OCTOBER 17th, 2025

Eric Leopold, Principal

Scott Millbrook, Assistant Principal

 

At Hayes Intermediate, we know that bringing together students from four different elementary schools is both exciting and challenging. Our fifth and sixth-graders are learning how to form new friendships and navigate a wider social world. This time of growth sometimes brings misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and, on occasion, bullying behavior.

That’s why our school places a strong emphasis on teaching positive social skills and building empathy. All fifth-grade classes read Growing Friendships, a book that helps students understand what it means to be a good friend and how to work through social challenges. In addition, all students take part in a dedicated anti-bullying unit through our Second Step program, which provides explicit lessons on respect and how to stand up for one another.

We want families to know that when bullying is suspected or occurs, it’s taken seriously and addressed quickly. Any concerns about bullying should be reported directly to our Deans/Student Success Coordinators or Principals so we can investigate and ensure that students feel safe and supported. Call 517-925-5740 and ask to leave a voicemail for Sally, Calvin, Scott, or Eric.

Additionally, the vast majority of concerns that are reported stem from interactions that have occurred online, outside of school hours. Please continue to closely monitor your child’s text threads, video calls, and social media activity to keep everyone feeling safe.

Together, by teaching empathy, setting clear expectations, and communicating openly, we can help every student at Hayes feel that they belong.

The school news is a completely student-led operation. They work hard creating and putting together content each week! They analyze and critique each episode as a class on Mondays and aim to improve each week. Thank you for supporting and encouraging our students. Here is a link for this week's episode. 

Please remember that students do not wear costumes to school at Hayes. Instead, we will be celebrating with a Harvest Party on October 31st during the school day.

We will have a fun Trunk or Treat event next Thursday, October 23rd from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and students are welcome to wear their costumes at that event!

Parent-Teacher conferences sign up will be available the week of October 20th. 

The following is the schedule for conferences. Please note the times and dates for virtual and in-person when making your selection. 

IN PERSON: November 10th from 4pm to 7pm. 
VIRTUAL: November 12th from 4pm to 5pm. 
IN PERSON: November 12th from 5pm to 7pm
VIRTUAL: November 14th from 11:30am to 1:30pm

If you sign up for a virtual conference, your child's teacher(s) will send you a link via email. 

Please note: The Enrichment classes are Participation/Non Participation Classes therefore do not schedule conferences with those teachers. 

Please click here to sign up. 

The Hayes Student Handbook includes information and expectations regarding policies, procedures, and state mandates. We want each student to experience success in school. Our students and parents/guardians are expected to read this handbook to be aware of the rights, regulations, and responsibilities of being a student at Hayes. The student handbook is available online for you to reference throughout the school year and includes the 2025-26 Calendar, Academic Services, School Activities, School Operations, Student Services and Student Code of Conduct . 

For information regarding the use and expectations of devices including Cell Phones as well as Chromebooks issued to Hayes students for use at school, please reference the information below and on Pages 2, 5, and Appendix A. Please be aware of fees for any devices or materials that are lost, misplaced or damaged during student use. 

Textbooks, Devices, Materials and Fees (excerpt from Page 5):

The school provides books and computer devices for use in classes. The books and computer devices are loaned to students and it is understood that students are responsible for their care. If the book or computer device is lost or misplaced, the student must pay the replacement price for the item… Students must also pay for damaged books and damaged computer devices. The student will not receive their yearbook at the end of the school year until all materials and fees due that year are paid. Fees may be assessed for materials used in classrooms for project work beyond the course requirements.

Healthcare tips for the fall:
Flu season will be upon us!

Remember that flu shows up as fever, body aches, cough,
headache, trouble breathing, head congestion….no fun!

Get your flu shot in October as it will help prevent severe
disease (the health center can provide flu vaccines for kids
ages 5-21). When more people in a community get vaccinated,
it protects the very young and very old from severe illness.

Encourage your kids to wash hands/sanitize hands before eating.

Try to cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people and stay home if you are sick.

Call for an appointment at the health center (517-925-5590) if
your child is sick and in need of a flu test or is having
troublesome symptoms—we are here for you!

ATTENDANCE REPORTING:

There are several ways to report an absence at Hayes. When using any of the options below please include the following information; Child's full name, homeroom teacher and the reason for their absences.  

Online Attendance Reporting: You can use the online portal at ps.glcomets.net. Once you have logged in, select “Attendance Monitor” from the left navigation menu. Then, click “Report New Attendance.” After you have entered the date, reason, and explanation, click Submit. For more detailed instructions, please use the Parent Attendance Portal Directions . Please note: online attendance reporting is not available in the app; it is only available on the website.

You may continue to email HAAttendance@glcomets.net or 

call the attendance line at 517-925-5333.  

DROP OFF AND PICK-UP: Friendly reminder: Students may enter the building after 7:20 AM, and dismissal is at 2:25 PM. Please note, there is no adult supervision after 2:45 PM. Kindly ensure your student(s) have transportation arranged. 

2:00 PM is the cut-off for calling the office to change your students means of transportation home. 

REPORTING ILLNESSES

What’s going around:  Sore throat, strep throat, scarlet fever, stomachache, vomiting, diarrhea,  sinus infections, allergies ,hay fever, pink eye and fevers with unspecified illness

When calling or emailing to excuse your students from school for illness, please let the secretaries know what your students symptoms are. We track symptoms and report them to the health department. Thank you!

CELL PHONE USAGE:

A friendly reminder that cell phone usage is not permitted on school property. If you need to contact your student during school hours, please call the office at 517-925-5740 and we will either get the message to your student or have them come to the office and speak with you. Thank you!

If you plan to volunteer or need to be in the building for an extended period (including field trips or field days), you must complete a volunteer application. This is a required step for all volunteers. 

Please note: the background check takes a few days to process, so submit your application in advance based on your volunteer plans. 

If your student will be moving to a different school next year, be sure to select both their current school and the school they’ll be attending.
For example: If your child is currently in 4th grade at Wacousta and will attend Hayes next year, select Wacousta and Hayes on the application. This ensures you’ll be cleared to volunteer at both locations when needed. Applications are valid for one calendar year. 

The Hayes/Beagle PTO is making things happen for our students, and we’d love for you to be part of it! There’s no cost to join—just an opportunity to connect, stay informed, and support the programs and events that make our schools great.

Want a say in how fundraising dollars support students? Looking for a fun way to give back? We need volunteers for dances, field trips, teacher appreciation, and more—whether you have an hour or a whole afternoon, every bit helps!

Join us and see how you can make a difference! 

The next meeting is on Tuesday, November 11th, 2025 at 6:30 pm in the Beagle Media Center. 

To stay current on updates and meetings, click here.

 

Click here for Grand Ledge upcoming events, district news, and community information.