All the Buzz

Hornet Nation,

What a week we had to celebrate Homecoming! The weather was perfect, school spirit was boundless, and we beat St. Louis on Friday night. Please check out the pictures below.

We also have many other great stories in the last 1-2 weeks: our 3rd grade reading proficiency scores continuing to trend up on the M-STEP (bucks the statewide trend), Jamie Lipovsky being recognized as the Coach of the Week, through athletics we were the winner of $5,000 from T-Mobile, and through the Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators, we were the winner of $1,000 from Trane.

There are two meetings in October I would like to make sure you are aware of: 1) October 8, 6:30-7:30 pm in the Board Room, we will be holding a Community Meeting around the Non-Homestead Operating Millage (flyer below); and 2) our monthly BOE meeting on October 12, 5:30 pm in the Board Room -- every year we have an independent audit done and at the October meeting, the accountants present their findings. We hope you are able to join us for both of them.

In partnership and with Hornet Pride,

Judy

Judy Walton

juwalton@harrisonschools.com

989.539.7871

The staff of Harrison Community Schools, in the spirit of a growing and changing community, pledge to educate all students by teaching the District Curriculum and beyond, ensuring the development of responsible learners prepared to take an active role in a complex society.

Honesty: We believe in being truthful in our actions and communications, and fostering a culture of honesty, trust, and integrity.

Openness: We believe in a culture of collaboration and transparency, where students, staff, and families openly share ideas and information.

Respect: We believe in an inclusive and respectful learning environment for all, and we value the diverse background of each individual.

Neighborliness: We believe in being welcoming and inviting to each person who walks through our doors. We also believe in being a good neighbor beyond our schools’ walls, actively engaged with our local community, and instilling a sense of civic pride and responsibility.

Excellence: We believe in striving for excellence in all we do, and encouraging both academic and personal growth through hard work and commitment.

Trust: We believe in a culture of reliability and confidence, where students, staff, and families work together to foster trust.

Stewardship: We believe in embedding good stewardship and governance into our decisionmaking to ensure long-term success and well being.

Jayden Bobzien and Miley Kenny

"In 2026, the AAP [American Academy of Pediatricians] released new screen time guidelines that move away from previous time-specific recommendations and adopt a more individualized approach. Parents are encouraged to use a framework called the 5 Cs to determine how screen time is adding value to or hindering a child’s development.

Generally, here are the questions to ask:

1. Child: Who is your child, how do they react to media, and what are their motivations for using media?
2. Content: What is worth their attention?
3. Calm: How do they calm their emotions or go to sleep?
4. Crowding Out: What does media get in the way of?
5. Communication: How can you talk about media to raise a media savvy, responsible child?"

To read more, click here.

Rick Foote and Kelly House

(Kim Foote, Rick Foote, Kelly House, Kathy House, Tom House)

Project R.E.D. (Rural Education Day) is an annual event hosted by the Clare-Gladwin RESD CTE Program, in conjunction with the Clare County Farm Bureau. Fifth graders from across the region spend the day at the Magnus Center and gain insight into where their food comes from, the inner workings of the local livestock industry, and how agriculture impacts their daily lives.

More specifically, students tour various educational stations guided by local producers, FFA members, Agricultural Science students, and representatives from the MSU Extension and district forestry services. Our Hornets had a blast!

Implementing a Support System to Maximize Student Growth and Behavior

By June 2030, the district will fully implement a multi-tiered system of support for all students in academics and behavior, with the target of at least 80% of students meeting or exceeding their individual growth goals. Additionally, we aim to reduce negative behaviors and increase positive behaviors, as measured by a 20% decrease in behavioral incidents and a 25% increase in positive behavior referrals, through targeted interventions and ongoing staff training.

Academics ~ Guaranteed & Viable Curriculum: Implement a guaranteed and viable curriculum and provide tiered delivery of supports in order to reach all students in all areas.

Systems ~ Framework (General): Improve our systems using the MDE MTSS Practice Profile as our framework.

SEL ~ PBIS Student Support Network: Implement an effective system of support in behavior/SEL in order to promote healthy social and emotional development.

Linked below.

Would you like to be more involved in your child's school? Do you have time during the school day or just after to volunteer? We would welcome you with open arms!

In order to volunteer, you simply fill out and submit an iChat form (linked below). This enables us to run a criminal background check in short order, to ensure the safety of all students you may come into contact with. Assuming nothing of concern shows up, you are all set to help out wherever your school may need you. The principal of each building determines the needs, and works with approved volunteers to meet those needs; some schools may have more needs than others. If you would like to view our Board Policies in regard to volunteering, please view Board Policy 3105 on our website.

When communicating that your child will be absent, the following are coded as "excused" per Board Policy 5301:

• the student’s physical or mental illness (verification from a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner is required after 4 consecutive days of absence for illness);
• severe weather;
• medical appointments for the student;
• death or serious illness of the student’s family member;
• attendance at a funeral, wedding, or graduation;
• appearance at court or for other legal matters;
• observance of religious holidays of the student’s own faith;
• college planning visits; and
• personal or family vacations (form must be completed and turned in at least five (5) days beforehand; see principal for form).

All Board meetings are open to the public, and are conducted in compliance with the Michigan Open Meetings Act. On rare occasions, the Board may go into closed session, but only as allowed by the OMA.

If it is your first time attending a Board meeting, you may not be familiar with the structure. Make sure you pick up an agenda on your way in, and if you intend to speak during the portion designated for public comments, please pick up a copy of Board Policy 2504, which is near the copies of the agenda. This will explain the parameters of the public comment portion of the agenda.

As you observe the Board conduct its business, the agenda will guide you. Common agenda sections are as follows:

• Opening of the Meeting (welcome, Pledge of Allegiance, additions/corrections to agenda/minutes, building instructional highlight, any other "organizational" items)
• Consent Agenda (items for approval that do not require a roll-call vote, and without objection from a Board member, can be considered all together)
• Non-Consent Agenda (one or more items that require a separate roll-call vote, such as budget approval)
• Informational Items (examples include resignations, other presentations, etc.)
• Public Comments (3 minutes each, Board members do not respond during the 3 minutes so that each speaker gets their full time; after, Board members may, but do not have to, pose questions or make statements)
• Communication (Superintendent's Report - includes subject matter of public comments; any other Board communication)
• Discussion Items (other matters any Board member may choose to speak about; may relate to public comments but not required)
• Adjournment

Within 8 business days of the meeting, minutes are posted on our website.

See below for information on our next meeting.

Kendra Durga, President (12/31/28) -- James Neff, Vice President (12/31/26) --

Therese Haley , Secretary (12/31/30) -- Chelsea Roland, Treasurer (12/31/30) --

Betsy Ulicki, Trustee (12/31/26) -- Carrie Whitaker, Trustee (12/31/28) --

Mick Haley, Trustee (12/31/26)

September 30: PreK Curriculum Night, 4-5:30 pm

October 2: PreK ONLY half day

October 6: HS picture day

October 8: Community Meeting, 6:30-7:30 pm

October 13: Early Childhood and MS picture day

October 21: Larson picture day

October 21: PSAT 9/10/11 (HS) in the morning

October 28: Half day for all students (teacher PL in afternoon)

October 29: Larson Spooktacular, 4-6 pm

• Early Childhood Learning Center, 989.539.6902 (Principal Shawna Hartwell, shartwell@harrisonschools.com)
• Larson Elementary, 989.539.3259 ( Principal Sandy Hargraves, shargraves@harrisonschools.com, Assistant Principal Krystal Watrous, kwatrous@harrisonschools.com)
• Middle School, 989.539.7194 (Principal Jennifer Thrush, jthrush@harrisonschools.com, Dean of Students Stacey VanAntwerp, svanantwerp@harrisonschools.com)
• High School, 989.539.7417 (Principal Joe Ashcroft, jjashcroft@harrisonschools.com, Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Brad Carlstrom, bcarlstrom@harrisonschools.com)

Superintendent, 989.539.7871 (Judy Walton, juwalton@harrisonschools.com)

Special Education (Stacey VanAntwerp, svanantwerp@harrisonschools.com)

Homeless Child/Youth Services (Shannon Haines, shaines@harrisonschools.com)

Bus Services, 989.539.7082 (Gary Boegart, Director)