North News

Happy Friday, North!

Homecoming spirit was on full display this week! Our London freshmen, Cairo sophomores, Athens juniors, and Las Vegas seniors put on a show in the Union each day. Thank you to each class, their parents, and class advisors for the staff breakfasts each morning. We look forward to keeping the celebration going with the Homecoming parade, game, and dance this weekend!

Looking ahead, P/SAT testing takes place Tuesday morning. Seniors do not report to school that day, and classroom assignments for students in grades 9 through 11 will be posted on the main office windows and outside the library. Wednesday brings our Club Fair during both lunches. This is a great opportunity for students to connect, explore their interests, and find a way to be part of something at North!

Proud. Tough. Together.

Kevin Shubnell, Principal
313-432-3204
shubnek@gpschools.org

Each week, our staff will recognize one student and one staff member who exemplify The Norseman Way—Proud, Tough, and Together. These Hammer Award recipients represent the heart of our school culture, and we look forward to celebrating their contributions throughout the year.

Russell Warner represents North at the highest level through his commitment to academic excellence and the hard work behind an extraordinary accomplishment. Russell was recently named a National Merit Semifinalist, an honor earned by less than one percent of high school seniors nationwide. This recognition reflects not only Russell’s academic ability, but also the dedication, discipline, and perseverance that have defined his time at North. His achievement is a reminder that excellence takes many forms and that academic accomplishments deserve to be celebrated just as proudly as success on the field, on the stage, or anywhere else our Norsemen shine. Through his pursuit of excellence and the pride he brings to our school community, Russell embodies what it means to be Proud, Tough, Together and live the Norseman Way.

Peggy Bonbrisco, our Student Activities Coordinator, and Jonathan Byrne, our Student Association Advisor, make an incredible impact on North through the energy, time, and heart they pour into creating memorable experiences for our students. Nowhere is that more evident than during Spirit Week and Homecoming. From the themes and decorations to the activities, traditions, and countless details behind the scenes, Peggy and JB work tirelessly to make this week something our students look forward to and remember long after they leave North. Their work creates opportunities for students and staff to come together, celebrate our school, and build the sense of belonging that makes North special. They are proud of our school, tough enough to take on the tremendous work these traditions require, and committed to bringing our community together. Peggy and JB truly embody what it means to be Proud, Tough, Together and live the Norseman Way.

We are officially halfway through the first quarter, and it’s time to focus on finishing strong. It can be a hard adjustment after homecoming, so we encourage parents to look through their student’s schoology courses and check in on how classes are going so far. This is a great opportunity to turn in work or talk to a teacher about ways to improve. Counselors are looking forward to meeting our 9th graders next week in English classes for our “Ready, Set, High School” lesson.

Please reach out to your student’s counselor with any questions or concerns.

College Application Month

October is College Application Month in Michigan. Many colleges are free with no application fees, and there are several colleges in Michigan that are waiving the application fees with a code. Please see the document HERE. Michigan State is only accepting the fee waiver code from 10/1-10/15.

FAFSA is live!!
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available for the seniors in the Class of 2027. The amount of need-related aid for which a student is eligible is determined by the information they supply annually on the FAFSA. Please check out the website HERE to learn more about how to complete the FAFSA. Steps to create a student aid account can be found HERE. Save the date, North is offering a virtual FAFSA workshop on November 9th! The CSS profile is required by some universities. Please make sure students know which financial aid documents are required!

Upcoming College Visits for the week of 10/5 are:

• Monday, October 5 - Miami University - Oxford, Johns Hopkins University

• Wednesday, October 7 - Bucknell Univ., Denison Univ., Univ. of Vermont

• Thursday, October 8 - Case Western Reserve Univ., Lake Superior State, Prescott

• Friday, October 9 - Lawrence Tech University

Reminder that juniors and seniors can attend college visits at North by registering for the visit in their Naviance account. Students have directions in their Class Schoology groups. Students are expected to make up all the work that was missed while they attend the college visit. College representatives are scheduling visits throughout the fall so remind your student to check often for changes and updates.

College Application Reminders:

• Slides from the Senior parent meet are HERE.

• Early Decision v. Early Action. Early Decision is BINDING, so students should be incredibly careful about choosing this option. If accepted, students are expected to attend an early decision college. Students can only apply to one college using Early Decision. Early Action is non-binding, so students apply early and hear early, but are not bound to attend.

• November 1st is the early action and merit scholarship deadline for many schools, but make sure that you check the college’s website. There are a few colleges in the country with October 15th early action/merit scholarship deadlines. Seniors need to know when their applications are due! We suggest keeping a spreadsheet of all the schools and scholarships with deadlines to help stay organized. A template was shared last year, but can also be found HERE.

• Register your student with MISSG (MI Student Aid Programs) HERE.

• What is the SRAR (Self-Reported Academic Record)? Several colleges across the country require students to complete a self-reported academic record (SRAR). After the student submits the application, they will get an email to login to their SRAR portal and complete this step. This entire process is due by the early action deadline (usually 11/1). Make sure your student knows what each college requires for admissions so students don’t miss a step!

• Michigan high school seniors and recent graduates are eligible for the Community College Guarantee. Click HERE to read more about this opportunity.

• Michigan Achievement Scholarship:

• The Michigan Achievement Scholarship is designed to help students pursue their dreams, goals, and aspirations in the Mitten State! Graduating high school seniors may be eligible for up to $27,500 over five years in financial aid just by filling out the new and simplified FAFSA.

• Those who qualify could receive up to $5,500 if they attend a Michigan public university, private college, or university, or are enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program at a Michigan community college, per year, up to five years

• To learn more, families can attend an information session by clicking HERE.

We are excited to introduce Ms. Jovana Maros to the counseling department. Ms. Maros will be completing her school counseling internship at North for the 26-27 school year. Please help us welcome her to North!!

The Homecoming Game is tonight Friday, October 2, 2026 at 7:00 pm. Students wearing their class shirt/class color and walking in the parade can get into the game for free. In order to take advantage of the FREE admission you must enter the game down the back lot entrance off of Morningside at the conclusion of the parade. Please come and support our Norsemen as they take on Marysville. Go GPN!!! Please note that backpacks and outside food or drink are not allowed into the Athletic Stadium. There is also no re-entry into the game. Please bring your student ID when you attend the game.

The Fall Sports season is in full swing. Please check out our new and improved website (https://www.grossepointenorthathletics.com/). The website contains up to date information regarding schedules, FinalForms, the Booster Club, Athletics App, Fall Sports Information Packet, and more. Please take some time to review the website, especially the More tab. Go North!

We have a new scheduling system this year called Eventlink. If you would like to receive messages and notifications when there are schedule changes you will need to set up an account with Eventlink if you have not done so already. The link is https://signup.eventlink.com/.

When students are attending athletic competitions this Fall, they should bring their student ID with them as many schools are requiring student IDs for admission.

Senior Athletes: NCAA Signing Day is the period of time in which athletes will make their athletic scholarships official by signing their National Letter of Intent. Grosse Pointe North has created guidelines for signing day that are now posted on the North Athletic homepage. The dates this year will be November 11th, February 3rd, April 14th and May 19th. Contact the athletic office to schedule your 10 minute time slot.

The Athletic Booster Club is a great support to our student athletes and athletic program. They could use some assistance manning the concession stand this Fall at our athletic events. It is a great way to support them, our students, and interact with other parents and students. Please consider volunteering to man the stand. Students are also welcome to volunteer. Thank you for your consideration. Click here to sign up today!

The National High School Basketball Coaches Association (NHSBCA) has selected Grosse Pointe North girls’ basketball coach, Gary Bennett, to receive the 2026 John Wooden Legacy Award. This award is presented annually by the NHSBCA, in partnership with the John Wooden family and the Wooden Foundation, to one male and one female coach in each state who is a long-time, active basketball coach who also serves as an outstanding educator and who, through their excellence on the court, in the classroom and in the community, embodies the characteristics and legacy of coach John Wooden - Excellence, Longevity, Character, Leadership, and Service.

Coach Bennett was hired to teach math and coach the girls basketball team at North back in 1983. He ended up teaching math there for 30 years and currently is still coaching the varsity girls basketball team. In 2014 he was inducted into the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan Hall of Fame. His greatest passion as a coach has been focusing on developing upstanding, contributing members of society who demonstrate kindness, empathy, honesty, integrity and a strong sustained work ethic for the greater good of the whole.

Every Tuesday (starting September 22) during student lunches, TMP volunteers serve pizza to our North students at First English Lutheran Church (across Vernier from North HS). They pay $5 for all the pizza and breadsticks they can eat, plus a bottle of water. A can of pop is an extra $1. This is NOT a fundraiser. It’s just something that a team of parents decided to do for our wonderful kids! All the money collected goes right back into the purchase of food, treats (on special occasions) and supplies for the next week of TMP.

For TMP to run smoothly, we need volunteers. We always have fun and the kindness and respect from the North students makes every Tuesday enjoyable! With several volunteers, you will only have to help every 3-4 weeks.

If you can volunteer, please send an email to TuesdaysMeanPizza@gmail.com with your name and number. If you are unable to give your time, but know of someone who can, please pass this information onto them. You do not need to be a North parent to volunteer! Several of our volunteers have been grandparents or former North parents.

For more information, please contact Kelley Bidigare at TuesdaysMeanPizza@gmail.com. Thank you in advance for your help!

The Grosse Pointe North Parents Association plays an important role in supporting our students, staff, and school community. As a 501(c)(3) organization, the Parents Association helps fund student academic enrichment programs, provides grants to teachers and student clubs, supports staff appreciation efforts, and awards scholarships to graduating seniors. Last year alone, the association awarded $10,000 in Gold Level scholarships to members of the Class of 2026. Families are encouraged to become members and get involved in supporting the many programs and opportunities that benefit our Norsemen. Please note that eligibility for senior scholarships requires a parent or guardian to be a paid GPN Parents Association member for two consecutive years. Follow the GPN Parents Association on Facebook and consider joining today!

Following an e-bike accident involving a North student yesterday, we want to reinforce important safety expectations for students riding bikes, e-bikes, scooters, and other motorized devices. We are thankful the student involved is OK.

• The incident occurred when an e-bike traveling on the sidewalk struck a vehicle turning into the Mason parking lot.
• Motorized vehicles are prohibited on sidewalks in Grosse Pointe Woods under city ordinance.
• Walk Your Wheels in School Zones: Once on school property and adjacent sidewalks, bikes, scooters, e-bikes, and e-scooters should be walked—not ridden.
• Michigan-compliant e-bikes may be brought to school. E-motos and other higher-powered devices are subject to additional restrictions.
• Students should use designated crosswalks, follow all rules of the road, and remain alert to vehicles and pedestrians.
• At the high school level, qualifying motorized vehicles must meet applicable Michigan requirements and have an approved school parking permit.

Please talk with your student about these expectations, especially if they ride an e-bike or other electric device to school. When you reach the school zone: Walk your wheels. Slow down. Walk safely. Look out for one another.