The Eagle's Beak

Dear Auburn Families,

On this day that many recognize as a celebration of love, I want to take a moment to focus on what truly makes our school community special—our kindness, patience, and the ways we show care for one another every day.

Love is more than a holiday; it is the small acts of service, the words of encouragement, and the patience we extend to those around us. Whether it’s a helping hand in the classroom, a kind word in the hallway, or a moment of understanding during a challenge, these acts of kindness shape the culture of our school and help all of our students feel valued and included.

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our families for your continued partnership in your child’s education. Your support, engagement, and encouragement play a vital role in the success of our students. To our incredible Auburn teachers and support staff—thank you for the dedication, warmth, and care you bring to our school each day. Your impact extends far beyond the classroom, helping to build a foundation of learning and belonging for every child.

As we move forward together, let’s continue to celebrate kindness, embrace patience, and uplift one another in ways that make a lasting difference. Thank you for being a part of our Auburn family.

With appreciation,
Principal Byas

• 2/18 School resumes

• 2/18 Kids Heart Challenge continues (all week)

• 2/20 5th grade Reptarium assembly @ 1:30pm

• 2/26 Pre-K transition to TK/Kindergarten Activities @ 10:00am (enrolled students only)

• 2/28 March is Reading Month/ Read-a Thon kick off assembly @8:45 am in the gym
• 2/28 Family Fun Night 6:00-8:00pm @ Auburn

At Auburn, student safety is always our top priority, and we need your help to ensure a smooth and secure morning arrival process.

Morning Arrival Guidelines:

• Single Lane Drop-Off: Parents are asked to form a single car lane closest to the sidewalk for drop-off. Please avoid parking or turning off your vehicle in this lane. If you need to park, use the designated parking spaces to avoid holding up traffic.
• No Passing in a Second Lane: To ensure safety, please do not use a second lane to pass others or skip the line. Cars should proceed in a single lane until passing the cone just beyond the main entrance doors.
• Increased Police Presence: To prioritize safety, we will have increased police presence to deter unsafe practices such as stopping traffic, blocking the blue zone reserved for families with disabilities, or speeding.

We kindly ask for your patience and cooperation as we work together to make morning drop-off safe and efficient for all.

Early Breakfast Notice:
Starting next school year, we will no longer be able to accommodate families entering the school for early breakfast at 8:00 AM. All students will be allowed into the building only after normal staff start times (8:15am). We encourage families to begin planning ahead for early childcare needs.

For families needing early or late childcare, prior to 8:15am and after 3:39pm we recommend applying to BusyBee as a resource.

Thank you for your attention to these updates and for supporting our commitment to safety and student success.

Principal Byas

Dear Auburn Families,

I hope this message finds you well. I’d like to share a few important reminders to ensure we continue working together to support student success and maintain a smooth school environment.

Early Release
We kindly ask that you refrain from checking your child(ren) out of school before our official dismissal time of 3:39 PM, except in cases of emergencies. Early checkouts disrupt learning, and at Auburn, we prioritize maximizing every moment of instructional time to benefit our students.

Additionally, please ensure you have at least one person, 18 years of age or older, listed in PowerSchool as an emergency contact. For safety reasons, students cannot and will not be released to anyone not listed in PowerSchool or without a valid driver’s license or government-issued ID.

Timely Pick-Up
It is important for parents to pick up their child(ren) on time, including on half days of school. While we understand emergencies can happen and will always work to support our families, please note the following office hours:

• Full Days: Office closes at 4:00 PM
• Half Days: Office closes at 12:00 PM

We have been documenting late pickups, including the reasons provided, and will take appropriate next steps for families with a pattern of late pickups or those who are disrespectful to staff.

We greatly appreciate your attention to these reminders and your partnership in ensuring a positive and productive environment for all students.

Thank you for your continued support.

PowerSchool Compliance Documents

Our main office will be reaching out to families to inform you of any missing state compliance documents in PowerSchool. We will address this process alphabetically, starting with Letters A-H.

We understand that PowerSchool is new for many, so we are here to help! Our team will:

• Notify you of any missing documents.
• Provide clear deadlines for uploading the required items.

If documents are not uploaded by the deadline, your child(ren)’s classes may be temporarily closed until compliance is met.

For families needing additional assistance, we are happy to provide in-person support. Please contact the main office to schedule a time to visit the school for hands-on help with the uploading process.

Planning for Next School Year
As we prepare for the upcoming school year, keep an eye out for communication regarding the process, timeline, and paperwork needed to confirm your child(ren)’s return to Auburn.

Thank you for your cooperation and partnership as we work together to meet these important requirements and plan for a successful year ahead.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We’re excited to continue working together to support your child’s success. As a school community, we are deeply committed to ensuring that every child receives the education they deserve to build a bright and successful future. Attendance plays a critical role in this effort.

Did you know?

1. Attendance matters as early as kindergarten. Studies show that missing just two days of school per month can lead to significant learning gaps, especially in reading and math.
2. Consistent attendance builds strong habits for life. Students who attend school regularly are more likely to develop discipline, confidence, and the skills they need to succeed in high school, college, and beyond.

We understand that challenges such as illness, transportation, or family circumstances can sometimes make it difficult for students to attend school. Our goal is to work alongside families to help eliminate these barriers and provide the support you need to ensure your child is in school and learning every day.

Over the coming weeks, we will be sending home additional resources and hosting family meetings to address attendance concerns. These are opportunities to work together, find solutions, and help every child thrive.

Please feel free to reach out to us if you have questions, need assistance, or would like to discuss ways we can support your family. Together, we can make a difference in your child’s education and future success.

Warm regards,

Ms. Courts

Dear Auburn Elementary Families,

We are thrilled to announce an exciting partnership with Panda Express to support student attendance at Auburn Elementary! Through their generosity, students with outstanding attendance will have the opportunity to receive special certificates as a reward for their dedication and commitment to showing up every day.

Consistent attendance is one of the most important factors in your child’s academic success. Every school day is filled with valuable lessons, hands-on activities, and opportunities to grow academically, socially and emotionally. When students show up, they thrive—and we want to celebrate that commitment!

We are so grateful for the generosity of Panda Express in helping us motivate and recognize our students. With your support and encouragement at home, we know our students will continue to show up, shine, and succeed.

Thank you for being an essential part of our school community. Let's make every day count!

Warmly,

Ms. Courts
Dean of Students
Auburn Elementary

Dear Auburn Elementary School Families,

Let the games begin, Heart Heroes! Kids Heart Challenge is here and it’s better than ever! Sign up TODAY to get started on Finn’s Mission - refresh your Hands-Only CPR skills and learn the warning signs of a stroke. Every student who completes Finn’s Mission will earn their very own Heart Hero Cape!

Help Save Lives with These Simple Steps:

• Download the FREE AHA Schools App for Apple or Android and click on “Register Now” then scroll down to join your school's team.
• Next, click on “send a text today” to easily reach friends & family!
• OR click HERE. and choose “Sign Up” to get started.

We have some BONUS incentives for our students this year:

• When School reaches $2500 for kids with special hearts, Principal Byas will wear Duck Suit for a day!
• When School reaches $5000 for kids with special hearts, school will celebrate with a dance party on March 7th!

Thank you for being an essential part of the Kids Heart Challenge, supporting our school and the American Heart Association. Every step you take helps save lives. Let’s make a powerful positive impact together!

Ms. Pepper"

Thank you!

--

Keyara Pepper-Cameron (she/her)

P.E. Teacher

Auburn Elementary School

(248) 537-6500 x6583

Parents/Caregivers

We are having an increase of library books NOT being returned back to the school library. Please help your student remember to bring them back weekly, so they can check out another book. Late notes are sent home once a month, and emailed every week. If you're not getting the emails please inform the office so they can check that your email is correct.

Library books that are truly lost will need to be paid. This fine carries over from year to year all the way through high school. You can only send in a payment at this time of cash, check, or money order.

Thank you,

Mrs. Cuthbertson

Media Manager

Family Fun Night - February 28th Join us for an evening of excitement and entertainment! Bring the whole family for food, fun games, and great memories from 6:00-8:00 PM. Don't miss this fantastic night of family-friendly activities!

Group ID # 124887

Support Our School with Poppin Popcorn - February 3rd-March 2nd Our annual popcorn fundraiser with Poppin Popcorn is back! Families can participate by either having their student sell 5 or more orders, or by making a direct donation to the PTO. Both options support our cause equally! Help us reach our fundraising goals while sharing delicious treats with family and friends.

Your participation in PTO fundraising events directly enriches our school community. These funds make possible our monthly Student of the Month breakfasts, staff appreciation activities, and family events throughout the year including Family Fun Night and our Spring Dance. Every contribution helps create memorable experiences for our students and families while showing appreciation for our dedicated teachers and staff. Join us in supporting these important initiatives that bring our school community together!

Today, I'm excited to share the latest updates on our popcorn fundraiser, as well as recognize our top sellers so far!

Here are the leaders in the fundraiser race:

1. Aziza D
2. Ashton A
3. Jace G
4. Tadashii W
5. Penelope H
6. Lindsey R
7. Amelia D
8. Arelene R
9. Raelynn W
10. Mason S

There will be activities for our elementary friends

A little overview, this is a half day program (9am-12pm) on March 25th and March 27th, 2025. This is for kids aged 5-10, and will be held at our Hawk Woods Park and Campground. We will be engaging in fun nature activities, cooperative games, crafts and more! Please see the attached brochure for our program.

Please use the following code to place your order for this year's yearbook. School Code: 5933525

As December settles in and Michigan’s winter weather becomes increasingly cold and snowy, we want to remind you of our school and district recess policies. Ensuring our students remain safe and comfortable during recess is a top priority, and proper clothing is essential for enjoying outdoor play during this chilly season.

Recess Guidelines

• If it is raining or the temperature, including wind chill, is less than 10°F, students will have indoor recess.
• If the temperature is 65°F or below, students should wear coats to stay warm.

In cloudy or snowy weather, students should wear: Gloves, Hats, Snow pants, Boots

Playground Snow Policy

Clothing Reminders:

• Students are expected to wear the outdoor gear they arrive at school in.
• Please ensure your child comes to school dressed appropriately for the weather.
• To maintain instructional time, students will not call home to request forgotten items.

Attention Local and Small Businesses: Support Auburn Elementary School!

The Auburn Elementary School PTO is reaching out to our local and small business community for potential fundraising opportunities that can benefit our students and school programs. We welcome ideas and partnerships that can help make this year’s fundraising efforts a success!

If you’re a local or small business and would like to get involved or discuss potential fundraising ideas, please contact the PTO at amandaauburnpto@gmail.com. OR Auburn elementary main office at 248-537-6500. We look forward to partnering with you to support our Auburn elementary community.

Thank you for your continued support!

Sincerely,

Auburn Elementary School PTO

Here are a few business cards that came in this week. We’d love to recognize and support these local businesses, and we want to continue supporting yours as well! Please keep the information coming—we truly appreciate your contributions!

🎉 Attention Auburn Families!

We have thrilling news—Auburn Elementary is officially on Facebook! 📱✨ Come check us out, hit that "Like" button, give us some stars and share in all the new and exciting updates and events, both past and upcoming. Join our community and stay connected! We can’t wait to share this journey with you! 🎊💙 https://www.facebook.com/AuburnRockStars

The week of February 17-21 is A schedule.

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, please remember that appropriate shoes are required. This helps us adhere to our dress code and keeps everyone safe while they engage in physical activities.

If you have any questions or concerns about this requirement, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help!

Thank you for your cooperation and partnership.

Auburn Families Please use the following link to gain access to the breakfast & lunch menu.

https://avondale.nutrislice.com/menu/auburn

If you have any questions, please contact Billie Chafin

billie.chafin@avondaleschools.org

Good Morning Everyone!

I hope all of you are enjoying your mid-winter break. If you don't have Valentine's Day plans, our OAA Blue League Champion - Lady Jackets will be hosting Southfield tonight for some basketball!

Here is this weeks Athletic Newsletter - https://secure.smore.com/n/t521u0

Stay warm!

Denise and Melissa

Now more than ever, parents and students should familiarize themselves with OK2SAY, which is Michigan’s student safety program to help keep students safe. Anyone can report tips confidentially on criminal activities or potential harm directed at students, school employees or schools.

Tips, which can be anonymous, can be reported in 31 different tip categories, including planned school attacks, threats, bullying and more. Tips can be submitted 24/7 in one of the following ways:

• Call: 8-555-OK2SAY, 855-565-2729
• Text: 652729 (OK2SAY)
• Email OK2SAY
• Visit the OK2SAY website
• OK2SAY Mobile App: Available for download in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for iOS and Android mobile devices.