Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Programs And Recognition topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Brighton showcases Hawkins Elementary huddles; students and music program earn district honors
Summary
Brighton Area Schools highlighted the Huddles student-leadership program at Hawkins Elementary, named two 'shining stars' including Nick Shaw, and celebrated Mallory Hopka’s selection to the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association honors orchestra; the board also heard a Science Olympiad results update.
Superintendent Dr. Outlaw opened the board meeting with a district school showcase and recognized student achievements from Hawkins Elementary and other schools.
Dr. Outlaw introduced Hawkins Elementary principal Chris McAuliffe, who described the school’s Huddles program — an intergrade mentoring and social-emotional learning initiative run by teachers and staff. Teachers Alyssa Hoy and Kim Ethridge said Hawkins runs 32 huddle groups composed of kindergarten through fourth-grade students, with about 15 students per adult leader; groups meet roughly 30–35 minutes each month and follow themes such as determination, optimism, generosity and solidarity.
Students demonstrated a huddles activity for the board and described classroom and community examples of the program’s themes: collecting donations for the Humane Society of Huron Valley (generosity), partner games that require teamwork (solidarity) and persistence in schoolwork and extracurricular goals (determination).
The board then recognized two individual students. Christina Mitty, a fourth-grade teacher at Hilton Elementary, nominated Nick Shaw for a district “shining star” recognition for his ongoing volunteer support helping a new English-language learner acclimate to school routines and classroom language. The board thanked Shaw for his assistance and leadership.
The board also honored Mallory Hopka, a violist from Scranton Middle School. Steven Fernandez, orchestra teacher, and Jennifer Evans, director of orchestras and bands, told the board that Mallory auditioned in October and was selected from among nearly 2,700 students to perform in one of five honors ensembles at the Michigan Music Conference on Jan. 25. Evans said the honors orchestra included 71 students and that Mallory earned first chair for the viola section and performed an extended solo arranged specifically for the ensemble.
Board members additionally congratulated the Brighton High School Science Olympiad team for placing second overall at a recent competition in Frankenmuth and recognized individual student placements across multiple events.
No board action was required; the items were ceremonial recognitions and program information shared as part of the superintendent’s report.
