The weekly widely read Bronco Bulletin is your source for all the goings-on at Brownell Middle School. It is distributed digitally every Friday throughout the school year. We're most fortunate to have a spectacular team of educators, supportive and loving families, as well as, the best adolescent learners around. Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter. We appreciate your feedback, thoughts, and of course, letting us know if there's a mistake.

On Wednesday, October 9th the 8th-grade students ventured to our nation's Capital in Washington, DC --it was absolutely an incredible trip put together by Corporate Travel.

I'd like to thank the staff chaperones who donated their time and effort supervising our students. A special thanks to Mr. Drew Dettlinger who organizes and puts the event together. Here's some images of the fun, joy, site-seeing, and relationship building we all experienced:

Monday LATE START SCHEDULE

• Doors open at 8:50am
• First Hour begins at 9am
• 2nd Hour (Snack Time)
• No Advisory
• School ends at 3:13pm

• Doors open at 8:05am
• First Hour begins at 8:15am
• 2nd Hour (Snack Time)
  
• Advisory: Announcements + Pledge of Allegiance + PBIS Activity + All School Meeting
• School ends at 3:13pm
• Thursday 10/17 is half day of school (8:15-11:28am)

REMINDER: Beginning Monday, September 23rd, parents will receive a Robo-call near the conclusion of the school day, if their student was tardy to one or more classes that day. If you have any questions with regards to the tardy (what hour), please access the Parent Portal. Attendance data can be viewed anytime in the Parent Portal.

On Tuesday, October 1, you received an email from info@gpschools.org with a link to PTC Wizard and sign-up instructions for parent-teacher conferences. This email contained your username and password. Your username and password for PTC Wizard are the same as your MiStar parent portal username (pin beginning with 1500) and password. For those who need assistance finding your MiStar username and password, please visit this link and click “need your login information?” in advance.

Middle School parent-teacher conferences are as follows:

• Wednesday, Oct 16: Evening 4:30-7 pm - Virtual
• Thursday, Oct 17: Afternoon 12:30-3pm - Scheduled In Person/ Face-to-Face (in gymnasiums)
• Thursday, Oct 17: Evening 4:30-7pm - Virtual

All conferences must be scheduled through PTC Wizard beginning on October 1, 2024 at 6am. Scheduling will close on 10/14 at 11:59pm.

Important Notes:

• Please schedule conferences only with the teachers you wish to meet.

• If attending virtual conferences, you will need a Google account for security purposes.

• If a teacher (e.g. school social worker) is not listed in your child's schedule, select "Show More Teachers."

• Each family is allowed one time slot per student, per teacher. If you need an alternative conference format, please contact your child’s teacher.

If you have students at multiple buildings or grade levels, the same username and password will apply for all conference sign-ups.

For questions, please reach out to gpwebmaster@gpschools.org. We will respond to all inquiries within 24 hours and appreciate your patience.

As a backup platform please find below a spreadsheet with all the teacher Google Meet Links. Conference times are 5-minutes in length. We'd ask for you to honor this time frame as conferences are backed to one another.

On the ballot, you will find a proposal for a sinking fund millage for the Grosse Pointe Public School System. The revenue generated from this millage is dedicated to maintaining and enhancing our facilities, improving safety and security measures, supporting technology upgrades, and acquiring transportation vehicles.

The sinking fund has historically enabled Grosse Pointe Public Schools to proactively address improvements and repair issues before they escalate into costly problems. This approach supports our efforts to keep our schools in excellent condition for our students and community.

For more information, please visit us at www.gpschools.org/millage -- Please Vote on November 5th.

It’s great to be Grosse Pointe!

The next PTO Meeting is Monday, November 18th in the Library at 6pm. Additionally, if you'd like to take part in the PTO "Stock the Staff Lounge" Initiative please click on the button below to sign-up.

9-11 8th-grade Washington, DC Trip

14 Principals’ Roundtable Meeting @ Cafeteria, 2:00 pm

15 National Junior Honor Society Induction @ Multi-Purpose Room, 7:00 pm

16 Full Day School - P/T Conferences Virtual, 5-8pm via PTC Wizard Sign-up

17 Half day of school, dismissal at 11:40 AM

17 P/T Conferences In-person by appointment in Gymnasium(s), 1-4pm

17 P/T Conferences Virtual, 5-8pm via PTC Wizard Sign-up

18 PTO Chili Cook Off Lunch for Staff in Cafeteria, 11:30am-1pm

22 Evacuation Drill, 1:30pm

23 Fire drill during 2nd hour, @ 10:10 am

25 Jersey Day (North vs. South) for Students and Staff

25 GP North/South Tailgate TBA

31 Clash Day for Students and Staff

31 ½ day for Students, dismissal at 11:40 am

Up-to-date goings on of clubs, activities, and/or sports are provided during the school announcements. Typically most after school clubs begin around the end of September. As information gets announced it will be posted in the Bronco Bulletin.

Need a quiet place to do homework or maybe get help with classwork? Homework Club is the place for you.

Homework Club is organized and run by Mrs. Abud. It is held Monday through Thursday in the Brownell Library (unless an alternate location is announced or posted). Fridays are designated for test and/or quiz make-up sessions. Homework Club is staffed by not only Mrs. Abud but other Brownell Staff members and volunteer high school National Honor Society members.

Both of the 7/8th-grade girls volleyball teams have started their seasons undefeated. This week the Lady Broncos beat Eastpointe and Southlake.

Continued good luck to both teams and the coaching staff as they enter the third week of the season.

SCHEDULE:

Practices are on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 3:30-4:30. The cross-country meets are on Tuesdays and Saturdays, with the exception of the Liggett meet on a Monday and we will not have anything cross-country related on Thursdays and Sundays.

Meets: (more details to come)

Oct. 15- Coed Relay Meet at Patterson Park

Oct 19- MHSAA Regional Championship (for 6th-8th grades)

Oct 21- All-team Pasta Party after practice
Oct. 22- Cook Schoolhouse Invitational at Ghesquiere Park (link is to last year’s results)

Oct. 28- Halloween Candy Run and end-of-season paper plate awards

*With the exception of the Regional Championship, all of our competitions are unlimited entries and for grades 5th-8th. The Regional Championship is limited by the MHSAA to grades 6th-8th, and will perhaps also be limited to only our “top 7” (details to come in September).

The “You Be The Chemist” club will be forming at the beginning of October. We compete with schools across the country in a testing and video format. If you are interested in joining, please email or stop by Mr. Kauffman’s room, A7. All grades are welcome!

Student Lyfe will be meeting on Wednesdays from 3:20 - 3:45pm. If you are a member or are interested in joining, please come to Mr. Kauffman’s room, A7.

Get ready for Art Club. The first meeting will be October 10th after school in the art room with Mrs. Roy. See the flyer below for more details.

Brownell has many activities, clubs, and sports. As the school year progresses we'll post and announce the dates when they begin. Typically most will not get started until late September unless it's a sport that has planned contest dates to prepare for against other schools. Students should check the daily school announcements on the school website for meeting updates on all clubs, activities, and sports. Participation in a club is a one time fee of $52 and an interscholastic sports is a one time fee of $125. Please us the participation "button" below to get started.

Please take some time to review the GPPSS Student Code of Conduct and the GPPSS Student Dress Code. Students who are in violation of our student code of conduct will be referred to administration. Our main goal with student discipline is restorative and what can be done to repair the harm. In addition, we use lunch detentions, after-school detentions, school service hours, in-school separations, and out-of-school separations depending on the individual's actions. We encourage students to always let an adult know of any violations so that they can be addressed immediately.

Guidelines for safe attendance at GPPSS athletic events:

• Students no outside food or drinks/ Adults no outside food or drinks that are contained in a metal or plastic container (including tumblers, Yeti’s, coolers etc.)

• Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on campus.

• No athletic balls, frisbees, etc. If found in the stadium they will be confiscated.

• No student bags or backpacks. Adult bags may be subject to a search.

• No bikes or non-assistive wheeled vehicles.

• No re-entry.

• All students may be asked to provide valid school ID from GPPSS schools and should carry it with them to the stadium. Students without ID when requested will only be permitted with Administration approval after identification is confirmed. Administration reserves the right to require ID from all students from competing schools to enter the stadium.

• Non-high school students will NOT be permitted entry without an adult who will be present for the duration of the event. The adult must confirm students are guests of theirs (limit 4) and are responsible for their conduct. Administration may refuse entry if students appear to not have adequate supervision.

• Fans who engage in inappropriate behavior may be asked to leave.

Please note the arrivals times to school each day and ensure our students are here on time with time to prepare for their day. Tardies/absences are tracked and followed up by administration.

• 4-5 tardies = notice home
• 8 tardies = after school detention/create plan to arrive on time
• 12 tardies = parent meeting

Excessive absences will be communicated by administration once 10 absences occur.

Beginning Monday, September 23rd, parents will receive a Robo-call near the conclusion of the school day, if their student was tardy to one or more classes that day. If you have any questions with regards to the tardy (what hour), please access the Parent Portal. Attendance data can be viewed anytime in the Parent Portal.

One of our highest numbers of tardies are Monday morning. Please help us decrease these numbers and classroom interruptions.

The attendance office needs to receive a phone call whenever your child misses a class. Otherwise, the absence remains unexcused. When teachers, counselors, administrators, and the attendance secretary review these unexcused absences, we are concerned about the student(s) and we will follow-up -- we truly appreciate you communicating with us.

PLEASE call the attendance line at 313-432-3901 ANY day or time. Please make it a ”Favorite” or a “Contact” on your phone.

• Make the call once,

• go into your phone recent and hit the “i” (info) icon,

• Create a new contact,

• type in BMS Attendance

If your child needs support from his/her counselor, please reach out by emailing Mrs. Corinne Oderfer (last names A-K) or Ms. Beth Nixon (last names L-Z). If your student is experiencing technology issues, please report it to both the attendance line and have your child email their teacher immediately, if able to do so.

Absences are recorded as excused, unexcused, and "exempt" excused. Please know that we want to work with you to properly record absences. If you want an "exempt" excused absence recorded it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to obtain the proper documentation and to submit it with one week of the student(s) return to school (per GPPSS BOE Policy pg. 130).

It is a privilege to participate in school field trips. Students are expected to conduct themselves in such a manner that exhibits the responsible behavior and respect that occurs during the school day at Brownell. A student will NOT be eligible for any field trip(s) for the current or following quarter when he/she accumulates an ISS (In School Suspension), OSS (Out of School Suspension), or more than 4 hours of detention assigned for any reason.

**Please note-these infractions, during 3rd quarter will not permit 8th graders to attend Cedar Point or any other "fun" field trips for all grade levels.

If a student accumulates an ISS (In School Suspension), OSS (Out of School Suspension), or more than 4 hours of detention assigned for any reason, yet still wants to participate in an educational field trip experience he/she must:

Complete a community service project that is approved by the principal and write a one-page summary explaining his/her participation at the completion of the project AND Obtain administrative recommendation for attendance and participation in field trip, activity, or competition AND Upon discretion of the administration be accompanied on the trip by his/her parent or other designated adult/legal guardian who is responsible for ALL costs related to their own trip.

The final steps of construction on Calvin Road is being conducted but Chalfonte Road it is OPEN for business as of Thursday, August 29th.

Help us to keep all students safe during Drop-off and Pick-up time. Please do not use the rear or front parking lot, driveway, or church lot/s for drop-off and pick-up as the signs indicate. Also we’d ask you to reinforce with your child(ren) to cross at the traffic light on Chalfonte Avenue and use the designated crosswalk on Williams Road. Take a few minutes to review the brief video on our vehicle Drop-off and Pick-up procedures. These parameters help provide for a safe process for our students before and after school.

Please be reminded to fully charge your school Chromebook or laptop each evening so you're prepared for school. Setting up a routine each night and charging your device would be very helpful.

If your child brings in a new device throughout the year, please access these helpful tips when setting up and using parental access codes.

Students may bring backpacks to and from school. However, backpacks are to be stored in the student's locker throughout the school day. During the school day students may utilize a protective technology device carrier, pencil case, drawstring bag, and/or other mini tote bag.

All students are to have access to a technology learning device. The GPPSS Bring-You-Own-Device Policy supports the districts strategic plan for student learning and growth. Students use their technology learning device to access Schoology -- the GPPSS's Learning Management System.

For families who have indicated a financial hardship, the district will provide a device to the student. If you would like your student to receive a device for the 2023-24 school year due to financial need, please fill out the linked form.

Additionally, just a reminder that our school policy is that cell phones and other electronic devices (not Chromebooks and/or technology learning device) are OFF AND OUT OF SIGHT. If students need to be reached during the school day, please continue to contact our main office.

Please be reminded that we go outside for recess whenever possible. We use the Weatherbug Grosse Pointe North Location for our temperature reading. We will be outside for recess if wind chill temperatures are Zero Degrees and above. We advocate that students dress accordingly and be prepared -- a little drizzle doesn’t stop us.

Brownell hosts free breakfast for students in the cafeteria. Any student seeking this opportunity will need to enter the building using the rear door/s near the cafeteria (or entrance "P" on the building map). The breakfast is from 8:30-8:45am on Mondays and 7:45-8:00am Tuesday through Friday. It is supervised by a Brownell Staff member. Students who attend will need to stay in the cafeteria until the breakfast time concludes.

Free lunch is conducted every day through the food service company. It is obtained in the lucn-line along with any al-a-carte items for purchase. Please look over the Michigan Meals Letter from the GPPSS linked HERE.

We ask that a parent/guardian call the 24 hour attendance line at (313) 432-3901 and leave a message as early as possible regarding an early dismissal. The office will email the classroom teacher, write the student’s name and dismissal time on the notice (dry erase) board, the student will proceed to their locker and then wait in the office for the parent to arrive. We ask parents to park in the Chalfonte visitor lot only and use the door buzzer by the main office when picking up their child early. We refrain from calling classrooms unless it’s an emergency in an effort to not disrupt learning.

When a parent is dropping off an item for their child, please park in the Chalfonte visitor lot and drop off the item labeled with their child’s name and grade in the purple bin near the office door, then ring the door buzzer and let the office staff know. Then, the item will be retrieved by the office staff and your child’s name will be written on the notice board. Students will then come to the main office to obtain their item(s). All lunches are brought to the cafeteria 20 minutes before lunch begins. Once again, we refrain from calling classrooms unless it’s an emergency in an effort to not disrupt the learning process.

Thank you in advance for your continued effort to respect the sanctity of the learning environment in each and every classroom.

A quality and joyful lunchroom experience is a priority at Brownell Middle School. All students have access to a free lunch every day. For students and/or families that prefer to bring their lunch(es) please know that two microwaves are available for use in the cafeteria. Students may also purchase À la carte items from the school via their Taher school account.

For the safety, cleanliness, and wellness of everyone we ask that:

• NO GLASS PRODUCTS be brought to school
• Students are seated when they eat
• Appropriate and polite behavior is the norm
• Students clean up after themselves and dispose of their refuse accordingly
• Lunch choices are healthy and caffeine free

Many families have had a "tradition" of sorts using the Dr. Seuss book titled "Oh, the Places You'll Go" as a school memory book at the elementary level. At Brownell Middle School you may purchase a school yearbook via Parent Portal. Students are provided the opportunity to sign one another's yearbook the second from last day of the school year.

Please know I'm not, as the school principal, "outlawing" the Dr. Seuss Memory Book Tradition -- I'm simply asking that if want to continue this tradition we ask that you facilitate it in this way. The Dr. Seuss Book will need to be carried class-to-class by your child(ren) on the day(s) designated to sign yearbooks. The Brownell Staff are not responsible for handing school memory books (or similar items) from person-to-person and checking off who has completed the task.

Thank you in advance for working with us by honoring this request.

Please know that we make sure every student here has lunch -- no exceptions. If your child(ren) forgets their lunch we can provide a meal here from the cafeteria. We’d ask for your continued support in avoiding having lunch(es) brought to school by outside delivery organizations i.e. Jimmy Johns, Panera, UberEats, etc. This request is to protect students and staff alike, as it’s a precautionary measure to maintain everyone's safety at school by keeping strangers from our doorstep/s. Thank you in advance for helping us to provide the safest possible environment here at Brownell.