The Roar Report

What a fantastic first week back with our students! The energy across campus was incredible, the vibes were warm and welcoming, and our Panthers are officially rocking and rolling!

Our students kicked off the year by making new connections and learning our school-wide expectations during our very first PAWS assembly. We also had the absolute joy of welcoming Jim "Basketball" Jones to boost our school spirit... our Panthers had a blast!

As we head into a restful weekend, please take a moment to review a couple of quick updates:

• E-Bike Policy Update: Central Office has issued a few important policy changes regarding E-Bikes. Please review the detailed update below to ensure our students stay safe.

• Technology & Device Reminders: Our Panthers have done an amazing job keeping their phones off and out of sight! As a quick reminder, this policy applies to all personal devices outside of our BYOD initiative. Headphones, iPads, and Smartwatches (unless strictly being used to check the time) should also be put away during the school day to help keep our focus on learning.

Thank you for your partnership in making this first week such a success!

We're Panther Proud-

Mrs. Amber Schmittdiel, Principal

The administrative team was out and about all week connecting with our Panthers! We're so happy the halls are bustling and our Panther cubs are back in the den!

Per GPPSS District Communication:

Walk Your Wheels: Updated E-Bike and E-Moto Guidance

Earlier this school year, GPPSS communicated that e-bikes were not permitted on school property. Since then, we have received thoughtful questions and feedback from students, families, and community members about e-bikes, e-scooters, and the growing variety of electric motorized devices students are using to travel to and from school.

We appreciate that feedback, and we listened.

One theme that emerged from those conversations was the need to balance two important priorities: supporting safe ways for students to travel to school while keeping our busy school grounds and arrival and dismissal areas safe for everyone.

As a result, we are refining our approach and introducing a simple districtwide safety expectation:

Walk Your Wheels in School Zones

Moving forward, students may bring Michigan-compliant e-bikes to school. Once students reach school property and adjacent sidewalks, bicycles, scooters, e-bikes, and e-scooters should be walked—not ridden.

This gives students the ability to use these devices for transportation while reducing the risk of collisions in areas where students, families, buses, and vehicles are moving during arrival and dismissal.

What is an e-bike?

An e-bike is a bicycle with a seat or saddle, fully operable pedals, and an electric motor of 750 watts or less. Under Michigan's e-bike classifications, electric assistance is limited to no more than 28 mph.

What is an e-moto?

An e-moto is a higher-powered electric motorbike that does not meet Michigan's definition of an e-bike. These devices may look similar to e-bikes but operate more like motorcycles or other motor vehicles. For example, a device may be considered an e-moto rather than an e-bike if it does not have fully operable pedals, exceeds 750 watts, provides motor assistance above 28 mph, or operates primarily by throttle above 20 mph.

Because e-motos are motor vehicles rather than e-bikes, students may not bring or operate e-motos on elementary or middle school property.

At the high school level, students may bring a qualifying motorized vehicle to school only when the student and vehicle meet the applicable Michigan requirements for that type of vehicle, including any required license or endorsement, registration, insurance, and safety equipment. The vehicle must also be registered with the school and have an approved student parking permit.

Please take a few minutes to review these expectations with your student, particularly if they ride an electric bike or other motorized device to school.

• When you reach the school zone, walk your wheels.

• Whether you arrive by bicycle, scooter, e-bike, or e-scooter:

• Slow down.

• Walk safely.

• Look out for one another.

Thank you for helping us keep our school communities safe.

Picture Day is coming! All students will have their photos taken on Tuesday, September 22nd. We can't wait to see everyone dressed in their Picture Day best and showing off their big smiles.

Please share with your students.

Our fifth graders visited the Student Union to connect and enjoy some team building!

Our mascot, Paws, was spotted at Back to School Night!

He was bringing the ROAR!

6-8th Grade NWEA Testing

Red, White, and Blue Spirit Day

Picture Day

The season will run from Friday, September 11-Tuesday, October 23 at Vernier Hill.

The students had their first Power Hour Meeting on Wednesday and officially kicked off this years PTO Fundraiser! The PTO is thrilled to share that we will be hosting this years 9th Annual Panther Palooza and Fall Fun Run!!! This is such an exciting time for the kids...

Please make sure to read the information below...

There is A LOT of great info such as: What the heck is Panther Palooza and How do I donate for my child to be entered into these AWESOME weekly drawings and give a ways!!!

If you own a business and you would like to join our Business Community Partnership please see the attached letter below! Also, in-order to make this event successful, we will need several parent volunteers! Stay tuned to all the updates and as always feel free to follow us on our Facebook page for updates as well!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4DABA92CA6FFC43-65703988-2026

Parcells Drop-off and Pick-up Procedures:

Parcells Middle School is a busy and bustling school with multiple entrances and parking areas. To help keep traffic moving safely and make arrival and dismissal as smooth as possible, please review the procedures below.

Know Your Drop-Off & Pick-Up Areas

Mack Lot
The Mack Lot is one of our designated areas for student arrival and dismissal.

• Students should not wait in vehicles once they have entered the drop-off lane. Please drop your child off as soon as it is safe to do so.

Sunningdale Lot
The Sunningdale Lot is located behind the school and one of our designated areas for student arrival and dismissal. .

• Students should not wait in vehicles once they have entered the drop-off lane. Please drop your child off as soon as it is safe to do so.

• Students should not walk through the parking lot to enter or leave the building.

• The staff parking area will be blocked during drop-off and dismissal to prevent students from walking into oncoming traffic.

• During drop-off and dismissal, there is no left turn onto Sunningdale. Right turn only.

• Please remain in the designated drop-off lane. Do not use the aisleways as shortcuts.

Vernier Lot
The Vernier Lot is located directly off Vernier and is the location of our main office entrance.

• Students should not be dropped off or picked up in the Vernier Lot, except for students receiving busing or students with approved accommodations.

• This lot is reserved for main office visitors and library staff.

Bike Parking & Safety

Students who ride their bikes to school should use the designated bike racks:

• Sunningdale Lot: Bike racks are located outside Door K.

• Mack Lot: Bike racks are available in the Mack Lot.

For everyone's safety, students are expected to wear a helmet and ride responsibly at all times.

Safety First

We know arrival and dismissal can be busy. Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe and traffic moving:

• Drive slowly and safely.

• Please be patient and follow staff directions.

• Do not tailgate or pass other vehicles.

• Do not speed.

• Drop students off only in designated areas.

• Do not allow students to walk between or around vehicles.

Thank you for helping us make arrival and dismissal safe, predictable, and efficient for all of our Panthers!

Please be advised that Mack is currently down to one lane near the entrance of the Mack Lot. Student arrival and dismissal may be impacted by construction.

• No food may leave the cafeteria. Students must finish their breakfast in the cafeteria before going to their locker and class.

Students in grades 6-8 are expected to BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) to school, charged and ready to use. Examples of acceptable BYOD devices include Chromebooks and laptops. Cell phones or iPads are not BYOD devices.

• Please note that iPads or any other tablet will be treated as a cell phone and are not acceptable BYOD devices.

Cell phones and other electronic devices (outside of BYOD) must be off and out of sight during the school day from bell to bell. If a student is using his/her cell phone, it will be confiscated and turned into the office.

• Other devices include: iPads, tablets, smart glasses, headphones, and smart watches used for anything other than telling time.

Parents/Guardians wishing to contact their student during the school day need to contact the main office. Please do not contact your student’s cell phone, smart watch, or any other electronic device.

Please have this important conversation with your child prior to the first day of school. Thank you!

Our lunch and recess routines are designed to give students a fun, safe, and active break during the school day. Here is everything you need to know about how our lunch program will look during this year.

Setting Up for Success

Parcells has gone to 2 lunches this year! Each lunch is 30 minutes and once students are done eating they may go outside. This gives all students more than enough time to eat their lunch.

To help everyone learn the ropes, teachers will walk students outside to their lines on Tuesday and Wednesday. Administrators will explain our outdoor lunch expectations and the line-up process. Students will then practice entering the building together.

Lunchroom Guidelines & Seating Choices

• Table Seating: Students will sit 6 to a side at their lunch tables.

• Choosing Seats: Students have until Friday to pick their permanent table for the semester.

• During Lunch: For safety, students must remain seated at their tables. Adults will bring trash bins directly to the tables for cleanup.

• Dismissal: Once a table is clean, students are dismissed for outdoor time.

• Coming Inside: When recess ends, adults will blow a whistle. Students will line up by grade and be escorted back into the building.

Exciting Outdoor Activities!

Students will enjoy a structured, high-energy environment outside with plenty of choices:

• Sports & Games: Play 4-square, shoot hoops on the basketball court, or join organized athletic games in the middle of the track. (We are painting a track for kids to walk around!)

• Track Prizes: Walk the painted track to earn fun prizes!

• Swings: Classic swing sets are available.

• Relaxation: Check out an oversized picnic blanket to read a book, have a picnic, and chat with friends on the lawn.

• Picnic with Friends! Students can grab a pass to eat lunch outside with friends at the picnic tables, provided they clean up after themselves.

• Library Study Time: Students that are finished eating and want a quieter indoor environment may request a pass to the library!

Inclement Weather Days

If the weather keeps us indoors, students will stay in the cafeteria for the entire 30 minutes of lunch. To keep things fun and productive, students are welcome to bring homework, coloring books, or playing cards to enjoy at their tables!

GPPSS uses an online platform for flyers called Peachjar. You can access from our website and customize your subscription for any school or schools you wish to follow. The flyers are ADA compatible and nonprofits can upload for a nominal fee (less than printing). PTO and school flyers are free.

PARCELLS MIDDLE SCHOOL

Website: https://www.gpschools.org/Domain/597

Location: 20600 Mack Avenue, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, USA
Phone: 313-432-4600