GPPSS Update
November 30, 2021
Safety is always our first concern
Situations like the one that occurred at Oxford High School today can be frightening. Everyone processes these incidents differently. As a school district we are prepared to provide social and emotional support to students and staff. Please reach out to your school administrator, counselor or social worker if support is needed. We are closely watching that situation as it impacts friends and former colleagues at that school. To that end, there will be a moment of silence only at the high school level tomorrow, 12/1. This will not be done at the elementary or middle school level. However, here are some resources from the National Association of School Psychologists that families may find helpful as they navigate this conversation with their child.
We also want to reiterate what we do proactively to provide a learning environment that is as safe as possible. We often prepare for situations we hope never to encounter. For example, GPPSS regularly conducts fire, tornado and lockdown drills, in order to prepare staff and students should we ever need to implement emergency measures. Just this morning, one of our schools participated in one of these regular drills. It was in no way related to the incident at Oxford High School.
Thank you for working with us to keep our students and staff safe.
Magnet nominations due 12/15/21
Communities United in Diversity meets 12/1 in Pierce Library
Our next meeting for Communities United in Diversity is on Wednesday, December 1 at Pierce Middle School Library starting at 6 p.m. The best place to enter the building is the library entrance on Kercheval, and the Pierce library is on the first floor near that entrance. We are looking forward to working with Ginni Winters during the meeting this evening. We will also offer childcare during the meeting thanks to our National Junior Honor Society students.
Moving forward, our meetings will be divided into two sections. The first part of the meeting will be focused on a learning community with Ginni Winters. The second part of the meeting will be our Communities United in Diversity Subcommittees work time. If you are willing to take an active role in planning for one of the three subcommittees (action, communication, learning), we encourage you to stay for the second part of the meeting. We also understand if you only stay for the learning portion of the meeting.
Upcoming Vaccine Clinics
Wayne County Health Department offers boosters and age 12+ doses 12/4/21
The Grosse Pointe Public School System, in partnership with the Wayne County Health Department, is hosting a voluntary vaccination/booster clinic for our staff and families Saturday, December 4, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Pierce Middle School. At this clinic the vaccine doses are for ages 12+.
Boosters of all 3 vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna and J&J) will be available to those 18+. Please bring your vaccination card if you are receiving a booster. Please reach out to info@gpschools.org with any questions.
Save the date for Pediatric Vaccine Clinic for ages 5-11 on 12/11/21
GPPSS will host two Pfizer Pediatric COVID vaccination clinics for 5-11 year-olds on the following Saturdays:
- December 11: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Kerby Elementary, 285 Kerby Road, GPF
- January 8: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Ferry Elementary, 748 Roslyn, GPW
All students will need a completed registration/consent form.
How to upload student vaccine records
Parents and guardians can upload their student's COVID vaccine card using the MiStar Parent Portal by following the directions linked here. According to quarantine guidelines from the Wayne County Health Department, any student who is fully vaccinated will not be required to quarantine if they are identified as a close contact to a COVID positive individual. Uploading your student’s vaccine card will help the district quickly identify those students who will not be required to quarantine. Thank you for doing this once the shots are complete!
Employment opportunities in GPPSS
There are increased wage ranges for these positions:
Preschool Program:
Teacher $16.56-$18.70
Assistant Teacher $12.41-$14.02
Caregiver $12.10
Kids Club:
Director $15.81-$18.24
Caregiver $12.10
Here are links to some of the open postings on the district website:
Early Childhood Preschool Teacher
Early Childhood Assistant Teacher
Plant (custodians and engineers)
As you gather with friends and neighbors this weekend, help us share the word with college students, retirees, and others who might be interested in working full or part time for GPPSS!