Dr. Niehaus' Blog

  • GPPSS Update June 22

    Posted by Rebecca Fannon on 6/22/2021

    In this week’s Update

    • Accessing report cards - June 22 for Elementary, June 28 for Middle and High School
    • Vaccine Clinic at Brownell  - June 24 from 8:15 a.m. - 1 p.m.
    • Summer Reading Resource Videos - click the links on each page by level for great resources!
    • How can my student access free meals?
    • Mental Health Newsletter - Summer Edition
    • Wayne County Common Calendar
    • Check out Flyers on Peachjar
    • Where can I return my student’s Chromebook now (hint: 389 St. Clair)

     

    Pointes of Promise

    • Audrey Becker’s photo was mistakenly omitted from the Academic Hall of Fame in the last issue of The Tower.  Our apologies to Audrey.  Congratulations to her on her academic achievement at GP South.
    • GPPSS Summer Theatre Camp will present Into the Woods, Jr. on Friday July 2 at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. in the Pierce Auditorium. Tickets will be available soon at Posterity Gallery in The Village.

     

    COVID vaccine clinic for ages 12 and up - June 24 from 8:15-1 at Brownell MPR

    This Thursday, June 24, from 8:15 a.m. - 1 p.m., GPPSS along with the Wayne County Health Department will be hosting a Pfizer vaccine clinic for ages 12 and up at Brownell Middle School in the multipurpose room. For those who received their first dose at our June 3 clinic, no consent form is necessary; just stop by anytime during our clinic for the second dose. The clinic is also open to anyone who would like to receive their first or second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Minors must have an adult present to sign the consent form if you did not attend our clinic June 3. If receiving the second dose, please bring your vaccine card. Email info@gpschools.org with questions.

     

    Accessing report cards

    Report cards will be available on these dates in the MiStar parent portal: 

    • Elementary School: June 22nd
    • Middle and High School: June 28th

    The week before report cards are posted, parents receive a specific email with viewing and printing instructions, so please look for that. Or click here for a one-page guide on the three report card viewing options.

     

    Summer Reading Resource Videos

    Our GPPSS library media specialists have been hard at work compiling awesome resources for students to use this summer. Here are two videos for elementary and middle school families on how to access these fantastic tools, as well as flyers that describe summer learning tools at each level:

     

    How can my student access free meals?

    Over the summer, please continue to fill out this Food Service Order link by Sunday of each week and then pick up meals at North High School, 707 Vernier, Grosse Pointe Woods, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., on Thursdays. You can also text “FOOD” to 877-877 or call 1-866-3HUNGRY for free summer meal locations near you.

     

    Last call for the Spring Sports Survey

    If your student participated in a spring sport, please take the Parent Version of the Spring 2021 Athletic Survey and encourage them to take the Student-Athlete Spring 2021 Survey. These are anonymous, take just a few minutes, and help us continuously improve programs for our student-athletes. The survey will close Thursday, June 24 at 4 p.m.

     

    GPPSS Psych/SSW Summer 2021 Newsletter: Summer Sendoff!

    Click the link above to access the GPPSS Psychologist and School Social Worker Summer 2021 Newsletter. Topics include: developmental milestones for all ages, summer enrichment including book tips for every age, fun summer activities, and summer themed mindfulness activities and yoga for kids. You can also use that link to access past newsletters: https://spark.adobe.com/page/aBIedcQasbVMO/ 

     

    Wayne County Common Calendar

    While the full calendar is part of contract negotiations, these are the Wayne County Common Calendar dates for the 2021-22 school year:

    • First Day of School - Tuesday, September 7
    • Winter Break will fall within this window (December 20-31) but is unlikely to include all days as GPPSS traditionally takes a longer Mid-Winter break than other districts and needs to reach 180 days of instruction
    • Mid-Winter Break - week of February 21
    • Spring Break - March 28-April 1

     

    Chromebook and charger return

    If you borrowed a Chromebook from GPPSS and missed the turn-in at your school, please return the Chromebook and charger to the Administration Building, 389 St. Clair. The building is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Fridays. That way our Tech team can prep them for use next fall.

     

    Many flyers posted on Peachjar

    GPPSS uses a program called Peachjar that is ADA compliant and delivers flyers straight to your inbox or phone rather than the bottom of lockers or bookbags. This is part of our Green School efforts and you can customize which flyers you receive by school! Check it out at: https://app.peachjar.com/flyers/all/districts/10713/ 

     

    Calendar

    • Before participating in Summer Programs - Please be sure you’re using this Updated Screening Form. If your child has symptoms or feels unwell, please keep them home.
    • 6/22 Elementary Report Cards Available in MiStar (see above)
    • 6/23 Administration Building Listening Session, 389 St. Clair front lawn, 7 p.m.
    • 6/24 COVID Vaccine Clinic at Brownell, 8:15 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    • 6/28 Middle and High School Report Cards Available in MiStar (see above)
    • 6/28 Regular Meeting of the Board of Education, 7 p.m., Brownell MPR
    • 7/1 Facilities Meeting, 6 p.m., 389 St. Clair
    • 7/2 Into the Woods, Jr. at Pierce Auditorium (see above)
    • 7/26 Regular Meeting of the Board of Education, 7 p.m., Brownell MPR
    Comments (0)

  • GPPSS Update - Plans for Fall and more

    Posted by Rebecca Fannon on 6/15/2021

    New in this week's Update

    • Face to Face Plans for next fall based on current trajectory of guidelines
    • Board of Education Update

     

    Reminders

    • Accessing report cards - June 22 for Elementary, June 28 for Middle and High School
    • Vaccine Clinic at Brownell 6/24 from 8:15 a.m. - 1 p.m.
    • Summer Reading Resource Videos - click the links on each page by level for great resources!
    • How can my student access free meals?
    • Mental Health Newsletter - Summer Edition
    • COVID Quick Links
    • Wayne County Common Calendar
    • Check out Flyers on Peachjar

     

    2021-22 GPPSS School Year Planning Update

    The Grosse Pointe Board of Education remains resolute in offering a full in-person return for all students for the 2021-22 school year. Students will move about the building, eat lunch in the cafeteria, and play with friends during recess, returning to a typical school day at all grade levels. 

     

    Please note that GPPSS is not offering a separate full virtual option for families with GPPSS teachers as offered during the 2020-21 school year.  Due to low enrollment, GPPSS is not offering a separate full virtual option for families with GPPSS teachers as offered during the 2020-21 school year. Non face-to-face options including live zoom will not be available for students with COVID related reasons.

     

    What Can You and Your Student Expect Upon Return to Full In-Person Learning Next Year?

     

    Students will return to a typical in-person school experience in all ways possible.  

    • Elementary School students will have a classroom teacher(s), will receive art in the art room, music in the music room, physical education in the gym, visit the library media center, have full access to the playground and outside spaces at recess, and eat lunch in the cafeteria.  Cohorting groups of students will not be carried into 2021-22.
    • Middle School students will move from class to class throughout their regular school day, utilize flexible spaces for learning, visit the library media center, use lockers, eat lunch in the gym/cafeteria and use outside spaces as was usual in the pre-pandemic experience. Cohorting groups of students will not be carried into 2021-22, with the exception of fifth grade students for grade level, not pandemic reasons.
    • High School students will continue to move throughout the building for all classes and be able to use flexible spaces and the library, dine together in the cafeteria (using two lunches and the off-campus option), and use lockers.

     

    What Safety Measures Should You Expect?  

    • HVAC/Ventilation - The health and safety of our staff and students has and will continue to be our priority. HVAC and air flow within a building has been noted recently by the CDC as being one of the key mitigation strategies that schools can put in place.  We will continue to monitor air flow, adjust dampers and replace filters in our HVAC systems and air purifiers.
    • 3' Distancing (to the extent possible) when students are stationary - Where possible, we will try to maximize distance between student stationary seating without impacting instruction in the event there continues to be a need to distance for both transmission and quarantine purposes. This safety measure will be structured to ensure the least impact on the typical school experience.
    • Cafeterias and Lunch - To the extent possible, additional lunch spaces (including outdoors) will be utilized to support maximum distancing while eating.
    • Hand Sanitation Stations and Cleaning Protocols - Hand washing and sanitizing will continue to be encouraged and easily accessible for all students and staff.  BAsed on our current understanding of COVID-19 we will be shifting back to pre-pandemic building sanitization processes.
    • Masks - Masks are required inside our buildings for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year. The current pandemic response trajectory points toward relaxation of masking rules this summer, with expansion of vaccination opportunities. Children under age 12 are not eligible for vaccines yet. We will keep you informed as guidance is updated. PPE will continue to be available in the buildings.
    • Transparency - While the GPPSS COVID Dashboard will stop during the summer months, all other reporting including the Case Transparency Report will continue this summer and into next school year. Updated COVID information is posted on our district website. Building specific information will be shared by your school.

     

    The 2020-21 school year has been a challenge. Thank you for your partnership as we work together with our students, staff, families and community to promote the learning, safety, health and well-being of all.

     

    GPPSS Psych/SSW Summer 2021 Newsletter: Summer Sendoff!

    Click the link above to access the GPPSS Psychologist and School Social Worker Summer 2021 Newsletter. Topics include: developmental milestones for all ages, summer enrichment including book tips for every age, fun summer activities, and summer themed mindfulness activities and yoga for kids. You can also use that link to access past newsletters: https://spark.adobe.com/page/aBIedcQasbVMO/ 

     

    Board Update

    At their June 14 regular meeting, the American Heart Association shared $52,670.66 was raised by all of our GPPSS elementary schools through Jump Rope for Heart with 586 student voluntarily taking the Heart Health Pledge (325 focused on Be Kind, 200 on Move More, and 61 on Choose Water). Mary Anne Brush shared the Good News Report which highlighted graduation activities at both high schools, Optimist awards, and . These consent agenda items were all previewed May 24 and passed 7-0:

     

    These agenda action items also previewed May 24 were approved individually by the board:

     

    Previewed for a Board vote June 28 were:

     

    Under Information and Discussion, the board was presented with a COVID Learning Plan Update and Return to School Plans for 2021-22 which were summarized above.

     

    COVID vaccine clinic for ages 12 and up - June 3

    Thursday, June 24, from 8:15 a.m. - 1 p.m., GPPSS along with the Wayne County Health Department will be hosting a Pfizer vaccine clinic for ages 12 and up at Brownell Middle School in the multipurpose room. Those who have already received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine and are scheduled to receive their second dose on or just before June 24 are also welcome to participate. Please bring your vaccine card. Those who participated in the June 3 clinic do not need additional paperwork. Those under 18 seeking their first or second vaccine that did not participate June 3 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Email info@gpschools.org with questions.

     

    Accessing report cards

    Report cards will be available on these dates in the MiStar parent portal: 

    • Elementary School: June 22nd
    • Middle and High School: June 28th

    The week before report cards are posted, parents will receive a specific email with viewing and printing instructions, so please watch for that. Or click here for a one-page guide on the three report card viewing options.

     

    Summer Reading Resource Videos

    Our GPPSS library media specialists have been hard at work compiling awesome resources for students to use this summer. Here are two videos for elementary and middle school families on how to access these fantastic tools, as well as flyers that describe summer learning tools at each level:

     

    How can my student access free meals?

    Over the summer, please continue to fill out this Food Service Order link by Sunday of each week and then pick up meals at North High School, 707 Vernier, Grosse Pointe Woods, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., on Thursdays. You can also text "FOOD" to 877-877 or call 1-866-3HUNGRY for free summer meal locations near you.

     

    Please take the Spring Sports Survey

    If your student participated in a spring sport, please take the Parent Version of the Spring 2021 Athletic Survey and encourage them to take the Student-Athlete Spring 2021 Survey. These are anonymous, take just a few minutes, and help us continuously improve programs for our student-athletes. 

     

    COVID Quick Links

     

    Wayne County Common Calendar

    As we approach summer break, families are starting to plan ahead. While the full calendar is part of contract negotiations, these are the Wayne County Common Calendar dates for the 2021-22 school year:

    • First Day of School - Tuesday, September 7
    • Winter Break will fall within this window (December 20-31) but is unlikely to include all days as GPPSS traditionally takes a longer Mid-Winter break than other districts and needs to reach 180 days of instruction
    • Mid-Winter Break - week of February 21
    • Spring Break - March 28-April 1

     

    Chromebook and charger return

    If you borrowed a Chromebook from GPPSS, please watch your school communications for instructions on when and where to return the Chromebook and charger before the end of the school year.

     

    Many flyers posted on Peachjar

    GPPSS uses a program called Peachjar that is ADA compliant and delivers flyers straight to your inbox or phone rather than the bottom of lockers or bookbags. This is part of our Green School efforts and you can customize which flyers you receive by school! Check it out at: https://app.peachjar.com/flyers/all/districts/10713/ 

     

    Calendar

    • Daily - Please be sure you're using this Updated Screening Form every day before school. If your child has symptoms or feels unwell, please keep them home.
    • 6/15 Richard Listening Session, 3 p.m.
    • 6/15 Free COVID testing, Brownell back parking lot, 4-7 p.m.
    • 6/15 Maire Listening Session, 5 p.m.
    • 6/17 Half day for Elementary, Middle and High School
    • 6/17 8th Grade Promotion, 6:30 p.m.; rain date is Friday, 6/18, at 10 a.m.
    • 6/18 Last day of school, half day for all levels - enjoy your summer break!
    • 6/22 Elementary Report Cards Available in MiStar (see above)
    • 6/23 Administration Building Listening Session, 389 St. Clair front lawn,  7 p.m.
    • 6/24 COVID Vaccine Clinic Shot 2 at Brownell (see above)
    • 6/28 Middle and High School Report Cards Available in MiStar (see above)
    • 6/28 Regular Meeting of the Board of Education, 7 p.m., Brownell MPR
    • 7/1 Facilities Meeting, 6 p.m., 389 St. Clair
    • 7/26 Regular Meeting of the Board of Education, 7 p.m., Brownell MPR

     

    Comments (0)
more
 

Recent

By Month