GPPSS Update

Kerby surprised their principal, Walter Fitzpatrick with a surprise farewell following their school talent show. Mr. Fitzpatrick is retiring this year and the staff wanted to show their appreciation, and the impact he has made amongst the school district and Grosse Pointe community. Special guests that he has worked with over his years showed up for the surprise, that helped to make it a truly memorable day. Congratulation's on your retirement Mr. Fitzpatrick, you will be truly missed!

The third graders at Defer went on a field trip to the Metro Park for a nature hike and canoeing on a voyager canoe. The students learned about the Native American culture and the fur trade.

Second graders enjoyed a Read-Out with their families last Friday on the Mason front lawn. Families brought a blanket, books and snacks and enjoyed an hour of reading together for this annual spring event.

Barnes invited Chamberlin Petting Farm to come and share some of their furry friends with them. The children had fun petting, brushing and feeding the animals.

South had their annual Physics field trip to Cedar Point. Joseph Spryzak has attend almost every trip as a chaperone and this was his last due to his retirement from GPPSS. He has always gone above and beyond and we will miss him!

Pierce students competed in the statewide Social Studies Olympiad competition. Javi Lopez and Bobby Kasza both placed first in their categories. Ben Copus, Nora Shaloub, Alysia Dion, Eva Clark, Annie Geresy, and Frances McCarthy all took home a silver medal. Finn Cornwall scored a bronze medal and Emme Reterstorf received an honorable mention. Winners were coached by Brian Benz, Becky Churray, and Andrea Doherty. Great job!

Patrick (5th grader at Brownell) and Megan (1st grader at Kerby) are holding their 4th annual LEGO Drive benefiting Ascension St. John Children's Hospital in Detroit. This is done in honor of their son, Hudson (5th grader at Brownell), who is a brain cancer survivor and found that LEGO sets really helped him during his 15 months of surgeries, radiation treatments, and chemo stays. The Browns have set the goal of delivering 275 sets to the hospital. Donations can be sent via Venmo @Megan-Brown-132 or by following this link to their Amazon Wish List.

Lilla Albright, a fourth grade student at Mason, was recognized by Detroit City Councilman Coleman A. Young II office with the prestigious Spirit of Detroit award for her talent and commitment to being a part of the intergenerational circle of learning crochet, and for leading a presentation. Additionally, Lilla was also recently honored for having the Best Poster Design in Celebration of National Arbor Week! Congratulations Lilla, and thank you for making us so proud as a leader displaying such hard work, creativity, and kindness!

Ms.Tamika Armstrong-Auberry, Defer's social worker, led the Second Steps lessons for the fourth graders. Her final activity was a game show where students could show what they had learned about conflict resolution skills. The students had a lot of fun and enjoyed the lesson!

Our schools visited the 56th Annual Michigan Student Film Festival on Saturday, June 1, sponsored by DAFT - Digital Arts Film and Television. Pierce Middle School Broadcast Journalism class received TWO Best of Show awards. In attendance: Bealia Tabor, Arden Scrace, Abigail Daniell, Jackson Watson, Ben Copus

Brownell also received a Best of Show award for their narrative film "The Renegade". Congratulations to Tazmeen Bashar, Sebastian Scott-Koerber, and Lilou Fowler.

Seniors had a great time visiting their elementary schools and celebrating their upcoming graduations!

Mrs. Nurse's, Mrs. Locke's, Mrs. Tannheimer's, and Ms. Robinson's classes had an amazing Living Museum to celebrate people who have made an impact in this world. Students spent a couple months researching, writing and preparing tri-fold boards on a person who demonstrated perseverance to make change and/or reach goals. We had scientists, musicians, Presidents, actors and sports legends. The students dressed in costume and delivered speeches as parents and other students browsed the Living Museum.

The Family Center recently provided funds for therapy dog training for two dogs owned by GP School District employees:

• Mollie Keuten (GP North High School) and dog, Casey
• Stacy Roy (Defer School) and dog, Larry

Last year, they paid for therapy training for Jodie Randazzo's dog, Chupa. They are happy to have more therapy dogs in the community and available at school functions. Therapy dogs reduce the stress hormone cortisol and help students’ academic focus.

Last week, we held our Retirement/25 Year Celebration. We are excited to see our retiring educators enter this new chapter, but will miss having them with us everyday. We thank everyone for the impact they've made and will continue to make in our district!

Ferry enjoyed a great field day with beautiful weather! Mrs. Brumme celebrated her 30th Field Day and was surprised with posters made by the whole school! Thank you to Mrs. Brumme, staff, students and all the volunteers for making this an amazing day.

It was a beautiful day at the ballpark. Our teams had an amazing time playing on the big league field. Everyone had a chance to hit and play in the field. South took an 11-0 win over North. Great job to our Blue Devils and Norsemen!

North senior, Bailey Hopko, broke the school record in discus at the MHSAA State Finals on Saturday, June 1st, at East Kentwood High School. The previous record was set in 1993. Bailey threw 123'6" to become North's all-time best.

Clintin Allen came in first place in Discus at the Division 1 MHSAA state meet on Saturday, June 1st, with a throw of 177 feet 3 inches making him the 2024 Division 1 Discus State Champion.

Girls Varsity Soccer at South are District Winners! Congratulations to the team!

Baseball and Softball both took district titles. Baseball will play DeLaSalle at North on Wednesday at 4:30pm in the pre-regional. If they win, they will play Saturday for the regional title in Grand Blanc. Softball plays in Wood Haven at 10am on Saturday for the regional title. Congratulations and good luck to our athletes!

Click here for more sports news from South.

Last night the GPS Band, Orchestra, and Choir inducted 3 new members into the Tri M music honor society. The outgoing seniors were also honored with their pink music cord.

Interested in joining Tri M?

1. Go to our web page at gpsbandandorchestra.org

2. Then click on the link at the top: Tri M Music Society

3. Read all about the requirements and fun

4. Then scroll to the bottom of the page and print the link to get started.

5. Initiations are every Fall and Spring.

The Brownell Orchestras/Bands performed and entertained hundreds of parents, grandparents, community members, and staff at their recent concert. A BIG thanks to the instruction these students received from Mr. Elstone, Mr. Gross, Mr. Cadotte, and Mr. Cleveland!

Great job to Noah Zogas, Tom Torrento and Peyton Weil on an amazing spring concert. The orchestra sounded wonderful as they were joined by a guest performer, Tim Michling, who played the bagpipes, bombard and penny whistle. Wonderful job to our staff and students!

On Monday, May 28th, the Board of Education held a regular meeting where they approved the following:

• Closed Session Meeting Minutes for May 3, 2024
• Regular Meeting Minutes for May 6, 2024
• Closed Session Meeting Minutes for May 6, 2024
• HR Report for May 28, 2024
• Sinking Fund Paving Contract
• Credit Line
• Legal Counsel Resolution
• Wayne RESA Proposed Budget Summary
• Resolution to Honor District Retirees
• Y5-5 ELA
• ELA Update
• Y5-5 Memo to the Board
• Y5-5th Grade MTSS Assessment Framework
• 6th Grade Communications
  
• 6th Grade Communications Memo
• 6th Grade Communications ELA Update
• 6th Grade Communications Pacing Guide
• Elementary Program of Studies
  
• Proposed Elementary POS Summary Changes 24-25
• Elementary POS Strikeout Draft 24-25
• Elementary POS Proposed Clean Copy 24-25

Previewed for action June 12th were these business items:

• 2023-2024 GAAA #2
• Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA)
• Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB)

You may review each item on the Board of Education agenda by visiting the district calendar and clicking the date of the meeting, then clicking the agenda, then each hyperlinked action item.

Please watch the district calendar on the website for the latest information on board and committee meetings. Upcoming BOE meetings now include:

• Retirement/25 Year Employment Celebration, Thursday, May 30, 2024, 4:00 pm, South Cleminson Hall
• BOE Regular Meeting, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, 6:30 pm, Brownell MPR
• BOE Regular Meeting, Tuesday, June 18, 2024, 6:30 pm, Brownell MPR

All secondary students are to have access to a technology learning device. The GPPSS BYOD Handbook supports the district's strategic plan for student learning and growth. Students use their technology learning device to access Schoology -- the GPPSS's Learning Management System.

Additionally, cell phones are OFF AND OUT OF SIGHT all day for middle school, and during class time for high school students. If students need to be reached during the school day, please continue to contact the main office.

Middle school students may use their phones before the first school bell and after the final school bell. High school students may use their phone during passing time and at lunch, as well as before and after school.

All students in Michigan public schools will be able to receive one breakfast and one lunch daily at no cost for the 2023-24 School Year. Important things to know:

• Students must have three out of the five food groups for the meal to be free.
• There will still be a charge if students only want milk and for ala carte purchases (like an extra slice of pizza).
• Student accounts WILL NOT be allowed to go negative.
• Families who would qualify for free or reduced meals should still fill out an application online. You can log in to the K-12 preregistration forms to do so.

Menus from Taher, our new food service provider, are now live at this Food Service link on the website. or you can click the Meals and Nutrition button under district news. Please note:

• Use the "Schools" dropdown menu to select your school.
• Then click "Menu." Use the arrow to move to the month you want to view. Please note that menus are currently available for the month of September only.
• Nutritional information is available in the right hand column if viewing on your computer, or below the menu item if viewing on your phone.
• If your student has specific dietary needs or you have a question, please use the "Contact Us" form on the Taher website

June 6th- South Graduation

June 6th- Parcells Spring Vocal Concert

June 11th- 8th Grade Graduation

June 11th to 14th- Final Exams (HS)

June 12th- Trombly Historical Marker Dedication

June 12th- 8th Grade Trip to Cedar Point

June 14th- LAST DAY OF SCHOOL (HALF DAY AM)

June 28th- GPPSS Summer Theatre Camp Performances