As Teacher Appreciation Week comes to a close, we want to express our sincere gratitude for the nearly 300 shout-outs submitted recognizing our incredible teachers and staff!
The heartfelt and kind words shared by parents, students, coworkers, and even students recognizing their parent staff members truly made this week special. Your messages highlighted the care, dedication, encouragement, and impact our staff bring to Big Rapids Public Schools each and every day.
Taking the time to spread kindness and recognize the goodness in others is such a powerful gesture, and it truly leaves a lasting impact. Thank you to everyone who took a moment to lift someone up this week — your words mattered more than you know.
We are so proud of our BRPS staff and so thankful for a community that values and appreciates them so deeply.
The heartfelt and kind words shared by parents, students, coworkers, and even students recognizing their parent staff members truly made this week special. Your messages highlighted the care, dedication, encouragement, and impact our staff bring to Big Rapids Public Schools each and every day.
Taking the time to spread kindness and recognize the goodness in others is such a powerful gesture, and it truly leaves a lasting impact. Thank you to everyone who took a moment to lift someone up this week — your words mattered more than you know.
We are so proud of our BRPS staff and so thankful for a community that values and appreciates them so deeply.
🎶 What an incredible night at the Brookside First Grade Spring Concert! 🌸 Our little performers lit up the stage with so much joy and heart. Huge shoutout to the amazing teachers and staff who helped them shine! Proud to be part of this community. ❤️💙
🎶 Team Second Grade Shined! 🌟 Our Brookside families were treated to an incredible Spring Concert last night. As Plato said, 'Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.' Huge thanks to our teachers and students for such a soulful performance!
👟 The final countdown is on! 👟
👟 We are in our last two weeks of the annual Brookside Move-A-Thon. 👟
👟 Help us reach our fundraising goal! 👟
👟 Scan the QR code to register your student and donate now. 👟
❤️ Thank you for supporting our school! 💙
🍎✨ 100 Shout-Outs and Counting! ✨🍎
In just a day and a half, we’ve already received 100 messages of appreciation for our incredible teachers and staff during Teacher Appreciation Week!
Let’s keep them coming! Every message is shared directly with the staff member—it truly makes their day.
Send your shout-out here now through Friday:
👉 https://forms.gle/sAi94p8decyaWoiS8
In just a day and a half, we’ve already received 100 messages of appreciation for our incredible teachers and staff during Teacher Appreciation Week!
Let’s keep them coming! Every message is shared directly with the staff member—it truly makes their day.
Send your shout-out here now through Friday:
👉 https://forms.gle/sAi94p8decyaWoiS8
These readers worked hard to earn their medals!! Only a few more weeks to turn in steps! How many Brookside readers will earn the gold?!?
We’re excited to celebrate Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week again this year at BRPS! 🎉
Join us May 4–8, 2026, as we recognize the incredible individuals who make a difference in our schools every single day — from teachers to food service, front office, maintenance, transportation, administration, and paraprofessionals.
We invite students, families, and community members to submit shout-outs to any BRPS staff member who has made an impact. There’s no limit — share as many messages of appreciation as you’d like!
Your kind words will be shared throughout the week. The form will remain open through May 8th, but notes of encouragement are always welcome.
Submit your shout-outs here: https://forms.gle/sAi94p8decyaWoiS8
Let’s come together to show our Cardinal appreciation! ❤️
We are BR!
Join us May 4–8, 2026, as we recognize the incredible individuals who make a difference in our schools every single day — from teachers to food service, front office, maintenance, transportation, administration, and paraprofessionals.
We invite students, families, and community members to submit shout-outs to any BRPS staff member who has made an impact. There’s no limit — share as many messages of appreciation as you’d like!
Your kind words will be shared throughout the week. The form will remain open through May 8th, but notes of encouragement are always welcome.
Submit your shout-outs here: https://forms.gle/sAi94p8decyaWoiS8
Let’s come together to show our Cardinal appreciation! ❤️
We are BR!
💙📚 Spreading Encouragement at Brookside! 📚💙
Our amazing Brookside paraprofessionals created uplifting posters to encourage and support students during testing—and they’re making a difference!
A special shoutout to Melanie Quist, Heather Akey, and Heather Reed for going above and beyond to lift up our students and help them feel confident and ready to succeed.
Thank you for the positivity and care you bring each day!
Our amazing Brookside paraprofessionals created uplifting posters to encourage and support students during testing—and they’re making a difference!
A special shoutout to Melanie Quist, Heather Akey, and Heather Reed for going above and beyond to lift up our students and help them feel confident and ready to succeed.
Thank you for the positivity and care you bring each day!
✨ Make a Difference Award Celebration ✨
Each year, the Mecosta-Osceola ISD hosts the Make a Difference Award Ceremony, honoring staff members who go above and beyond for students.
Through powerful, testimonial-style messages, we heard firsthand how these individuals have made a lasting impact on the lives and learning of their students.
Congratulations to this year’s honorees, and especially those that we are fortunate enough to call Cardinals:
Aimee Sparks, 31N Social Worker - Brookside Elementary
Alex Breslav, 1:1 Paraprofessional - Big Rapids Middle School
Amber Smith, General Education Teacher - Brookside Elementary
Annie Garchow, Administrative Assistant - Big Rapids Public Schools
Brad Antcliff, Behavior Interventionist - Riverview Elementary
Carrie Beeney, Elementary Special Education Teacher - Riverview Elementary
Emily Westman, General Education Teacher - Brookside Elementary
Genaveve Root (Ms. Gena), Paraprofessional - Eastwood Elementary
Katie Underwood, Paraprofessional - Brookside Elementary
Ken Ranjel, Principal - Brookside Elementary
Leah Vandersloot, Paraprofessional - Riverview Elementary
Lenore Weaver, Special Education Consultant - Big Rapids Public Schools
Linda Lindsey, Paraprofessional - Big Rapids High School
Maggie Gager, 1:1 Paraprofessional - Eastwood Elementary
Mark Bongard, Behavioral Interventionist - Eastwood Elementary
Mary Gunn, Paraprofessional - Eastwood Elementary
Maureen Somsel, 5th grade math - Big Rapids Middle School
Megan O'Hara, General Education Teacher - Brookside Elementary
Micky Payton, Special Education Teacher - Big Rapids Middle School
Molly Galloway, PTO President - Riverview Elementary
Monika Repke, Middle School Special Education Teacher - Big Rapids Middle School
Olivia Hamlin, Second Grade Teacher - Brookside Elementary
Rachel Foster, First Grade teacher - Brookside Elementary
Shelly Selzer, High School Teacher - Big Rapids High School
Thank you for making a difference every day!
Each year, the Mecosta-Osceola ISD hosts the Make a Difference Award Ceremony, honoring staff members who go above and beyond for students.
Through powerful, testimonial-style messages, we heard firsthand how these individuals have made a lasting impact on the lives and learning of their students.
Congratulations to this year’s honorees, and especially those that we are fortunate enough to call Cardinals:
Aimee Sparks, 31N Social Worker - Brookside Elementary
Alex Breslav, 1:1 Paraprofessional - Big Rapids Middle School
Amber Smith, General Education Teacher - Brookside Elementary
Annie Garchow, Administrative Assistant - Big Rapids Public Schools
Brad Antcliff, Behavior Interventionist - Riverview Elementary
Carrie Beeney, Elementary Special Education Teacher - Riverview Elementary
Emily Westman, General Education Teacher - Brookside Elementary
Genaveve Root (Ms. Gena), Paraprofessional - Eastwood Elementary
Katie Underwood, Paraprofessional - Brookside Elementary
Ken Ranjel, Principal - Brookside Elementary
Leah Vandersloot, Paraprofessional - Riverview Elementary
Lenore Weaver, Special Education Consultant - Big Rapids Public Schools
Linda Lindsey, Paraprofessional - Big Rapids High School
Maggie Gager, 1:1 Paraprofessional - Eastwood Elementary
Mark Bongard, Behavioral Interventionist - Eastwood Elementary
Mary Gunn, Paraprofessional - Eastwood Elementary
Maureen Somsel, 5th grade math - Big Rapids Middle School
Megan O'Hara, General Education Teacher - Brookside Elementary
Micky Payton, Special Education Teacher - Big Rapids Middle School
Molly Galloway, PTO President - Riverview Elementary
Monika Repke, Middle School Special Education Teacher - Big Rapids Middle School
Olivia Hamlin, Second Grade Teacher - Brookside Elementary
Rachel Foster, First Grade teacher - Brookside Elementary
Shelly Selzer, High School Teacher - Big Rapids High School
Thank you for making a difference every day!
🚌 Happy Bus Driver Appreciation Day! 🚌
Today, Tuesday, April 28, 2026, we celebrate the incredible individuals who safely transport our students each and every day.
Our bus drivers are often the first and last friendly face our students see—greeting them with a smile in the morning and ensuring they return home safely in the afternoon. Their dedication, patience, and commitment to safety do not go unnoticed.
Thank you for all you do to keep our students safe and supported. We appreciate you today and every day!
Today, Tuesday, April 28, 2026, we celebrate the incredible individuals who safely transport our students each and every day.
Our bus drivers are often the first and last friendly face our students see—greeting them with a smile in the morning and ensuring they return home safely in the afternoon. Their dedication, patience, and commitment to safety do not go unnoticed.
Thank you for all you do to keep our students safe and supported. We appreciate you today and every day!
🎶 We’re proud to share that Big Rapids Public Schools has once again been named one of the Best Communities in Music Education — marking our 9th consecutive year receiving this national honor!
This recognition celebrates more than music — it celebrates opportunity. Big Rapids Public Schools is proud to be a #BestCommunitiesforMusicEducation, ensuring access to music learning for every student.
As Middle School Band Director Albie Todd shared, “Earning this recognition for the ninth consecutive year reflects the strong support for music across our district and the meaningful opportunities our students experience every day.”
👏 Thank you to our dedicated staff, supportive community, and talented students who make this possible!
🔗 Learn more: https://www.brps.org/article/2841396
This recognition celebrates more than music — it celebrates opportunity. Big Rapids Public Schools is proud to be a #BestCommunitiesforMusicEducation, ensuring access to music learning for every student.
As Middle School Band Director Albie Todd shared, “Earning this recognition for the ninth consecutive year reflects the strong support for music across our district and the meaningful opportunities our students experience every day.”
👏 Thank you to our dedicated staff, supportive community, and talented students who make this possible!
🔗 Learn more: https://www.brps.org/article/2841396
The Grounds Crew spent some time cleaning up the playground on Earth Day.
It’s here! 📅
The highly anticipated 2026–27 BRPS Academic Calendar has been released!
Start planning for the upcoming school year — from the first day to breaks and everything in between.
Check it out here: https://aptg.co/RB4Mmh
You can also find it in the BRPS App under Documents or by clicking the “26–27 School Calendar” icon on the BRPS homepage.
The highly anticipated 2026–27 BRPS Academic Calendar has been released!
Start planning for the upcoming school year — from the first day to breaks and everything in between.
Check it out here: https://aptg.co/RB4Mmh
You can also find it in the BRPS App under Documents or by clicking the “26–27 School Calendar” icon on the BRPS homepage.
Reminder BR Families-
There will be no school on Friday or Monday, April 17th & 20th.
There will be no school on Friday or Monday, April 17th & 20th.
Our 2nd and 3rd graders competed in Curling events yesterday afternoon. Congratulations to our winners! GO CARDS!
The 4th grade and 1st grade competed in Curling on Thursday morning! Congratulations to all our student athletes! GO CARDS!
