GRPS Family and Community Engagement

10/15/2026

Join us TONIGHT at Baxter Community Center for our first Dad Café in the Community!

We’ll be talking about family heritage, the values and traditions we pass down, and the legacy we want to leave for future generations. Come connect with other dads and father figures for meaningful conversation and community.

RSVP for tonight and/or see upcoming Dad Café events and topics using the link below!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScuyttZ42Bn8oOrO2XiTbG2-PKvaE6tdQIYBPy_sq9PQOGOUQ/viewform?usp=header

We hope to see you there!

10/12/2026

The Parent Café Coalition came together today to connect, share ideas, and strengthen the work happening with families. Thank you Family Futures for hosting and reminding us that when it comes to supporting families, we donut do it alone.

09/30/2026

A little Taste Buddies fun in the kitchen!

Last week, our Taste Buddies families teamed up with the Corewell Health Lifestyle and Culinary Medicine team for a fun opportunity to learn, cook, and connect through food!

And we're not done yet! Our next virtual Taste Buddies event is coming up on October 22, and we're bringing some flavor to the table with an Arroz Con Gandules dish! Families will have the opportunity to cook together from the comfort of home while exploring a delicious dish.

Registration details are coming soon, so keep an eye on our page! We can't wait to see what our families cook up next!

09/14/2026

Another school year, another year long father engagement series!
Coit Creative Arts Academy you are up first!

Dads in the Driver’s Seat: School Engagement 101

How can dads get more involved at school? What does meaningful school engagement look like? And how can we make sure fathers and father figures feel like an important part of the school community?

Join us for our September Dad Café for a morning of conversation, connection, and community with GRPS dads.

September 17
Coit Elementary
9:15–10:45 AM

This Dad Café is open to all fathers, father figures, male role models, and moms/moms alike connected to Grand Rapids Public Schools. Whether you are already active at your child’s school or looking for a place to start, we want you at the table.

Let’s talk about what it means to be in the driver’s seat when it comes to our kids’ education.

RSVP here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScuyttZ42Bn8oOrO2XiTbG2-PKvaE6tdQIYBPy_sq9PQOGOUQ/viewform?usp=header

08/27/2026

GAME DAY READY 🧡🖤❤🖤

Thank you WOOD TV8 for bringing the Football Frenzy Tailgate to Houseman Field ahead of tonight's Crosstown Rivalry!

08/26/2026

🏈🔥 IT’S RIVALRY DAY, GRPS! 🔥🏈

Tomorrow, the Union Red Hawks 🆚 Ottawa Hills Bengals take the field for the GRPS Crosstown Rivalry Game, and we’re kicking things off with a Family Tailgate! 🎉

Bring the whole family for an afternoon of FREE pre-game activities, community partners, school spirit, giveaways, and more at the Houseman Concourse on both the home and visitor sides!

📍 Houseman Field
⏰ Tailgate begins at 4:00 PM
🎟️ Game admission: $5 | GRPS faculty enter FREE with ID
🌭 FREE hot dog for the first 500 attendees!

Plus, keep an eye out for GRPS school mascots, Tom Turkey, special guests, giveaways, and plenty of school spirit! 💙💛

And don’t miss the GRPS Marching Band and our Parade of Fall Athletes during halftime! 🥁🏃🏾‍♀️🏀🏈⚽

Come early. Bring your family. Rep your school. Let’s show up for GRPS! 🙌🏾

08/25/2026

Check out everything happening this week!
🐐🧑‍🌾Let Them Play Aug. 24
👶☕Tots & Coffee Club Aug. 25
📖🤱Trauma & Resilience Training Aug. 26
🚚🎶Relax at Rosa Aug. 27
Find more events and community resources on our Community Events Calendar: https://pulse.pulse.ly/brknrflc3q

08/12/2026

08/11/2026

Last week, GRPS superstars from Family & Community Engagement (FACE), Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), Early Childhood Education (ECE), and Coit Elementary hit the community scene at WGVU’s Kids Day at the Zoo, Creston’s National Night Out, and Pieces of Reece’s Unity Festival 🎉

We had a wonderful time connecting with families, sharing valuable GRPS resources, and pulling out the good ol' spin wheel for fun times and giveaways.

Check us out in action and be on the lookout for us at a community event near you 👀😊

08/05/2026

To Our Grand Rapids Community,

On behalf of Grand Rapids Public Schools, thank you!

Your support of the GRPS Sinking Fund is an investment in every scholar who walks through our doors. We are deeply grateful for the confidence you have placed in our district and our future.

This vote reflects our community's belief that every child deserves to learn in schools that are warm, safe, dry, and connected. Because of your support, we will have a dedicated funding source to make essential repairs, improve school safety, replace aging technology for scholars and staff, and maintain our facilities. This funding source helps to preserve General Fund dollars for what matters most: our scholars, educators, and the programs that support teaching and learning.

This victory belongs to our entire community. Thank you to every voter who participated in this election.

We recognize that every tax dollar entrusted to us carries a responsibility. We remain committed to using these funds wisely and transparently. We will continue to provide regular updates on how these investments are improving our schools and creating better learning environments for every scholar.

Together, we are building stronger schools, stronger neighborhoods, and a stronger Grand Rapids.

With gratitude,

Leadriane Roby, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Grand Rapids Public Schools