BRHS "Commendable Cardinals"

The Commendable Cardinal Award is given out each trimester to students who have been nominated by a teacher or staff person in appreciation of students’ good work.

Teachers and staff are asked to fill out a form that explains why their nominee is deserving of this award. This award is sponsored by Scott’s Body shop.

Award winners include: Ryan Crosby, Courtney Fewless, Alexis Allers, Kris Benson,  Aidan Johansen, Alexandria Cousineau, Jared Jones and not pictured Riley Eckert

MCYAC "Box City" Fundraiser raises $3,500 for Shelter!

The Mecosta County Youth Advisory Council (MCYAC) students successfully completed a fundraiser for Our Brothers Keeper homeless shelter at Pocket Park in Big Rapids Saturday, April 18th from 6 pm until Sunday, April 19th at 6 am!  Yes, that is overnight!  MCYAC students from BRHS helped raise $3,500 for the homeless shelter in Big Rapids.  The students constructed a Cardboard" village and stayed overnight in the pocket park to raise awareness of the homeless in our area and raise money to help our shelter out.  We are proud of all these kids and all their hard work!  BRHS MCYAC students were joined in their fundraising efforts by MCYAC students from Morley Stanwood, Chippewa Hills and Cross Roads Charter Academy.

Big Rapids MCYAC members are:  Maddie Workman, Kayla Somsel, Daphne Ding, Sara Fisk, Tait Morrissey, Kaylee Mondrella and Morgan Pippin.

A Month of Activity at BRMS

A lot has happened at BRMS in the last month.  The science department hosted a Science Fair Family Night.  Student submissions were on display.  Science demonstrations, hosted by the students, were set-up throughout the hallways.  A welding demonstration was held outside.  There was also a petting zoo!  After a hot-dog dinner, visitors could walk through the science fair projects displayed in the media center and participate in science activities.  The night ended with an awards presentation in Cardinal Hall.

Also this past month, students were able to participate in an Amazing Race competition.  The race was hosted by the BRMS PTO.  Students competed in teams of two to four in a variety of activities.  from using a Zorb to complete a challenging puzzle, to learning a step by step dance, to running an obstacle course, students had a great time!  The evening ended with a pizza dinner and prizes for all of the participants.

















The sixth grade students were able to visit Ludington to release salmon as part of an ongoing project in Mr. Hooker's science class.  The students saw the salmon grow from little eggs to 72 fish that they were able to release.  They were then able to enjoy a little fun in the sand.

Food Service Now Offers Online Payment Option

Big Rapids Public Schools is pleased to introduce a new online food service payment option using "e~Funds for Schools" electronic payment services. You have the ability to make lunch payments electronically either by using your checking account or your credit card. Access to this service is user friendly, and is accessed through your existing Family Access account provided by Big Rapids Public Schools.

 The "e~Funds for Schools" is a third party service provider. They do charge a small convenience fee for their service. There is a $1.00 per transaction convenience fee for each payment that you make using your bank account. The system carries a Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) charge if the payment is underfunded. For payments made by credit or debit card, there is a convenience fee of $2.45 per each $100 increment in the transaction. When you set up your account, please review your options carefully.

You are in full control of your account and can make a payment at any time that is convenient for you. No payments will be allowed without your knowledge and authorization through this secure payment system. By providing your home and/or work email address, an email notification informing you of the payment, and the amount will be sent to you each time that a payment is to be processed. The “e~Funds for Schools” site is secure and uses industry standard data encryption.

 How does e-Funds for Schools work?

•  Families set up and maintain their own logins, passwords, and payment preferences. Your  
   account information is retained in a password-protected file.
•  “e~Funds for Schools” will help to eliminate last minute check writing hassles, improve
    efficiencies, and help cut costs for both you and the school district
•  On-line payments will help eliminate the worry that your children could lose or forget the
    money intended for school items or that it might be spent on other non-school related items.
   
•  Payments from a credit card or checking account is easily set up. • Parents/guardians may
    establish a reoccurring payment or may opt to make a one-time payment.
•  Your payment history is available with a few clicks of the mouse. 

Instructions to create your account are available at on the Big Rapids Public Schools website at http://www.brps.org/pdfs/efundregistration.pdf. You can also click on the “Parents” link, then select the “Online Payments”.

If you need any additional information, please feel free to contact our food service department at bward@brps.org, or call 231 796-7653. If you require any technical support creating your "e~Funds for Schools" account, feel free to email jbouman@brps.org, or call 231 592 8503.

Brookside Spring Fitness Challenge is May 22nd

Students will be participating during the day with the Closing Ceremony at 2:30.  New this year is the Family Fitness Challenge, sponsored by Spectrum Health Big Rapids Hospital.  Families are encouraged to come and participate open house style, 3:30-5:30.

United Way Funds Greenhouse and Gardening Supplies

Thank you United Way for funding Brookside's new greenhouse. United Way also provided funding for gardening supplies that our school received.

 The students will learn about the life cycle of plants in a hands on environment. All classes will be able to use the greenhouse. Our hope to is have a school garden and Future Gardener's Club.

BRHS Students Industrial Technology Class (Woods I) instructed by Jeff Hovey

Students in shop class learn safety, and work habits which include; wood working, planning, finishing and shop safety. The students are responsible to draw or find plans, and get the materials for their project by using the provided materials and/or order per project.   

Students can advance to Woods II and III for a detailed study of furniture, construction and finishes.  All advanced students are required to make a major project.  Many of these students will enter their project in the Michigan Industrial Technology Educational Society Annual Convention (MITES) where they will compete against other schools across the state. For more information see the MITES page, at: https://www.mites.cc

  Pictured are students working on their projects.

                                                                     

Big Rapids 8th Grade Band Receives I's at State Band Festival

Congratulations to the BRMS 8th Grade Band and band director, Mr. Todd, for their performance at state band festival on Thursday, April 30th.  The band received straight I's for their performance and a II for sight-reading, for an overall rating of a I.