Courier Services

REMC 8 Courier Services

REMC 8 Interschool Courier Service

The REMC 8 courier is a contracted interschool delivery service connecting schools, districts, and ISDs across Kent County. Operated in partnership with PCS of Grand Rapids, the service moves educational materials that would otherwise require district staff to transport in person or ship at significant cost. Routes run Monday through Friday, with each participating school receiving service on one or more designated days per week.

What the Courier Transports

The courier moves a wide range of materials between Kent ISD, REMC 8, and participating schools and districts, including:

• Student cumulative records (CA-60s)
• Assistive technology
• STEM kits
• Literacy materials
• Physical therapy equipment
• Books and instructional resources
• Technology items
• General school supplies

How to Use the Courier

Step 1: Confirm the destination is a participant

Before placing anything in the courier system, verify that the receiving school or district is on the current participant list. See the Participant List and Schedule section below for how to check.

Step 2: Package and label items clearly

Items should be labeled with the destination school or district name and addressed to the appropriate recipient. Loose or unlabeled items may be delayed or returned.

Step 3: Place items for pickup on your delivery day

Each participating school has a designated pickup day or days per week. Items must be ready for the courier driver at the time of scheduled service.

Step 4: Items route through REMC 8 / Kent ISD

Materials are consolidated at Kent ISD and routed to the destination on the next available service day for that location.

Who Can Send and Receive

The courier system moves materials between participating schools and districts only. A participating school may send materials to any other school or district on the current participant list.

Materials addressed to a destination not on the participant list cannot be accepted into the courier system. Those items must be routed through other means, such as postal mail or direct district delivery.

The courier serves Kent County only. REMC 8 does not connect to other county ISDs or districts outside of Kent County at this time. Items destined for schools or organizations outside of Kent County must be arranged by the sending district through other means.

Receiving Items from Outside Kent County

Items originating from outside Kent County should only enter the courier system when staff can confirm with certainty that the destination is a current participant. When that confirmation is not possible, the best service a participating school can offer is to return the item to the sender and let them know that participation status needs to be verified before the item can be accepted.

Items dropped off from outside the county often arrive with the assumption that the courier will find a way to route them to their destination. This is not how the system works. Pointing senders to the participant list early keeps things moving for everyone.

Participant List and Schedule

Before sending items through the courier system, always verify the destination school or district is a current participant. You can confirm participation two ways:

• Visit the REMC 8 page on the Kent ISD website and click the green REMC 8 Courier Schedule button at the bottom of the page.
• Download the 2025-2026 Courier Participant List (PDF) -- updated each school year.

If you are unsure whether a destination is covered, contact REMC 8 before sending. It is always easier to confirm in advance than to retrieve an item that cannot be delivered.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the courier deliver?

The courier transports educational materials between participating schools, districts, and Kent ISD. Common items include student cumulative records (CA-60s), books, instructional resources, assistive technology, STEM kits, literacy materials, physical therapy equipment, and general school supplies. The service is not intended for personal items, perishables, or items requiring special handling.

Who can use the courier?

The courier is available to schools, districts, and programs that are current participants in the REMC 8 courier program. Participation is confirmed annually at the start of each school year. Always verify that both your school and the destination are on the current participant list before sending anything through the system.

What happens if the destination school or district is not on the participant list?

Items cannot be accepted into or delivered through the courier system if the destination is not a current participant. Those materials must be sent by other means. If you believe a school or district should be participating and is not listed, contact REMC 8 directly.

Can I send items to a school outside of Kent County?

No. REMC 8 serves Kent County only and does not connect to other county ISDs or districts. Items destined for schools or organizations outside of Kent County must be arranged by the sending district through other means. If your school receives an item from outside Kent County that is addressed to another school, return it to the sender and direct them to verify participation status before resubmitting.

Contact REMC 8

Questions about participation, routing, delivery days, or a specific item? Contact REMC 8 -- we are glad to help confirm whether a destination is covered before materials are sent.

• Phone: 616-364-2386
• Hours: 7:30 to 4:00 PM Daily
• Address: 2930 Knapp NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
• Website:kentisd.org/educators/remc