GPPSS Update

This week, our Parcells administrative team hosted the First Quarter Parcells Roar Awards (shown in the banner and photos above). The ROAR Awards recognized students who consistently exemplified what it means to be Panther Proud during the first quarter of this school year. Many of our teachers nominated students who demonstrated school-wide expectations of being Responsible, Organized, Accountable, and Ready to Learn. These students consistently modeled the behaviors we wanted to see throughout our school and helped make Parcells a positive place for everyone.

The honorees were celebrated Monday morning, 11/9/26, at a special ROAR Awards Breakfast. So many family members joined us! We had students with their siblings, parents, grandparents, and we estimate that more than 100 people were in attendance. Teachers were able to share a few words about their nominated student and why they deserve to be recognized.

This important event because it exemplifies so many of our district/school initiatives:

• "Panther Proud"
• "We're glad you're here!"
• "A premier educational community where we innovate, learn, grow, and thrive together."

Parcells 7th and 8th grade Exploring Art students are busy crafting platters, butter dishes and gravy boats for the Holidays. Here is a sneak peek.

Defer's 4th grade and Magnet students recently traveled to Lansing for an exciting day of learning about Michigan’s history and government! Students toured the Michigan State Capitol and Michigan History Museum, bringing their classroom learning to life. A special highlight of the trip was an invitation from State Senator Kevin Hertel to tour the Senate floor, giving students a unique, firsthand look at where important decisions are made for our state. It was an unforgettable experience for our learners!

Third graders in the district are drawing plans for their future garden beds. Imagine math connects multiplication and area. Students were given an area and had to decide the length and width as they designed their gardens.

Beginning with the second quarter, a 20-minute Homeroom period will be added to students’ schedules immediately after second hour. The addition of Homeroom was part of the recently ratified teacher contract, supports two of our Strategic Plan goals (Academics & Programs, and Culture), and provides dedicated time for students practice organizational skills, check in with teachers, and address academic responsibilities.

Homeroom also creates another opportunity for students to build positive relationships with adults at school. Research shows that students who feel connected to their school and supported by caring adults are more likely to have stronger academic outcomes and better attendance. These regular connections can help students feel supported and comfortable asking for help.

During Homeroom, students will have opportunities to:

• Work on assignments and other academic responsibilities

• Receive assistance from teachers in specific subject areas

• Review or complete missing or incomplete coursework

• Organize materials and monitor academic progress and

• Access additional academic support as appropriate.

Our goal is to help students develop the organizational habits and academic responsibility that support success in middle school. This time will provide a regular opportunity for students to assess their progress, identify what needs attention, and seek support. Thank you for your partnership in supporting your child’s learning and growth.

The Handwriting Fairy has officially arrived in first grade at Kerby Elementary, bringing plenty of magic to writing time!

Students are thrilled to spot her notes, earn a spot on the Handwriting Wall of Fame, host the Pencil Buddy on their desks or get a little fairy dust. Knowing the fairy is watching for neat letters and a student's best handwriting has turned daily practice into an exciting adventure that keeps everyone eager to do their best work.

Our kindergarteners enjoyed exploring the outdoors last week with a fall scavenger hunt! They searched for signs of the season, made observations, and shared their discoveries with classmates. What a fun way to bring learning outside! More photos are posted on social media.

During the week of November 9-13, the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and schools across the United States will celebrate the 2026 National School Psychology Week (NSPW). This week celebrates the contributions of school psychologists and the important role they play in schools and communities. NSPW is an annual opportunity to recognize school psychologists' work to help children thrive in school, at home, and in life. This year's theme, "Inspire Connection," highlights how school psychologists build meaningful relationships that support students, strengthen collaboration, and transform school communities.

Help us thank our school psychologists:

• Alisha Salli - Defer/Maire
• Amanda Derkevorkian - Kerby
• Cheryl Fox - Brownell
• Heather Carroll - Ferry/Richard
• Jenna Gower - Parcells
• Jonathan Stander - Mason/Monteith
• Lisa Khoury - South
• Marc Weaver - Pierce/GPTC
• Marlana Jones - Barnes
• Marsida Boshnjaku - Barnes/Monteith

Barnes preschool students celebrated Diwali, the Festival of Lights, with a special story read by Kian’s mom, Mrs. Kardel! The students learned about Diwali traditions, including decorating with diyas, fireworks celebrations, and traditional desserts. The children also worked together to create a beautiful Rangoli design to display in the hallway. What a fun and meaningful way to learn about another culture and its traditions!

Ms. K's 3/4 Magnet class at Monteith has been partnering with Ms. B's kindergarten class for some fun, monthly themed stories and crafts. The 3/4 graders in Ms. K's class have been planning the books and crafts, making examples, explaining the crafts, reading the stories, and assisting the kindergarteners in creating their crafts. The older students use their imagination and practice leadership skills while the kindergarteners learn something new and have fun with their friends.

All of the students in Nicole Seals' Advanced Culinary, Culinary Arts, and Foods & Pastries courses have passed their ServSafe tests and now hold certificates that are good for three years. ServSafe certifies all food service workers which assures safety in food establishments. The students can now easily obtain jobs in many capacities.

Having all students certified is a requirement for our Career & Technical Education (CTE) department and ensures health and safety in our kitchen at South. Students are shown here working in the classroom preparing twice baked potatoes and keeping the work area clean and tidy.

South’s Unified Peer to Peer students attended the Leadership Launch event at Schoolcraft College with Special Olympics Michigan.

Students participated in activities that aimed to support inclusion in our school, and collaboration and communication through teamwork.

Sixteen Grosse Pointe South High School students recently attended Detroit Carpenter Career Day at the Detroit Carpenters and Millwright Training Center. Students got a hands-on look at the skilled trades, touring specialized shop areas, machinery labs, and an indoor sand pit for construction mockups. They tried out virtual welders and basic tools while learning directly from instructors, staff, and apprentices about tuition-free, paid apprenticeship pathways in carpentry, millwrighting, solar installation, and floor laying. Many thanks to the Doug Roby Angel Fund for sponsoring this South Counseling Field Trip

The second graders at Maire had a visit from a 1913 Model-T. The students studied transportation in the past as part of their History Unit. Barry Louks, a local resident, shared special features of his car with the students and answered many of their questions.

The second graders learned about history and created historical postcards about education in the past, transportation in the past and the history of voting. We shared these postcards with some friends from the Helm and the Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce! The students were delighted at "being listened to carefully." Later, students sent an original postcard to someone encouraging them to vote!

Ms. Neely's second graders also had a wonderful trip to The Henry Ford. They visited the Dr. Sullivan and Mrs. Richie Jean Sherrod Jackson Home in Greenfield Village where they learned about how a regular family offered their home to peaceful voting rights organizers like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and helped to get the Voting Rights Act of 1965 passed. They also got to take a “ride” in the Rosa Parks Bus!

In a heartfelt and personal presentation, Deon Butler, former Detroit Lion, shared his story with a room full of North leaders. He talked about his early years growing up in a two-bedroom house shared by 14 people where he slept in a closet just so he could claim his own space. He discussed his difficulties in school, and the expectations his family had for him compared to his siblings. He even shared his unique college experience, and how he tried to pull his mother and brother into a safer setting with him. Deon graduated from high school and college reading at a fourth grade level.

Par of his presentation included a video of his emotional testimony before State legislators who gave him a standing ovation for being brave enough to share how the system failed him, and how they could work together through new legislation to ensure every student receives the support they need to become confident, capable readers.

From sharing a formula for success, to having the young men repeat back one-word affirmations like "family," "mindset," and "value," he engaged the audience with questions and challenges.

"Your dreams are going to get tested, just like everyone else," he shared and motivated them to, "Keep going. Keep showing up relentlessly."

Perhaps the most poignant part of the day wasn't when he shared the impact of his grandma not letting him give up on college, but when he showed a video himself teaching his daughter to read. Just as he challenged our students today, he passed the baton to the next generation. Read more in his book, The Gift & Curse.

GPPSS is committed to ensuring every student receives the support they need to become confident, capable readers. On election day, our teacher partnered with Wayne RESA for training on professional learning requirements outlined in Public Act 146, the dyslexia bill Deon Butler (see article above on his visit to North High School) worked with the Michigan legislature to pass.

Sessions were designed to help districts meet the new State requirements while strengthening evidence-based literacy practices. They provided educators with seven learning options aligned to six specific PA 146 educator learning requirements:

1. The characteristics of dyslexia and underlying factors that place pupils at risk for difficulties in learning to decode accurately and efficiently.
2. Secondary consequences of dyslexia, such as problems in reading comprehension and a reduced reading experience that can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge and lead to social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties.
3. Instructional adjustments for pupils with dyslexia and instructional adjustments to address the underlying factors that place pupils at risk for difficulties in learning to decode accurately and efficiently.
4. Methods to develop schoolwide and classroom infrastructure to meet the collective and individual needs of pupils using a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS).
5. Evidence-based instructional methods and features of evidence-based interventions that are grounded in the science of reading and principles of structured literacy that are designed for pupils with characteristics of dyslexia and pupils at risk for difficulties in learning to decode accurately and efficiently.
6. Evidence-based instructional methods and features of evidence-based interventions that are grounded in the science of reading and principles of structured literacy that are designed to effectively meet the needs of most pupils.

We are excited to learn together as we continue building strong readers across GPPPSS, Wayne County, and Michigan!

The Board of Education started with a number of celebrations. South student Lucy Caulfield provided an update that ranged from homecoming activities to clubs, and touched on the Lunch and Learn opportunities. She was filling in for Lauren Cole who was with over 70 South students being inducted into the National Honor Society. She also celebrated the first division rating at the MSBOA festival and the Pointe Players fantastic performance of Radium Girls.

Then North Principal Shubnell and South Principal Parravano honored our National Merit Commended (top 3-4% in the nation) and Semi-Finalist students (top 1% in the nation). Those who could be present are pictured above. Help us congratulate:

Commended

• Henry Ash
• Jay Ash
• Oscar Deluca
• Oliver Johnson
• Benjamin Shanku
• Caleb Thomason Redus
• Makenzie Waterson
• Leo Zellen

Semifinalist

• Alexander Hess
• Charles Marks
• Robert Russell Warner

Then Principal Shubnell gave his presentation on The Hammer Award. Each week, North's staff recognizes one student and one staff member who exemplify The Norseman Way. These Hammer Award recipients represent the heart of North's school culture -- Proud, Tough, Together -- and we look forward to celebrating their contributions throughout the year.

This was followed by a presentation by Dr. Delgado on the district's continuous improvement plan (CIP), shown in the one-page summary below. She emphasized that MICIP work focuses on the whole child, whole school and whole community, and while her curriculum updates often involve data, our focus remains on the individual child who all our educators see as so much more than a data point.

The minutes from October 19th passed, as did the annual Line of Credit. Previewed for a vote November 23 is a trip to Europe for North and South German students in 2028.

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:

• Facilities Committee Meeting, POSTPONED to Monday, November 19, 5:30 p.m., North Library

• Policy Committee Meeting, POSTPONED

• BOE Regular Meeting, Monday, November 23, 7 p.m., Brownell MPR

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

• BOE Special Organizational Meeting, Monday, January 11, 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. Meeting agendas with supporting documents are linked from the district calendar (see icon on right side of main page).

South's speech class took a walking field trip to Richard Elementary to read to 16 classrooms of students. South speech students had several opportunities to read their favorite Halloween book to different age groups. After all of the planning and practicing they did in class, they were prepared to perform for their audience. It truly was a win / win event.

Mason's Student Council has been hard at work! We celebrated our first Detroit teams Spirit day. All day long you could hear conversations about what team is their favorite and who the best players are.

Mason Elementary Staff celebrated Halloween by dressing up as Toy Story characters. From their Halloween parade to a special magician assembly and classroom parties, students had so many opportunities to celebrate, laugh, and make memories with their friends. Everyone had a great time.

• Coach Fodell was named MHSAA Coach of the Year and Dr. Bishop was able to attend the ceremony with Coach Fo and his family in Midland last weekend
• South Girls Varsity Swim & Dive celebrated 26 years and 26 consecutive MAC championships, with North coming in second place!
• Girls ice hockey won their first game 8-0 over Livonia United!
• South football made history with a 42-0 victory. Michelotti rushed for 88 yards in the FIRST HALF alone, breaking a 35-year-old school record previously held by none other than our current head coach, Chad Hepner. All South students can enter free with their school ID at this Friday's home game thanks to the Cotton family.
• Men's hockey is hosting their 3rd annual Alumni Game over Thanksgiving weekend.
• North Athletics is pleased to welcome Julie Parker as our Athletic Trainer.
• South Girls Volleyball won the District Championship over Lakeview 3-0.

• Willa VanderWerp represented Grosse Pointe North at the MHSAA Division 2 Cross Country State Championships at Michigan International Speedway, where she ran a new personal record! Willa is the first North girls cross country runner to qualify for States since 2022!

  
  

• Pierce Fall Instrumental Concert - 6:30 p.m., Thursday, 11/19, Pierce Auditorium
• North Musical Performance Frozen - click image above for tickets, Friday and Saturday, November 20 & 21 at the PAC
• Parcells Vocal Winter Concert - 7 p.m., 12/2, Parcells Auditorium
• South Choirs Sounds of the Season - 7 p.m. on 12/4, and 1 p.m. on 12/5, in the PAC
• Brownell Vocal Winter Concert - 7 p.m., 12/8, Brownell MPR
• Pierce Vocal Winter Concert - 7 p.m., 12/9, Pierce Auditorium
• North Vocal Winter Concert - 7 p.m., 12/10, PAC
• South Jazz Band "Yule Be Boppin'" - 7 p.m., 12/11, South Auditorium
• North End Band-O-Rama - 7 p.m., Monday 12/14, North Main Gym
• District-wide String Extravaganza - 7 p.m., 12/15, North Main Gym
• South End Band-O-Rama - 7 p.m., 12/16, South Main Gym

Please visit the Food Service section of our district website by clicking Meals in the upper right corner. And be sure to download the Taher Food4Life app for your phone. These are the easiest ways to access the menus by school (use the dropdown menu to select your school and your meal - breakfast or lunch). Click on any menu item to see the Allergen and Wellness Guidelines. A form for those with dietary restrictions was included in the K12 Pre registration packet and is available in each school office.

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.

GPPSS posted Extra Pay for Extra Duty (EPED) positions as part of our ongoing technology review. These teacher leaders will serve as digital learning coordinators to help with the review and intentional integration of technology at all levels. Watch next week for an update from the district on Google access.

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

• Parapro Subs - require fewer hours than teacher subs, but those signed up for teaching positions can also help out here. Be sure to click the button for classroom assistant notifications.
• Speech and Language Pathologist 0.8 FTE
• Afternoon Custodian - Various Locations
• Lunchroom supervisors - still needed! Please share.

• ASD Coach
• Kids Club Caregiver, multiple sites

• GSRP Caregiver

• Performing Arts Center

• Lifeguard-Swim Assistant

• Swim Instructor

• Guest Teacher (Instructional Substitute) through EduStaff

Thanks to community input, we learned the ABCD calendar was only displayed to staff and not on our forward facing "Full calendars" for each school. To find out what letter day it is, please navigate to your student's school home page. From there, navigate to the school's calendar page. There you should see what letter day it is (A/B/C/D in red for elementary schools, A/B in purple for middle schools).

To subscribe to the calendar, please click the gray icon in the upper right hand corner of the calendar, then click "Add to calendar."

Join GPPAC on Nov. 11 to share your experiences, hear from fellow parents, and help identify priorities for future conversations with our school district.

The meeting will take place at Barnes School from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Please RSVP by Friday, Nov. 6, so we know how many people to expect. If you need childcare, let us know on the form so we can schedule enough providers: https://forms.gle/a4H1qxH7ofasAxJ49

We hope to see you there!

The holiday season officially begins in the Grosse Pointes as the 51st Annual Santa Claus Parade returns on Friday, November 27, at 10 a.m. Thousands of residents and visitors are expected to line Kercheval Avenue for one of the community's most treasured traditions.

Leading this year's parade as Parade Marshal is Antonio Cipriano, a native Grosse Pointer whose remarkable career has taken him from local stages to Broadway and beyond. Cipriano's success in

theater and entertainment has made him a hometown favorite and an inspiring example of local talent achieving national recognition.

The parade will also feature a special appearance by fellow Grosse Pointe native Jamie Ding,

renowned for his extraordinary 31-game winning streak on Jeopardy! Ding captivated audiences

across the country with his intelligence, humility, and impressive run on one of television's most

popular game shows.

"This year's parade is especially exciting because we're celebrating two individuals who have

represented Grosse Pointe on national stages," said a representative of the Grosse Pointe Chamber

of Commerce. "Antonio Cipriano and Jamie Ding have both made our community proud, and we are

thrilled to welcome them home as part of this beloved holiday tradition."

The parade will begin at Lewiston Road and proceed east along Kercheval Avenue, concluding at

Cadieux Road. Spectators can look forward to festive floats, marching bands, community

organizations, holiday entertainment, special guests, and, of course, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.

For more than five decades, the Grosse Pointe Santa Claus Parade has brought generations of

families together to celebrate community spirit and the magic of the holiday season. The event

continues to attract thousands of attendees from across Metro Detroit and serves as an annual kickoff to holiday festivities throughout the Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods.

Event Details

• 51st Annual Grosse Pointe Santa Claus Parade
• Date: Friday, November 27
• Time: 10:00 a.m.
• Route: Kercheval Avenue from Lewiston Road to Cadieux Road

If you know someone (neighbor, grandparent, business owner, public official) who would like to be on our mailing list for the district newsletter, please share this form with them. There is no cost to subscribe and emails will not be shared with any other organization or business.

Did you know you can submit stories to celebrate throughout the school year by emailing info@gpschools.org and putting Good News in the subject line? We love photos and try very hard to balance stories across the district. Thank you for sharing your stories.

• Did you partner with a classroom on a special learning opportunity?
• Did you go to 5th grade camp?
• Do you coach a team?