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
APRIL IMPORTANT DATES TO
REMEMBER
Monday, April 10 Classes Resume
Late Start 9:05 AM
Thursday, April 13 3rd Quarter Ends
Friday, April 14
Good Friday School closed
Tuesday, April 18
PTO Meeting 6:30 PM
Pierce Library
Wednesday, April 19 Hungry Howie’s
Pizza Night Fundraiser
Monday, April 24
Report Cards Distributed
April 2017 Dear Pierce Parents,
Once again this year, April will include a considera-
ble amount of standardized assessment for Pierce stu-
dents. We’ve worked hard to spread that assessment
out for students as much as possible given the tight
windows required. Included in the Pointer is a calen-
dar for those assessments.
The third year of M-STEP testing looks to have some
revisions that seem to continue the trend of refining
the length and arduousness of the testing. All of the
tests are administered between April 11 and May 18.
Students who miss a testing date will have multiple
opportunities to make those up.
All grades will be taking the NWEA in both reading
and math over April/May as well. Those assessments
will be done during regular class periods in math and
English. In addition, all of our students will be taking
the Grosse Pointe Writing Assessment in May in their
English classes.
While much of the assessment is mandated by the
APRIL 2017
LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Page 2
the State of Michigan, our goal in evaluating this testing data is to contin-
ue to focus and refine our instructional focus based on student needs.
On behalf of the Pierce faculty and staff we wish you and your family a
happy and healthy Spring Break 2017. Winter is clearly in our rear view
mirror as we prepare for the home stretch and the fourth quarter!
Sincerely,
Chris Clark Principal
Summer School Summer school offers exceptional opportunities for students struggling with academ-ics or certain content areas. Classes may also offer a refresher course for students wishing to learn more about a particular content area. Enrollment in each class is lim-ited to provide many opportunities for personal instruction. Students enroll in classes designed for the grade that they will be entering in the fall. For example, in most cas-es, our current 8
th graders would take high school courses in summer school.
At the beginning of May, counselors will be gathering information from teachers to de-termine two things. One is which students need to attend summer school (Board Poli-cy states that any student failing two quarters in the same subject should at-tend). The other is which students who, though not required, would benefit from strengthening their skills during the summer session. More detailed information is available on the Grosse Pointe Schools website under the “Summer Programs” link. Counselors will send out letters to the parents of the above categories of students by the end of May. If you have any questions about whether summer school would be a good choice for your child, please contact the appropriate counselor after we have had a chance to gather recommendations (mid-May).
Andrea Bolton 432.4716 Margie McKoy 432.4717
LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL -- continued
COUNSELOR CORNER
Spring Testing
Su Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11
ELA Day 1
12
ELA Day 2
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ELA Day 3
14
Makeup ELA
15
16 17
Makeup
ELA
18
Math
Day 1
19
Math
Day 2
20
Social
Studies
21
Makeup
Any content area
22
23 24
Makeup
Any content area
25
Makeup
Any content area
26
Makeup
Any content area
27
Makeup
Any content area
28
Makeup
Any content area
29
30
Su Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2
ELA Day 1
3
ELA Day 2
4
Makeup ELA
5
Makeup ELA
6
7 8
Makeup ELA
9
Math Day 1
10
Math Day 2
11
SCIENCE
12
Makeup
Any content area
13
14 15
Makeup
Any content
area
16
Makeup
Any content
area
17
Makeup
Any content
area
18
Makeup
Any content
area
19
Makeup
Any content
area
20
21 22
23
24
25
26
27
28 29Memorial
Day / NO
SCHOOL
30 31
April
2017
Grade 8
May
2017
Grades 6 & 7
Page 4
PTO POINTS
Happy Spring Everyone!
The thermometer may not agree, but Spring is officially here!
Unfortunately, due to the recent power outage, we had to cancel Super Fun Night. We had
hoped to be able to reschedule the event, but couldn’t find a date that worked for both Pierce
and the vendors. If your student bought a ticket in advance, they should have received an en-
velope with their money back.
Many thanks to Amie Reno and the Hospitality Committee for a wonderful Staff Apprecia-
tion Luncheon, which was served to our fantastic Pierce staff during last month’s conferences.
Any and all volunteers who contributed to make this a special day for the staff are much appre-
ciated. I heard it was just fabulous!
April 19th is Hungry Howie day for Pierce – close the kitchen for the night and help the PTO
earn some money at the same time!
2017-2018 Pierce PTO Board
There are many spots on the PTO Board that will be vacated for next year, as their children
move on to high school. We would love to have YOUR name on that PTO Board next year.
We work the best if we have involvement from the whole community. We like to have an
equal number of members coming from each of our 3 “feeder” elementary schools. Meetings
are the 3rd Tuesday of each month, and they are short and sweet! If you are interested in learn-
ing more, and would like to contribute, in even a small way, please contact Juli Rybicki at ry-
PTO Meeting - Our next PTO Meeting is Tuesday April 18th
at 6:30 pm in the Pierce library.
We welcome all parents to attend, and would love to see you!
Please feel free to contact me with questions or comments.
Warmly,
Juli Rybicki, PTO President
Page 5
DESTINATION IMAGINATION
The 7th grade team,
“Departed Dogs” took
1st place in a Service
Learning Challenge
and won the prestig-
ious Da Vinci Award
this year! The students
in the picture from left
to right are; Raegan
R., Elli R., Jacquelyn
W. and Jack M.
DESTINATION IMAGINATION
Page 6
Pierce students shined at the DI Regional Tournament. They placed in the top 3 and are going to compete at the State Level at Central Michigan University on April 8th. The "DIamonds" 8th grade girls took 1st place in the Improv Middle School level. They are, from left to right; Sisi C., Ma-ria M., Kate B., Katie M., Victoria T. (Parcells) and Claire B. The “CATS” won 1st place in the Improv Challenge. Back row: Jordan B., Olivia L., Marley H. Front row: Zack J., Alexandra L., Jonathon B. comprise this 7th grade
team.
The “Michigan Mockingjays” took 2nd place in the Scientific Challenge. Back row: Riordan K., Samantha K., Stephanie H., Ellie S., Roarke K. Front row: Justin F. and Shannon G. All are 7th graders Except for Ellie who is in 6th. The “Presidential Pandas” placed 3rd in the Fine Arts Chal-lenge. From left to right are Pierce 6th graders Zosia G., Camille O., Nicole V., Josephine P., Sienna C. and Trombley 5th grader, Madeline K. The “Botanists” placed 1st in the Fine Arts High School lev-el. From L to R: Morgan B. (South), Irving S. (Pierce), Ada M. (South), Jeffrey M. (Coach), Awmeo A. (Pierce), Anna B. (South).
Thank you for your support of the Pierce DI teams!
Congratulations to our creative and adven-turous students!
DIAMONDS
GUACAMOLE GLADIATORS PRESIDENTIAL PANDAS
BOTANISTS
CATS
MICHIGAN
MOCKINGJAYS
Page 7
SCHOLASTIC NATIONAL AWARDS
As a follow up to our Pierce Regional Award winners, we are pleased to announce
the following students have earned recognition in the National Scholastic Art and
Writing Awards of 2017:
Bridget C. Silver Medal My Nona Personal Essay/Memoir
Katie M. Silver Medal Keys and Strings Personal Essay/Memoir
Shea V. Gold Medal Green Gumdrops Personal Essay/Memoir
Jacquelyn W. Gold Medal Divided in Half Personal Essay/Memoir
On Thursday, March 16th Pierce 8th graders
Miranda F., Raegan R., Jack M., Jacquelyn W. and
Awmeo A. participated in the Lakeshore Optimists’
Club Oratorical Contest by delivering a 5 minute
speech on “What Optimism Means to Me”.
Jack M. won the Boys Gold Medal and will now
participate in the Regional Competition in April.
Jacquelyn W. won the Silver Medal for the Girls and
Raegan R. won the Bronze Medal for the Girls.
Congratulations to all of the participants!
LAKESHORE OPTIMISTS’ CLUB ORATORICAL CONTEST
These students have been identified by a panel of creative
professionals as the most talented young writers in the na-
tion. This year, more than 330,000 works of art and writing
were submitted and less than 1% were recognized at the na-
tional level.
In recognition of their achievement, the Gold Medal winning
students have been invited to attend the awards ceremony on
Thursday, June 8th at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
The Gold Medal winners pictured are Shea V. and Jacquelyn
W.
Congratulations to all of the participants!
Page 8
ATTENTION 8TH GRADE STUDENTS
All 8th
grade students should turn in baby pictures for the end of the year slide show
to Mrs. Stackpoole in 111 ASAP! Please have them in an envelope with the students’
names on the envelope and 5th hour teacher. Pictures WILL be returned. Digital cop-
ies can be emailed to: [email protected] They will be shown on
the last day of school in June.
Also, ANY students with pictures from events from this school year are encouraged to turn in a hard copy to Mrs. Stackpoole in an envelope with their name on it to be re-
turned, or e-mail digital shots to: [email protected]
The Pierce 7th
/8th
Grade Band and 7th
/8th
Grade Orchestra recently participated in the Michigan School Band & Orchestra Association (MSBOA) District Band & Orchestra Festival. The 7
th & 8
th Grade Band received a straight first division (excellent)
rating in performance and in the sight-reading room at Roseville Middle School on March 2nd. The Pierce 7
th & 8
th Grade Orchestra received the same straight first
division (excellent) ratings in performance and in sight-reading on March 4th. Congratulations to our wonderfully talented students!
MUSIC NOTES
Congratulations to Jackson V., Pierce Middle School
8th grader. Jackson has qualified to compete in the
state level competition of the National Geographic
Bee! We are very proud and excited!
Page 9
At this time, we want to thank, Pierce parents, Dr.
Christopher Lee and Mrs. Catherine Lee, for their donta-
tion of a new Innova Thermometer for our school clinic.
We’ve needed a “new and improved” model. We appreciate
your generous donation.
John E. Pierce Middle School
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.
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 389 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
GUYS COACH – Andre Willams - [email protected] GIRLS COACH - William Ward - [email protected]
6th
Grade Basketball Game Schedule
*Boy’s and Girl’s will alternate periods #Girl’s and Boy’s will play simultaneous games.
COACHES
Brian Benz - [email protected] Carrie Morris - [email protected]
Katie Quinn - [email protected]
More dates and Invitationals may be added. A letter will be sent home if we go to any.
Day Date Location Opponent Time
Tuesday 4/25 Pierce Parcells 4:00*
Thursday 4/27 Brownell Brownell 4:00/4:00#
Tuesday 5/2 Parcells Parcells 4:00*
Tuesday 5/9 Pierce Brownell 4:00*
6th GRADE BASKETBALL
Page 10
16
PIERCE TRACK AND FIELD
Date
Team Location H/A
April 27 Richards Fraser High School Away 4:00
April 28 Brownell & Parcells GP South Home 4:00
May 6
Jefferson Lakeview High School Away 4:00
May 9
Warren Woods Warren Woods High School Away 4:00
May 10 Southlake GP South Home 4:30
Page 11
PIERCE MIDDLE SCHOOL
PIZZA NIGHT
SCHOOL FUNDRAISER
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19th 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
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!