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.
🍎✨ 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
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.
CARDS winners!
Aarcher
Palmer
Jeremiah
Waylon
Jordan
Preston
Rhydian
Amaya
Braven
CARDS winners!
Sebastian
Oliver
Aria
Ayli
Allistar
Kyla
Oaklynn
Anthony
Elias
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.
Drive up Family Night is this Thursday April 16th from 5-6pm!
Pull up in the front of Eastwood and our staff will hand you a bag filled with everything to make brownies, a craft, games to play with your family and a new book! You don't even have to leave your car!!
Upload a picture of your family time together via the QR code that is provided inside the page for a chance for your student to win prizes!
See everyone Thursday night!
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!
Happy Behavioral Interventionist Day!
Our students and staff are so lucky to have Mr. B and Mrs. Pletz! These two go above and beyond each day for our students. They are caring, fun, a smile in the morning, a wave goodbye in the afternoon, someone our kids can count on to show up for them and to always support them.
The PTO presented them today with gift cards to spoil themselves!
Thank you again Mr.B and Mrs.Pletz
🖊️The Cardinal Kindergarten Signing Day photo gallery is now live!
Families can now download their child’s adorable photos and relive all the excitement from this special event!
📸 View & download your photos: www.brps.org/kgallery
Haven’t signed your future Cardinal yet? There’s still time to enroll for the 2026–27 school year!
🔗 Get started here: www.brps.org/enroll
We can’t wait to welcome our newest class of Cardinals!
Families can now download their child’s adorable photos and relive all the excitement from this special event!
📸 View & download your photos: www.brps.org/kgallery
Haven’t signed your future Cardinal yet? There’s still time to enroll for the 2026–27 school year!
🔗 Get started here: www.brps.org/enroll
We can’t wait to welcome our newest class of Cardinals!
CARDS winners!
August
Gemma
Stephen
Lillian
Brantleigh
Adalynn
Jameson
Emily
Cassius
