GPPSS Update
November 8, 2022
An opportunity for Thanksgiving
It’s just about Turkey Time! Please click this link to view the Sign Up Genius if you’d like to contribute to this #OneGP Family and Consumer Sciences Service Learning Opportunity!
Last year, FCS classes from all three middle schools made whole turkeys, gravy, mashed potatoes, vegetables, corn bread, and pumpkin bars and were able to feed dinner to over 150 people through the Motor City Mitten Mission.
We thank you for your support and contributions!
Andrea Gruenwald, Teacher, Life Skills - Parcells
Thanking our BOE candidates on election day
GPPSS thanks all of those who have put themselves forward to serve our community on the Board of Education. As you see them out and about the neighborhood, please thank them: William Broman, Terence Collins, Sean Cotton, Clint Derringer, JeDonna Dinges, Joseph Herd, Virginia Jeup, Timothy Klepp, Dr. Christopher Lee, and Valarie St. John. Don't forget to vote!
MHSAA asks 7th & 8th grade students to take survey
The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) is requesting member schools’ assistance in surveying 7th-, 8th- and 9th-grade students regarding their interests in participating in the future in the sports for which the MHSAA conducts postseason tournaments or in other sports for which the MHSAA has no involvement.
We would like your help in conducting a survey, specifically 7th and 8th graders, by providing our specific survey link to our 7th and 8th graders.
https://surveys.mhsaa.com/s3/MHSAA-Student-Interest-Survey?s=5058&r=b
If you are interested in having your middle school student participate, please have them complete the survey by Nov. 22, 2022.
Thank you for your time and effort in assisting the MHSAA to meet the future needs of member schools as we attempt to address the interests of our students.
District Open House a Success!
Thank you for helping us spread the word about our District Open House! Here is a quick summary of the measurables:
- 102 families and 128 students signed in.
- Every school had visitors and we are reaching out to them all.
- We have students enrolling this semester!
Our next Communities United in Diversity meeting will be held at Pierce Middle School from 6 to 8 p.m. and the topic is ableism. Childcare will be provided. Enter the library doors or if you park behind Pierce, there is a ramp for accessibility.
These monthly meetings provide a space for parents and other members of our school community to discuss topics around inclusivity. We also aim to be a conduit between the personal mission of our members and action groups in our communities doing the work around these topics.
Eighth Grade Visit Day Tuesday, November 22
Mark your calendars for Eighth Grade Day from 8:30-10:30 a.m. the Tuesday before Thanksgiving Break, 11/22/22, Grosse Pointe North and South will be hosting all eighth graders from Brownell, Parcells and Pierce.
Families will drop their student off at their home high school at 8:30 a.m. that Thursday. Students at North will gather in the Performing Arts Center (off Vernier). Students at South will gather in the main gym (off Grosse Pointe Boulevard). Bus transportation will be provided back to their middle school by GPPSS. Families will pick up their student at 3:13 p.m. as usual at their home middle school.
More details to follow from your school!
Families of 9th -11th grade students – look for an email coming soon from Naviance
Naviance Student is a mobile-friendly, comprehensive website that you and your student can use to
make plans about colleges and careers. Students log into Naviance Student using their school ID and password. Parents of current seniors can create a Naviance Student account by using their ParentPortal password as the initial registration code.
Because of changes at Naviance, parents of students in 9th through 11th grades can create an account by using the registration code that will be emailed to them soon.
To access Naviance Student:
North High School: https://student.naviance.com/gpnhs
South High School: https://student.naviance.com/gpshs
Wayne County Public Health Division Urges Residents to Take Precautions As Pediatric Hospitalizations Surge Due To Respiratory Illness
Across the state, including in southeast Michigan, pediatric emergency department visits and hospitalizations for respiratory viruses, mainly due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), are significantly increasing, prompting the Wayne County Public Health Department to urge residents to take precautions to protect children from respiratory illnesses.
Michigan Health and Hospital Association, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and hospital partners are raising awareness on a statewide pediatric hospital bed shortage with many hospital systems reporting at or near pediatric bed capacity.
RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, but can be serious especially in infants, younger children, and older adults. Those at greatest risk are medically vulnerable children including premature infants, children younger than 2 years of age, those with chronic lung or heart conditions, and children with weakened immune systems. RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs) in children younger than 1 year of age in the United States. The virus spreads primarily when someone coughs or sneezes or from touching something that is contaminated and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Symptoms of RSV infection usually include:
- Runny nose
- Decrease in appetite
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Fever
- Wheezing
- Irritability
Those with mild cold-like symptoms should stay at home. Seek immediate medical attention for moderate to severe symptoms including difficulty breathing, not drinking enough fluids, poor feeding, decrease activity, worsening symptoms, or a blue color to the skin, particularly on the lips and in the nail beds.
To protect our most vulnerable, people with cold-like symptoms should limit interaction with children at high risk for severe RSV disease, including premature infants, children younger than 2 years old, those with chronic lung or heart conditions, and children with weakened immune systems. To help prevent the spread of RSV and other respiratory viruses including influenza and COVID-19 that are increasing in the fall and winter season, WCPHD urges Wayne County residents to:
- Get vaccinated/boosted for influenza and COVID-19
- Stay home if sick and avoid being around others, even when testing negative for COVID- 19
- Wear a well-fitting mask if you have symptoms
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Avoid close contact, such as kissing, shaking hands, and sharing cups and eating utensils with others
- Clean frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and mobile devices
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve, not your hands
For more information, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics article RSV: When it's more than just a cold.