✨ 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!
Congratulations to BRMS 7th grader Anika Pai on being selected as a finalist in the Michigan Holocaust Center’s Kappy Family Art and Writing Contest. Anika’s poem, “Echoes of Hope,” was selected from over 200 entries as one of fifteen middle school writing finalists.
Today, Anika traveled to the Michigan Holocaust Center in Farmington Hills to engage with judges and other finalists. While there, she had an opportunity to tour the center and hear a second generation survivor speak.
🎶 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
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.
An unexpected situation at Big Rapids Middle School recently highlighted the importance of preparation, awareness, and student leadership.
Check out the full story at: https://bigrapidsmi.sites.thrillshare.com/article/2819543
Check out the full story at: https://bigrapidsmi.sites.thrillshare.com/article/2819543
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.
Join us for our Glow in the Dark Dance on Friday, April 24th from 6–8 PM in the cafeteria! 🕺💃
🎧 Featuring DJ Lukas
🎟️ Tickets: $5 (sold at lunch Wed–Fri & at the door)
👕 Dress casual – jeans, t-shirts, and school-appropriate attire
🎨 Extra fun with t-shirt decorating, banner making, and more (additional cost applies)
Open to 5th–8th grade students — don’t miss one of the most exciting nights of the year! 🌟
Let’s light up the night, Cardinals! 💙💡
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NvHt1B3PGQOC_Rk4jF0fY3fUk_4X6pyE/view?usp=sharing
🎧 Featuring DJ Lukas
🎟️ Tickets: $5 (sold at lunch Wed–Fri & at the door)
👕 Dress casual – jeans, t-shirts, and school-appropriate attire
🎨 Extra fun with t-shirt decorating, banner making, and more (additional cost applies)
Open to 5th–8th grade students — don’t miss one of the most exciting nights of the year! 🌟
Let’s light up the night, Cardinals! 💙💡
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NvHt1B3PGQOC_Rk4jF0fY3fUk_4X6pyE/view?usp=sharing
What an AWESOME end to March here at BRMS! End of the day assembly included March is Readings month rewards with Mrs. Hattis getting an updated hair style and a dodgeball tournament with a weeks worth of energy! Happy spring break BRMS!
Kids of all ages are invited to enjoy Tie Dye & Drumming - for more info, visit www.brps.org/flyers!
Spring Break Reminder!
Big Rapids Public Schools will be on Spring Break March 30 – April 3.
We hope our students, staff, and families enjoy a safe and relaxing break! School will resume on Monday, April 6.
Enjoy the time off and we’ll see everyone back refreshed and ready to finish the school year strong!
Big Rapids Public Schools will be on Spring Break March 30 – April 3.
We hope our students, staff, and families enjoy a safe and relaxing break! School will resume on Monday, April 6.
Enjoy the time off and we’ll see everyone back refreshed and ready to finish the school year strong!
6th Grade Activity night tonight at FERRIS STATE REC CENTER! $Dollars to get in and that gets the students Rock wall, swimming, open gym, pizza and a drink, and games! Students can be dropped off at 5pm and picked up at 7:30 pm!
Big Rapids Public Schools will be closed on Tuesday, March 17, due to poor road conditions.
Big Rapids Public Schools will be closed today, Monday, March 16th, due to poor road conditions.
**UPDATE**
Big Rapids Public Schools will be CLOSED today, Friday, March 13th due to poor weather conditions.
Big Rapids Public Schools will be CLOSED today, Friday, March 13th due to poor weather conditions.
Enjoy an afternoon of outdoor fun at the Inaugural Play Day!
Visit www.brps.org/flyers for more information.
Visit www.brps.org/flyers for more information.
BONUS ACTIVITY NIGHT!
This week, Friday March 6, BRMS is hosting a 5th and 6th grade activity night!
$5 to get in the door and concessions available! 3:30pm - 5:30pm, Students must be at school that day to attend.
This week, Friday March 6, BRMS is hosting a 5th and 6th grade activity night!
$5 to get in the door and concessions available! 3:30pm - 5:30pm, Students must be at school that day to attend.
