Welcome to the new GPFPE!
It's a season of fresh starts at GPFPE: a new president, new board members, a new website and logo, and a new look for this newsletter. What hasn't changed is our mission: investing in our children is investing in our future.
Twenty years ago, a group of neighbors decided that great public schools need a community behind them. This year we are celebrating how far that idea has come, and we wanted to share some of the highlights with you.
You may notice things look a little different. We're delighted to introduce our brand-new website, gpfpe.org, along with a fresh format for this newsletter.
The new site makes it easier than ever to see the impact of your support: explore the grants we've funded for GPPSS teachers and students, learn about our board and our finances, and find upcoming events. It also makes it easier to GIVE in just a few clicks. This newsletter will bring you the same things in a more personal way, with classroom stories, event news, and updates on how your generosity is making a difference.
Along with our new website, you may notice something different at the top of this page. We've refreshed our logo and colors to be simpler, warmer, and easier to read, wherever you see us. What hasn't changed is why we're here: for over 20 years, GPFPE has funded the programs that help Grosse Pointe students thrive, because strong schools build strong communities.
Twenty years and over $5 million for our schools
On April 29, the community gathered at Ford House for After the Bell: A Celebration for Education to mark GPFPE's 20th anniversary. Since 2006, GPFPE has awarded over $5 million in grants to Grosse Pointe Public School System teachers, administrators and student groups. The fundraiser raised over $100,000 to support our students directly through academic enrichment grants.
A new obstacle course at Pierce
Pierce Middle School students have a new place to run, climb and challenge themselves. GPFPE awarded $10,000 toward a permanent outdoor obstacle course on the Pierce field, designed for students in grades 5–8. It was requested by Principal Sara Dirkse and the Pierce PTO.
The Grosse Pointe Foundation for Public Education (GPFPE) is pleased to announce that it has received a $15,000 grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan in additional support of the new outdoor obstacle course at Pierce Middle School. The grant enables the next phase of a multi-year initiative to enhance the school's outdoor field space and create a vibrant, inclusive environment that promotes student wellness, creative play, and social-emotional learning.
The Wilson Legacy funds, which the Community Foundation manages, focus on regional caregiving, design and access to public spaces, youth sports, and the Grosse Pointe communities. The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation established the funds to support issues that were important to the late Ralph C. Wilson, Jr., a Detroit native, former Grosse Pointe resident, and the founder and longtime owner of the Buffalo Bills football team.
$77,885 in spring grants across 30 projects
At the May 4 Board of Education meeting, GPFPE awarded nearly $78,000 to 30 projects that reach every level of the district. Some of the projects we're proud to support:
Reading. Morphology training for elementary literacy teams (partly funded by the Dalby Fund), a dyslexia book study for literacy coaches, and a new nonfiction collection at Richard Elementary through the Lois J. Warden Fund.
Creativity and technology. iPads for middle school math, plus new digital art and photography tools at Parcells and Brownell.
Real-world learning. A shoe-marketing project at North that benefits a local charity, the all-girl Botmasterz robotics team, and Destination Imagination teams at Pierce, Defer and South.
Safety. CPR manikins for district nurse training, emergency backpacks for every Brownell classroom, and an outdoor public AED station at South.
Caring for the whole child
More than $21,000 of the spring awards went to SEED Grants, which support the emotional and mental health of students and staff. These grants are funding a peer-to-peer mental health program and Link Crew freshman mentoring at North, calming spaces and wellness weeks in our elementary schools, a therapy dog at Ferry and Monteith, and 1,000 refillable water bottles for the community food banks at Defer and Mason.
Fall Frolic
On September 24, friends old and new gathered at Cadieux Cafe for feather bowling and live music from GPPSS teacher Pat Brown. This event was brought back by popular demand, and we hope to continue to celebrate the beginning of each school year with future Fall Frolic celebrations.
Please welcome GPFPE's new President, Joseph B. Herd.
Joseph Herd joined the GPFPE Board of Directors in the 2024–2025 school year and was elected President in June 2026. A longtime resident of Grosse Pointe Woods, Joe brings a rare understanding of how our schools work from the inside. He was unanimously appointed to the Grosse Pointe Public School System Board of Education in January 2020 and went on to serve as its president.
Joe retired in 2020 as Deputy Chief of U.S. Probation after 28 years of federal service. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan.
Having served both the district and the GPFPE, Joe knows firsthand how community support can open doors for every GPPSS student, and he is excited to lead GPFPE into its next chapter.
Save the Date
After the Bell:
A Celebration for Education
Grosse Pointe Foundation for Public Education's
Annual Fundraiser
Wednesday, April 28, 2027
6:30 – 10:00 p.m.
Ford House
1100 Lake Shore Rd., Grosse Pointe Shores
Join neighbors, educators and community leaders for an evening that supports the teachers and students of the Grosse Pointe Public School System. Last year we celebrated 20 years and over $5 million in grants to our schools. Help us start the next chapter.
Investing in our children is investing in our future.
Invitation and ticket details to follow. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Katie Stanley at stanlek@gpschools.org.
Thank you!
GPFPE is a nonpartisan, fully audited 501(c)(3) organization, and everything we do comes from this community's generosity. Strong schools build strong communities, and you are proof of that.
