Beaverton Schools -

...WITH A BANG: The JV football team started its season with an impressive win over Evart Thursday night, 30-6. The varsity football team heads to Evart tonight for a 7 p.m. showdown and the cross-country squad runs this afternoon at Ogemaw Heights. Seems like a great day to #GoBeavers, but then again, aren't they all?

ATTENDANCE MATTERS: Showing up prepares you to succeed. Skipping out prepares you to struggle.

ICE, ICE BABY: The designation of 'local heroes' kind of comes with the job description for Beaverton Firefighters Phil Andrist and Ryan Tworek. But these true friends of Beaverton Elementary took their popularity to a whole new level today when they brought their truck to BES and started handing out Sno-Cones to every student on the playground. These dudes are just plain clutch, and the community is lucky to have them. Thanks, guys. #SnoBeavers

A WELCOME DISTRACTION: Students at BJSHS were given a hands-on demonstration today of the vey real dangers of distracted and impaired driving. The Save A Life Tour is a comprehensive high impact safe driving awareness program that informs, educates and demonstrates the potentially deadly consequences resulting from poor choices and decisions made by the operator of a motor vehicle. After a video presentation and lecture, students were able to use an interactive simulation to experience the real-life effects of driving while distracted and impaired, learning just how dangerous it can be.

WHAT, ALREADY?! It's hard to imagine only a week into the school year and with the mercury pushing north of 90 degrees(!) today, but Homecoming Week is a scant 21 days away. (Indeed, students begin deciding on the court this week.) Want to make sure you're appropriately geared for Sept. 20's festivities? Head on over to the Beaverton HOCO Spirit Store for a variety of t-shirts and hoodies for the big week; you can also place an order at Create-It in town. Proceeds will benefit the BJSHS Student Government Association, the deadline to order is Sept. 10 at bit.ly/4dB09Ul and #GoBeavers.

SCHOLARSHIP CHASERS: Tenth and eleventh graders, you might qualify for the National Merit Scholarship program. Want to find out for sure? The PSAT/NMSQT test isn't until Oct. 22, but the deadline to sign up is well before that on Sept. 9, so see Mrs. Hargrove today to make it happen and visit bit.ly/3MlhYux to learn more.

COLOR PARADE: It took until Day Four of the school year, but Mrs. Dubbs couldn't hold off her fifth-graders any longer. The art students broke out the water colors and let loose with the splash and flash. As usual, it was a great day to be a Beaver. #vanGoghBeavers

BALLS AND STRIKES: Times have changed, but Phys Ed at BES still involves jumping jacks and push-ups and laps around the gym. But Mrs. Downey's class also features popular attractions like this morning's dodgeball/bowling mash-up known as Knock 'Em Down. Kids defended their own pins while trying to take the opposing team's pins down, and the only guarantee was F-U-N. #GoBeavers

PARKING LOT BACON: Several members of the Class of '25 gathered at BJSHS bright and early this morning for Senior Sunrise, where they enjoyed a tasty breakfast and some high-quality company. They'll reconvene to complete the cycle at the finish line in May with Senior Sunset. #BeavertonAlways

YOUR BIG CHANCE: It's hard to enjoy sports without concessions, right? Well, it's also hard to provide concessions without volunteers. So the Beaverton Sports Boosters is asking friends, fans and family of BJSHS and BES sports to step up and take a turn behind the concession counter this year, and they've made it easier than ever to sign up. Just visit bit.ly/3WQkVrP to choose your sport and date. And thanks. Community spirit is what makes this place special. #GoBeavers

AND HERE...WE...GO: The first day of school is a healthy mix of excitement and energy for everybody involved, so it was great this morning to greet old friends, meet new ones, and settle in for another excellent year of learning. We're so ready for this. #GoBeavers.

TEACHING THE TEACHERS: Students return to class Monday, but teachers, paraprofessionals and administrators have been hard at it all week getting ready. Today, they underwent an all-day professional development session as part of their ongoing training in Restorative Practices, which addresses student behavior by identifying and fulfilling needs; building and repairing relationships; and truly understanding the root causes of adverse behaviors and developing strategies to change them. Today's speaker, Kelvin Oliver, is a renowned expert in the field of Restorative Practices, and he left our staff impressed. "As a staff, we are keenly aware that student behavior is crucial in making our school the best it can be," said BES Principal Shawna Hartwell. "Today's session - and Mr. Oliver's excellent presentation - is another important step in our ongoing progress toward that goal."

DON'T FORGET: Today's the Beaverton Schools Open House for K-12 students and families at BES and BJSHS from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Get to know teachers, schedules, lockers, classrooms and everything else before school kicks off next Monday. Hope to see you there. #GoBeavers

A friendly reminder to our community:

A CRITICAL 30 SECONDS: Every year, we are required to issue a survey to families to collect information that ensures Beaverton receives its full allocation of state and federal funding. Without this information, we could lose essential funding for education programs our students need, including free breakfasts and lunches for all students; instructional staff (reading interventionists, math tutors, academic and behavior aids, etc.); technology and teaching supplies and materials; counselors and social workers; and much more. PLEASE HELP make sure Beaverton Schools gets its full funding by filling out this 30-second survey at bit.ly/3TMmZ44. It's quick, it's easy, it's crucial to serving students and per board policy, your data is held in the strictest confidence. Regardless of your family's income level, EVERY RESPONSE MATTERS. #GoBeavers

BEFORE YOU KNOW IT: Get ready to get the new school year rolling by joining us for a couple key events before school officially starts. First up is the orientation for incoming sixth- and seventh-graders, set for Monday, Aug. 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at BJSHS. Then on Wednesday, Aug. 14, kids and families in grades K-12 are invited to the campus-wide Open House from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Finally, it all kicks off for real on Monday, Aug. 19 with the first day of school, which is a half-day. Hope to see you there, and #GoBeavers.

SCHOOLS OF CHOICE: Under the Schools of Choice legislation (Section 105 and Section 105(c) of the School Aid Act), kindergarten through twelfth grade students residing within Clare Gladwin Regional Education Service District (RESD) and contiguous intermediate school districts, may apply to Beaverton Schools for enrollment for the first semester of the 2024-2025 school year. Application may be made for all grades with unlimited openings. Transportation for these students is the responsibility of the parents or guardians. Enrollment must be made to the school district no later than the end of the first week of school.

THE SHORT LIST: Attention, BES Parents and Students: Thanks to some creative resource management by BES staff with grant funding, we are not asking families to provide classroom supplies this year. Of course, we will always gratefully accept donations of items like tissues, disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, paper towels and adhesive bandages. But in terms of what to bring, all we ask from parents is that their children show up at school with a backpack, a water bottle and a smile - healthy and rested and ready to learn. Buckle up for the best year ever, Beavers!

YOUTH VOLLEYBALL will have a different vibe this year for kids in grades 4, 5 and 6 as Beaverton will be participating in the Mid-Michigan Youth Volleyball League. Team signups are underway, so visit the group's Facebook page at bit.ly/4c2W6OQ for the details and registration information.

TAKE THE WHEEL: Beaverton Schools and Auxilio Services are now hiring bus drivers. Reach out for an interview by calling 989.435.9474 or emailing sworkman@beavertonschools.net.