First 5 – Week of November 9, 2026

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1️⃣ This Week’s Highlights

  • The Grand Rapids Ballet will be offering a free program this Tuesday, November 10, at 6:00 PM in the WPAC. Suitable for all ages. Free and open to the public. No registration required.
    • Anyone who is available at 4PM to help set-up is welcome to assist! The floor is being put down on stage and help will also be needed at 7:00 PM when the floor needs to be taken down
  • The EET Committee’s staff Thanksgiving party is coming soon! Join us Thursday, November 19 for a time of fun, food, and gratitude for the Kroc Krew!
    • Please sign up to bring a dish of your choice at the link here. The main fixings (i.e. turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, etc.) will already be provided.
  • Save the date! This years Kroc staff Christmas party will be Friday, December 5 at Craig’s Cruisers! Employees and their plus ones or immediate family will receive passes for attractions along with cards containing tokens to enjoy the fun. A delicious buffet style dinner will be provided to keep everyone energized and merry throughout the event.
    • Please RSVP by Monday, November 30 at the link here. Just FYI: EventBrite uses the phrase “get tickets.”

2️⃣ Program Updates

  • Fall 2 Session Week 2.
    • Make-ups for this session occurs after Thanksgiving (December 13-19). Classes that land on November 26-29 are automatically scheduled for the make-up week.
  • Winter 1 programs open for registration next Monday, November 16.
    • Keep an eye out for the Winter 1 program guides to come out this week!

3️⃣ Facility Notices 🛠️

Facility Updates/Closures

  • The Kroc Center will be CLOSED Thursday, November 26 for Thanksgiving.
    • No program classes will be held November 26–29
  • Friday, November 27 is an admin holiday.
    • The Kroc will remain OPEN, so if you are a department supervisor, please ensure your department is fully staffed if you are taking the day off.

Rentals

  • Monday: Photography Guest (will be around to take photos of programs from 5:30-8pm)
  • Tuesday: GR Ballet – Music Room and WPAC
    • 4:00–8:00 PM
  • Tuesday: GR Rec Volleyball – Gym
    • 8:00–10:00 PM
  • Friday: Staff CPR Training – Fireside C-E
    • 12:00–5:00 PM
  • Saturday: Lighthouse Life Center – Fireside C
    • 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
  • Sunday: Aquatics In-Service
    • 1:00–5:00 PM

4️⃣ Staff Announcements 🎉

👋 Welcome New Staff

  • Nick Brouwer, our new General Manger, started last Wednesday, November 4! If you haven’t already, join us in giving him a warm welcome to the Kroc Krew!
    • Members and staff are invited to a meet and greet this Wednesday November 11 from 10:00–11:00 AM in the lobby to meet Nick and enjoy donuts and coffee!

Green Dot Moments & Staff Shoutouts

  • Shoutout to Margarita for collaborating with marketing and translating things into Spanish to make the Kroc more accessible for members and guests.
  • Green Dot moment to the crew who helped with the incident last week.
  • Green Dot moment to Caity for help with an incident Monday morning and handling it well.
  • Green Dot moment to Pete and Aja for resolving a situation with an upset parent.
  • Shoutout to Andre, Line Dancing instructor, for creating a positive experience for class participants. 
  • Shoutout to the gym staff for their help every week with tearing down and setting up activities in the gym. 
  • Shoutout to Eddy and the facilities team for providing such a clean facility every day.
  • Shoutout to Jessica for staying on top of staff trainings that allow us to handle incidents well as a team.
  • Shoutout to Ray for always being here when he needs to and responding to radio calls promptly.
  • Shoutout to Kelly and Laura for substituting for classes.
  • Shoutout to Nick, our new General Manager, for joining the Kroc Krew and pushing through all of his onboarding and training with a positive attitude.
  • Shoutout to Lisa for covering in Child Watch Monday morning.
  • Shoutout to Caity for hiring her first Welcome Desk attendant
    • And for training new desk staff.
  • Shoutout to Caity for stepping in to teach Tumbling and allowing the class to run.

📌 Open Positions at the Kroc Center

  • Boxing Instructor
  • Child Watch Attendant
  • Fitness Lead
  • Lifeguard
  • Yoga Instructor

Apply here: grkroccenter.org/learn-more/careers

5️⃣ Reminders & Resources 📌

  • Any marketing requests can be submitted here. Using this link automatically adds the requests to the marketing to-do list and ensures it gets taken care of ASAP!
    • Similarly, for any printing needs, please use this form here.

🙌 Missional Moment

None this week.

✝️ Note from the Pastor

None this week.

🙏 Prayer Requests

  • Prayers for staff and members.
  • Prayers for illness and aging parents.
  • Prayers for programs.
  • Prayers for new employees.