School bells are set to ring again all through the Grosse Pointes. Whether your student’s backpack is itching to be filled or you still have sand in your shoes from summer, there’s no time like now to dive into back-to-school planning. Here’s your easy, breezy, not-at-all-stressful guide to starting the 2025–2026 school year in style!
Mark Your Calendar: GPPS Key Dates
Already thinking about those precious days off? Pop these Grosse Pointe Public School System (GPPS) dates on the family calendar:
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First Day of School: September 2, 2025
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No School: November 4 (Teacher PD), January 19 (MLK Day), April 20 (Teacher PD), May 25 (Memorial Day)
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Thanksgiving Break: November 26–28
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Winter Break: December 22–January 2
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Midwinter Break: February 16–20
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Spring Break: March 30–April 3
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Last Day: June 11, 2026
Keep these handy to avoid any “oops, no school today?” moments.
Enrollment Made Easy
If your family is new to one of the Grosse Pointes (welcome to the neighborhood!), getting your kids enrolled is a breeze. Visit the GPPS enrollment portal for info on required documents, residency proof, and key contacts. The form is straightforward, and you can even get assistance if you hit a snag.
Already enrolled? Update your info and check your school assignments online, then give yourself a high-five for being ahead of the game.
School Shopping: Where to Stock Up
Before you break into a cold sweat about where to buy folders, crayons, and protractors, relax. Plenty of local spots make school supply shopping as painless as possible.
1. Kern’s School Supplies
17560 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe, MI 48230
Beloved for aisles of pens, planners, artsy stuff, and the friendliest staff in the Pointes. The staff always knows which ruler is cool this year.
2. Party Place
20329 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236
You’ll find everything from colorful binders to creative locker bling, plus that one folder your student swears everybody else will have.
3. Office Depot
20601 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236
Perfect for bulk deals on everything from notebooks to printer ink. They also have teacher discounts.
4. Fischer Hardware
19100 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236
It’s not just for lightbulbs. Fischer always pulls out a fun (and surprisingly helpful) selection of back-to-school basics, including quirky gadgets.
While big-box stores are just a short drive away, there are real perks to shopping local—shorter lines, less overwhelm, and bonus “Hey neighbor!” moments.
Top Tips for a Smooth Start
Nervous parents, excited students, and everyone in between: here’s how to make this back-to-school run smoother than your favorite iced coffee.
Start Small, Start Early
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Ease back into routines the week before school starts. Set alarms, plan bedtime, and maybe even lay out a few outfits.
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Tidy up the study zone at home—fresh desk, a comfy chair, and a spot for all that school mail.
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Go over class schedules together so those first few days aren’t a total maze.
Master the Supply List
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Schools often share a supply list—follow it, but don’t sweat if you can’t find that exact mint-green spiral notebook.
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Label everything. You will thank yourself after the first gym class mix-up.
Save the Date(s)
With those key calendar dates set, sign up for GPPS newsletters or teachers’ emails, and add reminders to your phone. Bonus points if you remember to charge it.
Reboot the Brain
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Encourage summer reading to shake off that “what day is it?” haze. The Grosse Pointe Public Library branches always have fun suggestions.
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Run through any “life skills” refreshers: packing lunches, tying shoes, or using the new digital class portal.
Connect Early
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Attend school open houses, pick up sports physical forms, and introduce your child to their new teachers (and maybe the playground, too).
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Chat about nerves. A back-to-school chat over ice cream beats a night-before panic spiral every time.
Self-Care Isn’t Just for Parents
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Sleep is not optional (for anyone).
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Set up a family wind-down routine—maybe a shared book or a favorite playlist to close out busy days.
Make It a Family Affair
The Grosse Pointes love a good celebration. Host a “back-to-school kickoff dinner” or swing by the park for one last summer hurrah. Invite neighbors or team up on carpools. The more, the merrier when it comes to starting strong.
With a bit of planning and plenty of local support, you can help your student start the school year feeling cool, calm, and totally ready for those September 2nd doors to open. Here’s to smooth mornings, packed lunches, and a year full of fun in all five beautiful Grosse Pointes.
Sources: peacheycounselling.ca, google.com, gpschools.org
Header Image Source: gpschools.org
