The Grizzly Gazette Volume 26

Good afternoon Grissom families,

As we (finally!) begin to move away from the cold Michigan weather and into warmer days, we want to take a moment to remind everyone about our district dress code expectations.

With changing seasons, we typically see a shift in student attire, and we want to be proactive in ensuring all students are dressed appropriately for a school setting that supports learning, safety, and respect for others.

A few key reminders from our Warren Consolidated Schools Middle School Dress Code:

• Clothing must cover from armpit to armpit and extend to fingertip length when arms are at a student’s side
• Tops must have straps (no spaghetti straps)
• No exposed undergarments or see-through clothing without proper coverage
• Shoes must be worn at all times (no slippers or bedroom shoes)
• Hats, hoods, and headgear are not permitted unless approved for specific reasons
• Clothing must be free of inappropriate language, images, or references (including drugs, alcohol, or violence)

Our goal is not to be punitive, but to partner with families to ensure students come to school ready to learn and avoid any unnecessary disruptions to their day.

If a student is out of dress code, they may be asked to change or contact home for appropriate clothing. Repeated violations may result in additional consequences.

We appreciate your support in reviewing these expectations with your child. A copy of the full dress code is attached for your reference.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support of our school.

#GrizzlyPride
Justin Hauser
Principal, Grissom Middle School

M-STEP testing starts this week at Grissom Middle School!

These assessments give our students an opportunity to show what they’ve learned and highlight the great work happening in our classrooms.

You can help set your student up for success by encouraging them to:

✔ Get a good night’s sleep
✔ Arrive on time
✔ Give their best effort

Thank you for your continued support of our students and our school community.

Let’s go, Grizzlies!

#GrizzlyPride

Over the weekend, the MSBOA (Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association) District 16 (This area covers most of South-Eastern Michigan), held its Honor Band Concert on Sunday, April 12th, at St. Clair Shores Lakeview High School.

Over 300 students were nominated by their band teachers as examples of the brightest and best middle school band students in our area. 95 were selected to participate in the 7th grade and 8th/9th grade bands. The selected students spent 3 days sight-reading the music, rehearsing the music with guest conductors Mr. Scott Oranchek, and Dr. Gregory Cunningham, and sectional rehearsals with expert mentors on their specific instruments.

Their concert was fantastic, and our Grissom Band Students were outstanding examples of Grizzly Pride at the event.

The students selected for this year's MSBOA District 16 Middle School Honor Band were...

Amanda Alsabti, Clarinet (7th grade)

Stella Manuson, Clarinet (7th grade)

Mia Hanna, Trumpet (7th grade)

Myles Taylor, Baritone Saxophone (7th grade)

Joseph Yokana, Flute (8th grade)

Madeline Lee, Clarinet (8th grade)

Camilla Wheeler, Bass Clarinet (8th grade)

Bravo Grizzly Band Students!

We are excited to announce that the Chaldean Community Foundation will be offering a Summer Discovery Program for students across Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties.

This 5-week, full-day program is designed for students entering grades 3 through 6 in the 2026–2027 school year. Mornings will focus on grade-level instruction in Math and ELA, while afternoons will feature engaging enrichment activities. The program will also include Field Trip Fridays, STEAM experiments, guest speakers, and more.

The program is free for families, and meals will be provided.

Sessions will be held at both our Sterling Heights and West Bloomfield locations. Registration is now open, and the program flyer is attached for your reference.

A recent review of our first-hour attendance data shows a strong connection between attendance and academic success across all grade levels.

Students who miss 10 or more days of first hour are significantly more likely to have below-average grades compared to students with fewer absences. This trend is consistent in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade, with the greatest impact seen once students reach the 10-absence mark.

In particular:

• Students with 10+ absences are 3–10 times more likely to be struggling academically, depending on grade level.

• The attendance-achievement gap appears earliest and most strongly in 6th and 7th grade.

• Consistent attendance in first hour is a key protective factor against academic difficulty.

This data reinforces the importance of getting students to school on time, every day, especially for first hour. Strong attendance habits set the tone for the day and play a critical role in student success.

Grizzlies do their best when they’re here—learning, connecting, and growing together. Even small changes in attendance can make a big difference, and we want every student to feel successful and supported.

The flyers below share simple strategies for building strong attendance routines at home, as well as resources our team can provide if your family ever needs assistance. We’re here to help every step of the way. Every day matters at Grissom!

At Warren Consolidated Schools, we want all students to feel comfortable, safe, and ready to learn. Please remind your child of the following dress code expectations:

• Coverage: Clothing must cover from armpit to armpit and extend to fingertip length when arms are at the side.

• Straps: Tops must have shoulder straps (no spaghetti straps).

• Appropriate Fit: Rips/tears should be below fingertip length. No see-through or mesh without proper coverage.

• Footwear: Shoes must always be worn (no slippers or pajamas except for approved spirit days).

• Headgear: Hats, hoods, and caps are not allowed indoors unless approved for religious/medical reasons.

• Messages: Clothing cannot include vulgar, discriminatory, violent, or drug/alcohol references.

Students out of compliance will be asked to change or call home for appropriate clothing. Repeat violations may result in disciplinary action.

Thank you for partnering with us to maintain a positive school environment for all learners!

Parking Lot Guidelines – Working Together for a Safe & Smooth Drop-Off

We know mornings can be hectic, and many families drop off or pick up students each day. Thank you for helping us keep our parking lot safe and efficient for everyone by following these guidelines:

• Plan ahead. Arriving a little early can make a big difference! Peak drop-off time is 7:25–7:45 AM. Students should enter at Door 22.

• Use the back of the building for all drop-offs and pick-ups. Please drive along the right lane on the side of the building and pull all the way to the back. Stopping in the middle of the driveway creates backups in the lot and on Ryan Road.

• Front bus lane = buses only. The lane in front of the school is for WCS buses exclusively.

• Follow staff directions. Our team is out there to keep everyone safe—please be attentive to their signals and guidance.

• Stay alert. Avoid phone use, keep music at a reasonable volume, and watch carefully for students walking or biking to school.

• If using St. Rene’s lot: Please follow the church’s rules—don’t park in the priest’s designated spot, avoid fire lanes, park in the back of their lot (not the side sections), and follow their traffic flow.

• Patience helps. A few extra minutes and a little grace go a long way toward making mornings less stressful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us make drop-off and pick-up safe, smooth, and respectful for our students, staff, and neighbors

Did you know that missing just two days of school a month adds up to nearly 20 days in a year? That’s a full month of lost learning! At Grissom Middle School, we believe every day matters. When students are present, they not only keep up academically, but also build friendships, confidence, and strong routines that set them up for future success.

Attendance is a priority this year at GMS, and we want to reduce the number of absences students have. Please see the flyer below for ways you can help support your child’s attendance. If you or your child run into any barriers to regular attendance, please reach out to the main office so we can work together to find solutions.

📣 Calling All Parents – We Need You!

Our Grissom Boosters are a huge part of what makes our school community special—but they can’t do it without parent support.

We’re looking for parents to join the Boosters and help chaperone at Booster-sponsored events. These activities make lasting memories for our students, but they only happen if we have volunteers.

With the start of the school year we encourage all parents to actively use the PowerSchool Parent Portal to stay informed about their child’s academic progress throughout the year. (You’ll find the link below.)

If there’s anything you’d like us to know to better support your child—whether it’s their learning style, any challenges they face, or other important details—please don’t hesitate to reach out to their counselor.

By working together, we can make this school year a strong and successful one for every Grizzly!

Reminder--their Counseling Corner website has important information--CLICK HERE TO ACCESS.