Botsford Elementary
Bobcat Buzz - April 15th, 2024
Stop & Think... Be a Bobcat.
LATE Drop Off & EARLY Dismissal - PLEASE READ
Botsford Elementary Families & Friends,
The office of Botsford Elementary understands if our families/students are running late, which is considered after 8:40 AM, students must enter through the front doors with a parent, adult, or guardian so that your child can be signed in at the office. Please DO NOT drop your child off to independently walk into the building & proceed to class without supervision. ALL students are being directed to line-up at their assigned doors that were provided to each grade-level at the start of the school year. I have included those assignments below so that we can account for ALL students & avoid an overcrowded area of traffic.
Junior Kindergarten (M.Thayer, Rm. 13) - Main Entrance or Door #1
Kindergarten (Patterson, K1/Saginaw, K2) - Emergency Entry/Exit Doors
The doors are located outside their classrooms.
GSRP (Grzech) - Door #2
ECSE (Pilkiewicz) - Main Entrance or Door #1
1st-Grade (Tatom/Britton/Shaw) - Door #12
The doors are located at the back of the building.
2nd-Grade (R.Thayer/Cavis/Hooper) - Door #12
The doors are located at the back of the building.
3rd-Grade (Smith/McBride/Presley) - Door #9
The doors are located on the west side of the building.
4th-Grade (MacIver/O’Callaghan) - Door #7
The doors are located on the west side of the building.
5th-Grade (Keating/Richardson) - Door #9
The doors are located on the west side of the building.
Special Education - Main Entrance or Door #7
The doors are located on the west side of the building.
Any student who has arrived after 8:40 AM will be marked "tardy".
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.
To assure the safety of our students, I encourage our families to utilize the sidewalks that are constructed around the building & within the main parking lot around our "loop". DO NOT allow your student(s) to cross the parking lot independently as it is unsafe & our students shall be accompanied by a parent/guardian during either arrival or dismissal.
Just a reminder our school day @ Botsford Elementary begins at 8:30 AM & concludes @ 3:40 PM. Early Dismissal Half Days have an 11:30 AM dismissal & our EARLY Release Wednesdays conclude @ 210 PM
"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
APRIL
16 - Autism Awareness & Behavior Management Night @ 4-6 PM
17 - Report Cards Sent Home
17 - Early Release Wednesday @ 210 PM
17 - Botsford B.E.S.T Leo's Coney Island Fundraiser
19 - Friday Fun Day, PJ & Slippers Day
19 - Botsford Elementary Talent Show @ 930-1030 AM
19 - B.E.S.T Family Bingo Night @ 6-730 PM
24 - Early Release Wednesday @ 210 PM
25 - Attendance Letters Mailed
26 - Friday Fun Day, Crazy Hair & Mix/Match Day
29 - Spring Fastbridge Assessment Begins
Autism Awareness & Behavior Management Night, April 16th
Autism Awareness & Behavior Management Night, April 16th @ 4-6 PM
On Tuesday, April 16th the Clarenceville School District will be hosting an engagement and wellness night at Grandview Elementary School from 4:00-5:00 PM titled, “Breaking Barriers for Kids and Families” will be hosting a DIY (Do It Yourself) session to make & put together sensory kits for our district & community for Autism Awareness Month. Following the DIY session, the Clarenceville School District will be hosting a wellness night on different strategies to replace negative behaviors from 5:00-6:00 PM. We will be learning about managing emotions and that it is a life-long skill.
Botsford Elementary Talent Show, April 19th
Botsford Elementary Talent Show, Friday, April 19th @ 930-1030 AM
Our learning community will be hosting our Talent Show for our students to display their talents on Friday, April 19th from 930-1030 in our gymnasium. Families are invited to this event, please be sure to check in within the office prior to entering the talent show. Please arrive no earlier than 915 AM.
BEST Family BINGO Night, April 19th
Clarenceville School District School of Choice 2024
Clarenceville School District School of Choice 2024
Clarenceville School District is OPEN for Applications
The Clarenceville School District, Schools of Choice Application process has been opened. The window of the application will remain open from the 21st of March until July 31st for Junior Kindergarten-8th Grade & the 1st of June until June 30th for Grades 9-12. The application is located on the Clarenceville School District website or you may use the link provided below:
Clarenceville School District, School of Choice Application
https://www.clarenceville.k12.mi.us/district/schools-of-choice/
Please notice & read the information provided below that may answer some of the questions generated during the application process:
- An applicant or family DOES NOT have to fill out a Schools of Choice application each year. Once a student has been accepted, he/she is part of the Clarenceville School District.
- If you have a child that is moving onto the Middle School, an application DOES NOT have to be completed as the family has already been accepted & are part of the Clarenceville School District rather than the elementary school.
- If you have a child who attended preschool or GSRP at Botsford Elementary & resides outside of the district, you NEED to fill out a Schools of Choice application. Attending those programs DID NOT require you to fill out a Schools of Choice application.
- It is encouraged to complete the application in a timely matter.
- When I fill out my application, will I have to attend Botsford or Grandview Elementary? We DO NOT want to move students that have already established themselves in a school community so please be sure to specify on the application which school you would like your child to attend in the fall. The building administrators & our central office will collaborate together when placing students in the Fall of 2024.
It is essential, NOT to miss the deadline window. If this occurs & the family lives outside of the district, your children WILL NOT be able to attend Botsford Elementary or the Clarenceville School District.
Earth Day Challenge
Botsford Elementary Earth Day Poster Contest
Earth Day Poster Contest - Kindergarten – 5th Grade
EGLE invites students in kindergarten through 5th grade to enter the annual Michigan Earth Day Poster Contest! Prizes are awarded for 1st and 2nd place winners in each grade.
Students should include wildlife, plants, land, or freshwater ecosystems native to Michigan in their Earth Day 2024 Poster. In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act in 2024, we are also accepting posters that highlight the importance of safe drinking water and source water protection and will award one 1st and one 2nd place prize for this category.
Contest Rules:
- Posters can be hand-drawn or created on a computer. Each poster must be uniquely created by one student. If fashioned by hand, the submitter must take a photo of it and save it to a JPG file.
- Each school will hold their own contest and submit only the top three (3) posters per grade (K-5) for each school.
- For judging purposes, a horizontal or landscape orientation is recommended for the poster because it presents better in a Microsoft PowerPoint slide.
Posters will be judged based on the student’s creative use of native Michigan wildlife, plants, land, freshwater ecosystems, or depiction of the importance of clean drinking water. Winners of the contest will be notified by April 5, 2024. The winning posters will be posted the week of April 22, 2024, on the Earth Day webpage.
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.
Michigan State Assessment - M-STEP 2024
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.
Botsford Elementary & its staff are seeking donations for M-Step. We are asking for the following items to be donated:
- Breakfast Items in Bulk (Peanut Free Granola Bars, NutriGrain Bars, etc.)
- Water Bottles
- Individual Snacks in Bulk (Goldfish, Cheese-Its, etc.)
- Mints
- Gum
Any of the donated items shall be individually wrapped & can be dropped off in the main office or sent to school with your student.
It is greatly appreciated by our 3rd, 4th & 5th Grade learning community.
Elementary Summer Learning Opportunity
Registration Summer Slam 2024
Dear Clarenceville Families,
We are excited to announce that Clarenceville School District will be, once again, offering our popular Summer Slam Program hosted by our very own Clarenceville School District certified teachers.
S.L.A.M. stands for STEM, Literacy, Arts, and Mathematics – core elements that make up an enriching and holistic learning experience. However, what it truly signifies is an opportunity for students to have a blast while learning and exploring exciting subjects.
This is an engaging and educational initiative designed for students in grades K-8. This program is free of charge and includes free breakfast and lunch. You can choose for your child to attend 1 of our 4 week sessions or you can choose for them to attend for all 8 weeks.
Program Details
Grade Levels: K-8
Dates: June 18th- August 8th (no school July 4th)
Session 1: June 18th - July 11th
Session 2: July 16rd - August 8th
Days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
Time and Location:
Elementary Program (Grades K-5) @ Botsford: 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Middle School Program (Grades 6-8) @ CHS: 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Transportation: Provided for in-district families
To register your child for the Summer Slam Program please use the link provided: 2024 Summer Slam Registration
Thank you for your ongoing support of your child's education. We look forward to a fantastic and educational summer with your child at Summer Slam!
Latchkey Summer Camp 2024
Botsford Elementary Summer Camp 2024
The Summer Day Camp for 2024 is in the planning stages & now families are encouraged to begin the registration process. Our families shall review the flyer below for more information. The current latchkey families are provided the first opportunity to register followed by the remainder of the Clarenceville School District & the final stage of the registration process will be provided to our out of district families & their students. NOTE: Currently our Summer Camp is at Full Capacity & a WAIT LIST will be established. All families shall continue to complete the registration paperwork & when openings become available those families will be contacted.
Botsford Elementary Kindergarten Round-Up 2024
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 carried out its Round-Up on Tuesday, March 19th @ 6 PM & Grandview Elementary hosted 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 who may have missed the presentation can view the presentation using the LINK BUTTON below.
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.
Botsford Elementary Community Events
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?
JK-Kindergarten-1st Grade: Students will be carrying out a combination of keyboard, typing activities as well as some coding practice with code.org.
2nd Grade: Students will be participating in a minI-project with stop motion animation using their chromebooks.
3rd Grade: Students have demonstrated some excitement as the video games that they have collaborated with peers on will be put into the Bloxels application & their ideas will be turning into a functional game that can be played! This activity will likely take a couple of weeks to complete given the short class periods as the levels will be finalized & artwork will be added into the project. Next week, students will prepare by play-testing their creations with each other.
4th Grade-5th Grade: Students will be participating in a variety of learning pathways for the duration of the 4th quarter. Students will be working at their own pace to learn a new topic of their interest. The options that students will be able to choose from include: creating & editing videos, 3D printing, podcasting, robots, animation, typing, video game design, chromebook skills & Google Applications.
Physical Education
What Botsford Elementary Students Are Learning?
The students of Botsford Elementary will begin learning a new unit focused around the game of basketball.
JK/Kindergarten-1st Grade: The students will be learning the game of basketball by starting with the beginning fundamental of dribbling while also being assessed on their locomotor skills of walking, running, skipping, galloping & hopping.
2nd Grade-5th Grade: The students in the upper grades will also be learning the game of basketball while focusing on a more advanced fundamental of dribbling that will lead into a version of sharks & minnows that will consist of a basketball dribbling twist.
Media Center
What Botsford Elementary Students Are Learning?
This week, April 15th-19th 2024 our students will be learning about libraries as April is "School Library Month."
JK/Kindergarten- Duncan the Story Dragon
1st Grade - LQ Goes to the Library & Wild About Books
2nd Grade - Library Lil
JK/Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd Grade will rotate through their learning stations which will include an opportunity to illustrate their favorite thing about library along with some puzzles & games.
3rd Grade - Nasty, Stinky Sneakers (Continued)
4th Grade & 5th Grade - The students will continue their work with concrete poetry by finishing their creative work from last week. The class will participate in a story read of Little Libraries, Big Heroes, and/or The Lady of the Library.
Each grade-level will continue checking out books this week upon the return of their current library book. Please be sure to return ALL library books to have an opportunity to explore new selections each week.
Music
What Botsford Elementary Students Are Learning?
JK/Kindergarten-1st Grade: This week students will continue working on practicing & learning the lyrics for the THREE selected music pieces for the 'Spring Concert. In addition, our classrooms will be practicing on pitch accuracy in the upper register of "It is a Small World" & the lower register of "You've Got a Friend in Me."
2nd Grade: The students are also working on the lyrics & music of our THREE selected pieces, especially as they relate to melody. The students are correcting the pitch issues in the upper register of "It's the Hard Knock Life" & are working on the very challenging section of "You're Welcome."
3rd Grade: The students have been practicing their selections for the spring performance. Collaboratively we are working on the scat section of "Dancing on the Rooftops" & are preparing an extra song due to the difficulty level of one of the selections & its composure.
4th Grade: 4th grade students are working on their selections for spring performance along with the pitch challenges shown in "Gonna be a Lovely Day." The students are starting a unit on the trough staff.
5th Grade: Students are continuing to work on the musical pieces to the THREE spring selections & putting a two part song together at the same time. The students are continuing to making corrections to some of the challenges presented in a scat song & working on the trouble cluff staff, note recognition.
Art
What Botsford Elementary Students Are Learning?
All grade-levels will be completing the painting portion of their clay projects as the students will be taking their creations home at all grade-levels. In collaboration with the clay projects, the students will be creating art using a variety of coloring supplies.
To avoid the possibility of creating a "double" project throughout their learning experience at Botsford Elementary, the students each have a different expectation for their clay creation:
JK/Kindergarten: Necklace.
1st Grade: Bowl
2nd Grade: Hand
3rd Grade: Bowl-Based Animal
4th Grade: Pencil Holding Animal
5th Grade: Name Sign
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.
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 - May 8th
BEST Parent Meeting - May 8th @ 6 PM
Our B.E.S.T Parent Meeting will be hosted in person on Wednesday, May 8th @ 6 PM. The B.E.S.T. Organization will continue to gather each 2nd Wednesday of the month until advised differently.
BEST Parent-Organization Community Fundraiser
B.E.S.T Parent Organization Leo's Coney Island Dinner Fundraiser, April 12th
Please join B.E.S.T & the Botsford Elementary Learning Community on April 12th from 5-8 PM @ Leo's Coney Island in Livonia. Come enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants in the community. Present the flyer upon checkout/carry out & 10% of your bill will be donated to the PTO to help fund our events & activities for our families & students at Botsford Elementary such as Harvest Festival, Festival of Trees, Teacher Appreciation & the End of the Year Bash.
If there are any questions please contact your B.E.S.T Executive Board at botsfordBESTparents@gmail.com.
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