Botsford Elementary
Bobcat Buzz - May 13th - 24th
Stop & Think... Be a Bobcat.
CELEBRATING ALL OUR MOTHERS ON "MOTHER'S DAY"
"My MOM is my ROCK." - Alicia Keys
Botsford Elementary Families & Friends,
May 12th was the day dedicated to celebrating all the wonderful mothers within our learning community. Whether you are a mother, stepmother, grandmother, aunt, sister, guardian, etc. it is a day that is dedicated to each of you & a time to celebrate the MANY "jobs" that each of you carries out on a regular, everyday basis. If I may I want to share that my wife, Mrs. DeCaire & I "switched" responsibilities this weekend & I can express that being the "mom" is quite a challenging & exhausting job.
Mothers usually are the individuals who transport the children, clean the messes created by the children, give maternal advice, lend a hand, do the laundry & dishes, & may attend meetings, events, or her place of employment while making sure that the children are STILL taken care of. I have personally witnessed NOT only my wife or my mom carrying out these tasks throughout time, but I have observed our mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, aunts, guardians & staff doing them as well at great lengths.
As the principal of Botsford Elementary, I want to simply say "thank you" & that you are appreciated by this dad.
I know that our learning community has made this Mother's Day extremely special for those individuals & I encourage them to continue to do this for others as well. Just keep up by giving them relief & reassurance, & showing her you appreciate.
"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
MAY
13 - Summer Learning (SLAM) Kick-Off Event @ Botsford Elementary, 5-630 PM
14 - Clarenceville Superintendent Search Discussion @ 5-630 PM, High School
15 - Early Release Wednesday @ 210 PM
16 - Worlds Finest Chocolate Celebration @ 130 PM
16 - Clarenceville Superintendent Search Discussion @ 4-6 PM, Board Office
17 - Michigan State Assessment Ends
17 - Clarenceville District Assessment, Fastbridge Ends
21 - Botsford Elementary Spring Concert Rehearsal & Performance @ 7 PM, HS Auditorium
22 - 5th Grade Student Visit @ Clarenceville Middle @ 935-1020 AM
22 - Early Release Wednesday @ 210 PM
23 - Clarenceville, Botsford Elementary Senior Clap-Out Visit @ 11 AM
24 - 5th Grade Learning Experience #1
27 - NO SCHOOL, Memorial Day
29 - Clarenceville School District, End of the Year Celebration @ 230-530 PM
30 - Botsford Elementary Field Day (May 31st, Make-Up Day)
31 - Clarenceville School District Senior Graduation
JUNE
3 - 5th Grade Learning Experience #2
4 - Botsford Elementary Kindergarten Graduation @ 1 PM
5 - Botsford Elementary Junior Kindergarten Graduation @ 10 AM
5 - Botsford BEST Parent Meeting @ 6 PM
6 - Botsford Elementary 5th Grade Graduation @ 10 AM
6 - Botsford BEST, End of the Year Blow-Out @ 6-730 PM
7 - Botsford Elementary 5th Grade Clap Out @ 11 AM
7 - Last Day of School, 1/2 Day
10 - End of the Year Report Cards Mailed
13 - Board of Education Meeting @ 630 PM (Clarenceville High School)
Keeping Your Hands, Feet & Objects to Ourselves
Botsford Elementary Keep Hands, Feet & Objects to Ourselves
Every morning during announcements I provide our students with the following tip: Students of Botsford Elementary, remember that we are a NO TOUCHING SCHOOL & that we should keep our hands, feet & objects to ourselves at all times no matter how angry we become. Always speak to an adult as there are no excuses to do this. If you are a student who has been touched please be sure to speak with a trusted adult such as your teacher or building principal.
My staff & I continue to encourage our students to keep their hands, feet & objects to themselves while in the classrooms, hallways, bathrooms, playgrounds, etc. Our student support coach, teachers & I have provided students strategies to use to redirect their behaviors but seek out the partnerships of our families to share this message with their children & students of Botsford Elementary as well. Please help me by engaging in conversations while at home with ways to be safe, and kind while keeping their hands to themselves. We are working with our students on methods & ways to effectively communicate with one another rather than through "touching" as behavior is a means of communication. As we continue to work towards redirection, I have informed & communicated with our students that at times there are consequences for their actions, especially in the means of "touching" someone whether it is that they injure another student or a phone call is made to the home describing the actions carried out.
Botsford Elementary is a place of learning & it shall be treated as that. I take each student's well-being & safety seriously & will continue to provide our students with valuable experiences & moments while at school. As a learning community, we will continue to work towards educating our students to keep their hands, feet & objects to themselves while at school.
Tim Shaw Family Educator Award
The Shaw Family Educator Award
A Letter from the Shaw Family Educator Award 2023-2024
Every school year the Shaw Family recognizes a deserving staff member of the Clarenceville School District based upon their contributions, connections & influences he/she has had on a student or students at any level within the learning community. The Shaw Family has been supporters of our district for many years as each member has attended & graduated from this prideful district & continues to give back to their HOME, the Clarenceville School District.
As a building principal, I encourage ALL of our families to take the time & recognize those deserving staff members by completing the attached form. Maybe we have noticed that we rely on a particular educator within one of our buildings (Botsford, Grandview, Middle, or High School), or maybe someone has really made an impact on your child. This educator would be an ideal candidate for this year's award.
Nominations will be accepted through June 1st & can be made by using the link http://bit.ly/SFEA24 & simply describe how this staff member helps to make the Clarenceville School District great.
The Shaw Family awaits to read about all the deserving educators who have dedicated themselves to the Clarenceville School District. Please help with this great cause so every worthy staff member can be recognized appropriately.
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.
Clarenceville School District - Can You Count On Me?
Clarenceville School District, Can You Count on Me?
The Clarenceville School District & Botsford Elementary need to account & survey our learning community on enrollment & a return to school for the 2024-2025 year next fall. Please prioritize reviewing the MI-Star Parent/Student Portal System as the Clarenceville School District has launched its Parent Questionnaire. Families will be asked to verify the address, phone, & emergency contacts that the district has on file. New to the system is being able to enter the student's cell phone contact mainly for secondary students.
Please take a moment & log into the Parent Portal & locate, and click on the RED, "Can We Count On You?" (image below). I would appreciate & encourage ALL our Botsford Elementary Families to complete this task in a timely matter. An image is included below to assist with navigation along with a set of instructions.
Each of your students will be listed & we ask that ALL questions be answered & submitted for each student. This valuable information will assist us with the planning & understanding of the comfort level of our families related to the learning for the Fall 2024-2025 School Year.
If there are any questions please do not hesitate to contact the main office @ 248-919-0402.
Botsford Elementary Graduation Ceremonies 2024
Junior Kindergarten Graduation Celebration, Wednesday, June 5th @ 10 AM
Kindergarten Graduation Celebration, Tuesday, June 4th @ 1 PM
Our Kindergarteners will be recognized & "graduate" on Tuesday, June 4th @ 1 PM. We are planning to host this celebration outdoors (weather permitting) so please be sure to bring your lawn chairs. The staff, families & I have been working diligently behind the scenes to organize, plan & prepare a celebration for our Kindergarten students to the best of our abilities. Over the next few weeks, the Kindergarten staff will be implementing various activities throughout the weeks leading to the last day of school. Please be sure to take notice of any notifications or postings from your child's teacher.
5th-Grade Graduation Celebration, Thursday, June 6th @ 10 AM
Botsford Elementary is honored & set to commemorate our graduating 5th graders. The staff, families & I have been working diligently behind the scenes to organize, plan & prepare a celebration for our 5th-grade students to the best of our abilities. Over the next few weeks, the 5th-grade staff will be implementing various activities & experiences throughout the weeks leading into the last day of school. Please be sure to take notice of any notifications or postings from your child's teacher.
On Thursday, June 6th, 5th-grade families may participate in the 5th-Grade Graduation to honor & recognize our 5th-grade students beginning @ 10 AM outdoors on the back playground (weather permitting). Please be sure to bring a lawn chair.
In addition, Friday, June 7th, Botsford Elementary will be carrying out our traditional clap-out for our 5th-grade students with a slight difference. Our 5th-graders will walk around the school OUTSIDE of the building for one last time. Our learning community will join those 5th-graders outside & will distance themselves around the school as well to celebrate & honor the 5th-graders, out of the school, on their last day. We are inviting parents & families to attend this celebration as well by clapping their students/children out of the building. Our families may take their child(ren) home after the clap-out with our dismissal scheduled for a half-day @ 1130 AM. Parents & Families should begin finding their "spots" along the sidewalks that proceed around the building around 1045 AM as the clap-out will begin at or around 11 AM prior to dismissal.
Principal DeCaire Informational Feedback Survey
Principal DeCaire Administrative Survey, Spring 2024
In November, I sent our learning community a brief survey to generate & provide an opportunity for our families to share their insights, concerns, encouragement, etc. in preparation for the 2023-2024 school year. I have reviewed & noted the information contained in the 18 responses received & made adjustments throughout this school year. Again, I ask for our families & friends to complete the FINAL survey for the 2024-2025 upcoming school year as I begin to make plans over the summer & what systems shall be put into place to better strengthen our learning community for the future. Please complete the survey by Friday, May 17th so I have plenty of opportunity to read & note the responses.
Please take a moment & assist me with the continued building of Botsford Elementary, its students & staff while providing them with a wealth of learning experiences that encourage them to stay at school.
Principal DeCaire Family/Parent Survey, Spring, 2023-2024, Spring - LINK
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.
Clarenceville School District & Botsford Elementary News
Botsford Elementary Field Day, May 30th
Our physical education teacher, Ms. Hattley has been planning & organizing for Botsford Elementary's Field Day that is scheduled for Thursday, May 30th with a tentative make-up day for Friday, May 31st. Field Day is a great opportunity to have all our students showcase their teamwork, strength & skills learned throughout their physical education classes. This event will take place during normal school hours of 9-3 PM. Ms. Hattley is seeking additional volunteers to supervise & lead an event. Those parents, family members who are interested shall complete an IChat Form (Link Below) & Parent Volunteer Survey using the button below.
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 - June 5th
BEST Parent Meeting - June 5th @ 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.
Botsford BEST Executive Board Officer Elections
BEST Officer Nominations, 24-25 School Year
The Botsford Elementary Support Team or B.E.S.T. has a few open board of positions for any interested parents for the upcoming school year 2024-25. B.E.S.T. has a purpose to promote a close relationship between the community, school & home. Our organization sponsors programs, activities & functions for students, parents, staff & members of the community along with raising funds to provide items & services that directly or indirectly benefit the learning community of Botsford Elementary.
The board positions that are open for the 2024-2025 school year include:
- Vice President (OPEN TO CO-CHAIRS)
- Secretary
- Sports Director (OPEN TO CO-CHAIRS)
As a parent, if you are interested in any of these positions, please email a letter of interest that contains the name, role, & summary stating nomination to Mr. DeCaire, Botsford Elementary Principal, or Mrs. Ward-Maxfield, BEST President expressing consideration along with what position you are in interested in serving. Nominations will be accepted Monday, May 13th - Thursday, May 30th. The open positions will be voted on during the June BEST Meeting held on June 5th. Nominees MUST be present or provide Mr. DeCaire with an explanation of absence. All parents, guardians or families of current & incoming Botsford Elementary students in attendance at the June 5th BEST meeting will be eligible to vote on nominees.
We look forward to viewing the interest & encourage our families to participate & join this essential partnership.
Botsford Elementary Reminders
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.
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.
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