Mrs. J. Bouman's class worked on their first big writing assignment!
Students are having fun making projects in Mrs. Land's STEM class!
We have had a great start to the school year! The students have already learned so much and we are so proud of them!
Big Rapids focuses strongly on C.A.R.D.S and what each letter stands for. Ask your students and see if they can tell you yet.
This year our bus transportation has incorporated it into their busses. On Thursday every class was able to learn how to act appropriately on the bus and what it was like to be a CARD. They each got a coloring book and sticker too!
Mrs. Thomas' class is enjoying the playground and searching for fun toys!
📅 NO SCHOOL REMINDER
Quick heads-up for our families: There will be no school on Friday, August 28th.
Enjoy the long weekend, Cardinals!
Quick heads-up for our families: There will be no school on Friday, August 28th.
Enjoy the long weekend, Cardinals!
🏫 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!
Please call us by Friday 8/14 if you would like to sign your Kindergartener up for our Kindergarten Jump Start
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
The Big Rapids Cardinal Soccer team is hosting a Summer Soccer Camp July 27-29! Learn more at www.brps.org/flyers.
☀️🎒 Reminder: There will be no school on Monday, May 25th, in observance of Memorial Day.
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!
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!
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!