Kate Murray to Lead Grosse Pointe North

One of Grosse Pointe North's assistant principals could be leading the school as its next principal by Feb. 26 if the Board of Education approves her at their next meeting.

After two searches for a principal to lead Grosse Pointe North High School, district officials will recommend Assistant Principal Kate Murray to the Board of Education later this month. Murray began at Grosse Pointe North as a student teacher more than 15 years ago. She then accepted a teaching job at the school and has remained there throughout her professional career. Last school year, she was promoted to assistant principal. Now, a year-and-a-half later, she will be considered by the school board to take on an even bigger challenge as the high school's principal, according to Rebecca Fannon, the district spokeswoman. The school is without a permanent principal following the departure of Tim Bearden, who is now at Detroit Country Day …

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GP North's Assistant Principal Receives Award

The Michigan Reading Association has named Grosse Pointe North assistant principal Kate Murray as an administrator of the year, according to Grosse Pointe Public Schools.

In March, Grosse Pointe North Assistant Principal Kate Murray will be recognized as the administrator of the year by the Michigan Reading Association, according to a Facebook post by Grosse Pointe Public Schools. Murray is in her second year as an assistant principal after working as a teacher in the high school for about 15 years. According to the Grosse Pointe Schools Facebook announcement posted Tuesday, the award is being given to Murray for her work to improve literacy in the classroom. The Michigan Reading Association recognizes five educators annually during its conference. Applicants must demonstrate several qualities including strong leadership, advocacy for reading, evidence of work that is impacting student achievement and being…

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Ahmed Ismail

10:11 am on Sunday, January 20, 2013

Well said, Sue. I hope the parents on the Principal Selection Committee for the new North principal and others at North who are being listened to by the administration express your feelings loud and clear. When you have someone who has the respect of the entire staff (not an easy attribute to gain in any high school) and someone who respects and genuinely listens to the concerns of students, …   more ›

Meet Terry Flint, Grosse Pointe South's New Assistant Principal

A longtime educator, Flint is excited to be a part of a school with a reputation that precedes it and will focus on developing relationships during his first year.

Terry Flint arrived at Grosse Pointe South High School only a few weeks before the first day for students and despite having a lengthy to-do list, he couldn't wait for their arrival. "The kids," he said, "they give me life." Flint is the newest assistant principal at Grosse Pointe South, joining two others along with the new principal, Matt Outlaw. Flint will oversee the curriculum schedule, teacher evaluations, attendance and discipline for this year's freshman and senior class. Most recently, he worked for six years as an assistant principal in Grosse Ile and for 15 years prior to that in L'Anse Creuse, where he taught math and science. Flint describes his move from Grosse Ile to South as a whirlwind. When he saw the job opening early …

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Meet Kate Murray, North's New Assistant Principal

After 15 years at Grosse Pointe North as a teacher, Murray says she will miss being in a classroom but believes her new role will enable her to help more students.

Kate Murray fell in love with Grosse Pointe as a student teacher at Grosse Pointe North more than 15 years ago, when she was known by students as Miss Cal, short for her maiden name, Calabresa. A Chicago suburbanite, Murray's experience in the community moved her so much she decided to make a life here. She began with the high school as an English teacher and only recently had the heart to give up her classroom. Murray is North's new assistant principal—a position she believes will enable her to have a farther reaching impact upon students. Murray replaces Matt Outlaw, who recently moved to South High School as its new principal. Among her responsibilities are staff scheduling and discipline. "My heart had to be ready to leave the …

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Sara Eaton Martin

9:26 pm on Saturday, September 3, 2011

Kathy, Kate's maiden name is Calabresa and she was referred to by students as Miss Cal. So it looks like she is indeed the same teacher your daughter favored! Sara   more ›

North High School Welcomes Bandfield as New Athletic Director

Ben Bandfield, Grosse Pointe North's new assistant principal and athletic director, is ready for duty.

Ben Bandfield has been on the job for just 10 days, but he's already impressed with the staff, coaches and students of Grosse Pointe North. "I felt very fortunate to get this job," said Bandfield.  "I'm very blessed.  North is a great school and everyone has been very welcoming and supportive so far.  I feel comfortable here." Bandfield comes to North from Lawton Community Schools where he acted as athletic director and a teacher.  He will serve as an assistant principal and athletic director at North, replacing Carmen Kennedy who takes over as principal at South Lake High School. Bandfield currently holds two degrees and is pursuing a third at Grand Valley State University for a master of arts in educational leadership.  He has a master …

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To the Pointe . . .

Resignations at Grosse Pointe South Must Serve as a Wakeup Call For Us All

Let's all look at the bigger picture and learn how ethics violations--big or small--can have a major impact.

I once told a friend that I needed to change my approach in constructing my salad at the salad bar at work. I explained that as I moved down the line, I often nibbled on something I had already placed in my bowl, before I paid for it. Maybe it was a beet slice, a piece of turkey or a pickle. “Oh yes, it all starts with a pickle,” she said, laughing. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it does start with that pickle. I knew how I felt about it, and I knew that on some level, I was stealing. Of course, it’s not like taking a $10 bill from the cashier, or sneaking out of the cafeteria without paying for my lunch. But it is still wrong. What has recently transpired at Grosse Pointe South–with the Principal and one of the Assistant Principals–…

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macpop

6:00 pm on Saturday, August 13, 2011

Soccerfan15: Teachers AND administrators have not and do not sign an appropriate use agreement for technology...only students. Please get your facts straight - I work in the school system and I KNOW! Your response only adds to the clustered mess this turned into for the community. At the end of the day, the punishment did not fit the crime and that is a sad testament to this BOE and district …   more ›