Learning to Give

Community service is woven into the fabric of life at the Academy. Whether the experience takes place as part of the school curriculum or as an individual service project, students gain leadership skills that last a lifetime. Below is a round-up of some of the major activities that took place during the 2010-11 school year.

October - CATCH Fun Run
For the tenth consecutive year, students in grades 1-5 participated in the CATCH Fun Run. CATCH stands for Caring Athletes Team for Children's and Henry Ford Hospitals. Due to the school’s continuing loyalty and commitment to the CATCH organization, several middle school students were asked to participate in the CATCH Night of Champions annual fundraising event. The students received many compliments from attendees for their impressive performance.

“Every year we have participated, Jim Hughes, CATCH’s Executive Director, has come to cheer on our kids!” says Community Service Coordinator Sasha Murphy.

November - Clothing Drive

Part of the Middle School community service curriculum includes coordinating a clothing drive in November for the Capuchin Soup Kitchen. Every morning for several days, middle school students, along with Christian Life teacher Ellen Krease, greet parents and students at morning drop-off and offer to unload bags of gently used clothing from their cars.

 

Grosse Pointe Santa Parade
The Grosse Pointe Academy participated in the Grosse Pointe Santa Claus Parade the day after Thanksgiving. GPA had a strong showing this year, with many students and parents marching. Representing Academy faculty and staff in the parade was Early and Lower School Principal Jen Kendall. Carrying the school banner, wearing Academy blue Santa hats, chanting “GPA!” and accompanied by the school mascot, the Bulldog, the Academy contingent demonstrated a lot of energy and school spirit to onlookers.

December - Chapel Giving
The month of December is filled with opportunities for students to learn about the gift of giving. Early and Lower School students fill baskets with mittens and hats; middle school students and faculty and staff adopt a family, donating toys, clothing and food to share the spirit of the holidays. An annual Christmas tradition is for the entire GPA community, from the three-year-olds to eighth graders, to gather in the Chapel with donations of canned goods, toiletries and other supplies provided by GPA families.

February - St. Paul Breakfast
Seventh graders participated in St. Paul’s program for the homeless by making fleece blankets and serving breakfast for two mornings in February. “This is a wonderful chance for the children to meet and care for individuals who are experiencing difficult times in their lives,” said Christian Life teacher Ellen Krease. “Hopefully this experience will help them develop compassion as they learn to see ‘the homeless’ as real people just like themselves.” The students prepared for the experience in Christian Life class. They also reflected on it after the fact by writing journal entries.

April - Earth Week
Recently named a Michigan Green School, the Academy embarked on an ambitious celebration of Earth Week. “This is a great opportunity for us to teach students what they can do to be green at home and here at school,” said Sasha Murphy, who spearheaded the school’s green program.

May - Relay for Life
Almost the entire sixth and seventh grade participated in this year’s Relay for Life event, forming two teams which, combined, raised over $10,000 for this major fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.