The Eagle's Beak

Dear Auburn Families,

Thank you for your understanding during this short week due to the extreme temperatures. We truly appreciate you sending your children to school these past two days—it’s always a joy to have them here!

A quick reminder: report cards were sent home with students today. Please take a moment to check your child's backpack. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher.

Stay warm, and we look forward to seeing everyone back next week!

Warm regards,

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. Students will be allowed into the building only after normal staff start times (8:15am). We will provide more details soon, but we encourage families to begin planning ahead for early childcare needs.

For families needing early or late childcare, 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 one grade level at a time, starting with TK/Kindergarten and moving through each grade level bi-weekly.

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,

Welcome back! We hope you had a wonderful winter break and enjoyed special moments with your loved ones. As we return to school, 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

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!

Support Our School with Poppin Popcorn - February 3rd-28th 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.

Dear Staff,

We are excited to share that enrollment for the 2025-26 school year at Avondale’s Early Learning Centers (ELC) is now open! Below is important information about our programs and the enrollment process.

Summer Camp Enrollment
We are now accepting applications for Summer Camp for children ages 2.9 years old to 5 years old who have not yet completed a year of TK/K. To apply, click here.

3-Year-Old Preschool Enrollment
For children entering our 3-Year-Old Preschool classrooms, please complete the registration form found here. Once submitted, we will email you an enrollment packet with all required documents, including the payment policy and a link to PowerSchool.

PreK for All/GSRP Enrollment
For children entering 4-Year-Old PreK programs (PreK for All/GSRP), please begin Phase One of the enrollment process by clicking here. Please follow the steps below to complete Phase One:

1. Select "Preschool (3-5 Year Olds)"
2. Enter your email
3. Check the box "Do you have a specific preschool you would like to apply for?"
4. Select Auburn Hills
5. Select Avondale School District
6. Submit documentation for family income, child's age, and residency.

Once Phase One is complete, we will contact you to schedule a Family Meeting and gather additional enrollment information during Phase Two.

ELC Open House
The district will host open houses at both Early Learning Center locations on February 5, 2025 from 6-7pm for those interested in learning more or visiting the schools. For more information, click here.

We look forward to welcoming your child to our programs and partnering with you in their educational journey. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

For more information about Avondale’s Early Learning Centers, please visit www.avondaleschools.org/schools/avondale-early-learning-center.

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 January 27-31 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

• 2/3 - 2/21 WIDA Testing ( English Learners)
• 2/3 - 2/28 PTO Annual Popcorn Fundraiser
• 2/6 AMS Route 56 5th Grade Activity Night 6:00-7:30pm, Check in begins at 5:45pm
• 2/6 Optimist Breakfast (1st grade by invitation only)
  
• 2/6 5th grade will be going to the Band Petting Zoo
• 2/6 PTO Meeting ( All are welcome)
• 2/7 Coffee with the Principal @7:45 am in Auburn Media Center
• 2/7 SOTM Breakfast ( By invitation only ) @ 8:00 am in Auburn Media Center
• 2/7 SOTM Assembly @ 8:45 am in Auburn gym ( all are welcome)
• 2/7 KIDS Heart Challenge Kick Off Assembly @ 9:15am in the gym
• 2/12 3rd grade field trip

• 2/12 Student Spring Count Day

• 2/14 - 2/17 NO SCHOOL Midwinter Break

• 2/18 School Resumes

• 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

If you have any questions, please contact Billie Chafin

billie.chafin@avondaleschools.org

Avondale Families,

It's time to get creative! Avondale School District is inviting all students to design a poster that represents our district's Portrait of a Graduate. In response to feedback and requests we've received for additional time, we will be extending the Portrait of a Graduate student poster contest through January 31, 2025!

Avondale's Portrait of a Graduate is a framework for the skills, knowledge, and character traits our district aims for its students to develop by the time they graduate. This includes Conscientious Citizen, Creative Problem Solver, Effective Communicator, Innovative Thinker, and Self-Actualized Risk Taker. Our schools use this model to align teaching, programs, and culture around these core competencies, ensuring that every student graduates equipped for lifelong success.

Winners from elementary, middle, and high school will have their designs professionally styled, printed, and displayed throughout the district! Submit your poster to your school's front office by January 31, 2025. Avondale staff and families will then vote for their favorites!

Learn more about Avondale's Portrait of a Graduate at www.avondaleschools.org/academics.

Avondale School District is excited to announce that the application window for the 2025-26 school year at Avondale GATE Magnet School will open on January 6, 2025.

The GATE program is open to students in grades 2-8, including both in-district residents and out-of-district students who wish to apply through our Schools of Choice program. All applications for GATE Magnet School are completed online and must be completed during the specific application window announced each year. The application can be found on GATE's website at www.avondaleschools.org/gate/apply.

For more information, please visit www.avondaleschools.org/gate-magnet-school or reach out at gate.applicants@avondaleschools.org.

Good Morning-

Please enjoy this week's edition of the Avondale Athletic Newsletter.

Avondale Athletics

Thanks!

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.