North News
January 7, 2022
A Message from the Principal:
Dear North Parents,
We hope you had a healthy and restful break. We are experiencing many challenges already in 2022, but we look forward to meeting them together–with you and with our students.The staff has been working hard to get ready for midterms and we are sharing some resources below that teachers used this week to prepare students. For some of our students, a midterm exam is a completely new experience! We are intentional about helping students feel ready and capable. We know the rising Covid numbers cause concern for many, but we will continue to do our part to create as safe an environment as we can for our staff and students. We appreciate families continuing to communicate with us about symptoms and positive cases, so we can help everyone stay healthy, to the best of our ability. If you have any questions, please let us know. We are eager to make the best start to 2022!
Take Care,
Dr. Kathryn C. Murray
Connect with North Administrators
Mrs. Michelle Davis
(313)432-3255
Mrs. Katy Vernier
Mr. Geoffrey Young
Preparing for Midterms
- Wednesday: Teachers went through the format for each exam so students could write it down on one handout. You can see the handout below. Students had the opportunity to set goals for each exam and write down how they plan to reach those goals.
- Thursday: Teachers went through a slide deck with many strategies and tips for effective studying techniques and strategies for being successful on exams.
For those who are vaccinated, you can upload your students’ completed vaccination card through your MiStar ParentPortal by following these instructions.
Due to construction issues, rising Freshmen Parent Night for North will be held at Brownell in the Multipurpose room.
The Close of First Semester & Mid-Terms
As we move into the final weeks of the semester, the counselors are here to support students in a variety of ways. From academic success to mid-term success and healthy emotion management. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your student's counselor with questions about mid-term week, end of the semester academic questions, or any personal concerns you may have.
We know that for many students, this will be their first experience with Norsemen mid-terms. Mid-terms can be stressful, as are novel situations, so it is important that students know that balance is key in these next few weeks.
Tips to help your student(s) balance and de-stress in the coming weeks:
- Ensure your Norsemen is balancing their study time, with relaxing, fun, and proper sleep
- Help them eat balanced meals and drink enough water
- Help them get moving and get outside! Both activities cause a release of endorphins and are great for mental and physical health
- Encourage your student(s) to take advantage of review sessions and NHS tutoring
- Review your student's midterm study plan with them
- Listen and practice patience: your student may need space to vent and work through their emotions; having a soft place to land at home is so important.
- Remind students that this is a part of the normal rhythm of an academic year
- Encourage them to do their best and put their best foot forward!
Scheduling
Students will be receiving their course selection sheets on Tuesday January 11th. Scheduling forms are due by January 26th. Over the course of those two weeks we encourage students to have meaningful conversations with their teachers and counselors about their courses for next year. It is important to consider appropriate levels and balance the rigor in their schedule by challenging themselves in the areas they feel most confident in and exploring electives they are interested in. All course offerings, including electives, can be found in the High School Program of Studies, which is linked below. Do not hesitate to reach out to your student's counselor with any questions!
Vaping Presentation - The Family Center
The Family Center has scheduled a “Dangers of Vaping” webinar for Tuesday, January 12th at 7 p.m. Therapists, Jen Dees and John George, Clarity Counseling & Wellness, are the presenters. More information is linked below.
It’s Wellness Wednesday brought to you by your School Psychologist, Mrs. Kuhl.
Happy New Year!!! On one of the first days of my new year, I listened to the “On Purpose” podcast by one of my favorite people, Jay Shetty. He is a former monk turned life coach and I always find a little piece of wisdom I can take from his podcast.
In this particular episode, Jay mentioned the idea of focusing on growth rather than goals in the new year. Goals have an endpoint while growth is continual. Goals can sometimes make us feel like we “failed” if we don’t meet them. On the other hand, when we focus on growth there is no “completion” we are always working and moving forward. So, as we welcome 2022, make growth the focus and notice how your world changes in small but powerfully positive ways.
Greetings Parents, Guardians, and Norsemen Athletes~
Attention Unified Basketball Players and fans:
Our Unified Basketball Program is well underway and the athletes have been practicing hard for their home opener. This game has been postposed to January 11th against Grosse Pointe South. Tip off is at 4:00pm and we would love to see you in the stands supporting them!
Masks are required for ALL spectators at athletic events.
Senior Athletes Committing to College Athletics:
NCAA Signing Day is the period of time in which athletes will make their athletic scholarships official by signing their National Letter of Intent. Grosse Pointe North has created guidelines for signing day that are now posted on the North Athletic homepage. The next signing dates this year are February 2nd, and April 20th. Please Contact the athletic office to schedule your 15 minute time slot. Signings will occur after school and food is not permitted.
Class of 2022
To purchase the Lawn Sign and/or the Senior All Night Party ticket, you will need to log into the GPN Webstore at: https://mi01000971.schoolwires.net/registration
- Select “North” and go to “Login”
- You will need your Senior Student’s ID Number and your Access Key (Senior Student’s Birthdate MM/DD/YYYY)
- Go to “North Webstores” from the upper right hand side menu
- Senior All Night Party Ticket: Scroll to the “North Senior All Night Party” icon for $85 and add to your Cart
- Event is planned for the night of June 8th
- More information to follow Spring 2022 from the “Senior All Night Party” Parent Committee
- Lawn Sign: Scroll to the “Senior Lawn Sign” icon for $25 (more than 1 can be purchased) and add to your Cart
- The Senior Class of 2022 Lawn Sign will be 24”x 18” full color double sided with the metal stake included (lawn sign image shown above)
- The signs will be distributed at the March Parent Teacher Conferences at the GPN Gym on Thursday March 3, 2022. There will be a table at the entrance to the Gym where you will be able to pick up your sign(s) on your way out. So ‘save this March PTC date’ and plan on picking up your Lawn Signs(s) at this time.
- Any questions regarding the Lawn Sign order/distribution/availability, please contact Clarissa Bailey (Class of 2022 and 2024 Parent) @ cgonza16@gmail.com