Bays Bulletin
November, 2024
Welcome to our new Newsletter format. We hope this new format will help modernize our communication systems while still providing everyone will great information related to Brimley Area Schools. Due to changes with our Post Office, we are no longer able to do mass district mailings. Our new format will be posted on our website and our Facebook. We will also have printed copies available at our school offices, and provided at key points around the community. Thank you for your patience as we continue with this transition.
As I’ve settled into my new role of Superintendent, I am filled with gratitude and anticipation for what lies ahead. This is my 20th year in education, and I am honored to be starting my 7th year here at Brimley Area Schools—a place that has truly become a second home to me.
I look forward to collaborating with our dedicated staff, supportive parents, and, most importantly, our wonderful students. Together, I am confident that we will continue to create a positive, engaging, and enriching environment for all.
My goal as Superintendent is to ensure that each student has the opportunity to succeed, grow, and feel valued as part of our school community. I believe that by working together—staff, students, parents, and the broader community—we can make this school year one of the best yet.
Thank you for entrusting your children to us. I am excited to be part of this journey and look forward to a fantastic year of learning and growth.
AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK
The week of November 18-22 is American Education Week. What is National Education Week?
An opportunity to celebrate public education and honor individuals who are making a difference in ensuring that every student receives a quality education. American Education Week happens the week prior to the week of Thanksgiving. Each day of the week has its own theme, to celebrate our public school community.
This occasion would be a great time for parents to communicate with their student’s teachers to thank them for all the great work they are doing for their students. Education is a team effort. With a combined effort on the part of parents, students, and staff, success will occur in our school. All of our staff, teachers, bus drivers, secretaries, cooks, teacher aides, custodians, and administrators are jointly responsible for the success of our students. During American Education Week, we would like to recognize the faculty/staff of Brimley Area Schools for the fine job they do.
THANKSGIVING BREAK
School will dismiss at 12:00PM on Wednesday, November 27th, for Thanksgiving Vacation. There will be no school on Thursday and Friday, November 28th and 29th.
Reminder that all of our half-days will be now have a 12:00pm dismissal, with students being served lunch.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Thanks to all parents who attended Parent/Teacher Conferences. Please remember to follow-up on conversations held with the teachers. Consistent communication between home and school is a necessary ingredient in the education process.
THANK YOU
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your willingness to make the necessary adjustments to your day when we need to double up routes to and from school. I know this is not an ideal scenario, but doing this allows us to get your children to school on time and home at a reasonable time as well. I thank you so very much for working together with our transportation issues.
NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
November is Native American Heritage Month, or as it is commonly referred to, American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.
We are excited to celebrate Native American Heritage Month at Brimley Area Schools. I would like to thank our Parent Advisory Committee for all the help given when organizing events that all can take part in during this special month. Special thanks goes out to Mr. Cameron, our Title VI coordinator and Ojibwe Language teacher, Ms Spychalski, one of our Native Studies teacher, and the rest of our staff for all the extra work done to make this event a huge success.
The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. At Brimley Schools, we take extra time to learn and explore our area’s unique culture and traditions, and the tremendous impacts Native Americans have had on our region, state, and country. Heritage Month is also an opportune time to educate the general public and tribes, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges. (National Congress of American Indians)
SCHOOL CLOSINGS
We are approaching the time of year when weather may affect the opening of school. Whenever there is inclement weather, a decision to either close school for the day, or to delay the opening of school must be made by 6:00 a.m. at the very latest.
If school is closed, or the opening is delayed, we will send a message via our parent notification system School Messenger. This message will be sent by phone, email, and text, if you have provided that information to the school.
Closings and delays will also be reported over local radio stations and television stations.
If there is a two-hour delayed opening, school will start at 10:15 instead of 8:15. The buses will adjust their schedules accordingly in order to have students arrive at school for a 10:15 start. Breakfast will not be served when there is a delayed opening.
Each day, our seven buses transport approximately 330 students a total of 300 miles. The safety of our children on the buses is our number one priority. Whenever a decision needs to be made regarding the closing of school, or to delay the opening of school, the decision will be made with the welfare of our students and faculty/staff in mind.
SUBSTITUTES NEEDED
Brimley Area Schools have a need for substitutes in most areas of employment. This includes: teachers, bus drivers, custodians, food service workers, and teacher aides. For further information, or to pick up an application, contact the central office at: 248-3219.
Please be aware that substitute employment in a school requires a background and fingerprint check.
HONORING OUR VETERANS
Brimley Area Schools will hold its annual Veteran’s Day Assembly on November 11th, beginning at 9:00 a.m. to honor all of our veterans who have served and those currently serving in the military. The sacrifices made by our veterans and some who made the ultimate sacrifice is why we enjoy the freedoms we have today.
I look forward to working with everyone as I step into this new role, and continue the great work we do at Brimley Area Schools. Please reach out with any questions, compliments or concerns you may have.
Respectfully
Thomas Suggitt
We are already a quarter of the way through the school year! The first quarter ended on Friday, November 1st. Report cards will be mailed home at the end of the first week of November. We had a great turn out at Parent-Teacher Conferences on October 17. Teachers enjoyed connecting with parents and being able to build the partnership to support our students. One common discussion point at conferences was after school tutoring. 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. Please discuss the importance of arriving to class on time with your student. We will begin tardy detentions for the second quarter. Students who are tardy to more than two classes in a week will receive a friday after school detention. We are eager to partner with you to ensure your student is here, please call the office if you have questions or need support.
Nut Free - 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.
Quiz Bowl - Our Middle School Quiz Bowl team took first place at their competition in Newberry in late October! They are headed to the UP Finals in November. Way to go team!
Student Council - Our High School Student Council is hosting a spirit week and Fall Festival the first week of November. We are excited to see all of our students participating and showing their school spirit. The Middle School Student Council hosted a middle school dance on Friday, November 1st. There was a great turnout for the fall themed event.
Student of the Month - Teachers will be nominating and voting on the first student of the month winners for the 24-25 school year. Each month one middle school and one high school student will be selected as the student of the month. Winners will receive a t-shirt, certificate, and Sugar Daddy gift card.
On behalf of our middle and high school faculty and staff, we want to thank our incredible Brimley students, parents, families, and communities. We are grateful for all you do to make Brimley such a special place.
Respectfully,
Aaron Noordhoek
The month of September flew by due to all the excitement of being back to school, and all the fun events we had here at Brimley Elementary.
Events we had in September:
1. Kick off assembly
2. September Bay’s Ways Assembly
3. PBIS reward
4. Student of the Month Breakfast
LSSU Hockey - Pen Pals
Our elementary students have been invited to become pen-pals with the LSSU Hockey student athletes. The LSSU Hockey team came to visit our school and introduce themselves to our students. The students will write the team, and the athletes will write back to the class as a whole throughout the season.
Attendance
Student attendance is one of the key factors for student success. Please be at school and ready to learn each day by 8:20. Doors open at 8:05. Breakfast is served 8:00-8:20
IMPORTANT DATES
Picture retake day will be Nov 19th
Science Fair - Projects due Nov. 11th and Judging on the 12th
Thanksgiving Break - Nov. 27th is a half day and the 28th & 29th off
Veterans Day Assembly - Nov. 11th (Public welcome to attend)
Release Time and Bay Mills Cultural Time will begin on Oct. 16th. For students who are signed up for these programs, dismissal time will be every Tuesday at 1:45. Students will return to school at 3::10 to catch buses home. Sign-up for these optional programs can be found in the office.
Respectfully,
Mr. Clarke
Happy Holidays! The first-grade classes will be having a Christmas Door Wreath Fundraiser. Orders will be due on November 21st with payment due at that time and pick up Tuesday, December 2nd in Mrs. Nousen’s classroom room 203 from 3:15-5:30 pm or prior arrangements. The wreaths will be fresh balsam firs with a red bow twenty-eight inches in diameter. They are beautifully designed by Kyle Bricco and last throughout the winter season. Please consider purchasing one for the holidays and sharing our information. The wreaths will be $30.00 each with checks made payable to Brimley Area Schools or cash will be accepted. Orders and payment can be given to your child’s teacher. The profits will be used for classroom supplies and field trips for students. Thank you for your support! The First Grade Teachers
This month's staff spotlight is focused on Mrs. Amanda Gaynier. Mrs. Gaynier is in her 9th year teaching at Brimley Area Schools. For this year, Mrs. Gaynier has stepped into the role of our elementary special education teacher after teaching high school special education for several years. Mrs. Gaynier is already settling into her new role in the elementary and is having lots of fun helping students make connections and grow with their learning.
Mrs. Gaynier enjoys spending time with her family, her husband Adam and her daughters Aubrey and Abigail. She enjoys camping, and when she's not at school or out in the woods, you can usually find her in the gym where she practices and coaches Cross Fit.