grosse pointe public school system december 2015 / january …€¦ · grosse pointe public school...
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GROSSE POINTE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM
PIERCE POINTER
Pierce Middle School 15430 Kercheval Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230 313.432.4700 Attendance Line 313.432.4701
www.gpschools.org
December 2015 January 2016
Dear Pierce Parents,
Due to the holiday break, please note that this edition of the Pierce
Pointer includes both December and January information.
First, thank you for taking the time to stop by to connect with your
child’s teachers during parent/teacher conferences. If you did attend
and forgot to sign-in at the front table, please contact our attend-
ance office. We recognize that there are a variety of ways to com-
municate (phone, e-mail, etc.) surrounding your child’s progress.
Thank you for continuing to show your interest and enthusiasm for
learning.
November was a busy month at Pierce. Pierce students had the op-
portunity for several outstanding experiences this month, including:
an exceptional Career Day, an enthusiastic Turkey Trot, the start of
Boys Basketball, an 8th grade orientation at South High School, and
an excellent Band and Orchestra Concert, just to name a few.
The fun continues in December as well. The South Band and Or-
chestra will visit Pierce during the day on December 11th, students
will participate in the Band-o-Rama at South on the 14th, and the
String Extravaganza at South on the 15th.
As hard as it is to believe, we will begin January with the prepara-
tion for the 2016-17 school year. Our 8th graders will be preparing
for scheduling at South High School, and our incoming 5th graders
will begin their preparation to join us at Pierce. In addition, current
6th and 7th graders will be working on their 7th and 8th grade sched-
ules. Highlights of the scheduling process include:
Jan 7 @ 6:30pm South Parent Night (for current 8th grade parents)
Jan 12 @6:30pm Current 5th Grade Parent Night in the Pierce Aud.
Jan 19 @ 2:30pm Pierce Staff visits Maire
DECEMBER 2015 / JANUARY 2016
LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL
DECEMBER Which Wich
Tuesday, Jan., 12th
Hungry Howie’s Fundraiser
Monday, Dec. 14th All Day
Band-O-Rama
Monday, Dec. 14th - 7 PM
South H.S.- Main Gym
Strings Extravaganza
Tuesday, Dec. 15th - 7:30 PM
South H.S.- Main Gym
Winter Vacation Begins at the
End of day Friday, Dec. 18th
JANUARY Classes Resume
Monday, Jan. 4th
Hungry Howie’s Fundraiser
Monday, Jan. 11th
Which Wich
Tuesday, Jan. 12th
8th Grade Parent Night
Wednesday, Jan. 6th
6:30 PM -7:30 PM
Grosse Pointe South
Pierce Book Fair Mon., Jan. 11th - Thurs., Jan. 14th
Pierce Library
Incoming 6th Grade Parent Night
Tuesday, Jan. 12th
6:30 PM - Auditorium
5th grade Coney Night
Thursday, Jan. 14th
No Classes
Monday, Jan. 18th
Martin Luther King Day
PTO Meeting
Tuesday, Jan. 19th
6:30 PM - Rm.128
No Classes
Friday, Jan. 29th ~ Records Day
LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL - continued
Page 2
Jan 20 @ 2:30pm Pierce Staff visits Trombly
Jan 21 @ 2:30pm Defer comes to Pierce Auditorium
Jan 26 (during advisory) - 7th graders get 8th grade course sheet
Jan 27 (during advisory) - 6th graders get 7th grade course sheet
Jan 28- 8th graders enter high school courses on-line throughout the day
On behalf of the faculty and staff of Pierce Middle School, Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
Chris Clark
Principal
Pierce Middle School
The beginning of a new year is a great time to take stock of our achievements and set goals for the upcoming months. At Pierce we will spend the month of January looking back, reviewing past policies and practices as well as planning for the spring and beyond. In December and January our counselors will be working with our eighth graders and their parents to review their career at Pierce and plan for their futures at South. Also in the new year, the parents of our sixth and seventh grad-
ers will be working with their students to choose their courses for next year and we will begin to meet with fifth graders from Defer, Trombly, Maire, and private schools to welcome them to Pierce.
During the first few weeks of the new semester, we will also be reviewing school policies with your students. A copy of these policies and our PBS behavior matrix can be found in the front pages of your student's planner. Please take a moment to review them with your student.
One of the most important policies in place here at Pierce is our policy on bullying. We take bullying very seriously and have been working with our students to understand bullying and develop strate-gies to prevent and report it. We will follow up on any incidents that are reported to us. If your stu-dent has been a victim of bullying, or has witnessed a bullying incident, please encourage him or her to share that information with any adult in the building. If your student is reluctant to come forth, please consider doing so yourself. Our most important objective is the physical and emotional safe-ty of our students and we strive to provide a positive learning environment for all of our students. As always, we appreciate your support and if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Judith Gaffrey Assistant Principal Pierce Middle School
FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Page 3
5th GRADE PARENTS
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!! COME JOIN US ON
THURSDAY, JANUARY 14th From 6 pm to 7:30 pm
All fifth graders and their families from our feeder schools are invited to join us for their first official Pierce event.
5TH GRADE CONEY ISLAND NIGHT
COUNSELOR CORNER
Attention 8th Grade Parents: High School Registration During the month of January, 8th graders will be filling out worksheets during their in-dividual appointments (parents should have received a letter with information and ap-pointment time in December) and they will input the classes they selected on their worksheets into Zangle (the computer scheduling program) at the end of January. Once they have been processed in the system, parents will be able to view the cours-es that are entered through Parent Connect. In addition, 5th, 6th, and 7th graders will choose their courses for next year in Janu-ary. Counselors will do presentations for our current 6th and 7th graders during advi-sory time, outlining what choices are available and walking them through the registra-tion process before the February mid-winter break. Counselors and administrators will also present information to each of the elementary schools on this process the week of January 18th, and meet with 5th grade parents on January 12th at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Once the forms are complete for all four grade levels (including parent signature), we will input their choices for next year. Par-ents will be able to go online to check and make sure the choices reflect what they helped their child choose. Andrea Bolton Christa Warner 432.4716 432.4717
Page 4
PAINLESS PTO FUNDRAISING!
Support the PTO, the easy and painless way!
The PTO sponsors the following easy fund-raising that require minimal effort but bring maximum rewards:
TARGET: Target will donate up to 1% of your qualifying Target REDcard (either Visa or debit) to Pierce. Visit http://www.target.com/redcard/benefits-target-rewards and click on Take Charge of Education to enroll.
KROGER: Did you know that a portion of your qualifying Kroger purchases could be do-nated to Pierce? Visit http://www.kroger.com/community/Pages/community_rewards.aspx to enroll your Kroger Plus card and select Pierce under the Community Rewards tab.
BOX TOPS and LABELS FOR EDUCATION: Start saving Box Tops and Labels! Later this year, Box Tops contests will bring the chance for some great prizes! More information is coming, but in the meantime, save those Box Tops!
TONER CARTRIDGES: Bring your used toner and ink cartridges to school. We recy-cle them for credit at Staples. Don’t forget to check at work!
If you have any questions regarding fundraising programs, please contact:
Stacey Chen at [email protected] or by phone - 821.3195
8TH GRADE PARENT INFO
ATTENTION PARENTS OF PIERCE 8TH GRADERS!
8TH GRADE PARENT NIGHT at
GROSSE POINTE SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL
WEDNESDAY, January 6, 2016 6:30 SOUTH AUDITORIUM
South administrators and counselors will highlight South’s curriculum with a video followed by a short presentation emphasizing the 9th grade scheduling procedures, class selections and the class of 2020 graduation requirements.
Make sure to attend this important informational meeting!
Page 5
PTO POINTS
Let it Snow! Whether you are a fan of the white stuff or not, I think winter has fi-nally arrived. Along with the entire PTO Board, I would like to wish you a safe and blessed holiday season. I hope everyone enjoys family, friends, & good food, along with some much needed relaxation. Many thanks to Sabine Iafrate, Soozi Hampton and Deb Walz for hosting a spectac-ular Ethnic Dinner. Tasty food and good conversation with friends made for a fan-tastic event! Pierce Spirit Wear Pierce Spirit Wear makes a wonderful gift for your Trojan! Please contact Wendy Bruetsch at: [email protected].
Scholastic Book Fair is coming to the Pierce Library on Monday, January 11 - Thursday, January 14. The fair will be open for student and parent shopping be-fore school Tuesday-Thursday and after school Monday-Wednesday. Additionally, there will be evening hours on Thursday. Students will be visiting the fair with their English classes during school hours. Anyone wishing to volunteer to work at the fair, please email Courtney Bocci [email protected] or Kim Shine at [email protected].
Pierce Progressive Dinner It's never too early to start thinking about the annual Pierce Progressive Dinner. We are looking at a March date, and will firm that up shortly, and announce that to everyone. We are searching for a kind soul(s) to provide the appetizer house (accommodate about 160 people) as well as 15 or more dinner houses (accommodating 6 to 12 people). Food and beverages are provided, making hosting an absolute breeze. Thank you to Beth Kurta & Renee Jakubowski for agreeing to chair this event. Many more details to come!
No PTO Meeting in December. Please feel welcome to join us for our first meeting of the new year on Tuesday, January 19th at 6:30pm in the Pierce Li-brary. Please feel free to contact me at any time if you have questions or concerns. Warmly, Michelle Kramer PTO President [email protected]
Page 6
On November 16th, the Physical Education Department Sponsored the 43rd Annual Turkey Trot Run
This year, over 200 Pierce 6th
, 7th
, and 8th
graders participated in a series of half mile runs. All runners earned a participation ribbon and the top two finishers, in each of the six events, took home a Thanksgiving turkey! Treats were also provided.
Special thanks to the Pierce PTO, parent volunteers, staff members, and administration, for continually supporting this event. The PTO, once again, purchased the turkeys and adult vol-unteers bought and delivered the turkeys to Pierce. We couldn’t have held this annual event without your help.
Photography coverage, was provided by WPNC. Thank you to those students who took pic-tures and videotaped the event.
Lastly, we would like to recognize the following teachers who ran and showed their ‘Pierce Pride’: Mrs. Morris and Mrs. Stackpoole. Congratulations to all runners. You did an out-standing job. Thanks for keeping this tradition alive!
Mrs. Allan Physical Education Dept.
43rd ANNUAL TURKEY TROT RUN
THE PERIODIC DISTRIBUTION OF NON-SCHOOL-RELATED WRITTEN MATERIALS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN
ENDORSEMENT BY THE SCHOOL SYSTEM OF THOSE MATERIALS OR OF THE GROUPS SPONSORING THEM.
Page 7
CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEARS WINNERS!
AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE RUNNERS
AND PARTICIPANTS!
43rd ANNUAL TURKEY TROT RUN
Page 8
Let’s help raise money for Pierce Middle School!
Hungry Howie’s will donate 20% of our Pizza Night
purchases back to our school.
Just fill in the slip below and hand it to the cashier or delivery
driver and enjoy your dinner! Let’s all make this a great year. If
you happen to forget your flyer please mention it to the cashier
or driver so we can credit the school. We will have extra flyers
available at the store. Please fill out your teachers name on the
slip. The teacher that has the most participation is awarded a
free pizza party for their class!
PIERCE MIDDLE SCHOOL
PIZZA NIGHT
SCHOOL FUNDRAISER
Monday, December 14th & January 11th Grosse Pointe Park Location
(15316 E. Jefferson)
313-823-7000
Simply turn in the slip below and we will earn our 20% donation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Name:__________________________ 6th hour Teacher:__________________
Grade:__________________ Total Order Amount:______________
Pierce Middle School
Page 9
2015 TURKEY TROT - THIS YEARS RESULTS!
7th Grade - 1/2 Mile
Boys Girls
Name Name
Aaron D. 2:42.89 1st Cailee C.. 3:04:06 1st
Rene’ R. 2:47.65 2nd Jacquelyn W. 3:11.10 2nd
Antonio C. 2:49.33 3rd Paloma B. 3:19.20 3rd
Lucas B. Matt H.
2:50.74 4th Miranda O. 3:20.68 4th
Nick V. 2:55.89 5th Anna D. 3:23.84 5th
Josh E. James B.
2:58.38 6th Sarah R. 3:25.49 6th
6th Grade - 1/2 Mile
Boys Girls
Name Place Name Place
Alexander D. 2:57.15 1st Evie K. 3:12.66 1st
Seth M. 2:57.68 2nd Rachel R. 3:13.48 2nd
Asher H. 2:58.24 3rd Kamryn R. 3:14.17 3rd
Brendan D. 2:59.06 4th Maddie B. 3:14.69 4th
Max M. 3:15.53 5th Celeste F.. 3:15.18 5th
Niall S. 3:16.76 6th Emma S. 3:23.38 6th
8th Grade - 1/2 Mile
Boys Girls
Name Name
Bashar A. 2:33.43 1st Victoria O. 2.56:81 1st
Brien S. 2:50.96 2nd Emma B. 2.58.30 2nd
Mitchell S. 2:53.11 3rd Lizzie H. 3:19.82 3rd
Ben C. 2:59.41 4th Laine J. 3:25.11 4th
Jake K. 3:04.33 5th Elizabeth R. 3:28.42 5th
Charlie K. 3:03.06 6th Elaina C. Amaris K.
3:48.21 6th
Page 10
WHICH WICH
Tuesday Dec. 8th & Jan. 12th
Page 11
BOYS BASKETBALL 2015 - 2016
8th
GRADE TEAM
Coach: Mr. Josh Lord
7th
GRADE TEAM
Coach: Mr. Andre Williams
7th Grade Practice
Monday thru Friday 4:30-6:00
8th Grade Practice
Monday thru Friday 3:30-5:00
Date Day H / A Opponent Time 7th/8th
12/1/15 Tuesday Home Brownell 4:00/5:00 12/3/15 Thursday Away Parcells 4:00/5:00 12/7/15 Monday Home Kennedy 4:00/5:00 12/10/15 Thursday Away Southlake 4:00/5:00 12/14/15 Monday Away Jefferson 4:00/5:00 12/17/15 Thursday Away Brownell 4:00/4:00 1/7/16 Thursday Home Parcells 4:00/5:00 1/11/16 Monday Away Kennedy 4:00/5:00 1/13/16 Wednesday Home Southlake 4:30/5:30 1/19/16 Tuesday Away Kelly 4:00/5:00 1/21/16 Thursday Home Jefferson 4:00/5:00 1/25/16 Tuesday Home Roseville 4:00/5:00
Ahmon C.
AJ B.
Alexander M.
Brian M.
Brien S.
Charlie S.
Daniel K.
Holden R.
Jacob P.
James V.
Matthew F.
Nathan L.
Nicholas C.
Raef A.
Roman P.
Alec J.
Bennett S.
Damiano K.
Daryl H.
Holden N.
Jacob S.
Jason M.
Jonathan N.
Jordan J.
Miles D.
Nicholas V.
Ryan M.
William J.
Zachary W.
Page 13
SOCIAL STUDIES OLYMPIAD
GET READY PROSPECTIVE PIERCE OLYMPIANS! The Michigan Council for the Social Studies Olympiad is a state-wide competition for students in grades third through twelfth. This year’s theme is America for All People.
This event encourages the educational development of a strong social studies skill set, participatory experience, social and intellectual interactions, and strengthens personal confi-dence by asking students to plan activities as a group and to cooperate with an ensemble as well as competing in various individual events .
Pierce has a proud tradition of success in the many categories such as artistic poster in which we swept the category winning gold, silver and bronze medals in 2015. We also won various writing events including the gold medal in persuasive essay and the silver medal in poetry. Our quiz bowl never fails to medal and we hope to bring home a gold this competitive season. The Pierce team is coached by Jeannie Brous-seau. Students should watch for announcements for try-outs and practices. The completion will be held on Saturday May 14 at Martin Luther King High School in De-troit.
DID YOU ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK?
Attention Parents: The January 22rd Deadline to order your yearbook is quickly ap-
proaching. Order edition on the Pierce home page today!
1. Go to the Pierce Website
2. Click on Pre-registration and Webstore under “Site Shortcuts” column
3. Select Pierce Middle School
4. Click on Student Pre-registration log in
5. Log in at the bottom of the screen with your students ID number and access code
you were given at the beginning of the school year (if you have lost your access
code, please contact the office)
6. Follow the prompts until you get to the page where you are able to place your year-
book order
Page 14
REVISED STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
Updated Student Code of Conduct is in effect
District administration and the Board of Education Policy Committee have been work-
ing to update and revise our Student Code of Conduct. Late last week this new ver-
sion of the Code was finalized. You can access this new code at the following link:
http://gpschools.schoolwires.net/cms/lib05/MI01000971/Centricity/Domain/2318/
administrative guidelines for board policy 5500 code of conduct.pdf
This new version of the Student Code of Conduct takes immediate effect.
Changes to the Code include:
An update to include the Michigan Model Code of Conduct.
Several new areas of student expectations suggested by administration.
A more consistent use of language throughout the Code.
A streamlined format that improves the appearance and readability of the Code.
This revised document is on the District website www.gpschools.org under both the
Students and the Parents/Community tabs.
NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
The Grosse Pointe Public Schools System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
Stefanie Hayes, Director of Student Services
20090 Morningside
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236
Phone: (313) 432-3851
If the individual filling the grievance alleges that the Section 504/ADA coordina-tor has engaged in discrimination, then the individual filing the grievance must provide the documentation to the:
Deputy Superintendent for Educational Services
389 St. Clair
Grosse Pointe, MI 48230
Phone: (313) 432-3016
*2015*
*
* Albrecht *
Rabaut * S. Quinn
Stackpoole * Backman
Gaffrey * Brengman * Drew
Taylor * Clark * Davenport * Bolton
Allen * Kenny * Scott * Snell * Bainbridge
Plieth * Ruggirello *Noonan *Byl * Thompson
Kisskalt * Cumpata *Engen-Wulf * Ward * Warner
Embree * Booker* Ignagni *Holman * Finazzo * Scully
Dolle * Zwirner * Takis * Paddock * Graham * Morris
Starkey * Fadanelli * Fradeneck * Buffa * Leslie * Claeys
Pertile * Koontz * Emery * Kotes * Brock* Etheridge * Walker
Marsh * Lappin * Zens * Davenport * Dillon * Richards * Benz
K.Quinn * Brousseau * Gross * Schaupeter * Lord * Williams
* Rocheleau *
Rosas * Kilimas
Korkmaz * Bezak
May the New Year
Bring Joy, Peace and Happiness
To You
And
Your
Entire
Family!
2016