Wolverine Weekly
GHMS Updates and Notes (02/21/24)
Half Day Today - No School Thursday & Friday
Dismissal is at 11:15am today.
There is no school tomorrow, Thursday February 22 nor Friday, February 23rd.
Classes resume as normal on Monday, February 26.
Contact Us
Email: susie.yoder@godwinschools.org
Website: https://ms.godwinschools.org/
Location: 100 Wexford St SE, Wyoming, MI, USA
Phone: 616-252-2070
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GodwinMiddle
Principal's Corner - the Value of Honesty
School Calendar
Click here for a link to the full district calendar.
February
2/21: Half Day - 11:15 AM
2/22 - 23: No School
2/26: Board of Education Meeting - 6:00 PM - Admin
March
3/6: Early Release - 1:10 PM
3/20: Early Release - 1:10 PM
3/26: GHPS Health & Wellness Committee Meeting - 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM
3/27: Early Release/PTC - 1:10 PM
3/28: Half Day/PTC - 11:15 AM
3/29: No School
April
4/1-5: No School
4/17: Early Release - 1:10 PM
May
5/1: Early Release - 1:10 PM
5/22: Early Release - 1:10 PM
5/24: Half Day - 11:15 AM
5/27: No School
5/31: Half Day, Last Day of School - 11:15 AM
WIDA Testing
During the months of February and March, English Language students will be taking the WIDA test. This test measures growth in English Language proficiency in the areas of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. If your child is in the EL Program atGHMS, they will be taking this test. Please talk with your child and encourage them to do their very best. Also, be sure they are getting their proper rest. Feel free to reach out to your child's EL teacher or the main office to find out which days your child will be testing.
Health & Wellness Committee Meeting 3/26
Attendance Matters!
STRIVE FOR LESS THAN 5 DAYS ABSENT!
The data for students who are chronically absent is clear: Students who miss more than 10 percent of school time, just two days a month, are far less likely to be proficient than their peers who regularly attend school.
The effects of chronic absenteeism are profound. Kent ISD researcher Sunil Joy found these students are much less likely to become proficient in math or reading. Just one in four are likely to be proficient in math at eighth grade. Worse, low-income students who are chronically absent have just a 10 percent chance of being proficient. Even more startling is the effect on African-American students, with just 3 percent likely to be proficient if they are chronically absent.
Our district is working hard to get at this problem. The value of the Strive for Less Than 5 campaign is its uniform message to all children, families and community partners. Attendance is important, and parents and their children should strive for fewer than five absences a year.
Attendance Policy
As a public school, we are held accountable to public school laws that govern attendance. The Kent Intermediate School District oversees all public schools in Kent County to be sure that all are operating under the laws and of the Michigan Department of Education.
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.
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.
January Students of the Month
Congratulations to our January Students of the Month! Each month, teachers nominate students who demonstrate Godwin PRIDE. January's theme was integrity, a value crucial for success in school and life. Integrity means consistently doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. It's about being honest, respectful, and responsible in all situations.
Omar Romero-Juarez (6th)
Teachers said, "Omar is always prepared, respectful, responsible and does the right thing even when no one is looking."
Saleh Motan (7th)
Teachers shared, "Selah is one of the nicest, most caring, and sincerest 7th grader in this school. I have never heard a negative word from him, and he goes out of his way to greet his teachers before every class."
Eric Ramirez-Villarreal (8th)
Teachers said, "Eric does the right thing even when no one is in the locker room."
Dance Memories
Last Friday, our student council hosted the Sweet As Candy Valentines Dance, drawing in about 200 students! VIP ticket holders enjoyed drinks, cookies, and chips, while additional snacks were sold to fund future events. A big shoutout to student council for planning this successful event, allowing our students to have a fun and memorable time. We're proud of the positive impact such events have on their lives!
Finally, we extend our gratitude to the chaperones who supported the event, enhancing the fun for students and providing invaluable assistance! Special thanks to Mrs. Gomez for her flower arrangements, Mr. Vormittag for generously donating pink roses, and Miss Amiya Haywood for the beautiful background garland.
Change of Address?
If you've moved recently, please update your address with the school office. You can easily do this by emailing a picture to susie.yoder@godwinschools.org or bringing in person a utility bill or any official document confirming your current address.
Having your most up-to-date information helps us deliver important updates to you and ensures a smooth enrollment process for your children in the upcoming school year. Thank you!
Health Corner
Parent's Guide to Keeping Kids Home From School
When your child is sick, it’s important to know when they should stay home from school. If they have a contagious virus or disease, keep them home. This will help them get better faster and keep their teachers and classmates from getting sick.
Talk to your child’s doctor or health care provider if you are unsure if they should stay home from school. As a general rule, your child should not go to school if they have:
- A fever over 100.4° Fahrenheit (F) or 38° Celsius (C) – Your child can return to school after they’ve been fever-free for 24 hours without antipyretics. Antipyretics are medicines that treat or prevent fever.
- Signs they are weak and tired. This is common with the flu.
- Diarrhea – Having loose poop (stool) more often that isn’t caused by a change in diet.
- Throwing up (vomiting) – More than 2 times in a 24-hour period.
- Coughing that disrupts normal activity.
- Wheezing or get short of breath.
- Pain from earache, headache, sore throat, or recent injury.
- Yellow or green drainage from the eye(s).
- A new rash – Not all rashes mean your child must stay home from school. Check with their doctor or health care provider.
If your child has a fever, they must stay home from school until they have been FEVER-FREE for 24 hours WITHOUT medication! Thank you!
Medicine Policy
For over-the-counter medications to be kept and administered at school, we require a parent signature. Prescribed medications must have both a physician's signature and a parent's signature for administration. Thank you for your cooperation.
COVID Policy
If students have a fever, vomiting or diarrhea, they are asked to go home.
If students or staff are COVID positive and asymptomatic or well enough to return to school (No fever for 24 hours), a well-fitting mask is encouraged. Nothing is required.
If your child tests positive, please notify the building office. We are still required by health code to report positive cases as a communicable disease.
We have free COVID tests in the office, available for all interested staff and parents.
Cherry Health Dental
Cherry Street Dental have been on site at GHMS. Cherry Street Dental is performing dental cleanings on students who have opted in for services. If you have any questions, please contact the office.
Community Resources
Weekend Food Assistance Available
Exciting news! Hand2Hand signup is back for the 2nd semester at Godwin Heights Middle School. If your family could benefit from weekend food assistance, CLICK HERE to sign up.
How it works:
- Free and confidential participation.
- At the end of the week students who are signed up for the program will receive a minimum of 10 food items from the Hand2Hand pantry located on the school campus. These food items will be a combination of breakfast, snacks, lunch and/or dinner items. While the food items are meant for the student, they can be shared among the family as well. (Please note: if your student or another family member has food allergies it will be the responsibility of the parent/guardian to check the food your student brings home each week to ensure the food doesn’t contain ingredients which could cause an allergic reaction).
To learn more about Hand2Hand, please visit their website: http://h2hkids.org.
Godwin Heights Public Schools has a proud partnership with Feeding America West Michigan. They provide mobile food truck pantries to our school district once a month.
One in every 9 people. At least 261,000 people in West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula are food insecure—meaning they don't have consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. Food insecurity exists for a variety of reasons, and anyone can experience a bout of it. Feeding America West Michigan, believes hunger is unacceptable and that their community has the power to change lives—one meal at a time. That’s why they've assembled a network of partners that they work alongside on their mission to relieve hunger and increase food security in West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.
Our Godwin Heights Feeding America truck distributions will now be every month on Wednesdays! Same time, same place, 4:45 pm in front of the high school, just one day later each month. Here is the schedule for the rest of the year:
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
If you have your own bags, please bring them!
Free Smoke Alarm Installation
Please see the attached flyer with details about the American Red Cross of West Michigan's Home Fire Campaign for those in need of free smoke alarms. Those that request smoke alarms will have them installed by a Red Cross volunteer based on the client's availability. Smoke alarms and an emergency evacuation plan for the residents of the household will be provided. The installation is scheduled for Saturday April 20 and it’s for residents of Wyoming and preregistration is required. Home Fire Safety | Michigan Region | American Red Cross
Order Your Yearbook Today!
Click here to place your order or scan the QR code below. Don't miss out on the memories!
Athletics
Click the link for all athletic information: https://ghathletics.com/
Staff Shout-Out Opportunity
The middle school team works hard to ensure your child is safe, learning, and a valued member of our building. If you'd like to commend a staff member for their exceptional work, please click here to complete this form. We look forward to sharing your positive messages with staff and our families alike.
Parents Right to Know
As a Title One school, our building receives funding from the federal government to support instruction. In order to receive that funding, we must communicate specific information with our families. Linked below is a letter letting you know that, at any time, you may request information about the qualifications of the staff working in our building. If you have any questions regarding this process, please do not hesitate to reach out to our State and Federal Programs Director, Mary Lang. She can be reached via email at lang@godwinschools.org or by phone at 616-252-2030.