All the Buzz
HCS News and Information -- July 31, 2025
Supe Scoop
Hornet Nation,
The new school year is upon us! For our first day, we follow the common calendar of the Clare-Gladwin RESD, and that is August 18 (last year we did not because of summer HVAC work, but typically, all five districts in the CGRESD have the same start and end date). For those really looking ahead, the last day of school for students will be May 27, 2026. A copy of the 2025-2026 calendar may be found below.
I want to take this opportunity to thank our maintenance and custodial staff for all of their hard work this summer. In addition to the regular items we take care of during the summer, we also had some big moves of the HIVE staff and furniture to the high school, the MMCAA staff and furniture to the Hive Building, and the kindergarten staff and furniture to the Early Childhood Learning Center at Hillside.
There are some great stories and photos in this issue of All the Buzz, including being recognized by the state for improving our graduation rates! Definitely a point of pride in Hornet Nation!
School offices open back up on Friday, August 1 if you need to enroll your child or have questions.
Thank you for choosing Harrison Community Schools. In partnership and with Hornet Pride,
Judy
Judy Walton
989.539.7871
Preschool
The four preschool classrooms remain in the same location. We welcome Alison Aldrich as a new teacher!
Kindergarten
Mrs. Bond's room is almost ready! Mrs. Cooper and Mrs. Lang have also moved their rooms over, and and they are joined by Ms. Pappas (who taught a special at Larson last year) and Ms. Humphrey.
Principal
Mrs. Hargraves has a new office, too! Joining her in adjacent offices are Mrs. Marriott (licensed social worker) and Mrs. Cohee (specials).
Library
In a dedicated portion of the Board Room, the library is coming alive!
Cafeteria
Plenty of room for kindergarteners in this space!
Office
Freshly painted walls and a waxed floor have turned this storage space into a front office, just as you enter the building. Don't worry - there will be more furniture added!
Mrs. Driver
Mrs. Driver's class will have 2-3 times more space this year to learn and work on a variety of skills.
Mr. Foote
Instead of teaching math lab in the back part of the lobby, Mr. Foote's classes will now enjoy individual desks, walls, and windows!
Title I Interventionists
Last year, in a space about one-quarter this size, our eight interventionists worked with kids (all at the same time) to improve reading skills. This year, they will be able to support students and not be sitting on top of each other.
New Assistant Principal at Larson
With Mrs. Hargraves moving to a become principal of our Early Childhood Learning Center (preschool and kindergarten), we welcome Krystal Watrous as our new Assistant Principal at Larson. A Harrison High School graduate, Mrs. Watrous has been teaching third grade at Larson for the last four years. Prior to that, she had experience as a teacher and administrator, in Houghton Lake and Charlton Heston Academy.
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 4205 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.
