HAWKINS HAPPENINGS

Chris McAuliffe - Principal

Address: 8900 Lee Road, Brighton, MI 48116

Website: https://www.brightonk12.com/Domain/52

First Bell: 9:01 AM

Second Bell: 9:05 AM

Dismissal Time: Begins at 3:55 PM (Final Bell 3:58)

12/16 - Reindeer Dash (During Lunch Recess)

12/22 - 1/2/2026 - HOLIDAY BREAK (School Resumes 1/5/26)

1/19/26 - NO SCHOOL

1/26/26 - NO SCHOOL

Lunch/Recess Schedule

JK/K - 11:10 - 11:55

1st - 11:40 - 12:25

2nd - 12:10 - 12:55

3rd - 12:40 - 1:25

4th - 1:10 - 1:55

Happy Friday Hawkins,

Well it definitely feels like the Holiday season now with all this snow. We have so many amazing things going on in the building, and so much excitement. I was so impressed with our Holiday Shop. A total of 451 students visited the Holiday Shop! Even with huge numbers and a snow day, they managed to get all of the students who wanted to shop through. Maddy Mixon and her elves were unbelievable. I intended to list them all, until Officer Roy gave me the list with close to 100 parents volunteers on it. So to all of you that gave up your time to make this special for our kids I thank you!

I know classes have their class parties next week, and they are not on the same days, so please pay close attention to your classroom newsletters. I wanted to give a huge thank you to Mrs. Beach, Mrs. Samanich and Mrs. Mykols for coordinating all of our Holiday Help. They have made sure to find a way for every family who needs help to get it. They truly have the spirit of the holidays! I have been busy every night reffing, I have to make the trip to Alpena to ref tomorrow so I am hoping for good weather. We will not have a newsletter next week, so I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation for your support throughout the first half of the school year. Our students have grown so much—academically, socially, and emotionally—and it is a joy to watch them learn, lead, and celebrate their accomplishments. This past month has been full of excitement, from classroom projects to schoolwide events, and I am grateful for the partnership we share in creating a warm and welcoming school community. Thank you for attending programs, volunteering, encouraging your children, and staying connected with us.

As we enter the holidays, I hope your family finds time to rest, recharge, and enjoy meaningful moments together. Please remind students to read, play, and take care of themselves during the break. We look forward to welcoming them back refreshed and ready for a great start to the new year.

Wishing you a joyful Christmas and a peaceful holiday season.

Mr. McAuliffe

**The lunchroom is looking to hire one lunch aide who is available 4–5 days per week from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm to assist with student supervision in the cafeteria and on the playground during lunch periods. If interested, please email me or call the Hawkins office**

Monday evening, Mr. Chernich and 4th Graders had their 4th Grade Performance Night where families were invited to learn Folk Dances along with performing them with their student. The songs they played included Alabama Gal, T'Smidge, and Crocodile Rock with Recorders. Fun was had by all!

Art To Remember items have arrived!

I am working on getting everything separated and organized to distribute to classrooms next week!

Students will take home their own orders unless you would like to pick them up yourself, I can place them in the office with your name on it;)

Thank you so much for your incredible support with this amazing fundraiser!

Good news, you can still order until the end of the month, then this fundraiser will officially close for the year:)

Thank you so much!

Happy Holidays!

Ms.V

vermiglioj@brightonk12.com

The Hawkins Sunshine Cart rolled through the halls this week, delivering coffee, snacks, and sweet treats to our amazing staff. A big thank-you to the Hawkins PTO for spreading so much joy!

Dear BAS JK-6 Families, this survey is seeking your feedback as the district considers options to reduce the amount of time our students are spending on buses and to help to alleviate traffic congestion at our K-6 buildings. Summary of the Challenge - As the length of routes get longer, more parents are finding alternatives to school transportation. As more parents drive to school, congestion increases adding even more time to our bus routes. The other major challenge is the nationwide bus driver shortage which makes it difficult to add additional routes.

Overview of our Current Busing Operation

1) 2-Tier busing system - Tier 1 is BHS and SMS and Tier 2 is Maltby and the elementary schools

2) Tier 1 - All 7-12 students go to BHS first in the morning and then to SMS. In the afternoon, buses pick-up BHS students and then they go to SMS to pick up middle school students before proceeding home.

3) Tier 2 - All JK-6 students go to Maltby first in the morning and then to the four elementary schools. In the afternoon, Maltby students are picked up first and then they proceed to elementaries to pick-up JK-4 students before proceeding home. This adds approximately 45 minutes onto the elementary student's routes in the morning and additional 20-25 minutes for Maltby students in the afternoon.

Transportation Survey JK-6th Grade Parents

Parents, it is that time of year again where it is important to be checking your students head for head lice. While they are not harmful, they most certainly are a nuisance and can be difficult to get rid of. Please notify your school if your child has a case of head lice so we can take measures to hopefully stop them from spreading. Should you need any more information here is a link for your reference:https://www.cdc.gov/lice/about/head-lice.html

We sincerely appreciate your help and understanding in this matter!

All parent volunteers must undergo a background check in order to volunteer at Hawkins. If you have not done so yet and are planning on volunteering at Hawkins, click on the link below to access Brighton Area Schools Background Check Form.

Please make sure your child has an extra set of clothes in their backpack and/or locker in case of accidents or emergencies (i.e. bathroom accidents, playground mishaps, lunchroom spills, ripped or torn clothes, etc.). We do not have extra clothes to lend out. An extra set here at school saves parents an extra trip to Hawkins during the school day. We appreciate your help!!!

Parent Connect a web-based application that allow parents/guardians to view information for your child's current school year. Logging into Parent Connect will enable you to see your child's placement (date to be determined), report card, and lunch account. In addition, parents/guardians can add or change emergency contacts. Please click on the link for more information.

Parent Connect FAQ

Parent Connect

If you need to change a contact phone number or email address you can do so through Parent. Connect at Parent Connect

If you do not know your Parent Connect login information, please follow the instructions on the Brighton Area Schools website.

PLEASE NOTE: Address changes CANNOT be completed through Parent Connect. Address changes must be completed by filling out a change of address form along with 3 copies of proof of residency. Details are listed on the change of address form which is available by clicking on the link below. Since in person drop off is not an option at this time, forms can be scanned and emailed to samanij@brightonk12.com

Title: Holiday POPs with the Phil Concert & Toys for Tots Drive

Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025

Time: 4:00pm (Approximately 2 hrs.)

Location: Brighton Center for the Performing Arts

7878 Brighton Rd, Brighton, MI 48116 (on the campus of Brighton High School)

Tickets:
$31 Adults

$26 Seniors

$21 Students

Available at www.bcpashows.com

Contact: (810) 299-4130

Description:

Get ready to deck the halls with the Michigan Philharmonic! Immerse yourself in the joyous sounds of the season as they perform all your cherished holiday favorites. This beloved tradition is the perfect way to launch your holiday celebrations. Join us and raise your voice in a festive holiday sing-along of your Christmas carols!

The Michigan Philharmonic – (or “Michigan Phil”) – is one of the most innovative and dynamic professional orchestras in Southeast Michigan. Nan Washburn, Music Director & Conductor since 1999, has won 19 ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming of Contemporary Music from the League of American Orchestras. In 2016 the Michigan Philharmonic received First Place in the American Prize for the Performance of American Music. The orchestra performs in an ever-expanding roster of Michigan communities; including Plymouth, Canton, Northville, Livonia, Brighton, Downtown Detroit, and many others. The Michigan Phil is committed to reaching out to a broad and diverse array of audiences and providing enjoyable cultural and social experiences, while encouraging anyone who loves live music events to “Spend the night with Michigan Phil.”

TOYS FOR TOTS TOY DRIVE

Help make this holiday season a merry and bright one for the girls and boys in our community. Bring a donation of a new and unwrapped toy to drop off for Toys for Tots in the BCPA lobby. Doors open at 3:00pm