🏫 Open Houses & Back-to-School Events Are Happening This Week!
The start of a new school year is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to welcome our Cardinals back! Join us this week to meet teachers, explore classrooms, get familiar with your school, and get ready for a great year.
📅 TUESDAY, AUGUST 18
📸 BRHS Upperclassmen Registration, School Pictures & IDs
9:00 AM–3:00 PM
For students who have attended BRHS previously (non-freshmen)
📅 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19
📸 BRHS Freshman/New Student School Pictures | 3:00–6:00 PM
For the Class of 2030, transfer students, new-to-BRHS students, and foreign exchange students
👋 BRHS Swing-In Orientation | 4:00–5:30 PM
For the Class of 2030, transfer students, new-to-BRHS students, and foreign exchange students
📅 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19
🏫 Eastwood Open House | 4:00–5:30 PM
📅 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19
🏫 Virtual School Open House | 3:00–5:00 PM
📅 THURSDAY, AUGUST 20
🏫 Big Rapids Middle School Open House | 4:00–5:30 PM
📅 THURSDAY, AUGUST 20
🏫 Brookside Open House | 4:30–6:00 PM
📅 THURSDAY, AUGUST 20
🏫 Riverview Open House | 4:30–6:00 PM
📅 MONDAY, AUGUST 24
🎒 FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, 11:30 AM dismissal
We’re looking forward to seeing our students and families throughout the week! Welcome back, Cardinals!

Summer is flying by, and the countdown to a brand-new school year is officially on!
Visit our Back to School FAQs to find quick answers to all your top questions about transportation, schedules, and more:
🔗 https://www.brps.org/page/back-to-school-faqs

Classes will resume as normal on Tuesday, May 26th.
As we enjoy the long weekend with our families, the Big Rapids Public Schools community pauses to remember, honor, and express our deepest gratitude for the brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country.
Have a safe and meaningful holiday weekend, Cardinals!



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.






















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







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!

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!








