MS Boys played IAF (7th and 8th grade). They didn't win. But they played, and when it was hard, they didn't give up. And the girls cheered them on regardless of the scoreboard. There are some lessons here for the world at large: don't quit when it gets hard, stay the course and learn from it. And when others keep going--even when it's hard--keep rooting for them, don't give up on your peeps! I love our kids! ~Dr. Spann
In case you missed this week’s Regular Board of Education meeting…
We reviewed the bond change orders for the 2025 bond on the new preschool, which is on track to be done by the beginning of January.
Regarding the 31aa mental health funds, State and Federal lawsuits were filed regarding the language in this legislation, specifically the waiver of attorney-client privilege. Judges have agreed to render a decision by December 19 and have indicated that districts have until December 4 to opt into the funds; however, they will be able to rescind that decision by December 30 if the decisions are unfavorable. Thus, the board voted to opt in at this time.
The first reading of the second annual policy review occurred last night. The second reading will occur at the December 8th meeting.
Wednesday, Nov 26: Thanksgiving Recess
Monday, Dec 1 : School Resumes; MS Boys Basketball home vs IAF 5PM
Monday, Dec 1 : JV & Varsity Boys Basketball away @Perry 5:30 & 7PM
Wednesday, Dec 3: MS Boys Basketball home vs. Hamady 5PM
Monday, Dec 8: BOE Meeting @HS media center 5PM
Monday, Dec 8: Varsity Girls Basketball away @Mt Morris 6PM
Tuesday, Dec 9: Varsity Girls Basketball home vs Morrice 6PM
Tuesday, Dec 9: Varsity Boys Basketball home vs Morrice 7:30PM
For more information about events, check the calendar on our website, www.bentleyschool.org or on the app
Bentley Honors Band Students Shine!
What an incredible afternoon at the Honors Band Concert hosted at University of Michigan-Flint! My heart is bursting with pride for our students.
200 students from 41 schools and three states were invited to participate in this prestigious event, and 10 of those talented musicians were from Bentley! Kudos to all of our invited students: Chloe Besson (Flute), Aubree Diederich (Bass Clarinet), Logan Diederich (Tenor Saxophone), Declan Farrington (Percussion), Jordan Jarrell (Trombone), Austin Kingsley (Trumpet), Cameron LaClair (Baritone Saxophone), Rylie Nelson (Clarinet)*, Robert Newton (Trumpet)*, and William Newton (French Horn). You represented us beautifully!
The bands were directed by the esteemed Doug Burtch (UM-Flint Director of Bands & Music Education) and Joseph Dobos (UM Organist). The music was varied, lively, and most of all, moving. I had tears in my eyes, and my feet would not stop moving! Unfortunately, my phone recording does not begin to do them justice, but hopefully you can enjoy their music anyway.
Click here to access the audio files: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1R39CiDh-A3wRmJuKtzNzN5faKyE1joJq?usp=sharing
It’s an honor that our students get these kinds of amazing opportunities. We were third for the most number of students invited—a testament to the dedication in our programs. People talk about the education they think they can get elsewhere, but once again, we see that while we may be small, we're mighty...French Hall had standing room only!
Thank you so much to our committed music teacher, Mrs. Forys-Nolan, for your passion and dedication. And to the parents, thank you for supporting your children in the arts; it truly makes a difference.
I am so proud! GoBulldogs!
With joy and pride, Dr. Spann
#ArtsInEducation #MusicMatters #HonorsBand #StudentSuccess #ProudSuperintendent
*Invited but unable to participate this weekend.
Enjoy the reel from tonight's dress rehearsal! And BIG shout-out to Mrs. Mohr, Mr. Mohr, and Mrs. Wilcox for making this happen!
Christmas Shorts Performances Thu, 11/20 and Fri, 11/21 at 7:00 PM at Bentley Middle School.
We reviewed the bond change orders for the 2025 bond on the new preschool, which is on track to be done by the beginning of January.
A proposal for 8-man football was presented by Varsity Football Coach Stabile ( https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1rrvkTgQekHhwafnkIrfvDt81VjL_VHvHSOdDyY4brOc/edit?usp=sharing ). After a thoughtful discussion, the board agreed safety and increased play time are critical for our students and that we will move to 8-man football for the 2026-27 school year.
We are waiting for more information regarding the 31aa mental health funds that the state budgeted before deciding whether to accept them or not. There are two troubling aspects to the law as written: how a mass casualty incident is defined and the waiver of attorney-client privilege. The board completely agrees that in the event of any incident, an investigation should be completed. However, the way the law is currently written exposes the district and broader community to unintended consequences. This link to an article in Bridge Michigan yesterday explains the issue ( https://bridgemi.com/talent-education/michigan-has-321m-for-school-safety-the-catch-districts-must-waive-rights/ ). Our board will take action at the next meeting on November 24.
After completing the pupil accounting reporting for the state, it was determined that our student enrollment decreased by 20 students and that conservative calculations put our current fund balance at 10%.
As we prepare to move forward with the research-based suicide prevention program Hope Squad at Bentley High School, it was recommended and approved to add a Hope Squad advisor to Schedule B of the teachers’ collective bargaining agreement through a Memorandum of Understanding.
Recognizing the need for clear processes and protocols across the district–for staff and families–a decision was made to move forward with Cariina, a platform that will allow us to make forms easily accessible to all, will allow for each individual to follow their requests through the process, and receive confirmation of approval (where approval was sought). This platform will allow people to access forms and complete them online via computer or via an app. And, eventually, it will allow families to make payments, such as for fundraisers or Chromebook repairs, through the app.
Upcoming Events:
Tue Nov 11 & 13 JV & Varsity Cheer Try Outs 3-5 PM High School Cafeteria
Wed Nov 12 MS Boys Basketball v Bendle - AWAY
Wed Nov 19 Students ½ day; staff professional learning
Wed Nov 19 MS Boys Basketball v Madison - HOME
Mon Nov 24 BOE meeting at 5:00 PM in the admin building
Wed Nov 26 Thanksgiving Recess
Mon Dec 1 School Resumes
For more information about events, check the calendar on our website, www.bentleyschool.org
Any existing funds on Bridge cards will continue to be useable AND they may be used at Flint Fresh ( https://www.flintfresh.com/ ) for 75% off of fresh produce.
Additionally, "Double Up Food Bucks" are NOT limited. You can find Genesee County Double Up Food Bucks Locations at this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WtaoHW-L_YWBCncVt1DQXFtATg1DmnRn/view?usp=sharing
We are always happy to help wherever and however we can. Remember, you can reach out to Lisa Gaby at our Bentley Food Pantry/Parent Resource Center by emailing lgaby@bentleyschools.org or calling (810) 591-9522.
It’s FREE succulent time! Sample Library is partnering with @Neighborhood Forest to provide free succulent kits for kids!
Parents/guardians, sign your child up for a free succulent kit by October 28th! Sign up using this link: (https://www.neighborhoodforest.org/parent-registration-fall-program/?school=69720).
Succulents kit materials are set to arrive TO BARHITTE by mid November. We will be in touch with you regarding when you can come and pot your succulent!
#NeighborhoodForest #FreePlantsForKids
Your succulents will be “grower’s choice,” so there will be a variety of succulents.
You will receive:
* Succulents
* Succulent soil
* Jiffy Pots
* Kraft paper bags
* Bamboo Label
* And an opportunity to purchase plants
Questions? Contact Mrs. Mohr at Kamohr@bentleyschools.org
HS Representatives Gabe and Alysha reported the following:
* Homecoming was a successful weeklong event this year! Float-building was great – the sophomores won. Seniors won the spirit week theme. Chloe Connie was crowned queen; Gabe Prast was crowned king. And, our Bulldogs beat Flint Southwestern 50 to 18. Good sportsmanship, great turnout, fun pep assembly, and a successful dance.
* Many seniors took a field trip to SVSU and two students will be attending a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) tour over spring break.
* The NHS pumpkin decorating tradition is well under way—bids to purchase will be happening this week.
* The start of the school year has been “heavenly and unproblematic”!
The annual finance audit was presented by Mr. Jeff Sabolish of Lewis and Knopf. We received a clean, unmodified audit opinion, which means they are reasonably sure that there are no material errors. This is the best possible outcome on a public-school audit. It was noted that the district adopted the new accounting guidance: GASB Statement No 101, Compensated Absences. Additionally, there was a “single audit” of federal funds performed. Again, there were no findings. Ending fund balance for 2025 was 23.53%.
This is the first year that MHSAA will offer Boys Volleyball and it will run as a spring sport. Due to this being a new sport, a number of districts are opting to engage in a co-op with a nearby district to ensure enough players to make up a team, which our board voted for so that Bulldogs who want to play can. Additionally, there are a number of college scholarships available for boys who play volleyball.
The board approved the hiring of Lillian Green as a preschool associate teacher–congratulations!
Finally, we will allow second semester school of choice applicants to apply January 1-16, 2026. Watch the website www.bentleyschools.org for more information.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Tuesday Oct 14 Varsity Volleyball Away @ Genesee 6:00 PM
Thursday Oct 16 Varsity Volleyball HOME vs Saginaw Arts & Science 6:00 PM
Friday Oct 17 Varsity Football Away @ New Haven 7:00 PM
Tuesday Oct 21 Varsity Volleyball HOME vs Atherton 6:00 PM
Wednesday Oct 22 Half-day for Students (Staff Professional Learning)
Thursday Oct 23 Varsity Volleyball HOME vs Morrice - Senior Night 6:00 PM
Thursday Oct 23 Varsity Football HOME vs Imlay City - Senior Night 7:00 PM
Friday Oct 24 End of first semester
Saturday Oct 25 Varsity Volleyball GAC Tournament - Location and time to be determined
For more information about events, check the calendar on our website, www.bentleyschool.org
Join us for the next regular board meeting on Monday, October 27 at 5:00 PM at the middle school cafeteria
Superintendent Dr. Kristy Spann | (810) 591-9120 | 1170 N. Belsay Rd. Burton, MI 48509 | www.bentleyschools.org
Parent Teacher Conferences are next week on Wednesday, Oct 8 and Thursday, Oct 9 from 3:30-7:00 PM for Barhitte and 3:00-6:30 PM for 6th-12th grades. Please be sure to meet with your children's teacher(s). We want to partner with you to best meet your children's needs! Questions? Call your children's schools: Little Bulldogs (810) 591-9060; Barhitte (810) 591-9661; Bentley Middle School (810) 591-9040; Bentley High School (810) 591-5811.
Reminder: no school on Friday, October 10.
Parent Teacher Conferences are next week on Wednesday, Oct 8 and Thursday, Oct 9 from 3:30-7:00 PM. Please be sure to meet with your children's teacher(s). We want to partner with you to best meet your children's needs! Questions? Call your children's schools: Little Bulldogs (810) 591-9060; Barhitte (810) 591-9661; Bentley Middle School (810) 591-9040; Bentley High School (810) 591-5811.
Reminder: no school on Friday, October 10.