Gates Notes & News
Back to School Newsletter - August 2026
Welcome Back!
Welcome to the 2026-27 school year! I hope this newsletter finds you enjoying these last few days of summer vacation. We also, hope that you enjoyed the Gates Open House. It was so wonderful to see so many families in the building and students excited to start the school year!
Also, welcome to the first 'Gates Notes & News' of the school year. This newsletter is packed with important information you will want to be aware of as we start the school year.
Again this year, I plan to utilize the 'Smore' platform for our school newsletter. You can be assured that we strive to provide you with all the information that you will need for a successful school year. You can expect that the 'Gates Notes & News' to come at the beginning of each month via the parent/guardian email address we currently have listed in our student information system. If there is information you need between newsletters, a special flyer or 'Smore' will be sent home or emailed separately.
Additionally, as a school building we will continue to use Remind for reminders and short communication. At the Open House, you should recieve a flyer in your child's folder with information on joining Remind with a special, classroom specific code. Once you have joined the Remind for your child's classroom, you will automatically be set up to receive messages from the building as well.
Lastly, I want to again welcome you to the 2026-27 school year! I am looking forward to another amazing year and working to make sure each of our students have a groovy year and exude Cardinal Pride!
Most Sincerely,
Natalie Miller
Proud Gates Principal
Busing, Tags, & QR Codes... OH MY!
Parent Pick-Up Tag - Every child was given a Parent Pick-Up tag this year. While this is the only tag students who will always be Parent Pick-Up have/need, students who ride the bus were given one for parents to use on days a child might be picked up as opposed to riding the bus. If you have the 'extra' tag you may leave it behind the bus number tag or take it out and put it on the fridge to be used when needed.
Bus Tags & QR Codes - Every child riding the bus MUST have a Bus Number tag and QR Code tag in the pouch attached to his/her backpack everyday. Bus drivers will be scanning the QR Code as students board the bus which then prompts that child's stop in the route guidance system. Once on the bus, parents are able to track where the bus is using the EZArrival app. Your child's tag should show the bus number on one side and the QR code on the other.
Additionally, I want to ask for your patience with busing the first couple weeks of school. Our bus drivers work diligently to ensure accuracy with their bus route and in doing so, arrival times are often delayed the first couple of days/weeks. If your child has their bus assignment, it is important to start that on the first day of school. This helps the bus driver in establishing routes and times right from the start.
*If there are changes needed to your child's transportation, please complete a new transportation form and return it to Gates as soon as possible. Transportation changes can take up to two weeks to process due to the rerouting that needs to be completed. Questions regarding busing should be directed to our Transportation Department 810-591-0816.
Parent Drop-off & Pick-up
For Parent Pick-up, parents will need to park in the south lot and get out of their car. Students will be released at approximately 3:40 p.m. Students will be directed to stand on the sidewalk and wait for their parent to walk up and get them. Students will NOT be allowed to enter the parking lot without a parent.
Universal Free Breakfast & Lunch Procedures
The budget approved by the state Legislature and signed by the Governor included funding for the 2026-27 school year that will allow all Michigan school students to receive breakfast and lunch free of charge. However, in order to help Davison Community Schools continue to qualify for other forms of assistance, including At-Risk funding, Title 1 funding and educational benefits like reading or math intervention, we kindly ask families to fill out the free and reduced lunch form. This will also be important should funding for the program change mid-year. You can complete the form online by clicking on this link and selecting the "Apply for Benefits" tab. A paper form was also included in your child's folder at Open House.
If your child will be eating breakfast at school, they will need to head to the tables outside gym once entering the building to grab a breakfast. Students will then take that breakfast back to their classroom to eat. Please share this information with your child to help on the first day.
For lunch, students will have two school or 'hot' lunch choices to choose from or they may bring a home or 'cold' lunch in a lunchbox. Lunch menus can be found on our Davison Community Schools website and the first one will be included in your child's classroom take-home folder.
Additionally this year, we are excited to continue our school lunch waste composting program and share table. Students will learn/review the procedures for this on the first day of school.
Make Sure You've Turned In & Double Checked
- Field Trip form
- Volunteer form (Any person wishing to volunteer at the school, even if it is just for one party, MUST have an approved Volunteer form on file in our office. Your volunteer form, MUST include a picture of your driver's license or State of Michigan photo ID)
- School Picture envelope (if you plan on purchasing pictures)
- Free PTO T-shirt form
You will also want to be sure that you have logged into your child's Parent Vue account to ensure that all information, including emergency contacts and email address, have been updated if needed. Remember, that if there is an address change, we will need three updated proofs of residency before that change can be made.
A Note About Cell Phones & Smartwatches
As we begin the new school year, we want to remind families about Michigan’s new cell phone law and our school expectations for personal devices. Students may bring a cell phone to school if needed, but cell phones must remain turned off or on vibrate and stored in backpacks throughout the school day. This expectation also applies to smartwatches and other wearable devices when they are being used for texting, calling, messaging, or other communication. Our goal is to minimize distractions, help students stay focused on learning, and encourage meaningful face-to-face interactions with friends and teachers. If you need to reach your child during the school day, please contact the school office, and we will be happy to assist. Please see the Parent and Student Handbook for details on this and other policies, the student code of conduct, and more.
Join Remind!
Please make sure you have joined your child's classroom Remind! You should have recieved information at Open House from your child's teach on how to do this. If not, please watch for it today or tomorrow. Once you have joined the classroom Remind group, you will automatically be enrolled in the Gates Elementary building Remind group as well. Remind is a free app available for both Apple and Android.
Picture Day is Wednesday, August 26th
A retake date will be established at a later time.
Gates Elementary
Gates Elementary
Where Kids Come First and Futures Begin
and
Home of Cardinal Pride!
Email: nmiller@davisonschools.org
Website: www.davisonschools.org
Location: 2359 S. Irish, Davison, MI, United States
Phone: 810-591-5001