Meet our 2025 Walnut Hills Support Staff of the Year, Morgan Gross!
Morgan has been a paraprofessional at Walnut Hills for almost two years. She is married and has two boys, Robbie and Hunter (and a corgi named Cooper). She loves to spend time with her family in her spare time.
Morgan says: "The highlight is honestly just my whole job. I work for and with the most amazing people. The kids are so awesome and it just makes it the absolute best job!"
When asked if she would rather do indoor recess with 25 kindergarteners or supervise 5th grade lunch on the last day before Christmas break, Morgan answered - "Oh, easy. 5th grade lunch time. Inside recess can get way too crazy." 🤪
Congratulations, Morgan! 💜💛
Meet our 2025 Walnut Hills Teacher of the Year, Kristin Jenkins!
Kristin is a 2nd grade teacher at Walnut Hills Elementary, and has been a teacher for 22 years! Kristin and her husband Mark have two children, Asa, who will be attending MSU in the fall, and Zoey, who is a high school junior. She loves spending time with friends and family, vacationing to new places, visiting the home they are currently building, cooking, and spending summer days at their condo in Grand Haven.
Kristin says: "The highlight of my time at GPS is the students and staff I work with at Walnut Hills. I admire my team and colleagues' high levels of dedication, collaboration, and knowledge to make the workplace a positive teaching and learning environment. Each and every day, I am helping students become successful readers and writers, all while building positive relationships with both teachers and students."
The strangest thing she's ever pulled out of her pockets at the end of a school day is jewelry that a student borrowed from his mother's jewelry box to give to the girls in her class! 💍
Congratulations Kristin! 💜💛
There will be a regular Board of Education Meeting on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 7:00pm at the Central Services Facility (1414 Chase Street, Greenville). For more information, please visit https://www.gpsjackets.org/page/board-of-education
If you forgot to pick up your student's medications before the last day of school, they are available for pick up TODAY (Thursday, June 5) from 10:00am-2:00pm & 2:30-5:30pm at the GHS Auditorium/Gym Lobby (regardless of what school your student attends). Any prescription or nonprescription medications not picked up will be discarded/destroyed; medications cannot be stored for the following year.
Swing by your local Meet Up & Eat Up site this week to grab breakfast, lunch, or both—FREE for all children and teens 18 & under.
📍 Greenville High School, Baldwin Heights Elementary, Walnut Hills Elementary
📆 Monday-Friday Breakfast is served 8:30AM-10AM, and Lunch is served (GHS) 11AM-1PM (Elementaries) 11AM-12:30PM
Baldwin Heights school family! We are looking for an AMAZING music teacher to join our school family. If you know of someone who may be interested, please feel free to share this information with them so they can apply today!
Application: https://bit.ly/baldwinheightsmusicteacher25
If you forgot to pick up your student's medications, they will be available for pick up on Thursday, June 5, from 10:00am-2:00pm & 2:30-5:30pm at the GHS Auditorium/Gym Lobby (regardless of what school your student attends). Any prescription or nonprescription medications not picked up will be discarded/destroyed; medications cannot be stored for the following year.
From all of us at Baldwin Heights, we wish you all the best this summer with family and friends. See you in the fall!
Greetings Baldwin Heights Family! It has been an amazing year and as we head into summer, here is the link to the End of the Year video that Mr. Hoenshell spends hours preparing for our students and parents:
https://bit.ly/bheoyvideo25
Enjoy your time with family!
Have a wonderful summer, Jackets! 🌞
Today (Friday, May 30) is a HALF DAY & the LAST DAY for ALL GPS students! GMS releases at 10:30am, GHS releases at 10:35am & Elementary releases at 11:50am.
📣 Last Call for Nominations! Tomorrow (Friday, May 30) is the final day to submit your nominations for the 2025 Elmer Russell School Bell Award — one of the most prestigious honors at Greenville Public Schools! 🏆Presented annually to one GPS employee and one community member or organization, this award recognizes those who’ve made significant contributions to the success and growth of our schools. 💜💛
Please take a moment to recognize an exceptional staff member or community partner by submitting a nomination (or two)! 👉 https://forms.gle/adinnuvAKDrP9bfy8
✅ Pros of nominating:
– Show appreciation for someone who goes above and beyond
– Help shine a spotlight on impactful work in our schools and community
– Encourage continued excellence and dedication
⚠️ Possible drawback:
– Takes a few minutes to complete the nomination form — but it’s time well spent to honor someone deserving!
🎉 Congratulations, GPS 2024–25 Retirees! Thank you for the incredible impact you've made on our schools, our students, and our community. Your years of service and dedication will never be forgotten. Once a Yellow Jacket, always a Yellow Jacket. Wishing you all the best in this next chapter! 💜💛
The Greenville Board of Education honored all GPS 2024-25 retirees during its regular meeting on May 12, 2025. Photographed (Left to Right): Kara Busen, Debbie Lewicki, Kevin Willemstein, Kelly Roney, and Kara Meade. Not included in the photograph: Annie Beals, Shelly Blumberg, Julie Emery, Andrew Fedder, Paul Johnson, and Lori Oxford.
Today we honor two extraordinary educators, Kara Busen and Kara Meade, as they retire after decades of dedicated service to Greenville Public Schools. With 28 years in education, Kara Busen has touched countless lives through her work in CI, Early Childhood Special Education, and most recently, Transitional Kindergarten—always bringing heart, humor, and compassion to her students and colleagues. Kara Meade, after 26 years (25 in Greenville), leaves behind a legacy of creativity, leadership, and laughter that has defined the spirit of Baldwin Heights. From pancakes and hand-churned butter to mentoring fellow educators, her impact goes far beyond the classroom. As both Karas embark on new adventures, we send them off with gratitude and admiration. Your footprints will forever remain in the halls of Baldwin Heights. ❤️
BH REMINDER: FIELD DAY IS TOMORROW 5/28!
We would love for you to sign up and volunteer for our new field day event as we will need more help than ever:
https://bit.ly/bhfielddayvolunteerNEWDATE
NO SCHOOL today (Monday, May 26, 2025) due to the holiday.
Calling all BH Families,
Our school garden needs your help this summer! We are looking for families to sign up and help take care of the garden throughout the summer. This includes watering, weeding, planting and harvesting the various crops that we've planted and can continue planting.
You can sign up for one or as many slots as you're interested in. Questions? Contact Mr. Heth at david.heth@gpsjackets.org
Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0F4AAAA72CA1FA7-56930719-baldwin#/
We appreciate any help you can give!
BH REMINDER: We have MOVED OUR FIELD DAY TO MAY 28. We are incredibly sorry for this tremendous inconvenience.
We would love for you to sign up and volunteer on Wednesday, May 28 for our new field day event as we will need more help than ever:
https://bit.ly/bhfielddayvolunteerNEWDATE
BH REMINDER: Today is the last day for the Culture & Climate Survey! If you haven't done so, please give us your input. :)
Here is the link: https://bit.ly/bhschoolclimatesurveyfamily25
🎓 Congratulations to the Greenville High School Class of 2025! You’ve shown perseverance, adaptability, communication, and problem-solving—truly reflecting the heart of the GPS Portrait of a Jacket. We’re proud of you and wish you the best on your next adventure! GO JACKETS! 💜💛
Photo Courtesy of Cory Smith, Daily News
