Welcome Back Letter 2022-23

 

 Dear Brandon Families, 

Welcome back to the 2022-2023 school year! We hope you are having a safe, healthy, and enjoyable summer. I am writing to introduce myself to you as your new superintendent and to share with you some district updates. Since my first official day in the office on July 5th, I have had the opportunity to get started by soliciting input, listening to a variety of district employees, board members, emergency first responders, and student-centered community organizations. These meetings have been invaluable so far, and I plan to continue to meet with many more Brandon School District stakeholders over the first ninety days to continue to listen, learn from others, and as Stephen Covey says, “Seeking to understand before, being understood.” 

Over the summer, our district team has been working hard in preparation for the upcoming school year, cleaning our buildings, hiring highly qualified professional and support staff, and gearing up to welcome our students back to school. We look to ensure that we provide the best possible learning environment for each and every Brandon student. Below are some important updates as we near the first school day on Tuesday, September 6, 2022. 

  • District Safety: The Brandon School District has partnered with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department to hire a full-time School Resource Officer for the upcoming school year. The district has renewed our agreement with Premier Security Solutions. Also, the district is in the process of adding dozens more security cameras to our facilities, as well as additional proactive security measures designed to keep our students and campuses safe. 
  • COVID Update: The District will continue to follow all legal mandates issued by the State and Local Health Departments. At this time there are no issued mandates from the State or Local Health Departments requiring students, employees, or visitors to wear masks, quarantine, or physically distance from one another. 

Bond Construction Updates: 

  • Oakwood Elementary School is in the final phases completing and repaving all of the asphalt onsite. 
  • Harvey Swanson Elementary has a new playground that is in the process of being set-up and ready before school starts. 

New Staff Spotlight: On behalf of the Board of Education, I am excited to introduce the following new district leaders: 

  • Dr. Jessica Cohen, Director of Special Education. 
  • Mr. Jesse Johnson, Athletic Director. 
  • Ms. Cassandra Padilla will be our new Early Childhood Supervisor. 

 

 School 

Event 

Dates / Times 

Oakwood Elementary 

Back to School Night 

August 31 / 5:30 – 7:00 pm 

Harvey Swanson 

Back to School Night 

August 31 / 5:30 – 7:00 pm 

Brandon Middle School 

Registration / Picture Day 

August 22 8:30 – 3:00 pm 

Brandon High School 

Registration Day 

August 23rd times based on grade levels

Also, the Brandon School District is now seeking nominations for the Ed and Diane Donaldson Distinguished Alumni Wall of Fame. Applications will be accepted through August 31st.  

On behalf of the Brandon School District and all of our dedicated professional and support staff, I want to thank you for your support to the Brandon School District. We are looking forward to a fantastic school year, and are truly excited to see our students walk through the doors ready to learn on September 6th. Wishing you the best in the last days of summer! 

Go Blackhawks!!! 

Sincerely, 

Daniel Gilbertson 

Superintendent of Schools

The Choice Is Yours!

Latest News

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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

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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...

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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...