Superintendent

Please view my message here if you need translation services.

February 14, 2025

GLPS Families,

As we wrap up another week impacted by winter weather, I want to wish a Happy Valentine’s Day to those who celebrate. Wednesday night’s pending snow storm allowed me to make the snow day call early for yesterday, and the storm certainly delivered as promised. We have more snow coming this weekend, so hopefully you and your family have the opportunity to get outside and enjoy it over the long holiday weekend.

I want to start this week by acknowledging that yesterday marked the two-year anniversary of the tragic shooting at Michigan State University on February 13th, 2023, and pausing to remember the lives lost, those injured, and all who were impacted by this devastating event. Our proximity to campus, and the connection that many of our families have to MSU, means that those events had a significant impact on many in our school community, and we stand in solidarity with the Michigan State University community and offer our continued support to those affected. In response to this tragedy, the United Resiliency Center was established to provide free support services to those in need. Whether you are dealing with the effects of this event directly or supporting someone who is, the center offers a range of services, including counseling, support groups, and crisis intervention. Well-being matters, and help is available.

In addition, this is a good time to remind you of the student mental health and wellbeing supports that we have in place here at GLPS. Last week was national school counselor week, and we are fortunate here to have an outstanding school counseling team with counselors in every building. We also have social workers throughout the district, our facility dog program, and program coordination from Juan Castillo, our Student Inclusion, Mental Health, and Wellness Supervisor. In addition to these resources, the Grand Ledge Public Schools Health Center, in partnership with University of Michigan Health Sparrow, is located on the campus of Grand Ledge High School, and provides student ages 5-21 with both physical and mental health supports, regardless of insurance status. Please take a moment to click here to refamiliarize yourself with the health center and the services it offers. Since it opened in April, there have been nearly 600 visits to the health center for healthcare ranging from mental health appointments to sports physicals.

As we head into the long Presidents Day weekend, I encourage you to find ways to increase your own health and wellness. Winter in Michigan is long, and we all need to make sure we take care of ourselves, mentally and physically. With that in mind, I want to thank you for all you do to support your children and the work we do here at GLPS. I appreciate the opportunity to work with you and your students every day, and as always, I am #proudtobeacomet!

Dr. Bill Barnes
Superintendent of Schools