Each week, Mr. Slavik shares a quick recap of what’s happening across Breckenridge Community Schools and a look ahead at upcoming events. Huskie Happenings is your go-to source for staying connected with school news, celebrations, and important reminders. Whether you're a student, parent, staff member, or community supporter, this newsletter keeps everyone in the loop as we grow and learn together. Stay informed. Stay engaged. Stay Huskie Strong!

Dear Huskie Community,

As we wrap up the final week of January on this cold Friday, it is the perfect time to reflect on the incredible energy within our schools. This week has been especially rewarding as we witness the daily growth and improvement of our students. Our youngest learners in Kindergarten and early elementary are buzzing with excitement as they track their progress toward a major milestone. Next week, we look forward to celebrating our 100th Day of School, a tradition that highlights just how much our students have matured and learned since the first bell rang in August.

That commitment to "getting better every day" was on full display this past Wednesday at our middle and high school campus. It was an amazing night at BCS, and I want to give a huge shout-out to our staff, students, and community for making it such a success. We hosted three major events simultaneously: the FFA Districts, a varsity wrestling match, and a JV/Varsity boys basketball double-header. Seeing our halls and gyms filled with supporters reminds me of the strength of our Huskie pride.

The results of our students' hard work are clear. We have 13 FFA students moving on to Regionals at Delta College, and our wrestling team’s dedication is translating into visible improvement on the mat. To top off the evening, both basketball teams secured big wins, highlighted by Noah Barr hitting the 1,000-point mark for his varsity career. Whether it is a senior reaching a scoring milestone or a local kindergartner mastering their letters, these moments of growth make me incredibly proud to be a Huskie.

Wishing you all a safe and warm weekend!

As we navigate 2026, it is clear that Artificial Intelligence has shifted from "science fiction" to a "standard classroom tool." To ensure our students are prepared for this new landscape, our district leadership is actively reviewing policies and building dedicated avenues for the responsible use of AI by both staff and students.

AI is no longer a niche interest; it’s a career reality. Recent U.S. data reveals that 51% of students already use generative AI for schoolwork, and 78% of U.S. businesses have integrated AI into their daily operations. For our students, AI literacy is becoming as fundamental as traditional computer skills. Finding ways for them to learn how it will impact their careers—and how it can assist their learning—is essential to our mission.

To ensure a seamless transition, our district is collaborating with regional partners and GIRESD to establish a consistent, secure platform for student use. Furthermore, we are investing in comprehensive professional development to empower our teachers to utilize these tools in a way that is both safe and transformative, preparing our students for a tech-driven future without compromising academic integrity.

We are committed to fostering a culture where innovation meets integrity, ensuring our students are equipped with the competitive skills needed to thrive in an AI-enhanced world. We look forward to sharing more updates as we pilot these new tools.

Learning Environment/Culture

Breckenridge Community Schools will promote collaborative partnerships between school, parents, and community to increase communication and engagement. 

We are incredibly proud to announce that our very own BayLeigh Clapp has been named 100.9 The Mitt’s Scholar Athlete of the Month!

BayLeigh is a standout example of what it means to be a Huskie, balancing a rigorous academic schedule with her commitment to athletics. While maintaining an impressive GPA, she continues to be a key leader for our volleyball and track teams.

This recognition is a testament to her hard work, discipline, and the "daily growth" we strive for here at Breckenridge Community Schools. Please join us in congratulating BayLeigh on this well-deserved honor!

Winter sports are in FULL SWING! 🐾

Our Girls and Boys Basketball, Cheer, Wrestling, and Bowling teams have been working incredibly hard and improving every single day. Now, they need YOUR noise in the stands (and at the lanes)!

Let’s pack the gym—and the bowling alley—to show our Huskie pride. Check out the full schedule at the link below to see when you can come out and support our student-athletes.

📅 View the Schedule Here: https://websites.eventlink.com/s/breckenridgehuskies/

Let’s go Huskies! 🏀📣🤼🎳

As we kick off the second half of the school year, Breckenridge Community Schools is proud to celebrate School Board Recognition Month. While you may see them at meetings or community events, many people are unaware of the nature of their service.

Did you know? Our Board of Education members serve in voted, and currently non-paid positions.

These individuals are elected by the community but dedicate countless unpaid hours to providing the vision, leadership, and guidance necessary to keep our district moving forward. They navigate complex challenges and make critical decisions solely to ensure our students have the best opportunities to succeed. Please join us this month in taking a moment to say "thank you" to our board members for their selfless efforts and dedication to Breckenridge Community Schools.

President - Amanda Staley

Vice President - Barb Giles

Secretary - Julayne Goward

Treasurer - Heather Corbat

Trustee - Jerry Loyselle

Trustee - Nate Tester

Trustee - Open

Communications/Community Engagement

Breckenridge Community Schools will promote collaborative partnerships between school, parents, and community to increase communication and engagement. 

Does your student want to see their artwork hanging in the heart of our community? The Gratiot Downtown Art Expo is officially looking for unique designs to transform the streets of Alma, Breckenridge, Ithaca, and St. Louis into a vibrant outdoor gallery!

Here is what you need to know to get involved:

Who can join? Any student aged 8 or older.

The Project: If your design is selected, you will get to paint a banner that will be displayed on local lampposts!

Key Dates for 2026:

Selection Notification: Those chosen will be contacted by March 19.

Painting Window: Late March through late April.

The Big Reveal: All banners will be hung by May 22.

This is a fantastic way for our students to express themselves and contribute to the beauty of our downtowns. Grab an entry form today and help us show off the incredible talent we have in our schools!

For more information or to volunteer with the banner committee, contact the Alma Community Art Center at 989-463-8366.

Academics/Programs

Breckenridge Community Schools will provide the time and resources to collaboratively and continually align PK-12 curriculum.   

It was an action-packed Wednesday at Breckenridge Community Schools. With a historic lineup of extracurricular success from the classrooms to the mats and the court, our Huskies truly shined as they worked to reach their full potential.

🌾 District FFA Competitions BCS was proud to host the District FFA competitions after school. A huge thank you to the many local volunteers who served as judges and helped with logistics—your support makes these opportunities possible for our students! Congratulations to our members who will be moving on to Regionals in a few weeks!

🤼 Huskie Wrestling Our growing HS wrestling team hosted Coleman and Merrill in the MS gym. It is inspiring to see this group’s hard work pay off as they continue to improve and enhance our community pride.

🏀 Basketball Victories & A Career Milestone It was a clean sweep in the HS gym as both JV and Varsity Basketball rolled to victories! The night reached a historic peak when Noah Barr officially hit his 1,000th career point! This landmark achievement is a testament to the discipline we foster in our students.

What a historic day to be a Huskie! 🐾

Hello Breckenridge Families!

As we settle into the new year, our students will be participating in their Middle-of-the-Year NWEA testing during January. 📝

Think of this not as a high-pressure exam, but as a helpful "check-in" on their academic journey. These assessments allow us to:

1. Measure the academic growth students have made so far this year. 📈

2. Provide our teachers with valuable insights to tailor instruction and support how your child learns best. 🧠

We witness your children growing, learning, and achieving new things every single day in the classroom. We look forward to seeing that progress reflected in their growth scores!

Let’s finish the school year strong! Go Huskies!  🐾

Personnel/Leadership 

Breckenridge Community Schools will support, recruit, and retain highly qualified personnel to collaborate and meet the needs of our students. 

Operations 

Breckenridge Community Schools will strategically utilize resources to provide an optimal environment for staff, students, and community.

The Breckenridge Community School District is seeking applications for the position being vacated by Bridget McPherson on the Board of Education. An individual will be appointed to fill the vacant position through Dec. 31, 2026 and will be replaced by the individual elected to the position (based upon the November 2026 election results) on Jan. 1, 2027.

If you are a school district resident, and are interested in serving on the Breckenridge Board of Education, please submit a letter of interest and qualifications by 4:00 p.m. on February 6, 2026  to Amanda Staley, Board President, (email: astaley@breckhuskies.org mailing address: Breckenridge Community Schools, Attention: Board President, 700 Wright Street, Breckenridge, MI 48615).

Following a review of the submitted materials, the board will schedule interviews with selected candidates. Not all candidates for the board vacancy will be interviewed. If you have any questions concerning the role of the board of education and the responsibilities of a board member, please contact Amanda Staley, Board President, at astaley@breckhuskies.org.

⏰ School Schedule Reminder – Let’s Start the Day Right!

A quick reminder of our daily schedule! It's important for students to arrive on time and start their day with a consistent routine. Routines help set a positive tone for learning, and arriving by the start time helps avoid tardies and potential truancy issues.

Please help your student build strong habits by ensuring they are at school on time each day.

🏫 Breckenridge Elementary School (BES)

• Doors Open: 7:30 AM

• School Starts: 7:50 AM

• Dismissal: 2:50 PM

🏫 Middle School / High School (MS/HS)

• Doors Open: 7:30 AM

• School Starts: 8:00 AM

• Dismissal: 3:00 PM

We appreciate your support in helping every Huskie get the best start to their day! 💙💛