GPPSS Update
September 20, 2022
Partnerships supporting student learning and achievement
Representatives from the Louisa St. Clair Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution attended the BOE meeting Monday night to recognize three Parcells Middle School fifth grade teachers who were the recipients of the 2022 DAR Helen Pouch Memorial Fund Classroom Grant. Last spring, Jennifer Corbett, Kim Hool and Christina Pearson applied together for this annual grant and were chosen as one of only two winners in the state.
This grant was initiated to assist classroom teachers who proposed projects that would directly support student learning and achievement. The project submitted by these three teachers, and sponsored by the Louisa St. Clair Chapter, focused on an organizational system that would directly impact their students’ classroom success.
Board of Education regular meeting updates
At their September 26 regular meeting, the Board of Education had three items under the Superintendent's Report:
- An update from the GPEA teacher's union
- A Good News report that included the award pictured above and additional activities the DAR has conducted at local schools (a flag raising at Richard Elementary, a flag raising at Parcells Middle School complete with recitation of the preamble to the Constitution, and presentations to fifth grade classes related to Constitution Day)
- A Community Engagement Update by Dr. Roy Bishop
The only two items of business were the minutes from September 12, and the human resources report which both passed 5-0. Next month's business items include the minutes from the September 26 meeting, and the GPPSS Board of Educational Career and Technical Education Resolution. The discussion on Board Expectations was postponed until all board members could be present.
Future meetings include:
- 7 p.m., Monday, October 10, Brownell Multipurpose Room
- 7 p.m., Monday, October 24, Brownell Multipurpose Room
Elementary Parent Teacher Conference sign up starts Thursday
On Thursday, Sept. 29 at 5 p.m. elementary parents and guardians will receive an email from GPPSS Communications with a link to PTC Wizard and sign up instructions for parent-teacher conferences. This email will NOT contain your username and password. Your username and password for PTC Wizard are the same as your MiStar parent portal pin (number beginning with 1500) and password. For those who need assistance finding your MiStar pin and password, please visit this link and click “need your login information?"
Elementary School parent-teacher conferences are as follows:
- Wednesday, Oct 12: Evening Conferences 5-8 p.m. - Zoom only
- Thursday, Oct 13:
- Afternoon Conferences 1-4 p.m. - Zoom OR In Person,
- Evening Conferences 5-8 p.m. - Zoom OR in Person
All elementary conferences (in person and Zoom) must be scheduled through PTC Wizard beginning on September 29 at 5 p.m.
If you have students across multiple buildings and grade levels, your username and password will be the same for all students' conference sign ups. Please check your junk mail folder if you have not received the sign up email by end of day, Thursday, September 29. Please reach out to info@gpschools.org with any questions.
Middle and high school families - we know you're jealous. Your information on conferences will be coming soon!
Curriculum Public Forum October 3, 4-6 p.m., South Wicking Library
There will be a Public Forum on October 3rd from 4-6 p.m. in Wicking Library at Grosse Pointe South. Based on our district timeline the curriculum review process occurs in the following phases:
Phase I: Curriculum Review
Phase II: Construction
Phase III: Implementation
Phase IV: Maintenance
Attached is the Matrix of Current Committees, and below is the content area, phase, public forum date, and location.
GPPSS Middle School Study this fall
We are excited to announce that we will be conducting a Middle School Study process beginning this fall. The goal of the study is to assess what is going well and where we can improve upon the curriculum, structures, and supports within a 5th-8th grade Middle School building, and make recommendations to the Board of Education that support the learning and growth of our students. As we begin our third year of implementing a 5th-8th grade program, we are looking to all of our stakeholders to be a part of this work.
We have a variety of opportunities for parents, guardians, students, and staff to be involved in this process. First, we are partnering with Hanover Research to conduct surveys and focus groups of parents/guardians, students, and staff. Please be on the lookout for the survey in October. We are also looking for parents/guardians and students to serve on our Middle School Study Steering Committee as well as on subcommittees that will conduct learning and work sessions throughout the school year.
The Steering Committee membership will include representation from staff, parents, and students. The committee will be responsible for articulating the goals of the study, determine the subcommittees that are needed to dig deeper into our middle school programing, provide input on program changes that are recommended by the subcommittees, and take these recommendations to the district Educational Programs Leadership Council (EPLC) and/or Board of Education for approval.
Subcommittees will be determined by the Steering Committee and will conduct “the work” of the study. Subcommittees will be made up of staff as well as parents/guardians. Once the topics and subcommittees are determined, the steering committee will reach out to additional stakeholders to participate. Subcommittee members will meet as needed throughout the school year and spend time gathering information, reading necessary materials, and collaborating with stakeholders to make informed recommendations to the Steering Committee.
If you are interested in being a part of a parent/guardian focus group, the Steering Committee, or a subcommittee, please fill out this Google form. If you have any additional questions or concerns regarding this process, please reach out to Dr. Dan Hartley, Director of Secondary Instruction.
MDE Accepting Nominations for 2023-24 Michigan Teacher of the Year
Teacher recognition is an important component of teacher retention, and studies show that increased retention results in higher student achievement. The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is opening the nomination process for 2023-24 Michigan Teacher of the Year (MTOY), an annual program that recognizes outstanding teachers in our state. Each year, 10 Regional Teachers of the Year (RTOYs) are selected through a competitive application process, with one of the RTOYs named Michigan Teacher of the Year. Please make nominations using the online form, which is available until Monday, October 24, 2022, at 11:59 p.m.
Food updates: free breakfast, sign up for FRL, check out menus
Please remember that USDA waivers have ended, so families must fill out the Free and Reduced Lunch Application to qualify for free meals. This is included in the K12 registration. Or if things change during the school year, you can access the online form any time on the district website - under the Meals and Nutrition button.
- This year, free breakfast is available every school day at every school. All students are eligible for free breakfast. Check your school communication for details on when and where.
- Lunch prices are the following: Middle and High School- $3.35, Elementary- $3.10. This year students that qualify for either Free and Reduced (at all grade levels) eat for free. Fill out the Free and Reduced Lunch Application if you think you might qualify.
- Lunches returned to the normal style this fall (not pandemic grab and go meal style).
- To see the menu of options, click on the Meals and Nutrition box under News on the website, then click menus in the left column, then click your school. Feedback has been positive on the menus options so far, including the return of the popular salad bar.
- To place funds in your student's account for lunch, visit your student's ParentPortal page, click on the "cafeteria" tab and click "Online Food Service Payments."
Join us for a listening session
GPPSS is offering three more listening sessions this fall at various times, days of the week and locations. If any fit your schedule, please bring a chair and join us outside these schools (inside if weather doesn't cooperate).
Join our GPPSS Team
There are still positions available to join the GPPSS team! Click here to visit our Job Postings. We currently have postings for:
- Special Education
- Paraprofessional/Classroom Assistants
- Preschool
- Kids Club (before and after school care)
- Buildings and Grounds
- Teachers
Interested in subbing? GPPSS works with Edustaff to hire substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, and buildings and grounds staff.