All the Buzz
HCS News and Information -- October 6, 2025
Supe Scoop
Hornet Nation,
It's Homecoming Week!
We are so excited for a week full of great activities to complement the amazing teaching and learning that will continue, of course. The map for the homecoming parade is below -- make sure you come out to cheer the floats, then head to the game for a victory against Farwell.
Make sure you scroll all the way down to see pictures, flyers, maps, and new information. We are also featuring our second "Meet the Board Member" feature.
Finally, we conducted our first lockdown drill last Thursday. We appreciate our law enforcement partners for managing this piece of our safety and security.
Thank you for choosing Harrison Community Schools. In partnership and with Hornet Pride,
Judy
Judy Walton
989.539.7871
Our wonderful recess aides!
Celebrating great hallway behavior!
Appreciating our custodians!
Reading
is
Learning about tempura paint with Mrs. Merillat.
It got a little wormy in science class!
Working with math factors.
In this issue, we are featuring Carrie Whitaker, who won election to the Board in 2022.
- Number of Children in HCS: Two (one still in high school, one Class of 2025).
- Job/Position Outside of BOE: Senior Drug Diversion Program Manager for Imprivata.
- Why I Ran for BOE: I loved my experience growing up in Harrison Community Schools and want future students to have those same opportunities. I also want to re-instill a sense of pride in being a Hornet and help strengthen the connection between our schools and community.
- Hobbies/Interests: As a parent my primary hobby is my kids. I love watching my son play football at HHS and my daughter play softball at Alpena Community College. Outside of kids I love to read and spend time outdoors.
- One Thing I Wish More People Knew About BOE: That the board is made up of community members who care deeply about students, spend many hours preparing for each decision, and share a strong desire to see every student succeed.
Buzz Bucks winners are drawn every Friday at lunch.
This group is training for a 5K.
Readers' Theatre in 6th grade ELA.
Taking advantage of the warm weather to read outside during Hornet Team Time.
Seniors collaborating on a handprint project for Homecoming.
State Farm Agency (Dan Durga) volunteering at the concessions stand.
North Woods Nursing Center volunteering at the concessions stand.
Family & Consumer Science students are raffling off a quilt they made.
Hardy-Bonham Insurance Agency volunteering at the concessions stand.
Interested in Volunteering?
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.
Excused Absences
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).
The ABCs of a BOE Meeting
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.
