Message from the Head

STATE OF THE SCHOOL MEETING

The annual State of the School meeting was held on February 2. Click below to hear messages from Phil Demartini, Head of School, Robbie Triano, Student Council President, and Emily Williams '06, a senior at Cranbrook Kingswood and 2005-06 Student Council President.

http://www.gpacademy.org/video/SOS_Phil_Demartini.wmv

http://www.gpacademy.org/video/SOS_Robbie_Triano.wmv

http://www.gpacademy.org/video/SOS_Emily_Williams.wmv



MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD - SUMMER 2010 NEWSLETTER

We have just concluded the 40th year of The Grosse Pointe Academy. The 2009-2010 school year was remarkable in many ways. The addition of three wonderful new faculty members, Kate Baudeloque, Sarah Brown and Trevor Clor, helped solidify our tremendous faculty. The study of creativity led by Dr. Diane Blau opened up new horizons for our teachers, allowing them not only to develop new teaching methods, but to draw together as a team.

The Baccalaureate and graduation ceremonies were true reflections of the Academy mission. At the Baccalaureate service, students presented heart-warming reflections on their time at GPA. The first graders sang a farewell song to their buddies, and  faculty members established a new tradition of bidding farewell to the class by singing a prayer to the class as a parting blessing.

As I say each year at graduation, this is a difficult time of year for all of us. We are so proud of the accomplishments of our eighth graders, but we are extremely sad to see them depart. Each teacher that these students have had over the years, whether they began in the Early School or Middle School, is part of the mosaic of excellent instruction they receive that allows them to reach their full potential.

These students are truly prepared for the next phase of their educational journey. The road they traveled from pre-school to eighth grade was filled with twists and turns. There were moments of success. There were moments of struggle. Happy times and sad times criss-crossed the path in an unpredictable order. Life-time friendships were created, along with bonds that will never be broken.

The eighth grade parents were part of the learning equation. Did we always agree on what strategies to take? Probably not, but we always had deep respect for each other.

For all of us, it is amazing to watch the metamorphosis of these young people as they grow into adults. The three-year-old who clung to Mom on the first day of school transforms into the poised, self-assured graduate who crosses the stage to receive a diploma. The 25 young men and women who graced the stage on June 15 are equipped with the understanding  that through great teaching, patience, spiritual development and a little bit of luck, the future is theirs for the taking.

As we close the chapter on one more school year, we greet the next. Have a great summer. We look forward to seeing you in September.