| | Huskie Happenings - Weekly Superintendent Newsletter |
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Each week, Mr. Slavik shares a quick recap of whatβs 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! |
BES Goes Hog Wild for Books! πππ·π |
Something is GROWING at BES! ππΎ We are so excited to announce that this March is Reading Month, and our theme is "Harvesting a Love of Reading"! π Our building is transforming into the best farm in Breckenridge, and we have a jam-packed schedule of chores to help our students grow: π Week 1: Reading Until the Cows Come Home π Week 2: Plowing Through Pages π Week 3: Something to Crow About π· Week 4: Go Hog Wild for Books Check out the attached flyer for special themed days and assembly information! Letβs make this the best Reading Month yet! π | πΎMeet Our 2026 Reading Ambassadors! πΎ |
We are so excited to announce this yearβs Reading Ambassadors at Breckenridge Elementary! These students were hand-picked by Mrs. Shankel and approved by their teachers for being exceptional role models, showing kindness, and always lending a helping hand. Throughout Reading Month, these leaders will be busy assisting younger students, helping with library activities, and spreading the love of literacy across BES. πβ¨ |
MORE BES Reading Month Activities |
Paws, Hooves, and Pages: A Hands-On Start to Reading Month! πΎπ |
The first week of March is Reading Month is officially in the books, and we decided to take a "hands-on" approach to celebrate!
Our elementary students had a blast on Friday afternoon during a surprise visit from a live petting zoo right in the school gym. From cuddling baby goats and piglets to meeting chickens and bunnies, our hallways were filled with excitement (and a few happy bleats!). It was the perfect way to reward our hardworking readers and connect our stories to the real world.
We are so proud of the reading progress our students have made already. If the rest of the month is half as much fun as this week, weβre in for a wild ride! Check out the highlights: π Snuggling up with some new four-legged friends. π° Gentle pets for our softest visitors.
π· Learning all about the animals we read about in our favorite books. π A special look at where our breakfast comes from! |
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Learning Environment/Culture
Breckenridge Community Schools will promote collaborative partnerships between school, parents, and community to increase communication and engagement. |
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BES Wall of Wonderful Work |
πΎ Heartbeat of the Huskies: Celebrating Student "Wins"! πΎ |
Our Student Leadership Team (SLT) recently set out to capture the heartbeat of our school by asking students to share their recent "wins". The results are a beautiful reminder of the resilience, humor, and kindness that fill our halls every day.
From crushing science tests and winning big games to the simple joy of finding a penny or having double-stuffed Oreos in a lunchbox, our students have so much to celebrate! Itβs also heartwarming to hear them shout out the friends and teachers who brighten their days.
Take a moment to watchβitβs impossible not to smile. π A huge shoutout to everyone who participated! We are so proud of the community weβre building together. |
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MS/HS Students of the Month - February |
Friday afternoon was an absolute vibe! Our Middle Schoolers took over the gym for Fun Friday, and the energy was off the charts. From high-stakes competition to some serious moves on the dance floor, it was the perfect way to head into the weekend.
The Highlights: Gaga Ball Greatness: The pit was packed as students dodged and struck their way to victory. 9-Square Showdowns: Fast-paced action under the neon lights! Dance Party: The gym was glowing with music and lights as everyone showed off their best moves.
Pizza Fuel: Because no Friday is complete without a massive pizza feast. π Huge shoutout to all the students who brought the energy and the staff who made it happen. Weβre already counting down to the next one! |
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Communications/Community Engagement
Breckenridge Community Schools will promote collaborative partnerships between school, parents, and community to increase communication and engagement. |
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π¨ Calling All Student Artists! Letβs Paint the Town! ποΈ |
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. |
β¨ PROM GOALS: Unforgettable Look, Unbelievable Price! π |
Finding your dream prom look shouldn't break the bank! πΈ The 2026 Prom Closet is officially OPEN, offering stunning dresses and sparkly accessories at NO COST to you. πβ¨ Focus on making memories and practicing your dance moves, not checking price tags! πΊπ«π Where & When Location: 150 W Center St, Alma Dates: March 28th β May 2nd Shopping Hours: ποΈ Tuesdays: 5:30 p.m. β 7:00 p.m. ποΈ Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. β Noon π¨ Mark Your Calendars!
Breckenridge Prom is April 26th! Stop by early for the best selection before the big night. π
Huge thanks to the Womenβs Resource Center for making this possible! Letβs make this an unforgettable season. π₯ |
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Breckenridge Education Foundation Social Hour |
π Ready, Set, READ! The Breckenridge Read-A-Thon is Here! |
It's time for the Breckenridge Elementary School Read-A-Thon!
Our school Read-A-Thon begins on Monday March 2, 2026 and is sure to be a fun and exciting event.
We understand that your time is valuable. We also know that providing the best education for your child is important. That's why we are encouraging everyone to activate their student's Read-A-Thon account as soon as possible. The instructions are straightforward, making it quick and hassle-free, and it should take less than 5 minutes of your time.
This account will serve as a hub for recording and monitoring your child's progress as a Reader in the event, and for you to share their Read-A-Thon message with friends and family. Use the link below to activate your student's Reader account: https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/r/oKFfeC/1?utm=email
Thank you so much for your participation and support. Together, we can make this Read-A-Thon an amazing experience for our young readers! Thank you,
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πΎ AI Literacy & Innovation at Breckenridge |
Breckenridge Community Schools is excited to announce our formal partnership with the GIRESD AI Task Force. This collaboration provides our staff and students with a structured framework to navigate the evolving world of Artificial Intelligence with integrity and purpose. The AI Use Scale
To ensure consistency across our classrooms, we are adopting a standardized AI Use Scale. This tool allows teachers to clearly define the "rules of engagement" for any given assignmentβranging from entirely human-generated work to collaborative "co-piloting" with AI. By using a common language, we are helping our Huskies move beyond simple "yes or no" AI rules and toward true responsible AI literacy.
New Resource: AI Exemplar Library To support this rollout, we are also introducing the AI Exemplar Library. This internal resource serves as a "look-book" for staff, featuring:
Real-world examples of assignments mapped to different AI levels. Best practices for AI disclosure and citation. Innovative prompts and projects that successfully integrate AI as a teaching partner.
By leaning on the expertise of the GIRESD Task Force and our own collective brilliance, we are ensuring that Breckenridge remains at the forefront of educational innovation while protecting the value of student voice and original thought. |
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Academics/Programs
Breckenridge Community Schools will provide the time and resources to collaboratively and continually align PK-12 curriculum. |
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π¨ Artistry in Action: Sixth Grade "Ojos de Dios" π |
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Our sixth graders recently stepped into the world of traditional Mexican folk art by crafting their own Ojos de Dios (Godβs Eyes). It was wonderful to see the students so invested in the creative process! From selecting vibrant colors to mastering the repetitive weaving patterns, they utilized their fine motor coordination to produce truly intricate and unique pieces.
These symbols traditionally represent foresight and protection, and our classroom is certainly looking a lot brighter with their finished work on display. Check out the focus and the final results below! π§Άβ¨ |
Things are growing "al-root" in the greenhouse! π± |
Our botany classes are officially digging into their spring projects! These students have been hard at work finishing up their planting and putting their green thumbs to the test. Everything is starting to look "un-be-leaf-able" in here.
Keep an eye outβthe Breckenridge High School FFA will be selling these plants and flowers later this spring! You won't want to miss the chance to support our students and bring some of this hard work home to your own garden. |
"BHS FFA: Cream of the Crop in East Lansing!" π½β¨ |
What an incredible trip for our BHS FFA chapter! πΎβ¨ Our students recently headed to East Lansing for the State Convention, and it was an experience to remember! From the stage to the stands, our members were busy: Earning Excellence: Celebrating hard-earned awards and participating in competitive contests. Growing Leaders: Attending insightful learning sessions to sharpen their skills. Building Community: Sharing meals and enjoying well-deserved "play time" to bond as a team.
This convention is such a powerful way for our students to grow as leaders while creating lifelong memories together. A massive thank you to our dedicated staff, hardworking students, and supportive alumni for making this trip possible! ππ |
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Personnel/Leadership
Breckenridge Community Schools will support, recruit, and retain highly qualified personnel to collaborate and meet the needs of our students. |
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Operations
Breckenridge Community Schools will strategically utilize resources to provide an optimal environment for staff, students, and community. |
MS/HS Attendance Challenge |
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β° School Schedule Reminder β Letβs 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. π« Breckenridge Elementary School (BES)
Doors Open: 7:30 AM School Starts: 7:50 AM Dismissal: 2:50 PM
π« 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! ππ |
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2026-2027 School Year Calendar |
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