Dear Bemis Families,

We had an amazing kickoff to March is Reading Month! Our Spirit Days were so much fun, and Books & Bagels was a huge hit. We also had a special visit from the Boulan Park Band, Orchestra, and Choir—it was wonderful to see so many of our former Bemis Bears return!

Looking ahead, Parent-Teacher Conferences are next week. If you haven’t signed up yet, please be sure to do so—it's a great opportunity to connect and collaborate.

Keep up the fantastic reading and don’t forget to complete those reading logs! We can’t wait to see how much our Bemis Bears read together this month! 📚🐻💙

As we know, technology can be a powerful tool, but it also requires thoughtful supervision and responsible use. With so many devices and online activities to navigate, here are a few tips to help promote safe and mindful digital habits at home:

Use Devices in Shared Spaces – Encourage your child to use digital devices only in common areas where an adult can easily supervise—this means no devices in bedrooms or private spaces.

Monitor Browsing History – Regularly check your child's browsing history to stay informed about the websites, apps, or content they are accessing.

Set Screen Time Limits – Utilize parental controls to manage screen time and ensure content is age-appropriate. Many devices and apps offer customizable settings to help guide your child’s digital experience.

By staying actively engaged in your child’s digital world, you can help them make safer and smarter choices online.

Over the past few weeks, we have received questions regarding smartwatches, phone usage, and student email communication during school hours. Please remember:

All communication with students during school hours must go through the Front Office or the teacher directly. If a child needs to call home, they should do so using the school phone, with staff permission.

To minimize distractions and prevent lost or misused devices, we ask that these items remain at home. If your child must bring a phone or smartwatch with cellular capabilities to school, it should remain in their backpack until after school hours.

If a student is found using a device to communicate off-campus inappropriately during school hours, the device will be held safely in the office until a parent or guardian retrieves it.

Thank you for your support in ensuring a focused and productive learning environment for all students!

This week, the link the sign up for Parent-Teacher conferences was sent home. All conferences will be in person on both Wednesday, March 12th and Thursday, March 13th.

Wednesday, March 12th

1:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 13th

1:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Click on link below to sign up for Parent Teacher Conferences. It is important that you use your student's name when you sign up.

https://ptcfast.com/schools/Bemis

This is a wonderful chance to connect and hear about your student’s progress. Hope to see you there!

Important Calendar Dates Through April 2025:

March 10 - 13 - Shamrock Shuffle during PE class

March 12th - 13th - 1/2 day for Parent Teacher conferences - Dismissal at 12:29 p.m.

March 14 - No School (HOLI)

March 17 - 19 - 5th Grade Camp

March 24 - 31 - Spring Break

April 4th - PTO Meeting - 8:00 a.m. at Bemis

April 18th - No School

SCHOOL HOURS:

First Bell 8:34 a.m.

Tardy Bell 8:39 a.m.

Dismissal 3:37 p.m.

Half Day Dismissal: 12:29 p.m.

Phone Numbers

• Attendance Line: (248) 823-4101 or email BemisAbsence@troy.k12.mi.us
• Main Office: (248) 823-4100

We are conducting a short survey on how to better engage our families and community, and we’d love to hear from you! Please take a moment to share your thoughts in this quick five-question survey. Thank you!

Ramadan is a sacred month in Islam, observed by millions of Muslims worldwide, including a growing and diverse Muslim community in the United States. It is a time of fasting from dawn to sunset, deep spiritual reflection, increased charity, and community connection. In today’s American culture, Ramadan holds profound significance as it holds interfaith understanding, highlights the nation’s rich cultural diversity, and promotes values of self-discipline, gratitude, and compassion. As workplaces, schools, and communities become more inclusive, recognizing and respecting Ramadan strengthens social unity and allows for meaningful conversations about faith, identity, and shared human values. Embracing this holy month in American society not only enriches cultural awareness but also reinforces the importance of respect, inclusion, and the celebration of diverse traditions.

If your child is observing fasting during the month of Ramadan, please feel free to reach out to our office staff or your child's classroom teacher so we can be sure your child is supported while here at school and provide an alternate space during lunch.

To learn more, please read the TSD Newsletter below.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!

Here is the February TSD Inclusive Newsletter for this month.

Happy reading, teaching, and learning!

The TSD Inclusive Newsletter is a culturally responsive publication for staff, students, families, and community which highlights diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging related content including but not limited to – learning and development resources, updates, events, and announcements throughout the Troy School District.

If you have a child of Kindergarten age or know of someone please contact the main office.

The Troy School District is searching for qualified candidates for the 2025-2026 school year! To learn more about teaching in Troy, visit https://tinyurl.com/Why-Troy and visit https://tinyurl.com/TSDJobOpp to see openings.

Warm Regards,

Harleen Singh

Proud Principal of Bemis Elementary

X (Twitter): @HarleenKSingh