Bays Bulletin
April 2025
I hope everyone had a safe and restorative spring break. For those that traveled, I hope everyone was able to make it home safe and sound, despite the late season ice storms. Second (or third ... maybe) winter is upon us and it appears mother nature is not planning on letting up soon. I hope that spring arrives soon and warmer temperatures with it. Robin count for the Suggitt backyard is currently at 4.
It is already the start of the fourth quarter. It seems like the year just started and now we are in the home stretch to finish out another successful school year. Spring sports are well underway with softball, baseball, track and field, and golf, hopefully the weather will cooperate. Please come out and support the BAYS!
This month we celebrate paraprofessionals day, administrative assistant day, and school bus drivers day. Brimley Area Schools has some exceptional employees amongst our support staff and we appreciate all of their hard work. Please join me in celebrating them this month.
Parapros:
Ms. Cranic
Ms. McGuire
Ms. Mesnard,
Ms. Courser
Ms. Eckerle
Ms. Christie
Mr. Basler
Ms. Lounds
Ms. Rader
Administrative Assistants:
Ms. Moore
Ms. Hascall
Bus Drivers:
Mr. Akkanen
Ms. Carrick
Ms. Sweeney
Mr. Wyngaarden
Mr. Goldsboro
Mr. Hoornstra
Each one of these individuals is responsible for numerous duties that help our school run effectively and efficiently, and on a daily basis provide invaluable assistance to our faculty, staff, administrators, and students. During the moth April, please take the time to thank our staff for all of their hard work.
The annual Title VI and Impact Aid Open Hearing will be held at the Bay Mills Community College, Adikameg Hall, on Wednesday April 23, 2025, beginning at 4:30 p.m. This meeting is open to the public and is designated to give our school the opportunity to discuss our Indian Education Program, including the use of Impact Aid and Title VI funding. It also gives parents the opportunity to express their views on the educational programs and operations of Brimley Area Schools. We look forward to your attendance at this very important part of the educational process.
April and May are the months when all schools in the State of Michigan begin the standardized testing procedures. All students in grades 3-11 will be taking some sort of standardized test during these two months. Please make sure to get your students in bed early and send them off to school ready to do their very best on these tests. We appreciate your assistance with this very important educational process.
Warm Thoughts
Thomas Suggitt
We began the final quarter of the school year this week! We look forward to celebrating students who made the honor roll for the first three quarters at our honor roll banquet on April 16.
After school tutoring is available every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:20 PM to 4:45 PM. Bussing is available for students who stay for the full tutoring period.
Attendance - Be Here to Succeed Here! Parents can monitor student attendance in SKYWARD. Our truancy policy coincides with the Chippewa County Truancy Protocol. Please note that absences greater than 12 may result in a referral for truancy. This semester we will be reaching out to families at certain thresholds as outlined in our handbook. Please discuss the importance of arriving to class on time with your student. Students who are tardy to more than two classes in a week will receive an after school detention. We are eager to partner with you to ensure your student is at school and in class on time, please call the office if you have questions or need support.
State Testing - We have state testing April 9, 10, & 11. On Wednesday, April 9 our 7th Graders take the M-STEP, our 8th, 9th, & 10th Graders take the PSAT, and our 11th Grade students take the SAT. Our seniors will complete CPR training. Our 11th Graders have the ACT WorkKeys assessment on Thursday, April 10 and the M-STEP on Friday, April 11. 8th Graders also have the M-STEP test on Friday, April 11. Please make sure students arrive on time, get plenty of sleep, and are ready to do their best.
Prom - Our high school student council will be hosting a spring prom this year for 11th and 12th grade students. We are excited for this unique opportunity for our upperclassmen to participate in a spring formal.
Athletics - We are incredibly proud of our winter student athletes who were recognized at our winter sports banquet on April 3. We are excited to see all our spring athletes accomplish as the spring season ramps up in the coming weeks.
Quiz Bowl - Our High School Quiz Bowl team will be competing in the state finals on April 12 at Michigan State University in East Lansing. Congratulations to our incredible team - we are so proud of you!
Student of the Month - Congratulations to Phoebe Hascall-Reyes (7) and Asher Fleming (9) our most recent Student of the Month winners. Phoebe’s teacher shares that she is “an incredibly intuitive middle schooler and her empathy for others is very standout. She puts her best effort forth in all that she does, is respectful to her peers and her teachers, and her character displays maturity and leadership qualities.” Asher’s teacher shares that he “always comes into class with a positive attitude, and consistently works hard with a ton of effort!” Congratulations to both students! They will each receive a t-shirt, certificate, Sugar Daddy Bakery gift card, and be recognized at our honors banquet this month.
Nut Free - as a reminder, Brimley is nut-free K-12 this year with a number of students with nut allergies at the secondary level. Please be conscious of this when bringing items to the building or sending them with students.
Thank you for all you do for Brimley Area Schools and our community.
Aaron Noordhoek
MS/HS Principal
News from Elementary Land
Happy Spring everyone. After a relatively Snowy winter, temperatures are continuing to rise, and the sun is peeking out a little bit more. I hope everyone got some time to rest and relax over spring break. As we move into the final quarter of the year, we’re hoping to get through these busy months with safety and success.
M-STEP Testing
April starts our annual round of State Testing. The test students in 3rd-6th grade will take is called the M-STEP. This is an online assessment that measures student proficiency based on the state curriculum standards. Please make extra effort to have your children in school during these testing times. It would also be of great benefit to discuss the test with your children and reinforce the idea of doing their best. Any questions about the test or its procedure can be directed at your child’s teacher, or to Mr. Clarke.
Reading Month
A very huge thanks to the Reading Month Committee for organizing all the activities and scheduling such amazing events. Our theme this year was “Hoops/Basketball” The highlight of the month was our Celebration, where students got to design jerseys and play in the bounce house. With thousands of books and hundreds of thousands of pages read, Brimley Elementary rocked reading month!
Outside Clothing
Even though it is technically spring, temperatures are remaining cold and there is still the possibility of snow. Please make sure your students have adequate clothing for recess which would include warm coats, mittens, and hats. Boots are also still a necessity as the playground will get a little muddy as the temperature continues to rise and the rain increases.
That wraps it up from elementaryland. If you have any questions or concerns, or any celebrations you’d like mentioned, please feel free to contact the office. Enjoy your spring!
Hugh Clarke
Elementary Principal.
Yearbook Website
Please view our Yearbook Webpage
This webpage will allow you to submit senior photos, baby pictures, senior wills, dedications and more. Contact skontos@eupschools.org for more information.
