North Godwin News
Week of February 6, 2023
Steve Minard, Principal
Kristi Bast, Secretary
Telephone (616) 252-2010 and Fax (616) 252-2011
FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH
February is the birth month of two figures who loom large in the Black past: U.S. President Abraham Lincoln (born February 12), who issued the Emancipation Proclamation, and African American abolitionist, author, and orator Frederick Douglass (born February 14).
Why was Black History Month created?
Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today.
8 Ways to Celebrate Black History Month:
1. Support Black-Owned Businesses
2. Learn About Noteworthy Black Figures and Their Contributions
3. Donate to Charities That Support Anti-Racism Equity and Equality
4. Purchase, Read, and Share Books by Black Authors
5. Support and Learn About Black Women
6. Listen to or Read “The 1619 Project” by the New York Times, which gives an informative and detailed history of the Black experience.
7. Participate in Online Events offered by the National Museum of African American History and Culture
8. Attend Virtual Black History Month Celebrations
WIDA TESTING BEGINS FEBRUARY 6, 2023
The WIDA Screener is an assessment screening tool used by educators to measure the English language proficiency of students who have recently arrived in the U.S. or in a particular district. It can help to determine whether or not a child is in need of English language instructional services.
Annual 4th Grade Ski Trips
We are very excited to announce our ski trip to Cannonsburg Ski Area in February!
Dates
February 6, 2023 (Mrs. Compher, Mr. Sterken and Mrs. Vander Meulen)
February 13, 2023 (Mrs. Richardson and Mrs. Tidey’s Class go on February 13th!
Need
Your child will need snow pants, waterproof gloves, and a winter coat. Students will be wearing a helmet, so there is no need for hats. If you need assistance with these items, please reach out to your homeroom teacher.
Student Count Day -- February 8
Feeding America Food Truck on Monday, February 13, 2023
Godwin Heights High School
Main Entrance
4:45 PM - 6:00 PM
Please bring your own bags, if you have them! Thank you!
MID-WINTER BREAK IS COMING!
Friday, February 17, 2023
HALF DAY OF SCHOOL
Parent Pick-Up Begins at 11:30 AM
Buses Depart and the Final Bell Rings at 11:45 AM
Monday, February 20, 2023
NO SCHOOL
Please plan accordingly!
Early Release on Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Kindergarten Round Up for the 2023-2024 School Year!
West Godwin Elementary is located at 3546 Clyde Park Avenue SW in Wyoming.
A parent or legal guardian must be present to register a child for Kindergarten. The following documents are required for enrollment. Please be sure to have them with you at enrollment:
Child's original, state-issued birth certificate
2 proofs of residency for RESIDENTS (utility bills, lease, mortgage, etc.)
OR
1 proof of residency for those seeking to apply for SCHOOL OF CHOICE
1 parent photo ID
Child's immunization record
Please call 616-252-2030 for more information!
5th Grade Smiles!
Geneva Bailey
Ariyah Currier Swanson
D'Asia Giles
4th GRADE SMILES!
Synsear Posey
Sincere Easterly
Ellis Williams
3rd GRADE SMILES!
Elianah Argueta
Ava Hodges
Brittney Rodas-Rodas
SAVE the DATE for our next PRINCIPAL'S COFFEE!
North Godwin Girls on the Run 2023
What is Girls on the Run?
"Unlocking Power & Potential"
Girls on the Run has fun, evidence-based programs that inspire all girls to build their confidence, kindness and decision making skills. Dynamic lessons instill valuable life skills including the important connection between physical and emotional health.
Girls on the Run inspires girls of all abilities to recognize their individual strengths, while building a sense of connection in a team setting. Volunteer coaches facilitate lessons that blend physical activity with life skill development to enable girls to adapt to whatever comes their way. At the end of the season, the team completes a 5K together, which provides a tangible sense of accomplishment and sets a confident mindset into motion.
Kent Intermediate School District Caregiver Opportunities
In preparation for upcoming events, especially their "Surviving to Thriving" presentation, we have been asked to share the Kent Intermediate School District's Caregiver Newsletter with our families. Here is the link: Kent ISD Caregiver Newsletter
The newsletter includes registration details for all events occurring through the remainder of the year.
The newsletter includes:
- Special Education for Parents: What Every Parent Should Know (February)
- Parent Collaboration Series (February-June)
- KDL Story Time: Different by Heather Avis (March 1st)
- Surviving to Thriving (March 23)
Please "LIKE" our North Godwin Facebook Page!
Request a Thermometer While Supplies Last!
Attendance Policy
The normal attendance expectations for any given child in the Kent County Intermediate School District are as follows:
> that a child miss not more than 10 days of Excused Absences for the entire school year,
> that a child have no Unexcused Absences for the entire school year
> that a child have not more than 5 Tardies combined with Leave Early check-outs per semester.
> that a child have no Suspensions for the entire school year.
Godwin Heights Public Schools are held by law to report tardies and absences in excess of the guidelines listed above to the Kent Intermediate School District Office of Truancy and School Attendance-State Law Enforcement Division.
The primary rationale for positive attendance is the strong relationship between student attendance and student achievement. Chronic student absences reduces even the best teacher's ability to provide learning opportunities. Students who attend school regularly have been shown to achieve at higher levels than students who do not have regular attendance. This relationship between attendance and achievement may appear early in a child's school career. A recent study looking at young children found that absenteeism in kindergarten was associated with negative first grade outcomes such as greater absenteeism in subsequent years and lower achievement in reading, math, and general knowledge.
Poor attendance has serious implications for later outcomes. High school dropouts have been found to exhibit a history of negative behaviors, including high levels of absenteeism throughout their childhood, at higher rates than high school graduates. These differences in absentee rates were observed as early as kindergarten, and students who eventually dropped out of high school missed significantly more days of school in elementary school than their peers who graduated from high school.
North Godwin Elementary
Email: bast@godwinschools.org
Website: www.godwinschools.org
Location: 161 34th Street Southwest, Wyoming, MI, USA
Phone: 616-252-2010
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NorthGodwin/