The Grizzly Gazette Volume 17

As we recognize Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we reflect on his unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and service to others. Dr. King believed in the power of education, empathy, and community to create meaningful change—beliefs that strongly align with my vision for Grissom Middle School. At Grissom, we strive to be a place where every student feels valued, respected, and empowered to lead with kindness, courage, and integrity. In honoring Dr. King, we recommit ourselves to building a school community rooted in unity, opportunity, and Grizzly PRIDE.

Due to last Thursday's school closure, we’ve made a small adjustment to our exam schedule. Any exams originally scheduled for today will now take place on Tuesday, January 20. In addition, Semester 2 will begin on Wednesday, January 21st.

Thank you for your flexibility and support.

Please join the Grissom Boosters on Wednesday, January 21 in providing a lunch to fuel our amazing staff and teachers at Grissom! They have successfully completed the first semester and midterms will be over this week so let’s fuel them up for the second semester.

There are slots with ideas, but you’re welcome to bring a dish of your choice. Who doesn't love food? Just add your item to the list. Any questions, please contact Ms. McGee, our booster club treasurer, at 586-675-5749 (text is preferred). We also need some volunteers to help set up, so there is a slot to sign up for that as well. If you can't help this time, remember we have a few more events this year where we could use some volunteers so please feel free to reach out. Our next booster club meeting is on Feb. 5 at 6:15 p.m. in Mr. Hauser’s WebEx room, and our next event is the Valentine's extravaganza on Feb. 12 will be from 3-4:30.

SIGN UP BELOW TO HELP OUT!!!!!!!

Winter Positivity Night at Grissom Middle School ❄️

Join us Thursday, January 22 from 6:00–8:00 PM for a fun, cozy night hosted by our Leadership Class!

✨ Movie in the café
✨ Crafts & games throughout the hallways
✨ Snacks, drinks, and desserts provided
☕ Hot chocolate bar ($1)
😎 Glow glasses ($2 while supplies last)

🎁 Admission: Please bring a donation item for Teen Clean Closet or Macomb County Foster Closet (new, unopened items only).

🧥 Bring blankets, wear comfy clothes, and enter through the athletic entrance.
We can’t wait to see our Grizzly families there! 💙🐻
#GrizzlyPride #WinterPositivityNight

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.