Bear Bulletin
Maire newsletter: February 26th Edition
Dear Maire Families,
Thank you for your patience and support during this new transition to 100% face-to-face. Here is the link to Maire’s 100% Face-to-Face Return Plan, which outlines all aspects of our day, from arrival all the way to departure.
On the same note, yesterday a team consisting of various stakeholders (myself, Mr. George, Mrs. Karpinski, Dr. Dean, Miss Lesha, and PTO president Jeff Mertz) walked the building going through a CDC mitigation toolkit to assess what strategies can be implemented fully, partially, or not at all at Maire. The results of that walk through will be shared with the entire community later today, but I wanted to address a few of the items that are the biggest differences between hybrid and full face-to-face. All of these differences are detailed in our Face-to-Face Return Plan as well:
Social distancing 6 feet is not possible for most of the day. We will have a goal of 3 feet, but with masks and shields up almost all day, this will add a layer of mitigation.
Line up in the morning will be 3 feet (one student in between each line up mark) because 20+ kids spaced out 6 feet would equate to an impossible line to manage.
We will have more traffic. We ask that parents leave as promptly as possible after the entry and dismissal bells. With an increase in students and families, we ask parents to not stand in line with their child or wait on grounds to say goodbye again after the bell. We also ask that parents adhere to our safe drop off and pick up routines outlined in our Parking Lot Reminders Video (note* shot pre Covid)
We will continue to have 2 hours of lunch to space out eating and playing. Again, students in the same class will have a goal of 3 feet of spacing. Students in different classes will have a goal of 6 feet of spacing. Students must wear masks outside. You can view our updated 100% lunchroom plan here.
On behalf of the entire Maire staff, I want to say thank you for your continued support. We are excited to have all of our students in our building. We will do everything in our power to mitigate risks and provide a positive learning environment for our Maire Bears. Please continue to do the daily health screener and keep your children home if they are ill. It is important that we all do our part to make a successful return.
Ryan Francis
Proud Principal
We Learn. We Lead. We Lift.
Important Maire dates to remember
3/1 All students resume 100% face to face instruction
3/4 1/2 day for students 11:36 dismissal
3/5 NO SCHOOL for students (records day for staff)
3/8 BOE Meeting 7pm
Schedule changes for next week
Wednesday 3/3 is now a full day of school (was supposed to be a 1/2 day records day).
Thursday 3/4 is a 1/2 day so staff can get vaccinated in the afternoon.
Friday 3/5 is an all day records day.
The second shot tends to have a lot of side effects and being able to safely staff our buildings in GP was the reason for the records day change to Friday. We understand the hardship this is on our families and do apologize.
Important Y5 and K Information
Young Fives Kindergarten
Young Fives is an alternative for children whose parents feel they are not yet ready for a traditional kindergarten experience. The program will be at every elementary building next year if enrollment allows. The natural progression from Y5 is to Kindergarten at their neighborhood school. Growing physically, intellectually, socially, and emotionally, while establishing a safe culture for learning, continues to be our focus. If you are interested in Young Fives, you must submit the online Young Fives Lottery Process form, and complete GPPSS enrollment and establish residency by April 9. The lottery will be conducted April 13.
www.gpschools.org/Page/17390
Enroll in Kindergarten by 5/1
The GPPSS kindergarten program plays an essential role in introducing young children to the world of school. Our professional staff believes each student is unique, and is dedicated to providing appropriate and fun experiences and activities from which your child can learn, grow, and develop a love of learning. The day is a wonderful combination of large and small group activities, with opportunities for individual and buddy work. Music, physical movement and art activities are woven throughout the curriculum. Math and language arts activities are part of the daily routine. Kindergartners also participate in recess daily to foster gross motor development.
One Community Telling our many stories
Here is the donation link.
ON MONDAY YOU WILL RECEIVE A LINK TO ACCESS THE FIRST FIVE VIDEOS OF OUR STAFF READING STORIES.
March Is Reading Month
Yearbook Info
GPPSS meal distribution at GP North and GP South
Free meals distributed Wednesdays 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
From 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. every Wednesday, families can pick up a week’s worth of meals for students under age 18 or those receiving special education services under age 26. Simply drive through at North High School or South High School. In order to keep this as safe as possible for everyone, these meals will be served as “grab and goes” to be taken home for consumption. Free lunch will be served at all schools for students who order when attending in person. Free breakfast will be served at Defer, Mason, Monteith, Parcells, Pierce, North and South when students attend school in person. This is made possible through an extension of the USDA grant.
Free and Reduced Meal Applications: https://gpschools.formstack.com/forms/freeorreduced
Important: Please complete an application each school year if you think you might be eligible as this greatly impacts the district’s ability to access state and federal funding sources. This information is confidential.
Connect with us !
Facebook page for Principal Francis
Twitter: @GPMaire
Maire Elementary School
Email: kramerm@gpschools.org
Website: https://mi01000971.schoolwires.net/gpmaire
Location: 740 Cadieux Road, Grosse Pointe, MI, USA
Phone: 313-432-4300
Twitter: @GPmaire