The Spencer Scoop
Spencer Elementary October 24, 2025
We believe that regular attendance and punctuality are fundamental to your child's academic success. Consistent classroom presence allows students to fully engage in our curriculum and build strong relationships with their peers and teachers.
Attendance:
Monitoring Absences: We closely monitor student attendance and will reach out to families once a student is out 10% of the year so far.
Support and Assistance: If there are factors preventing your child from attending school regularly, please don't hesitate to contact us. We are here to offer support and explore potential solutions.
Punctuality:
Prompt Start and End Times: School begins at 9:05 AM and ends at 3:58 PM.
Importance of Timeliness: Arriving on time and staying for the entire school day ensures that your child doesn't miss out on important instruction and activities.
By prioritizing attendance and punctuality, we can create a positive and supportive learning environment for all students. Thank you for your continued partnership in helping your child achieve their academic goals.
We are currently just over halfway through the 1st trimester of school and attendance notices are being mailed out today to those students who have excessive tardies and absences. Excessive Absences = 10% or more of the marking period. The section on Attendance (taken from the Student Handbook) is pictured below. Medically excused absences do not count against your student's attendance, so send in those doctor's notes if you have them. If you have any questions regarding your students attendance, feel free to contact Lisa Berry via email at berryl@brightonk12.com.
- We are going to have the Halloween Parade at 9:15 in the morning on October 31st (weather permitting).
- Students are to show up to school in their costumes.
- Parent spectators should stay outside in the front & side of the building to watch the parade. See the map below for the highlighted area to view the parade.
- Costumes: No weapons or scary masks, blood or violent looking costumes, please don’t bring anything small that can be lost. You wouldn’t want to lose it for trick or treating.
**NEW** Community Image Upload
Each year I put together the yearbook and sometimes getting enough photos to include is a challenge, so this year I would like to try something new.
Lifetouch offers a tool called Community Image Upload, which allows the school community to share candid photos. Members can contribute their images, and I (the Adviser) will review and approve them for inclusion in the school Yearbook.
I would LOVE your help in gathering photos! You can submit your candid photos to me whether it be from the various fun events we have here at Spencer or fun things they do in the classroom. The attached PDF has all the information you need to send me photos through the Community Image Upload. Please remember to tag your photos with the teacher's name.
The Yearbook URL is: https://community.lifetouch.com/invite?code=SPENCER-ROADRUNNERS-26
The Yearbook Invite Code is: SPENCER-ROADRUNNERS-26
Retake Day Reminders:
- New students or students who were absent on picture day should come to the camera on Retake Day.
- Students who would like a retake must bring their original portrait packet to the camera and return it to the photographer.
- The photographer starts promptly at 9AM and finishes around 11AM, be mindful of this when scheduling appointments.
If you would like for your family to participate in the Spencer Student Directory, please fill out the form via the following link: Student DIrectory The due date to complete the form is 10/31/2025.
Our Spencer Artists have been busy talking about the Elements of Art from our festive classroom still life. We are focusing on composition, space, line and proportion as we dive into some Autumn Art. From drawing to printmaking, our students are finding great ways to utilize nature to create. Be on the lookout for your student(s) personalized Art to Remember Fundraiser sheets coming very soon!
2nd Grade Music Night
You are invited to join us for 2nd Grade Family Music Night! Family Music Nights are fun events when family members get to join their Spencer students in music class style singing, dancing, playing and learning. Family Music Nights are not formal concerts where students sing on risers and families watch/record from seats in the audience.There will be limited seating for those who need it. Otherwise, families should come prepared to move and sing and join in the fun! Dates and times for 2nd Grade Family Music Nights are listed below. If your family has a time conflict, you are invited to attend another time slot offered for their grade level.
2nd Grade Music Nights
11/6 - 5:30PM - Mrs. Cowgill’s class and Mrs. Garza’s class
11/6 - 6:10PM - Mrs. Gunn’s class and Ms. Haden’s class
Spencer Singers
Calling all 3rd and 4th grade students! You are invited to join Spencer Singers! Spencer Singers is an extra-curricular group for 3rd and 4th grade Spencer students who love to sing, dance and perform. We will rehearse each Friday from 8:20-8:50 a.m. starting November 7th. Click on the link below to sign up.
2025/2026 PTO Board
PTO News
2025/2026 PTO Board
Colleen Gaiefsky - Co- President
Amber Gaines - Co- President
Mandy Oswalt - Vice-President
Amanda Dennis - Co-Secretary
Lindsey Kovacs - Co-Secretary
Michele Lewis- Co-Treasurer
Brandy Solanick- Co-Treasurer
Katelyn Bill - Member-at-Large
Kendra Cupp - Member-at-Large
Amber Czajka - Member at Large
Stephanie Day -Member-at-Large
Ashley Kasmierczak- Member-at-Large
Angela Kissel - Member-at-Large
Melissa Rife- Member-at-Large
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Trunk or Treat last night! What a fun evening of trick or treating, crafts, and fun photo opportunities! Thank you to everyone who volunteered for this wonderful event. Also, congratulations to the award winning trunk - Jurassic Park by the McCann Family!
Save The Date
October 30th - Turn Mrs. Boyd into an ice cream sundae!! (during school hours)
November 6th - Texas Roadhouse Dine Out Night
November 20th - Airborne Night (Featuring Dodgeball - Kids versus Teachers!)
November 21st - Popcorn Friday
Popcorn Friday Sign UP
The PTO is excited to announce that they are funding Popcorn Fridays this year! Below is the sign up to volunteer (must have background check completed).
Popcorn Friday Volunteer Signup
LET'S STAY CONNECTED
For the most up-to-date happenings with Spencer Elementary PTO, follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/402232026502881 or visit our page online at https://spencerroadpto.weebly.com/
“Fall forward. Every failed experiment is one step closer to success.” - Mary Kay Ash
Fall Forward Video (Secondary)
Risky Decisions Video (Middle)
Taking Responsible Risks Video (Elementary)
Determination is something each of us has to build on every day; it does not just come to us. Determination is taking healthy risks, understanding that we will all fail or lose at some point.
A healthy balance is key, and knowledge that if I don’t fail, am I even trying? Understanding that we are all given something, what are we going to do with what we have?
Consider some of these tips to help you Fall Forward & Take Healthy Risks:
Acknowledge & Accept Failure
Reframe It: Mistakes and setbacks are going to happen, but it doesn’t have to keep you from moving.
Be Kind to Yourself: It takes strength to do hard things, and we won’t always get it the first time.
Reflect on What Went Wrong
Analyze or Review: Were you prepared? Did you put in enough time/effort?
Learn a Lesson: Do you have a weakness or skill you have to gain? Do you have to manage time better?
Reframe Your Thinking/Perspective
Failure = Feedback: Remember failure is not final, it’s a chance to change your approach.
Grind It Out: There will and should be some difficult feelings. It means you are giving effort.
Take Action
Set Goals: Start small, gain momentum, and experience more success.
Get Feedback & Support: Be open to suggestions, criticism, or critique. Lean into someone who has had success in what you are trying to achieve.
Additional resources and information can be found on our district Mental Health & Wellness site or the free Brighton Area Schools App on iTunes and Google Play
You will find the Drop Off Cabinet near the main entrance to the school. Here you will put those forgotten items that your student may need. Simply fill out the small slip of paper with the student's name and teacher, and a staff member will deliver the item to your student.
Spencer has a Food Pantry that was gifted to us by our Spencer Class of 2024 students and PTO. It is located outside in the front of the school behind the Teacher's Retreat near Door #3. Feel free to visit if you need some assistance with food. We are also accepting donations to stock up the Food Pantry. If you are so inclined to help with that, it would be greatly appreciated.
**NEW LOCATION**
We have a brand new Lost & Found in a brand new location this year. It is now located at the front of the building near Door #3 next to the Food Pantry.
Parents - Please make sure you pack a change of clothes (that are weather appropriate) in your child's backpack EVERY DAY. This is for ALL students, grades JK-4th, you never know when your student may have a nosebleed, or loose a tooth, or spill food/milk on their shirt, or find a mud puddle outside, or have a bathroom accident. If your student keeps a change of clothing in their backpack, then we can take care of it here, otherwise we need you to bring up a change of clothes. Thank you for your cooperation.
Please remember to send your child to school each day with a refillable water bottle with their name on it. Spencer has water refilling stations throughout the building and we encourage students to drink water throughout the day.
Please remember to bring your ID with you EVERY day you come to pick up your student! We frequently have substitute teachers that will not recognize you and will send you back to your vehicle to get your ID before releasing your child to you. This is for the safety and security of your student.
October
29 - Picture Retake Day
November
4 - NO SCHOOL - Election Day
6 - 2nd Grade Music Night
6 - Texas Roadhouse Dine Out Night
13 - PTO Meeting at 4:10PM in the Media Center
20 - Airborne Night
21 - Popcorn Friday
26-28 - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
December
1 - NO SCHOOL - Records Day
2 - School Resumes
19 - Popcorn Friday
22 - Holiday Break (School Resumes on January 5, 2026)
If you are planning to volunteer in classrooms or on field trips this year, you must fill out a background check. This needs to be done each year and if you have students in other buildings around the district, you only have to fill out the form one time and indicate which buildings you would like to volunteer in. Here are the steps to get to the form...
Go to www.brightonk12.com
Click on District
Click on Donate & Volunteer
Click on Volunteers & Student Teachers
Click on ONLINE Volunteer/Student Teacher Form
Student Drop Off: 8:55 AM
First Bell: 9:01 AM
Second Bell: 9:05 AM
Starting Time In Class: 9:05 AM
Dismissal Time: 3:58 PM
Students eating Breakfast may enter the cafeteria at 8:45 AM
Attendance Line: 810-299-4354
*Please remember to call your child's absence in as early as possible.
Spencer Elementary
Email: boydc@brightonk12.com
Website: https://www.brightonk12.com/Domain/238
Location: 10639 Spencer Road, Brighton, MI, United States
Phone: 810-299-4350
Twitter: @SpencerElem