Grosse Pointe South High School

Senior parents, I don’t mean to leave you out on this one, but this information is for our freshmen, sophomore, and junior parents. Before you stop reading, however, you should know seniors do not have school on April 9. (I bet THEY already know this).

Can we talk about testing for a minute? Not the kinds of test students take in class, but rather the College Board Suite of Assessments known as the PSAT9, PSAT10, and Michigan Merit Exams which includes the SAT, M-STEP, and ACT WorkKeys (for more information about the MME, you can find it here: Michigan Merit Exam).

You may recall in October, the freshmen took the PSAT9 while the sophomores, and juniors took the PSAT/NMSQT. Beyond these tests being practice for the SAT (the NMSQT is also used for National Merit Scholarships), these tests yield data that we use to obtain baseline learning levels at the beginning of the year, measure student growth, and evaluate the strength of our curriculum. While we know a standardized test is only one data point in a student's educational journey, we find the data we receive to be pretty valuable.

Well, the time is quickly approaching where students will test again. The week of April 7, to be more specific. While freshmen and sophomores will take the PSAT9 and PSAT10 respectively, the juniors will take the Michigan Merit Exam (Dr. Hyliard will send out specific information on dates on all the tests I just mentioned).

Is there anything you have to do to ensure your child is registered for these exams? No. We’ve already done the work to ensure students are registered for their respective exams. We would however ask that you take a few moments to talk to your child about the upcoming exam and encourage them to take the test seriously and do their best. Students doing their best means the data more accurately reflects their growth and the strength of our curriculum.

If you have any specific questions about the exams, you can feel free to reach out to me or Dr. Hyliard.

Make it a great week, South!

Cindy Parravano, Principal

313-432-3503

In this newsletter, we will cover the following:

• Testing @ South High School - April 8, 9, 10
• Class of 2025 Information Survey (to be completed by all Seniors)
• Shout Outs!
• Important Dates
• Counseling Office Information
• Athletics Office Information
• Class of 2028 Fundraiser
• Repeat information at bottom of the newsletter.

Make it a great week South!

Cindy Parravano, Principal

313-432-3503

parravc@gpschools.org

Due to spring break, the next South Spotlight will be delivered on March 30.

State and federal laws require states to administer a high school summative assessment. In Michigan, this assessment is the Michigan Merit Examination (MME), and it consists of three required components: 1) the SAT® with Essay, from which the English language arts (ELA) and mathematics scores are derived, 2) ACT WorkKeys®, and 3) the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP) for science and social studies. A complete MME administration requires all three components to be administered.

The MME administration is expected to align with the testing students’ grade 11 year of high school or with the third year of high school for Early Middle College (EMC) schools and students. This ensures assessment occurs at the same point in time in all high school students’ grade progression, so no high schools are given an unfair advantage by testing their students at a later point in their high school career.

April 8, 2025 - AM Session & PM Session - M-STEP Testing for JUNIORS

Process:

1. Students will report to the Main Gym or Boll Gym check in table.
2. Students will receive a seat assignment that is color coded and numbered
3. Students will pick up a school issued chromebook for testing(no personal devices allowed).
4. Students will report to the assigned seat/location with their school issued chromeboook(provided)
5. Once all students are seated the testing proctor will give directions for students to begin testing.
6. Once testing is completed, students are dismissed from the testing location and will report to class.

AM Session - Begins at 8am

Students Last Names - ACH - KOCH report to Main Gym or Boll Gym

*Students that have made special arrangements for AM Session

PM Session - Begins at 12:25pm

Student Last Names - KOCI - ZIEL report to Main Gym or Boll Gym

**Gym Assignments will be posted outside Assistant Principal's Office

The SAT is composed of two sections: the Reading and Writing section and the Math section. You have 64 minutes to complete the Reading and Writing section and 70 minutes to complete the Math section for a total of 2 hours and 14 minutes of testing time.

Each section is divided into two equal length modules, and there is a 10-minute break between the Reading and Writing section and the Math section. The first module of each section contains a broad mix of easy, medium, and hard questions. Based on how you perform on the first module, the second module of questions will either be more difficult or less difficult.

SAT School Day with Essay

If you are taking a state-provided SAT, you will be required to answer an essay question as part of your test. The SAT Essay is a lot like a typical college writing assignment that asks you to analyze a text. It shows colleges that you're able to read, analyze, and write at the college level.

The SAT Essay asks you to use your reading, analysis, and writing skills. You'll be asked to:

• Read a passage.
• Explain how the author builds an argument to persuade an audience.
• Support your explanation with evidence from the passage.

SAT Essay Overview

• Total questions: 1 prompt, with points to consider and directions
• 1 passage
• Time allotted: 50 minutes to read and analyze the passage and to develop a written response

What the SAT Essay Measures

The SAT Essay shows how well you understand the passage and use it as the basis for a well-written, well-thought-out response. Your essay will be scored on three dimensions, each on a 2–8 scale:

• Reading: A successful essay shows that you understood the passage, including the interplay of central ideas and important details. It also shows effective use of textual evidence.
• Analysis: A successful essay shows your understanding of how the author builds an argument by:
  • Examining the author's use of evidence, reasoning, and/or stylistic and persuasive techniques (or other elements of your choosing)
  • Supporting your claims and points effectively
  • Focusing on those features of the passage that are most relevant for completing the task
• Writing: A successful essay is cohesive, organized, and precise, uses an appropriate style and tone, has varied sentences, and observes the conventions of standard written English.

The Essay Prompt

The prompt shown below is nearly identical to the one that will appear on the SAT.

As you read the passage below, consider how [the author] uses:

• Evidence, such as facts or examples, to support claims.
• Reasoning to develop ideas and to connect claims and evidence.
• Stylistic or persuasive elements, such as word choice or appeals to emotion, to add power to the ideas expressed.

Write an essay in which you explain how [the author] builds an argument to persuade [their] audience that [author's claim]. In your essay, analyze how [the author] uses one or more of the features listed above (or features of your own choice) to strengthen the logic and persuasiveness of [their] argument. Be sure that your analysis focuses on the most relevant features of the passage. Your essay should not explain whether you agree with [the author's] claims, but rather explain how [the author] builds an argument to persuade [their] audience.

The Essay Passage

All passages have these things in common:

• Written for a broad audience
• Argue a point
• Express subtle views on complex subjects
• Use logical reasoning and evidence to support claims
• Examine ideas, debates, or trends in the arts and sciences or in civic, cultural, or political life
• Always taken from published works

Process on Testing Day:

1. Students Testing will report to their assigned classroom.

• Assigned Classrooms will be posted on the walls on April 1st in the following locations: Outside of Library, Outside of Commons, Outside of Cafeteria

2. Students follow check in procedures

• Identification, NO electronics, No hats, No earbuds, No hoodies

3. Students should bring the following for PSAT/SAT Testing

• Identification, water bottle, snack(for break), calculator

4. South provides the following for testing

• Chromebook, sharpened pencils, scrap paper, proctor

Total Testing Times are estimated:

• Students should be in their testing rooms by 8am - attendance/seat assignments/chromebook distribution/chromebook check in - 30 minutes
• Directions and Testing code distribution - 15-20 minutes

The PSAT 8/9 & the PSAT 10 takes 2 hours and 14 minutes and consists of 2

sections:

• (1) the Reading and Writing section, and
• (2) the Math section. Most of the questions are multiple choice, though some of the math questions ask you to type in the answer rather than select it.

April 10, 2025 - 8AM Session - ACT WorkKeys for JUNIORS ONLY

Process:

1. Students will report to the Main Gym check in table or assigned classroom.
2. Students will receive a seat assignment that is color coded and numbered in Main Gym.
3. Students will report to the assigned seat/location in main gym or assigned classroom.
4. Once all students are seated the testing proctor will give directions for students to begin testing.
5. Once testing is completed, students are dismissed from the testing location and will report to class.

*This is a Paper/Pencil Test

Hello Parents of the Class of 2025:

Below you will find a link for ALL Seniors to complete. There is pertinent information in this survey that we need to gather prior to Graduation. Please remind your students to complete this form no later then Monday, May 5th, 2025.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeTHHQkbBKibBco07ara_0BZeobKJA7ILbkrgpLw0uiM-jOCA/viewform?usp=sharing

I love hearing about students who have a dream and then worked extremely hard in pursuit of the dream. Drake Gram did just that with hockey. He has been drafted by the Windsor Spitfires (Ontario Hockey League) and the Omaha Lancers (US Hockey League). He has also committed to continue his hockey and education at Lindenwood University! Way to go Drake!

A second shout out goes to Anthony Piluttie who was integral in creating a stand to integrate tools and the use of technology to promote student self confidence and success in our Adapted Physical Education class. Anthony took the time to research and build a stand that can be used to replicate manipulative skills like throwing, batting, kicking, vollying, shooting, and striking. This technology plays a significant role in facilitating accessibility for our APE students. Thank you, Anthony!

Do you have a student shout out or accomplishment I could recognize? So many of our students have some meaningful accomplishments away from school and I would love to know about them. Please share them with me via email - parravc@gpschools.org

4/1 - Senior Parent Night, 7:00pm, Auditorium

4/8 - M-STEP Testings for Juniors in Science & Social Studies - ALL students attend school!

4/9 - SAT with writing, PSAT 10, PSAT 9 - SENIORS DO NOT ATTEND SCHOOL

4/10- ACT Workkeys Test - Juniors Only - ALL students attend school!

4/23-26 - Art Fest, MPR

4/23-26 - South Performance: The Little Mermaid - Performing Arts Center

4/21 to May 2 - Senior prom tickets go on Sale (Must have Guest form completed)

May 5 - May 16 - AP Testing

Over the next couple of months South High School will become a testing center for both the state of Michigan testing requirements and for the College Board Advanced Placement Programs. Both programs are vital to the success and outstanding reputation of Grosse Pointe South High School.

No Seniors on April 9 due to testing/shortened schedule.

All students are expected to attend both April 8 & April 10.

9th grade students will take the PSAT 9 on April 9

10th grade students will take the PSAT 10 on April 9

STATE TESTING REQUIREMENTS:

11th Grade students will take the ACT WorkKeys on April 8, the SAT with writing on April 9, and M-STEP tests in the subjects for Science and Social Studies on April 10.

AP Testing will begin on May 5 and end on May 16. All AP tests are proctored at South High School. More information will be sent directly to AP parents.

*If you missed out on making payment for your AP test, do not miss out on this opportunity for your student to earn college credit. You can make a check payable to South High School and turn it in to Ms. Goulet in the Counseling office or to Ms. Clevenger in the Main Office. Please note there is a $40 late fee added from collegeboard for a late payment.

Dr. Daniel Hyliard

Email: hyliard@gpschools.org

Office Number: 313-432-3513

Ms. Katie Parent

Email: parentk@gpschools.org

Office Number: 313-432-3511

COUNSELING INFORMATION: SEE LINK BELOW:

Counseling Information Link

Spring Sports start Monday, March 10th. Please click Link for the schedule.

Athletic Schedules

Go Fan to purchase tickets for sporting events

There will be an option to purchase tickets at the gate via credit card.

Guidelines for safe attendance at GPPSS athletic events

Please reach out to Kristen Stovall with any questions, 313-432-3542

Blue Devil Learning Center: Open Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:10 - 4:10 pm. This is staffed by certified teachers who are ready and willing to assist students who are struggling academically. This can also be a quiet place for students to come and work on their homework before athletic practices.