Bentley High School

Attention Bentley Community,

During the month of October, Barhitte families and staff generously donated soup and socks for our Bentley pantry to help others in our community have what they need as the winter months approach.

They kicked off “SOUPer SOCKtober” with some talented staff members showing off their acting abilities in a dramatic presentation of “The Soup Opera” book/song for a whole school assembly.

Thank you to everyone who donated!

-BES Staff-

Attention Bentley Community,

To piggyback on my previous message the reason I have been spending time on the phone with local employers has to do with a bigger issue we are seeing over the last few years, and that is the use of ‘online school’ as an attempt to not be in school during the day and enter the workforce earlier and earlier.

We are continually getting requests for students to go fully online and are given every reason in the book. Over the last month I have uncovered that, in reality, the bulk of the requests have been made so the student to work during the day (and oftentimes neglect their education completely). This is a practice I will be curbing immediately.

Most are being hired and working during the school day without a work permit, and there are laws on the books to protect from this.

I understand more than anyone that we all have individual circumstances and our own ‘why,’ but the data is clear that for the majority of students online school is not the best route. I think we can all look back on Covid and how it was for students.

Many do this because they are sold a bill of goods about it being ‘easy’ and that you do not have to show up during the day, so you can work. They are given the impression that it is the ‘easy road.’

Also, I understand the financial situation that so many of us are in, but short-term decisions often do not yield long-term gains. At times our students are sacrificing an education for a $10–13 an hour job. Oftentimes, without a basic education, earnings do not rise that much higher for those who choose not to complete an education at any level.

Please reference the chart below for a general overview:

Professional Degree: $172,100 (median household income)
Master's Degree: $95,680
Bachelor's Degree: $80,236
Associate's Degree: $57,148
Some College (no degree): $53,040
High School Diploma (or equivalent): $48,360
Less than a high school diploma: $35,690 (median household income)

As you can see, although a degree is not necessary to make a living, it for sure helps. With the rising cost of everything around us you can see how important education is in terms of a livable income.

Mostly, as we all know, the ‘real world’ is hard! Bills, bills, bills, etc. I talk to our kids all the time about the rigors that await them in a few short years, so I tell them to ‘be kids,’ enjoy the high school experience, and do not be in such a hurry to ‘grow up’- it will be here before they know it.

So again, we are asking for you to talk to your kiddos about this. Help reinforce the importance of an education and most of all, let them know it is OK to be a kid.

There is no ‘easy road’ in school, life, etc. The more we reinforce this to our kiddos, the better off they will be down the road.

We appreciate your support and working with us to help open up doors for our students down the road! I hope you all know how much we care for your kiddos and we want more than anything to see them be successful down the road!

-Mr. Dickerson-

Attention Bentley Community,

Over the last few days, I have had several discussions with local businesses, and the topic of students and “soft skills” has come up. I asked the question, “What are things you see in the young workforce that need to improve?” This question ultimately opened up the door for some great discussions.

In no particular order, these are the top five things that businesses are having issues with in terms of the younger workforce:

1. Showing up daily
2. Being on time
3. Being able to get along with everyone
4. Starting and completing a task
5. Adhering to the basic “rules” of the workday (not playing on the phone or walking away from a task because you don’t feel like doing it)

As we all know, it takes all of us to help our students grow and be prepared for the rigors that await them in post–high school life.

So today, I am asking everyone to work with us and have those small conversations at home with kiddos. Stress the importance of the things listed above, and we will continue to do the same on our end.

I know personally these are the pillars of the majority of discussions I have with students. You can have the best grades in the world, but if you are never on time, cannot get along with co-workers, or choose not to adhere to the basic rules of a business, you will not see success...or at least, not keep a job for long.

These small discussions can go a long way and reinforce the things we are stressing at the high school level.

As always, thank you for the support as we work together to prepare our students for the world that awaits them in a few short years.

-Mr. Dickerson-

Attention Bentley Community,

Pictures from Volleyball Senior Night 2025-2026. All pictures provided by Abby Rose.

Feel free to share, or save.

Thank you for everyone for coming out to support the ladies last night!

-Mr. Dickerson-

The Bulldogs pulled out the big W tonight against the Atherton Wolverines in the 5th set--congrats, Ladies!

Attention Bentley Community,

Please join us for the Annual Burton Parks and Recreation Trick or Treat Trail this Saturday at 12:00PM to 2:00PM at Bentley High School.

Thanks and we look forward to seeing you for Spooktacular good time at Bentley High School!

-BHS Staff-
-Mr. Dickerson-
-Burton Parks and Rec-

Enjoy the Bentley Community Schools marching band, under the direction of Mrs. Nolan, playing the music of Queen at the 2025 MSBOA Marching Band Festival hosted by Swartz Creek Community Schools. Go Bulldogs! https://youtu.be/qYQmeD28EKc

Bentley From Above Part 2:

More drone photos from Homecoming. Feel free to use them as you see fit.

Thanks!

-Mr. Dickerson-

Bentley From Above Part 1:

Homecoming Style. It was quite a different perspective seeing our homecoming parade from above. Feel free to download or share any of the pictures.

Thanks!

-Mr. Dickerson-

Attention Bentley Community,

Holiday Assistance applications were sent home last week.

The deadline for Christmas help is Friday October 17th.

Please contact Lisa Gaby for more information:

lgaby@bentleyschools.org
810-591-9522

Thank You!

-BHS Staff-

'Always choose to surround yourself with people who are better than you'

This is something I have always subscribed to and on Friday it was evident as we found our new MC for assembly and other school related events!

Mr. Carmody was born for it! He brought an excitement to the Homecoming Assembly we have not seen in many years!

Great Job for bringing the energy and making it such a great event! We are grateful you are a Bulldog!

-BHS Staff-
-Mr. Dickerson-

Scooter Winner!

On 10/1/2025 we had 95% attendance for the day, so our Scooter Giveaway had so many potential winners, but only one winner was pulled from Yoda's Magic Bowl!

It couldn't have gone to a better person!

Congrats and enjoy!

Keep coming to school, keep working hard and keep striving to be better everyday and good things will happen!

I have lots of gift cards, money and other cool things to give away this year!

'This is the way"

-Mr. Dickerson-

Attention Bentley Community,

Here are pictures of:

2025 Homecoming Grand Marshalls
2024 Queen
2025 Court

It was an awesome night, big win and we got to see so many old friends and alumni!

We appreciate all the support shown for our kids last night!

-Mr. Dickerson-
-BHS Staff-

Attention Bentley Community,

Friday, October 3rd Kona Ice will be in the HS/MS Parking Lot from 10:45AM-12:15PM!

Proceeds will go to a scholarship for one our seniors sponsored by the Bentley Teachers Association.

All Kona Ice sales will be CASH ONLY! Please see the attached flyer for pricing.

Thank You!

-Bentley Teachers Association-

REVISED TIMES for 6th-12th GRADES:

Parent Teacher Conferences are next week on Wednesday, Oct 8 and Thursday, Oct 9 from 3:30-7:00 PM for Barhitte and 3:00-6:30 PM for 6th-12th grades. 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.