"Stop and Think... Be a Bobcat."
Tips for YOU & OUR School Community
Botsford Elementary Families & Friends,
RULER is a program that supports an evidence-based approach for the integration of social & emotional learning into schools & was developed at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. The program has constantly provided some helpful tips for YOU & OUR School Community to implement during challenging periods & how to manage the fear & anxiety that may be created.
According to the RULER approach...
- Start with yourself. - Before you help others with their feelings, make sure YOU are okay - that you are calm enough to validate, reassure, and support others. Practice your calming strategies, self-care, talk to others & breathe.
- Be aware of your own emotions & accept how you feel. - Remind YOURSELF that a certain level of anxiety is grounded & normal. Seek professional help if you feel your anxiety or fear is getting in the way.
- Focus on the facts. - Consult reliable & up-to-date sources of information.
- Control the amount of information you take in. - At times we may feel like we have no control, but we CAN control how much information we seek out & how often we view it. Take breaks as needed from the news, social media, & conversations that make YOU feel anxious.
- Do not be afraid to say NO. - Give YOURSELF permission to say "NO" as your physical & mental health is the most important thing. Use the example, "With all the germs going around, I'll take a raincheck."
- Respect others' decisions but know what's right for you. - Have an understanding that we all handle the news differently. Allow others to go about their business, and think about what you need to do for YOU and your own physical & emotional well-being.
- Be your BEST SELF when dealing with stigma & fears. - If you hear rumors around certain groups of people being sick, question ungrounded assumptions & do your best to protect those who are judged. Have compassion for those who are ill & those who have been disrupted by the virus & the response to it, including having compassion for yourself.
- Support others who are dealing with anxiety & uncertainty. - Manage your own anxiety first & do not be afraid to discuss the situation. Do not assume that you know how others, especially children are feeling or why they are feeling that way. ASK. Reassure children with facts & remind them that scientists, health care workers & adults are working together to keep everyone safe. Be sure to discuss what YOU are doing & what they can do to stay safe.
"Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about."
Mr. Bryan DeCaire, Botsford Elementary Principal
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.
APRIL
11-17 - Autism Acceptance Spirit Week
14-17 - Botsford Elementary Penny Wars
15 - BEST & FOG Winter Sports Banquet @ Botsford Elementary, 6-730 AM
16 - Early Release Wednesday @ 210 PM
16 - BEST Kickball Registration Due
17 - FOG T-Ball/Baseball/Softball Registration Due
18 - NO SCHOOL, Good Friday
23 - Early Release Wednesday @ 210 PM
24 - BEST Fundraiser Buddy's Pizza @ 11-9 PM
25 - Friday Fun Day - Dress as Your Future Self Day
25 - BEST Family Event Lego Night #2 @ 6-730 PM
25 - Attendance Letters Mailed
28 - Spring FASTBRIDGE ASSESSMENT OPENS (April 28th-May 16th)
30 - Early Release Wednesday @ 210 PM
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 2025-26. 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 2025-2026 school year include:
- President
- Vice President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
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, expressing consideration along with what position you are in interested in serving. Nominations will be accepted from Thursday, April 10th until Monday, May 12th. The open positions will be voted on during the May BEST Meeting held on May 7th. 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 May 7th 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.
A Letter from the Shaw Family Educator Award 2025
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 from May 5th-31st & can be made by using a link provided at a later time & 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 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 1st of March until July 31st for Junior Kindergarten-8th Grade (Unlimited) & the 1st of June until June 30th for Grades 9-12 (Unlimited). 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 unless the address has changed.
- 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 2025.
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.
Registration for Summer SLAM 2025
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 titled, "World of Wonders!"
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 17th- August 7th (8 Weeks)
Session 1: June 17th - July 10th (4 Weeks)
Session 2: July 15th - August 7th (4 Weeks)
Days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
Time and Location:
Elementary Program (Grades K-5) @ Botsford or Grandview: 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 & enroll by May 13th @ 5 PM - PLEASE CLICK HERE
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!
SRP & Raptor Visitor Information
The Clarenceville School District will be using a new system called Raptor Visitor Management that will enhance our safety for students, staff, & visiting families. The system will allow our staff & the district to keep track of who is or may be in our schools at all times, which is vital for keeping everyone safe. This system will quickly allow for our main offices to check in visitors, contractors, & volunteers throughout the school day< making our schools safer.
Please be sure that when visitors arrive at any school building for the first time or proceed past any of our main offices, they show identification, like a driver's license, which will be scanned or typed into the system. If our families do not have a US Government-Issued ID, the school staff can manually enter the person's name into the Raptor System. More information can be found in the attached district letter regarding the Raptor Visitor Management System.
In addition to the Raptor System, the district will be introducing the Standard Response Protocol or SRP that will teach our students & staff how to respond in an emergency. This SRP will use five simple actions: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter. This common language will allow & assist everyone on what to do in any situation that may present itself.
I encourage our learning community to review the documents that have been attached & share any feedback or questions to either the main office of Botsford Elementary or the District Board Office.
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 2025-2026 year next fall. Please prioritize reviewing the MI-Star Parent/Student Portal System as the Clarenceville School District will launch 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 2025-2026 School Year.
If there are any questions please do not hesitate to contact the main office @ 248-919-0402.
Our program offers 3 and 4-year-old children opportunities for some additional social interaction, while being encouraged to participate in educational appropriate activities. Our center allows children to meet new friends & extend learning. The Preschool Hours are 630 AM - 6 PM & have the following requirements:
- Children must be three to five years of age
- Children must be toilet trained
- All immunizations must be up-to-date
- Parents must provide a bag or box lunch
Please contact: Leeanne Buckley Director---248-919-0362
leeanne.buckley@clarencevilleschools.org
Preschool Open house Wednesday May 14 th from 6:00-7:00 @Botsford Elementary School
CEF Reverse Raffle - Friday, May 2nd
Botsford Elementary Learning Community, please consider & read the information for the Clarenceville Education Reverse Raffle that has been a fun & memorable event for some of our staff & families. Please be sure to purchase your tickets as they do sell out quickly.
This is the active link to purchase tickets - LINK BELOW
The Foundation was developed & designed to give back to our learning community, & this event raises a lot of money that is then funneled back to our staff by way of the Education Foundation. I encourage those families or community members who are available to join the fun as it is loaded with valuable experiences.
NEW Junior Kindergarten & Kindergarten Students WELCOME - THANK YOU for our Conversation!
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 2025-2026 school year, which begins with our NEW BOBCATS! Grandview Elementary hosted its Round-Up on Tuesday, March 18th @ 6 PM & Botsford Elementary carried out its Round-Up on Wednesday, March 19th @ 6 PM as well.
If our learning community has a child that will be five years old by December 1st, 2025, he/she may be eligible for Junior Kindergarten or Kindergarten next Fall 2025-2026. The registration button can be used below for our Kindergarten Round-up 2025-2026.
All families who could not attend the presentation can view the presentation using the link 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.
FUTURE Kindergarten Hearing & 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. Call for an appointment @ 248-424-7070.
Each grade level has been given a large bucket to collect the classroom pennies & bills. At the end of the contest on Thursday, April 17th, whichever grade that has accumulated the most points will WIN a popsicle party! However, grades & classrooms can sabotage each other & try to deduct points by dropping any silver coin into another classroom's bucket.
Penny Wars began on April 14th & will conclude on Thursday, April 17th.
Michigan State Assessment Testing Window - April 7th to May 16th
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 2025-2026 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.
Botsford Bobcats Not Feeling Well
Children Not Feeling Well – School Tips
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 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.
B.E.S.T Parent Meeting - May 7th
BEST Parent Meeting - May 7th @ 6 PM
Our B.E.S.T Parent Meeting will be hosted in person on Wednesday, May 7th @ 6 PM. Our families are encouraged to ask any questions, become familiar with the events planned for the 2024-2025 school year & connect with other Botsford Elementary families. The B.E.S.T. Organization will continue to gather each 2nd Wednesday of the month until advised differently.
Botsford Communication Hub
Email: bryan.decaire@clarencevilleschools.org
Location: 19515 Lathers Street, Livonia, MI, USA
Phone: (248)919-0402
X: @BotsfordElem