All-Star Announcements

Email: officebeacontree@uticak12.org
Website: https://www.uticak12.org/beacontree
Location: 55855 Schoenherr Shelby Twp., MI 48315 586.797.7300
Phone: 586.797.7300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beacontreenow

Fall conferences will be here before we know it! Please see below for more information...

• The parent sign-up window opens on Wednesday, September 30th at 6:00 p.m.

• The parent sign-up window closes on Wednesday, October 8th at 9:00 p.m.
• I have scheduled four sessions:

• Tuesday, October 13, 2026 @ 5:00-8:00 PM- In Person

• Wednesday, October 14, 2026 @ 1:00-2:30 PM - In Person

• Wednesday, October 14, 2026 @ 2:30-4:00 PM - Virtual

• Wednesday, October 14, 2026 @ 5:00-8:00 PM- Virtual

Volunteer applications need to be renewed annually. If the volunteer application was submitted in November, a new application does not need to be renewed until November (one calendar year). Raptor will automatically send a renewal application when the current volunteer approval is approaching its expiration date.

All visitors to the classroom areas of our school are now being asked to swipe their driver’s license or government issued ID before entering the main part of our building. This swipe will quickly provide an updated check against national sex offender registries. This process is for anyone who is going past our school office for any reason.

If you are planning to volunteer in our classrooms or work directly with a student, you will need to have a volunteer background form on file. The form is located at this link. The background check involves multiple state and federal law enforcement data bases.

We greatly appreciate the involvement of our families and the difference you make at Beacon Tree. Thank you for your partnership with this extra step that will improve safety in our school.

It is strongly recommended parents/guardians download the Raptor Safe app in order to create a visitor profile. The Raptor Safe app offers a convenient and secure way for visitors to manage and verify their identify before arriving at school. This profile provides a Raptor Passport which can be used to quickly and easily check in at the school office via the app.

Empathy is learning to pause and wonder, “How might they be feeling?”

For children, empathy doesn't always come naturally. It is a skill that grows through practice, conversations, modeling, and everyday experiences. When we help children notice how others might be feeling, listen to different perspectives, and respond with kindness, we are teaching something that reaches far beyond the classroom. Sometimes a classmate needs a friend. Sometimes someone needs patience. Sometimes a child who is having a difficult moment needs understanding instead of judgment. We don't have to know exactly what someone else is going through to choose kindness.

At Beacon Tree, we want our students to learn that being an All Star isn't just about how well you learn, it's also about how you treat the people around you. ⭐

Let's continue to remind our children that a little empathy can make a very big difference.

Another reason we absolutely love our Beacon Tree community is because of the systems we have in place for our students. You may occasionally hear that our building called a HOLD. A HOLD is a safety procedure used when we need students and staff to remain in their classrooms and stay out of the hallways for a period of time. A HOLD may be used for a variety of reasons, and it does not necessarily mean there is an emergency in the building. For example, we may activate a HOLD when:

• A student or staff member needs medical attention and we want to provide privacy and space.
• A student or staff member needs additional privacy or support.
• A maintenance or facilities operation is taking place in a common area or hallway.
• There is another situation where limiting hallway traffic is the safest and most appropriate response.

During a HOLD, learning continues as normally as possible, and students and staff remain in their classrooms until the HOLD is lifted.

Please take a moment to read the following regarding cell phones, smart watches, and other personal devices. Our district policy says: "Elementary students may bring a device to school, but the device must remain in their backpacks or locker area."

At Beacon Tree, we’ve learned from experience that cell phones and smart watches can cause big distractions. In the past, we’ve seen students texting each other during lessons, taking photos, and even getting mid-math updates from Mom or Dad. While those messages are well-intentioned, they pull students away from the deep thinking and learning happening in the classroom.

Here’s the plan:

• Students should keep cell phones and smart watches at home.
• If your child needs phone for after-school safety (like walking home), the phone must be:
1. Stored out of sight in their backpack.
2. On silent and not used at all during the school day

By following Board Policy and our Student Code of Conduct, the implementation of this will allow our school to be a place where kids can focus, connect face-to-face, and enjoy a much-needed break from constant notifications.

If you need to get a message to your child during the school day, please call our office at (586) 797-7300, and we will be sure they get it.

Our All-Stars already have plenty of screen time in their lives. Let’s work together to protect their learning space and give them the gift of being fully present during the school day.

Thank you!

We would like to share that Utica Community Schools will be consolidating its district, school, and classroom communications into a single program this school year. Messages will now be shared via the ParentSquare program.

ParentSquare will be used to share district and school emails, texts, and phone calls. In addition, ParentSquare recently acquired the Remind system, which is used by our teachers, advisors and coaches to share messages with families. Our goal is to streamline communication in a way that is more efficient, effective, and convenient for UCS families.

A few quick things to know:
No Account Required to Start: While you don't need an account to receive district messages, creating one gives you a central hub to view past announcements, calendar events, and forms.
Custom Preferences: If you choose, ParentSquare allows you to determine how (email, text, app) and when (instant vs. daily digest) you receive notifications. You can set up these permissions by registering an account. Take a look at this Getting Started One-Pager or watch this quick Family Introduction Video to see how it works.

What to look out for: While this transition will be seamless for families, you may notice a few minor updates in how messages arrive:

• Text Messages: Texts will now come from the short code 66458.
• Longer Announcements: Broader community messages will include full content via a browser link or directly inside the free ParentSquare app

September

September 25: Picture Day

October

October 13: Evening Conferences

October 14: Conferences (half-day / school dismisses 12:09)

October 21: No School (PD Day)

October 30: Half-Day (school dismisses at 12:09)

November

November 3: No School - Teacher Professional Development

November 12: IKE Choir Tour @ BT

November 25 - 27: No School - Thanksgiving Break

December

December 21- 31: No School - Winter Break

January

January 1: No school - Winter Break

January 15: Half Day - End of Marking Period

January 18: No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 27: No Schol - Teacher Professional Development

February

February 15 - 19: No School - Mid-Winter Break

March

March 10: Half Day

March 25: Half Day - End of Marking Period

March 26: No School - Good Friday

March 29 - 31: No School - Spring Break

April

April 1 - 2: No school - Spring Break

May

May 31: No School - Memorial Day

June

June 14: Half Day

June 15: Half Day - Last Day of School

We would love for you to join us for our 1st BTV meeting of the school year on Wednesday, September 23 at 7pm. The meeting will be held at Zef's Streetside Social on Romeo Plank. Food will be provided. Please sign up at the link below so we make sure we plan for enough seats & food.

Website: https://www.signupgenius.com/GO/60B0B44A8AF28A5F85-65803347-BTVMEETING#/

Packet went home for this year's Blast Off into a New Year Fun Run that will be held on Thursday 10/1. We had a great assembly to go over all the individual and schoolwide incentives. Please review the packet for important information on when your child's class will be participating if you would like to come cheer them on.

Bagel sales are now open. This is the ONLY time we will be taking orders for this year. If you would like your child to participate in the monthly bagel days you need to place your order before 10/2. Bagels will NOT be available for purchase the day of.

Website: https://www.beacontreevolunteers.com/packet/14680

Contact btvolunteers@yahoo.com if interested! We’re also accepting sponsorships if your business or workplace would like sponsor: https://www.beacontreevolunteers.com/form/m/401558.

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/beacontreevolunteers

Website: beacontreevolunteers.com

Email Address: btvolunteers@yahoo.com

You are invited to join us for the UCS 3rd Annual Wellness Fair!

📅 Saturday, September 19, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM–1:00 PM HENRY FORD II HIGH SCHOOL

THRIVE, our district wellness team, has been working to create an opportunity for students, staff, families, and community members to come together and celebrate wellness.

This year’s event will feature:

• 40+ vendors
• 🎁 Giveaways
• 🧒 Kids Zone
• 💚 Wellness resources and activities
• And much more!

We would love your help spreading the word. Please share the attached flyer with your students and their families and staff

UCS staff are also welcome and encouraged to attend!

Thank you for helping us make this year’s Wellness Fair a great event for our UCS community. We hope to see you there!

THRIVE Team
UCS District Wellness Team