All the Buzz
HCS News and Information -- December 18, 2025
Supe Scoop
Hornet Nation,
In this holiday season, we hope to see many of you at our community dinner on Tuesday, December 23. It will be held in the high school cafeteria, from 1:00 through 4:00.
As we head deeper into winter, a few facts for you about how we make weather-related decisions. If the temperature, with the wind chill factored in, is below ten (10) degrees Fahrenheit, students will have indoor recess. If the temperature, with the windchill, is at -25 degrees or lower, it is not safe for students to wait outside for the bus and therefore we will cancel school. Obviously, we may also cancel school if the weather makes it unsafe for our buses to operate.
We look forward to welcoming your children back to school on Monday, January 5, 2026. In the meantime, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy New Year to all who celebrate!
Thank you for choosing Harrison Community Schools.
In partnership and with Hornet Pride,
Judy
Judy Walton
989.539.7871
The Grinch (aka Mrs. Marriott) tried to get into the holiday spirit!
Cindy Lou-Who (aka Miss Sami) definitely got into the holiday spirit!
Our preschoolers during their holiday musical performance.
Kindergarten holiday musical performance.
Do you want to build a snowman (that also looks like a turkey?)?
Reading buddies
Guiding Belief of Honesty
At our last Board meeting, we celebrated those recognized in November for exemplifying our Guiding Belief of Honesty. Pictured in the back row are Katelyn Smith, Darcy McGuckin-Misiak, Carol Mason, and Andrea Andera; front row consists of Jennifer Thrush and Allison Squires. Unable to attend: Kendra Brown-Doneth, Michelle Fox, Tammi Lipovsky, Brandy O'Neal, Chelsea Overholt, Reggie Ropp, Leif Williams, and Michelle Wolfe.
Basketball versus Clare
Learning teamwork and collaboration skills in PE.
Fun at the holiday dance.
Meet the Board Member
In this issue, we are featuring Therese Haley. Therese joined the Board in 2007, and was most recently re-elected in 2024. Her peers have selected her to be the Secretary of the Board. Therese is a proud graduate of Hornet Nation!
Number of Children in HCS: I currently have no children attending HCS. However, all my children and most of my grandchildren have graduated from HCS along with myself, my husband, and my mother, brothers and sister. My grandchildren are fourth generation graduates from HCS.
Job/Position Outside of BOE: Currently, I am working as a paraprofessional at Gladwin High School for CGRESD, assisting after school. I also job shadow students during their summer program through Michigan Rehabilitation Services. Additionally, I work seasonally at Fruitful Orchard in Gladwin.
Why I Ran for BOE: I am a lifelong resident of Clare County and grew up on a farm in Franklin Township. After 30 years of employment at HCS, I decided to run for the Board of Education to ensure that the interests of our students, staff, and community are equally represented. I was elected to the Board in 2007 and have served in various roles, including Trustee, Vice President, and currently hold the position of Secretary.
Hobbies/Interests: My greatest hobby is spending time with my family. I also enjoy camping and have a particular interest in farm animals. I love watching and photographing my cows in the field.
One Thing I Wish More People Knew About BOE: We don’t always agree, however, we work diligently to reach a consensus that serves everyone’s best interests. I wish more people understood the significant restrictions we face when managing funds, particularly due to the complex and numerous grant, state, and federal requirements that limit our flexibility.
The book fair was a huge success! Thank you to all the volunteers who helped.
That's one way to clear the slide of snow!
Fifth-grade scientists learning about the water cycle.
A new twist on a photobooth!
A hideaway for a turtle provides great practice with both gross and fine motor skills.
Watching snails - you can blink and you probably won't miss anything!
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.
