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Disciple Dispatch
May 15, 2025
| | | Celebrating Student Achievements | | |
On Wednesday, May 14, we honored our 5th-8th grade students for their academic achievements, their service, and their character. Pictured above, 8th grader Mara Z. receives one of the President's Awards for Educational Excellence.
We are so fortunate to be entrusted with the care and instruction of all of our growing disciples. Thank you for the instrumental role you play in their lives and for all of your support!
| | Feast of Our Lady of Fatima Celebration | | |
Tuesday, May 13, was the feast of Our Lady of Fatima. Our 2nd & 8th graders, who were consecrated to her at the beginning of the school year, donned their red t-shirts for the day with Our Lady of Fatima's image on the back.
Several 8th graders, assisted by their prayer partners, led the kindergarten through middle school students and staff in a Rosary before dismissal. A big thank you to Lucas S., Matthew T., Darren O., and Nolan O. for their humble leadership!
Our Lady held off the raindrops, and students enjoyed freeze pops afterward. A special thank you to D&W for their generous donation of the freeze pops for our school Rosary event. Their kindness helped make the day even more special for our students!
Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us, and may we always be devoted to your Immaculate Heart!
| | BABY CHICKS ARE HATCHING! | | | |
The kindergarten students in Mrs. Host & Mrs. Aagesen's and Mrs. Sova's classes are excited! Baby chicks have started to hatch in their classrooms this week.
Thank you to everyone who offered to give the chicks a home -- all have been placed!
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Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA)
From the Michigan Association of Non-public Schools: The Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA) would create a federal tax credit for donations to scholarship-granting organizations. Those donated funds would be available for private school scholarships in all 50 states. Congress is considering whether to include this historic legislation in a major "reconciliation" bill that is not subject to a Senate filibuster and therefore able to pass with a simple majority.
The Council for American Private Education (CAPE) has created an action alert for you to notify your congressperson of the importance of this bill and to ask them to include it in the reconciliation bill. MANS encourages our school and school community to participate in this action alert.
| | Clothes for School, Spirit, and Sacraments! | | |
Donate Your Used Uniforms This Spring
Don't wait until the fall! Please consider dropping off the uniforms your student(s) have outgrown at the end of this school year. Our organizer extraordinaire plans to set up the Used Uniform Closet over the summer so it's available to our families at the beginning of August.
Save time and money shopping from a huge selection of school uniforms FREE!
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Shop for Catholic Central Apparel
The Catholic Central Cougar Gear Store will be open:
Friday, May 16, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 22, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The store is full of lots of great new gear including, new this year, lululemon.
Questions?
Contact Wendi Moore at weemoore@comcast.net
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Donate Gently Used First Communion Attire
If your family no longer has a need for any first Holy Communion dresses and/or suits, please consider donating them to IHM!
We would love to offer them to future students who need help finding the right clothes.
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IHM School has openings for several positions for the 2025-2026 school year.
We are seeking a part-time media (library) and part-time music teacher, both offered through Brighton Area Schools Shared Time program. Those interested in full time may have that option if other area schools are in need of a media or music teacher, as well.
| | Be sure to select “Apply” for the Kent County positions. | | |
We are looking for a caring, dependable, and energetic teachers’ aide to support our kindergarten through 3rd grade classrooms. This part-time position is for Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays during school hours.
The ideal candidate enjoys working with young children, has strong communication skills, and is comfortable assisting teachers with classroom routines, student support, and learning activities.
Experience working with children preferred but not required.
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In addition, IHM is seeking an after-school child care employee to join our Disciple Den team. This position involves supervising and engaging with 5th through 8th grade students after school, assisting with homework, and helping to maintain a safe and welcoming environment.
The ideal candidate is someone who enjoys working with middle school students, can provide light academic support, and is comfortable facilitating group activities, snacks, and general supervision.
| If you or someone you know is interested in joining a warm, faith-filled school community and making a difference in the lives of young learners, please contact Holly Lake at principal@ihmschoolgr.org. | |
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Field day is coming!
The outdoor fun and games, as well as a hot dog lunch, are planned for Monday, June 2, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
It can't be done without your help! Whether you are able to offer your time in the morning or afternoon (or both!), please consider signing up to volunteer:
Field Day SignUpGenius
| | | | IHM Alumnus is about to Split the Mitten | | |
Max Polakovich, an IHM (2014) and CC (2019) graduate, is gearing up to run 50 miles for eight days in a row -- a total of 400 miles!
With a pit crew of fellow IHM grads supporting him during his run, Max is running across the state of Michigan. Calling it “Split the Mitten”, Max is raising money for AYA Youth Collective, an organization that helps children who age out of the foster system at age 18.
Please keep Max in your prayers as he begins his run Friday, May 23, in Michiana, through Friday, May 30, when he reaches Mackinaw City. If you want to support him and the cause, please see the link with details:
https://ayayouth.org/split-the-mitten/
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Spring NWEA testing ends this week!
Immaculate Heart of Mary School, along with the rest of the Grand Rapids diocesan schools, is finishing spring NWEA testing this week.
The 2nd-8th grade students have worked hard and learned a lot this year, and their test results will go home next week Friday, May 23.
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Friday, May 16
4th grade Wax Museum in the Gym 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 17
Confessions 3:30 p.m.
Mass 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 18
Mass 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday, May 21
7th grade field trip to Michigan's Adventure
Home & School Association meeting 8:00 a.m. in the Hands Room
Thursday, May 22
Last day of school for Preschool 3s
Friday, May 23
Last day of school for Preschool 4s
Library materials due
1st & 5th grade kickball game and picnic 10:00 a.m.
NWEA reports go home for 2nd-8th grade students
Saturday, May 24
Confessions 3:30 p.m.
Mass 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 25
Mass 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.
Monday, May 26
Memorial Day - No school
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From the Principal's Desk
Hello IHM Families!
I have heard all the May jokes this week! It's definitely Maybember as we all rush around from place to place!
We had a great book study/conversation on Monday evening around the book The Anxious Generation. Thank you so much to Dr. Jill Wierzbicki from West Catholic for coming to be the facilitator at our first meeting.
We are hoping to see many more of you at our 2nd session, June 9 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. with John MacKenzie, IHM parent and EGR math and tech teacher, as the facilitator. You do NOT need to have attended the first session to attend any of the others. You may even attend if you haven't QUITE read all the parts (pages 49-110). It is a great place for a great discussion!
It's that time of year, and staffing changes are happening. Mrs. Rachel O'Hearn will be moving to 1st grade to teach one of the two sections of that grade, and there will just be one section of 2nd with Mrs. Karli Simon. Due to lower than expected enrollment, we will be consolidating our 5th grade classes into a single class for the upcoming school year with Mrs. Cathy England. Unfortunately, as a result, Mrs. Theresa Gordon will not be returning next year.
I am deeply grateful to Mrs. Gordon for the many ways she has contributed to our school community. She stepped into first grade with enthusiasm when we needed her, and later made the significant transition to 5th grade without hesitation. Her dedication, flexibility, and hard work have not gone unnoticed, and I truly appreciate all she has done for our students, families, and staff!
We are still on the lookout for a music teacher, with Mr. Jake Beckon focusing all his time on the church side of the driveway, and we need a new Library/Media teacher. We are also still looking to split up our after school Disciple Den with an older group of students who stay in the "big school" and work on homework and other "big kid" things. It looks like we will need an aid for the K-3 classrooms on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays who can also cover some recess responsibilities. If you know someone, reach out!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings,
Mrs. Holly Lake
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| | Guided by Mother Mary, our patroness, Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School learns, leads, and serves as disciples of Christ. | | | | | |
