Attention Bentley Community:
Casino Night Part 7!
Enjoy!
-Mr. Dickerson-
Casino Night Part 6!
Enjoy!
-Mr. Dickerson-
Casino Night Part 5!
Enjoy!
-Mr. Dickerson-
Senior Night '26' for baseball, softball, and track pictures. Part 2.
Great kids!
Great families!
Great Night!
Plus the girls swept Atherton!
Have a good one!
-Mr. Dickerson-
Senior Night '26' for baseball, softball, and track pictures. Part 1.
Great kids!
Great families!
Great Night!
Plus the girls swept Atherton!
Have a good one!
-Mr. Dickerson-
We are excited to reward our 7th grade students with a Positive Behavior Field Trip on Friday, May 22nd, 2026!
🚌 Departure Information
Students should arrive at the middle school by 6:15 AM. Buses will depart promptly at 6:30 AM sharp. A light breakfast will be provided before departure.
✅ Eligibility Requirements
• Students must NOT have earned 12 behavior points
• A signed field trip permission slip must be turned in
• Students must remain on their BEST behavior before and during the trip
Please note: Any student who does not follow behavior expectations during the field trip may be removed from activities, and parents/guardians will be required to come pick them up.
🎒 What to Bring
We recommend students bring:
• Sunscreen
• A sweatshirt
• A change of clothes for water rides or unexpected weather
• Snacks (students are responsible for cleaning up their area on the bus)
💵 Extra Money
Students may bring extra spending money; however, the park is cash-free, so money must be transferred to a park money card. Any unused funds on the card are non-refundable.
🍴 Meals Provided
• Light breakfast before departure
• Lunch from 11:00 AM–12:00 PM in Mary Lynn’s Cafeteria
(Hot dog, macaroni salad, potato chips, chocolate chip cookie, and soft drink)
• Light supper before returning to Bentley
🚨 Emergency Information
Bentley Headquarters will be located near the front of the park with Bentley staff and emergency information available throughout the day.
🚌 Return Information
Students must report back to Bentley Headquarters no later than 4:00 PM. We expect to return to the middle school between 7:00–7:30 PM. Students will call parents when we are approximately 30 minutes away from school.
⚠️ Miscellaneous Reminder
The school is not responsible for personal belongings brought on the trip, including cell phones.
We are looking forward to a fun, safe, and memorable day for our students!
-Mr. Bednarski
Staff at Prom...
Have a good one and Let's go Detrooooittt Basketball!
-Mr. Dickerson-
Casino Night Part 4!
Enjoy!
-Mr. Dickerson-
Casino Night Part 3!
Enjoy!
-Mr. Dickerson-
Casino Night Part 2!
Enjoy!
-Mr. Dickerson-
Prom Pictures 1 of Casino Night!
Feel free to save, share, print, etc.
It was a great night and thank you to everyone who made it happen!
-Mr. Dickerson-
Cool trip Alert: Ms. Vineyard took her student to the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at MSU to learn about nuclear chemistry!
The students got to learn about particle accelerators, experimental and theoretical physics, and had a quick trip to the Dairy Store for ice cream!!
Great experience for our students. Thank you to Ms. Vineyard for making it happen!
Have a great weekend!
-Mr. Dickerson-
Senior Walk Pt. 2 pictures.
Have a good weekend!
-Mr. Dickerson-
It was especially inspiring to see our 6th Grade Band. We started the year with 14 students learning from scratch, and in January, 10 more brave souls joined them to start their musical journey. Watching them develop under Mrs. Nolan’s direction—from those first notes in 6th grade to the impressive skills of our 8th graders—is truly a gift.
Want to hear the magic for yourself? Click the link below to access our Google Drive. The songs are numbered and include the grade levels in the titles:
Songs 1–8: Our 6th grade beginners!
Songs 9–10: A fantastic 6th & 7th grade mix.
Songs 11–16: A powerful blend of 7th & 8th graders.
Song 17: Our 8th grade finale.
"Jam" Tracks: Check out the high-energy performances from our after-school music club, The Rock Dawgs, led by Mr. Nolan!
Beyond the music, what really stood out tonight was the culture. Whether it was a full band piece or a brave solo, duet, trio, or quartet, these kids showed what a real team looks like. When someone hit a wrong note or "goofed," their peers weren't judging—they were cheering them on.
They truly recognize that learning is a process, and they collectively root for each other. How awesome is that?!
Bravo to all our musicians!
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mqXirLbST5VkOw0_xYMjv5eK4jFbPd0K?usp=drive_link
Here are the first set of pictures from the Senior Walk for the Class of 2026.
Feel free to share, save or print as you see fit.
More to come soon!
Have a good weekend!
-Mr. Dickerson-
This week, our ears were treated to beautiful melodies during the two music concerts at BMS, but our eyes were in for a treat as well! We are so proud to showcase the incredible talent of our 8th-12th grade artists whose work was featured in our concert gallery.
From striking paintings to sculpture to multi-media, these students have poured their creativity and passion into every piece. A huge thank you to our wonderful art teacher, Mrs. Buckley, for her tireless work in organizing and showcasing this beautiful collection.
Art is more than just a hobby; it’s a vital way for students to express their unique perspectives, build confidence, and connect with the world around them. As Pablo Picasso once said:
"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life."
Want to see the talent for yourself? Click the link below to browse the full art gallery of work displayed this week! Pro-tip: In the gallery, double-click an image to view it full screen, then click the "i" icon to see the artist’s name and grade!
https://photos.app.goo.gl/9AYPNMdP4RtgZuDd7
#BMSArt #BHSArt #StudentArtists #CreativeYouth #ArtEducation #SupportTheArts
In a departure from standard programming, this year’s "Senior Choice" concert allowed every graduating senior to hand-pick a selection for the ensemble to perform. While the move empowered the students, it set a grueling pace for the musicians, who had to master six diverse ensemble pieces and a complex solo within the constraints of their one-hour daily class periods.
The repertoire was an eclectic reflection of the seniors' personalities, spanning video game scores, J-pop, and early 2000s hits. The program included:
* Doin’ Time – Sublime
* Bad Piggies – Ilmari Hakkola
* Readymade – Ado
* Halo Theme – O’Donnell and Salvatori
* This Love – Maroon 5
* Can’t Hold Us – Ward & Miller
In a moment of classical elegance, the audience was also treated to a performance of Liszt’s Liebestraum in A-Flat Major, No. 3, a technically demanding piano solo that added a layer of sophistication to the high-energy setlist.
With so much music to cover in such little time, the band director, Mrs. Nolan acknowledged that the pieces might not have reached the mirror-shine polish of a competition set. However, the trade-off was intentional. By giving the seniors the "conductor’s baton" to choose their own legacy, the concert became less about technical flawlessness and more about the voice and ownership of the performers.
The evening concluded with a touching tradition. Each senior was presented with a handmade pillow crafted from retired band uniforms—a physical piece of the program to take with them into the future.
As Mrs. Nolan shared public reminiscences of each student’s journey, the atmosphere shifted between laughter and tears. Her closing sentiment to each graduate served as a poignant reminder of the community they built together:
"You will always have a home with the Bentley Bands."
While the final notes have faded, the sense of family remains. As these seniors embark on their next chapters, they do so with the rhythm of their own choices still ringing in the air.
To hear the performances, click on the link below:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kemn6dEGyWluRpBOEkN5b48w7ZvIoek1?usp=drive_link
In case you missed this week’s Regular Board of Education meeting on May 11…
* Student Rep Gabe Prast delivered his final update to the board: softball is going strong with the Lady Bulldogs having won the GAC 4 years in a row as of Monday. The Seniors’ Decision Day last Friday was a success, caps and gowns were distributed on Monday 5/11, their last day is Thursday, 5/14, and Prom is this Saturday with 70 tickets already sold. Kadynce Hurlburt took 1st place in long-jump at the league track meet that we hosted! The BHS band concert is Wednesday, 5/13 and BMS band concert is Thursday, 5/14. Finally, students appreciated the administration bringing a drug-trained K-9 dog in to sniff backpacks, and it was a clean sweep.
School Nurse Laura Angus spoke to the Board about the State’s efforts toward allowing tourniquet use in the event of a traumatic injury and the district’s efforts to ensure that first aid supplies are readily available at each building.
* There was a special presentation by For-Mar’s Chief Park Naturalist Nicole Ferguson, Environmental Education Assistant and Day Camp Director Emily Buccaneer, and Bentley’s Early Childhood Director Chelsea Horton regarding the nature-based preschool program that we offer. Key points from their presentation include:
-- For our children, the Genesee County Parks shouldn't be a "field trip destination"—it should be part of their home. Developing a "sense of place" is a fundamental human need. Research shows that children who feel a deep connection to their local environment have higher levels of self-worth, civic belonging, and academic resilience.
-- Nature-based learning isn’t just "play"—it is corrective therapy for the Digital Age. Recent studies show that children with high screen exposure score significantly lower in locomotor skills (running/jumping) and object control (catching/throwing). Every 30 minutes of active outdoor play predicts a measurable increase in a child’s fundamental motor skills—skills that are currently declining in inner-city youth who spend less than 40 minutes a week outdoors.
--Today, only 27% of children play outside regularly compared to 80% in the previous generation. Consequently, we are witnessing a physical and social developmental crisis disguised as 'staying safe inside'.
-- This partnership with For-Mar isn't a luxury—it's an equity bridge. It ensures that 'zip code' does not determine a child’s right to a healthy brain and a strong body. Additionally, our partnership benefits our families, too. We intentionally host Family days on the For-Mar property to create a vested interest in the green community around them. Their shared love and joy of this partnership is what continues to help it grow.
* The Board approved moving forward with a part-time secondary academic coach; we already have a part-time literacy coach at Barhitte. They also approved a resolution encouraging lawmakers to refine the language associated with the 31aa grant money for school safety and they approved a resolution supporting the GISD 2026-27 proposed budget.
Click here for the pdf: https://aptg.co/D_cs3K
The 6th Grade PBIS End-of-Year Field Trip to Dow Diamond is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12th. Students will enjoy watching the Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers affiliate) take on the West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers affiliate).
🚌 Departure & Return Times:
Buses will begin loading at Bentley Middle School around 8:15 AM.
Students will return to the school by approximately 2:20 PM, just before dismissal.
✅ Eligibility Requirements:
This PBIS reward trip is only for students who remained eligible through positive behavior this school year. To attend students:
- May not have earned 12 or more behavior points
- Must have a signed permission slip on file
(Permission slips were handed out two weeks ago. If your child still needs one, extra copies are available in the school office.)
🌭 Food Information:
Each student will receive:
- A hot dog
- Chips
- A beverage
Students may also bring cash if they would like to purchase additional concessions or souvenirs.
🧥 Dress for the Weather:
The forecast currently calls for a chilly day with a high temperature around 55 degrees, so students should dress appropriately for cooler outdoor weather.
📱 Phones & Personal Items:
Students may bring their phones; however, the school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged devices.
🚫 Dow Diamond Policies:
Please note that the venue does not allow outside bags, food, or drinks inside the stadium.
We are looking forward to a fun and rewarding day celebrating our students’ positive behavior!
- Mr. Bednarski
A huge shout-out to our incredible middle school baseball and softball athletes who spent their Saturday morning giving back!
The team kicked things off at City Hall, where they geared up with gloves, bags, and "garbage grabbers" provided by the Mayor’s office. Before hitting the streets, the group took a meaningful detour to visit the Veteran’s Memorial to pay their respects and reflect on the importance of service.
Armed with their gear and plenty of team spirit, they headed back toward campus to clear out litter and get our school grounds looking sharp for spring. It’s inspiring to see our athletes leading by example—showing that being a great teammate means taking care of the community we call home.
Saturday's team included: Baseball Coach Frank Linseman with athletes Eli Rose, Gage Pouillon, Nathan Rodriguez, Liam Hyde, Sebastyn Knox, Tristan Smith, and Arron Williams; Softball Coach Brittany Nimmo, and athlete Karmyn Buckler; and extra helpers Athletic Director Todd Schultz, Bentley Alum and volunteer athletic announcer Paul Remington, Bus Driver Tina Coron, and Superintendent Kristy Spann.
