
BECOME A BENTLEY BULLDOG!
Get smart and have fun doing it! Small class sizes - Amazing staff
PreK - 12th Grade:
Bentley Little Bulldogs: Free Preschool for 4-Year-Olds
Barhitte Elementary School: Kindergarten to 5th grades
Bentley Middle School: 6th-8th grades
Bentley High School: 9th-12th gradesAcademics:
Advanced Placement, American Sign Language, Dual Enrollment, Early Middle College, Genesee Career Institute, Yearbook, and more!Co- and Extra-Curricular Opportunities:
Cooking, Marching Band, National Honor Society, Robotics, Skeet, Student Council, Tabletop Games, Theater, and more!Athletics - Genesee Area Conference:
Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cheer, Football, Power Lifting, Softball, Track, and Volleyball.
ENROLL OR REGISTER NOW FOR 2026/2027!
For More Information:
Click: https://www.bentleyschools.org/page/enrollment-and-registration-information
Call: (810) 591-9100
Scan: QR code


Bus stop information has been sent via email to all parents who requested transportation this year.
Be sure to check your spam folders! For more information see our Transportation page.

Dear Families,
Welcome to the start of a new school year! We are thrilled to have your children with us, and we are very happy to be able to provide transportation for our students.
To give you a glimpse into our daily operations, we are currently routing approximately 400 students across two different time frames (elementary and secondary) using three buses. Our ultimate goal is always to get your kids to and from school safely and in the shortest amount of time possible.
Creating these routes is a complex process. Every time a new student is added, adjustments must be made to the entire route. When designing these schedules, we have to carefully balance several variables, including:
Student Age: Providing safe, door-to-door service for our youngest learners (preschoolers and kindergartners).
Location Safety: Evaluating whether a pickup is on a busy main road (like Belsay or Lapeer) or a quieter secondary road (like Rinn or Roberta).
Medical Accommodations: Ensuring strict adherence to accommodations for students with medical needs.
Our biggest challenge in creating solid, consistent routes at the beginning of the year comes from families registering their children after our August 18 deadline. Because route creation is a highly connected and time-consuming process, every late addition impacts the pickup and drop-off times for everyone else.
Because of these ongoing adjustments, our final routes are not quite ready to be sent out today. However, you will receive your child's specific route details via email by Sunday afternoon.
We kindly ask for your patience, grace, and understanding as we smooth out our routes over the next 10 days or so. It is very much a process, but things will settle into a predictable routine soon.
Thank you for your partnership and understanding as we work to get everyone to school safely.
Sincerely,
Todd Schultz, Operations Director

WELCOME BACK, BULLDOGS!
The wait is almost over, and we are excited to welcome our students and families back to Bentley Community Schools for another incredible year!
There is still time to Enroll and Register.
https://www.bentleyschools.org/page/enrollment-and-registration-information
Schools of Choice Deadline: August 27, 2026 at 12:00 PM
https://www.bentleyschools.org/page/schools-of-choice
Mark your calendars with these dates to get ready for the start of school.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL KEY DATES
Get ready!
Wednesday, Aug 19: Open House | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Monday, Aug 24: First Day of School (K-12) — Half Day!
Thursday, Aug 27: Last day to register for School of Choice
Thursday, Aug 27: Bentley Little Bulldogs Learning Center (Preschool) Open House
Monday, Aug 31: First Day of Preschool
UPCOMING 4-DAY WEEK SCHEDULE
Enjoy extra time to recharge during our initial start-of-year schedule!
Week 1: Monday, Aug 24 – Thursday, Aug 27
Week 2: Monday, Aug 31 – Thursday, Sep 3
Week 3: Tuesday, Sep 8 – Friday, Sep 11
UPCOMING HOME ATHLETICS HIGHLIGHTS
Come out and support our Bulldog athletes at our upcoming home games!
Thursday, Aug 27: Varsity Football vs. FCCA (Home Opener!)
Thursday, Sep 3: JV & Varsity Volleyball (Home Opener!)
Friday, Sep 4: Varsity Football vs. Byron
Let's make this year the best one yet!
Drop a comment below with what your student is looking forward to most this year!
#BentleyBulldogs #BulldogPride #BackToSchool2026 #BentleyCommunitySchools

ONLINE ENROLLMENT & REGISTRATION IS WORKING AGAIN.
https://www.bentleyschools.org/page/enrollment-and-registration-information/
If you are still having issues, please call (810) 591-9523.

● The Board approved the hire of several people: Michele Prainito, Krystal Bugbee, and Nate Minnoy.
○ Michele is joining the District as a school social worker with 13 years of experience. She loves kids and knew from a young age that connecting with students in this capacity is how she wanted to make a difference in the world.
○ Krystal is joining the District as a lead teacher at Bentley Little Bulldogs. She has worked with young children for years, and specifically as a lead GSRP teacher for the last three years. She also loves young children and helping them thrive–she’s especially excited about our nature-based program.
○ Coach Nate is joining the District to lead the Boys Varsity Basketball team. People who know him all concur that he connects readily with youth! He is looking forward to building the program starting with elementary students.
● The Board also approved the installation of fencing at Barhitte Elementary, adding another layer of security for our students, which is funded through state grant money for safety.
● We took a quick peek at our updated policy website, which you can see at the link below:
https://go.neola.com/bntl-mi/policy
You can also see this post (and all the other ICYMIs) on our website at:
https://aptg.co/sKsfPg

Today marked the Bentley Board of Education’s First Annual Golf Outing, and we couldn't have asked for a better turnout or more beautiful weather at the stunning Sugarbush golf course!
We had 17 foursomes hit the greens, enjoyed some delicious lunch and dinner, and wrapped things up by raffling off some incredible prizes. Most importantly, every dollar raised today will go directly toward funding scholarships for our graduating seniors!
A Huge Thank You To:
* Our Generous Sponsors & Donors – Your incredible support makes a lasting impact on our students' futures.
* Our Amazing Golfers – Thank you for bringing your A-game and great energy to the course.
* Our Hardworking Volunteers – This day wouldn't have been possible without your time and dedication behind the scenes!
Want to see the highlights?
Click the link below to check out all the photos from today’s fantastic event!
https://photos.app.goo.gl/m1BH1X8sgPCC5Ee36
#CommunityFirst #SupportOurSeniors #SugarbushGolf #EducationMatters #GolfOuting










https://aptg.co/448jvJ
Read about our big Community Resource Fair tomorrow; our fabulous nature-based preschool; happenings at Barhitte Elementary, the Middle & High Schools; sports; and more!

As we look ahead to a bright future for our schools, I want to share some exciting updates regarding a positive shift in our leadership structure for the upcoming school year.
Like many school districts across the state of Michigan navigating shifting enrollment trends, Bentley is proactively adapting to ensure we provide the strongest, most cohesive educational experience possible for our students. While adjusting to these trends comes with its own unique set of challenges, it also opens the door to incredible opportunities for growth, alignment, and unprecedented consistency across our buildings.
As shared in our newsletter two weeks ago, Middle School Principal Mr. Bednarski is officially retiring. We are deeply grateful for his years of dedication to Bentley and wish him the absolute best in his next chapter!
With this transition, I am thrilled to announce that High School Principal Mr. Justin Dickerson will be stepping into an expanded role to serve as the principal for both Bentley Middle School and Bentley High School. Given that our two buildings are separated only by a parking lot, this close proximity makes it incredibly easy for him to be a highly visible, active, and engaged leader across both campuses every single day.
Recently, Mr. Dickerson shared the powerful story of Bentley High School’s ongoing transformation. The formula behind our recent success (including a noticeable decrease in negative behaviors and a rise in academic achievement) comes down to three foundational pillars that Mr. Dickerson will now bring to our entire 6th–12th grade community:
• Structure: Creating clear, predictable, and supportive environments where students can thrive.
• Discipline: Cultivating focus, respect, and a shared commitment to excellence.
• Personal Accountability: Empowering students to take ownership of their choices, actions, and education.
To ensure that every single one of our 336 students in grades 6-12 receives the individualized attention and support they deserve, Mr. Dickerson will be backed by a phenomenal leadership and student-support team:
• Dean of Students Keith Edmonds will continue to provide vital leadership and behavioral guidance across the buildings.
• Teacher and Coach James Stabile will expand his impact by serving half-time at Bentley Middle School. Mr. Stabile will specifically focus on supporting our middle school students socially and emotionally, ensuring they feel safe, valued, and motivated every day.
There is profound strength in a unified campus. By aligning our middle and high school leadership, we are bridging the gap between these pivotal grade levels. Our committed staff across both buildings is looking forward to the positive changes that this streamlined consistency will yield for our families.
Downsizing and restructuring require agility, and the seamless alignment we are gaining as a result is going to yield incredible outcomes for our kids. I am genuinely excited for the opportunities that lie ahead for Bentley.
Please join me in offering a warm, enthusiastic welcome to Mr. Dickerson as he takes the helm of our secondary schools! Together, we are building a stronger, more united Bentley.
Warmly,
Dr. Kristy Spann
Superintendent


https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2026/06/busy-stretch-of-belsay-road-in-burton-to-close-two-weeks-for-railroad-crossing-repair.html
We were hopeful this morning when it was still open that it would remain so for a couple of days. Alas, that is not the case. The closure began. So our purple bus was likely a little late this afternoon and will be tomorrow.
Free Bentley Community Resource Fair: Power Down & Play
Wed, June 10 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM @ Bentley High School 1150 N Belsay Rd - Rain or Shine
Free dinner, free sports physicals, free gunlocks, inflatable obstacle course, games, many community resources and giveaways (books, outdoor games, and more). Come join the fun! Questions? Call (810) 591-9120

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.


FIELDTRIP
GENESEE COUNTY PARKS
Get away. Right away.
CANOEMOBILE
WITH WILDERNESS INQUIRY
MAY 26,27,28,29
CANOE TIMES
9-11:30 AM | 12-2:30 PM
BLUEGILL BOAT LAUNCH
4045 COLDWATER RD
FLINT, MI 48506
FOR GRADES 3RD -12TH
Students will work with the Wilderness Inquiry team to experience their local waterways in a whole new way. They will be paddling in 24-foot handmade Voyageur canoes and learning how riverways play an important role in our history. On land, the students will work with For-Mar nature educators to learn about fishing and meet animals that call our rivers home! All gear is provided, and no experience is necessary. Come dressed for the weather.
For more information about Wilderness Inquiry and the canoe mobile, visit their website here:
https://www.wildernessinquiry.org/programs/canoemobile/
PRE-REGISTER HERE!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe3_Ly97_hdOBIXbRXIbWBzFE4ywYsMu43M1SNdM8GRPOG3Uw/viewform
* Note filling out form does not guarantee a spot. You will be contacted on a first come first serve basis.
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL NICOLE FERGUSON AT 810.789.8567 OR NFERGUSON@GCPARKS.ORG. SPACE IS LIMITED CALL TODAY!
- - - - - - - - - -
FREE PUBLIC EVENT!
Want to check it out for yourself?
FREE TO THE PUBLIC
Canoemobile Festival
SATURDAY May 30th | 10am-1pm

In case you missed this week’s Regular Board of Education meeting…
* The Board discussed the possibility of the City of Burton beginning a youth advisory board, composed of several students from each of the three public school districts. The Board likes the idea of increasing communication between the City and the school districts as well as providing our youth the opportunity to work with other youth from across the city, refining their voice and increasing their agency.
* The proposed policy updates were read for the second time.
* The Bentley Community Resource Fair will be Wednesday, June 10 from 4:30-6:30 PM with the generous support of Genesee County Community Mental Health Millage funds. The theme of the event is Unplug and Play. We will be providing dinner to those who come; there will be an inflatable obstacle course and numerous give-aways; and importantly, there will be access to numerous community resources for mental and physical health. It will be the perfect way to launch summer!
* Shelley Wooley of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) presented the possible placement of a Career Tech Education lab at one of the buildings donated by McLaren Health. The goal of the SME Education Foundation is to bridge the existing manufacturing community with the education community. They start with a regional market analysis and workforce needs assessment – what can the school offer and what jobs are needed. They use that information to determine the best manufacturing pathway to help the school develop: industrial maintenance, machining and fabrication, mechatronics/robotics, and welding. They have served 12K students in grades 9-12 and are in 133 schools, across 27 states. They help with the funding to provide the machines, curriculum, and professional learning for the teachers. The district pays for the teachers and provides the space. It’s an exciting opportunity for our students and the broader community.
Click here to see whole file: https://aptg.co/5VXlNk

In case you missed this week’s Regular Board of Education meeting on April 13, 2026…
Burton historian Mona Ballge addressed the board, sharing highlights of the area and especially for Bentley. She also talked about the book she authored: Our Hidden Settlement: Atherton to Burton, Then and Now, which she generously provided two copies to the district.
BHS Student Representative Gabe Prast reported that state testing has started with the PSAT and SAT. Spring sports are underway: girls softball, boys baseball, track and field, and boys volleyball. There are 23 more days left for seniors. Students interested in Ferris State University took a field trip there last Thursday and there was another field trip on Friday, though to the Holocaust Museum. This coming Saturday is a “Just Because” lock in–details can be found on Facebook. Finally, seniors are beginning to paint their senior wall square.
The 2025-26 budget amendment was shared and the board approved.
We reviewed the new proposed policies from Neola. The second reading will occur at the next board meeting.
The board approved the contract to move forward with Paradise Dogs for our emotional support dogs. We expect to get two dogs at the beginning of September and the third dog in winter 2027.
There was a special presentation about Public Act 146, commonly referred to as the dyslexia law, though it is actually a re-writing of the Read by Grade 3 law. The presentation included an explanation of the law, requirements, timelines, and an introduction to the science of reading.
Click here to see whole file: https://aptg.co/YN5F2k

Tonight was the first ever Boys Volleyball match in school history! The Bentley/Atherton Volleyball team defeated the Carman-Ainsworth Cavaliers 3 sets to 0. Jayden Khan, Torrey Robinson, JaeLynn West, Isiah Mudge, Robert Martinez, and Damarias DeLeon all played exceptional! Congrats!!




GOLF TOURNAMENT 2026
June 15th, 2026 . 9 am - 5 pm
Sugarbush Golf Club
• 18 holes w/ cart
• Lunch at turn
• Post banquet dinner
• $400 per team
• Sponsorships available
• Raffle auction
Contact: Hayley Downs
hdowns@bentleyschools.org or (810)516-8140


The Michigan Schools Artificial Intelligence (AI) Perceptions Survey has been extended until April 1st, 2026.
This is your LAST CHANCE to take the survey! It is vital that feedback is gathered from everyone in the community!
The Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators (MASA) is inviting students, families, and staff to share their thoughts about Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education.
Your feedback will help schools in Bentley and across Michigan understand how AI is being used and what support is needed to make it effective, safe, and beneficial for everyone.
By completing the survey, you will help shape future programs and resources for students, families, and educators statewide.
Results will be provided at the district and state levels. We would appreciate your participation.
If you would like your voice to be heard, please complete the survey by April 1st, 2026.
Survey Link: https://hanover-research.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9EUE1WMAJf0cTMa?Q_CHL=qr

Ready to join a community where students always come first?
Bentley Community Schools is officially accepting unlimited K-12 applications for the 2026-2027 school year through the Section 105 State School of Choice program!
We believe that every student has the potential to succeed and that a safe, supportive environment is the best place to grow. Whether it’s through academic excellence or social growth, our mission is to prepare students to be respectful, contributing members of their communities.
Application Window: March 16, 2026 – August 27, 2026 (Deadline: Noon)
Apply here: https://www.bentleyschools.org/page/schools-of-choice
Come be a part of a district where your future is our priority. We can’t wait to meet you!
LEARN TODAY. LEAD TOMORROW.
#BentleyCommunitySchools #SchoolOfChoice #K12 #Education #FutureLeaders #JoinOurFamily
