10 Important Dates on the 2024-2025 GRPS School Calendar

The Groves Recreation & Parks School District (GRPS) is excited to announce the release of its 2024-2025 school calendar. This comprehensive document provides important information regarding key dates, events, and holidays throughout the upcoming academic year. Designed to support the academic success and well-being of our students, the calendar reflects careful planning and collaboration among school leaders, teachers, staff, and the community.

The 2024-2025 school year officially commences on Monday, August 26, 2024, and concludes on Friday, June 6, 2025. The calendar includes 180 instructional days, ensuring ample time for students to engage in rigorous learning experiences. Additionally, the calendar incorporates strategic breaks throughout the year, including fall break, winter break, and spring break. These thoughtfully placed breaks provide opportunities for students to rest, recharge, and return to school refreshed and ready to learn.

Moreover, the calendar highlights important school events and activities, such as parent-teacher conferences, open houses, and student performances. These events foster collaboration between home and school, enabling parents and guardians to stay informed about their children’s progress and participate in their educational journey. The calendar also includes designated days for professional development, allowing our dedicated educators to enhance their skills and knowledge, ultimately benefiting our students.

2024-2025 Academic Year at GRPS

2024-2025 GRPS Academic Calendar

The Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) academic calendar for the 2024-2025 school year has been released. The calendar includes important dates such as the first day of school, holidays, and breaks. Parents and students are encouraged to review the calendar and mark important dates on their own calendars.

The first day of school for GRPS students is Monday, August 26, 2024. The last day of school is Friday, June 13, 2025. The calendar includes a total of 180 days of instruction.

There are several holidays and breaks scheduled throughout the school year. The following is a list of holidays and breaks for the 2024-2025 school year:

Date	Holiday/Break
September 2, 2024	Labor Day
November 27-29, 2024	Thanksgiving Break
December 23, 2024 – January 5, 2025	Winter Break
January 20, 2025	Martin Luther King Jr. Day
March 10-14, 2025	Spring Break
May 26, 2025	Memorial Day

Parents and students are encouraged to review the GRPS academic calendar and mark important dates on their own calendars. The calendar is subject to change, so it is important to check the GRPS website for the most up-to-date information.

Major Dates and Events

The Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) school calendar for the 2024-2025 school year has been released. The calendar includes important dates and events for students, parents, and staff.

Major Dates

The following is a list of major dates for the 2024-2025 GRPS school year:

Date	Event
August 26, 2024	First day of school for students
November 25-29, 2024	Thanksgiving break
December 23, 2024-January 3, 2025	Winter break
April 14-18, 2025	Spring break
June 12, 2025	Last day of school for students

School Hours and Attendance Policies

The Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) school calendar for the 2024-2025 school year is as follows:

School Hours

Elementary schools: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Middle schools: 7:45 AM – 2:45 PM

High schools: 7:35 AM – 2:35 PM

Attendance Policies

GRPS has a policy of daily attendance for all students. Students are expected to attend school every day, unless they are sick or have an excused absence. Excused absences include:

Illness
Medical appointments
Religious observances
Family emergencies
School-sponsored activities

Students who are absent from school for any reason must have a note from their parent or guardian explaining the reason for their absence. Students who are absent for more than three days without an excused absence may be referred to the school attendance officer.

Consequences of Excessive Absenteeism

Students who have excessive absences may face consequences, such as:

Number of Absences	Consequence
5-10	Warning letter sent to parents/guardians
11-15	Meeting with school attendance officer
16 or more	Truancy petition filed with the court

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-teacher conferences will be held on the following dates:

Date	Time
Monday, August 26, 2024	3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday, August 27, 2024	3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Scheduling

Parents can schedule their conferences online at https://www.grps.org/parents.
Conferences will be held in person or virtually, at the parent’s choice. Please indicate your preference when scheduling your conference.

Topics Discussed

Conferences will cover the following topics:
• Student progress and academic goals
• Behavior and social-emotional growth
• Attendance and tardiness
• Homework and study habits
• Communication between home and school

Purpose

The purpose of parent-teacher conferences is to build strong partnerships between families and the school. Conferences provide an opportunity for parents and teachers to discuss students’ progress and needs and to work together to support their success.

School Closures

Grand Rapids Public Schools follows a traditional academic calendar that runs from late August to early June, with two semesters divided by winter and spring breaks. School is closed on all federal and state holidays, as well as for teacher professional development days and other special events. A detailed list of school closures is available on the district website.

Holidays

The following holidays are observed by Grand Rapids Public Schools:

Date	Holiday
September 4, 2024	Labor Day
November 11, 2024	Veterans Day
November 27-28, 2024	Thanksgiving Break
December 22, 2024 – January 2, 2025	Winter Break
January 20, 2025	Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February 17, 2025	Presidents’ Day
April 10-13, 2025	Easter Break
May 26, 2025	Memorial Day

Summer Programming

GRPS offers a variety of summer programming options for students of all ages, including:

Early Childhood Summer Camp

This full-day camp is designed for children ages 3-5 and provides a fun and engaging learning experience. Activities include arts and crafts, music, movement, and outdoor play.

Summer STEM Academy

This three-week program is for students entering grades 6-8 and provides hands-on learning experiences in science, technology, engineering, and math. Students will work on projects such as building rockets, designing bridges, and coding video games.

Summer Reading Camp

This full-day camp is for students entering grades 2-5 and provides a fun and engaging way to improve reading skills. Students will participate in a variety of activities, including reading aloud, writing, and games.

Summer Math Camp

This full-day camp is for students entering grades 2-5 and provides a fun and engaging way to improve math skills. Students will participate in a variety of activities, including games, puzzles, and hands-on experiments.

Summer Extended Day Program

This program provides before- and after-school care for students entering grades K-5. Activities include homework help, arts and crafts, and outdoor play.

Summer Sports Camp

This full-day camp is for students entering grades 3-8 and provides instruction in a variety of sports, including basketball, soccer, volleyball, and tennis. Students will also participate in games and tournaments.

Summer Programming	Grades	Duration
Early Childhood Summer Camp	3-5	Full-day
Summer STEM Academy	6-8	Three weeks
Summer Reading Camp	2-5	Full-day
Summer Math Camp	2-5	Full-day
Summer Extended Day Program	K-5	Before- and after-school
Summer Sports Camp	3-8	Full-day

Early Dismissal Days

Early dismissal days are scheduled throughout the school year for various reasons, such as staff development, parent-teacher conferences, and holidays. During these days, students are dismissed from school at an earlier time than usual.

Here is a list of early dismissal days for the 2024-2025 school year:

Date	Reason
August 29, 2024	Staff Development
September 26, 2024	Parent-Teacher Conferences
November 11, 2024	Veterans Day
December 23, 2024	Winter Break
February 17, 2025	Presidents’ Day
April 10, 2025	Good Friday
May 29, 2025	Memorial Day

On early dismissal days, students are typically dismissed at 12:00 PM or 1:00 PM. Parents are responsible for arranging transportation for their children on these days.

It is important to note that early dismissal days may vary depending on the school district. Parents should consult their local school district’s calendar for specific information on early dismissal days.

Professional Development Days

Professional Development (PD) Days are non-student contact days that provide educators with opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge. These days are used for training, collaboration, and planning.

Number of PD Days in 2024-2025 School Year

There will be a total of 10 PD Days in the 2024-2025 school year.

Dates of PD Days in 2024-2025 School Year

The dates of the PD Days for the 2024-2025 school year are as follows:

Date	Purpose
August 20, 2024	New Teacher Orientation
September 3, 2024	Curriculum and Instruction Planning
October 8, 2024	Data-Driven Instruction
November 12, 2024	Technology Integration
December 10, 2024	Classroom Management
January 14, 2025	Differentiated Instruction
February 11, 2025	Student Assessment and Intervention
March 11, 2025	Special Education
April 8, 2025	Positive School Climate
May 13, 2025	Curriculum Night and Planning

Technology and Communication Updates

Updates to Student Devices

All students will be provided with new laptops at the beginning of the school year. These laptops will be equipped with the latest technology and software to support student learning. Students will be required to bring their laptops to school each day.

New Learning Management System

The district will be implementing a new learning management system (LMS) for the 2024-2025 school year. The LMS will provide students and teachers with a central location to access course materials, assignments, and grades. Parents will also be able to access the LMS to track their child’s progress.

Improved Wi-Fi Infrastructure

The district is currently working to upgrade the Wi-Fi infrastructure in all schools. This upgrade will provide students and teachers with faster and more reliable internet access.

Digital Citizenship Curriculum

The district will be implementing a new digital citizenship curriculum for all students. This curriculum will teach students about responsible and ethical use of technology.

Parent Communication App

The district will be launching a new parent communication app for the 2024-2025 school year. This app will provide parents with real-time updates on their child’s progress, attendance, and behavior.

Updates to School Websites

The district is currently working to redesign all school websites. The new websites will be more user-friendly and informative for parents and students.

Online Registration and Enrollment

The district will be implementing an online registration and enrollment system for the 2024-2025 school year. This system will make it easier for parents to register their children for school and to update their contact information.

Automated Student Attendance System

The district is currently working to implement an automated student attendance system. This system will use facial recognition technology to track student attendance. This will help to ensure that all students are accounted for each day.

Online Payments

The district will be implementing an online payment system for the 2024-2025 school year. This system will allow parents to pay for school fees and activities online.

Health and Safety Protocols

The health and safety of our students and staff is our top priority. We have implemented the following protocols to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment:

Daily Health Screening

All students and staff must complete a daily health screening before entering the school building. The screening includes questions about symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

Mask Mandate

All students and staff are required to wear masks while indoors, regardless of their vaccination status. Masks must cover the nose and mouth.

Social Distancing

We maintain a safe distance between students and staff whenever possible. Classrooms and other common areas are arranged to allow for appropriate spacing.

Handwashing and Hygiene

Handwashing stations are available throughout the school. All students and staff are required to wash their hands frequently, especially after using the restroom, before eating, and after coughing or sneezing.

Air Quality

We monitor the air quality in all indoor spaces. We use air purifiers and open windows and doors to ensure proper ventilation.

Cleaning and Disinfection

All surfaces are cleaned and disinfected regularly. We use EPA-approved cleaning products and follow all CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfection.

COVID-19 Vaccination

While vaccination is not required, we strongly encourage all students and staff to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the spread of the virus and protect our community.

Health Monitoring

We monitor the health of our students and staff closely. We work with local health officials to identify any potential cases of COVID-19 and take appropriate action.

Communication and Transparency

We communicate regularly with our school community about our health and safety protocols. We provide updates on any changes or developments.

Table: COVID-19 Symptom Screening

Symptom	Action
Fever (100.4ºF or higher)	Stay home and contact a healthcare provider.
Cough	Monitor symptoms and stay home if the cough is persistent or severe.
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing	Seek medical attention immediately.
Loss of taste or smell	Monitor symptoms and stay home if they persist.
Other COVID-19 symptoms (e.g., body aches, fatigue, headache)	Monitor symptoms and stay home if they are severe or concerning.

GPS School Calendar 2024-2025: A Comprehensive Overview

The GPS School Calendar for the 2024-2025 academic year has been carefully designed to meet the needs of students, families, and educators. The calendar reflects the district’s commitment to providing a high-quality education while also allowing for flexibility and balance. Key features of the calendar include:

A balanced schedule with ample time for instruction, assessment, and student support.
Regular breaks throughout the year to allow for rest and recharge.
Alignment with local and state holidays.

The complete GPS School Calendar for 2024-2025 is available on the district’s website. Parents and guardians are encouraged to review the calendar and familiarize themselves with important dates and deadlines.