BROWNING BEARS BEST NEWS

Issue #23: January 30, 2026
BROWNING MISSION: Together, with our community, the Browning staff will welcome, honor, and empower all students to achieve significant growth by striving to reach their potential, and to be,
BROWNING, THE BEST!
BROWNING VISION: In partnership with families and the community, Browning Elementary will provide a high-quality education that empowers students to positively transform their future and the world.
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)
IMPORTANT CALENDAR DATES: FYI
FEBRUARY DATES:
2: Student Council Fundraiser Begins!
6: ARTEMIS II SPIRIT DAY! Wear a space shirt, moon, or Red, White, Gray, Blue, Black
6: Parent-Teacher Conference Sheets DUE back to School
9: PTA MEETING @ 6pm in MEDIA or ZOOM LINK (see PTA SECTION BELOW)
11: STUDENT COUNT DAY!!!!!
11: WINTER CONFERENCES 5-8pm for those student identified by teacher (see note below).
13: PTA DETROIT TIGER'S TICKET PAPER ORDER FORMS DUE!
16: PTA DETROIT TIGER'S TICKET ONLINE ORDERS DUE!
16-20: NO SCHOOL MID-WINTER BREAK
FUTURE DATES TO CONSIDER:
March 20th: END OF Quarter 3 Marking Period
March 20th: HALF DAY OF SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS-DISMISSAL @ 12:09
March 27th: HALF-DAY OF SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS-DISMISSAL @ 12:09
SPRING BREAK: March 30-April 3 NO SCHOOL
MSTEP STATE OF MICHIGAN TESTING WINDOW GRADES 3-6: April 6-May 15th.
MEMORIAL BREAK: May 22-25 NO SCHOOL
June 9th STUDENT HALF DAY-DISMISSAL @ 12:09
JUNE 10th STUDNET HALF DAY-DISMISSAL @ 12:09 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!
February 2-6, 2026 UPDATES
Browning Families-
This week, teachers sent home an invitation for Parent Teacher Conferences on February 11th. As a reminder, please return the form back to your child's teacher. Conferences are by invitation only but can certainly be requested by parents as well. Conferences are also available virtually by request. Please return your conference sheets into school by February 6th.
This past week, we'd like to say a special congratulations to our NEHS inductees! A special thank you to Ms. Klein and Ms. Monti for helping organize this wonderful event. Congratulations to all our newest members.
PTA REMINDERS
- LITTLE CEASAR PIZZA KITS FUNDRAISER BEGINS
- DETROIT TIGERS' TICKET FUNDRAISER NOW-FEBRUARY 13th for PAPER ORDER FORMS
- DETROIT TIGERS' TICKETS FUNDRAISER NOW-FEBRUARY 16th for ONLINE ORDERING.
THIS WEEK'S REMINDERS:
- 2 WIDA Testing CONTINUES
- 6: CONFERENCE SHEETS DUE BACK TO SCHOOL. 26th PTA CONFERENCE LETTERS will be
- PTA LITTLE CEASAR PIZZA KITS CONTINUES
- PTA DETROIT TIGERS TICKETS CONTINUES
Wishing you and yours a restful weekend. Browning, THE BEST!
Warmest regards,
Principal Ciacchella
ARTEMIS II SPIRIT DAY-FEBRUARY 6th
Browning Bears,
We have a very exciting mission coming up from NASA-THE RETURN TO THE MOON! In order to celebrate NASA's upcoming launch of 4-astronauts to orbit around the moon in the ARTEMIS II mission, we making February 6th (the tentative date of the launch) ARTEMIS II SPIRIT DAY! Wear a shirt with the moon on it, a space shirt, or the colors of the Artemis Mission: RED, WHITE, GRAY, BLUE, BLACK.
FYI: I have sent our Browning Elementary's name to SPACE! Check out the boarding pass below!!
Here a few fun links for you to follow along with your family.
STUDENT COUNCIL FUNDRAISER BEGINS FEB. 2-MAR. 2
SPECIAL MENU OPTIONS 1/30-2/13/26
*REMINDER* WIDA TESTING
Dear Parents and Guardian,
The U.S. Department of Education requires all students, identified as English language learners by the Home Language Survey, to take the WIDA Access assessment. This includes students who are not actively enrolled in the district’s English Language Learner Program.
This letter is to inform you about the WIDA Access assessment that your child will be taking this year. The WIDA Access measures your child’s progress in acquiring academic English proficiency in reading, writing, speaking and listening. The intent of this requirement is to ensure that the district is meeting its obligation to provide appropriate instruction in English language development.
Michigan’s statewide test administration of WIDA Access will be from January 26, 2026, through April 3, 2026. Most students will be taking the WIDA online with a computer provided by the school. The state requires districts to develop practices that promote a good testing environment for all students. Prior to the start of testing, please review the UCS Electronic Device Use Protocol for Statewide Testing with your child.
As parents and guardians, you play an important role in your child’s academic success. I am requesting your help to ensure your child is prepared. Below are a few ways you can support you child.
· Make sure your child gets plenty of rest each night and has a good breakfast.
· Make sure your child attends school every day and arrives on time.
· Encourage your child to do their best to build their confidence and a positive
attitude.
Your child’s test results will be available next fall and will be shared with you. For more information about the WIDA Access go to www.wida.us. If you have any further questions, please contact the school.
STATE TESTING and DISTRICT TECHNOLOGY POLICY
*REMINDER* WINTER CONFERENCES-FEBRUARY 11, 2026 5-8
January 2026-Attention Browning Families:
Parent-Teacher conferences will take place on Wednesday, February 11th from 5-8 PM. Teachers will be sending home a letter to those students that are identified as needing a parent-teacher conference soon. When you received this letter, please complete the bottom portion and return to your child's teacher, keeping the top for your reference. Letters will be due back to your child's teacher by February 6th.
PLEASE NOTE: February 11th, 2026 during the 5-8 time frame will be the only conference date offered for elementary.
Additionally, each child is given art, music, and physical education in addition to his/her regular classes. If you desire further information, you may contact with the special area teacher as well.
Although our goal is to offer face-to-face conferences, we will offer virtual conferences for special situations and upon request.
PLEASE SEE A *SAMPLE* of the LETTER THAT WILL BE SENT HOME BELOW.
School Board Appreciation-THANK YOU!!!
PTA UPDATES
PTA MEETING DATES: ALL MEETINGS are at 6pm in the MEDIA Center or the ZOOM LINK
- FEBRUARY 9th
- March 16th
- April 13th
- May 4th
*OLD BUSINESS ITEMS-SEE BELOW*
*REMINDER* FOOD ASSISTANCE RESOURCES
TITLE ONE FEEDBACK-Click HERE to provide Feedback
CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!
WELLNESS
UTICA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS INFORMATION
PREVIOUS BROWNING BEARS NEWS
Browning Elementary School
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


