Marauder Update

There is a point in almost anything new when it stops feeling new.

A new job. A new team. A new routine. A new house. At first, you are paying attention to every little thing because you are still figuring it out. Then, somewhere along the way, you stop thinking quite so hard about where everything goes and how everything works. Some things have become habits. Other things suddenly stand out because you realize, “Yeah...this is not going to work like this forever.”

I think that is about where we are at CHS.

We are a month into the school year. Students know where they are going. Schedules feel normal. Classes are into the real work. Activities and athletics are in full swing. The routines we practiced in September are starting to become just...what we do.

It is at this point that we can see which habits are helping students and which ones may need a reset. Students are learning what each class asks of them. Teachers are learning their students beyond the names on a roster. Families are starting to see what this particular school year is going to require.

That is why I like this point in the year. It’s the time when we get to decide to keep what’s working, adjust what’s not, and really learn to hang in, even when the path forward doesn’t seem perfectly laid out. These are also the moments when the Marauder community truly shines, because some of our strongest relationships are built when we realize that none of us has to have every answer. We are a community figuring it out together.

• PSAT/NMSQT testing is Thursday, October 8. Seniors should report to school at 1:00 PM for senior class information.
• Homecoming is almost here. Spirit Week is October 12–16, the Homecoming game is Friday, October 16, and the dance is Saturday, October 17.
• Please keep an eye on attendance and morning routines. A month into school is a good time to reset if absences, tardies, or late mornings are starting to become a pattern.
• Counseling has several important college/career updates and resources in this week’s newsletter, especially for students beginning to think seriously about what comes after Carlson.

Carlson students in grades 9–11 will take the PSAT on Thursday, October 8th. The school day will begin at the normal time of 7:40 a.m., and breakfast will be available before testing. Students will be dismissed to their buses at 11:00 a.m., with a grab-and-go lunch available as they leave. All students are encouraged to get a good night’s rest and arrive on time, ready to do their best!

Seniors will have a Senior Class Meeting at 1:00 p.m. that afternoon. A representative from Jostens will discuss caps and gowns for graduation, and Ryan Donaldson Photography will be onsite for senior headshots. Please visit the Ryan Donaldson Photography site for more information: https://www.ryandphoto.com/carlson-senior-portraits/

Seniors will receive a Google Form in their email asking whether they need transportation to the meeting. Any seniors needing transportation this day need to fill this out so that we can plan accordingly.

Homecoming Dance Info:

Get ready for Homecoming, Marauders! Homecoming dance tickets go on sale Wednesday, October 7th, for $25 during all three lunches. Tickets can be purchased with cash, a check made payable to “GSD,” or a card. Students who do not have lunch at CHS may purchase tickets in the library anytime except during Advisory, 4th hour, and 5th hour. The last day to purchase tickets is Thursday, October 15th. No tickets will be sold Friday, October 16th, or at the door—no exceptions!

Bringing a guest? Guest passes are now available in the Main Office and library, with one guest pass allowed per student. All guest passes must be submitted by the end of the school day on Wednesday, October 14th—no exceptions. Guests must bring a photo ID and enter the dance with the CHS student who submitted their guest pass. Plan ahead so you don’t miss out on the fun!

Homecoming Parade Info:

Join us for the Homecoming Parade on Friday, October 16th at 5:00 p.m. The parade will begin at the Gibraltar Community Center, travel down South Gibraltar Road, and finish in the high school parking lot. We hope our entire Marauder community will join us as we kick off an exciting evening of Homecoming fun!

Homecoming Game Info:

Get ready for Friday night lights and the crowning of our Homecoming Queen. Join us at Marauder Stadium on October 16th at 7:00 p.m. as our Marauders take on the Lincoln Park Railsplitters. Tickets can be purchased through GoFan or with a credit card at the gate. Go Marauders! 💙

When we talk about supporting students, it is easy to think first about what happens when something goes wrong. But support is much bigger than that.

Support is encouraging a student who is doing well to keep pushing. It is helping someone discover an interest, set a goal, take a healthy risk, get involved, build confidence, or figure out what comes next. And yes, sometimes it is noticing early when something is getting in the way and helping before a small concern becomes a bigger one.

The important part is that none of us can do that alone.

Students have teachers, advisors, counselors, coaches, support staff, administrators, family members, and other important adults in their lives who each see different pieces of who they are. And while school is an important part of a student's week, it is only one part. Families and the other adults who know our students bring perspectives, experiences, and information that we simply cannot have from inside the school building.

The more those adults are connected, communicating, and pulling in the same direction, the more opportunities we create for students to thrive.

That is what we mean when we talk about supporting the whole student. It is not simply responding when a student is struggling. It is creating a network of people who notice, encourage, challenge, celebrate, communicate, and step in when needed.

It really does take a village, and every person in that village matters.

• Oct. 8 - PSAT Testing, grades 9th -11th, 12th report at 1:00 pm
• Oct. 16 — Homecoming Parade, Game
• Oct. 17 — Homecoming Dance
• Oct. 19 - 20 -- Fall Break, No School

Another busy stretch across Marauder Nation brought plenty to celebrate!

🎾 Boys Tennis wrapped up an outstanding league season as Downriver League runner-up, finishing just two points behind Southgate. League champions included Brooks Boller & Jacob Maher at 1 Doubles, Ethan Shank & Kyron Fernando at 3 Doubles, and Killian Lucidi & Chris Sulewski at 4 Doubles. Lucca Giorgi & Charlie Abbott finished as league runners-up at 2 Doubles, along with Nolan Hoover at 4 Singles. JV also added an 8–0 win over Dearborn, and Varsity closed league play with a 6–2 win over Trenton.

⛳ Girls Golf finished the league season strong, winning its final jamboree with Juliana Guzman earning medalist honors with a 45. The Marauders finished runner-up in the Downriver League, with Juliana Guzman, Hannah Cooper, and Lillian Maynard earning All-League honors.

⚽ Boys Soccer earned a big 3–2 win over Allen Park. Michael Cox, Michael Reed, and Jaxon Sladich scored for the Marauders, while Ilario Bottini recorded eight saves in his first varsity start.

🏐 Volleyball picked up another league win with a sweep of Edsel Ford.

🏈 Football continued a strong season. JV rolled to a 54–0 win over Southgate, highlighted by a 40-yard run from Jeremiah Daniels. Varsity followed with a convincing 48–14 win over Southgate, powered by strong performances from Austyn Lawrence, Brennan Hudson, Adrian Blackmon, Josh Beach, and Grayson Malec on offense, with Mason Love, Drew Biro, Jake Evans, Myles Hampton, and Joe Street leading the defensive effort.

👟 Cross Country hosted the Marauder Invite, where the girls captured the team championship and the boys finished sixth. Medalists included Giada Fioritto, Madison Slade, Ada Cain, Harper Jackson, Reagan Reaume, Jack Dunwoody, and Wyatt DelValle.

🎺 Marching Marauders had a huge weekend, earning 1st Place and Best in Show at the Southgate Competition! The band also swept caption awards in Music, Marching, Percussion, and Color Guard.

Congratulations to all of our Marauders!

📝PSAT/NMSQT Resources

• Our fall PSAT/SAT testing is October 8. Students can use the attached practice resources to get familiar with the test, try sample questions, and focus on skills they want to strengthen before test day.

🔓Unlock Your Future with the ASVAB

• Attention high school students and parents! Ready to explore career options and plan for a successful future? The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is more than just a military test — it’s a powerful career exploration tool that helps students discover their strengths, interests, and potential career paths, whether in the military, college, or civilian workforce.
• Give your future a head start — sign up for the ASVAB today and open the door to endless possibilities!
• Testing day is 11/30 at 7:30am - see your counselor to sign up.
• Free to take
• No military commitment required
• Personalized career insights
• Great for resumes and college planning

📝AP Testing Information

• You must log into your MyAP portal (https://prod.idp.collegeboard.org/) If you have issues logging in Mr. Duperon can help with basic troubleshooting. Otherwise, you will have to contact College Board's support line (888-225-5427)
• Be sure to join your class with the code provided to you by your teacher. If you do not know or have a code, please reach out to Mr. Duperon.
• Mr. Duperon must know by Friday, November 6th in writing that you DO NOT want to take the test. He will be ordering tests for all students unless he is told by that date that you do not want to take the test. If you decide not to take the test after that date you will be charged a $40 fee from College Board to cancel.
• Payment for tests will be collected closer to Spring Break. All tests must be paid for by April 30th. Each test is $99. There is also a fee reduction if you have free/reduced lunch (more info to come). For families ordering several tests, the first three exams are full price at $99. Any additional exam is $70. For example, if you have two students taking 7 tests all together the first three will be $99 and the other four $70 each.
• This link has the test schedule for the Spring. If you have two tests at the same time, you will take one during the late testing period.

📩Counselor Contacts

• Last names A -G: Ms. Palazzolo, palazzm@gibdist.net

• Last names H - O: Ms. Trush, trushj@gibdist.net

• Last names P - Z: Mr. Duperon, duperod@gibdist.net

There are plenty of opportunities to come out and support our Marauders this week!

⚽ Boys Soccer

• Oct. 8: JV/Varsity at Bedford — 5:30 PM; 7:00 PM

🎾 Boys Tennis

• Oct. 7: Varsity at Regionals, 8:00 AM

🏃 Cross Country

• Oct. 6: CHS at Downriver League Jamboree #2 at Elizabeth Park, hosted by Trenton

🏈 Football

• Oct. 8: Freshman at Woodhaven, 4:00 PM

• Oct. 8: JV at Woodhaven, 6:00 PM

• Oct. 9: Varsity vs. Woodhaven — Black Out

⛳ Girls Golf

• Oct. 8: Varsity at Regionals at Pineview, hosted by Ypsi

🏊‍♀️ Girls Swim

• Oct. 8: Varsity at Edsel Ford, 6:00 PM

• Oct. 9–10: Varsity at MISCA at Oakland University

🥁 Marching Band

• Oct. 6: Downriver Fanfare in Wyandotte — performance at 8:30 PM! Come cheer on the Marching Marauders as they defend their title!

🏐 Volleyball

• Oct. 5: Varsity scrimmage at Grosse Pointe North, 6:30 PM

• Oct. 8: CHS Volleyball — TBD

• Oct. 10: Varsity at the Scream Invite, hosted by Allen Park

Complete schedules can be found here:
https://www.gibdist.net/o/carlsonhigh/athletics

Being here matters because learning, relationships, and momentum are built one day at a time. When you’re making family decisions about appointments and vacations, please be mindful of our school calendar whenever possible. If attendance starts becoming a challenge, our goal is to understand what’s getting in the way and help early.

Half Days (Dismissal at 10:50 am)

• Friday, 11/6
• Thursday, 1/28
• Friday, 1/29
• Friday, 4/16
• Wednesday, 4/28
• Wednesday, 6/16
• Thursday, 6/17 — Last day of school

No School

• Monday, 10/19 and Tuesday, 10/20
• Tuesday, 11/3
• Wednesday, 11/25 through Friday, 11/27
• Monday, 12/21 through Friday, 1/1
• Monday, 1/18
• Friday, 2/12
• Monday, 2/15
• Monday, 3/29 through Friday, 4/2
• Monday, 5/31

Whenever possible, these are great days to consider for appointments or other commitments that might otherwise require a student to miss school.