Hawkins Happenings

Classroom placement information are available through Parent Connect.

A great deal of time and care goes into creating balanced classrooms. Placements are developed collaboratively by our staff and administration, with consideration given to class size, teacher contract limits, boy/girl balance, student learning needs, special education services, and the overall makeup of each classroom.

This year’s placements were completed primarily by our staff in partnership with the previous administration, who knew our students well and worked closely with teachers throughout the placement process.

I understand that families may have hoped for a particular teacher or placement. Our goal is to create classrooms where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and have a successful year.

Because each placement is part of a carefully balanced grade-level plan, classroom assignments are considered final.

If you do not know your login information, please contact pc@brightonk12.com for assistance.

This year, we have reduced the number of entrances used by students and families to two: the main entrance and Door 19.

We know this may be a little different from what you’re used to. We’ve been working with local law enforcement and made this adjustment to help keep our building secure during morning drop-off and throughout the school day.

These will be the only two entrances students and families should use to enter the building for morning drop off. Please do not go directly to a classroom door to enter, as we want to maintain a secure building.

Students in any grade may use either entrance. If you have siblings, they may enter the building together and then head to their classrooms.

Next week, we'll share how the afternoon dismissal will run!

We’ll also have two drop-off zones this year. As with any new school year, it may take all of us a little time to get used to the routines and traffic flow. It will get easier as everyone becomes familiar with the drop-off procedures.

A few things to remember: Please pull all the way forward before dropping off your child. Have your child exit the vehicle on the passenger side and head directly to the sidewalk.

We’ll also have a safety line for students to follow that will lead them all the way to the building. Staff will be at the crosswalks to help make sure students get to the sidewalk safely.

Some families have asked, “Can we walk our child to the door?” The answer is yes! Feel free to park in a designated parking spot and walk your child to either the main entrance or Door 19.

(The black and yellow sections indicate the drop off zones.)

When teachers receive their class lists, they go through and look at accommodations and notes from the past, as well as talk to previous teachers and our special education team. If you do feel that you have items you need to discuss with the teacher, I would recommend setting up a meeting with them on the afternoon of the 2nd. If you have any medical concerns for IEP/504/Medical Plans, you can also reach out to the school nurse for a meeting. Feel free to reach out to the office with any questions you may have.

Students who are eating breakfast may be dropped off beginning at 8:40 a.m. and should report directly to the café. Breakfast will be available Monday through Friday from 8:45–9:00 a.m.

Brighton Area Schools will participate in the Michigan School Meals Program for the 2026–27 school year. This state-funded program provides qualifying meals to all students at no cost. To participate, students simply need to come to breakfast or lunch and select a qualifying meal.

A school lunch consists of five components: protein, grain, fruit, vegetable, and fluid milk. To qualify as a complete meal, students must select at least three of the five components, including a fruit or vegetable. Incomplete meals or individual meal components will be charged at à la carte pricing.

First Bell: 9:01 a.m.
Students in Class: 9:05 a.m.
Dismissal: 3:57 p.m. (Please note the time adjustment from our last correspondence)

Attendance Line: 810-299-3904

Please remember to call the attendance line as early as possible if your child will be absent.

We know appointments come up during the school day, and sometimes an early pick-up is unavoidable. To help us protect classroom learning time, we are asking families to let us know about planned early dismissals as early as possible.

If you know your child will need to leave early for an appointment or another non-emergency reason, please call the office in advance. Our office will prepare a pass and get it to the teacher without interrupting instruction. At the appropriate time, the teacher will give the pass to your child, and your child can report to the office to meet you.

As we get closer to dismissal, things become very busy throughout the building. For that reason, we ask that any planned early pick-ups take place before 3:30 p.m. After 3:30 p.m., we will avoid interrupting classrooms for non-emergency, last-minute dismissal changes and ask that students follow their normal dismissal routine.

This small step helps us avoid calling into classrooms while teachers are in the middle of a lesson and keeps learning moving for everyone. It also helps us get your child ready to go when you arrive—so you can make it to those pesky dentist appointments on time!

We will have our annual Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten Popsicles on the Playground meet-and-greet on September 2 from 5:30–6:30 p.m. Come meet your child’s teacher, see the classroom, and enjoy a popsicle on the playground sponsored by the Hawkins PTO.

First Day - September 8

JK and Kindergarten families will have a soft start on the first day of school. Families will arrive at 9:30 a.m. with their child to meet the teacher and help their child get settled. More details will be shared soon.

This is a change from past years. JK and Kindergarten students will stay with us for the entire school day and may ride the bus home or be picked up at our regular dismissal time of 3:57 p.m.

Please make sure your child’s teacher knows how your child will be getting home before the first day of school.

JK – 2 Classrooms: Millington, Simpson
Kindergarten – 4 Classrooms: Cowher, Loiselle, Marsh, Minch
1st Grade – 4 Classrooms: Busterna/Schober, Lynch (Radzville), Harmala, Vogt
2nd Grade – 4 Classrooms: Darbee, Etheridge, Hoye, Kean
3rd Grade – 5 Classrooms: Clark, Moore, Smentowski, Vallentine, Young
4th Grade – 4 Classrooms: Allen, Dewey, Greene, Walsh

Your student can attend a Specials Enrichment class this year. During the class,

students will be able to explore and deepen their understanding of the content. This multi-age enrichment class is voluntary and will meet on certain days and times. Your student will be leaving their regularly scheduled class or special to attend. Space is limited, and students will be enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you are interested in choosing one of these offerings for your student, please complete this form by Friday, September 4, 2026

Specials Enrichment Opportunity Grades K-4

In Spanish, students will build beginning language skills through songs, stories, conversation, and practice with everyday vocabulary and phrases. Students will also explore Spanish-speaking cultures while becoming more comfortable and confident listening to, understanding, and using Spanish.

In Computers, students will build technology skills through activities that encourage learning, creativity, communication, and problem-solving. Students will also learn how to use technology safely and responsibly while becoming more confident using digital tools at school and beyond.

You are always able to change your mind if you sign up and discover it might not currently be the best fit. We are using this survey for planning purposes.

Please keep an eye on the Hawkins newsletters over the next few weeks for information about Picture Day.

Hawkins Picture Day is scheduled for Friday, September 25, 2026. Picture Retake Day will be Friday, October 23, 2026.

You will need your Family Pass when picking up your child at the end of the school day.

This year, we are also asking families to bring their Family Pass when picking up a child during the school day for an appointment or early dismissal. This will allow our office staff to match the number on your Family Pass with the number assigned to your child’s backpack.

For the first day of school, please bring a photo ID if you plan to pick up your child. Students will bring their numbered Family Passes home with them on the first day.

Please do not send your child to school with personal electronic devices. The school cannot be responsible for items that are lost, stolen, or damaged.

If an electronic device does come to school, it must remain turned off and stored in your child’s backpack throughout the school day.

In the event of an emergency, please contact the school office.

Willow, a yellow Lab, is Hawkins’ therapy dog and visits classrooms throughout the school day. Teachers can sign him out to spend time with their class, where he provides a calm, comforting presence for students.

Students may read to Willow, talk to him, or simply spend a little time with him when they need some extra comfort. It is incredible to see the positive impact Hawkins’ friendliest four-legged friend can have on our students.

Please plan to join us on Thursday, September 17, from 6:00–7:00 p.m. to learn more about your child’s teacher, classroom routines, and grade-level expectations.

Curriculum Night is for families of students in grades 1–4.

Brighton Area Schools is part of a consortium that supports students and families experiencing temporary living situations. Assistance may include financial support for educational needs, referrals for housing and clothing, and other resources and services.

To help ensure students receive the support they need, school staff work to identify students who may be living in situations such as emergency shelters or transitional housing, motels or hotels, cars, parks or other public spaces, or shared housing due to a loss of housing or economic hardship.

The district’s homeless liaison is Starr Acromite, and each school has trained staff members available to help families access support and resources.

For additional information or assistance, please contact Starr Acromite at 810-299-4040.

Address: 8900 Lee Road, Brighton, MI 48116

Website: https://www.brightonk12.com/schools/hawkins

Phone: 810-299-3900

First Bell: 9:01 AM

Second Bell: 9:05 AM

Dismissal: 3:57 PM