From: Chris Profeta [profetc@gpschools.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2017 6:48 PM
To: Niehaus, Gary
Cc: ahmed@portraitplacegpw.com; Brian Summerfield; Cindy Pangborn; Cindy Pangborn - Grosse Pointe Public School System (pangboc@gpschools.com); Ismail, Ahmed (GPPSS); Judy Gafa; Kathleen Abke; Margaret Weertz; Dean, Jon; Abbey, Lisa
Subject: Re: FW: Diversity

Dr. Niehaus,

I want to thank you for dealing in such a respectful way with some very offensive accusations leveled against you, the board, and our teachers and administrators.  I hope that your example will inspire others in our community to treat one another with the same level of dignity. 

To throw around the word "indoctrination," as some have done today, and accuse this district and members of this community of attempting to push a political philosophy on children by developing a Diversity Plan aimed at preventing bullying, and a community forum at which to present it and answer questions from the public creates an atmosphere in which it becomes difficult to work together to address the very real challenges we face.  

In order to try to see if there was something about the phrase "Global Leaders" of which I was unaware, I decided to look around online and see what I could find.  Ironically, I found this nice article in Forbes magazine entitled "The Four Skills You Need to Become a Global Leader."  It is worth taking a look at.  I cannot find anything offensive in this publication's description of what it means to be a Global Leader.  I certainly see nothing about political indoctrination.

During my first few months as a board member, I have been impressed by how all of us, in spite of some very deeply held opposing points of view, have been able to work together so respectfully and professionally.  I would like to encourage my fellow board members to condemn the kind of offensive and baseless accusations that were leveled against our district today.  Dr. Niehaus, his team, and the staff members in our buildings have done nothing wrong here, and they deserve to have our support on this issue.

Thank you,

Chris Profeta

Grosse Pointe Public School System

Board of Education Trustee

248-918-9850

Website

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Any opinions expressed in the above email are the personal opinions of the sender and not those of the other members of the Board and/or the Grosse Pointe Public School System.

On Tue, Mar 14, 2017 at 3:50 PM, Niehaus, Gary <Gary.Niehaus@gpschools.org> wrote:

FYI…GCN

From: Niehaus, Gary
Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2017 3:35 PM
To: 'anne vanker'; 'Biz Williamson'; 'Kelly Boll'
Cc: Fannon, Rebecca; Bur, Maureen; Howell, Keith
Subject: Diversity

Anne, Kelly and Biz,

Thank you for the follow-up emails!  I wanted to provide you with the documents that were presented to the Board of Education on Monday, February 13, 2017.  I would be happy to host another meeting to continue the Diversity Plan conversation.  This is what Maureen and Keith will present at the forum.  This is what we are trying to communicate.  So questions about the presentation could be with Keith and Maureen present.  Denise can help set up the day and time if you are interested.

Thank you!

GCN

Dr. Gary C. Niehaus

Superintendent

Grosse Pointe Public School System

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

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