Welcome Back to 2025-2026 School Year!
Dear Bentley High School Families,
Welcome to the start of another school year at Bentley! We hope you had an awesome summer and are feeling as energized as we are for what’s ahead. As we get ready to open our doors to a new year, we want to take a moment to reflect, refocus, and recommit to the shared goal of student success.
Last year was one of the most positive we’ve seen in terms of student behavior in years. Our students rose to the occasion and consistently met our behavioral expectations, creating a respectful environment where learning was our main focus. One standout factor was the implementation of our phone policy and it worked. With fewer distractions, classrooms were more focused and productive, and students had more meaningful interactions.
Building on that success, this year we are reminding our families and students this includes iPads and other tablets. While we recognize the value of technology in education, iPads and other tablets often become just as much of a distraction as phones. That’s why we’re asking students to use their school-issued Chromebooks for academic work, which provides all the tools needed for success while limiting off-task behavior. We’re committed to making sure technology is a tool and not just a distraction to the task at hand.
We also recognize the importance of simply being here and on time and ready to learn. This year, we’re adding back an extra minute to passing time to help students transition between classes more comfortably and reduce tardiness. We hope this small change will have a big impact, and we ask for your partnership in encouraging students to be present and punctual every day.
We are also raising the bar when it comes to academic engagement. Too many students have fallen into the habit of just showing up without truly putting in the effort needed to succeed. That stops this year. We will be working proactively to ensure students are earning their credits on time and not relying on last-minute online courses during senior year to get across the finish line. Every grade matters. Every semester counts.
We are doubling down on academic accountability not to be punitive, but because we care about preparing our students for life after high school. Whether their next step is college, trade school, military service, or straight into the workforce, we owe them our highest expectations.
As always, none of this can be done in isolation. It takes all of us (teachers, support staff, administration, and families) working in partnership to support our students. Communication, consistency, and collaboration will be key.
Our biggest focus this year is accountability and not just for students, but for all of us. We want our students to leave Bentley ready for the rigors of life beyond high school: confident, capable, and equipped for whatever lies ahead.
We know the path won’t always be smooth. There will be challenges and growing pains. But we’re committed to making Bentley not just a place to earn a diploma, but a place to learn, grow, laugh, connect, and work towards our individual goals. We’ll continue to make school as fun, engaging, and supportive as possible because we know that’s how real learning happens.
On a side note, this year marks my 10th in the district. I came to Bentley a decade ago with a vision for how we could make it a better place to work and learn. It hasn’t always been easy, but the progress we’ve made together has been awesome. I’m grateful for the trust the board, staff, and community have placed in me over the last nine years. I may not be perfect, but I bring my A-game every day and remain committed to making Bentley the best small district in our region.
Thank you and let's get after it!
Mr. Dickerson