http://vimeo.com/channels/northparkschools
Produced by parent volunteers, these videos give you a peek into the educational environment at North Park Schools. North Park houses both a Montessori and a Traditional Public School in Grand Rapids Michigan. The staff, teachers and parent community are enthusiastic and work hard to make North Park a unique and outstanding experience for the students.
It was great to see so many people from our school community get together to socialize and enjoy a delicious dinner for our first ever Fall Social this past week. 158 members of our school community including students and their families, teachers, and staff spent several hours together dining, chatting and enjoying the fine piano playing of our own Mr. V.
A welcome surprise came when Olive Garden graciously donated the salad, pasta and bread sticks. Numerous families supplied wonderful desserts for everyone.
A special thank you to all those last minute helpers, including some of our students and teachers. The $380 raised from the social will help pay for a portion of the $595 of our BrainPop software subscription, a very successful and dare we say POP-ular resource in our school computer lab. Thank you to all who joined us. The PTA looks forward do sponsoring more social events in the future!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -September 23, 2009
Contact John Helmholdt 616-481-2152
GRPS CALLS ON WMI LAWMAKERS TO “JUST SAY NO”
GRPS is calling on all parents, volunteers, and community supporters to contact West Michigan lawmakers are tell them to vote NO on the K-12 Conference Committee.
The K-12 Conference Committee report was released just over an hour ago that would cut per pupil funding by $218 per student. For GRPS this means approximately $4.3 million in cuts.
“If this budget is approved, it will push GRPS to the edge of bankruptcy at a time when our education reform efforts are working and the AYP numbers prove it,” said Dr. Bernard Taylor, Jr., Superintendent of Schools. “Now instead of keeping the positive momentum going on our reforms and improvements, we have to focus on more school closures, increased class sizes, and more job cuts.”
Over the last decade, GRPS has cut more than $65 million out of the district’s operating budget, closed or consolidated 20 schools and programs, and cut jobs throughout the district. In fact, the right sizing efforts and educational reforms implemented by GRPS receive statewide recognition a Detroit News editorial in November 2008.
“This is a sad day for children and for the future of Michigan. Education must be a priority in order for this state to retain and attract families, workers, and job providers. Today’s action is a step in the wrong direction and it’s time for people to stand up and say no, enough is enough,” said Taylor.
Rep. Roy Schmidt 517-373-0822
Rep. Robert Dean 517-373-2669
Sen. Bill Hardiman 517-373-1801
Rep. Roy Schmidt 517-373-0822
Rep. Robert Dean 517-373-2669
Sen. Bill Hardiman 517-373-1801
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John Helmholdt
Director of Communications & External Affairs
Grand Rapids Public Schools
PO Box 117
Grand Rapids, MI 49501-0117
Work: 616-819-3740
Cell: 616-481-2152
Fax: 616-819-2146
http://www.grpublicschools.org/
http://www.grpublicschools.org/fiveyearstrategicdirection
http://www.grpublicschools.org/news
http://www.twitter.com/grpsmedia
http://www.youtube.com/grps09
http://www.facebook.com/grandrapidspublicschools
The 3rd Annual North Park School Second Best, Craft & Bake Sale will be held on
Saturday, May 16th from 8 am – 4 pm.
Set up for this fun annual event will be in the school gym on Friday May 15th during school hours.
We welcome:
Donations of garage sale “stuff” (drop off is Friday May 15th, or sooner if you need to)
Crafters (we will rent 10 tables for crafts for $20/table)
Baked Goods (yum)
and Volunteers for posting signs the week before, setting up on Friday, selling and clean up on Saturday
All money from the sale will go to the PTA to support our school.
Please pass on the word about our sale to as many people as you can.
If interested in donating, crafting, baking, or helping, contact Suzanne at ZacknBell@aol.com
Thank you!
9 The Performance
On March 21, 2009, a team of North Park students competed in the 2009 Regional Odyssey of the Mind tournament. The team of 2nd and 3rd grade students and their coaches worked for many months creating a short play to solve the Odyssey problem called “The Lost Labor of Heracles”.
This was the first year North Park has been involved with Odyssey of the Mind. Here are some of the comments from the “OM” judges:
“Enjoyed the story and Zeus voice – great research!”
“Great art work in the posters. An enthusiastic group. You obviously had a great time working together!”
“Cool wild animal mask. Humorous script. Zeus sound was neat! I like the white dear. Great idea for a rock!”
“Nice job. Awesome lark/fawn and great poison vine! Loved your stag. Please come back next year!”
“I liked the pre-recorded creativity to turn your voice into a deep man’s voice. Nice job on research”
“I really liked the transitions between scenes. The announcer did a great job! I loved your enthusiasm!”
“I would never have known this was your first time!”
We are proud of our students and coaches! Great work!