Bentley Community Schools

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

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.

There was a question as to whether or not Bentley will hold classes tomorrow, and the answer is yes, Bentley will be open on Monday, September 29. This allows us to maintain students' routines, access breakfast and lunch, and seek counseling if they request it.

Dear Bentley Community,

We are so very saddened by the tragic events that occurred at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Grand Blanc earlier today. There are no words that adequately express our sincerest condolence to the victims, their families, and the broader community…it is so difficult to wrap our minds around such incomprehensible acts of violence.

The safety and well-being of our students and staff continue to be our district's top priority. While there has been no threat posed to Bentley, we work closely with the City of Burton Police Department to take all necessary precautions when threats are posed, even if the threat is not direct.

A traumatic event like this can cause distress. So, in addition to the supports being provided to the community at Genesys Athletic Club in Grand Blanc on Monday and Tuesday, our school social worker is also prepared to work with students and staff, should they want to talk to somebody.

At this time, you might also find yourself wondering the best way to approach this topic with your children. The National Association of School Psychologists has a brief article titled Talking to Children About Violence ( https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-safety-and-crisis/school-violence-resources/talking-to-children-about-violence-tips-for-families-and-educators ). The tips below come from the article, but truly are just highlights. Please click on the link above to understand these points better.

• Reassure children they are safe
• Validate their feelings
• Make time to talk (and listen)
• Keep your explanations developmentally appropriate (the article offers suggestions by age level)
• Limit access to television and social media attention to these events
• Correct misinformation
• Maintain a normal routine
• Talk about steps youth can take to make a positive difference

We will move forward. We are resilient. And I believe that collectively we can make a difference when we stop turning to violent rhetoric and actions when others don’t hold the same beliefs we do. Our children need us to come together and seek to understand one another, not destroy one another.

With profound sympathy and also hope for a kinder world,

Kristy Spann, PhD
Superintendent

Pease read the following letter that was co-written by all Genesee County superintendents regarding the absence of a state education budget.

Thank you,
Dr. Kristy Spann
Superintendent of Bentley Community School District