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!
✨ 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
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.
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!
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.
Get your Spring Events Schedule!
Just pick up a Pioneer newspaper on Saturday, March 14.
Just pick up a Pioneer newspaper on Saturday, March 14.
🎳 What a Fun Day for BRVS! 🎳
Students from Big Rapids Virtual School (BRVS) had a great time on their recent field trip to the bowling alley! It was a day full of strikes, spares, laughter, and plenty of friendly competition.
Opportunities like this give students a chance to connect, build relationships, and enjoy time together outside of their regular learning environment. Thank you to everyone who helped make the day possible!
Students from Big Rapids Virtual School (BRVS) had a great time on their recent field trip to the bowling alley! It was a day full of strikes, spares, laughter, and plenty of friendly competition.
Opportunities like this give students a chance to connect, build relationships, and enjoy time together outside of their regular learning environment. Thank you to everyone who helped make the day possible!
🎉 Kindergarten Signing Day – March 12! 🎉
We’re just two weeks away from Kindergarten Signing Day, and we can’t wait to welcome our newest learners! If you have a child who will be starting kindergarten, this is such a special milestone — and we’d love for your family to be part of it.
Bring your future Kindergartener to join in the excitement, meet our team, and officially sign up for an amazing start to their educational journey. It’s a fun, memorable event you won’t want to miss! ✏️📚
Learn more at www.brps.org/ksigning.
We’re just two weeks away from Kindergarten Signing Day, and we can’t wait to welcome our newest learners! If you have a child who will be starting kindergarten, this is such a special milestone — and we’d love for your family to be part of it.
Bring your future Kindergartener to join in the excitement, meet our team, and officially sign up for an amazing start to their educational journey. It’s a fun, memorable event you won’t want to miss! ✏️📚
Learn more at www.brps.org/ksigning.
🎉 Kindergarten Signing Day – March 12! 🎉
We’re just two weeks away from Kindergarten Signing Day, and we can’t wait to welcome our newest learners! If you have a child who will be starting kindergarten, this is such a special milestone — and we’d love for your family to be part of it.
Bring your future Kindergartener to join in the excitement, meet our team, and officially sign up for an amazing start to their educational journey. It’s a fun, memorable event you won’t want to miss! ✏️📚
https://youtu.be/xU6PAbxRgWE?si=Qo2jEYoC7UNLu492
Learn more at brps.org/ksigning
We’re just two weeks away from Kindergarten Signing Day, and we can’t wait to welcome our newest learners! If you have a child who will be starting kindergarten, this is such a special milestone — and we’d love for your family to be part of it.
Bring your future Kindergartener to join in the excitement, meet our team, and officially sign up for an amazing start to their educational journey. It’s a fun, memorable event you won’t want to miss! ✏️📚
https://youtu.be/xU6PAbxRgWE?si=Qo2jEYoC7UNLu492
Learn more at brps.org/ksigning
📅 Event: Financial Aid & FAFSA Night at Big Rapids High School
🗓 Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2026
⏰ Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Big Rapids High School
Join us for an informative Financial Aid Night presented by Ferris State University! Get help with creating your FAFSA ID, filing the FAFSA, exploring financial aid opportunities (like scholarships and grants), and next‑step college enrollment support. Bring your laptop/tablet and necessary documents to get the most out of the event.
👉 Download the full flyer here:
📥 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_UBM3K9HxjLG9kze5ps9v-vNkheoFDLn/view?usp=sharing
🗓 Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2026
⏰ Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Big Rapids High School
Join us for an informative Financial Aid Night presented by Ferris State University! Get help with creating your FAFSA ID, filing the FAFSA, exploring financial aid opportunities (like scholarships and grants), and next‑step college enrollment support. Bring your laptop/tablet and necessary documents to get the most out of the event.
👉 Download the full flyer here:
📥 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_UBM3K9HxjLG9kze5ps9v-vNkheoFDLn/view?usp=sharing
