We are so excited to welcome students back to campus on October 19th!

As we prepare for the return to in person instruction, there will be some changes to practices and procedures. This is the first in a series of videos for the Elementary school so that our students will know what to expect.

https://youtu.be/mRs0IJZ5rEY

Operation Rat Return is planned for Monday, October 19th and we cannot wait to see our wonderful students back in the classrooms again.

The safety of our students and staff is always our number one priority and we will continue to follow the guidelines set forth in Phase 4 of the Governor's MI Safe Start Roadmap.  Phase 4 allows our buildings to open and for the students to return to campus for face-to-face instruction with rigorous hygiene and safety protocols, social distancing (when enforceable), and the use of face coverings.

We understand that some of our families do not feel comfortable sending their children back to campus during this time. For these families, BRPS has designed and will continue to provide a grade-appropriate, robust remote learning option.  For our families that are unsure about which option they prefer, we have attached a document with important information regarding the in-person school day.  

We have also included an important In-person Protocols and Procedures Fact Sheet for each building. We hope these help in making your decision to choose remote or in-person instruction.

To allow for social distancing the September 21, 2020 board meeting will be held via Zoom webinar.

Please use the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86571004077

Individuals requiring special accommodation to attend this meeting or with questions should call the school office at 616-355-0055 at least three days prior to this meeting.

BR Families,

Today we want to celebrate the absolutely amazing teams of people who gave so much of their summer to help us get ready for this school year.  Their selfless work made our start to our year possible and has made us ready for our return to on-campus and in-person instruction on October 19!

Black River Food Service is looking for help. We are looking for part-time and subs. Hours could be 8am-2pm when school is in session. 2 days per week while we are on virtual learning. Qualifications are as follows: no experience necessary, able to work in a fast paced environment, able to lift up to 35 pounds, positive attitude, good time management and a team player!

If you are interested in joining our team please apply in person at the Food Service Area in the back of the school building between the hours of 12pm - 1:30pm on Monday's Only. Questions? Please call 616-891-0227.

The Ottawa County Department of Public Health has provided the attached letter explaining how COVID-19 data for schools will be tracked and reported. Click here to read their explanation of what constitutes an outbreak and the context surrounding such a classification. 

The Black River Parent Organization electronic 2020-2021 Student/Family Phone Directory is a great resource for families!

• Contact parents / students to work on projects / homework

• Find emails and phone numbers for play dates / parties

Be included and receive a PDF copy by submitting your information.

Submit online: https://www.formality.io/v/PxDP8QH5xjf

Volunteer with the PO: https://www.formality.io/v/KqgcpxfZyj

Please note: The directory is organized through the BRPO. If you have an official address or email update for the school, please contact Christie Phillips in the MS/HS main office at phillipsch@brpsk12.org or Robin Bentley in the Elementary main office at bentleyr@brpsk12.org.

Black River Public School does not sell or share you or your child’s personal information outside of the school unless required by law. However, a few instances do occur each year when parents have the right of refusal regarding the child’s information. If you would like to remove your child’s name, information, and image from any BRPS publication, including 11th and 12th grade military listings please submit your wishes via the Opt In/Out Form on the Black River forms page. You can also utilize this form if you would like to opt in to receive email notifications of pesticide applications on Black River Public School's property. 

As Black River's charter school authorizer, Grand Valley State University also allows the opportunity to opt your student's information out of their publications. You can submit the request to GVSU by completing their attached form here and emailing to murphaly@gvsu.edu. OR mailing it to:

GVSU CSO
Attn: Alyson Murphy
201 Front Avenue SW, Suite 310
Grand Rapids, MI 40504

While students are scheduled for remote learning, members of Black River's office staff are working to complete a variety of projects across campus. In order to facilitate their ability to be away from the desk we ask that parents schedule an appointment if they need to stop in to campus. This will ensure that we are available to answer the door and meet. We will be happy to set up a time that works well for you! Please utilize the staff directory on the Black River website or call the main offices utilizing the extensions below. 

Elementary Main Office 616-355-0055 x302

Middle/High School Main Office 616-355-0055 x102

To allow for social distancing the August 24, 2020 board meeting will be held via Zoom webinar.

Please use the link below to join the webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81499701694

Or iPhone one-tap : 

    US: +19292056099,,81499701694#  or +13017158592,,81499701694# 

Or Telephone:

    Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

        US: +1 929 205 6099  or +1 301 715 8592  or +1 312 626 6799  or +1 669 900 6833  or +1 253 215 8782  or +1 346 248 7799 

Webinar ID: 814 9970 1694

    International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kfyIUO4Bu

Individuals requiring special accommodation to attend this meeting or with questions should call the school office at 616-355-0055 at least three days prior to this meeting.

We have exciting news to share with you regarding the school meal service being provided for your child!

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced schools will be able to serve free meals to all children through December 31, 2020.  This unprecedented move will help ensure – no matter what the situation is on-the-ground – children have access to nutritious food as the country recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

It remains critical our children continue to receive safe, healthy, and nutritious food. This will ensure meals are reaching all children so they are fed and ready to learn, even in new and ever-changing learning environments.

Effective Tuesday, September 8, 2020 your child can receive a free breakfasts and free lunches at school.

Five (5) free breakfasts and five (5) free lunches will be available each week for pick up in the Lyceum parking lot on Mondays from 10am-12pm. (Pick up the week of Labor Day will be held on Tuesday, September 8^th)

If you know you will definitely be participating please email Michelle Byrne at byrnem@brpsk12.org at some point the week before. The kitchen will prepare extra meals for those that do not decide in advance but we would love to plan ahead.

We hope this news helps all Black River families.

We look forward to serving your children!

Families looking for more information on remote learning at BRPS can find it on a new tab located on the district page of the website. Click on Remote Learning Resources for a drop down menu that has several informative pages to visit.

Our wonderful Black River Public School, Holland MI is in the news. Congratulations to our families, teachers and staff members that raise us up and keep us connected every day!

Recently, we received word that Black River Public School is the #1 ranked Charter School in Michigan, #3 of all open enrollment schools in Michigan, and #345 in U.S. schools. (That's #345 out of 23,000 nationally.) 

In addition, the 2020 U.S. News and World Report rankings show that overall in Michigan, the No. 1 open-enrollment high school was also a charter school, Black River Public School in Holland. Black River came in at No. 7 on the list, but the six schools that finished ahead were either selective-enrollment schools or schools that don’t accept students from outside the district. 

Read two articles below:

https://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/20200426/report-names-five-area-high-schools-among-states-top-100

https://www.charterschools.org/blog/u.s.-news-world-report-rankings-detroits-top-open-enrollment-high-schools-are-charters

Stop the Silence! Black River Parents and Guardians - If you are worried about a student, don't be afraid to speak up by contacting the Ok2Say Hotline to leave an anonymous tip - OPEN 24/7 including weekends and before/during school hours. Specially trained technicians receive the tips and filter the information to the appropriate agency. Please use this resource if you have a concern during a time school is not in session. Contacting 911 with a concern is also an option. These methods will be the quickest way to ensure student safety. Thank you! 

Phone: 855-565-2729     Text: 652729 (OK2SAY)     Email: ok2say@mi.gov

Stay up-to-date on BRPS current events and news by adding the Stay Connected App to your phone! Features include:

• Headline News and Information
• Calendar of Events
• School and Staff Directory
• School Notifications for Closings and Delays
• Push Notifications for Important Updates 

Please click on the preferred link below to download the website application:
Click Here for Apple SchoolPointe Stay Connected App
Click Here for Android SchoolPointe Stay Connected App

Infinite Campus has released two new and improved mobile apps: Campus Student (for students) and Campus Parent (for parents). Download your free app for real-time access to grades, assignments, schedules, announcements and more. 

School Code: 231963
District ID: PWHTPS

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play