School Shutdown Update (3-16-2020)

Dear Brandon families,

Today marks the official first day of the Governor's shutdown of Michigan's schools.  The following are the details of the Governor's orders:

 

  • All Public Schools in Michigan will be shutdown from March 16 through April 5th.
  • Under this order, Brandon would return to school on Monday, April 6th.
  • There were no provisions made at all to forgive these days similar to snow days or to allow schools to move to on-line/distance learning and count these as days of instruction.  As such, any assignments will be optional and ungraded within the districts that plan to offer distance learning opportunities (see below for Brandon's educational plan).

The following is important information for all of you:

 

1)  Buildings Closed - The buildings will be open on Tuesday, March 17 from 8 am to 12 pm for students to come to the schools and pick up essential items that they may have left behind.  After that, the buildings will be closed other than for food service until April 5th.

 

2)  Food Service - Similar to the district's summer feeding program (Meet up and Eat up), any student 18 years or under (special education up-to 26) can receive food 7 days a week during the shutdown.  A separate message was sent with the specifics of the food service plan.  It is also on our website and went out via social media.

 

3)  Educational lessons during the shutdown - First, this is a reminder that these are optional and will be ungraded.  With that said, keeping students active and engaged really is in the best interest of our students.  Our Brandon team will be providing activities and assignments for students for the next two weeks.  This will look different at each grade level and your school's principal/director will be in communication with how this will work for your children.  You should expect those communications from your principals later today or tomorrow. For today and tomorrow, let's make reading our top education priority.  I would recommend blocking off a little extra time each day to enjoy your favorite books.

 

4)  Questions - Please send an email to your school's principal.  We are honoring the Governor's directives and will be doing as much work-from-home as possible during the shutdown.  Emails for staff are all on the district's website but these are some important emails for all of you:

 

  • Superintendent - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • BHS Principal - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • BMS Principal - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Harvey-Swanson - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Oakwood - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Preschool and Special Education - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Enrollment - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Food service - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Athletics - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

5)  Other Common Questions

 

  • What happens if the shutdown is extended beyond April 5th?  The Governor is not having this conversation at this point, but the CDC has shared an opinion that schools may need to be closed longer to help curb the spread of the virus.  If it was to be extended, we would expect more flexibility to be able to count distance learning as days of instruction.  We will continue to monitor this and we will keep you in the loop as things progress.
  • What about sports?  The MHSAA has closed down all sports practices and games through April 5th as well.
  • What about spring events such as the play, honors nights, prom, graduation?  At this time, the closure is only until April 5.  We will discuss these in the case that the shutdown is extended.

 

We will continue to send updates regularly, although your next communications will likely be coming from the building level regarding optional educational activities.    Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions at all.  Thank you all for your patience and understanding.

The Choice Is Yours!

Latest News

View a recording of the Brandon Board of...

March 15, 2024

To view a recording of the Brandon Board of Education meeting from Monday, March 18th please use the link below: Click here to view Passcode: 1MX^?MX^ Brandon Board of Education Regular/Organizational Meeting The Brandon Board...

Congratulations to Brandon Middle School student Khloe Kobe

Congratulations to Brandon Middle School student Khloe Kobe

March 06, 2024

Congratulations to Brandon Middle School student Khloe Kobe. Her artwork was chosen in the Top 18 in the State of Michigan by the Michigan Art Education Association! This was the first time a Brandon Middle...

February 28th Community Stakeholder Forum for Strategic Planning

February 25, 2024

The Brandon School District Steering Committee is updating its Strategic Plan to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of our schools and the values of the community. You are invited to attend our...

Brandon Board of Education Committee of the Whole...

February 20, 2024

The Brandon Board of Education will hold a Committee of the Whole Meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 21st, in the Central Office Board Room. Please access the link below for Board of Education...

Strategic Planning Stakeholder Survey

Strategic Planning Stakeholder Survey

February 13, 2024

The Brandon School District Steering Committee is updating its Strategic Plan to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of our schools and the values of the community. The results of this survey will...

View a recording of the Brandon Board of...

February 11, 2024

To view the recording of the Brandon Board of Education meeting from February 12th, 2024. Click here to view Passcode: Q2D@?0tk Brandon Board of Education Regular/Organizational Meeting The Brandon Board of Education will hold a...

Early Childhood Parent Information Night

Early Childhood Parent Information Night

February 05, 2024

Join us on Thursday, February 8th from 5:30 - 7:30pm for a Parent Information Night for incoming early childhood children.

Thank you Brandon School Board Members

Thank you Brandon School Board Members

January 24, 2024

January is School Board Recognition Month. THANK YOU to all of our past and current Brandon School District Board Members for ALL that you do and have done for our students, staff, and families! You...

View a recording of the Brandon Board of...

January 05, 2024

To view a recording of the January 8th Board of Education Regular/Organizational Meeting please use the links below. Click here to view Passcode: D?NZ@$5W Brandon Board of Education Regular/Organizational Meeting The Brandon Board of Education...

View a Recording of the Brandon Board of...

December 15, 2023

To view a recording of the Monday, December 18th Brandon Board of Education Regular Meeting please use the links below: Click Here Passcode: 5!=m*TAJ Brandon Board of Education Regular Meeting The Brandon Board of Education...

View a recording of the Brandon Board of...

November 17, 2023

To view a recording of the Brandon Board of Education Regular Meeting that was held on Monday, November 20th please use the link below: Click Here Passcode: ?Q*Nt9Yy Brandon Board of Education Regular Meeting The...

Upcoming Events

28Mar
No School - Spring Break
Thursday - March 28, 2024
29Mar
No School - Spring Break
Friday - March 29, 2024
15Apr
Parent/Teacher Conference Week
Monday - April 15, 2024
15Apr
BOE Regular Meeting
Monday - April 15, 2024
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
19Apr
No School
Friday - April 19, 2024
24Apr
Late Start Day - PM
Wednesday - April 24, 2024

Spotlight on Brandon

New Swimming School Record

Congratulations to Senior Dominic Mahan for breaking the school record in the 100 M Breaststroke with a time of 1:03.73.

First Team All-State Receiver

First Team All-State Receiver

Congratulations to senior Drew Hickmott for making FIRST TEAM ALL-STATE as a Wide Receiver! Way to go, Drew!

State Champion Pole Vaulter

State Champion Pole Vaulter

Congratulations to Allison Shelton on winning the State Championship in the Pole Vault! We’re so proud of your determination and hard work! GO BLACKHAWKS!!

Track Stars Earn All-State Honors

Track Stars Earn All-State Honors

Congratulations to Nolan Tews, Tricia Pierce, and Brooke Kilyk for earning All-State honors in track and field. Nolan placed 7th in the long jump, Tricia placed 5th in the pole...

Veterans Visit Harvey-Swanson

Veterans Visit Harvey-Swanson

Veterans from Ortonville VFW Post 582 visited with students at Harvey-Swanson Elementary School recently. Here is the full story from the Citizen.Veterans Visit

BHS Students Place 3rd in Nation

BHS Students Place 3rd in Nation

Brandon High School students Kyra Burger, Haley Solo, and Sarah Pesta took 3rd place at the AASTO National Bridge Building competition in Maine. Congratulations, girls!

Our Schools

The Brandon School District is proud of its beautiful schools that set out to challenge and engage students on a daily basis.

Harvey-Swanson Elementary

Early Childhood & Preschool

209 Varsity Drive

Ortonville, MI 48462

(248) 627-1850

Chrissandra Padilla, Director

Harvey-Swanson Elementary

Latchkey

209 Varsity Drive

Ortonville, MI 48462

(248) 627-1859

Penny Green, Latchkey Coordinator
Chrissandra Padilla, Director

Harvey-Swanson Elementary

Harvey-Swanson Elementary

209 Varsity Drive

Ortonville, MI 48462

(248) 627-1850

Jessica Hevel, Principal

Brandon High School

Brandon High School

1025 S Ortonville Road

Ortonville, MI 48462

(248) 627-1820

Daniel Stevens, Principal

Oakwood Elementary Schoool

Oakwood Elementary

2839 Oakwood Road

Ortonville, MI 48462

(248) 627-1880

Colleen Ransford, Principal

Summit Virtual School

1025 S Ortonville Road

Ortonville, MI 48462

(248) 793-1808

Megan Koslowski, Director

Brandon Middle School

Brandon Middle School

609 S Ortonville Road

Ortonville, MI 48462

(248) 627-1830

Kevin Ayre, Principal

By The Numbers

24.6

BHS freshman Taylor Whitkopf's new Brandon pool record in the 50 meter freestyle.

30+

ACT score achieved by BHS seniors Audrey Lamiman, Robert Kayfish, and Lilliana Taylor, putting them in the top 5% of all test takers!

76

Number of trombones in the big parade and the number of BMS 8th graders headed to Washington, D.C. next month.

Did You Know?


Music is an integral part of student life at Brandon. With a variety of bands and choirs from the elementary schools to the high school, we have something for any musical interest.


Virtual learning has taken hold at Brandon. With a menu of options to meet special academic requests and scheduling conflicts, our virtual school has seen tremendous growth.


Academics are a priority at all grade levels. With advanced and honors opportunities at the lower grades to a large AP offering, we can challenge even the most motivated students.


Graduation is just the beginning. Recent graduates have matriculated at MIT, University of Chicago, University of Michigan, Michigan State, and many other excellent schools.


Athletics bring our community together. Competing in the Flint Metro League, our Blackhawks regularly compete for league titles and berths in the state tournament.


Technology is part of our fabric. Each school in our district is equipped with state of the art technology, highlighted by a 1:1 device to student ratio at Harvey-Swanson Elementary.

Testimonials

Jeremiah De Jose '04

Jeremiah De Jose '04

The teachers and coaches during my time at BHS constantly challenged me to be a...

Lori Marino, Parent

Lori Marino, Parent

We live in a neighboring community and I have brought my children to school in...

Noah Cox '19

Noah Cox '19

Brandon gave me a lot of great opportunities. I don’t think I’d be where I...