March Edition
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
September 9, 2020
October 14, 2020
November 11, 2020
January 13, 2021
February 10, 2021
March 10, 2021
April 14, 2021
May 12, 2021
Check our website, Facebook or Twitter page for location or Zoom link.
General Membership meetings are open to all.
Mothers' Club Monthly Highlights

Scholarship Update: Class of 2021! The scholarship application period is closed and the scholarship committee is working hard to begin the process of reading each application package. The scholarship ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, May 7th. At this time we do not know what the format will be for the ceremony. More to come. Have questions, please contact Amy VanOsdol at [email protected].

Enrichment Update: Attention Teachers: Enrichment applications are in for the Winter Cycle. Decisions should be made by mid March and teachers will be notified. Have questions, please reach out to Karen Houting at [email protected].
Important Dates
March 4 - Parent / Teacher Conference 5:00 - 8:00 pm

March 29 - April 2 - Spring Break (return to school April 5th)

All Things Senior
Attention Senior Parents!

The Senior All Night Party has been a South tradition dating back some 40+ years. Offering a night, after graduation, where seniors can celebrate safely and make lasting memories with their classmates.

The All Night Party Committee is excited to host a night aboard the Detroit Princess Riverboat for our graduating seniors!

  • WHEN: Wednesday, June 9, 10:30 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.
  • WHAT: A river cruise, casino games, dance party, raffle, prizes, food, fun & more
  • WHERE: Detroit Princess Riverboat, across from Hart Plaza & next to TCF Center
  • HOW: Tickets are available to purchase for $70 in the GPS Webstore or through Venmo @GPSANP21, last four digits of cell for Venmo are 5081. The deadline has been extended to March 15, after that date the price will increase to $80.
  • QUESTIONS: Can be directed to co-chairs Tanya Rulison, [email protected] and Tracy Skupien, [email protected]
 
The Detroit Princess Riverboat is a four-story, 222-foot boat capable of holding 1,500 passengers. Our class will have the entire boat for eight hours providing plenty of space to spread out making everyone feel comfortable. All State of Michigan COVID protocols at that time will be followed. 

Our ability to host this party will depend on what restrictions are in place by the State of Michigan. If the event cannot be held, tickets are fully refundable. 

BABY PICTURES: Please send a baby picture with a corresponding senior photo to [email protected] to be part of the senior slideshow. Please include your name and number in case we need to reach you. Any questions can be directed to Robin Hartnett at (313) 378-7738.


Details regarding transportation, volunteer, fundraising and sponsorship opportunities will be shared in the coming weeks!
Senior Parents: Please watch your email for upcoming announcements and information regarding the All Night Party.
School District Calendar Highlights
2020 - 2021 Grosse Pointe South Calendar
March 2021 Counselors' Corner
      
Thankfully, the sun is shining and the occasional crocus dares to poke through the snowy ground promising us warmer days ahead. 

Parents, we appreciate the time that you spent with your students discussing course selections and schedules for next year. We will be meeting with students over the first two weeks of March to help them enter their selections and complete career work on Naviance. Please remember that families are still welcome to make changes to next year’s course requests if necessary. Feel free to make adjustments so that we can support a healthy balance in our students’ lives.  Evening Conferences will be on March 4 at South. This is great timing as it is halfway through the 3rd quarter. We will again be virtual using PTC Wizard to schedule conferences.

SENIORS:  
It’s not too late to search for Scholarships and Financial Aid. Be sure to check weekly e-blasts, Naviance, and the Career Resource Center webpage for an ever-updating list of scholarships.  Make sure that you have completed your FAFSA, as well. Even if you don’t think you will get any grant (free) money you will get school scholarships and low/no-interest loan offers that you may accept or decline in whole or in part. Questions about FAFSA are conveniently answered by the chatbot 24/7.  Also, completing the FAFSA is a great idea to show interest in receiving money from colleges – sometimes this opens doors that were previously hidden. For general scholarship searching, I am a big fan of www.fastweb.com and http://www.finaid.org/  These are both packed with GREAT information and resources.  On the Counseling Center Website, I have links to a presentation I did last spring on “Understanding Different Sources of Financial Aid” as well as a direct link to the slide deck for this.
This year we are learning that college applications at competitive colleges were high - possibly due to the test-optional format of most college admissions. Smaller colleges and many state schools were lower in application numbers.  Consequently, there are still many excellent opportunities to apply to schools.  It is not too late.  On May 5 NACAC will post a comprehensive list of all colleges and universities with admissions openings. You will be able to see this list here.

JUNIORS:  
Virtual Financial Aid Night will be Thursday, March 25. See Linda Schultz’s Friday E-Blast for the link closer to the date. It will be a live web-x so you can listen and ask questions. Topics include the elements of financial aid, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), private resources available, and more!

Current Juniors who are planning to apply to colleges in the Fall of 2021 should make sure that they are doing the following: 
  1. Many schools are already choosing to be test-optional next year however, I think it would be wise to attempt to register for the ACT and/or SAT tests.  You can do this online at www.actstudent.org or www.collegeboard.orgI understand that North will not be offering these tests through June so you may want to select a different local option like U of D. ALL juniors will be taking the SAT at South in April. Your student will register for the test in school.  You do not need to do anything to sign him or her up online. My advice at this point is to consider NOT sending student test scores to the colleges until we know what the situation will be with required testing and testing opportunities.
  2. Make an hour-long appointment with your counselor for the Junior Meeting to discuss possible choices that match your individual profile. Please note in the Calendly appointment that we will be discussing college so that counselors will be prepared.
  3. If it is possible, try to visit college campuses. Right now most are closed and it will have to be a virtual visit.  However, I’m hopeful as we move toward summer we can get closer to open air opportunities.

Valentine’s Day was a wonderful reminder to build gratitude and love into our everyday interactions. “Winter Blues” are real issues along with more serious mental health and wellness concerns.  If you are noticing changes in your child’s grades, interactions, behaviors, or friends this may be a message to seek support.  Please connect with your child’s counselor or another member of the school’s mental health team to find resources. If you are in immediate need of assistance with concerns of suicide please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-TALK (8255) or www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org for live chat. Students may feel comfortable texting the Crisis Text Line, a free, 24/7, confidential text message service for people in crisis. Just text HELLO to 741-741
Wellness Wednesdays since our last issue have included: EmpathyDepressionSelf-Care
 
Upcoming Events:
The Family Center does a great job listening to the needs of our community and responding by programming events to meet those demands.  Visit the Resiliency Hub to learn about new programs available on-demand via podcasts and webcasts on the following topics:
  • Family Dynamics with Ellen Miller
  • Understanding the Effects of the Pandemic on Kids with Dr. Ashley Falco
  • Building Emotional Resilience During Crises with Miriam Engstrom and Liane Lyne
  • Recognizing non-verbal symptoms of Crisis with Sarah Emmerson and Nicole Runyon (Available March 15)
There will also be a live virtual program Reading and Self Care with the GP Library.

All programs are free and you will find more information at: www.familycenterweb.org
Class of 2021 - Seniors
Roaring 2021

Instagram: GPSouth2021

Class Advisor: Kendra Caralis
Class of 2022 - Juniors
Journey Juniors

Instagram: GPSouth.22

Class Advisor: Meg Pierce
Class of 2023 - Sophomores
Circus Sophomores

Instagram: GPSouth.2023

Class Advisor: Katie Parent
Class of 2024 - Freshman
Florida Freshman

Instagram: GPSouth2024

Class Advisor: Shannon Sugamele
Spirit Week Fun!!
The Class of 2024 would like to extend a special thank you to Melissa Petz, David Lubanski, and Kristi Donnellon for their supply donations for our February spirit week.

Between these parent donors, students had primer, paint, and paint brushes to decorate for their spirit week. Parent contributions are never expected, but always appreciated. Thanks so much for all that you do for our students!" 
ArtFest 2021

The GPS Art Department and ArtFest Committee are pleased to announce that ArtFest 2021 will be held as a virtual exhibition, including an on-line auction.  As such, our students’ art will remain on display for an entire year.  Our schedule will be as follows:
 
Tuesday, May 4 – all day:  Awards Judging On-line

Wednesday, May 4  – Friday, May 7:  ArtFest Online Auction Held

Friday, May 7: ArtFest Awards Night (details TBD)

Saturday, May 8:  Art Pick-up or Delivery
 
Please support our artists by participating in this event’s auction and considering becoming an Award Sponsor this year!
 
Award Sponsorship
ArtFest is all about supporting our students in their creative pursuit of the arts.  In 2019, we were able to provide over $8,000 in awards to our students through generous donations from our community.  Have you considered sponsorship, but not sure where to start?  Contact our Treasurer, Laura Wholihan  ([email protected] or (313) 268-0910), or our Co-Chair, Paula Draper ([email protected] or (313) 310-0211).
Band & Orchestra Update

The Band & Orchestra Boosters will host a Virtual Auction in May (date TBA). We are still waiting to hear from South administration on the possibility of a live performance. Please check our website and Facebook page in the near future for more information and updates.

GPSB&O Spirit wear will be delivered to students in the coming weeks!

Check out the South Merchandise!!

All South merchandise online or in-store earns the Mothers' Club a portion of the sale.

Please mention the Mothers' Club or that you're a South parent when purchasing.

Link to the online store:


Curbside pickup available on all items purchased online.


Albatross Creative Embroidery
17860 Mack Avenue
(313) 458-7304
Final thoughts . . . . .
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
High Pointes | Grosse Pointe South Mothers' Club