District News

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) -- We continue to thoughtfully evaluate our return to school following Tuesday’s tragic shooting outside Southwest Elementary. 

To support the well-being of our community, we have made the decision to cancel classes for Southwest Elementary scholars on Thursday. All other schools will be open.

Throughout the day on Thursday, we will continue to provide support to our families and staff. On Thursday morning, we will plan for our Southwest Elementary staff to come together as a team with crisis response team members to process this act of violence and prepare to support scholars as they return to school.

From Noon – 2 p.m. Thursday, we will open our school to Southwest Elementary families to spend time in our building. We will have sack lunches available to pick up during this time. There will also be an opportunity to meet with members of our crisis response team. 

When classes resume at Southwest Elementary on Friday, additional counseling and support resources will be available for scholars and families. 

Southwest Middle High School will reopen for classes on Thursday. Our crisis response team will be at the middle high school throughout the remainder of the week to support our scholars and staff as they return to school. 

Thank you for your patience, compassion, and support for one another during this difficult time. Our thoughts remain with everyone impacted by this tragedy.