GPPSS Update

Actually, that's not what the photo above shows. Ms. Caralis and Ms. Distelrath took their high school psychology classes over to Richard Elementary last week. Students worked with Young Five, Kindergarten, 4th grade and Magnet classrooms doing various activities to further their understanding of childhood development. The highlight of the afternoon was recess with the kids. Both little and big kids enjoyed the time outside and inside the classroom!

One of our beloved GPPSS traditions is for seniors to return to the elementary school for a photo and a clap out. Photos here were supplied by various families throughout the district. It is a joy to see the smiles as students reconnect with their former teachers and walk the halls inspiring tomorrow's graduates.

The photo right is courtesy of John F. Martin.

As part of our Strategic Plan Priority Objectives, Grosse Pointe Public School System will be investigating the intentional utilization of instructional technology throughout the next school year. This work began in our administrative level meetings this past winter. Following discussions with administrators about when Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) should be implemented, the district conducted a survey of teachers to see what programs they are using with their students. Then families started asking specific questions about technology use, which led to a Technology Listening Session on Tuesday, June 9. Over 50 community members shared:

1. Questions we need answered

2. Concerns as they relate to school technology

3. Information we need as a community

Parents asked what a typical day of technology use looks like, how long students are on devices, what apps and programs are used, and if they are effective for instruction. They also shared best practices from Common Sense Media and the American Academy of Pediatrics. They challenged the district to lead in this area. And here is where we can share some exciting updates.

Piloting No BYOD for 5th Grade this fall

One component of the district-wide study will be piloting the elimination of the Bring Your own Device (BYOD) approach for all 5th grade students next year. This means that 5th grade students will not be asked or expected to bring personal Chromebooks or other devices to school.

Instead, the district is making a significant investment using sinking fund dollars to ensure that each middle school is equipped with a sufficient number of Chromebook carts. These carts will be available in core academic classrooms, allowing students to access technology as needed, without requiring a personal device.

This shift is designed to:

• Ensure devices are aligned with instructional needs and its use is mindful

• Provide consistency for the State’s online testing

• Reduce the financial burden on families

What this means for families:
If you have a current 4th grader entering 5th grade next year, please do not purchase a Chromebook or other device for school use. All necessary technology will be provided during the school day.

We are excited about this pilot and the opportunity it creates to thoughtfully support student learning while maintaining consistency across our classrooms. As with any pilot, we will continue to gather feedback and evaluate its effectiveness throughout the year.

Off & Out of Sight

GPPSS is also committed to fully complying with Michigan’s new state requirements regarding student cell phone use in schools. Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, GPPSS policies and procedures will align with state law, which requires school districts to prohibit student use of wireless communication devices during instructional time while allowing for appropriate exceptions related to health, safety, emergencies, and educational purposes. The policy committee has reviewed our changes and will take it to the full board for approval this summer. As we finalize our implementation plans, our focus will remain on creating learning environments that maximize student engagement, minimize distractions, and support both academic success and student well-being.

Next Steps

GPPSS has just started to collect data from teachers on technology use and those conversations will continue as we align classroom use of technology with our Strategic Plan and new curricula. Particular emphasis will be placed on discerning what technology supports our K-5 English Language Arts curriculum (Arts & Letters) that has a heavy emphasis on direct instruction and reading actual texts, as well as our new middle school social studies curriculum (again chosen for its use of physical textbooks), and our new elementary math curriculum. Determining what technology tools compliment these and what is appropriate developmentally for students will be critical to the study. We look forward to providing updates throughout this process.

The sixth grade class at Brownell Middle School concluded their last ELA unit of study by climbing through the trees, taking risks, and building relationships at Tree Runners in West Bloomfield. They secured their understanding that achievement is about perseverance rather than the final destination.

Please be advised that starting Monday, June 15, through Tuesday, June 23, 2026, the Morningside Drive entrance at Grosse Pointe North will be completely closed due to a construction paving project.

During this closure period, all entry and building access must be rerouted. Please note the following important adjustments:

• Entrance Redirect: All visiting staff, community members, and deliveries must utilize the front parking lot of North High School Entrance A (Main Office). See map below.

• Central Office Building Access: Visitors to Central Office will use the North Main entrance and central office staff will meet them there to escort them to the meeting location.

The Spirit of Harriet Tubman visited Maire and Defer fourth grade students. In a one-woman show, students saw Leslie McCurdy transform from a young girl watching her siblings sold, to a young woman trying to get her free husband to understand why she also needed to be free, to an adult leading 13 groups to freedom on the Underground Railroad including her elderly parents and all but one of her siblings.

In songs and stories, students heard about national and personal events that shaped her life. For example, "Harriet" shared how the Nat Turner Rebellion and Fugitive Slave Act affected her safety, movement, and education, and how a head injury led to lifelong health issues and visions that influenced her sense of purpose through the Civil War and beyond.

Student teacher Miranda Barba coordinated the event. Adding to the fun, many of the fourth grade students had been Principal Nicole Fillicia's kindergarten students when she taught there.

Elementary, Middle and High School report cards will be available for viewing in ParentPortal Monday, June 22. While secondary grades are always accessible in Schoology, we encourage families to review the official report card.

You have three options for viewing the report card, including an option to view, save, or print a traditionally formatted report card. Please click this link for a one-page instruction guide on the three report card viewing options.

To access ParentPortal:

• Go to www.gpschools.org

• Click on the Mistar link in the upper right corner

• Click on the ParentPortal name or logo in the left center of the next screen

• Enter your parent PIN and password

If you don’t know your login information, click on the “Forget Your PIN” and/or “Forget Your Password?” links. If you run into trouble, use our Parent Support form.

Thank you for taking the time to review your student’s progress. Your partnership and engagement help support their continued success.

Mrs. Goddard’s kindergarteners were treated to a special musical experience when concert pianist and educator Maria Lida Karapanou stopped by. She shared excerpts from Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2, guiding the children as they listened to and explored its changing tempos. Maria is not only admired for her musical talent, but is also the mother of a student in the class. The visit brought beauty, excitement, and inspiration. Learn more at pianistmarialidakarapanou.com.

Third graders at Mason Elementary visited Lake St. Clair Metropark last Friday to spend a beautiful day in nature! Students reinforced some of their historical knowledge of Michigan, and learned even more about the history of the voyageur canoes used frequently by fur traders and other Michigan settlers through hands-on learning experiences.

All of the third graders took part in a canoe journey in which they used teamwork to row the large voyageur canoes with oars around the marsh. They utilized problem solving skills, built upon their teamwork mindset, and worked hard to get their canoes around the water, despite wind and other elements. They were also able to engage with the plant and animal life on the water, as well as on a nature hike, where they were able to spot frogs, turtles, and other wildlife! It truly was a fun and educational adventure to be had by all on a gorgeous Michigan spring day!

On the first day of school Mrs. Perlin's third grade class read “The World’s Best Class Plant.” They named their plant, Greg! Every weekend students took Greg home and reported on his adventures. As they closed the school year, each student took home their own plant that they named.

Defer third grader, Edward K., earned enough leadership loot for his positive behavior that he was able to bring in his lizard, Spike, to meet his classmates.

MANY Pierce students (and former Pierce students who are in college!) gathered to listen to a favorite author - Ruta Sepetys - speak at the War Memorial about her new book set in Grosse Pointe and Detroit. The book is entitled "A Fortune of Sand." She was so kind and compelling, even taking time for a group photo with these lovely Pierce ladies.

Kerby students in the German SPARK club had fun exploring STEAM (science, tech, engineering, arts, and math) connections to the German language and culture.

South teacher Susi Sipos and German students Jude O'Meara, Leo Neds-Fox, and Simon Justin helped Kerby students develop a love for both science and the German language. Students had fun exploring chemical reactions, making lava lamps, "ghost hands," and homemade rockets; they learned about physics by testing various paper airplane models and determining which had the most drag. (Thanks to the high schoolers for their excellent paper airplane folding skills!)

The SPARK program is an initiative that is headed by the German government, with the intention of promoting interest in the German language, and encouraging high school German learners to consider a career in teaching. Grosse Pointe has been participating in this program for the past three years. More information about the SPARK program can be found here: https://www.goethe.de/ins/us/en/unt/eng/spa.html.

GPPSS conducts surveys at the end of each athletic season. Individual responses remain confidential. Please do not put anything in your responses that would identify who you are. Summary responses are used to help us continue to improve our offerings and the experience of our student athletes. If you have multiple athletes, please complete one survey per child. Surveys will close Friday, June 12.

There are two versions -- one for student athletes and one for parents/guardians:

• Parent Survey Spring 2026 Athletics: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Spring2026ParentAthletics

• Student Survey Spring 2026 Athletics: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Spring2026StudentAthletes

Families can find SFSP sites by using the Meet Up and Eat Up Site Locator Map, or the USDA Meals For Kids Site Finder and entering their address in the search bar at the top left of the map. Both maps are updated throughout the summer as new sites become available. Families can also receive SFSP site information by calling 211.

The Grosse Pointe Public Library (in partnership with the GPPSS) announces the beginning of the 2026 Summer Reading Program!

Read at least 20 minutes per day, log your reading by days, try fun activities, and earn free books and virtual tickets for prize drawings!

Please click the QR code here to learn more!

Summer reading opportunities with active links have been added to all school webpages. Help your student avoid summer learning loss by taking advantage of these curated options. Many thanks to our library media specialists for collecting these all in one place!

• Elementary Summer Reading Links
• Middle School Summer Reading Links
• High School Summer Reading Links

More will be added as details are finalized. There is also a handy tool at the top of the Summer Programs webpage to sort opportunities by grade level. From science to AI, sports to music, there is something for everyone!

We are excited to announce that this summer GPPSS will be hosting Designing Projects for Social Good with Generative AI, a project-based program by Inspirit AI, developed and taught by Stanford, MIT, and Ivy League alumni and graduate students. Inspirit visited our campus last year, and we’re excited for them to return with a new curriculum suitable for new and returning students.

Students in rising 6th - graduating 12th grades will gain hands-on experience with leading AI platforms and vibe-coding tools such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, Cursor, and Lovable. No programming background is required; students will be guided step-by-step as they explore large language models and generative AI technologies to create socially impactful projects. Separate middle and high school sections will be offered.

Students will explore the fundamentals of generative AI, experiment with prompting strategies, and complete guided vibe coding labs. Then, students will design and launch their own original project addressing a social challenge of their choice, such as healthcare, environmental sustainability, engineering, education, or equity. Final projects are entirely student-created, and will be presented in a formal showcase and demo at the program’s end.

If you may be interested in participating in this unique opportunity, please fill out this short interest form. Thanks to a generous donation from the STEAAM foundation, the program is offered at a reduced fee of $500 for the first 25 GPPSS student registrants. AI practitioners and graduate students from Stanford and MIT will travel to the district to teach this pre-college program. Feel free to read more about the curriculum, projects, team, and more in the program brochure.

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.

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

• Afternoon Custodian (there are also Substitute Custodian positions available)
• Swim Instructor and Swim Lifeguard Assistant
• Lunchroom Supervisors

• Extended School Year (ESY) - Teachers, Speech/Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist
  

  Extended School Year (ESY) - Paraprofessionals

• Special Education Parapros
• Mild Cognitive Impairment Teacher
• Guest Teacher (Instructional Substitute) through EduStaff

Our GPPSS Update comes out every week throughout the school year. Please make a practice of scanning through it for important updates throughout the district.

If you know someone (neighbor, grandparent, business owner, public official) who would like to be on our mailing list, please share this form with them. If your youngest child is a senior this year, you will be automatically unsubscribed from our mailing list this summer. If you'd like to keep receiving our weekly emails, click the form above and subscribe!

There is no cost to subscribe and emails will not be shared with any other organization or business.

If you have a story idea for GPPSS Update, a photo to share, or a fun community event, please reach out to info@gpschools.org. There will be no GPPSS Update during spring break.

And don't forget to follow us and tag us on social media:

• Facebook @GPPSS
• Twitter @GPSchools
• Instagram @gppschools

At the regular Board of Education Meeting, Crystal Fletcher and Kim Danielewicz presented on Camp O'Fun, sharing that an average of 200 campers per week will attend, over 350 in total across the summer. There children entering Young 5s-6th grade learn, explore, create, build friendships, and make lasting memories. Campers participate in art, science, sports, music, outdoor recreation, field trips, themed events, and hands-on experiences.

Then Dr. Delgado shared the district had officially received Cognia accreditation, a process started by Keith Howell and carried forward by Katie Newman. Cognia accreditation signifies that a school district meets rigorous, research-based standards focused on high-quality teaching, effective leadership, and equitable learning environments. It reflects a district-wide commitment to continuous improvement through ongoing internal reflection and external review. Most importantly, it assures families and the community that the district is dedicated to helping every student learn, grow, and succeed at high levels.

In her last report to the Board before her retirement, Lillie Loder shared details about the Student Services team who service students from birth through age 26. Did you know there are 256 Members of the Student Services Team Village? They include 60 Ancillary Staff (Autism Spectrum Disorder Coaches, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Psychologists, Speech and Language Pathologists, School Social Workers, Teacher Consultants, Orientation & Mobility Specialists), 31 Categorical Program Teachers, 27 Resource Program Services Teachers, 130 Paraprofessionals, 4 Supervisors, and 4 Secretaries. We agree they are all heroes.

There was a long agenda full of annual organizational and regular business items in the consent agenda. Two items were pulled out of the posted agenda to be voted on separately with other action items: the Elementary Program of Studies and the resolution to decline participating in School of Choice. The board again unanimously agreed to NOT participate in school of choice.

Also passing were:

• the human resources report
• a resolution for teacher layoffs
• approval of the Strategic Plan Priority Objectives
• approval of the GPPSS Superintendent Contract
• approval of a resolution for Leadership Transition

Notable items previewed for action on June 22 were:

• General Appropriations Act Amendment #2 (budget amendment) which indicates GPPSS continues to add to its fund equity, beating the conservative budget designed for this school year. Note: the audit will start this summer and final numbers will be shared this fall.
• the proposed balanced budget for 2026-27
• the food service bid

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:

• BOE Budget Hearing and Regular Meeting, Monday, June 22, 7 p.m., Brownell MPR

• BOE Policy Committee Meeting, Central Office Board Room, Tuesday, June 23, 5:30 p.m. (park in North's front lot and use the main entrance)

• BOE Facilities Committee Meetings, North Library, Tuesday, June 23, 6:30 p.m. (park in North's front lot and use the main entrance)

• BOE Regular Meeting, Monday, July 27, 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.

In the meantime, we do have these dates to mark on your calendar:

• North Homecoming is October 2nd vs. Marysville
• South Homecoming is October 9th vs. Eisenhower
• The North South game will be October 23rd at North