December 2017 - January 2018
FROM THE MOTHERS’ CLUB PRESIDENT  
Happy Holidays from all of us at The Grosse Pointe South Mothers’ Club!

The holiday season started early at Grosse Pointe South with our very fun and successful “Date with the Devil” party in November. Jim and Trish Moritz and their committee fashioned a night of food, drink, music and auction items to satisfy all interests. Their hard work helped to raise funds which will benefit our students.

Thanks to Helen Srebernak and Mary Jane Cullen, we were able to tour beautifully decorated homes throughout our community and shop at various vendors at Grosse Pointe South during our Holiday Walk & Market on December 3 rd.

Anne Grobel and Mindy Barry orchestrated our annual Holiday Concert & Tea on December 6 th. This event features both GP North and GP South Choirs and is free to the public.

To top off the holiday fun, Susan Stapleton coordinated a “Holiday Shopping Night” in The Village on Saturday, December 9 th from 4-8 p.m. with festivities at City Kitchen after.

Cindi Portwood, Heidi Sanders and their committee used their creative talents to turn Cleminson Hall into a festive holiday display which will be enjoyed by the staff during the annual staff luncheon planned by Helen Srebernak.

The New Year begins the planning for our Spring Benefit which will be on Thursday, April 26 th. Gaby Boddy and Sara Fischer have some great ideas to continue the success of this fun event.

Principal Moussa Hamka will be speaking at our next meeting on Wednesday, January 10 th at 7 p.m. in the Student Commons. Join us to learn what is happening at GP South!

We wish you all safe and happy holidays!

MaryJo Harris
President
IMPORTANT DATES
December 1
Coffee House
7:00 PM
GP South Gymnasium

December 3
Holiday Walk and Market
Noon - 4:00 PM

December 6
Holiday Concert and Tea
1:00 PM
GP North Performing Arts Center

December 7
Sounds of the Season Concert
7:00 PM
GP North Performing Arts Center

December 8
Yule Be Boppin' Concert
7:00 - 8:00 PM
GP South Auditorium
December 9
Holiday Shopping in the Village
4:00 - 8:00 PM
Village of Grosse Pointe

December 13
Mothers’ Club Meeting
7:00 - 8:00 PM
GP South Student Common

December 19
Band-O-Rama
7:00 - 9:00 PM
GP South Main Gym

December 20
String Extravaganza
7:00 - 9:00 PM
GP South Main Gym

January 20
Time Out Booster Bash
7:30 PM
Atwater in the Park

Class of 2018 - Coffee House
December 1st, 7:00 PM
GP South Cafeteria
Holiday Concert and Tea
December 6th, 1:00 PM
GP North Performing Arts Center
Holiday Walk and Market
December 3, Noon - 4:00 PM
Sounds of the Season Holiday Concert
December 7th, 7:00 PM
GP North Performing Arts Center
COUNSELORS' CORNER
Happy Holidays! As radio stations shift to 24 hour holiday music and media keeps reminding us about shopping days it is so important to build healthy coping mechanisms to dealing with stress and anxiety over the holidays – especially as we model coping mechanisms for our kids. All of us can be affected by the pressure of the season so consider taking time out of every day to breathe, live in the present, and feel gratitude for our many blessings. Check out a great list of healthy coping strategies here: http://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/blissing-out-10-relaxation-techniques-reduce-stress-spot

Senior Parents
As college admissions are trickling in for the early birds, many students (especially in the arts communities) are just getting their college applications sent out. Other students may still be unsure about where to apply or what steps to take next. Remember that we are always happy to help! Just send your student in to see us and we will be more than happy to sit down and talk post-high school options.

As we move into the second semester, we begin to shift our senior focus from admissions to financing college. We strongly encourage parents to apply for federal student aid via FAFSA . Some schools may require the CSS Financial Aid Profile .   

Parents can only apply for the FAFSA online . FAFSA worksheets are available online to print in PDF form to prepare. In order to apply for financial aid you must go online to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/  Step one is to apply for your financial aid ID (FSA ID) now at the website. Once you get your FSA ID, you will be able to fill out the application immediately. If you are not sure that the FAFSA will be fruitful, we recommend that you complete it anyway as an opportunity to trigger institutional aid offers that you may not otherwise receive. Colleges will start awarding money as soon as they receive your information from the federal processing center, so don’t delay. Some schools may require the CSS Financial Profile. Click here to see the list of schools on the profile.

Tips on Applying for Financial Aid
  • If you are in doubt as to whether or not to apply for aid…apply.
  • Students will need their social security number.
  • Secure the necessary forms. Check which form is needed by each college.
  • Always read the entire form carefully.
  • Download (or pick up from counseling center) the FAFSA Worksheets and use as a rough draft.
  • Double check that proper code numbers are used. PROOF READ!
  • Keep a copy of everything you send (electronically or via mail).
  • Do not send a copy of your taxes with the FAFSA or Profile, colleges will ask you to submit them directly to them if they are required.
  • Investigate possible outside sources of aid.
  • Read carefully any responses you get and respond.
  • Call the college’s financial aid office for help with forms or problems.
  • Develop a personal calendar.
  • Meet all required deadlines.
  • Do not get distracted by frauds that guarantee aid in return for an enrollment fee.

Junior Parents
Plan to attend the Financial Aid Night at South on January 31 @ 7:00 in South’s auditorium. We are so fortunate to have the Financial Aid Outreach Coordinator form Oakland University to share his expertise. This will be approximately one-hour presentation focusing primarily on the FAFSA.

Junior Meetings!  Each year we attempt to meet individually with each Junior (and parents if they would like to join us) to have an in-depth, personalized discussion about college searching, applying, and financing. In efforts to meet with more students, we have moved these meetings up from Spring to Winter. So make your appointments now! We are anxious to get started.

Students should register now for the ACT and/or SAT tests that will be given in the second semester. Keep in mind dates for AP testing and final exams. Remember, that your child will take a free SAT at South in April as a part of the state tests. This score is official and may be used for college applications. Taking an April or June ACT is a great idea since students will have addressed the entire Algebra II math curriculum required for the test.

You can go directly to the testing companies’ websites ( www.actstudent.org and www.collegeboard.org ) to register and to obtain more information about the tests.

We recommend that you register early to secure a spot at your preferred testing center. Please pay attention to deadlines; there are financial penalties for late registration. When you register, you will need to use the Grosse Pointe South school code: 231-802. 

Sophomore & Freshman Parents
This holiday season you may find yourself loading up the family car for places near and far to visit and vacation. Consider taking a detour to a convenient college on the way and doing a short tour. This is a great opportunity for students to be exposed to some new options that they may never have thought about for college. It can be so valuable to get a sense of priorities and possibilities for College. Even if the student dislikes their visit that is time well spent because they can continue to hone their wish list for the perfect college match. If you don’t have any travel plans consider taking a “Gas Tank Tour” to a few local colleges. At this point it is all about exposure to develop that sense of desire and motivation for next steps in education!

Peace and Joy to you and your family this holiday season!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Although it was a balmy 60 degree day, the holiday decorations went up and Cleminson Hall looks beautiful with the new windows almost finished and the lights sparkling. The theme of this historic room and the tree is a multi-cultural one, celebrating many people and traditions of the world.

Cleminson will be the first stop on the Holiday House Tour on Sunday, Dec 3. Stop by and take a peek!

Many thanks to those that gave their time to help: Mindy Barry, Kelly Moran, Nayan Spangler, Ann-Marie Smihal, Dana Saxon, Kristi Kline, Helen Srebernak, Joe Srebernak, Gail Micuida, and Cindy Sommerville.

See you in 2018! 

*Cindi Portwood *Heidi Sanders *Deb Vercruysse
HOLIDAY CONCERT AND TEA

This annual event is Wednesday, December 6th at 1 p.m. (doors open at 11:30 a.m.). Come hear the Grosse Pointe South and North Choirs perform at the Performing Arts Center (at Grosse Pointe North). 

Student volunteers are needed
(volunteer credit!) and can sign up by emailing [email protected]  or at 
ENRICHMENT
Through the Enrichment committee, the Mothers’ Club supports the educational experience of our students by funding in-class enhancements, extracurricular programs, and equipment and materials, which the district does not have the financial means to provide at the time. Each year, teachers and staff have two opportunities to request enrichment funds, one in October and another in February. We are pleased to announce that after the October request cycle, the Mothers’ Club allocated $11,830 in funding for the following enrichment endeavors:

  • Dissection specimens for the Science Department
  • Purchase of 4 full size tricycles for the Adaptive Physical Education classes
  • Camp Fowler over-night camp for special education students
  • Student participation in the DECA district competition
  • Visiting instructors for choir, band and orchestra students
  • On-campus performance of Romeo and Juliet by the Michigan Shakespearean Festival for all freshmen English Students
  • Tri M Music Honor Society field trip to see Romance of Rachmaninoff
  • Environmental science field trip to an incinerator, a landfill, and a recycling plant
  • Postage for a Foreign Language Department pen pal program

Thank you for your continued support of the Mothers' Club. It is through your support that we are able to continue to enrich the classroom and academic environment of our students.  
THE SCHOOL STORE
Store Hours:
Monday: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday – Friday: 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Holiday Shopping Night:
Wednesday, December 6th
5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

All school store profits are returned to the students through the Mothers’ Club support of enrichment, scholarship, and preservation.

Online Spirit Wear Shop just in time for the holidays!
** Special offer, free delivery through December 23rd on all online items purchased!**
Mothers’ Club Elves will be out delivering. Delivery area limited to the Grosse Pointes.
SENIOR ALL NIGHT GRADUATION PARTY!

The All-Night Graduation Party will be held at South on June 7, 2018, from 10:30 p.m. until 6 a.m. the next morning. The party is a chaperoned, alcohol-free and drug-free event intended to provide graduates a safe, fun environment to celebrate with their classmates. More than 300 kids have already registered in advance. Don’t be left out! Our goal is 100 percent participation. Tickets are $65 until Dec. 31 (then $70) and are still available on the school registration site, or by sending a check to South, c/o Mothers Club.

What we need:
  • Baby photos (scan in .jpg format and email it to [email protected], or drop off at 443 Saint Clair Ave., GP. BE SURE TO IDENTIFY YOUR CHILD!)
  • Donations: cash, gift cards, raffle prizes
  • Volunteers to work a few hours overnight serving food, providing security, dealing blackjack, etc.

For more information, email [email protected]
Dear Class of 2019 Parents/Guardians,

   As we wrap up 2017, the students would like to thank you for supporting the Class of 2019. We are in need of five gardens for the second annual  OneGP Garden Tour  scheduled for June 16, 2018 and need your assistance. If YOU and/or SOMEONE YOU KNOW have a beautiful or unique garden, PLEASE consider participating in this wonderful school-sponsored community event. 
   On behalf of the students of the Class of 2019, we wish you a happy and restful holiday season.  

Warm regards,
Jack B., Amy E., Sarah B., and Allison F.
The Class of 2019 Class Officers &
Marianne Modlin, Faculty Advisor
Class Officers
 
President: Jack B.
Vice President: Amy E.
Treasurer: Allison F.
Secretary: Sarah B.
 
Faculty Advisor: Marianne Modlin

Garden Tour 2018

Please contact Marianne Modlin at [email protected] if you or anyone you know would like to show your garden in our event in June 2018.
Special thanks to all the parents that helped make Homecoming 2017 a success.
Thank you for your donations of food, water, chaperones, supplies, time and talents.
We appreciate you so much! Please click below to see the families that donated funds
to the Class of 2020 at the White, Gold, and Blue levels. Thank you!
The Freshmen Class is looking forward to a great year and their new class council!

Class Council meetings are held every Wednesday at 7:20 am
in room 180 of the S Building (Ms. Karalis’s room). 

All students are welcomed even if they are not an elected officer. 

Important Dates
December 19 - South Band-O-Rama @ South Gym (all band students) - 7:00 pm
December 20 - Strings Extravaganza @ South Gym (all orchestra students) - 7:00 pm
January 9 - Band & Orchestra Booster Meeting - 7:00 pm
January 13 - MSBOA DISTRICT XVI HS Chamber Festival (Rochester High School) - All Day
January 20 - MSBOA District XVI HS Solo & Ensemble (Rochester High School) - All Day
January 25-27 - Michigan Music Conference/All State Weekend (Grand Rapids) - All Day
February 2 - CMU Jazz Weekend (Mt. Pleasant, MI) - All Day

High Pointes | Grosse Pointe South Mothers' Club | http://www.mothersclubgps.com/