GPPSS Update

The 50th Pierce Middle School Turkey Trot took place Friday, November 15th. This is a half mile race on the Pierce back field. Turkeys were given out for 1st and 2nd place boys and girls at each grade level. Fastest time of the day for the boys went to Jordan S. (2:37) and Eleanor P. (2:41) for the girls.

Front row Left to Right: Michael Z., Ozzie C., Anna F., Adalyn H., Avery M., Monroe A., Wesley U., Blake D. Back Row: Brendan O., Jordan S., Ella W., Emma F., Eleanor P., Lydia T., Oscar R., Jack S.

Our high schools hosted 8th Grade Day yesterday! 8th graders throughout the community visited their respective high school to meet staff, students, and get a look into the high school experience. We were happy to see our future Blue Devils and Norsemen touring the halls! We encourage families to mark their calendars for Incoming Freshman Info Night on January 8, 2025 at 6:30PM. Info Night will take place at both of our high schools.

GP's Girls Robotics Team, Botmasterz, is welcoming all girls, grades 8-12, from all schools. The team meets at South. Step outside the box and try something new! No experience needed.

Thanks to the Mason PTO and the incredible support of the entire community, Mason celebrated reaching their Fun Run fundraising goal with special assemblies! The PTO arranged for the Exotic Zoo to visit Mason, and the students enjoyed the assemblies filled with amazing animals. Students saw and even got to pet a kangaroo, snake, monkey, owl, and more! The excitement and joy in the students’ faces were priceless! A special shoutout to Ms. Klotz and Ms. Brummelte who helped plan to make this happen and the entire PTO!

Our 3 robotics teams shined at the FIRST Tech Challenge regional competition on November 16, 2024, at Page Middle School in Madison Heights. Competing alongside 24 middle school teams, our teams showcased their skills in robot design, coding, and problem-solving. All 3 teams made it into the finals, with 360 Robot Lab captains of the 2nd alliance and Botmasterz captains of the 3rd alliance.

360 Robot Lab made history as the first GPPSS middle school team to qualify for the Michigan State Championship, securing second place and a spot at the state finals in December. Only the top 12% of 582 teams qualify for this prestigious event!

Botmasterz, an all-girls team from Pierce, earned 5th place and were selected as captains of the third alliance. They also won the Think Award for innovative problem-solving and overcoming engineering challenges. Their achievement highlights the importance of encouraging young women to pursue STEM fields.

Parcell’s Blown Fuses received the Motivate Award, which honors teams that exemplify enthusiasm, collaboration, and team values. Their focus on using robotics to support others, including modifying technology for children with learning disabilities, earned them recognition for their community spirit.

These talented students are proving that innovation, teamwork, and resilience are key to success in robotics! Best of luck to 300 Robot Lab at the State Championship in December!

Thank you to Sherry Benedict Betcher for sharing the great news and photos!

South's Quiz Bowl team placed 2nd in the MSU Tournament this past weekend. The team consisted of Josh K.(Sr), Ian D(Sr), Peter H(So) and David R(Fr). Josh K(Sr) placed 1st in the individual scoring.

Defer had some fun before break with an ozobot parade! Thank you to Leticia Moussiaux for sharing!

Jill Martin, North, has a student that loves fashion. Unfortunately, the student was unable to take North's fashion class due to scheduling conflicts, but Jill has been working with them to sew a skirt. Jill has modified a sewing machine pedal and worked with Ms. Newton, fashion teacher at North, to utilize resources in her classroom and allow the student to work as independently as possible. The student recently completed the skirt and Jill is very proud of them and thankful for the support of everyone involved!

Students at South created over 75 beautiful handmade Thanksgiving Day cards for The Helm, Grosse Pointe to accompany their Thanksgiving Day Meals on Wheels program to their older citizens. Each card was colorful, unique and full of sentimental greetings.

Ferry has two new teachers for their resource classroom this school year. Big welcome to Ms. Lyons (Ferry) and Mrs. Wild (Ferry & Monteith). We’re so glad you’re here!

8th grade WEB Leaders met with the fifth graders to get in the holiday spirit through different activities. The first activity was a lesson about closed/open questions and the importance of wording our questions effectively to arrive at a more detailed answer. They also discussed the importance of speaking up and asking for help from our teachers, counselors, and classmates when help may be needed. The second and third activities were both deductive reasoning activities which allowed students to strategize together and arrive at specific answers using context clues. It was a great afternoon together!

GPPSS is hiring! We have multiple positions available. Click the link for more information and to apply!

• Special Education Teachers
• Special Education Paraprofessionals
• Special Education Support Professionals
• Custodians

Attention South and North girls! If you are interested in joining the North/South Unified Blue Dolphins Synchronized Swim team, please contact the Head Coach, Lisa Aouad (aouadl@gpschools.org).

No experience is needed, just the ability to tread water. A sports physical and completed gold card are required. Practices alternate every other night between North and South. Synchronized swimming is a varsity level winter sport. The season begins November and runs through the beginning of March.

Congratulations to our Norsemen Mens Varsity Hockey team for their first win of the season! Captain Tim K. had his first high school goal, Brandon S. had his first high school goal and hat trick, Aidan B. had his first high school goal, and Levi O. had his first high school hat trick and playmaker. Great job boys!

Congratulations to South's Girls Swim & Dive team for their division 2 state runner-up finish! On the way to the podium, the swimmers were crowned state champions in the 200 yard medley relay, 50 yard freestyle, and 100 yard butterfly, while additionally placing in several events. Way to go Blue Devils!

North's Varsity Boys Tennis team had their award night last week!

Last Friday, South's Pointe Singers performed at the Detroit Tree Lighting, while the South Singers and Concert Choir performed at the Annual Village Tree Lighting. Our students had a great time and provided amazing performances! Thank you to the Grosse Pointe South Choir Boosters for the photos!

Dec. 4th- Pierce Vocal Winter Concert (7pm)

Dec. 6th & 7th- South Choirs "Sounds of the Season" (7pm)

Dec. 10th- Brownell Vocal Winter Concert (7pm)

Dec. 11th- North & Parcells Vocal Winter Concert (7pm)

Dec. 13th- South Jazz Band "Yule Be Boppin'" (7pm)

Dec. 16th- South End "Band-O-Rama" (7pm)

Dec. 17th- District Wide "String Extravaganza" (7pm)

Dec. 18th- North End "Band-O-Rama" (7pm)

Click here to see our Performing Arts Calendar for more information.

As part of the CTE reporting requirements, GP staff is conducting a follow-up survey of CTE students who exited the district in June 2024. Please encourage your student to complete the survey using the link and pin that was emailed to them. If they didn't leave an email, we are happy to send their pin! Alternatively, they can complete their one minute survey over the phone; staff members are busy calling students to follow-up. Please encourage your student to answer when they see the (313)432 number calling.

For a link and pin, or if you have questions please contact Andrea Gruenwald- gruenwa@gpschools.org

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

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.

On Tuesday, Nov. 19th, the Board of Education held a regular meeting where they approved the following:

• Regular Meeting Minutes for October 8th, 2024
• FOIA Committee Meeting Minutes for October 14, 2024
• Special Session Meeting Minutes for October 14, 2024
• HR Report

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 Regular Meeting, MONDAY, December 9, 2024, 6:30 pm, Brownell

Nov. 27th to 29th- Thanksgiving Break

Dec. 7th- Parcells Holiday Art and Craft Bazaar

Dec. 7th- Annual Craft Fair at Maire

Dec. 9th- Communities United in Diversity

Dec. 23, 2024 to Jan. 3, 2025- Winter Break