Mrs. Roland’s 3rd graders are getting the sweetest hands-on learning experience thanks to our amazing partnership with 4-H! 🐣💛

This week, we welcomed eggs and an incubator into our classroom, and the excitement is through the roof! Students are learning all about the life cycle as they observe the development of the chicks each day and prepare for the big moment—hatching! 🐥

One of the most exciting moments so far was when 4-H visited our classroom to candle the eggs—shining a light inside so students could actually see what’s happening within. Watching the movement inside the eggs was absolutely incredible, and you could hear the gasps of excitement around the room! 🤯✨

But the learning doesn’t stop there… the kiddos will also be keeping a journal throughout the process and will be helping care for the chicks once they hatch, building responsibility and real-world connections along the way.

To make it even more fun, students created a math project to help name the chicks—combining creativity, data, and decision-making. They are absolutely loving every minute of this experience!

Hands-on learning at its best, and we can’t wait to share updates as our chicks make their big debut! 🐣✨

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

While the Bentley Robo-Raptors FRC robotics team season came to a close on Sunday, they ended up finishing 9th out of 41 teams at the end of the qualifying rounds. Their ranking made them the Captain of Alliance 6 out of 8 alliances in the playoffs and they were presented with the Judges Award. Not a bad way to end their journey this season!  The Robo-Raptors are always looking for new team members, mentors and sponsors. If you are interested, please contact Patty Camp at pcamp@bentleyschools.org for more information. 

You can watch the final three matches from last Sunday's competition here:

Match 63 Kearsley - https://youtu.be/6wi8QssAqzY
Match 71 Kearsley - https://youtu.be/FH9mwddgmko
Match 82 Kearsley - https://youtu.be/Nx9E2eGyNPI

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

In case you missed this week’s Workshop Board of Education meeting on March 9, 2026:

BHS Student Representative Gabe Prast reported that the Snowcoming dance was fun, JaeLynn West and Abigail Jones were crowned Snowcoming Prince and Princess of the Class of 2026.

At the State Varsity Powerlifting finals, Jordan Jarrell and Abigail Rose landed in 10th place in their respective weight class.

Tyler Johnson won the State JV Powerlifting Championship with a total of 1,250 pounds.

The 2026 Hot Fudge Run was a big success thanks, in part, to all the NHS and robotics students who volunteered their time. It is reading month…high school students are looking forward to reading to their younger peers at Barhitte and Bentley Little Bulldogs. Spring sports have officially started. The daddy/daughter dance was successful. And, all in all, there is a chill vibe at BHS.

The Board approved the hiring of Marisa Hughey to provide literacy intervention at Barhitte through the end of this school year. The literacy intervention position will then be posted internally for the 2026-27 school year.

Social Emotional/Therapy Dog Update: retired BHS teacher Mrs. Bloom shared her joy that this initiative was student generated by high school students two years ago. In that time, she and her husband trained their dog, Hailey, who now regularly visits Barhitte, BMS and BHS. Sometimes, students come to visit her in a separate room and at other times Hailey visits a whole class–always identifying first if there are any fears or allergies. She shared that in the last year that they’ve been visiting, six students have been identified as having had a fear of dogs, but have come to love Hailey. Mrs. Bloom explained that a therapy dog works for about 60-90 minutes before taking a break. She also talked about how the training process works, both for the dog and also for those who handle therapy dogs.

The district is narrowing down which organization they will partner with to bring three therapy dogs to the district: one at Barhitte, one at BHS and one to be shared between BMS and Bentley Little Bulldogs (BLB). The district is using grant money for student health and safety to move this initiative forward, and while the dogs will belong to the district, each will reside with a staff member. Staff at each building have expressed interest in hosting a dog. The organizations that provide therapy dogs have applications to help determine the best placement for each dog.

Academically speaking, Bentley High School was highlighted, which coincides with the State’s memo highlighting that Michigan ranks 9th for increasing student participation in Advanced Placement (AP) courses and 13th for improving scores high enough to qualify for college credit. Over the last ten years, Bentley has moved from 1% of students to 19% of students taking AP courses, and of those, 47% earned a score leading to college credit in 2024-25. Additionally, BHS audits students’ grades in order to help them stay or get back on track. And, Mrs. VanVallis and Ms. Trammell encourage students to take classes that offer the right amount of challenge…not too easy and not too difficult.

The Board identified Cheryl Blosser as the delegate to the GISD budget meeting in April and Marisa Downs as the alternate.

The School of Choice window opens on March 16 and closes Friday, August 28th.

BMS positive behavior field trips will continue this year with 6th graders attending the Great Lakes Loons baseball game at Dow Diamond on April 24th, the 7th graders attending Michigan’s Adventure on May 22nd, and 8th graders attending Cedar Point on May 29th.

The Board of Education decided their first ever golf fundraiser to raise money for scholarships for graduating seniors will be held June 15 at Sugar Bush. The first scholarships will be awarded in June 2027.

Congratulations to our top spellers in fourth and fifth grade who will be moving on to compete against other Genesee County schools at the end of this month.
4th Grade - Top two - Jaxson C & Oliver S - Alternate - Irmani H
5th Grade - Top two - Michael T & Bella G - Alternate - Aaliyah B