Cathy’s Thoughts for the Week
We are now entering the last two weeks of term 1. This fall has flown by. Finals are scheduled for
Friday November 20, 23 and 24. Students should begin to plan their study approach for finals.
Leaving everything until the night before the final is not a good approach. Each year we present a
session directed to families of freshman about how to prepare for finals. The presentation and
resources are posted on the Groves Web page. This is a great resource to which to refer for planning
schedules and ideas.
Groves PTA will meet Tuesday, November 10 at 7 am in Staff Planning. The first hour is open
dialogue, networking parents and school staff. From 8-9 am the PTA Executive Board will meet. All
are welcome to attend.
The BEF has been very generous to the students of Groves High School. Please consider donating
to this wonderful organization. The money raised comes right back to students.
8,000 Reasons to Give – Support the BEF Annual Fund Today!
When you think of the more than 8,000 BPS students, whose face do you see?
A donation to the Birmingham Education Foundation’s Annual Fund supports all of our students
through our teacher grants program, which last year awarded more than $128,000 back to teachers –
and this year we’d like to be able to give even more!
So, what’s your reason for giving to the BEF? Make a difference for our students today. Click here to
donate online!
Cathy Hurley
CHurley@birmingham.k12.mi.us
Timely Information
From the Attendance Desk:
Reminder to parents, all phone calls to excuse your child’s absence MUST be made within 24 hours
of the absence. The phone number is 248-203-3500 option #2. Our evening call out system is
currently disabled, please be sure to check your child’s Power School to keep up with his or her
attendance.
If your child needs to leave school early, please send a note for the teacher. The teacher will then
excuse your child from class; the child brings the attendance office the note, and signs themselves
out. Parents don't even have to come in to the school. Calling the classroom to get your child is
disruptive to the teacher and all the other students. When circumstances occur that your child needs
to leave school unexpectedly, please come into the attendance office to sign your child out.
Book Room Help Needed
Volunteers are needed to help out with textbook returns at the end of the first trimester and textbook
distribution at the beginning of Trimester 2.
We could not complete this process without your help. Thank you!!
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4baead2aa2ff2-textbook1
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4baead2aa2ff2-1sttri1
M-Step Information
In the spring of 2015, Birmingham Schools students took Michigan’s new statewide test, the M-STEP,
for the first time. At this time, the State has not released the M-STEP individual student scores or any
subsequent reports. This information is embargoed with no set timeline for distribution. Please be
reassured that as soon as the embargo is lifted by the State, we will process the scores and notify
parents/guardians of the results of their child’s performance. Our students continue to perform at top
levels compared to peer districts thanks to our dynamic staff and the support of our dedicated BPS
families.
PTA Reflections Art Program 2015-2016
This year’s theme is: “Let Your Imagination Fly”
The PTA Reflections Art Program is underway!
The categories include:
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Literature
Photography
Visual Arts (category now includes 2D & 3D forms)
Dance Choreography
Music Composition
Film Productions
Special Artist
Reflections packets with rules and a Student Entry Form are located in the office or on the school's
website. More detailed category rules and program information can be found at
pta.org/statereflectionslibrary.
Entries are due Wednesday, December 2, 2015. Please turn in entries to the office. All entries must
include a title and Artist’s Statement (see entry form).
Contact Mia Kennedy at miackenn@gmail.com with questions.
Upcoming Events
Girls Soccer Informational Meeting
There will be a Groves Girl's Soccer informational meeting on Tuesday, November 10th at 3:00pm in
room G1 for all girls interested in playing this season. We will be discussing off-season training and
sharing important dates for the program. If you have any questions, please contact the booster
president Becky Brady at mrbrady5@comcast.net
Freshman Subject Specific Review Session for Finals
Saturday November 14, 8:15am-12:00pm in the science area---Students will have the opportunity
to attend up to 4 study sessions facilitated by content area teacher. Review sessions will be offered
for most freshman classes. There will be an open study room for students that do not have one of the
core subjects. We will provide a small snack in the middle of the morning. A separate email will be
sent to parents of freshman students. The registration form is on the Groves Web Site.
The Musical Is Here—Come See Grease
A WOP BABA LU MOP AHH WOP BAM BOOM!
Grease: School Version
Book and lyrics by Jim Jacobs & Warren Casey
Additional songs & lyrics arranged by Robert Stigwood
“Grease is the word, it’s got move its got meaning” Set against the backdrop of 1959 of Rydell High
School Grease is the classic high school musical about a classic American high school. All of the
characters you know and love are there and all of those catchy songs too.
The GPAC production, under the direction of Mr. John W. Rutherford, is the “school version” because
some of the content and language has been changed to make it more appropriate for the whole
family. This version retains all of the fun loving characters, the antics and the fifties inspired music
while making it a fun performance for elementary school aged students.
Audiences are sure to enjoy this nostalgic comedy set in 1959 at Rydell High School. This beloved
musical, Grease features a cast of vivid characters: Sandy Dumbrowski, the upright but uptight new
girl in school; Danny Zuko, the slick, cool greaser who is the leader of the “Burger Palace Boys”;
Rizzo, the tough, sarcastic and outspoken leader of the Pink Ladies; and Keniecki, a tough-looking
greaser and owner of Greased Lightnin’, all of the characters are desperate to find acceptance and to
fit in at high school. Musical numbers include “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin,” “We Go
Together” and “You’re The One That I Want.”
The Groves Performing Arts Company’s production of Grease will take place on November 6, 7, 13
and 14 at 7:00 p.m. and November 8 & 15 at 2:30 p.m. Performance will take place at the Groves
High School Auditorium, 20500 West Thirteen Mile Road, Beverly Hills. Tickets are $12 for adults
and $10 for students. Advanced tickets can be purchased at the Groves Main Office from 7:30 a.m.
to 3:30 p.m. on school days. For more information, call 248/203-3530.
Cosmetology Night At Oakland Technical School-North East
4 weeks from today is the OSTC-NE Cosmetology Information Night!
Cosmetology is a popular program that fills up quickly!
If you are a current 10th grader and you are interested in Cosmetology please plan to attend our
upcoming Cosmetology Information Night.
It will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2015 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Attending this Information Night is vital for parents and potential students to hear and begin to
understand the expectations of successfully completing the Cosmetology program.
Following Cosmetology Information Night, we hope parents and students return on the evening of
Thursday, December 3, 2015 for our Career Night / Open House to see first-hand our current
Cosmetology students in a Fantasy Hair/Make-Up competition, which is typically very popular for all
visitors that evening!
Contact Greg Kolb, Groves Counselor, for more information
gkolb@birmingham.k12.mi.us
NCAA Clearing House
SENIORS ATHLETES needing to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center will be able to do so on
Wednesday November 11 @ 7:30am in the Groves College and Career Center. A credit card is
needed for payment. Contact Greg Kolb, Groves Counselor gk01bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us with
questions.
BCS’s 20 Year Celebration is coming!
Saturday, November 28 from 3-6 PM (click here for the flyer)
Kids and families from every year are planning to attend this BCS reunion and we want any and all
former and current BCS families to celebrate with us! Here are some of the highlights:
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BCS’s first Principal Dale Truding will be on hand along with current and past principals to
greet students, staff and families.
A current student has designed a “must have” commemorative T-shirt. And what BCS party
would be complete without ice cream?!
A team of staff is working on a giant timeline that will depict BCS’s 20 Years, and is also
collecting BCS artifacts for display.
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You won’t want to miss the debut of "BCS Through the Years.”, courtesy of our BCS film
production class.
Spread the word and share this information and the flyer with others....Saturday November 28th 36pm @BCS!
LIKE BCS 20 Year Celebration on Facebook and check out some amazing pictures through the
years!
Clubs and Activities
Groves’ Links Activity
There will be a LINKS lunch in Thursday, November 12 during A and B lunch, in the staff planning
room. Everyone is welcome to bring their lunch and attend. We will have board games available for
students to play.
Annual Poinsettia and Holiday Greens Fundraiser
Now through November 11th Girls’ and Boys’ Swim & Dive Teams and the Boys’ Water Polo Team
are taking orders for Poinsettia Plants, Holiday Wreaths, Porch Pots and Cedar Roping that will be
delivered on December 8th. The plants are available in three pot sizes and in six colors: red, white,
pink, burgundy, jingle bells and marble. Decorated wreaths, porch pots and Cedar Roping are also
being offered this year. Please support our water athletes by purchasing some of these beautiful
plants or holiday greens for your home or business. Contact any team member or Candace Raimi @
cerny01@yahoo.com for more information or to place an order.
Groves Ski and Snowboard Club
Pick up your packets in B21 between classes starting Monday, November 2nd through Nov.9th
ALL completed packets must be in by Monday, Nov. 16, 3:00 pm
No exceptions. Spaces are limited. First come first serve
Community Service Opportunities
Volunteers are needed to help clean up from the Baldwin Public Library Used Book and Media
Sale. Baldwin is located at 300 West Merrill (west of Bates and east of Southfield, across from Shain
Park) in downtown Birmingham. Go to the Rotary Room on the lower level and dress for lifting and
moving books and media materials! November 9, 3:15 – 6:00 pm, Email: Sheilabrice3@gmail.com
Tree Planting in Manor Park, Partner with the City of Birmingham to help plant 20 trees in Manor
Park (16 Mile Rd. and Adams). Wear closed toe shoes, bring a shovel and work gloves. Saturday,
November 7 8:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Volunteers need to call 248-530-1714 or email,
claird@bhamgov.org to RSVP.
Jennifer Kondak
CSO – Groves High School
Student News
Groves Band Students Shine
Annalese Lohr and Sarah Piotrowicz auditioned for MSBOA All State Band at Walled Lake Northern
High School on November 1. Each candidate performed scales, an etude and sight reading.
On October 24, Hope Lamphere and Sarah Piotrowicz, both members of the Groves Flute Choir,
performed at The Southeastern Michigan Flute Association 14th Annual Flute Festival in Detroit.
Hope performed on Contrabass flute, while Sarah played C flute.
Members of the Groves High School Marching Band woke up bright and early on Friday, October 30
to be featured as the WXYZ Channel 7 Band of the Week!! Our MSBOA first division rated band was
featured on several news segments between 5:30 and 8:30 am as they performed songs from their
halftime show, such as “Soak Up the Sun" and "Thanks for the Memories." Our talented drum line
was featured later that morning as they performed in the Groves gym. Principal Cathy Hurley,
Director Michael Burkett and assistant directors Sean Smith and Brian Stuckey spoke as part of a live
interview with Channel 7 News reporter, Erin Nicole. Check out our precise drum
line!! http://www.wxyz.com/news/band-of-the-week-birmingham-groves-high-school
Groves Cheer Pink Out Successful
Groves Varsity Cheer would like to say thank you to everyone that supported our 2015 Pink Out.
Through t-shirt sales and donations we raised $1,186.00 for Shades of Pink Foundation.
Thank you to everyone that purchased a shirt, made a donation and wore Pink! Go Pink, Fight
Cancer, Win the Fight!
Please Share Your Successes
I will publish information about Groves’ athletic teams and student activities when it is sent to me. Each team
should have a “media person’ who sends me information. I publish an enews letter every Friday. I will include
information received by Thursday evening each week.
Community Service Opportunities
Fundraising Activities
SAVE THE DATE - BLACKTHORN CONCERT!
Mark your calendars to see the highly-acclaimed and ever-popular Blackthorn on Saturday,
January 16, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. in the Little Theater. The group, featuring Belfast native and lead
vocalist Richard McMullan, treats audiences to a rich blend of traditional and contemporary Irish
music, as well as Blue Grass and American folk songs. McMullan, World Language Department Head
and teacher at Groves High School, returns with his group to play at Groves for the 16 th year with
proceeds benefiting the Senior All Night Party.
Groves Senior All Night Party Fundraiser
Do what you love to do (drink coffee) and support the Groves SANP at the same time! Purchase
coffee, tea and cocoa at Giving Bean Fundraiser and 25% of the sales will go directly to the SANP.
Thank you, in advance, for your support.
College & Career Center News
College & Career Center News
American Legion Oratorical Contest Scholarship is open to all high school students. The purpose
of the program is to instill a better knowledge and appreciation for the U. S. Constitution. Contestants
have an opportunity to win $800 - $1500; must register with the local Oratorical Zone Chairman by
January 2, 2015. More information and applications are available by emailing
packet@michiganlegion.org.
College Exploration Events –
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Oakland University Education and Human Services Day takes place on Sat, Nov 7 from 9 am
– 2:30 pm on the OU campus in Rochester. Students interested in studying education, counseling,
human development and child studies, and organization leadership are invited to attend. Register
online at www.oakland.edu/visit.
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The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) will be hosting SAIC Day on Sunday, Nov 8
from 12 – 3 pm at the Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave, in Detroit. Meet with
admission staff and faculty, receive one-on-one portfolio reviews, and learn more about SAIC’s
curriculum, application process and requirements, as well as merit scholarships. For more
information, contact Travis Tiblier ttiblier@saic.edu.
Scholarships for Seniors –
 The University of Michigan Club of Greater Detroit Scholarship Program applications are
now available at www.umclubgreaterdetroit.org and due on Fri, Jan 15, 2016.
 Playing with Purpose Scholarship for Christian Student Athletes in grades 10-12; application
and criteria available at www.playingwithpurpose.org. Due Feb 1, 2016.
 NFIB Young Entrepreneur Awards: application is available online at
http://www.nfib.com/foundations/yef/yef-programs/young-entrepreneur-awards and due on Dec
18, 2015.
 GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program: application is available at
http://www.reaganfoundation.org/GE-RFScholarships.aspx and due by Jan 8, 2016.
 SAE International Scholarship Program: application for engineering scholarships is available
online at http://students.sae.org/scholarships/freshman and due by Jan 15, 2016.
 MEA Scholarship: for dependents of MEA members or MEA-Retired members planning to attend
a Michigan public institution of higher education or one of the Michigan private institutions listed on
the website; application online at www.mea.org/mea-scholarship and due on Feb 25, 2016.
 American Legion Dept of Michigan Scholarships: Guy Wilson Scholarship and the Brewer
Scholarship are available for children and grandchildren of war-time era veterans; at least a 2.5
GPA or higher; application available by emailing packet@michiganlegion.org; applications due by
Jan 11, 2016.
Senior All Night Party Updates
Senior All Night Party Planning Meeting: Monday, November 9th at 7:00pm
Parents of seniors, please plan on joining us for our SANP meeting on Monday, Nov. 9th at 7:00pm in
the Groves Staff Planning Room. We meet monthly on the second Monday of each month. There are
a variety of ways to help that will fit your interests and your time - come join us! If you are unable to
attend the meeting but are still willing to help, please feel free to contact any of this year’s SANP
chairs: Becky Bachand (bachandfamily@att.net),Cindy Balicki (cbalicki@aol.com),Sarah Gijsbers
(slyons@hanover.com) and Kathy Westerlund (westerlundarch@comcast.net).
Senior Wishes Are Here!
WHAT IS A SENIOR WISH?
A senior wish is a message to say congratulations and good luck to your favorite graduating senior(s).
WHO CAN SEND A SENIOR WISH?
Anyone can send a senior wish – parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, neighbors, teammates,
coaches, teachers, and counselors, other staff members, class mates, childhood friends, etc.
WHEN ARE SENIOR WISHES DELIVERED?
Seniors will receive the wishes at the Senior All Night Party on June 5, 2016. Proceeds from the sale
of the wishes help cover the cost of the Senior All Night Party.
HOW DO I SEND A SENIOR WISH?
Complete an order form and send it with a check (payable to Groves SANP) to:
o The main office, Attn: Aryn Zwierzchowski – Senior Wishes
OR
o Aryn Zwierzchowski , 19761 Silver Spring St. Southfield, MI 48076
 Wishes are $5.00 each (or 5 wishes for $20.00 if I received by Saturday, March 19, 2016).
Please send in the payments with all wishes
 Deadline for all wishes is Friday, May 13, 2016.
 For Order Forms, use the link below to the Senior Class Info section on the Groves Website:
http://groves.birmingham.k12.mi.us/modules/cms/pages.phtml?pageid=205490
Community News and Opportunities
Birmingham/Bloomfield Community Coalition
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Q&A with YAB teens on "Vapes & E-cigs.” Based on questions asked by 8th grade
students transitioning to high school. Parent info included, too. Click this link to
view: http://tinyurl.com/onmcpo7
BBCC October e-news includes info on the latest drug Flakka and the Student Athlete Project
for high school teens. Click this link to view: http://tinyurl.com/q5avwfz
For more information about substance abuse prevention visit www.bbcoalition.org or likes us on
FaceBook at http://tinyurl.com/pg75a64
Over-Parenting
Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at 10:00am
Presented by Dr. Bernie Les
Are you guilty of over-parenting? Does your child seem helpless sometimes to perform even the
simplest tasks? When you put out the peanut butter, jelly and bread has your child ever said "Can't
you just make it for me? You do it so much better." This isn't necessarily a sign that your child is
lazy. It may be evidence that by always trying to help your child out, you've robbed him/her of the
confidence in his/her own abilities.
While it seems like we are just trying to help our over-worked and stressed out students, we are in
fact robbing them of important learning experiences and confidence boosters. Join us for an
enlightening presentation of how to find the balance both you and your child need.
This program is presented by Dr. Bernie Les and is free and open to the public. There is NO need
to pre-register. Click HERE for more information.
This program will be held at The Booth/Doyle Center located at 7275 Wing Lake Road,
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION:
The Board of Education is committed to maintaining a learning/working environment in which all individuals are treated with dignity and
respect, free from discrimination and harassment. There will be no tolerance for discrimination or harassment on the basis of race,
color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, disability or age. The District prohibits
harassment and other forms of discrimination whether occurring at school, on District property, in a District vehicle, or at any District
related activity or event. The Superintendent will designate compliance officers and develop and implement regulations for the
reporting, investigation and resolution of complaints of discrimination or harassment. The following people have been designated to
handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Students - Inquiries related to discrimination on the basis of disability should
be directed to: Executive Director of Special Education, 31301 Evergreen Road, Beverly Hills, MI 48025, 248.203.3000. Direct all other
inquiries related to discrimination to: Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, 31301 Evergreen Road, Beverly Hills, MI 48025,
248.203.3000.
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