Botsford Elementary
Bobcat Buzz - March 18th, 2024
Stop & Think... Be a Bobcat.
Principal DeCaire Message - Spring Break 2024
Botsford Elementary Families & Friends,
I wanted to take a moment & revisit the various information that I included within the last few newsletters as it relates to bullying. I referenced the website StopBullying.gov for a majority of the information that I wanted our learning community to take notice of & communicate, discuss that information with their child(ren) while at home. It is vital that WE, the learning community & school continue to build & establish a partnership with each other regarding these key concepts of bullying & cyberbullying.
I have taken numerous phone calls & spoke to our student community about various events that have taken place within the last few months & continue to seek out the support of our families. I am encouraging our families & friends to promote kindness & ways to be kind to others while at school. Treat others as if they want to be treated. In addition, we have to continue using strategies such as breathing, taking breaks, speaking with a trusted adult, or simply closing one's eyes to calm down if we become frustrated or angry. As a learning community at Botsford Elementary, we like to identify our feeling using a mood meter each & every day. This tool is taken from our social-emotional curriculum called RULER. We implement this "check-in" of emotions or feelings to assure that we can be our Best Selves while at school.
Please continue to join me in redirecting some of these behaviors with conversations, discussions at home while recognizing & positively identifying when we are being kind & carrying out acts of kindness rather than being physical or becoming aggressive.
"Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about."
Mr. DeCaire, Botsford Elementary Principal
Botsford Elementary Calendar of Events
Botsford Dates to Remember
MARCH
1-22 - March is Reading Month
19 - Botsford Elementary Kindergarten Round-Up @ 6 PM
20 - Grandview Elementary Kindergarten Round-Up @ 6 PM
20 - Early Release Wednesday @ 210 PM
20 - Statewide Severe Weather Drill
21 - Clarenceville School District Engagement & Wellness Night @ Botsford Elementary, 5-6 PM
21 - Clarenceville School District Town Hall @ 6-7 PM
22 - March is Reading Month, End of Celebration Assembly @ 2-3 PM
25-29 - NO SCHOOL, Spring Break
KINDERGARTEN ROUND-UP, March 19th & 20th
NEW Junior Kindergarten & Kindergarten Students WELCOME
As the current school year continues to inch closer to the spring/summer that means it is approaching the time to begin planning for the 2024-2025 school year, which begins with our NEW BOBCATS! Botsford Elementary will be carrying out its Round-Up on Tuesday, March 19th @ 6 PM & Grandview Elementary will be hosting its Round-Up on Wednesday, March 20th @ 6 PM as well.
If our learning community has a child that will be five years old by December 1st, 2024, he/she may be eligible for Junior Kindergarten or Kindergarten next Fall 2024-2025. The registration button can be used below for our Kindergarten Round-up 2024-2025.
All families expecting to attend the presentation shall complete registration so that proper communication can be carried out throughout the process.
For questions to be asked, please contact the Botsford Elementary Main Office @ 248-919-0402 or visit the website link, https://www.clarenceville.k12.mi.us/district/kindergarten/ for more information.
Junior Kindergarten-Kindergarten Information Website Link
Kindergarten Vision & Dental Screening
FUTURE Kindergarten Vision Screening
As kindergarten round-up & registration approaches, families of our learning community should read the information provided regarding hearing & vision screening requirements for those families who may be considering either Botsford or Grandview Elementary in the near future.
According to the Michigan Public Health Code (Act 368 of 1978), children entering kindergarten must have their hearing and vision tested before the first day of school and parents must submit a certificate of hearing and vision screening or statement of exemption to the school district.
Additionally, the Revised School Code (Act 451 of 1976, section 380.1177 requires that parents of children entering kindergarten present a statement to school officials confirming they have received the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Vision Screening or a statement signed by a Health Department Technician, a licensed eye care provider (optometrist or ophthalmologist) or medical/osteopathic physician. School officials are required to enter vision screening data into the MCIR/SIRS system for all kindergarten students new entrants by November 1st of each year. A separate report to MDHHS or the Oakland County Health Division is no longer required.
The goal of the law is early identification and treatment of hearing and vision problems that can affect the child’s ability to learn. Although the Public Health Code rules state hearing and vision screening shall be done at least once during the ages of 3 through 5 years, the best practice is within six to twelve months of entering kindergarten.
Oakland County Health Department/Health Division offers free hearing & vision screening by appointment for all children who will attend kindergarten in Oakland County.
If you have questions about either program, please feel free to contact Oakland County Health Division:
- Hearing and Vision Screening: Dianne Ferber at (248) 424-7071 or ferberd@oakgov.com.
FUTURE Kindergarten Dental Screening
On December 13, 2023, a new law was passed in Michigan recommending students entering kindergarten have a dental screening before or shortly after their first school year begins.
Dental cavities are a common childhood illness that can cause pain. Cavities can prevent children from eating and keep them awake at night. Both eating and sleep help kids learn. Dental screening helps identify and treat oral health problems, so children are well-rested, able to eat, and ready to learn!
Oakland County Health Division is now available to offer Kindergarten dental screening in Oakland County schools.
If your school is interested in receiving in-school kindergarten dental screenings, please call (248) 858-1306 or dobiasl@oakgov.com.
Clarenceville School District Band Boosters
The Clarenceville School District Band Boosters are holding a guitar raffle to raise money towards their new uniforms. The Boosters are trying to reach as many people in our learning community to assist with this fundraiser. I encourage our learning community to strongly consider participating within this great cause for our High School Band Members. Please see the flyer below.
Botsford Elementary Luau sponsored by 5th Grade
Clarenceville School District Engagement & Wellness
Clarenceville Engagement & Wellness, District Townhall Night, March 21st
Clarenceville School District Engagement & Wellness Night @ 5-6 PM, Botsford Media Center
The Clarenceville School District invites all JK-12 students and families to our Engagement and Wellness Family Night where we will be discussing emotional regulation, how to intervene early to interrupt emotions, and learning tools to help regulate emotions. This event is scheduled for Thursday, March 21st @ 5-6 PM in the Botsford Elementary Media Center. Immediately following our Engagement and Wellness night, Mr. Shepich will be hosting a Clarenceville Townhall where the community will be allowed to address Mr. Shepich and his State of the District @ 6-7 PM. We look forward to learning together! Food and beverages will be provided.
Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences, April 2023
Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences, April 19th
Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences - DEADLINE April 19th
Botsford Elementary & its staff will be hosting its Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences as needed. These conferences will be carried out differently than in the past, but our staff will meet with selected families based upon his/her findings & data collection related to your son or daughter's progress by April 19th.
Botsford Staff will provide some form of sign-up virtually for families to choose their appointments & will meet online or offer a face-to-face discussion. It is an expectation for each family that has been invited to a conference to commit & meet with their son/daughter's classroom teacher. If families are unable to meet with the classroom teacher, it is asked to reach out to him/her to arrange for another date & time that works within both parties' schedules prior to April 19th. Some of the key topics & themes to be discussed during the conference will include attendance, report cards, reading plans, progress, behavior & FASTBRIDGE assessments. More information will be provided by Botsford Elementary & its staff.
Botsford Elementary Scholastic Book Fair
Scholastic Book Fair, April 1st-5th
Mr. French & our BEST Parent-Teacher Organization is excited to inform our learning community that Botsford Elementary will be hosting the 2024 Spring Book Fair upon our return from Spring Break on April 1st-5th. Students will be able to browse, shop & select titles & books when they have the opportunity to come with their classrooms throughout the week to the library. The book fair will be open for short periods of time during school hours. Please review the flyer below.
Botsford Elementary 4th & 5th Grade Learning Experience
MARCH IS READING MONTH
March is Reading Month, 1st-22nd
"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go." - Dr. Seuss
The Month of March is dedicated to "March is Reading Month" and is a month to motivate Bobcats of all ages to read every day.
It is essential that we get our student community at Botsford Elementary to understand that reading is fun and has many benefits, regardless of their age. It is a key component of education and professional development. Reading also has immediate and long-lasting health benefits such as increased cognitive function, memory, vocabulary, empathy, and decreased levels of stress.
According to the Michigan Department of Education, March is Reading Month is a promotion for early childhood learning and development by encouraging all children to read proficiently by the end of third grade. At times, we take reading for granted yet, there are many children and adults who struggle to read. MDE (Michigan Department of Education) research has shown that children typically learn to read by the third grade - then read to learn after that. This research also shows that children who cannot read by the third grade often experience developmental & academic challenges throughout their K-12 education & beyond.
March is Reading Month is not just a promotion that reading is fun for a single month out of the year. This "idea" is part of a strategy to benefit children and their families; schools; teachers, and communities throughout the state. Books can be life-changing & it does not matter if you are five or a mid-career professional.
Take a moment & think about a book that may have inspired you. Has a book impacted your life?
The importance of reading cannot be overstated. This is why the Botsford Elementary Staff has been working diligently on planning & organizing a series of activities, events & a calendar for our learning community & its students to participate in from March 1st-22nd. We are making the final edits & decisions in preparation for releasing the calendars & details of activities/events in the next newsletter on February 26th. Please be sure to look for those specifics.
MARCH IS READING MONTH - THEMED EVENT DAYS
March is Reading Month Calendar Event Days
March 22nd - The Day the Crayons Quit!
Favorite Color Day
March 22nd - March is Reading Month, End of Celebration Assembly @ 2-3 PM
March 6th, 13th, 20th - Career Wednesdays
Classrooms will be designating some time throughout the school day that will be used by students to research & explore a career that they may see themselves in for the future. These “planning days” will lead into a “Dress as your Future Self Day” in April where students will have to share their thinking with the classroom.
Click, Clack, MOO!
Wear Black, White or Cow Print Day
A Bad Case of Stripes!
Dress in Some Stripes for a "A Bad Case of Stripes!"
The Day the Crayons Quit
Display Your Favorite Color
March is Reading Month Kick-Off Assembly
MARCH IS READING MONTH - Book Swap, Friday, March 15th
Botsford 2nd Annual Student Book Swap, March 15th
The students of Botsford Elementary were provided an opportunity during our March is Reading Month to "shop for books." Our learning community brought & donated books from home that they had outgrown or no longer were interested in for the book swap. On Friday, March 15th, our entire student learning community was invited to "shop" for new to them books to keep & take home with them to enjoy & read. Any books that remained have been donated. Our students were provided a special treat as well while enjoying their books, a sugar cookie & carton of milk courtesy of our parent-teacher organization, BEST & our kitchen staff.
Guest Reader - State Representative Pohutsky
Guest Reader - Clarenceville Board of Education President Meyers
Michigan State Assessment - M-STEP
Michigan State Assessment - M-STEP
For those families who were curious about the Michigan State Assessment, M-Step. The assessment will be administered to our 3rd, 4th, & 5th-grade students for the 2023-24 school year. Botsford Elementary is preparing to administer the assessment during the months of April & May throughout the school week. More news will continue to be provided throughout the process, but it is vital that students carry out their structured schedules of learning & well-being while at home by having breakfast before arriving at school along with going to bed at a designated time that is deemed effective sleep.
It is an expectation set by the State of Michigan that all our Botsford Elementary students in Grades 3-5 be assessed.
School Attendance
Significance of School Attendance
As a partnership, we can agree that education is important for your child’s success in life. Regular attendance ensures that your child gets all the benefits the school can offer. When students are missing school, they are missing out on those benefits. School attendance is so important, that Michigan law makes it compulsory for all children ages 6 to 16 to attend public schools. When children are excessively absent, the law holds parents/guardians accountable. If your child is truant (missing scheduled school time without an accepted excused absence), you and/or your child could end up in court with serious consequences. Attendance may be the single most important factor in school success because:
- Children do best in school when they are in class every day. The U.S. Department of Education reports that for every missed day of school, it takes a student two days to catch up.
- In addition to academics, children learn valuable lessons about personal responsibility and commitment.
- Children keep up with their peers and have stronger bonds with the school and community.
- Annually, students who graduate from high school will earn 30% more than those who don’t complete high school.
- 1 in 10 kindergarten students misses nearly a month of school every year. In some districts, it runs as high as 1 in 3.
- Kindergartners who miss 10 percent of school days have lower academic performance when they reach first grade.
- Chronic absence in kindergarten translated into lower fifth-grade achievement.
Below is some important information about the correlation between attendance and achievement.
Arrival & Dismissal Protocol
Late Drop Off & Early Dismissal
The office of Botsford Elementary understands if our families/students are running late, which is considered after 840 AM, students must enter through the front doors & escorted by a parent, adult, or guardian so that their child can be signed in by the office. Please DO NOT drop your child off to independently walk into the building, & proceed to class without supervision. Please remember to stay in your vehicle while dropping off.
Any student who has arrived after 840 AM will be marked "tardy". Breakfast will conclude at 915 AM.
As building principal, I strongly discourage student(s) from being picked up for early dismissal so we can protect the instructional time & ensure a calm & safe end to the day for all students. Please plan accordingly and if your child needs to be picked up early, please contact the office or classroom teacher in the morning so that we are prepared for this early release.
Just a reminder our school day @ Botsford Elementary begins at 830 AM & concludes @ 340 PM. It is important that if your child has been dropped off or is being picked up & the entry/exit doors have been closed upon the 835 AM window that they proceed to the main entrance to be entered into the building by a Botsford Elementary staff member & not to remain outside the doors or knock. This applies as well if your child(ren) has not been picked up at dismissal (about 350 PM), families should proceed to the main office.
In addition, NO STUDENT shall be dismissed to a sibling or anyone under the age of 18 years of age. Students shall only be dismissed to an adult that is listed on his/her emergency contacts & individuals who are not found within those contacts will be asked for identification & a confirmation phone call will be made to the family/parent/guardian. Any middle school sibling WILL NOT be permitted to pick-up his/her brother/sister unless written arrangements have been made to get him/her in the main office or front of the building by their parent/guardian.
Clarenceville School District & Botsford Elementary News
Botsford Elementary Career Rolodex
On February 6th, I shared our Botsford Elementary Family Career Rolodex Survey with our learning community. The purpose of this form is to generate a list of our families & careers that may be used while exposing our students to the various careers available to them in the future. Our mission at Botsford Elementary has always been:
“To design a school environment where our students DO NOT want to return home because their experiences at Botsford Elementary have been so enriching while implementing meaningful connections for our families that allows for a culture of mutual respect & provides our staff opportunities to do great things and thrive.”
Sharing the variety of careers that our families participate in will provide our students with vital learning experiences related to their possible future. I encourage our learning community to complete the form so that we have an array of careers for our students to become familiar with.
Botsford Elementary Specials Report
Information & Technology
What Botsford Elementary Students Are Learning?
Most of our grades will be focused on Digital Citizenship this week. For those who don’t know, we use Common Sense Media for our curriculum on Digital Citizenship.
JK/Kindergarten: This week, students will be looking at how to pause our technology use and take breaks for people.
1st Grade: This week, students will be looking at the "Internet Traffic Light" to identify how to stay safe when visiting a website or app.
2nd Grade: This week, students will be continuing with their Digital Citizenship & are going to be looking at how to address people online who are not being kind.
3rd Grade: The students will dig into altered digital photos and videos and looking at how to be critical of the things we see online.
4th Grade: Students are going to be finishing up their learning about the Google Quick Access Toolbar icons.
5th Grade: The students will be continue to push hard on the Coding unit this week as many students are wrapping up their online learning portion and moving towards coding some of the robots we have available.
Physical Education
What Botsford Elementary Students Are Learning?
Our students of Botsford Elementary began a new unit on Gymnastics. They learned jumping & landing in our safety position & the importance of a safety landing. This is vital as it does not matter the skill level our students are practicing in the sport of gymnastics each skills lands & finishes in the same position which is a safety landing.
JK/Kindergarten-1st Grade: The students learned straight jumps and tuck jumps off of jump boxes while landing in their safety positions. They also learned yoga by following along with a yoga video.
The JK, Kindergarten & 1st Grade students are progressing into learning different animal movements & different ways to balance like gymnasts.
2nd Grade-5th Grade: The students are learning a variety of different jumps: straight, tuck, star, straddle, 1/2 & full off their jump boxes while landing in their safety positions.
The 2nd-5th Grade will advance their learning by performing a forward roll & then practicing their jumps learned throughout the previous weeks by using stations to show their understanding.
Media Center
What Botsford Elementary Students Are Learning?
Our students will be exploring the season of spring!
JK/Kindergarten: This week, students will be exploring the books titled, Spring & Happy Day. While in the media center, the students will rotate through their table activities of Spring picture activities, puzzles or games.
1st Grade: This week, students will be exploring the books titled, Spring is Sprung & And Then Its Spring. While in the media center, the students will rotate through their table activities of Spring picture activities, puzzles or games.
2nd Grade: This week, students will be exploring the book titled, On the Same Day in March. While in the media center, the students will work on a weather comparison activity looking at our weather compared to other places in the world.
3rd Grade: Our students will be continue listening to the chapter book titled, Nasty, Stinky Sneakers.
4th Grade-5th Grade: Students will explore & learn about the Vernal Equinox.
Each grade-level will continue checking out books while in the media center. All students shall be reminded & made aware that the Scholastic Book Fair will be returning to Botsford Elementary during the week of April 2nd-5th. Our students will be provided an opportunity to view & shop during their media center periods.
Music
What Botsford Elementary Students Are Learning?
All grade-level students will begin to prepare for the spring concert while listening to & exploring various song choices for the performance. A few suggestions have been made & our students will be provided a voice to the music that they are interested in & focused on. These selections will then be practiced & rehearsed by our students upon the confirmation at each grade-level. The students will continue their rhythm practice & recognition of all the patterns appropriate for each grade level.
Art
What Botsford Elementary Students Are Learning?
Our students will be exploring clay.
Bully Awareness Information
Bullying Prevention Information
I wanted to review & remind our learning community about BULLYING & the effects it has on every one that is involved. Recently, I have continued to mentor, educate & speak to our student population about the importance of being kind & the need of using compassion toward each other. WE, TOGETHER as a learning community have no knowledge or information regarding the various paths that each other travel every day or what life may bring day in and day out for our students of Botsford Elementary.
In past newsletters, I have posted some information for our learning community to review & want to "repost" as I continue to move forward in addressing various situations that present themselves while at school along with identifying our students who are demonstrating kindness, compassion & empathy that I expect in my Bobcats & rewarding them.
StopBullying.gov outlines various ways to prevent bullying & help children understand bullying.
I remind our learning community using information from StopBullying.gov that defines "How to Prevent Bullying" & "Helping Students Understand Bullying."
According to StopBullying.gov, bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious last problems.
According to StopBullying.gov, parents, school staff, and other caring adults have a role to play in preventing bullying. They can:
- Help kids understand bullying by having a conversation about what bullying is and how to stand up to it safely. We can tell kids bullying is unacceptable & make sure kids know how to get help.
- Keep the lines of communication open by checking in with kids often & listening to them. We need to know their friends, ask about school, and understand their concerns.
- Encouraging kids to do what they love by participating in special activities, interests, & hobbies can boost confidence, help kids make friends, & protect them from bullying behavior.
- Model how to treat others with kindness & respect.
Help Kids Understand Bullying
Kids who know what bullying is can better identify it. They can talk about bullying if it happens to them or others. Kids need to know ways to safely stand up to bullying and how to get help.
- We need to encourage kids to speak to a trusted adult if they are bullied or see others being bullied. These adults can give comfort, support, and advice, even if they cannot solve the problem directly. Always encourage any child to report bullying if it happens.
- We need to talk about how to stand up to others who bully by providing tips, like using humor & saying "stop" directly and confidently. In addition, we need to talk about what to do if those actions do not work, like walking away.
- We should talk about strategies for staying safe, such as staying near adults or groups of other kids.
- Kids should be urged to help others who are bullied by showing kindness or getting help.
I remind the students of Botsford Elementary to STOP AND THINK... BE A BOBCAT & my Bobcats are kind, compassionate & are upstanders while being present within my learning community. Please take some time & review the information provided by the StopBullying.gov website as I will continue referencing various details from the articles within my next few newsletters & our students of Botsford Elementary.
Not Feeling Well Responsibilities
Bobcats Who Are Feeling Sick
There are many different viruses going around during this time of year. The flu, RSV, the common cold, and COVID are all going around and some children can get more than one virus at the same time. We have seen all of these in our buildings already this year and they will continue to go around until the weather starts to get warmer. It is important to keep your students home if they are not feeling well. This will help your child get rest and be more prepared to learn as well as prevent more germs from spreading to others. Some illnesses can linger so it can be confusing at times to know when to send your child back to school. Here are some tips and recommendations for sick students.
We follow Oakland County guidelines for excluding a child from school. We want to be cautious and not spread illness but we also do not want your child to miss more school than necessary. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions!
Fever: If your child has a fever, they should be fever free without medication for at least 24 hours before returning to school. Giving your child fever-reducing medication and then sending them to school will not help them feel better, they need to rest when they are sick and at some point, the medication will wear off during school hours. This would also expose others to the illness so please keep your child at home until their fever is gone for at least 24 hours.
Coughs, sneezes, and running noses spread germs. The viruses above will spread through these respiratory routes. If your child has a new cough, sneeze, or runny nose please keep them home. For most illnesses, the first few days and possibly even a couple of days before an illness starts, a person can be contagious and spread a virus. A cough may linger for weeks so it is important to consult your primary care provider to help determine if your child can return to school.
Allergies: Many of us have seasonal allergies so it can be difficult to know if we are having allergy symptoms or if we have a virus. Allergies will not cause a fever and for most people, they do not cause a sore throat, coughing, or achy feeling. An itchy nose, eyes, and mouth can be a sign of allergies that typically do not occur with a virus.
Prevention: Practice good hand hygiene and cover your coughs and sneezes! Hand washing can make a significant difference in spreading a virus or catching one. We should encourage our students to wash their hands well with soap and water or hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Covering a cough and sneeze with a tissue or with your elbow helps keep the germs to yourself as much as possible.
Sleep Schedule & Bedtime Recommendations
Sleep Schedules & Bedtimes - Routines are a Path to Success
The month of February is close to coming to an end & our children should have a routine set for a successful school day. Unfortunately, this is a challenge for everyone, but upon my observations throughout the school day, the students of Botsford Elementary seem to be still searching for that wealthy routine. A number of our Bobcats seem to express & show signs of being tired because they are staying up late due to a variety of different distractions such as electronics, like phones, iPads, and video games, or watching some of their favorite videos and/or series on the television or computer. I have provided a resource below that will assist our families in developing a schedule for your child. Your child, your child's teacher, and you will thank yourself when you have a schedule in place.
WIDA Assessment
WIDA Testing, February 5th-March 22nd of 2024
All students who have a language other than English spoken at home & are identified as English Learners must take a state assessment called WIDA ACCESS for ELLs (Accessing Comprehension and Communication in English State to State for English Language Learners). The Enrollment Office form that was completed when your son/daughter enrolled in the Clarenceville School District provided us with this information. Students will take the assessment even if they are not attending ESL/ELL classes. The assessment is for Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking, and Comprehension in English. Students will take the assessment between February 5-March 22, 2024. We will mail your child's test results to you when we receive them from the Michigan Department of Education. If you have any questions, please contact Karen Morrison at 248-919-0402.
Botsford Elementary, AER Report
Botsford Elementary Annual Education Report (AER) 22-23
I am pleased to present each of you with the Annual Education Report (AER), which provides key information on the 2022-23 educational progress for our school. The AER addresses the complex reporting information required by federal & state laws. Botsford Elementary's report contains information about student assessment and accountability. If you have any questions about the AER, please contact me for assistance.
Families & Friends may locate & view this report by visiting the Clarenceville School District Home Page by using the link provided https://www.clarenceville.k12.mi.us/ followed by navigating to the bottom of this page & locating a tab titled, "Annual Reports". Upon locating this tab, please click the Botsford Elementary Annual Report or use the link provided https://www.clarenceville.k12.mi.us/downloads/grandview_elementary_school/botsford_elementary_aer_report_2022.pdf
Clarenceville School District Communication Flowchart
Botsford Elementary Families shall pay close attention to the flowchart created by the Clarenceville School District on the steps necessary while addressing a concern, challenge or conflict so that these items can be addressed properly & in a timely manner. This flowchart shall be used as a reference guide on who to contact with questions & concerns.
School District Student Handbooks
During the offseason of the school year, the district administration team rallied together while making improvements to our Clarenceville School District Student Code of Conduct along with each grade-levels student handbooks (high school - middle school - elementary). The Clarenceville Board of Education has reviewed the code of conduct along with the student handbooks which will demonstrate the improvements, adaptations & changes provided by the district administration team & will be implemented this school year & the many more to come in the future. Our intention is to provide our students with the expectations & systems needed to direct their focus on the learning that shall take place during the school year. While the back to school enrollment was taking place, parents & families were asked to review the code of conduct & handbooks with their child(ren) while confirming that this task was completed so that our students understood the expectations prior to the school year.
As the building administrator of Botsford Elementary, I have included the Code of Conduct & Handbook so that it can be referenced as it is posted on our district web page as well. Each week I will take a portion of the handbook & highlight it so that we can continue the learning at Botsford Elementary effectively & our students understand what is expected of them.
Handbook Highlight - Parent Involvement
Per our elementary student handbook, our parent involvement policy outlined & stated as:
Parents and staff are a team creating an atmosphere that provides a positive setting which will lead to success for children. One great way for parents to be involved in their child’s education is through the District’s various parent volunteer programs. Volunteers assist the students and staff in ways such as reading to classrooms, reading with children, helping students with their number sense, making popcorn, and more. Parental involvement is appreciated and highly encouraged. F.O.G (Friends of Grandview) & B.E.S.T (Botsford Elementary Support Team) are parent organizations in each elementary school which give support to the school communities. They also provide an opportunity for new parents to meet others and work together.
Parents are encouraged to partner with the district through opportunities to participate on one the district's various advisory committees, The schools also survey & consult parents on a regular basis regarding communication, partnering in student learning, parent resources, and decision-making. For more information, please see Board of Education Policy 3002 and its corresponding administrative regulation.
Parent Volunteer - ICHAT Application
Any parent, guardian or family member who is interested in volunteering at Botsford Elementary or the Clarenceville School Distict must complete & confirm our district ICHAT application. To ensure the safety of our students, the district will perform a background check on all volunteers annually & an updated list of confirmed, approved volunteers will be accessible to building administrators & secretaries.
In order to perform & complete a background check, our learning community will need to complete the form provided below by clicking the button or on the district website & provide a copy of a valid identification showing date of birth.
Botsford Elementary Safety Protocols
Safety Protocol - RUN, HIDE, FIGHT
As our learning community, we continue to gather & analyze information, I encourage you to talk to your child about being safe at school. Below you will find a summary of what safety protocol is being implemented & transitioned into for safety.
What is Run, Hide, Fight?
Run, Hide, Fight is a safety protocol recognized by law enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security. The Clarenceville School District implements the Run, Hide, Fight method based on the recommendation from the Livonia Police Department and because of the options provided to staff & students during a possible threat. Our district continues to teach & train staff who will then continue to educate our students on what to do in these situations such as barricading in a classroom & hiding. While this is sometimes the best option, the Run, Hide, Fight concept displays that there are other options. The district believes that knowing your options — Run, Hide, or Fight — increases your chance of safety.
Some important information regarding lockdown drills:
- Student training includes practicing the hide portion of Run, Hide, Fight.
- At the elementary level, staff will discuss Run, Hide, and Fight with students.
- In all schools, the drill begins with the announcement “Lockdown.....Lockdown......Lockdown.....This is a drill. This is a drill. This is a drill.” and ends with the announcement “The drill is now over. Resume normal operations."
- Following the drill, parents may receive an informational email from their building principal to notify them that the drill was conducted.
The goal of any drill is to evaluate & improve our ability to protect students. While students & staff are aware the drill will be occurring, in the future, date(s) and time(s) will not be shared so we can better evaluate our emergency preparedness plans and improve our response skills.
B.E.S.T - Botsford Elementary Support Team
B.E.S.T Parent Meeting - April 10th
BEST Parent Meeting - April 10th @ 6 PM
Our B.E.S.T Parent Meeting will be hosted in person on Wednesday, April 10th @ 6 PM. The B.E.S.T. Organization will continue to gather each 2nd Wednesday of the month until advised differently.
Botsford B.E.S.T March Newsletter
Botsford Elementary Spring Market Place
Botsford Elementary Spring Market Place
Botsford Elementary Spring Market - May 4th
Botsford Elementary will be hosting its 2nd Annual Spring Marketplace on May 4th, 2024, and is inviting interested vendors to apply! If you are interested in applying with your handcrafted items or direct sales items, please contact our fifth-grade teacher, Ms. Keating for more information and an application at amy.keating@clarencevilleschools.org. The deadline will be.... There will be a limited number of direct sale vendors allowed so apply early!
Botsford Elementary Reminders
Bus Transportation & Schedule
While Botsford Elementary is in session for the 2023-2024 school year, we will be using 1 bus for transportation.
Our learning community should continue to use the bus loop for dropping & picking students up upon arrival & dismissal if they are not riding the bus & NO students unless enrolled in our before & after school latchkey program will be allowed to enter the building until 825 AM which is stated in our Student Handbook.
Handbook Highlight - Transportation
Per our elementary student handbook, our transportation of students protocol is outlined & stated as:
Students should not be dropped off for school more than ten (10) minutes before the first bell. Adults who are dropping off or picking up students should adhere to building parking lot protocols at all times. Following these guidelines ensures student safety.
To ensure safe and comfortable transportation, students must act responsibly when riding the bus. All school rules apply to conduct on school buses. The bus driver, transportation supervisor, and/or school administrator will address bus policy violations. Students may only ride the bus to which they are assigned unless specific permission to ride another bus has been granted by the building administrator.
Transportation is provided for taking students who are not within safe walking distance to & from school. Because one driver must supervise a number of students & drive at the same time, it is necessary to enforce firm rules of bus behavior. Clarenceville School District buses are equipped with monitoring cameras. The school district believes that bus transportation is a privilege & not a right.
Bus Safety:
1. Follow the bus driver’s directions, without argument or discussion.
2. Stay seated & remain in assigned seats if provided
3. No yelling or inappropriate language
4. Keep hands & feet to yourself
5. Eating, drinking, and gum chewing is prohibited.
6. Orderly behavior is required at the bus stop.
7. Keep hands & objects inside the vehicle at all times.
Consequences for Transportation Violations:
Step 1: Warning - Conference with Student(s) & Referral if necessary. Move Student Seat or Assign Student Seat 88
Step 2: Second Warning - Written Warning “School Misconduct Notice” with confirmation call to the parent/guardian that the incident occurred and to alert the parent/guardian that the notice will be coming home and/or set up a parent/guardian conference.
Step 3: Third Warning - Document removal for 1 school day from District Transportation. Please note that the duration for a removal of a student on bus transportation may progress should the issue continue to occur. This could result in the removal of a student from bus transportation for a longer duration or indefinitely.
Severe Clause: Immediate referral to principal (Example: Damage to bus, etc.) As a parent/guardian, you are also urged to review the rules with your children. By working together we can assure that each child’s trip to & from school will be safe & orderly for one and all.
Make a Change w/School Attendance
It is important for your child's progress to make a change within that number of absences & make an adjustment.
Some suggestions that may help in achieving this adjustment include:
- Setting a regular bedtime & morning routine.
- Layout clothes & pack backpacks the night before.
- Disallow your child from staying home unless they are truly ill.
- Talk to staff and/or teachers if your child seems anxious about going to school & advice can be given on how to make him/her feel more comfortable & excited about learning.
- Be sure to make alternative plans for getting to school in case a challenge has arisen. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- Try & avoid medical appointments & extended trips when school is in session.
Safety Protocols & Guidelines - COVID POSITIVE
According to the Oakland County Health Department, anyone who tests POSITIVE for COVID-19 and/or displays COVID-19 symptoms shall isolate at home for 5 days, AND if symptoms have improved or no symptoms developed, may leave isolation after day 5 & wear a mask for 5 more days ending after day #10. If POSITIVE, with no symptoms, monitor for symptoms for 10 days as well.
If someone is EXPOSED to COVID-19 personal or household contact regardless of vaccination status shall monitor symptoms for 10 days & wear a mask around others for 10 days after the exposure. Then test 3-7 days after exposure or if symptoms develop. Avoid unmasked activities or activities with a higher risk of exposing vulnerable individuals.
Clarenceville School District Title IX
Title IX Prohibits School Harassment & Violence
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq., is a Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities. All public and private elementary and secondary schools, school districts, colleges, and universities (hereinafter “schools”) receiving any Federal funds must comply with Title IX. Under Title IX, discrimination on the basis of sex can include sexual harassment or sexual violence, such as rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, and sexual coercion.
Below is additional information regarding the specific requirements of Title IX as they pertain to sexual harassment and sexual violence.
What are a school’s responsibilities to address sexual harassment and sexual violence?
- A school has a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively. If a school knows or reasonably should know about sexual harassment or sexual violence that creates a hostile environment, the school must take immediate action to eliminate the sexual harassment or sexual violence, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects.
- Even if a student or his or her parent does not want to file a complaint or does not request that the school take any action on the student’s behalf, if a school knows or reasonably should know about possible sexual harassment or sexual violence, it must promptly investigate to determine what occurred and then take appropriate steps to resolve the situation.
- A criminal investigation into allegations of sexual harassment or sexual violence does not relieve the school of its duty under Title IX to resolve complaints promptly and equitably.
Every School Must Have And Distribute A Policy Against Sex Discrimination
- Title IX requires that each school publish a policy that it does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities. This notice must be widely distributed and available on an ongoing basis.
- The policy must state that inquiries concerning Title IX may be referred to the school’s Title IX coordinator or to OCR.
The Clarenceville School District Title IX Policy is located on the District Website at
https://www.clarenceville.k12.mi.us/district/title-ix/
Title IX Policy LINKED BELOW
Every School Must Have A Title IX Coordinator
The Clarenceville School District Title IX Coordinators are:
Dave Bergeron, Assistant Superintendent Business/Support Services/Finance
Melissa Carruth, Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services
Botsford Elementary & X
Please be sure to begin following Botsford Elementary & its community on Twitter using the handle, BotsfordElem. This is just another means to observe what wonderful activities are being carried out with our Bobcats & their hardworking Teachers.
Botsford Communication Hub
Email: bryan.decaire@clarencevilleschools.org
Location: 19515 Lathers Street, Livonia, MI, USA
Phone: (248)919-0402
Twitter: @BotsfordElem