Hawkins Happenings
August 19, 2026
Welcome!
Dear Hawkins Families,
I am excited to join the Hawkins Elementary family and begin this new chapter with all of you. Returning to an elementary school feels a little like coming home—although I know it may also mean brushing up on my skills with untied shoes, missing teeth, and the occasional mysterious item found in a backpack!
Brighton has been home to my family for many years. My wife and I raised our two sons here, and both are proud Brighton High School graduates. We have experienced firsthand the care, opportunities, and strong sense of community that make Brighton Area Schools so special. I am grateful for the experiences this community has provided our children, and I look forward to helping create those same meaningful opportunities for every Hawkins student.
Before becoming a principal, I spent 15 years teaching kindergarten, first, fourth, and fifth grades. This will be my 11th year as a school administrator, serving students and families at both the elementary and middle school levels. Those experiences have reinforced my belief that children thrive when they feel known, supported, challenged, and surrounded by adults who believe in them.
As many of you may know, our original plans included having my therapy dog, Buckley, join me at Hawkins. Sadly, Buckley was recently diagnosed and lost his courageous battle with cancer at the end of June. Although our plans have changed, the love, comfort, and joy he brought to students and staff throughout his life will continue to inspire me. I know he would have loved being part of the Hawkins family.
My vision for Hawkins is clear: Every child will achieve at high levels, believe in themselves, and leave Hawkins ready for what comes next. Bringing that vision to life will require a strong partnership among our students, staff, and families. I look forward to listening, learning, celebrating the traditions that make Hawkins special, and working together to make our school even stronger.
Most of all, I cannot wait to meet your children. I look forward to greeting them in the hallways, visiting their classrooms, celebrating their accomplishments, and encouraging them when learning becomes challenging. I also look forward to getting to know you and hearing about the hopes and dreams you have for your child.
Never hesitate to reach out with a question, concern, or idea—or simply to introduce yourself.
I am honored to serve as your principal and excited about all that lies ahead.
Welcome home!
Bill Renner
Principal
Classroom Placements
Classroom placement information will be available through Parent Connect on Friday, August 28.
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.
Breakfast
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.
School Hours
First Bell: 9:01 a.m.
Students in Class: 9:05 a.m.
Dismissal: 3:55 p.m.
Attendance Line: 810-299-3904
Please remember to call the attendance line as early as possible if your child will be absent.
Early Student Pick-Up
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!
Picture Day
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.
Electronic Devices
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.
Meet Willow
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.
Medication
If your child needs to take medication during the school day, please come to the office to complete the necessary paperwork.
For safety reasons, students are not permitted to carry medication with them. All medication must be brought to school by a parent or guardian in its original container.
Hawkins PTO
We have many fun activities and programs planned for the school year, and we encourage you to get involved in your child’s education and school events.
There are many opportunities to volunteer, whether through our active and supportive PTO or in your child’s classroom.
If you would like to learn more, please join us for our first PTO meeting on Thursday, September 10, at 9:00 a.m. right here at Hawkins.
Bus Routes
The Brighton Transportation Department will be sending bus and route information soon to families who use district transportation.
If your child needs to be picked up or dropped off at a location other than home, you will need to complete an Alternate Destination Form before school begins. The form is available in the Hawkins office.
Hawkins Elementary
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 Time: Begins at 3:55 PM (Final Bell 3:58)