GPPSS had an unforgettable day of inclusion and school spirit on Feb. 26th. Our Unified Basketball teams faced off at LCA, with our community there to cheer them on. A powerful reminder that sports bring us all together.

Mason is celebrating March is Reading Month with a variety of fun activities, spirit days, and the One Mason, One Book initiative! This year, the entire school is reading 8 Class Pets by Vivian Vande Velde, with thanks to the PTO for providing a book for every family. Students are enjoying the Library Bookmark Contest, and special guest mystery readers are visiting throughout the month. They were thrilled to have Board Treasurer Mr. Tim Klepp read to Mrs. Graham's first-grade class, and a huge thank you goes to Ms. Biske for organizing such a fantastic month of literacy and fun!

KNOTS is GPN’s peer-to-peer program supporting students with special needs. On Wednesday, March 5th, students came together for a St. Patty's Day party. There was dancing, craft and art stations, a photo booth, and candy bar. It was a fun and uplifting event.

Brownell Middle School students are enjoying a refreshed and more inviting learning space, thanks to a $1,000 grant awarded to math teacher Sharon Drew by Tri-County Culturally Responsive Mathematics in support of the research completed by Christopher Emdin, author of Collider Classroom. The grant was used to transform the classroom environment by incorporating flexible seating, aromatherapy, improved lighting, greenspace, and sound enhancements—elements chosen entirely by students.

As part of the project, students researched and recommended products for each category while managing the budget. The Brownell Math Club then made the final purchasing decisions, ensuring that every choice contributed to a more comfortable and engaging classroom atmosphere.

Students embraced the opportunity to “recreate the feeling of home” by selecting a variety of flexible seating options, LED lighting, green flooring, and air diffusers with essential oils. Many have expressed appreciation for the changes, particularly the removal of traditional fluorescent lighting, which they say has made the space feel much calmer and more welcoming.

“This project allowed students to take ownership of their learning environment while applying real-world budgeting and decision-making skills,” said Ms. Drew. “They were thoughtful about every aspect, ensuring the classroom would be a place where they could focus, collaborate, and feel at ease.”

The transformed classroom stands as an example of how student-driven initiatives can enhance both learning and well-being. Thanks to the grant, Brownell students now have a space that not only supports academic success but also fosters a sense of comfort and community. Collider Classrooms are their own special entity that invites schools to reimagine the physical structure and design of classrooms in ways that reflect the educational and socio-emotional needs of young people in a post-pandemic world.

Mr. Nicky, a YouTuber who creates song parodies about ancient civilizations, virtually visited with our 7th grade students on March 7th. The students sang his songs, learned about the process of creating a parody song, and about being a YouTuber. Each group also got to write their own songs with Mr. Nicky about Ancient Egypt, Ancient India, and Ancient China.

Congrats to the BOTMASTERZ team for winning the A3 Robot Safety Award! This weekend marked several "firsts" for the A3 Education Team, including their first all-female winning team and the introduction of exciting new materials for Automate Show education initiatives. The BOTMASTERZ impressed with their focus on safety and awareness of key standards like R15.06 and R15.08. It was inspiring to see their dedication to robotics and breaking barriers in STEM. The future of robotics is bright, and we look forward to more milestones as they head into Automate 2025! Thank you to Joshua Ebert for sharing.

Ferry third graders in Mrs. Januszek's and Mrs. Walsh's classes participated in a "Readers are Leaders" dress up day for March is Reading Month! Students dressed up to represent a job they would like to have one day and made lists of ways that they would use reading & writing in that role.

Mason’s International Day, sponsored by the PTO, was an unforgettable celebration of culture and diversity! A big thank you to Ms. Dollete for her hard work and to the parents who volunteered to represent countries from around the world. Students explored over 14 tables showcasing artifacts, maps, food, and history, earning passport stamps as they "traveled" the globe. The event was made even more exciting with music and visuals, plus delicious treats and takeaways. A special highlight was the performance by Pipe Major Mary Beth Nicholson of the Michigan Scottish Pipes and Drums, who led Mason's first-ever Tattoo/Parade. What a fantastic day of learning and celebration!

For their February project, North's Interact Club created balls of plarn for Motor City Mitten Mission. The plastic plarn will be woven into mats for the homeless. The club is also providing the mission with a box of washcloths and toiletries.

Ms. Nurse's fourth grade students at Mason have been working hard on their Conservation Adopt a Polar Bear Project! They wrote essays on the importance of making a difference to save the lives of polar bears with a purpose to bring awareness to this need, how climate change impacts their habitats, and for people to take a stance on important air and water pollution laws to prevent polar bears from being harmed. Additionally, they are leading a Smencil sale, making connections with their economic unit, to raise funds to help research efforts and scientists in their studies of polar bear conservation, and to further adopt more polar bears!

Varsity head coaches from both South and North Field Hockey teams teamed up to introduce the sport of field hockey to students in Kerby and Ferry’s physical education classes!

Students learned the fundamentals, including basic rules, stick handling, and shooting techniques, with hands-on instruction from Margi Whittingham (South) and Brenna Marsin (North).

Exciting opportunities are available for students to continue playing field hockey this spring and summer! Check out the flyer for more details.

Middle school students are invited to join the GP Rallyers, a competitive tennis club designed to introduce players to match play and prepare them for high school tennis.

Since 2016, the Rallyers have helped young athletes gain their first competitive experience, with many former players going on to earn All-Conference, All-State, and State Championship titles.

Dates: April 10 – May 22, 2025

Location: Grosse Pointe North’s newly renovated tennis complex

Open to: Boys and girls in middle school (must bring a racquet)

Practices will be held on Thursdays and Fridays, with matches against other area club teams on Sunday afternoons. Players will compete in singles and doubles matches, with exhibition matches available.

The cost is $100 per player, which includes a team shirt and the use of balls for practices and matches. All proceeds support the Grosse Pointe North tennis program.

For more details, contact Coach John VanAlst at 313-269-4869.

The Grosse Pointe United Gymnastics team had an incredible season! Senior Lucy Tull earned All-State honors, placing 4th on beam at states. Lucy and Hannah also qualified for individual states this past weekend. The team finished strong, placing 5th at regionals, showcasing their hard work and dedication.

Back-to-back state champs for the Girls Varsity Hockey team! After trailing 0-2, they fought back with 3 goals in the 3rd period, thanks to Audrey Reynolds, Molly Reynolds, and Abby Evans. Rosie Smith was outstanding in goal, making key saves to secure the win. Great job, Blue Devils!

Varsity boys swim and dive captured their 27th MAC Red title in a row today! The streak continues to grow. Amazing work Blue Devils!

Our Synchronized Swim Team attended All States on March 8th. The team’s hard work and dedication paid off as they secured an overall 3rd place finish in the competition.

Key Highlights:

• Group Combo: 3rd Place
• Technical Team: 4th Place
• Trio: 4th Place
• Duet Placements: 4th, 7th, and 8th

Congratulations to the girls for their outstanding achievements!

Click here to see the latest athletic news from South.

We are thrilled to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our talented musicians and vocalists at their recent festival performances. Their hard work, dedication, and musical excellence have brought well-earned recognition.

At the MSBOA District XVI Festival on February 27, the 7th/8th Grade Band put on a fantastic performance, earning an Excellent Second Division rating at Lakeview High School. Their commitment to their craft and the energy they brought to the stage made us all proud!

A special congratulations to the Pierce Concert Orchestra, which delivered an exceptional performance at the MSBOA District XVI Band & Orchestra Festival on the same day. Their musical mastery earned them straight First Division (Superior) ratings in both Adjudicated Performance and Adjudicated Sight-Reading—a truly remarkable accomplishment!

The success continued into March as our Pierce 6th Grade Choir and 7th/8th Grade Choir showcased their vocal talents at the MSVMA District Choral Festival on March 7 at South High School. Their harmonious performances earned both groups a First Division, Excellent Rating, reflecting their dedication and passion for choral music.

Congratulations to all our incredible musicians, singers, and dedicated directors who have worked tirelessly to achieve these fantastic results. Your hard work, teamwork, and love for music continue to inspire our students and school community. Thank you to the Pierce team for sharing this news!

Grosse Pointe South Choir hosted MSVMA District 15 Choral Ensemble on Friday, March 7th. A total of 26 choirs from 11 different schools performed and were professionally recorded in the South Auditorium. Two South Choir ensembles, the South Singers and the Concert Choir, performed and were adjudicated, both receiving first division ratings! South choir students volunteered - hosting and welcoming choirs. We are proud of their performance and their opportunity to lead the district as a host school.

Local Business Sponsors needed! Business sponsors are the best way to support the bright and growing Band, Orchestra and Choir programs at Parcells and North. If you are interested in being a business sponsor, click this link to donate.

March 12- Monteith Vocal Concert 6pm at Brownell

March 13- Defer Vocal Concert 6pm at Pierce

Maire students took the stage for their annual Spring Concert at Brownell. This year’s theme was Dance!, and these kids did not disappoint. From toe-tapping tunes to high-energy moves, the audience was treated to an spectacular performance. Guiding this musical extravaganza were Maire’s music teachers, Mrs. Scannell and Mrs. Pascoe who were proud of their students' hard work. Bravo to all the young performers!

Click here to see the latest news from the TV Production program.

Join us for a summer filled with fun activities for every interest—sports, arts, STEM, and more! Our camps offer something for everyone, in a safe and engaging environment.

Register today at gpschools.org/summer!

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.

As winter approaches, we wanted to provide you with important information about how inclement weather may affect school operations. Our top priority is the safety of our students, staff, and families, while also striving to maintain as much instructional time as possible.

Decisions to close school or adjust schedules are made thoughtfully, with careful consideration of the impact on our community. While the District reviews all available information to make the best possible determination, we recognize that winter weather brings inherent risks. Ultimately, parents have the authority to decide what is safest for their students under their unique circumstances.

On Monday, March 3rd, the Board of Education held a regular meeting where they approved the following:

• Regular Meeting Minutes for February 24, 2025
• HR Report
• CFO Contract
• Human Sexuality Advisory Board
• Board Expectations/Superintendent Benchmarks - MASB Superintendent Evaluation Tool sent to Board Members from President Worden

On Monday, March 31st, the agenda action items will be:

• Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes for March 3, 2025
• Approval of South Field Trip to Peru
• Approval of Board Expectations/Superintendent Benchmarks - MASB Superintendent Evaluation Tool sent to Board Members from President Worden

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:

• BOE MASB Training, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, North Room B102
• BOE Regular Meeting, Monday, March 31, 2025, 7:00 pm, Brownell MPR

March 24 through March 28- No School, Spring Break