AVONDALE E-NEWS
November 2, 2026

UPCOMING EVENTS
DISTRICT
- November 3: NO SCHOOL for Students - Election Day and Staff Professional Learning
- November 3: Board Workshop / Study Session at the Administration Building 7:00pm
November 9: NO SCHOOL - Fall Break and Diwali
- November 17: Board Meeting at the Administration Building 7:00pm
- November 18: Education Support Staff Appreciation Day
- November 19: Gifted Program Information Nights 5:30pm (K-1st Grade at Woodland Elementary, 2nd-8th Grade at GATE, 9th-12th Grade at Avondale High School)
- November 23-27: NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
- November 24: NEW TIME - Gleaners Mobile Food Pantry at The River Church 9:00-10:00am
ELEMENTARY
Auburn
November 2: PTO Meeting in the Media Center 6:00-7:00pm
- November 3: NO SCHOOL for Students - Election Day and Staff Professional Learning
November 4-11: Parent Teacher Conference (see Auburn Newsletter for details)
- November 9: NO SCHOOL - Fall Break and Diwali
- November 11: Annual Veterans Day Parade 2:30pm (see Auburn Newsletter for details)
November 23-27: NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
- November 3: NO SCHOOL for Students - Election Day and Staff Professional Learning
- November 4-5: Parent Teacher Conferences 4:30-8:00pm
- November 5: Picture Retake Day
- November 9: NO SCHOOL - Fall Break and Diwali
- November 10-13: Deerfield Book Fair 8:00am-4:00pm
- November 11: PTO Meeting in the Media Center 7:00pm
November 23-27: NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
- November 3: NO SCHOOL for Students - Election Day and Staff Professional Learning
November 5: Parent Teacher Conferences 4:30-8:00pm
- November 9: NO SCHOOL - Fall Break and Diwali
November 11: Parent Teacher Conferences 4:30-8:00pm
- November 11: Picture Retake Day
- November 12: PTO Meeting in the Media Center 6:00pm
- November 12-19: Popcorn Fundraiser
- November 23-27: NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
- November 3: NO SCHOOL for Students - Election Day and Staff Professional Learning
- November 4-5: Parent Teacher Conferences 4:30-8:00pm
- November 6: PJ and Movie Day!
- November 9: NO SCHOOL - Fall Break and Diwali
- November 10: PTO Meeting in the Discovery Room 6:00pm
- November 12: Picture Retake Day
- November 12: Red Robin Dine to Donate in Troy (see Newsletter for details)
- November 19: Gifted Program Information Nights 5:30pm (K-1st Grade at Woodland Elementary, 2nd-8th Grade at GATE, 9th-12th Grade at Avondale High School)
November 20: Pie in the Face Assembly
- November 23-27: NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
SECONDARY
GATE Magnet School
November 3: NO SCHOOL for Students - Election Day and Staff Professional Learning
November 4-11: Fall Parent Teacher Conferences (see GATE Newsletter for details)
- November 9: NO SCHOOL - Fall Break and Diwali
- November 10-13: GATE Book Fair!
- November 13: Family Game Night 6:00-8:00pm
- November 13: Panera Dine to Donate 2921South Rochester Road 4:00-8:00pm
- November 18: PTO Zoom Meeting 7:00pm
- November 19: Gifted Program Information Nights 5:30pm (K-1st Grade at Woodland Elementary, 2nd-8th Grade at GATE, 9th-12th Grade at Avondale High School)
- November 23-27: NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
Avondale Middle School
- November 2: AMS Competitive Cheer Parent Meeting 4:00pm
- November 2: Band Booster Zoom Meeting 7:00pm Hejka's Zoom Link
- November 3: NO SCHOOL for Students - Election Day and Staff Professional Learning
- November 3: Choir Booster Meeting in the High School Choir Room 7:00pm
- November 9: NO SCHOOL - Fall Break and Diwali
- November 12: PTO Meeting in Main Office Conference Room 5:00pm
- November 12: Choir Fundraiser Panera 2508 S. Adams Road Rochester Hills 4:00-8:00pm
- November 12: Turkey Activity Night 3:00-5:00pm
- November 13: Picture Retake Day
- November 20: Turkey Trot Gift of Giving Fundraiser (formerly known as Polar Bear Stroll)
- November 23-27: NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
- November 2: Band Booster Zoom Meeting 7:00pm Hejka's Zoom Link
- November 3: NO SCHOOL for Students - Election Day and Staff Professional Learning
- November 3: Choir Booster Meeting in the High School Choir Room 7:00pm
November 4: AHS Winter Athletic Parents and Players Meeting in the High School Cafeteria 6:00pm
November 6: ATC Fundraiser Panda Express (see flyer below)
- November 9: NO SCHOOL - Fall Break and Diwali
- November 12: Choir Fundraiser Panera Bread (see flyer below)
- November 14: ATC Bottle Drive - High School Scene Shop from 10:00am-3:00pm
- November 17: Listening Session with Mr. Wilson 8:00-10:00am
- November 18: ATC Theater Booster Meeting in the High School Black Box 6:30pm
- November 19: Gifted Program Information Nights 5:30pm (K-1st Grade at Woodland Elementary, 2nd-8th Grade at GATE, 9th-12th Grade at Avondale High School)
- November 23-27: NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
Upcoming Career Exploration Events
November 5: Districtwide 5th grade Career Day at AMS
Nov. 13: OU Lab Experience (AHS Foundations in Healthcare classes)
- Nov. 17: AHS MiCareer Quest
REMINDER: NO SCHOOL TOMORROW
DISTRICT NEWS
Halloween Around Avondale
Halloween brought plenty of spooktacular moments to our district last week! From school parades and classroom parties to Halloween dances, Trunk or Treat, and Halls of Halloween, our schools were filled with festive fun and memorable celebrations.
Thank you to our PTOs, family volunteers, and everyone who helped make the week so special for our students and families!
Avondale’s 3rd Annual 5th Grade Farmers Market Gets a Spooky Twist
Our 3rd Annual Districtwide 5th Grade Farmers Market brought a little Halloween magic to a day of learning, exploration, and connection! With a Haunted Farmers Market twist, fifth graders from across Avondale came together for a festive experience filled with fresh food, hands-on activities, and plenty of fall fun.
Students explored the fresh produce market, enjoyed food samples prepared by Chef Bryan, and participated in a variety of interactive activities. From pumpkin seed sprouting and a witch’s brew herb station to a mushroom display, applesauce tasting, and a produce mystery box, there was something new to discover at every turn.
Beyond the fun, the event offered a wonderful opportunity for fifth graders from across the district to reconnect and build friendships ahead of their transition to middle school next year. A special thank you to Avondale’s Director of Dining Services, Susan Meek, our Chartwells Dining Services team, and the teachers and chaperones who helped make this annual tradition possible!
Avondale’s K-12 Gifted Education Expansion: A Look at Year One
As Avondale’s expanded Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program enters its first year serving students from kindergarten through high school, students are settling into new learning experiences, building relationships and developing skills to support their growth. At Woodland Elementary, kindergarten and first-grade students are building foundational skills in math and literacy through engaging lessons and reading groups. At Avondale High School, the inaugural ninth-grade gifted cohort is navigating the transition to high school while developing strategies for academic success, organization, and personal growth.
The high school cohort’s specialized Transitions class focuses on goal-setting, executive functioning, and social-emotional learning, while encouraging students to explore their interests and become involved in school activities.
“I want them to have space to think about what they actually value, what challenges them, and how they want to use their strengths,” said Katie Osborn, gifted cohort teacher.
For student Kovae Howard, the cohort has helped make the transition to high school a positive experience. “I’m enjoying the people I’ve met, my activities, and the support I’ve found here,” Kovae shared.
Avondale’s gifted programming is one part of the district’s broader commitment to meeting students where they are. Gifted and academically advanced students learn and thrive in a variety of settings throughout the district, supported by educators who understand their unique learning and developmental needs.
Families interested in learning more about Avondale’s gifted education opportunities can visit avondaleschools.org/gifted or attend an upcoming Information Night on November 19 or December 9 at 5:30 p.m. (See below for additional details.)
AVONDALE GIFTED PROGRAM INFORMATION NIGHTS
IMPORTANT TRANSPORTATION REMINDER
BusRight Bus Tags
Students who have received a BusRight bus tag or sticker must use it each time they board the bus. The tags are currently in use at the secondary level and in most elementary grades 3–5.
Scanning helps ensure students are accounted for and boarding the correct bus, making it an important part of our transportation safety procedures. Students who repeatedly refuse to scan their tags or fail to replace lost tags may lose their bus-riding privileges. Replacement tags are available for $5 from our Transportation Department.
Please remind your student to bring and scan their tag daily. Students who forget or lose their tag may be unable to board the bus. Thank you for helping us keep our students safe!
If you have questions or concerns, or need to replace a bus tag, please contact Avondale Transportation at 248-537-6050. For more information about the BusRight system, visit www.avondaleschools.org/transportation.
AVONDALE MATH MENTORS: FINAL CALL!
UPCOMING FAMILY EVENTS & FUNDRAISERS
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
REMINDERS FOR FAMILIES
Blessing in a Backpack Sign Up
Rising food costs can make weekends difficult for many families, and no child should have to worry about being hungry. Blessings in a Backpack helps by sending home a bag of kid-friendly meals and snacks with students each Friday so they have what they need over the weekend. Foods may include things like macaroni and cheese cups, granola bars, fruit cups, or crackers.
This program is offered at no cost to families, and food is distributed discreetly and with care. If this would be helpful for your family, we encourage you to sign up! Just complete the form provided by your child’s school and return it as soon as possible, or use the link below. (Please note any food allergies—parents are responsible for checking labels when the food comes home.)