Happy Thanksgiving!

Wow, we went from one holiday right until the next one! This time of year provides an opportunity to consciously pause, reflect, and give thanks. My wish for all of you is that this break allows you to rest and recharge, and that you have quality time with family and friends. Happy Thanksgiving!

COMING SOON: We are extremely fortunate to be able to host Katey McPherson, the Executive Director of The Gurian Institute, to present a parent workshop on Tuesday, 12/5, from 7-8 pm in the Plymouth Cafeteria. In this one-hour session, parents will learn practical tips and strategies to manage, supervise, and understand the pressures our kids face and how they can respond to the immediate need to recognize that this is a crucial mental health and wellness issue. All parents of students in grades 4-12 are welcome to attend. Trust me, you won't want to miss this one! Please help spread the word! Here is FLYER for details. 

My name is Jennifer Dealy and this is my 3rd year in the Counseling Department. Even though I've only been at Plymouth a short time, I started my career teaching Language Arts and Social Studies in Plymouth Canton Community Schools back at Lowell Middle School in 1995. Since then, I was fortunate enough to work at both East and Discovery. I have a Bachelor's degree in teaching from U of M - Dearborn and a Master's Degree in counseling from Wayne State. My educational philosophy is very student centered. I think that my best teaching and learning has come when my relationships with students were on point.

A personal goal that I am working on is trying to live in a healthy way spiritually, physically and mentally. I'm trying to make sure that I am living in the moment, enjoying the little things and remembering that "Life is a journey... not a destination!" Professionally this year I am really focusing on building relationships with students so that they know me and feel comfortable asking for help. Again, the relationship piece of this job is where I know I need to focus.

I am very blessed to have wonderful 19 year old twin sons, Jacob and Josh, and a very sweet husband, Steve. I have 9 nieces and nephews with whom I enjoying spending time as well. I spend a lot of time with family and my husband and I enjoy hanging out and going new places. Church is important to me and I feel like this part of my life has helped keep me grounded and sane. I do feel very blessed with all I have been given.

Five words to describe Plymouth High School would be: supportive, welcoming, cheery, flexible and fun!

2017 Boys Cross Country Team State Runner-up

P-CEP Marching Band (picture taken from Facebook)                                                    

Plymouth Girls Golf 

National Letter of Intent Signers

Did you know that there are many reasons to celebrate? Recently the PHS Boys Cross Country team finished 2nd in the State, our P-CEP Marching Band, who also finished 2nd in the State, went on to place 24th at Nationals, Girls Golf finished 5th in the state, and Boys Tennis was named All-State Academic with an impressive 4.17 Team GPA! And, just last week, 6 athletes signed their Letter of Intent to play college athletics after high school. Congratulations to Logan Dziadzio (Madonna Baseball); Evan Good (Northwood Baseball); Anthony Crump (University of North Carolina - Asheville Basketball); Erin Johnson (Grand Valley State Golf); Ethan Byrnes (Wayne State Cross Country); and Paige Sanders (Oakland Track and Field). 

Did you know that counselors met with all 9th grade students? Counselors met with their freshmen students in small groups on November 14th and November 15th. During the class period, counselors helped students "build a blueprint" by working on four year planning. During this time, students thought about their academic and personal goals and how to get there.  

Did you know that all Freshmen will participate in a Challenge Day Assembly on Friday, 12/1? This year, for the first time, the Park is hosting a Challenge Day Assembly for all 9th grade students. In the past we have always had the three Challenge Days (one per school); however, we wanted to expand the message of increasing awareness and empathy by offering this experience of the Challenge Day Assembly to all Freshmen. We're super excited!

I hope you had a Happy Halloween! Look at some of the pumpkins in one of our biology classes. I think I shocked the kids when I started pointing out the specific parts on the neuron pumpkin. Hey, once a biology teacher, always a biology teacher! 

And some pictures from last week . . .

Plymouth 2017 Hall of Fame Inductees Katie Chipman and Michael Jordan

Relay for Life Spirit Week - Superheros (staff spirit) 

Upcoming Events: 

Monday, 10/30:
Tuesday, 10/31: Halloween (full day for middle school & high school)
Wednesday, 11/1:
Thursday, 11/2: P-CEP Community Open House @ SHS 6-8 pm

Tuesday, 11/7: District PD (no school for students)
Friday, 11/10: End of 1st quarter

SAVE THE DATE: On Tuesday, 12/5 @ 7 pm, P-CEP is hosting a free parent workshop for parents with students in grades 4-12 on THE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON TEENS. Guest speaker, Katey McPherson, will focus on the 4 pillars of digital citizenship, how to manage and supervise device use, the hidden impact of screen time on developing brains, and teaching kids how to use these tools for their future while meandering the many nuances of tween and teen hood. 

Hi, my name is Karen Pakula and I teach math at Plymouth High School. This is my fourteenth year at Plymouth High School. Prior to teaching at PHS, I taught part-time for seven years with PCCS Alternative/Adult Education program at Starkweather Education Center. I have been a teacher, in one form or another for 30+ years. I absolutely love it! My teaching experience is very diverse – I have taught at many different levels: middle school, high school, alternative education, and adult education. The one thing I have learned from my varied experiences is: Students are students, it doesn’t matter where they come from or who they are. The bottom line is that education is a necessity and as a teacher it is my mission to convey its importance. It is my responsibility to teach and help students become a productive, well-rounded citizens. I want to make a difference in their lives!

My personal goals this year are to exercise regularly, eat healthy and continue to spend quality time with my family. My professional goal is to use restorative circles in my classroom this year as one way to create a community in which all students want to and can learn.

My family and I live in Canton. Thirty-two years ago I married my high school sweetheart. He is in pharmaceutical sales and works for Sanofi. We have two sons. Parker is 24 and a graduate of Canton High School and Central Michigan University. He is employed by Ford Motor Company as a buyer in Purchasing. Carson is 19 and a 2016 graduate of Canton High School. He is a sophomore at Central Michigan University pursuing a degree in Biology.

Five words to describe my classroom are welcoming, colorful, energetic, challenging, and respectful.

Did you know that our student athletic captains completed the first day of a two-day leadership training? The training focused on the BE GREAT curriculum, which includes Boundaries, Expectations, Growth, Respect, Empathy,Assertiveness, and Trust. The training is facilitated by P-CEP teachers Derek Southwick and Nicol Shamey.

Did you know that P-CEP offers student shadow days for families who reside in the boundaries of P-CCS but do not currently attend P-CCS? Our first shadow days are 11/14 (CHS), 11/15 (PHS), and 11/16 (SHS).  You can get more information about P-CEP Shadow days HERE.