BROWNING BEARS BEST NEWS

Our mission in Utica Community Schools ignites a passion for learning in all students. We strengthen our community by welcoming all learners, honoring culture, and inspiring remarkable growth and achievement.

SCHOOL HOURS: 9:05-3:55 DAILY

HALF-DAY HOURS: 9:05-12:09

BREAKFAST OPENS @ 8:45-9:05

email: mailto:officebrowning@uticak12.org

website: https://browning.uticak12.org

Location: 12400 19 Mile Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48313

Phone: 586-797-4000

Attendance Line: 586-797-4099 (24 hours)

AUGUST

24: Dekeyser Open House (See Below)

25: NO SCHOOL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

25: BROWNING BEAR DAY (OPEN HOUSE-5:00-6:30)

26: FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL & HALF-DAY

26: HALF-DAY DISMISSAL 12:09PM

29-SEP.1: NO SCHOOL-LABOR DAY WEEKEND

SEPTEMBER DATES:

1: NO SCHOOL-LABOR DAY WEEKEND

5: Technology Insurance DUE

17: NO SCHOOL-PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Just a reminder that our official OPEN HOUSE (also known as Bear Day) will take place this MONDAY, August 25, 2025, from 5-6:30pm. During this time, please come to meet the teachers and drop supplies off as needed. All curriculum material will be shared with you at a later date in teacher newsletters.

*NEW KINDERGARTEN FAMILIES*: If you have updated medical forms, immunizations, or any other form that still need to be submitted, please free to bring those forms on August 25th!

Families-

Although our Free School Meals will continue for a few months, we are urging all families to please complete the following EDUCATION BENEFITS FORM. Completing this form also help UCS receive state and federal funding that directly benefits our schools. To support your child's school by completing the EDUCATION BENEFITS FORM, visit www.uticak12.org/familyportal and click on APPLY FOR BENEFITS.

Please see the form below.

Attention families-

If you are planning to volunteer in any capacity (field trips, recess, lunch, classrooms), every individual will need to complete a background check. This year, we are pleased to announce that the system has moved to a completely paperless method. Please scan the QR code below or visit: www.uticak12.org/volunteer. This should be done 2 weeks prior to your event to allow processing time.

We are encouraging interested Browning families to take a sneak peek at our future at the DeKeyser Elementary Open House on Aug. 24. The improvements made at DeKeyser represent our district’s long-term vision for elementary schools. While each school will have will have their own unique design and look, the changes at DeKeyser – particularly those related to safety and learning communities - are a model for what we can expect for our students after the attendance area transitions in fall, 2027.

The DeKeyser Ribbon Cutting/Open House will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, August 24 at DeKeyser Elementary, 39600 Atkinson in Sterling Heights. The ceremony will begin with a ribbon cutting followed by self-guided tours that display the unique features of the school. The playground will be open and free food trucks will be available through the generous sponsorship of our construction team, Barton Malow Co., Anderson Eckstein & Westrick, and Integrated Design Solutions.

For those interested in attending, we strongly encourage using a shuttle that will run regularly between 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. from Browning Elementary. Parking will be limited at DeKeyser Elementary and roads into the subdivision will be closed to reduce traffic congestion. The shuttles are expected to run every 10 minutes from Browning.

More information on the open house is available at www.uticak12.org/dekeyseropenhouse.

Families, please check this page for any DIGITAL forms you may need regarding: asthma, seizures, special dietary needs, allergies, and more. I have attached a few forms below as well.

Please remember:

• One AUTHORIZATION FORM is required for EVERY medicine your child has at school.
• Students are not allowed to self-carry pills of any kind at school.
• A bus form will also need to be filled out as that you will need to complete a bus form regarding any allergies, medications, etc.
• It is recommended to share your health concerns with your child's teacher as well as front office staff.

Please see the attached flyer regarding purchasing the optional Device Insurance Program.

Each year, our students will practice a variety of safety drills. In preparation for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year, we will be sharing the video below with our students. Please feel free to view the video below. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our front office.

Safety remains a priority for our school. (name of school) is once again providing training to our students on our safety protocols. The protocols identify actions that students may be asked to take in the event of a potential incident: hold, secure, lockdown, evacuate and shelter.

The training is provided through a short, animated video. In the video, the teacher – Mrs. Appleton – and her students walk through the different responses in a very relaxed and engaging way for younger children. The script was written by our staff.

The protocols will continue to be part of the training while practicing our regular school safety drills, such as fire drills, security drills, tornado drills, evacuation procedures, etc.

The video is available for you to review at this link: UCS School Safety: Standard Response Protocol - Elementary - YouTube If you have any questions, please contact our office.

Mrs. Meghan Ciacchella, Ed.S.

Principal of Browning Elementary School

Email: browningquestions@uticak12.org
Website: https://www.uticak12.org/Browning
Location: 12400 19 Mile Road, Sterling Heights, MI, 48313 USA
Phone: (586)797-4000