GPPSS Update

Students from Grosse Pointe South High school recently returned from an unforgettable 10 day trip to Peru, where learning came to life beyond the classroom walls. Students developed a deeper understanding of history, language, and culture while exploring archaeological sites around Peru. Well done to the students who got out of their comfort zone and showed a passion for learning.

This year we are establishing metrics for 5 key goal areas: Academics & Programs, Culture, Personnel, Operations, and Community Engagement & Communications. We welcome your input as we continue to refine what we offer to meet your student’s needs. Listening sessions scheduled so far include:

• 5:30 p.m., August 4th, Parcells Student Union, 20600 Mack Avenue

• 6 p.m., August 27th, South’s front lawn, 11 Grosse Pointe Blvd.

• 3:45 p.m., September 10th, Mason’s Outdoor Classroom, 1640 Vernier

• 8:30 a.m., September 29th, Pierce front lawn, 15430 Kercheval

This spring's edLeader Panel, The Cost of Getting Literacy Wrong: Long-Term Decisions, Lasting Consequences, is receiving additional exposure as a featured program in the latest issue of the edWeb Voice. An article quoting our very own literacy coach Emily Rennpage is on pages 6-7 of the current issue, available here.

We are honored our literacy coach was invited to share some of the best practices leading to enhanced results in GPPSS.

In order for students to be college and career ready, it is important that they have strong literacy skills. In 2016, the Michigan Legislature passed House Bill No. 4822 to ensure that children who exit third grade are reading at grade level. This legislation requires that each school administers an ongoing benchmark assessment to identify each child's reading progress. For many years GPPSS has used NWEA MAP Growth in grades K-8 to measure achievement and support learning goals

for students in reading and math. The district continues to use NWEA as our benchmark assessment. These assessments are administered three times per year for K-3 students and the first must be administered within thirty days of school beginning.

If a child exhibits a reading deficiency, the district has provided an Individual Reading Improvement Plan (iRIP) to address challenge areas and provide training and resources for parents and guardians. This was a topic of discussion during your Fall and Spring conference. The latest update regarding 3rd grade reading proficiency is in Public Act No. 146 of 2024 and no longer includes a retention component. This means current third-grade students won't be recommended for retention based on the M-STEP assessment results. However, other aspects of the law, such as the iRIP remain in effect. For more details, the Michigan Department of Education has updated resources on their K-12 Literacy webpage.

This summer, after 3rd grade students take the M-STEP, the Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI) will send official certified letters to families of individual third grade students who score 1279 or below on the ELA portion of the M-STEP. Grade 3 students who score 1279 or below on the English Language Arts (ELA) M-STEP will be identified as having a reading deficiency. Some families may have already received this letter from CEPI.

We understand that this news may be worrisome for some families if your child scores below 1279, but we want to reassure you that we are committed to supporting our students. The intervention requirements of this law are consistent with Grosse Pointe Public School System's historical approach and dedication to a multi-tiered system of support for our students. Our classroom teachers and Literacy Coaches have done an exceptional job focusing on literacy, as reading is the foundation to all other subjects.

As you are aware, GPPSS monitored student progress with NWEA testing while using Really Great Reading, Lexia, and other classroom assessments to determine a differentiated reading approach for students. Classroom teachers provide Tier II classroom interventions, while our trained Literacy Coaches provide Tier III small group instruction for those who qualify. During Fall and Spring conferences, parents received information about the support and services their child received if they qualified for an iRIP, along with strategies to support their child at home. We will continue to implement reading supports that are consistent with our historical approach to support literacy in

GPPSS and focused on the science of reading.

We are committed to ensuring the success of our students. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to your building principal. Building principals will return to the office in August.

Sincerely,

Dr. Sara Delgado

Department of Curriculum Instruction and Assessment

Dear Parents, Students, and Families,

The City of Grosse Pointe Department of Public Safety is excited to introduce our new “Walk Your Wheels” campaign in the Village. This initiative is moving forward as part of our ongoing efforts to make the Village an even safer and more enjoyable place for everyone. While the plan is in motion, we believe the best community programs are shaped by the people they serve, and we want to hear from residents, families, students, and visitors.

The goal of the campaign is simple: create a safer, more comfortable downtown by asking visitors to walk their bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, skateboards, and similar devices while traveling through the busiest pedestrian area of the city. Riders are encouraged to enjoy their ride to and from downtown, then simply dismount and walk once they enter the Downtown Courtesy Zone. The Village already offers numerous bicycle racks, but we are adding more to make it as convenient as possible.

As this program is introduced, our focus will be on education first. Throughout the remainder of this year, Public Safety officers will spend time speaking with riders, answering questions, and helping educate both children and adults about the Courtesy Zone. When warmer weather returns next spring, we plan to begin a secondary education campaign to reinforce the message. Our goal is not aggressive enforcement. Rather, we want to build awareness, encourage safe habits, and give everyone ample opportunity to understand the program before any enforcement becomes necessary. We believe education, common sense, and community cooperation are the best ways to achieve lasting success.

This campaign is centered on safety, education, and courtesy. We especially want to help young riders understand how to safely share our sidewalks with pedestrians while preserving the welcoming atmosphere that makes the Village a special place for visitors and families.

As we finalize this program, we would greatly appreciate your thoughts. If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, please feel free to email me directly. Your feedback is important and will help us make this initiative as successful as possible.

While the Walk Your Wheels initiative is focused on the Village, we encourage safe and courteous riding throughout our community by wearing a helmet, riding at appropriate speeds, and remaining

aware of pedestrians and traffic.

Respectfully,

Chief John Alcorn

Director of Public Safety

City of Grosse Pointe

AlcornJ@grossepointedps.org

Grosse Pointe Virtual School is launching in Fall 2026, offering flexible, high-quality learning opportunities for students in our community in collaboration with Michigan Virtual.

Grosse Pointe Virtual is designed to increase flexibility, access, and supports for the broader learning community, leveraging technological advancements and innovations in instruction.

Utilizing Michigan Virtual and district staff, GP Virtual will expand access to the high-quality education associated with GPPSS. We are a District of Opportunities and want you to be part of this exciting development. GP Virtual students walk at graduation with their home high school and can participate in athletic and extracurricular activities. Space is limited to ensure success.

Registration is now open for a select group of rising 9th through 12th grade students. Students must be district residents and not currently attending GPPSS.

If you have immediate inquiries, please email gpvirtualschool@gpschools.org.

Families can find SFSP sites by using the Meet Up and Eat Up Site Locator Map, or the USDA Meals For Kids Site Finder and entering their address in the search bar at the top left of the map. Both maps are updated throughout the summer as new sites become available. Families can also receive SFSP site information by calling 211.

At its regular meeting June 22, the BOE held the budget hearing, heard an update from the GPPAC parent advisory committee, and approved the following:

• Budget Amendment #2 for the 2025-26 school year
• The 2026-27 Proposed Budget
• Food Service Bid to continue with Taher
• Hiring of a Chief Personnel Officer
• Four Year tentative agreements with the paraprofessionals, plant and office unions
• Annual items including tax rates, tuition rates, and property and casualty insurance
• Purchase of Chromebooks to replace district carts for grades K-5 and ensure access to reliable tools for student learning and standardized testing

• Minutes from June 9

Please watch the district calendar on the website for the latest information on board and committee meetings. Agendas and supporting documents are linked from the calendar. Upcoming BOE meetings include:

• BOE Regular Meeting, Monday, July 27, 7 p.m., Brownell MPR

• BOE Regular Meeting, Monday, August 17, 7 p.m., Brownell MPR

On the website, click About GPPSS, then School Board. From there you can read about our board members, find links to past and current agendas, and watch the meetings.

In the meantime, we do have these dates to mark on your calendar:

• North Homecoming is October 2nd vs. Marysville
• South Homecoming is October 9th vs. Eisenhower
• The North South game will be October 23rd at North

Elementary, Middle and High School report cards have been available for viewing in ParentPortal since Monday, June 22. While secondary grades are always accessible in Schoology, we encourage families to review the official report card.

You have three options for viewing the report card, including an option to view, save, or print a traditionally formatted report card. Please click this link for a one-page instruction guide on the three report card viewing options.

To access ParentPortal:

• Go to www.gpschools.org

• Click on the Mistar link in the upper right corner

• Click on the ParentPortal name or logo in the left center of the next screen

• Enter your parent PIN and password

If you don’t know your login information, click on the “Forget Your PIN” and/or “Forget Your Password?” links. If you run into trouble, use our Parent Support form.

Thank you for taking the time to review your student’s progress. Your partnership and engagement help support their continued success.

E-bikes are becoming increasingly popular with children and teens across Michigan. While they are a fun and efficient way to travel, they can also reach much higher speeds than traditional bicycles and require responsible operation. Michigan law recognizes three classes of e-bikes:

• Class 1 E-Bike – Equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and stops assisting at 20 mph.
• Class 2 E-Bike – Equipped with a throttle that can propel the bike without pedaling and stops assisting at 20 mph.
• Class 3 E-Bike – Pedal-assist only and capable of assisting up to 28 mph. Riders must be at least 14 years old to operate a Class 3 e-bike in Michigan. Class 3 requires a helmet for those aged 14-17.

Please research E-Bikes vs. E-Motos. The Grosse Pointe Farms Department of Public Safety encourages all young riders and parents to follow these important safety tips:

• Always wear a properly fitted helmet.
• Obey all traffic signs, signals, and roadway rules.
• Ride in the same direction as traffic.
• Stay alert and avoid using cell phones, headphones, or other distractions while riding.
• Use lights and reflective gear when riding at dawn, dusk, or nighttime.
• Slow down near pedestrians and provide an audible warning before passing.
• Never carry passengers unless the e-bike is specifically designed to do so.
• Parents should ensure their child's e-bike is age-appropriate and that the rider understands how to safely operate it.
• Ride at a safe speed for conditions and be prepared for vehicles entering driveways and intersections.
• Remember, e-bikes are not toys. Many models can travel at speeds comparable to those of motor vehicles in residential neighborhoods. Safe and responsible riding helps prevent crashes and injuries while keeping our streets, sidewalks, and shared-use paths safe for everyone.
• Ride Smart. Ride Safe. Arrive Alive.

For questions regarding e-bike laws and safety, contact your Department of Public Safety. This article has been adapted with permission from one by the City of Grosse Pointe Farms. The school district continues to partner with all of our public safety departments and will share updates on this and other safety topics.

The Grosse Pointe Public Library (in partnership with the GPPSS) announces the beginning of the 2026 Summer Reading Program!

Read at least 20 minutes per day, log your reading by days, try fun activities, and earn free books and virtual tickets for prize drawings!

Please click the QR code here to learn more!

Summer reading opportunities with active links have been added to all school webpages. Help your student avoid summer learning loss by taking advantage of these curated options. Many thanks to our library media specialists for collecting these all in one place!

• Elementary Summer Reading Links
• Middle School Summer Reading Links
• High School Summer Reading Links

More will be added as details are finalized. There is also a handy tool at the top of the Summer Programs webpage to sort opportunities by grade level. From science to AI, sports to music, there is something for everyone!

Early On

Early On is Michigan's system for helping infants and toddlers, birth to age 3 and their families who have developmental delays or are at risk for delays due to certain health conditions.

Build Up

Build Up helps parents and their eligible children, ages 3 through 5, access special education supports and services as they develop and learn skills before they go to kindergarten.

If you have a concern about your child's development, go to https://miearlychildhood.org/ to make an online referral for a free Early On or Build Up evaluation.

Do you know someone who would be a good fit for one of these open positions in GPPSS? We're particularly looking for paraprofessionals, but check out the possibilities and help us spread the word to find great candidates! Here are a few positions to explore:

• GSRP Associate teacher

• GSRP Caregiver

• Attendance Clerk – Parcells Middle School

• GSRP Lead Teacher

• Guest Teacher (Instructional Substitute) through EduStaff

Our GPPSS Update comes out every week throughout the school year. Please make a practice of scanning through it for important updates throughout the district.

If you know someone (neighbor, grandparent, business owner, public official) who would like to be on our mailing list, please share this form with them. If your youngest child is a senior this year, you will be automatically unsubscribed from our mailing list this summer. If you'd like to keep receiving our weekly emails, click the form above and subscribe!

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If you have a story idea for GPPSS Update, a photo to share, or a fun community event, please reach out to info@gpschools.org. And don't forget to follow us and tag us on social media:

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