The Mothers' Club of Grosse Pointe South
A Parent Organization enhancing the South student body by supporting student scholarships, teacher enrichment and preservation programs.
General Membership Meetings
begin at 7:00 PM
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September 9, 2020
October 14, 2020
November 11, 2020
January 13, 2021
February 10, 2021
March 10, 2021
April 14, 2021
May 12, 2021
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Check our website, Facebook or Twitter page for location or Zoom link.
General Membership meetings are open to all.
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Message from the Mothers' Club President
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The 2020-2021 School Year is off and running!
September was a busy month. Registration is complete and we are excited to see how many South families have joined the Mothers' Club. If you haven’t joined, please consider joining us! We have lots to get done this year!
Here is what has happened at South since our last newsletter:
- Our large communications team has been working on everything from the High Pointes newsletter, our Facebook page and website (www.mothersclubgps.com)
- The GPS Family Directory will go to print and will be delivered to your doorstep in late October.
- Our first Virtual Back to School Night showcased Grosse Pointe South to all its families.
As October starts we hope your students are getting comfortable with their new school routine. We look forward to several events in October, including:
- The Mothers' Club Meeting - October 14 at 7:00 PM. Check out website for details on the meeting location.
- Parent/Teacher Conferences on October 28 and 29, watch for details
For continuing updates on all the happenings in the Mothers' Club and at South, visit the MothersClubGPS.com or our Facebook page.
Sincerely,
Marica Ostrowski
Mothers’ Club President
president2020@mothersclubgps.com
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October 2 - South vs. Dakota Varsity Football
October 14 - SAT Exam @ South High School
October 23 - North vs. South Varsity Football
October 28 & 29 Conferences
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October 29 - PSAT for Juniors
November 3 - No School (Election Day)
November 6 - 1st Quarter Ends
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Mothers' Club Monthly Highlight
Enrichment
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This month we are highlighting Enrichment, one of the Mothers' Club three main support pillars.
- Enrichment
- Scholarship
- Preservation
Enrichment supports the educational experience of our students by funding:
- in-class enhancements
- extracurricular programs
- equipment
- materials
Each year, teachers and staff have two opportunities to request enrichment funds. Those requests happen in the fall and spring each academic year.
It is through your support that we are able to continue to enrich the classroom and academic environment of our students.
Fall Update: Enrichment application packages were sent out to faculty in early September for fall funding. Although the current funding available is very different than in past years, we strive to provide some help during these challenging times. Due date for the fall enrichment cycle is mid-October.
Have questions or want to know more about our Enrichment Committee, please reach out to Karen Houting at enrichment@mothersclubgps.org.
Next month we will focus on Scholarship.
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South spirit wear currently available through Albatross Embroidery!
Mothers' Club has partnered with Albatross so we can continue to make spirit wear available to students and parents. Albatross will donate a portion of ALL South spirit wear sales back to the Mothers' Club.
All South merchandise is included, please mention the Mothers' Club or that you're a South parent when purchasing.
Albatross Creative Embroidery
17860 Mack Avenue
(313) 458-7304
Please stop by or call to order
this month's special!
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School District Calendar Highlights
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2020 - 2021 Grosse Pointe South Calendar
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October 2020 Counselors' Corner
SENIOR PARENTS: We met with all seniors on Friday, September 11th to review the college application process including how to send test scores, transcripts, request letters of recommendation. The presentation video is available to you here. The slide deck is available here. Once a senior has submitted their application they must fill out this form for every college in order to have their materials sent. Keep in mind those seniors who would like to apply to the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) and Michigan State University should be mindful of Early Action dates. MSU is Nov 1 and UM is Nov 15. We suggested to the students submit two weeks before the deadline to be confident about Early Action applications. Students who require a written evaluation (letter of recommendation) from their counselors must complete a Junior Conference information form either on Naviance or on paper.
Don’t forget that we have representatives visiting from colleges nearly every day of the week during fall! Calendars are posted on Naviance, eBlasts, Facebook page, and on the announcements. Also, there are many virtual visits similar to our College Night. Check out a listing here. It’s not too late to research schools! Many students are still finding their direction on this. Counselors are happy to help. Also, we encourage students to use the College Super-Match feature on Naviance.
APPLICATION HELP! Every Tuesday and Thursday morning in October at 8:00 Ms. Walsh-Sahutske will be available for hands-on college application help. Just use this zoom link. No advance sign up required – just show up! Or connect with your counselor directly. We love to help. We would love for every college-bound student to have at least one application sent by the end of the month.
FINANCIAL AID search starts now. Families can file a FAFSA, the form you must fill out to determine your eligibility for financial aid, beginning October 1. First, create an FSA ID, this is your electronic signature. Then complete the FAFSA form online. Want help? Check out resources here from our expert at Oakland University Financial Aid Outreach. You can also preview a paper FAFSA worksheet.
JUNIOR PARENTS: Thursday, October 1, we presented our Junior College Preparation meeting. The theme of the meeting was Nuts and Bolts of Junior Year: finding the right fit. We talked about college research, using Naviance, grades, testing, college matching, how to start with online searching, making the most of college representative visits. The video recording is here. The slide deck is here.
Mark Thursday, October 29th on your calendars. That is the day that the PSAT/NMSQT will be given at South. This is the practice test for the SAT reasoning test and it is also the test that juniors take to determine eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Students wishing to get some last minute review in may want to check out Khan Academy online for free test prep and reliable practice test. You can actually match your College Board account with your Khan Academy account and they will customize a free test prep program and help you develop a calendar for practicing.
We are planning for the Juniors to take the SAT as part of state testing in Spring. This is an official test with reportable scores. Many parents are asking if their students should take the ACT in addition to the SAT. Either test is completely fine for college admissions, so students should go with the test they feel the most successful taking. Consider the PSAT score as a good baseline for SAT success. It may be wise to take an ACT as well so you can review both baseline test scores to decide which test he or she will choose to focus on for preparation. Our school curriculum has shifted in the direction of the SAT since this is the state test. However, if the student feels more confident sitting for the ACT, that is completely acceptable for admissions consideration as well.
FRESHMEN PARENTS: The Freshman Orientation Night became a video. My submission is all about making the transition to high school. It is a big change and we see this in five main themes: Academics, Social, Emotional, Physical, and Financial elements. I hope you find the video helpful. If Counselors can support your student in getting comfortable and thriving at South please reach out. A great place to start is joining clubs, teams, and activities. Mrs. Petz in the Student Activities office is a great resource!
ALL PARENTS:
Have you checked your student’s grades on Schoology yet? October 7 is the middle of the first quarter and a good time to take a look at your child’s progress. Remote Learning has created significant challenges for students’ organizational and time management demands. Honestly, this challenge is across the board as students sort out how to track and manage their workflow. On the upside, I can’t help but this the skills they are learning now will pay lifetime dividends. Here are a few resources that I found helpful in sorting through digital or paper tracking. Hats off to our GPPSS Middle school teachers who developed the Pen and Paper Remote Learning Log.
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How to Organize using the Schoology Calendar Function video
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Schoology workflow and organization video
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Pen and Paper Remote Learning Log Document
The Counseling Center has been working to post “Wellness Wednesday” updates weekly on Schoology for students. Some weeks are more successful than others as we try to sort out posting on the Schoology platform. But here is a link to the weeks we have completed for your review.
Hang in there, everyone! I know it is challenging for students, parents, staff (counselors, too!) Pretty much everyone connected to education across the world is feeling the frustration. Practicing patience, gratitude, and grace, as we communicate to make teaching and learning work, is needed. We will get through this and be a million times more adept at technology.
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The Mothers' Club is dedicated to continuing to enhance and support the students and teachers at South. Alumni, parents, grand parents and guardians are all welcome to lend their support by joining the Mothers' Club.
If you have all ready joined, thank you!
If you are still considering joining, please help us make this school year memorable, uphold as many traditions as possible, and find new ways to support our students and teachers.
MothersClubGPS.com
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High Pointes | Grosse Pointe South Mothers' Club
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