Panther Pulse

Hello Parcells Community!

We are excited about resuming our educational journey toward the 13th grade, and we’re off to a great start! As we continue to build positive momentum, I encourage both students and families to stay engaged with your academic progress. Please be mindful of your current standing and take advantage of the resources and opportunities we offer to maintain or improve your grades. Remember to regularly check Schoology to monitor progress and ensure you're on track for success. Let’s keep the momentum going!

Thank you.

Jason Wesley

Parcells Principal

As the Academic Behavioral Coordinator at Parcells Middle School, I see the incredible potential

in every child that I meet. But their success isn’t just about talent—it’s about the support and

guidance they get at home. So, here’s my challenge to you for 2025: Commit to helping your

child be their best this year by focusing on effort, attitude, and academic growth.

Encourage effort over perfection. Let your child know that trying their best—even when things

are hard—is what truly matters. Praise the process, not just the results, and help them see that

mistakes are part of learning.

Model a positive attitude. Being a student in school can be tough socially and academically.

Your child is watching how you handle challenges. Teach them resilience by talking about how

you overcome setbacks, and show them that a good attitude can turn any obstacle into an

opportunity.

Finally, make academics a shared priority. Be curious about what they’re learning, and show

them that education is more than grades—it’s the foundation for their future.

In 2025, let’s partner together to create an environment where your child can thrive, grow, and

shine. They have the potential, and with your support, this can be their best year yet.

Please join me in celebrating Parcells musicians Laila Amuyunzu (8th grade), Thomas McBrady (7th grade) and Ellington Spilos (6th grade) for being chosen to sing in this year's MSVMA State Honors Choir Program. Prior to being chosen, they submitted a video audition and participated in Regional Honors Choir day back in October. These three singers have rehearsed with students, conductors, and collaborative pianists from around the entire state of Michigan since November. They will perform in the MSVMA State Honors Choir Concert during the school day on Thursday, January 23rd in Grand Rapids at the Michigan Music Conference.

Next week are midterm exams at GP North.

Monday, January 13th is a regular school day. Parcells students who attend North first hour will take their exam on Tuesday, January 14 from 8:00-9:30 AM. They do not need to report to GP North Wednesday-Friday. They will report to Parcells and work at the high tops OR arrive at Parcells at 9:15 for 2nd hour.

Happy New Year! Counselors are busy preparing for Elective Course selections for 2025-26!!

Your student will be bringing home a course selection sheet that REQUIRES an adult signature and must be turned into their teacher by a specific date (see below).

Rising 5th (current 4th) - lavender color course selection sheet due to 4th grade teacher by January 23rd.

Rising 6th (current 5th)- yellow color course selection sheet due to 5th grade SS teachers by January 29th. Our presentation to the students is Thursday, January 16th in SS classes.

Rising 7th (current 6th) -green color course selection sheet due to 6th grade ELA teachers by January 29th. Our presentation to students is Tuesday, January 14th in ELA classes.

Rising 8th (current 7th) -blue color course selection sheet due to 7th grade ELA teachers by January 29th. Our presentation to students is Wednesday, January 15th in ELA classes.

Rising 9th (current 8th) - Pink color course selection sheet due to 8th grade ELA teachers by January 29th. This presentation was given by our North HS counselors to all 8t graders on Wednesday, January 8th.

Copies of all presentations, course selection sheets and letters emailed home will ALL be available on the Parcells Home Page. Click on the Counseling Page LINK right on the Home Page. This information will be available as we present during the upcoming week.

Please take time over the next two weeks to thoughtfully review and discuss your student's elective choices for next year. It is a very exciting time for all our students to think about the opportunities for elective classes.

Dr. Macey (A-K)

Mrs. Palffy (L-Z)

Renaissance Blitz

• Feb 24 - Mar 20 3rd Quarter
• April 21 - May 15th 4th Quarter

Basketball tryouts for 7th and 8th graders will be held on Tuesday January 21st. All Students must have a current physical and gold card on file to try out. Forms can be picked up in the office or main gym. Please see Coach Woz if you have any questions.

January 13

• PTO Meeting 6:30 PM Parcells Staff Lounge

January 15

• Wild Wednesday - After School Pizza Sales

January 17

• End of the 2nd Quarter
• 1/2 Day of School dismissal 11:28 AM

• 2nd Quarter Grades available in Parent Portal

• Wild Wednesday - After School Pizza Sales

• Medallion Ceremony
• Wild Wednesday - After School Pizza Sales

• Mid Winter Break

• Wild Wednesday - After School Pizza Sales

• 7th Grade Winter Fest Dance 6:30 -8:00 PM

Current Volunteer Needs

The PTO offers many opportunities for parent involvement. Find just the right level of commitment that works for you!

We need your help with:

• Event Planning such as 7th Grade WinterFest

• 5th & 8th Grade Transitions

• WILD Wednesdays

Email PTOparcells@gmail.com if you would like to volunteer or have questions.

Next Parcells PTO Meeting

Join us for the next PTO meeting on Monday, January 13th at 6:30 p.m. in the staff lounge, across from the hall from the auditorium. Enter through the main entrance on Mack.

Special note: 7th-grade Winter Fest event planning will occur at 6 p.m. before the meeting.

Help Needed to Plan 7th Grade Winter Fest

The Parcells PTO will be holding a planning meeting for the upcoming 7th grade Winter Fest on January 13th at 6:00. This will be just before our regularly scheduled monthly PTO meeting. The Winter Fest event is scheduled to take place on Friday, February 28th. We hope you can join us!

WILD Wednesdays

Each Wednesday from 3:15 - 3:45 p.m. is WILD Wednesday at Parcells.

What’s so wild about it? It’s an after-school opportunity for students to purchase pizza and/or snacks and get recharged mid-week! All proceeds from sales benefit school programming such as events, curriculum, and school improvement. Parents can sign up to volunteer here.

January Parcells Restaurant Nights:

Our Parcells Restaurant Night program is an ongoing community partnership established by the PTO. Each Wednesday of the month, a partner will host “Restaurant Night” during specific hours and generously donate a portion of the proceeds to Parcells.

Please help make this program successful by getting takeout or dining in with our community partners on “Parcells Restaurant Nights” this year.

January 2025 Parcells Restaurant Nights:

Wed.15th Licavoli’s 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Wed. 22nd Jet’s Pizza 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Wed. 29th Telly’s Place 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Get Connected with Our Parcells PTO Community Online

Stay updated on PTO events and volunteer opportunities on the Parcells PTO Facebook page.

Also, connect with other parents on the Parcells Middle School Parent Discussion Facebook page (moderated by the PTO).

• Please talk to your child the night before or in the morning before school about any after school plans. It is disruptive to get messages to the students during class time. WE UNDERSTAND THAT SOMETIMES THERE ARE LAST MINUTE CHANGES AND THAT IS OK TO CALL FOR!!!

• Students should not be calling home because they forgot something unless the teacher asks them to. This is also disruptive to class time. Please instill in your child the importance of planning ahead. If you drop something off to your student during the school day your student will get an email to their schoology. Please remind them to check their schoology email throughout the school day. Calling the classrooms is very disruptive. Thank you for your understanding.

• After the school bell rings in the morning the only entrance that should be used is the one along Sunningdale at the end of the GP Woods Library Parking Lot. The door is called the H door and it is PARCELLS SECURE ENTRANCE. This is also the door that students should come in if they are late or parents should come in if needing to enter the building during the school day.

If your student is staying home for any reason please call the attendance line at 313-432-4601 or email hargera@gpschools.org and leave a reason for the absence.

Thank you so much for all the generous donations already.

Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) Program!

Take a look over our Amazon Wish List where you can easily purchase and send items directly to us that will help support our Color Run, Friday Snack Cart for our Panther Buck Rewards, or for getting our School Store started.

AMAZON WISH LIST

As always, Thank you!!

If your child needs a modified diet in the cafeteria, please follow the link above to obtain a form that will need to be filled out by your child's physician. Please return the completed form to your school office.

LUNCH MENU

Parcells Breakfast Times: Monday - 8:35 AM, Tuesday - Friday 7:50 AM

Students can enter through the doors by the main gym or Mack Ave.

They can only enter at these times if they are having breakfast.

Parcells Library is now open for Emergency Chromebook checkout. Students can check out an emergency chromebook during 1st and 5th hour only, and must return the device each day by 3:00. Students who are in need of a year long device should reach out to Mrs. McGrath in the main office for assistance.

Principal - Jason Wesley: wesleyj@gpschools.org

Vice Principal - Samantha McGrath: lambers@gpschools.org

Vice Principal - Debra Redlin: redlind@gpschools.org

Counselor - Amy Macey: maceya@gpschools.org

Counselor -Carla Palffy:palffyc@gpschools.org

Secretary- Lisa Sicklesteel: sicklel@gpschools.org

Attendance Clerk - Ashley Harger: hargera@gpschools.org

Office Clerk - Karen Cueny: cuenyk@gpschools.org

Website: https://www.gpschools.org/Domain/597

Location: 20600 Mack Avenue, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, USA
Phone: 313-432-4600