• From: Judy Gafa [mailto:gafaj@gpschools.com]
    Sent: Monday, November 14, 2016 5:47 PM
    To: Niehaus, Gary
    Cc: ahmed@portraitplacegpw.com; Brian Summerfield; Cindy Pangborn; Cindy Pangborn - Grosse Pointe Public School System (pangboc@gpschools.com); Dan Roeske; Ismail, Ahmed (GPPSS); Kathleen Abke; Margaret Weertz; Admin All
    Subject: Re: Email invitation to the Board of Education Meeting

     

    It is too bad that a community member would ignore a designated night of celebration of Mason's accomplishment.

    I am deeply saddened that Mason's night might be overshadowed

    I sincerely hope I am wrong

    Judy Gafa

    On Monday, November 14, 2016, Niehaus, Gary <Gary.Niehaus@gpschools.org> wrote:

    Dear Board Members,

     

    This email has been sent to me more than once this morning.  Moussa and I did have a meeting with Ann Vanker this morning.  The Board of Education members needs to know what is being planned for our meeting tonight.

     

    Please call me if you have any questions.

     

    Thanks,

    GCN

     

    From: anne vanker <annevanker@gmail.com>
    Date: Sun, Nov 13, 2016 at 10:50 PM
    Subject: Fwd: What Do We Tell The Children?
    To:

    Friends - 

     

    On Wednesday, November 10, principal Moussa Hamka at Grosse Pointe South High School, delivered a speech over the PA system to the student body about the election of Donald Trump.  

     

    Principal Hamka's speech was seen as offensive to a number of South students and it was quickly identified as being largely lifted from a Huffington Post article (a fact he only acknowledged in a second announcement a 2 days later)  Read the entire article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/what-should-we-tell-the-children_us_5822aa90e4b0334571e0a30b  

     

    In taking this tack, Principal Hamka treated the results of our national election as a traumatic event; exposing a bigotry and unprofessional bias that is unlawful and divisive.   Arguably Principal Hamke was telling the 55% of the student body that  supported Donald Trump (the results of a recent mock election as reported by the student paper, The Tower) that they are not welcome members of the student community and that others should be afraid of them. 

     

    I am asking you to attend the GP school board meeting tomorrow, Monday 13th at Mason Elementary at 1640 Vernier Rd. at 7PM to provide some support on this matter and to let your comments be heard.    

     

    Thanks for the consideration.

     

    Anne Vanker

     

     

    Dr. Gary C. Niehaus

    Superintendent

    Grosse Pointe Public School System

    313-432-3004 – gary.niehaus@gpschools.org – http://www.gpschools.org

     

    One Vision: One GP – where everyone learns, every day

    Our Mission:  Promote Innovation ® Maximize Potential ® Embrace Community

     

    Confidentiality Notice:  This message, including any attachments, is intended for the use of the named recipient(s) and may contain confidential and/or privileged information.  ANY unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution of the communication(s) is expressly prohibited.  If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy any and all copies of the original message.