see high school section)

Grand Rapids MontessoriOrientation 8/17, 2:00-4:00pm 8/31, 5:00-7:00pm

Grand Rapids Public Museum SchoolOrientation 8/18, 4:00-5:30pm (7th grade) 8/18, 5:00-7:00pm (6th grade)

Riverside MiddleOrientation 8/25, 1:00-4:00pm 8/29, 2:00-6:00pmOpen House 9/15, 6:00pm

UPrepOrientation 8/16, 11:00am (6th grade) 8/16, 12:30pm (7th grade) 8/16, 1:30pm (8th grade)Make-up Orientation 8/25, 2:00-6:00pm

Westwood MiddleOrientation 8/22, 1:00-3:00pm 8/29, 5:00-7:00pmOpen House 9/6, 5:30-7:00pm Zoo SchoolOrientation 8/30, 6:00pm

High SchoolsCA Frost Environmental Science Academy Middle HighOrientation 8/23, 11:00am & 6:00pm

City High MiddleOrientation 8/23, 9:00am (new families) 8/23, 11:00am (12th grade) 8/23, 1:00pm (11th grade) 8/24, 9:00am (10th grade) 8/24, 11:00am (9th grade) 8/24, 1:00pm (8th grade) 8/24, 6:00pm (new families)Make-up Orientation 8/29, 10:00amOpen House 9/14, 6:30pm

Grand Rapids Learning CenterOrientation 8/16, 8/17 & 8/18, 10:00am

Grand Rapids MontessoriOrientation 8/9, 10:00am-1:00pm & 5:00-7:00pm 8/17, 10:00am-12:00pm & 5:00-7:00pm 8/31, 5:00-7:00pm

Innovation CentralOrientation 8/1, 1:00-3:00pm and 5:00-7:00pm (9th grade) 8/2, 9:00-11:00am & 1:00-3:00pm (9th-12th grade) 8/3, 1:00-3:00pm & 5:00-7:00pm (9th-12th grade) 8/4, 9:00-11:00am & 1:00-3:00pm (9th-12th grade)

Ottawa Hills To be determined

Southeast Career Pathways To be determined

UnionOrientation 8/16 & 8/18, 8:00am-12:00pm & 3:00-7:00pm (9th grade only) 8/22, 2:00-6:00pm (10th-12th grades) 8/23, 9:00am-1:00pm (10th-12th grades) 8/24, 3:00-7:00pm (10th-12th grades) 8/25, 3:00-7:00pm (10th-12th grades) 8/26, 9:00am-1:00pm Open House 9/14, 5:30-7:00pm

UPrepOrientation 8/18, 11:00am (9th grade) 8/18, 12:30pm (10th grade) 8/18, 1:30pm (11th and 12th grade)Make-up Orientation 8/25, 2:00-6:00pm

July 2016 5Bell Schedule & News

Drop Off/ Breakfast

Bell TimesAM PM

Aberdeen School 8:10 8:30 3:23Academy of Business, Leadership & Entrepreneurship @ Innovation Central

7:10 7:40 2:18

Academy of Design and Construction @ Innovation Central 7:10 7:40 2:18Academy of Health, Science & Techonolgy @ Innovation Central

7:10 7:40 2:18

Academy of Modern Engineering @ Innovation Central 7:10 7:40 2:18Alger Middle School 7:15 7:40 2:18Blandford School 7:50 8:10 3:03Brookside Elementary 8:10 8:30 3:23Buchanan Elementary 8:10 8:30 3:23Burton Elementary 8:10 8:30 3:23Burton Middle 7:15 7:40 2:18CA Frost Environmental Science Academy Elementary, K-5th grades

8:50 9:10 4:03

CA Frost Environmental Science Academy High Middle, 6th-10th grades

7:10 8:00 2:43

Campus Elementary 8:10 8:30 3:23Center for Economicology @ City 7:45 8:00 2:38Cesar E. Chavez Elementary 8:10 8:30 3:23City High Middle School 7:45 8:00 2:38Coit Creative Arts Academy 8:50 9:10 4:03Congress Elementary 8:10 8:30 3:23Dickinson Academy 8:10 8:30 3:23East Leonard Elementary 8:10 8:30 3:23Gerald R. Ford Academic Center 8:50 9:10 4:03GR Montessori, PK-6th grades 8:50 9:10 4:03GR Montessori, 7th-12th grades 7:10 7:40 2:18Grand Rapids Learning Center 7:45 4:15Grand Rapids Public Museum School 7:50 8:10 3:03Harrison Park School 8:10 8:30 3:23KEC Beltline 7:35 7:40 2:11

Drop Off/ Breakfast

Bell TimesAM PM

KEC Oakleigh K-8 8:15 8:30 2:58Ken-O-Sha @ Campus, AM session 9:15 11:51Ken-O-Sha @ Campus, PM session 12:31 3:07Ken-O-Sha @ Van Auken, AM session 9:15 11:51Ken-O-Sha @ Van Auken, PM session 12:31 3:07Ken-O-Sha Elementary 8:10 8:30 3:23Kent Hills Elementary 8:10 8:30 3:23Kent Vocational Options 7:30 7:35 2:08Lincoln Developmental Center 7:50 8:05 2:18Lincoln School 7:50 8:05 2:18Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Academy 8:10 8:30 3:23Mulick Park Elementary 8:10 8:30 3:23North Park Montessori @ Wellerwood, PK-K, AM session 9:00 12:07North Park Montessori @ Wellerwood, PK-K, PM session 12:47 3:53North Park Montessori, 1st-8th grades 8:50 9:10 4:03Ottawa Hills High School 7:10 7:40 2:18Palmer Elementary 8:10 8:30 3:23Pine Grove Learning Center 7:50 8:05 2:18Project Search 8:00 2:43Riverside Middle School 7:15 7:40 2:18Shawmut Hills 8:10 8:30 3:23Sherwood Park Global Studies Academy 8:50 9:10 4:03Sibley Elementary 8:10 8:30 3:23Southeast Career Pathways Center, AM session 9:00 2:39Southeast Career Pathways Center, PM session 4:00 8:00Southwest Community Campus 8:50 9:10 4:03Stocking Elementary 8:10 8:30 3:23Union High School 7:10 7:40 2:18University Prep Academy, 6th-7th grade 7:35 8:00 2:38University Prep Academy, 8th-12th grade 7:10 7:35 2:13Westwood Middle School 7:15 7:40 2:18Zoo School 7:55 8:15 3:08

School Bell Schedule

GRPS Early Childhood Successfully Transforms to Inclusive Pre-Kindergarten Learning By Matthew Beresford, Director of Early Childhood Education During the past school year, Grand Rapids Public School’s Early Childhood Department worked in partnership with the Early Childhood Special Education Department to transform pre-kinder-garten learning experiences to be more equitable to all children across the dis-trict. Recently, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Education released the first federal policy statement on inclusion, “Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs”, and it was clear in that statement that the physical placement of children with disabilities in

high-quality early childhood classrooms continues to encounter barriers nation-wide.

As part of phase two of the GRPS Transformation Plan, we evaluated ac-cess, participation, and support barriers within the district and worked to design and implement a new Inclusion model of teaching preschoolers with and with-out special needs together as much as possible. These children now shared an aligned curriculum and student assess-ment with ambitious expectations for learning, and their teachers saw in the

past year high student growth in meeting and exceeding those new learning goals. Parents of preschoolers with and with-out special needs celebrated the district inclusion transformation and their child’s learning success with comments such as, “My son’s learning goals were met by the staff getting to know his preferred learn-ing style and giving him access to the same curriculum as all the other kids to achieve academic and social goals” (MLK Jr. Leadership Academy parent) and “Inclusion has benefited my child in that she has experienced and learned that not everyone is the same and it’s ok!” (Kent

Hills parent).

During the past year, GRPS has been recognized within the State of Michigan as a highly effective model of early child-hood inclusion and has hosted learning tours from other urban districts want-ing to improve their opportunities and outcomes for all young children. For the 2016-17 school year, we are excited to expand our inclusion model and increase its capacity and resources to support even more preschoolers learning and laugh-ing together within their neighborhood schools around our grand city!

6 July 2016GRPS Calendar

2016-2017 CALENDAR

August 11, 2016 Back to School Celebration, John Ball Park, 4:00-7:30 pm (in case of rain – City High Middle)

August 19, 2016 DISTRICT CLOSEDAugust 25, 2016 Football Season Opener - Ottawa Hills v Kenowa Hills, Houseman

Field, 7:00 pmAugust 25, 2016 Football Season Opener - Union v Wayland, Wayland High School,

7:00 pmSeptember 6, 2016 FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

September 6-8, 2016 Adult Education RegistrationSeptember 7-30, 2016 MAP Testing (Grades K-8 mandatory; 9-11 optional)

September 17, 2016 Ottawa Hills High School Volleyball Tournament, Ottawa Hills High School, 9:00 am

September 19, 2016 First day of LOOP programmingSeptember 30, 2016 Ottawa Hills High School Homecoming Football Game, Houseman

Field, 7:00 pmOctober 1, 2016 Ottawa Hills High School Girls Swim Invite, Ottawa Hills High School,

9:00 amOctober 1, 2016 FAFSA Application Opens for 2017-2018 (studentaid.gov/fafsa)October 5, 2016 STUDENT COUNT DAY

October 14, 2016 Union High School Homecoming Football Game, Houseman Field, 7:00 pm

October 15, 2016 GRCC Dual Enrollment Applications Due (Winter Semester)October 19, 2016 College Board PSAT/NMSQT (Grades 9-11)October 20, 2016 School Choice Expo, City High Middle, 4:00-6:00 pmOctober 22, 3016 Middle School/Elementary Cross Country Invite, GRPS University,

10:00 am

October 24-28, 2016 Michigan College Application WeekNovember 1, 2016 First Round College Application Deadline for Colleges/UniversitiesNovember 4, 2016 End of 1st Marking Period

November 7-8, 2016 NO SCHOOL for StudentsNovember 9, 2016 Beginning of 2nd Marking Period

November 22, 2016 No LOOP ProgrammingNovember 23, 2016 NO SCHOOL – Conference Exchange DayNovember 24, 2016 NO SCHOOL – HolidayNovember 24, 2016 24th Annual Turkey Trot, Van Andel Arena, 8:00 amNovember 25, 2016 DISTRICT CLOSEDNovember 29, 2016 Ottawa Hills v Union Girls Basketball, Union High School, 5:30 pm

December 1, 2016 School Choice Expo, Gerald R. Ford Academic Center, 4:00-6:00 pmDecember 8, 2016 Theme School & Centers of Innovation MAP Testing

December 15, 2016 Theme School & Centers of Innovation MAP Testing

December 16, 2016 No LOOP Programming

December 17, 2016 GRPS Battle of I-96 Holiday Hoops Tournament, 12:00 pm

December 23, 2016 - January 2, 2017

NO SCHOOL, Winter Break

January 3, 2017 School ResumesJanuary 5, 2017 Blandford Informational Meeting, 8:30-9:30 am

January 10, 2017 School Choice Expo, Location TBD, 4:00-6:00 pmJanuary 12, 2017 Theme School & Centers of Innovation MAP testingJanuary 12, 2017 Zoo School Informational Meeting, 8:30-9:30 am, Ballroom upstairs

January 14, 2017 Floyd Mayweather Boys Basketball Classic, Ottawa Hills High School, 12:00 pm

January 16, 2017 NO SCHOOL, Martin Luther King Day, Conference Exchange Day

January 17, 2017 Theme School & Centers of Innovation MAP testingJanuary 18-20, 2017 Half Day for Students PK-8

Secondary Exams (AM) End of 2nd Marking Period

January 23, 2017 Beginning of 3rd Marking PeriodJanuary 23-

February 10, 2017MAP Testing (Grades K-8 mandatory; 9-11 optional)

January 25, 2017 Kindergarten Here I Come, Grand Rapids Public Museum, 5:30-7:30 pm

January 31, 2017 Theme School & Centers of Innovation Application DeadlineJanuary 31, 2017 Ottawa Hills High School v Union High School Boys Basketball, Union

High School, 4:00 pmFebruary 4, 2017 Ottawa Hills Boys Swim Invite, Ottawa Hills High School, 9:00 amFebruary 4, 2017 Red Hawk Boys Basketball Showcase, Union High School, 12:00 pmFebruary 6, 2017 NO SCHOOL

February 6- March 24, 2017

WIDA Testing

February 8, 2017 STUDENT COUNT DAYFebruary 10, 2017 Ottawa Hills High School Red Out Game for AHA, Ottawa Hills High

School, 6:00 pmFebruary 15, 2017 GRCC Dual Enrollment Applications Due (Summer Semester)February 28, 2017 FAFSA Deadline

March 23, 2017 End of 3rd Marking PeriodMarch 24, 2017 NO SCHOOLMarch 27, 2017 Beginning of 4th Marking PeriodMarch 31, 2017 DISTRICT CLOSED

April 1, 2017 Grand Rapids Community Foundation Scholarship Applications DueApril 3-7, 2017 NO SCHOOL, Spring Break

April 10-May 26, 2017 MI-Access Testing (alternative assessment for Grades 3-8 & 11)April 10-May 5, 2017 M-Step Testing (Grades 5, 8 & 11)

April 11, 2017 SAT Test (Grade 11 only)April 11-12, 2017 PSAT Test (Grades 9-10)

April 12, 2017 WorkKeys Test (Grade 11 only)April 15, 2017 GRCC Dual Enrollment Applications Due (Fall Semster)April 18, 2017 PreK to Kindergarten Student/Parent Transition Event

April 24-May 12, 2017 MAP Testing (Grades K-11)April 25, 2017 Make-up SAT Test (Grade 11 only)

April 25-26, 2017 Make-up PSAT Test (Grades 9-10)April 26, 2017 Make-up WorkKeys Test (Grade 11 only)

May 1-26, 2017 M-Step Testing (Grades 3, 2, 6 & 7)May 26, 2017 No LOOP ProgrammingMay 29, 2017 DISTRICT CLOSED, Memorial DayJune 2, 2017 Last Day of LOOP Programming

June 8-9, 2017 High School Graduations (Tentative)June 12-14, 2017 Half Day for Students PK-8

Secondary Exams (AM) End of 4th Marking Period

June 15, 2017 Conference Exchange Day

July 2016 7

Theme School Transportation Process Transportation regions can vary for each theme school. Pick-up will be at an atten-dance area school within the specified region. Drop-off will be at a neighborhood bus stop within that region. If your child lives within the attendance area of his/her theme school and lives more than 1.0 mile from the school, he/she will be picked up at a local pickup spot. If your child’s Theme school is...

Your child will be picked up at one of the following:

C.A. Frost Environmental Science K-5 C.A. Frost Environmental Science 6-8 @ Covell

Campus, Congress, MLK Academy, East Leonard, Dickinson, Harrison Park, Shawmut, Sibley, Stocking

Coit Creative Arts Academy Campus, Congress, East Leonard, Kent Hills, Harrison Park, MLK Academy

Gerald R. Ford Academic Center Brookside, Campus, Cesar E. Chavez, Congress, MLK Academy, Mulick School

Grand Rapids Montessori Buchanan, Campus, Congress, Dickinson, MLK Academy, Mulick School

North Park Montessori Aberdeen, Congress, East Leonard, Harrison Park, Kent Hills, North Park Montessori, Palmer, Stocking

Sherwood Park Global Studies Academy

Buchanan, Burton, Brookside, Dickinson, Campus, Cesar E. Chavez, Ken-o-Sha, Mulick

Southwest Community Campus Buchanan, Burton, Congress, Campus, Cesar E. Chavez, East Leonard, MLK Academy, Mulick, Dickinson, Sibley

Blandford/Zoo/GR Museum School City Middle / Center for Economicology

Students will be picked up at a comprehensive middle school (Alger, Burton Middle, Riverside or Westwood) • In the A.M., if students live

more than 1.5 miles from their neighborhood middle school, they will ride in with the neighborhood middle school students and transfer to Blandford/Zoo shuttle bus.

• In the P.M., students will be delivered to a neighborhood bus stop within .5 miles of their home.

Students will be picked up at a comprehensive middle school (Alger, Burton Middle, Riverside or Westwood) • In the A.M., if students live

more than 1.5 miles from their neighborhood middle school, they will ride in with the neighborhood middle school students and transfer to the City shuttle bus.

• In the P.M., students are shuttled to a designated elementary school and transported on to a neighborhood stop if they live more than 1.0 mile from the elementary School.

Transportation

8 July 2016Phone Directory & Uniforms

School Uniforms Required at All Schools Uniforms are required at all GRPS schools this fall. Superintendent Teresa Weath-erall Neal called for district-wide school uniforms in the GRPS Transformation Plan, which was adopted in 2012. The proven benefits of school uniforms include:

• Increased focus on teaching and learning

• Reduced distraction, peer pressure, and behavioral issues

• Cost savings to parents/families

• Strengthened school pride

• Improved school safety

The school uniform policy requires students to wear collared, solid shirts in navy blue, light blue, white, red, black, or orange. Examples of approved styles of shirts are polo shirts and button downs. For bottoms, students can wear navy blue, black, or khaki. Bottoms can be pants, shorts, skirts, dresses, or jump-ers. Denim, sweatpants, leggings, and jeggings may not be worn as bottoms. Leggings, tights, or nylons may be worn under a skirt or dress.

GRPS is pleased to partner with five preferred vendors to help families access school uniforms. One of those preferred vendors is Meijer. Meijer offers year round uniforms at their stores on Alpine and 28th Street at Kalamazoo. They also carry uniforms at their Clyde Park, Cascade, Plainfield, Standale, and Gaines Township stores during the back to school season. Another preferred vendor is Screen Ideas. Screen Ideas offers low cost uniforms and has a new storefront in St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store. The store is open Mon-day-Friday from 12:30-5:30pm. Screen Ideas also offers uniforms through their website www.grandrapidss-chooluniforms.com. Office Depot also provides online ordering at www.grandrapidspublicschools.yukillc.com. All uniforms ordered through Office Depot will be shipped to your home at no charge. Lands’ End is also a preferred vendor, offering online, over the phone, and in-store shopping. Finally, Goodwill offers uniforms through their stores.

Learn more about uniform requirements and pre-ferred vendors at grps.org/uniforms.

High School Uniform Policy

High schools students will follow the same uniform policy as elementary, K-8, and middle school students with some exceptions.

• CA Frost Environmental Science Middle/High School

- As an additional color option for shirts, green is permissible

- School logos/school related attire may be worn

- Athletes may wear game day gear on game days

• City High/Middle School

- Spirit wear from the approved list, including logo wear, in royal blue, black or gray

- Additional options for pants/bottoms include gray and dark brown

- Athletes may wear game day gear on game days

• Grand Rapids Learning Center

- Exempt from policy due to location on GRCC Campus

• Grand Rapids Montessori High School

- Spirit wear in maroon, gray or black

- Hoodies are not permitted

• Innovation Central High School

- Spirit wear includes any shirt with the school or district logo

- Athletes may wear jerseys on game days

- JROTC is permitted to wear uniform on JROTC Uniform Wednesday

- Hoodies are not permitted

• Ottawa Hills High School

- Spirit wear must be orange or black with the school logo

- Prefer students to wear orange, white or black shirts

- Athletes may wear game day gear on game days

- JROTC is permitted to wear uniform

- Hoodies with school logos are permitted

• Southeast Career Pathways

- Will continue with current dress code policy.

• Union High School

- Spirit wear must be red, black, white or gray and is only permissible with appropriate uniform pants as outlined in the Uniform Discipline Policy

- Athletes may wear game day gear on game days

- JROTC is permitted to wear uniform

- Hoodies with school logos are permitted

• University Preparatory Academy

- Will continue with current dress code policy.

At the principal’s discretion, Fridays may be non-uniform days. Principals will determine appropriate attire for these days. These will be published in each school’s handbook and/or newsletter.

Information ............................................. 616.819.2000Action Line ............................................ 616.819.2500Adult Education .................................... 616.819.2734Athletics/Student Activities .................... 616.819.2010Board of Education ............................... 616.819.2197Business Services ................................ 616.819.2070Communications ................................... 616.819.2149Community & Student Services ............ 616.819.2150Curriculum/Instruction ........................... 616.819.2162Dean Transportation ............................. 616.819.3000Early Childhood .................................... 616.819.2111Elementary and K8 Office ..................... 616.819.2020English Language Learners .................. 616.819.2129Facilities and Operations ....................... 616.819.3030Fine Arts ............................................... 616.819.2156GED Testing & Preparation .................. 616.819.2734GRASP .................................................. 616.819.2548Homeless Program ............................... 616.819.2519Human Resources ................................ 616.819.2022LOOP/LOFT After School Program ....... 616.819.2165Middle School Office .............................. 616.819.2129Nutrition Services ................................. 616.819.2135Office of Information Services ............... 616.819.2152Organizational Learning ....................... 616.819.2340Payroll/Retirement ................................ 616.819.2040Public Safety/Security ........................... 616.819.2100High School Office ................................ 616.819.2112Shared Time ......................................... 616.819.3200Special Education ................................. 616.819.2185Student Advancement Foundation ....... 616.988.5430Superintendent of Schools ................... 616.819.2193Title I ..................................................... 616.819.2125Transcript Requests .............................. 616.819.2153Volunteers ............................................. 616.819.2519

GRPS Phone Directory

July 2016 9Nutrition

More High School Students Eating Breakfast at School Ottawa Hills and Union High Schools took part in a Breakfast Pilot at the end of the 2015 -2016 school year. The pilot was run in conjunction with United Way in an effort to increase breakfast consumption among all students in West Michigan.

Nationwide, the number of teens who eat breakfast is quite low. According to a study conducted by Kellogg’s, less than 40% of American high school students eat breakfast (1). However, countless studies continue to prove the advantages of eating breakfast as it relates to improved academic performance. Additionally, many educators agree that breakfast is important for students. Below are the percentages of educators who recognized benefits when more of their students ate breakfast (2):

• 68% noticed better behavior during school • 74% identified lower complaints of headaches and stomachaches• 87% saw improvements in academic performance • 93% indicated kids had better concentration throughout the day

The Breakfast Pilot had a dual purpose. The first part focused on gathering more information about barriers and reasons why high schools students choose not to eat breakfast. A written survey was administered to students, and United Way staff also talked with students during the breakfast period at school.

The second part of the pilot centered on getting more students to have breakfast. A “Grab and Go” meal was provided to teens that arrived after the serving time in the cafeteria. Carts with food were positioned at the main entrance and students were of-fered balanced breakfast components as they entered the building. The intention of the Grab and Go option was to give all students access to a healthy meal to start their day. All children should have breakfast every day.

The pilot turned out to be very successful with the support of Principals Rod-ney Lewis and Karl Nelson as well as the staff teams at both Ottawa Hills and Union. Though they were each relatively short in duration (3-4 weeks), breakfast participation grew significantly within both schools. Compared to the number of students served at lunch, Ottawa Hills had a 12% increase in breakfast participation. Union also saw great improvement, with an average of 100 more students consuming breakfast each day. Results from student surveys and discussions as well as post-pilot staff surveys will be analyzed to help develop additional strategies to improve breakfast consumption district-wide during the upcoming school year.

1. http://www.kelloggs.com/en_US/the-power-of-breakfast/breakfast-in-america.html2. http://www.hungerinourschools.org/

School Meals Make a Difference!Free Meals for All Students Community Eligible Meals is an innovative pro-gram that allows Grand Rapids Public Schools to offer breakfast and lunch to every student, free of charge. We know that classroom performance is tied directly to students being prepared mentally and physically. By removing financial barriers to accessing a healthy and nutritious breakfast and lunch at school, every student at GRPS is able to fuel their body for a more productive day of learning. Please make the effort to ensure that your student is participating in our school breakfast and lunch program every day. Check out menus and videos about our program on our website: www.grps.org/nutri-tion.

Employment Opportunities Don’t forget, our department is always looking for motivated and enthusiastic adults to work for the Nutrition Services Department. If you enjoy working with kids and are looking for part-time work during the school day at one of our school buildings, we have posi-tions available for cafeteria aides and substitute cooks. For more information, call our office at 819-2135 or go to www.grps.org for an online application.

Supplemental Services Application Required Schools will be distributing and collecting this extremely important application in September. The information you provide by completing this applica-tion is required to ensure that the many services GRPS provides on behalf of your child continue without interruption through the coming school year. GRPS receives millions of dollars from the state and federal government to provide the services listed below – all of which is dependent upon the information you provide to us in this application. These special services include:

• Free breakfast and lunch for all students • City bus passes that provide transportation for

GRPS high school students• Free tutoring and afterschool programming for

your child• Extra teacher aides and much needed specialized

staff for your child’s classroom• Additional classroom technology, computers,

and internet access• College testing services and waivers of college

application fees• Field trip and special event opportunities

Save Time and Money; Eat Breakfast at School Did you know that school breakfast helps kids learn? School breakfast:

• Improves test scores• Helps with comprehension and memory• Helps with vocabulary tests• Improves performance on demanding mental

tasks and reaction to frustration• Helps reduce the number of mistakes• Reduces tardiness• Improves attention and behavior• Provides the nutrition needed to learn.

Don’t miss out on the most important (and over-looked) meal of the day. Mornings are busy enough just getting out the door on time, so for your convenience every GRPS school provides free breakfast every school day. Students need to be at their best in the morning. Getting a good night’s sleep, followed by a nutritious breakfast at school will provide your child with a great start to their learning day. Breakfast is available prior to the first hour bell. Check with your child’s school for times.

10 July 2016GRPS News

‘A Better Life, a Safe Life, a Good Future’ Grads with Grit: Hadi Aljazaeri By Charles Honey, Courtesy of School News Network

In a swirling sea of students in red and white caps and gowns who were hugging family members and be-ing photographed, Abdulhadi Aljazaeri stood tall with a beaming smile. In his hand he clutched something precious: a high school diploma.

Standing outside Sunshine Community Church, where he had just tossed his tassel in the Union High School graduation ceremony, the young man his friends call Hadi knew this was something he would never forget.

“This is the best moment of my life,” Hadi said, his well-spoken English rich with the accent of his native Iraq. “This is awesome. My family here with me, they are so, so happy.”

A little more than three years after emigrating with his family from Baghdad, Hadi had just achieved a milestone that would fundamentally change his life. After dropping out of school in his war-ravaged homeland, he now held the ticket to college and career in a new country he is happy to call home.

The moment didn’t come easily. Hadi knew no English when he arrived in Grand Rapids and struggled to understand his teachers. But he persevered for a year at Union High, then completed his studies at two alternative Grand Rapids Public Schools.

He chose to return to Union for his graduation because, he said earlier, “That happens just one time in life. I am really happy when I do that graduation walk.”

Indeed he was, striding across the stage, receiving his diploma and shaking five hands, including that of Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal. Then he pro-ceeded out with 135 fellow graduates to the “Star Wars” theme and joined the red-and-white sea outside.

“I got a high school diploma, so this is the biggest thing in my life,” he said. “I’m proud of myself.”

‘A Better Life, a Safe Life’

His parents are also proud. His father, Raheem, and his mother, Shaymaa, say they left a lawless, dan-gerous land to provide a better home for Hadi and his

7-year-old sister, Rahmah.

“America has freedom. That’s why we came here,” said Raheem, with Hadi translating. “There was no safe life in Iraq. You don’t have human rights. But here in America we do.”

Raheem said he did not think of himself when they moved to Grand Rapids in the spring of 2013. He thought of his children.

“I decided to come to America for a better life, a safe life, a good future. I did not see any of those in Iraq, so I want you to get those here,” he said, speaking to Hadi.

We were in the living room of the family’s tidy Southeast Side apartment. Raheem congenially served me strong, sweet tea as he and Hadi described their journey to America from Iraq. It took them 2 ½ years to be approved for immigration as refugees, Raheem said.

They were aided in Iraq by the International Organization for Migration, which estimates more than three million Iraqis have been displaced by conflict

since 2014. Their entry into Grand Rap-ids was facilitated by Bethany Christian Services, which provides services to many of the estimated 900 refugees expected to resettle this year in West Michigan.

“They are an exceptional family,” said Kristine Van Noord, program manager for Bethany’s refugee adult and family program. “Right from the very begin-ning, they had specific goals and dreams, and they have been very proactive in meeting those.”

Leaving Violence, Finding Friends

The family was also sponsored by Crossroads Bible Church, which pro-

vides refugee families with job searches, tutoring and other services. Shelley Bauer, a teen parent educator in Cedar Springs Public Schools, and husband Tim were “a second family to us,” Raheem said.

They helped ease the family’s transition from Iraq, where ongoing sectarian violence and unstable gover-nance made life difficult, and where thousands now flee the terrors of ISIS. Raheem blames lax gun laws for the death of Hadi’s brother, who at age 12 was accidentally shot by a friend.

Raheem worked there in bakery and dairy businesses, and for a time as a radio installation technician at Camp Taji, a U.S. coalition forces military installation, where he once helped extinguish a building fire, Hadi proudly noted. But life was “no good” in Iraq, Raheem said. “You have no choice, you have to leave.”

Hadi did not like his school, either. It was dirty, lacked respect between teachers

and students, and students made fun of his 6-foot-5-inch height, he said. He stopped going for more than a year before coming to Grand Rapids, where he saw “a big, big difference” in the schools.

Enrolling first at Union High, he took English as a second language classes and studied vocabulary at night. He finished his program at two alternative schools for older students: the Grand Rapids Learning Center, a partnership with Grand Rapids Community College of-fering online learning; and Southeast Career Pathways, an individualized program with a community-based emphasis.

“The schools here are really good,” said Hadi, who came as a freshman and is now 20. “The people are so friendly. The teachers are really helpful.” He proudly shows certificates he’s received for academic excellence.

As for local students’ take on his height, “They said, ‘Hey, you are very tall – come on, let’s play basket-ball!’” Hadi said with a smile. “I said, ‘Wow, OK, let’s do it!’”

Ready for College

Hadi took the same atti-tude toward his new country: Let’s do it.

“I was saying, ‘I have to do this. America’s going to be my life,’” Hadi said firmly. “I see my future. I can do whatever I want. I do have rights. I just say, this is my

life, here.”

With a broad smile, he added, “It’s like I’m an American right now.”

Three years later, he can see his future more clearly. He has been accepted at GRCC, where he plans to study nursing while keeping his options open. He sounds up to the challenge.

“I just want to go for it,” he said. “I just want to study hard.”

Raheem, now a baker at a local market, smiled and said to his son, “I am 50. I don’t have the opportunity to be like you. But I am very happy to see where you are.”

His mother, Shaymaa, said she seeks “a safe life” for her children, telling them, “That’s all I want (for) you guys.”

At the graduation ceremony, Hadi’s family and friends gathered around him with photos and smiles. Later, he sent some of the photos and talked to Raheem’s brother in Iraq. His uncle said to Hadi, “I’m very proud of you. Keep going. Make something of your future.”

Standing tall in his red mortarboard, Hadi looked fully prepared to do so.

Hadi with his family: father Raheem, mother Shaymaa and sister Rahmah

Hadi is confident about his future, saying, “I just want to go for it”

Hadi with the diploma he earned after coming to Grand Rapids from Iraq

Hadi called his graduation “the best moment of my life”

July 2016 11GRPS News

The Student Advancement Foundation—Your GRPS Foundation—Helping Students Thrive! It’s Back-to-School time! Just like you, we’re sharpening our pencils in preparation for a fresh start to a new year of hard work and dedication to student success. That’s priority number one in Grand Rapids Public Schools and for the Grand Rapids Student Advancement Foundation. Just look at the growth and achievement in the past five years. Students’ test scores and attendance rates are up. Our kids are in school, engaged, and ready to learn.

As the primary fundraising partner for GRPS, the Student Ad-vancement Foundation is also leading the way. The SAF provides grant support for unique and real world educational

experiences in Grand Rapids Public Schools ensuring that all students thrive. But we don’t do it alone! We’re calling on our community colleagues to join us this year to ensure our city’s students have the right tools and the best opportunities for a world-class education.

Here’s a sneak peek at just a few of the grants and community collaborations that SAF will support this upcoming school year:

• Supporting LiteracyGRPS wants all children to read and to read

often—at school and at home. Using new technol-ogy, GRPS can better track and populate their libraries with interesting, relevant and appropriate reading material. As a result, circulation is up, es-pecially through the school district’s digital library. For the 2016/2017 school year, the SAF continues to support these efforts with a renewal grant to the GRPS libraries.

• Capturing the College ClimatePartnering with Michigan State University and the MSU Alumni Club of West Michigan, 200 second and third grade students and chaperones visit the MSU campus one Saturday each fall. Students are treated to a football game and exclusive tailgate event, featuring games, inflatables, lunch, plus vis-its and photos with the MSU Dance Team, Coach Izzo and Sparty.

• Removing Barriers to Student SuccessSAF’s Principals Student Support Fund provides mini-grants to principals during the school year to address needs that hinder a successful learning environment. Mini-grants include discretionary funds for essential needs, like school uniforms, eyeglasses or bus passes. Equally important, mini-grants also support critical district-wide initiatives, like the “No More than Five” Attendance Chal-lenge, which has decreased chronic absenteeism by

40%, and the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), which support a culture of learn-ing by reinforcing and celebrating student success both academically and socially.

• Active, Healthy Kids are Ready to LearnSAF continues its grant support for GR8 Sports, Great Kids, a program providing free, after school athletics for all GRPS students in kindergar-ten through eighth grade. The research is clear, children involved in sports are more likely to be engaged and successful in school.

• Creating CapABLE Leaders for TomorrowThe SAF provides sustaining support for the Acad-emy of Business, Leadership and Entrepreneurship (ABLE) at Innovation Central High School, help-ing students learn the elements of operating a small business, and offering opportunities to participate in local, state and even national marketing and business competitions.

• And So Much More!SAF’s work relies on our community partners. In-terested in joining us with your gifts of time, talent or treasure (or all three!)? Join us for our annual Foundation for the Future Luncheon on Octo-ber 19. Like us on Facebook at “Grand Rapids Student Advancement Foundation.” Or visit our website at www.grsaf.org.

12 July 2016Public Safety

Back To School Safety Tips By: Larry D. Johnson, Chief of Staff & Executive Director of Public Safety & School Security

As the summer winds down and our students get prepared to return to school, take advantage of some of the upcoming safety and back to school events that are being sponsored by the Grand Rapids Public Schools, such as the Free Child Safety Day Event sponsored by Engineered Protection Sys-tems (EPS Security) and the KlassKids Foundation. This special offer will be available at the annual GRPS Back to School Celebration Thursday, August 11, 2016 from 4:00 -7:30 pm at John Ball Park, located at 1300 West Fulton Street, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Marc Klass will be on site to offer fingerprints and photographs of children at no cost. Parents will receive this information that they can utilize in the event they have a child disappear. In addition to this and other programs, members of the GRPS Public Safety Department will be on hand to talk with students and parents about bullying and the impact it has on students.

Below are additional tips to con-sider as schools open in a few weeks:

Parents

• When dropping your children off at school, be aware of school rules regarding student drop off. Make attempts to keep personal vehicles out of the bus drop off and pick up lanes.

• Encourage your student to cross the street utilizing the cross walks at all times and not to run across the street in the middle of the blocks.

• With younger children, walk the school route with them and show them the safe places in the event of an emergency.

• Identify bus stop locations and enforce and review all bus rules with your student.

Students

• Walk on the sidewalk and use bike paths when riding a bike to school, wear a bike helmet and obey all of the rules of the road.

• Always ride your bike with the flow of traffic and remember if you are coming to school early or leaving school late, you may need a bike light on the bicycle.

• Always wear light colored cloth-ing and do not wear headphones

or other electronic devices that will distract you from traffic and dangerous situations.

• Beware of your surroundings and if you see anything suspicious get a good description of the person or vehicle and report it to an adult immediately.

• Never approach a suspicious ve-hicle.

• If you see something - say some-thing. And remember if you are afraid to contact the police, you can always call Silent Observer to report a crime.

Motorists

• Be very careful when driving in a school zone or near a school.

• Remember that school is open and lots of students will not be paying attention when crossing the street.

• Stop for all flashing red lights on school buses and make it a practice to just be careful around school buses.

• Pay attention to school crossing guards that assist our students in crossing the street.

• Remember the speed limit in school zone and make it a practice to slow down by another five miles per hour.

The opening of the school year is an exciting time for students of all ages. Safety is our number one priority and as it gets closer to that first day of school, we want you to be aware of the thou-sands of students who will be moving around our city.

Finally, continue to take advantage of summer programs such as the Grand Rapids Pubic Schools Summer LOOP program and the many Parks and Rec-reation programs that our community offers. Nothing is more rewarding then helping a child learn to read; nothing is more rewarding than helping a child achieve a goal; and, nothing is more important than helping a child become successful.

So as you enjoy these last few weeks of summer continue to think safety and let’s get off to another wonderful year in the Grand Rapids Public Schools. We hope to see all of you on August 11, 2016 at John Ball Zoo and if you at-tend the event stop by the Public Safety Booth to say hello.

MERCANTILE BANK MORTGAGE SERVICES

REAL PEOPLEREAL MORTGAGES

*All loans subject to credit and collateral approval.

HISTORICALLY LOW

RATESAPPLY TODAY

*

There are plenty of mortgage options out there, but chances are there is only one that is just right for you. Let a Mercantile Bank mortgage lender help you find the perfect mortgage for your life and your future. No gimmicks and no games, just solid mortgage options with competitive rates designed around your needs.Visit MercBank.com/Mortgage to find a local Mercantile lender and to see our current loan specials.

July 2016 13

by the Michigan Women’s Foundation, which has its heart set for tomorrow’s female leaders and advocates. And Shiza didn’t disappoint. “I really liked the fact that she stressed the importance of regardless of where you are in the world, you can still reach out to help people in need,” said

Abigail Choffell, a senior at Grand Rapids City High. “There was nothing stopping her from achieving her goals, and I’ve now been inspired to take risks myself that I didn’t think I’d be able before.” Added Daniela Puente,

a senior at Innovation Central High, “Shiza’s talk was very inspiring and hopeful. It made me think a lot about what I want to do in the future to make a change.” Shiza has that effect on people. And she owes it mostly to the story of Malala Yousafzai, a fellow Pakistani who at the age of 15 was shot and criti-cally injured by the Taliban while aboard

“What is it,” she asked, almost in a whisper, “that you plan to do with your wild and miraculous life?” And in that moment, you could almost glean flickers of light emanating from the members of her young audi-ence, more than 2,500 girls and young women on the verge. The challenge was issued by Shiza Shahid. And her listeners were comprised of high school and college students from Kent and adjacent counties, mes-merized by this woman who hails from half a world away. But in some magi-cal way, it felt as though she was having a private conversation with them all at the same time. If you don’t know of Shiza Shahid yet, don’t fret. You will. She’s the international figure, originally from Pakistan, who’s igniting women the world over with the desire to harness their gifts for the good of themselves and others. In April, she spoke at an “Empow-erment Forum” sponsored

GRPS News

City Building Goals:

Reestablish the Grand River as the draw to the city & region.

Develop a true Downtown neighborhood home to a diverse population.

Build a 21st century transportation system.

Establish an equity-driven growth model in Downtown Grand Rapids.

Reinvest in public space, culture & inclusive programming.

Retain & attract families, talent & job providers with high quality public schools.

Grow more & better jobs & ensure continued vitality of the local economy.

GR Forward, unanimously approved by the Grand Rapids City Commission in December 2015, is a

community plan and investment strategy to transform the Grand River into a distinct asset and support

the next generation of growth in Downtown Grand Rapids.

downtowngr.org#GRFwd

Put food trucks in the public realm.

Cut the ribbon on the Coldbrook Edge.

Build a coalition to grow minority-owned businesses.

Redesign Calder Plaza.

Enhance 131 overpass lighting at Cherry, Pearl & Bridge streets.

Increase allowable building heights to maximize development potential Downtown.

Reboot the Downtown Area Shuttle.

Pilot winter warming pits & huts.

Deliver 650+ new housing units toward residential critical mass in Downtown.

Startup Downtown resident’s network.

Evaluate options for funding restoration of the rapids in the Grand River.

Turn up the volume on public art.

Change public policy to promote affordable housing.

Break ground on Lyon Square transformation.

Launch bike-share feasibility analysis.

Renovate Grand Rapids Public Museum School space & design program for 54 Jefferson.

2016 Agenda for Action:

Plant 200 trees.

Join Engineered Protection Systems (EPS Security) and Marc Klaas of the KlaasKids Foundation at the GRPS Back to School Celebration on Thurs-day, August 11, 4PM-7:30PM at John Ball Park. They will host their annual KlaasKids Print-A-Thon to promote and educate families about child safety, answer questions, and provide families with a child safety kit at no cost.

Each participating child will receive a comprehensive packet of child safety tools, including:

• Digitized fingerprints

• Updated photograph

• DNA Collection Kit

• Proactive child safety tips

• 9-point plan on what to do if your child disappears

Free Child Safety Packet Available Aug 11

The KlaasKids Foundation was created following the 1993 kidnap and murder of 12-year-old Polly Klaas. KlaasKids Foundation child safety programs are designed to promote awareness and education for parents and children in an effort to protect children against violence. Since 1994, Print-A-Thon events have fingerprinted and photographed more than 1,000,000 children at no cost to families and with-out data basing children’s personal and private information.

Don’t miss out on this rare and unique opportunity.

For more information, please call 819-2149.

Shiza Shahid: Empowering Girls & Women Around the Planet By Charles Honey, Courtesy of School News Network

■ SEE SHIZA SHAHID / A15

Young Women for Change members Ana Lopez and Morgan Locke (far right) pass out journals to GRPS students

14 July 2016Athletics

Sports Physicals All student athletes must have a physical dated on or after April 15th, 2016 to be able to participate in athlet-ics for the 2016-17 school year.

Calling All Volunteers Any parents, family, or community member interested in volunteering your time to support student athletes of GRPS, please contact the volunteer office at 819-2131 or go to www.grps.org/volunteer for the volunteer application.

We are currently looking for:• Elementary coaches for Cross Country, Soccer, Basketball, and Track• Turkey Trot volunteers

Please be aware you will need to fill out our volunteer application and be cleared and approved before assisting any programs.

Fall Sport Start DateCross Country Aug. 10th Football Aug. 8th Girls’ Golf Aug. 10th Boys’ Soccer Aug. 10th Girls’ Swimming Aug. 10th Boys’ Tennis Aug. 10th Volleyball Aug. 10th

High School

Union Athletics: 616-819-3168

Middle SchoolFall Sport Start DateFootball Aug. 22nd Volleyball Sept. 6th Cross Country Sept. 6thBoys’ Soccer Sept. 6th

ElementaryFall Sport Sign-upsCross Country Sept. 6th Soccer Sept. 6thBasketball Nov. 1st For more information contact your elementary school.

Fall Sport Coach Phone Email

Football Rick Angstman 616-648-2279 angstmanr@grps.orgVolleyball Jayne Niemann 616-350-7363 niemannj@grps.orgGirls’ Swimming Jerron Julian 616-550-6692 julianj@grps.orgBoys’ Soccer Athletic office 616-819-3168Sideline Cheer Lindsay Harrison 616-309-8181 harrisonl@grps.orgBoys’ Tennis Tom Harrison 616-322-9574 harrisont@grps.orgGirls’ Golf Jason Stachura 269-830-3530 stachuraj@grps.orgCross Country Dan Droski 616-260-2669 droskid@grps.org

Winter Sport Coach Phone Email

Boys’ Basketball Brandoen Guyton 616-885-0880 guytonb@grps.org Girls’ Basketball April Kidd 616-328-7525 kidda@grps.orgBoys’ Swimming Athletic office 616-819-3168Competitive Cheer Lindsey Harrison 616-309-8181 harrisonl@grps.orgWrestling James Lundy 616-450-1677 lundyj@grps.orgBowling Charles Anderson 616-214-2819 andersonc@grps.orgHockey Tim Sena 586-260-0128

Contact the coach (listed above) or your high school athletic director to get involved and for practice/tryout times.

Fall Sport Coach Phone Email

Football Christian Verley 616-648-1991 verleyc@grps.orgVolleyball Sara Sherry 616-240-2106 sherrys@grps.orgGirls’ Swimming Alex Brinks 616-634-2044 brinksa@grps.orgBoys’ Soccer Andrew Semanson 248-763-4487 semansona@grps.orgSideline Cheer Kierra Gardner 616-438-3540 gardnerk@grps.orgBoys’ Tennis Andre Posey 616-821-2393 poseya@grps.orgGirls’ Golf Craig Kooienga 616-635-0995 kooiengac@grps.orgCross Country Dan Ebright 616-608-2209 ebrightd@grps.org

Winter Sport Coach Phone Email

Boys’ Basketball Van Mayfield 616-706-2591 mayfieldva@grps.orgGirls’ Basketball Pat Charity 808-352-4202 elliottp@grps.orgBoys’ Swimming Eve Julian 616-970-1661 juliane@grps.orgCompetitive Cheer Kierra Gardner 616-438-3540 gardnerk@grps.orgWrestling Paul Arrington 616-822-6426 arringtonp@grps.orgBowling Terry English 616-337-5709 englisht@grps.orgHockey Tim Sena 586-260-0128

Ottawa Hills Athletics: 616-819-2879

PRESENTED BY:

Winter Sport Start DateBoys’ Basketball Nov. 14th Girls’ Basketball Nov. 7th Bowling Nov. 14th Competitive Cheer Nov. 7th Hockey Oct. 31st Boys’ Swimming Nov. 21st Wrestling Nov. 14th

Winter Sport Start DateBoys’ Basketball Nov. 1st Coed Swim Nov. 1st Competitive Cheer Nov. 1st Coed Bowling Feb. 1st Girls’ Basketball Feb. 1st Wrestling Feb. 1st

For more information contact your building’s athletic director.

Thursday, August 25th at 7:00pm “GRPS Kick-Off” Football Season Opener at Houseman Field Saturday, September 17th at 9:00am Ottawa Hills Volleyball Tournament at Ottawa Hills Friday, September 30th at 7:00pm Ottawa Hills Homecoming Game at Houseman Field Saturday, October 1st at 9:00am Ottawa Hills Girls Swim Invite Friday, October 14th at 7:00pm Union Homecoming Game at Houseman Field Saturday, October 22nd at 10:00am MS/Elementary Cross Country Invite at GRPS University Thursday, November 24th at 8:00am 24th Annual - GRPS Turkey Trot 5K

Tuesday, November 29th at 5:30pm Ottawa Hills vs Union Girls Basketball at Union Saturday, December 17th at 12:00pm GRPS Battle of I-96 Holiday Hoops Classic Saturday, January 14th at 12:00pm Floyd Mayweather Basketball Classic Tuesday, January 31st at 4:00pm Union vs. Ottawa Hills Boys Basketball @ Union Saturday, February 4th at 9:00am Ottawa Hills Boys Swim Invite at Ottawa Hills Saturday, February 4th at 12:00pm Red Hawk Showcase at Union Saturday, February 10th at 6:00pm Ottawa Hills Red Out Game for AHA at Ottawa Hills

Don’t miss our special events:

July 2016 15Athletics & GRPS News

Back to School, Back to Sports! Malachi is a Great Kid! He is a four sport athlete and a school leader on and

off the field, including captain on both the wrestling and track teams. And aca-demically? Malachi also thrives in the classroom, with a GPA over 3.0. Mala-chi is just one of the 5,000 Great Kids, who participated in afterschool sports last year through GR8 Sports, Great Kids. GR8 Sports, Great Kids ensures that every GRPS elementary and middle school student has the opportunity to participate in a district after-school sports program, at no cost to the student or the family.

Sign up now! All GRPS elementary and middle school students have the opportunity to participate. There are 14 sports in middle school, from track and cross-country to football, cheer and soccer, and six offered in elementary. You can learn more and sign up at your student’s school or by visiting the GRPS website at www.grps.org/athletics.Volunteer! Volunteers are needed! From coaches to game help, GRPS is looking for volunteers to help with all sports and anyone can apply. The time commit-ment as a coach includes one or two hour-long practices each week and a

game or meet on Saturday for eight weeks. Volunteer coaches are expected to teach and model healthy behaviors, supervise children and help establish a strong connection with GRPS families. To learn more or to apply as a volunteer, please contact Alyssa (alyssa@grsaf.org or 616-988-5430, ext. 3) or visit the GRPS website at www.grps.org/volun-teer. Donate! GR8 Sports, Great Kids athletics programs are free for all students. Com-munity investment is needed to offset the costs of the program. Donations can be made to the Grand Rapids Student Advancement Foundation, the founda-

tion for Grand Rapids Public Schools. All gifts are fully tax deductible. To make a gift, go to www.grsaf.org/gr8-sports-great-kids. For sponsorship in-formation, contact Cara at the Student Advancement Foundation (cara@grsaf.org or 616-988-5430, ext. 5).

a school bus, targeted for speaking out on behalf of women’s right to educa-tion. For her bravery, Malala was award-ed a Nobel Peace Prize, the youngest to ever be so honored. And her story – which includes forging a relationship with Shiza – is creating powerful ripples for girls and women in every corner of the planet. That’s why the Michigan Women’s Foundation brought her here – not only to speak before their group, but to engage the hundreds of students – most from schools within the Kent Interme-diate School District -- who filed into Calvin College’s fieldhouse. She shared the story of Malala, but also of herself, first drawing on her early years, during which she pursued a road of purpose and self-discovery. At 14, she began volunteering on behalf of babies born to women in prison, learning about how some “are discarded before they were even born.” At 16, she assisted victims of an earthquake that claimed some 70,000, toiling in a relief camp where girls were ordered by oppressive males not to show their faces in public.

At 17, Shiza developed a thirst to change the world, but knew she’d need a formal education. She found one at Stanford University in the States, whose administrators were impressed enough to award her a full-ride scholarship. During her sophomore year, she learned about Malala, 11 at the time, who was blogging about the importance of education – a slap in the face to the Taliban. After graduating Stanford, Shiza accepted a job as a consultant and was assigned to Dubai, her “dream job.” But not for long. When she heard Malala had been attacked, she flew to be by her side in a hospital in England. While there, she realized that “There are certain moments when you have to decide who you are,” and she implored her audience to “Let your heart guide you, for it already knows.” In the midst of that epiphany, Shiza recalls, “Someone needed...to build a movement.” The result of that realization is the “Malala Fund,” set up to support local entrepreneurs who sponsor programs to increase educational opportunities for girls and women – groups like the

Michigan Women’s Foundation. Shiza’s turnaround wasn’t lost on Puente, who now feels charged to help girls of Mexican descent like herself. “There are thousands of girls in Mexico that do not have the same opportunities I do,” she said. “So I’m inspired to try to reach out to girls there, and help them get an education, in addition finishing mine.” Deriana Peoples, a senior at Grand Rapids Union High, echoed similar sen-timents: “Shiza taught us all not to give up on our dreams,” she said. “When you make a mistake, you need to correct it and learn from it. “That’s how you become great.” Worldwide, says Shiza “66 million girls are missing from classrooms,” and those numbers increase as refugees con-tinue to surface amid growing tensions overseas. Shiza’s message hit home for Grand Rapids Public Schools Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal. Calling Shiza’s appearance “A defin-ing moment,” she said that “We may never have the opportunity to experi-ence this again,” and asked the audience to consider “becoming all that you can

be.” She added that change begins close to one’s roots, and issued a challenge to affect things “in your home, your schools, your churches, becoming the leader you were meant to be.” “There are,” said the superinten-dent, “no boundaries.” Following her remarks, Shiza was asked by a member of her audience how someone attending high school in Grand Rapids, Michigan can have a worldwide impact. “People make it complicated,” Shiza answered, suggesting that too often, we “hear about something horrible but very quickly stop noticing it. We become de-sensitized.” Instead, she offered, “Become more aware. So much is broken. Acknowledge the truth that it’s wrong, and then make it your place to feel like you should care.” Start a blog to combat things like bullying, she said. Build up your knowl-edge, your expertise. “Don’t wait,” she said, “for someone prettier, for someone richer.”

Shiza Shahid Continued from A13

16 July 2016

A university quality education at a community college price.

Grand Rapids Community CollegeWest Michigan’s Best Choice.

The GRCC Experience is seamless transfer to many college and

university programs; faculty with industry experience; state-of-

the-art, flexible and online learning options; study away and

experiential learning opportunities; and business partnerships

to develop tomorrow’s workforce.