Disciple Dispatch

Congratulations to all of our Spelling Bee contestants who competed in the annual IHM Spelling Bee this afternoon. A big congrats to our 3rd place winner Francie G, 2nd place winner Noelle P, and Spelling Bee Champion Malachi R!!!

Join us next Thursday anytime between 7:00 am and 8:00 am for a vigil walk around the outdoor perimeter of IHM School as the sidewalks along Burton and Plymouth are aglow with luminaries as we pray for lives lost, are in danger of abortion and the souls yet to be. IHM dad Ted Gerrard holds the mission of Right to Life very dear to his heart and shot this video years ago. Unfortunately it still holds true today, however we are now up to 64 million babies that have been aborted since 1972. Click here to view video.

Student Assembly Next Week

Next week our students will enjoy a school assembly by a man named Charles Opio. Charles is a songwriter and speaker from Uganda, Africa who has dedicated his life to working with youth. Charles has spoken to over 50,000 students in his home country on the importance of community and kindness. Using his single "Be The Light," Charles encourages students to "shine" for each other.

Students will have a great time learning a traditional Ugandan song and dance and learning about another culture. But most importantly, they'll be reminded that they have value, worth, and the power to affect their friends and community by "being the light" for each other.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Matt: 5:14

Catholic School's Week 2026

Is coming up - kicking off with the annual Killgoar Foundation Winter Social on Saturday, January 24th. The full schedule of the week's events below! In the meantime, Home & School Association is looking for volunteers for classroom coverage during the Staff Appreciation Luncheon and to help stock the lounge. Please see the links below and sign up if you can help!

Sign up genius link for classroom coverage during teacher luncheon:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4CADAC2EA2FCC52-61431731-catholic

Sign up genius link to help stock the teachers lounge:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4CADAC2EA2FCC52-61431941-catholic

Part of Catholic Schools Week is serving our community. This year, we are doing a "Make a Change Battle" to raise money for Right to Life West Michigan. See information below.

Enrollment For 2025-26

Current IHM families - mark your calendars! Enrollment for the coming 2026-2027 school year will begin in early February. Current IHM families will have two weeks to re-enroll their children, saving their spot(s) for the coming school year. Two weeks later open enrollment begins for the general public.

Current IHM families with an incoming PreK student should be sure to enroll their child before we open enrollment to new families Do this by clicking "Add a Student" in your FinalSite account.

Details regarding all tuition costs, Disciple Den before and afterschool care, Enrichment programs and the enrollment process coming soon!

Munch and Mingle Needs Your Help!

Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers led by Kim and Steve Willison who make this community event possible. A lot of work goes into making these donuts available and we are so lucky to have such dedicated volunteers who make it happen! We could always use more help. If you are able, please click the link below and sign up for a spot!

Catholic Central "Downtown Den" Cougar Gear Store Is Open!

The Catholic Central Cougar gear store has moved downtown to be open throughout the winter basketball games. The new store is called “The downtown Den”. It is located inside the gym building to the left. It is packed full of great new gear. Below are the dates it will be open!

Aquinas Women’s Hockey hopes you had an amazing holiday season! We are so excited to invite you to our Kids Night on Friday, February 7th at 2:30 PM at Southside Ice Arena in Byron Center, where we will take on the Davenport University Panthers in an action-packed, family-friendly hockey game!

This night holds special meaning as we will be hosting a special puck drop in honor of Baylor Marco and his family. Baylor was a big sports fan, and we encourage everyone to wear their favorite sports jersey or yellow in his honor. Our team will also be sporting yellow tape on our sticks to show our support throughout the game.

Kids Night Activities Include:

• Kid-appropriate music to dance and jam along to
• High-five tunnels before the game and between periods
• A special appearance by Nelson the Saint Bernard 
• Coloring zone for creative breaks
• A temporary tattoo station for added fun
• Picture zone to capture fun memories
• Post-game autograph session with players
• Limited team photos will be provided for autographs, and extra paper will be available so every child can leave with a keepsake
• School and organization shout-outs between the 1st and 2nd periods
• Please complete the RSVP Google Form if your group plans to attend
• Teacher and staff shout-outs between the 2nd and 3rd periods
• Use the Shout Out Google Form HERE to recognize a difference-maker or hard worker

This promises to be a fun, kid-friendly night full of excitement, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to honor Baylor while welcoming our community to support the Saints.

Looking Ahead...

• 1/19 - MLK Day - No School
• 1/20 - 3rd Quarter Begins
• 1/21 - Home & School Meeting 8:00 am in Hands Room
• 1/22 - Luminaries for Life 7:00 - 8:00 am
• 1/22 - Laptime and open gym - 10:00 - 11:00 am in gym
• 1/24 - Killgoar Winter Social in IHM Gym 6:00 pm
• 1/26 - 1/30 - Catholic Schools Week
• 1/27 - Catholic Bee 1:30 pm in DeMazenod Room
• 1/28 - Prayer Partner T-Shirt Day
• 1/29 - Catholic Schools Week Teacher Luncheon
• 1/30 - Winter Pep Rally
• 2/6 - $1 Jeans Day
• 2/7 - Guys and Dolls Dance
• 2/11 - No All-School Mass (Fr. Troy on retreat)
• 2/11 - Parent Teacher Conferences
• 2/12 - Parent Teacher Conferences
• 2/12 - Laptime and open gym - 10:00 -11:00 am in the gym
• 2/16 - No School - Mid Winter Break
• 2/17 - No School - Mid Winter Break
• 2/17 - All-School Skating Party 1:00 -3:00 pm at GR Skate
• 2/18 - Ash Wednesday
• 2/18 - Home & School Association Meeting 8:00 am Hands Room
• 2/19 - Divine Mercy Kids Club Begins during school recess
• 2/25 - Prayer Partner T-Shirt Day

From the Principal's Desk

Hello IHM Families!

It sounds like we're in for some snow this weekend! Please be careful. But it really is beautiful looking out my window! I hope you all enjoy an extra day of family time on Monday as well.

We finished our first semester today! I can't even believe we are halfway through the year! This is always the time of year we review the rules in the classroom and school and refresh our expectations and procedures. PLEASE remember to pull all the way up in the car line at the drop off in the morning. As soon as you stop right at the driveway, many cars pull in behind and can't drop off. You can watch this video again to review the procedures. I have a few other tips during the winter months. If your child isn't wearing their coat in the car, please stop before the car line and have them put that on, or park in the parking lot and walk them to the sidewalk. If you have to put extra winter bags in the trunk, please park and get those things out. And remember children need to exit the car on the passenger side. Especially when it is still so dark in the morning, it's just not safe. If it looks like you are holding up car line, please go around again. That is for the dismissal time as well. Have a great weekend and stay warm!

Blessings,

Mrs. Holly Lake

Grand Rapids Catholic Central

West Catholic Future Falcon Webpage

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