GPPSS Update
July 26, 2022
Board of Education Update
The regular meeting of the Board of Education started with a Good News report on GPPSS summer programs including The Wizard of Oz shown above (photo courtesy of Kristin Mann). Click here for a video on Summer Connection.
These consent agenda items, which are annual and routine in nature, passed 6-0:
- Membership in the Michigan High School Athletic Association to be eligible to participate
- Liability and Asbestos indemnification
- Fidelity and Treasurer's Bonds
- Designated Agent for Open Meetings Act
- Debit/Credit Card Users for district business
- Homeless Liaison Coordinator
- Election Representative
- Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Coordinator
- MAISL Representative
- Membership to Michigan Association of School Boards
- minutes of June 27
- human resources report
Due to bond construction, the August 8 and August 22 board meetings will be in the Parcells Auditorium at 7 p.m. Please park in the back lot off Sunningdale and enter by the receiving room. Signs will be posted.
Filing deadline for Board of Education is July 26
According to the Clerk, these candidates have filed as of noon on July 26 (listed alphabetically by last name): William Broman, Terence Collins, Clint Derringer, JeDonna Dinges, Joseph Herd, Virginia Jeup, Timothy Klepp, Dr. Christopher Lee, and Valarie St. John. We will post the final list of candidates on our website July 27th.
Student volunteer hours available at Pointes Art Festival
Is your student looking for volunteer hours? These shifts are available at the upcoming Pointes Art Festival:
Friday August 5:
SET UP: 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. (4 volunteers)
Saturday August 6:
LOAD IN: help artists set up 7:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. (2 volunteers)
Saturday, August 6:
DAY VOLUNTEER
Chamber Tent: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. shift, 2 p.m.-6 p.m. shift (4 volunteers)
Hospitality Tent: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. shift, 2 p.m.-6 p.m. shift. (4 volunteers)
Sunday, August 7:
DAY VOLUNTEER
Chamber Tent: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. shift, 2 p.m.-6 p.m. shift (4 volunteers)
Hospitality Tent: 11 a.m -2 p.m. shift, 2 p.m.-6 p.m. shift (4 volunteers)
Sunday August 7:
BREAK DOWN 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. (4 volunteers)
Please call Christine Carter Conway, President & Executive Director of the Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce at 313.881.4722 with any questions.
Kids' Art Tent
Another opportunity at the Pointes Arts Festival is to help in the Kids' Art Tent hosted by Posterity A Gallery in the Richard Parking Lot. Posterity Gallery is hosting a “kid’s art tent” again this year, at the GP art fair. Kids of all ages can paint for free. We are currently looking for several high school students to volunteer to help on August 6 and 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. They would need to pour paint for the kids’ pallets and refresh the paint water. Contact Sherry McInerney at posterityframegallery@gmail.com if you are interested in a 2- or 4-hour shift either day in the Kids Art Tent.
Bond Construction Continues Over Summer
Bond construction is well underway at schools across the district this summer. Barnes, Brownell, Grosse Pointe North, Kerby, Mason and Pierce are all undergoing major renovations this summer as part of our Safe, Warm, Dry and Connected Bond. Visit this link to learn more about past and current projects, and click here for a more in depth look at the projects taking place this summer.
Click on the photo above for a short slideshow of current projects in progress.
Digital Content Summer Access
During the summer months, GPPSS students who were enrolled during the 2021-22 (excluding 12th grade) school year will continue to have access to all of the digital content that has been provided by the District. Google, Schoology (Groups), Freckle, Lexia, and Raz Kids are just a few of the examples that will continue to be made available for all students.
If you do not know your student’s login information, you can find it in MiStar Parent Portal under “Student Login Information” near the top.
Student Account Rollover Date
Beginning the week of August 9th, the Technology Department will be refreshing student accounts and updating passwords (this is done yearly). During this time, students may be unable to access any district provided content. Once the rollover is completed, your student will be able to find their new password (their username stays the same) in MiStar Parent Portal under “Student Login Information.”
BYOD for 2022-23
As you are aware, GPPSS is a Bring Your Own Device district in all middle and high schools. Students are asked to bring their own charged device, which will be used to assist in their student learning.
For families who have indicated a financial hardship, the District will provide a device to the student. If you would like your student to receive a device for the 2022-23 school year due to a financial need, please fill out the following request form. Please make sure that you have signed the contract that goes along with the form. For students who have indicated a need for a device, they will be handed out during in-school registration in August.
For more information on the BYOD initiative, please see the following GPPSS BYOD Handbook.
If you are interested in purchasing a device for your student, the District works exclusively with SEHI which can assist your needs. Devices may also be purchased through other retailers.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your building administrators.
Letter from Superintendent Dean sent to all staff and families last week
Dear GPPSS Staff and Community,
I was participating in a construction tour of Brownell today when my phone started to vibrate repeatedly. Upon checking my phone I saw an announcement about a new charter school opening in our community in a little over a year. During the past five hours I’ve been asked numerous questions about this charter school (it is not my place to answer these questions) as well as for a response from GPPSS. So, I’m briefly interrupting your summer to respond to this announcement:
GPPSS is doing it right. We are supporting and educating ALL of our kids. We are a place where adults and students come together every day to smile, grow, succeed, and thrive.
There are a few simple reasons why GPPSS is such an exceptional school district:
- Our Staff - GPPSS is what it is because of our teachers and staff. No district (or start-up charter school) has our combination of skilled and caring professionals who put the needs of kids first every day.
- Our Curriculum - GPPSS has a rigorous and robust curriculum. We provide exceptional learning opportunities for ALL kids including over 25 AP courses, Career and Technical Education Programming (foods, marketing, TV production, to name a few), support programming like Literacy Coaches and exceptional special education programming for our kids from birth to age 26. We educate ALL kids!
- Our Opportunities - Our programming isn’t just traditionally academically rigorous programming (although we certainly have that), but it also includes opportunities in over 30 sports at each high school. It includes robust summer programming (this summer we have over 1000 kids learning in our schools!) It includes comprehensive musicals, amazing instrumental performances, art shows that belong at the DIA and heartwarming ‘mini-economies’ where you can buy handmade bracelets from a 3rd grader (I have one on my desk right now.)
- Our Community - Our parents and community embrace our schools. Through the work of our PTOs, our parent groups, the Grosse Pointe Foundation for Public Education and our partnerships with our local community institutions including our cities, public safety departments and other local community assets, we stand as a complete community supporting our 6700 students.
And how do I know the above is true? I simply look at our results. Please take a look at this document that highlights the achievements of our Class of 2022. I’d also call your attention to Niche that continuously ranks our teachers in the ‘top ten’ in the state.
Most importantly, and the best rubric for any school district, ask a parent who has kids in our district. They will tell you. GPPSS is a great place for their kids.
If you have any questions, please reach out to me. My direct phone number is 313.432.3004 or you can also reach me via email at deanm@gpschools.org.
- Jon Dean, Superintendent
Summer food resources
The waivers expired that allowed our district to participate in the summer food service program (SFSP). However, schools that are participating in a SFSP can be found on the Meet Up and Eat Up site locator. Hours and offerings vary so click each site for details -- some offer breakfast and lunch! Another great resource is www.findhelp.org where you can plug in your zip code to access local services ranging from food to housing, and from health to work.
Summer edition of GPPSS Psychologists & School Social Worker newsletter
The Summer Send-Off Edition of the GPPSS Newsletter from School Psychologists & School Social Workers highlights summer wellness resources, summer enrichment activities (like a Top 20 list of things to do in Detroit with Kids, or Cloud Thoughts relaxation), volunteering opportunities, and what to do in those "I'm bored!" moments. Check out the Me Tree drawing activity linked from the Summer Bingo page. There are so many fun and easy ideas!
Registration is open for Kids Club/Mid Club
Registration for the 2022-23 school is now open! Registration will close on August 1st. The process of registration will remain the same and is as follows:
- Complete the Google Form online: https://forms.gle/JnGCfQc89tZt5BuW8
- Fill out all five registration forms and email them to Raptoua@gpschools.org
- Child Information Record (NEW-please ensure you are using this link or the one listed on our website): https://www.michigan.gov/documents/lara/CCL-3731_-_Web_Protected_735014_7.docx
- Enrollment and Health Form: https://www.gpschools.org/cms/lib/MI01000971/Centricity/Domain/171/enrollment.pdf
- Kids Club/Mid Club Statement of Rules: https://mi01000971.schoolwires.net/cms/lib/MI01000971/Centricity/Domain/171/Kids%20Club%20Statement%20of%20Rules%202022.pdf
- Parent Notification of the Licensing Notebook: https://www.gpschools.org/cms/lib/MI01000971/Centricity/Domain/174/2011/Parent%20Notification%20of%20Licensing%20Notebook.pdf
- School-Age Childcare Program Student Contract: https://www.gpschools.org/cms/lib/MI01000971/Centricity/Domain/171/contract%20info%20form.pdf
- Connect to your child's Brightwheel account and pay the registration fee and first month of usage. Only available once the office has processed your registration.
Registration is beginning earlier to ensure that we are able to provide the best and most accessible programming for the 2022-23 school year. If you want to take part in Kids Club/Mid Club beginning in September, your registration must be completed by August 1st. All submissions following the first will be added to a waiting list and will be contacted in order of submission to begin attending in October, space permitting.
Rates for the 2022-23 school year will be increasing. The new rates are as follows:
Monday AM (7:00-9:05 a.m.): $10.80
Tuesday-Friday AM (7:00-8:25 a.m.): $9.60
Monday-Friday PM (3:38-6:30 p.m.): $13.20
Half-Day (11:36am - 3:38 p.m.) = $24
Currently, we are planning on having all seven elementary locations open for Kids Club for the 2022-23 school year. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact any of us in the office:
- Crystal Fletcher - Director of School Age Childcare: Fletchc@gpschools.org (313) 432-3009
- Sara Schram - Assistant Director of School Age Childcare: SchramS@gpschools.org (313) 432-5853
- Anna Raptoulis - Billing Coordinator: Raptoua@gpschools.org (313) 432-3067
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now 988
We can all help prevent suicide. 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
Summer Reading Inspiration from GPPSS Literacy Specialists
Summer is a time when we think of backyard BBQ's, pool time, popsicles, neighborhood bike rides, and more. It's a time of relaxation and recharging for the next school year ahead. However, don't let the "summer slide" happen to your child! Your child has worked hard all year long to make gains as a reader. To maintain their reading progress, your child should read 15-30 minutes daily (depending on their age/stamina). Just as you brush your teeth and get dressed for the day, make reading a part of your child's daily routine. They can read when they wake up in the morning and you could read to them before bed. That way when they're exhausted from the day, they've already "put first things first." Here are some resources to inspire summer reading.
Summer Reading Offerings from GPPSS and GPPL
Do you use Peachjar?
GPPSS uses an online flyer program called Peachjar. Access it from our website and customize your subscription for any school(s) you wish to follow. Flyers are ADA compatible. Nonprofits can upload for a nominal fee. PTO and school flyers are free.
Summer GPPSS communication schedule
This is a long edition of our Weekly Update; thank you for reading. We will send an update every other week during the summer.
And for those families with their last GPPSS student graduating this year, please know that GPPSS communications will stop this summer when our student information system updates. We would love for you to stay engaged by subscribing to our Friday School Pointes. Want to stay connected? Email info@gpschools.org and put School Pointes in the subject.