GPPSS Update
May 10, 2022
Board of Education Update
At their work session, Monday, May 9, the board of education heard several important presentations:
$21,392 in grants from the Grosse Pointe Foundation for Public Education which are celebrated below
The good news report that focused on where our graduates are headed next year, teacher appreciation, and end of year concerts
Science textbook and E-licenses recommendations with an impressive presentation on the process used to bring those forward
An enrollment projection update from Plante Moran - Of note, their enrollment projections have a 99.7% accuracy rate. This presentation focused on questions asked by the board and community after their last update, with comparison to peer districts.
ESSERS funding update - specifying where the State and GPPSS specifically have focused COVID funding (ESSER stands for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) to address learning loss, unique needs during the pandemic, and keep buildings safely open
2022-23 Budget Update - comparing the executive, senate and house proposals to date and providing insight on the state budget process as well as our district’s
The only actions were to graciously accept the GPFPE gifts and to approve the April 25 minutes; both passed 7-0.
Also previewed for approval May 23 were:
Resolution Regarding Teacher Layoffs estimated to be about 6 positions (1% of our teaching staff) after retirements and resignations to align with enrollment
Action on the Wayne Regional Educational Service Agency (WRESA) 22-23 Budget
Approval of Kerby Roof Replacement
Approval of Final Construction Clean for the 6 buildings undergoing bond work this summer from the bond
Approval of Fastdecks Amendment for water mitigation at South High School from the sinking fund
Approval of Desktop PCs for editing in our television production courses from Career and Technical Education funding
Future meetings include:
BOE Policy Committee, Tuesday, May 17, 2022, 4 p.m., Morningside Board Room
BOE Regular Session, Monday, May 23, 2022, 7 p.m., Brownell Multipurpose Room
BOE Work Session, Monday, June 13, 2022, 7 p.m., Brownell Multipurpose Room
GPFPE presents over $21K in spring grants!
These grants were presented by the Grosse Pointe Foundation for Public Education for acceptance by the Board, which was done with gratitude and excitement.
- First in Michigan Lego League (Grades K-4th) Defer ($1,300) - This grant funds the startup for two FIRST Lego Leagues. GPFPE is fortunate to be able to fund this grant through the Lois J. Warden Fund that has been established for important elementary programs within the school system. Submitted by Melissa Keagle and Lindsay Janiec
- Botmasterz Robotics (Grades 5th-8th) Pierce ($1,200) - Twenty middle school girls participate in this club that develops problem solving, self-directed learning, communication, collaboration and creativity as they design and build a robot to solve a problem and enter regional competitions. Valuable STEM skills are learned through hands-on experience in building and coding a robot each year. Submitted by Sherry Betcher and Jane Plieth
- Virtual Reality in World Language Classroom (Grades 9th-12th) North ($257) - In a time period where school field trips have been limited, this grant purchases 35 Google Cardboard Headsets and two storage totes so that this Spanish teacher can ‘take’ her students to virtual worlds in Spain and Mexico, where they can explore cultures and geography connected to their instruction. Submitted by Mandolyn Grattan
- The Green and Gold Café: Special Education Micro-enterprise (Grades 9th-12th and age 18-26) North ($2,015) - This grant funds a Special Education program at North High School where students take staff coffee orders, prepare the beverages and deliver the product around the building. Students learn real life job simulations from this project and benefit from the social interactions they have each day. A new professional coffee maker, delivery carts and coffee will be purchased with this grant. Submitted by Sheila Doss and Amy Koontz
- Astronomy Class Supplies (Grades 9th-12th) South ($1,788) - Ten portable telescopes and thirty red flashlights will be purchased by this grant. This new equipment will give Astronomy students the tools needed to use the skills learned in class and to apply them to the actual experiences of space, as seen through the new telescopes. Red flashlights are specifically developed for night vision so students can more easily star gaze at night. Submitted by Claire Sobolak
- Boll Fitness Center Medicine Ball Sets (Grades 9th-12th) South ($3,415) - This grant purchases six complete sets of medicine balls and one Heavy Medicine Ball set for use in the Physical Education Classes at South’s Boll Fitness Center. Five classes, such as Weight and Strength Training and Introduction to Team Sports, focus on developing physically literate individuals who will have the knowledge, skills and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of physical activity and healthy lifestyles. Submitted by Kathy Smith
- Total Regular Grants Cycle $ 9,975
- Yoga SEL (Grades Y5-1st) Richard ($370) - Yoga supplies like massage game mats and brick foam blocks will be purchased with this SEED grant. Lunchtime yoga classes will be offered to provide a safe place to learn the skills necessary to self-regulate and focus during lessons. Yoga has many physical, mental and social benefits for students. Submitted by Sierra Koleber and John Kernan
- Cyber Safety (Grades K-12th) Districtwide ($3,000) - The district has hired Cyber Safety Consulting (CSC) to deliver Internet Safety programming virtually to both parents and students. This grant will fund these pre-set presentations to educate students and parents together and separately on the dangers that they face every day in their online life and provide them with strategies to parent in this hyper digital age. Submitted by Keith Howell and Chris Stanley
- Mental Health: Breaking the Stigma and Finding Solutions (Grades K-12th) Districtwide ($5,750) - This will provide the funds to hire Dr. Gretchen Moran Marsh, a clinical psychologist specializing in anxiety and depression, to address ending the stigma around mental health in an engaging presentation. This presentation is powerful, invigorating and gives real tools to students to support themselves and others. It will be live for secondary students and parents as well as staff on their devices and then will be taped for future viewing to other students and their parents. Submitted by Dr. Roy Bishop
- Resilience and Mindfulness (Grades K-4th) Maire and Richard ($497) - This grant will purchase GoZen software licenses for two elementary schools for one school year. Through interactive animation, teacher led lessons and extracurricular supports this SEED learning program will help teachers and students build resilience, character and emotional intelligence. Paired with Leader in Me skills already in GPPSS elementary classrooms, this will be tested to see if more schools in the district will benefit. Submitted by Dr. Heather Carroll and John Kernan
- PREPaRE Training (Pre-K-Age 26) Districtwide ($1,800) - GPPSS will use PREPaRE training by the National Association of School Psychologists to improve and strengthen our school safety and crisis management plans and emergency response. Submitted by Stefanie Hayes and Roy Bishop
- Total SEED Grants $11,417
Join us for an engaging Zoom with Dr. Gretchen Moran Marsh tonight
Join us and learn empirically validated strategies to not only immediately improve your mental health, but to also prevent mental health problems in the future. These strategies are exactly what Dr. Marsh teaches her private clients, but taught in a quick and easy way to understand and implement. This transformative and positive presentation provides actionable tools to cause change.
The Grosse Pointe Foundation for Public Education is funding this opportunity to bring Dr. Gretchen Moran Marsh to our GPPSS families at 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 10.
Join us tonight!
Click here to watch the Zoom event that will be live at 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 10, and recorded for those who cannot join us live (similar to our Town Halls). All can submit questions in advance or during the session using this Google form.
Please take the GPPSS community survey
Thank you to those who have already taken the GPPSS Annual Community Survey including 327 parents and 172 community members who don’t currently have children in GPPSS. It takes about 8 minutes and data is used to inform board and administrative decisions. Your voice is critical and valued. The survey will close May 17th. A staff survey is also being conducted.
If the link above does not work, please copy and paste this into your browser:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GPPSSCommunitySurvey2022
All individual responses will remain confidential, but summary results will be shared publicly and used for school improvement planning. We appreciate your input and your help sharing this throughout our community. Students, parents, guardians and community members are encouraged to participate. A separate staff survey is also being conducted per board policy. The survey will close May 17th.
Listening Session with the Superintendent at South May 11
Join us for a listening session at 6 p.m., Wednesday, May 11, at South High School on the front lawn or in the Student Commons in case of inclement weather.
All are welcome! Please come and bring your friends.
Communities United in Diversity meeting May 18 at Ferry
Let your inner artist come alive and commemorate a year of collaboration at our final Communities United in Diversity meeting of the year 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 18.
Participants will have the opportunity to create keepsake Alcohol Ink Tiles, made from the amazing chemical reaction that occurs when rubbing alcohol and colorful inks are combined. Special thanks to parent Nafeesah Symonette for bringing this great activity to our group.
The evening also will include a presentation from Ginni Winters, Wayne RESA School Culture and Climate Consultant, on the topic: What is systemic racism?
The meeting will be in the library at Ferry Elementary School, 748 Roslyn, Grosse Pointe Woods. Please enter through the main door.
Partnership opportunity to help homeless girls
GPPSS teacher and Grosse Pointe Education Association (GPEA) member Erin Tabor, has organized a drive for an organization called Alternatives for Girls. Alternatives for Girls provides services for girls and young women who are homeless and having a difficult time.
The GPEA is teaming up with Alternatives for Girls to provide wish list items based on their needs. Use the QR code on the flyer to go directly to the wish list.
Register now for GPPSS Summer Programs
Check out registration dates for GPPSS Summer Programs!
- Grosse Pointe North Summer Sports Camp - registration now open
- Camp Invention – registration open
- Summer Connection – registration open
- Camp O’Fun – registration open
- Summer Music Festival (instrumental) – registration open
- Grosse Pointe Summer Choir -- registration open
High School Classes and Credit Recovery – Registration for both in-person and virtual classes begins Monday, May 23, and ends Thursday, June 30. Classes run June 28-August 4, 2022. For more information on registration, class schedule, and SCSACE summer school calendar, please use the GPPSS Summer Learning link.
GPPSS partners with Cyber Safety Consulting
Cyber Safety Consulting is an expert in the field of Internet safety, having developed and delivered programming focused on Internet safety nationwide. CSC will conduct the following age specific sessions virtually from 6:30 p.m.-7:45 p.m. (75 minutes including Q&A):
May 12, 2022 When is my child ready for a smartphone? - Elementary Parent Presentation (parents only)
- Most popular apps and devices
- Creating a Digital Roadmap
- Monitoring tools, BARK, Safesearch
- Parent/child technology agreement
- Predator and grooming examples
May 24, 2022 How do I protect my teenager online? - Middle & High School Parent Presentation (parents only)
- Technology trends, social media statistics
- Sexually explicit material
- Technology addiction
- Parenting strategies for protection
- Using social media in the application process
Register for One or All
Parents, GPPSS staff and students (when appropriate - see notes behind each title) can choose to attend some or all of the programs but you must register in advance through this form, and participation is limited so sign up today! Those who register will be emailed a link and password the day of the event they registered to attend virtually.
If you missed the first two sessions email info@gpschools.org and we will forward you the recording and passcode for:
Healthy Technology in Your Home -- which is targeted for elementary parents and students. It covered:
- Tech free time and space in the home
- Creating an Exit Strategy
- Gaming do’s and don’ts
- Protecting personal information
Balancing Our Digital Life - Middle & High School Parent Presentation
Sexting and sextortion
Cyberbullying
Social media sharing best practices
Your digital footprint and its future consequences
Saving Lives Together - Annual Suicide Prevention Walk is May 15
The Family Center of Grosse Pointe/Harper Woods and The Healthy Grosse Pointe/Harper Woods Coalition is excited to announce the 6th Annual Suicide Prevention Walk and Mental Health Fair on May 15th. We took a break the last two years due to the pandemic but are thrilled to be back and saving lives together in honor of Kevin’s Song.
The event will run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Grosse Pointe North High School. This community event will help educate and raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention while also raising funds for Kevin’s Song, a local organization dedicated to generating public awareness about the causes of suicide, its prevalence in our society and possible preventive measures.
Participants may choose to donate or raise money for Kevin’s Song, but it’s not a requirement to attend the mental health fair or participate in the one-mile walk. Our main goal of this event is to erase the stigma of talking about suicide and raise awareness around mental health resources and support in our area. We want to show community wide support for those who have lost a loved one to suicide and those who are struggling with their mental health each and every day.
We encourage you to follow us on social media for updates regarding this wonderful community event. You can find The Family Center on Facebook at The Family Center of Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods and Healthy GPHW under Healthy Grosse Pointe & Harper Woods. Healthy GPHW is on Instagram @healthygphw and The Family Center @feamilycenterweb. To learn more about all the wonderful things Kevin’s Song is doing in Michigan, check them out on Facebook at Kevin’s Song and Instagram @kevins_song. We will have a Facebook event page up soon as well.
- Sasha Murphy, Community Organizer
Our Vision: One Inclusive Community Learning Together
Our Mission: Cultivate Educational Excellence By:
- Empowering Students
- Valuing Diversity
- Inspiring Curiosity
- Pushing Possibilities