HAWKINS HAPPENINGS

Chris McAuliffe - Principal

Address: 8900 Lee Road, Brighton, MI 48116

Website: https://www.brightonk12.com/Domain/52

First Bell: 9:01 AM

Second Bell: 9:05 AM

Dismissal Time: Begins at 3:55 PM (Final Bell 3:58)

10/9 - PTO Meeting 9:30 am

10/13 - NO SCHOOL

10/13 - 11/14 - Gleaners Food Drive

10/17 - Homecoming Parade (6:00pm) & Homecoming Game (7:00)

10/24 - Picture Retakes

10/24 - Trunk Or Treat

11/4 - NO SCHOOL

11/26 - 12/1 - THANKSGIVING BREAK

12/22 - 1/2/2026 - HOLIDAY BREAK

Lunch/Recess Schedule

JK/K - 11:10 - 11:55

1st - 11:40 - 12:25

2nd - 12:10 - 12:55

3rd - 12:40 - 1:25

4th - 1:10 - 1:55

Happy Sunny Friday Hawkins,

Let me start by saying this weather has been amazing, I hope you have had a chance to enjoy it. I was so happy to see an addition to our new playground. A buddy bench was donated by the family of a very special staff member who passed recently. It is gorgeous and brings smiles to all of the staff who knew Danielle each time we see it. Next week we will have our first Huddle. This is an opportunity for students to meet new staff and work with students of all grade levels on our building principals. This month we are working on Determination.

It has been wonderful to see Bulldog Brew back in action. This is a great example of all students working together. I have loved the videos the staff has been doing each week, we really do have an amazing staff. A shout out also goes to Mrs. Beach for all the activities she plans to help our students feel valued. A reminder that our next PTO meeting will be next Thursday, the 9th at 9:30 in the cafeteria. Just a clarification, Background Checks are done anytime an adult will be working with students, when parents are coming for a meeting like this, we use the Raptor system and your ID is run. This is the policy we have always followed. The process for a PTO meeting will be as follows:

• Unless you are a board member, please do not show up before 9:20, as our focus is getting all of the students in the building, wrapping up breakfast and doing announcements. Starting at 9:20, those wanting to attend the PTO meeting should report to Office Roy at the front door with their ID. He will run their ID through Raptor and print a nametag for them. At that time they will go back outside and enter the building through the cafeteria.
• Parents will not be allowed to enter the cafeteria without a district badge, or a printed nametag. After the meeting parents should exit through the cafeteria door, if you have business in the school please report back to Officer Roy at the front door.

The Tiger’s stressed me out this week, I am hoping this weekend will be filled with Lions, Tigers and Wolverines wins. Enjoy the sunshine and time with your family.

Mr. McAuliffe

Dear Hawkins Families:

If your child qualified for the Free and Reduced Meal Program last year or this year, s/he can also participate in the Fueling Kids' Futures program (formerly Blessings in a Backpack). This program sends six non-perishable meals home each Friday of the school year in your child's backpack. Its goal is to make sure that no child goes hungry on the weekend. This program is run by volunteers, there is no cost to you. Please contact Hawkins (810-299-3903) if your family can benefit from this program.

Hawkins Family Survey

Hawkins Counselor Support (optional)

Second graders celebrated Johnny Appleseed's birthday with Apple Day! As part of the festivities, students made homemade applesauce.

Art Room News!

Hello Hawkins Families!

We have been busy in the art room starting our annual art to remember fundraiser! Students are creating beautiful masterpieces in art class and soon you will be able to order special keepsakes with their featured art!

This is a WONDERFUL way to buy gifts for friends, relatives and the artist just in time for the holidays!!!

I will send out an email and add to this newsletter when the personalized order forms arrive so you can be on the look out!

Artfully yours,

Ms.V

vermiglioj@brightonk12.com

A new Friendship Bench has been installed in our new playground to honor the life and legacy of Danielle Ziegler, who devoted her time and heart to the children and community at Hawkins Friendship Center. May this bench be a place of kindness, connection, and comfort.

Running Club was busy this week. Students from all grades completed their first 5K and several students finished their second 5K. Congratulations to all the runners and their hard work.

1st Grade

22 Finishers

2nd Grade

27 Finishers

3rd Grade

27 Finishers

4th Grade

42 Finishers

Thank you again to all the volunteers that make this possible, you are all amazing!

Title: Eagle Wings & More Concert

Supporting Students through the McKinney-Vento Act

Brighton Area Schools is part of a county-wide consortium dedicated to supporting students who are experiencing temporary living situations. Through this program, students can receive:

• Assistance with educational expenses
• Housing referrals
• Access to clothing and other essentials
• General support and technical assistance

To comply with federal law, staff and families are encouraged to help identify students who may be living in:

• Emergency shelters or transitional housing
• Motels or hotels
• Cars, parks, or public spaces
• Shared housing due to loss of housing or financial hardship
• Temporary arrangements with someone other than a parent or guardian

Our district’s homeless liaison is Starr Acromite, and each building has trained staff available to provide support. Brighton also partners with Candice Olrich at the Livingston Educational Service Agency.

📞 For more information or assistance, please contact your building principal or Starr Acromite at 810-299-4040.

Shorter Version below:

_________________________________________________________________________________________

McKinney-Vento Act Support

Brighton Area Schools supports students experiencing temporary housing through the McKinney-Vento Act. Assistance is available for school needs, housing referrals, clothing, and more. If you know a student in need, please contact your building principal or district liaison Starr Acromite at 810-299-4040.

Dear Parents,

We’d like to share some important information about Free & Reduced-Price Meal eligibility.

While all students currently receive meals at no cost through the Michigan School Meals Program, qualifying for Free or Reduced-Price Meals can provide additional benefits for your child and family—including reduced fees for school activities, athletics, and testing.

In past years, most students’ eligibility was determined through a process called Direct Certification. This automatically qualifies students without the need for families to apply. However, this year Direct Certification has not identified as many eligible students as in the past.

If your child has qualified for Free or Reduced-Price Meals in previous years but you have not received a notification this year, you may need to complete a short application. Also, if you feel that you may now qualify, you should fill out this application as well (Link to Qualification Standards). The good news—it’s quick and simple to do!

• Paper applications are available in all schools.

• Applications can also be printed from the district website.

• An online Application is available on Parent Connect

If you are unsure of your eligibility status or have any questions, please call the Food Service Office at 810-299-4175 and we’ll be happy to help.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to ensure your child receives all the benefits they are entitled to.

Sincerely,

The Brighton Area Schools Student Nutrition Department

*if the hyperlink to the qualification standards does not work, the following is the direct link: https://www.michigan.gov/mde/news-and-information/press-releases/2024/09/17/income-guidelines-for-free-and-reduced-price-meals-announced

All parent volunteers must undergo a background check in order to volunteer at Hawkins. If you have not done so yet and are planning on volunteering at Hawkins, click on the link below to access Brighton Area Schools Background Check Form.

Parents, please remember to be checking your students head for head lice. After a long summer of sleep overs and interaction with friends, family and sporting events, it is that time of year again to be diligent about checking for lice and eggs . While they are not harmful they most certainly are a nuisance and difficult to get rid of. Should you need any more information here is a link for your reference: https://www.cdc.gov/lice/about/head-lice.html

A quick reminder about the board policy regarding medication: All medication including over-the-counter medication (i.e. Tylenol, Motrin, TUMS, cough drops, etc.) must have a MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION FORM. This form requires both the parent's and the medical provider's signature. Without both signatures, we cannot give medication to your student. Also, the school cannot provide this medication. You must supply this medication for your student. The clinic does not have extra. This comes from board policy found here: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/2615

Please make sure your child has an extra set of clothes in their backpack and/or locker in case of accidents or emergencies (i.e. bathroom accidents, playground mishaps, lunchroom spills, ripped or torn clothes, etc.). We do not have extra clothes to lend out. An extra set here at school saves parents an extra trip to Hawkins during the school day. We appreciate your help!!!

Parent Connect a web-based application that allow parents/guardians to view information for your child's current school year. Logging into Parent Connect will enable you to see your child's placement (date to be determined), report card, and lunch account. In addition, parents/guardians can add or change emergency contacts. Please click on the link for more information.

Parent Connect FAQ

Parent Connect

Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school - and themselves. School success goes hand in hand with good attendance. Missing 10 percent of the marking period can make it harder to learn to read. Students can fall behind if they miss just a day or two days every few weeks. Good attendance will help children do well in high school, college and at work. Providing a physician's note for absences does not effect absenteeism and is not counted towards the number of days your child is absent. If you feel your child has anxiety about attending school or struggles to stay at school for a full day, Hawkins has resources to help.

If your child is going to be absent, please call the Hawkins attendance Line (810-299-3900 then press 2). Please state your child's name, teacher, date of absence and reason for the absence (type of illness, doctor appointment, vacation etc). If your child has been diagnosed with a specific ailment (COVID, strep throat, pink eye, influenza, chicken pox) please state that in the voicemail message. If your child has not been diagnosed with a specific ailment but is having specific symptoms please let us know the symptoms your child is experiencing. Hawkins appreciates your help!

A new feature in Parent Connect will allow you to enter your student’s absence. Simply log into parent connect and click on the link Report Absence. The Report Absence link will open a screen for you to complete. If you have more than one student check the name of the student for whom an absence is being submitted. Add the applicable dates. If you check the All Day flag attendance will be submitted for the am and pm periods. If you do not check the All Day flag times must be entered and attendance will be submitted for whichever periods meet during the time range (based on period schedule).

If you need to change a contact phone number or email address you can do so through Parent. Connect at Parent Connect

If you do not know your Parent Connect login information, please follow the instructions on the Brighton Area Schools website.

PLEASE NOTE: Address changes CANNOT be completed through Parent Connect. Address changes must be completed by filling out a change of address form along with 3 copies of proof of residency. Details are listed on the change of address form which is available by clicking on the link below. Since in person drop off is not an option at this time, forms can be scanned and emailed to samanij@brightonk12.com