Bison Blurb
NBES Weekly Family Newsletter for December 5, 2025
NBES is #34 in the State of Michigan
New Buffalo Elementary School is ranked #34 in Michigan Elementary Schools by U.S. News & World Report for 2026. This ranking is out of 1,475 elementary schools in Michigan that were ranked by U.S news.
Bison Wear Sale
Holiday Flash Sale! Snag some Bison wear before Monday ( 12/8) and have it wrapped and ready for Christmas. Your family will love unwrapping these!
https://2025nb.itemorder.com/shop/sale/
Tree Decorating
On Monday, December 8 all students will go decorate a christmas tree at either the township or city hall. Lower elementary students will go to the city hall and upper elementary students will visit the township all. This will take place beginning at 2:15. If you need to pick your child up early, please notify your child's teacher and the office to be sure we have them at school and in the office.
If your child is visiting the city hall and would like to contribute to the food drive, you can see the items needed.
PTO Updates
The PTO will be hosting the annual holiday shop on December 9, 10, and 11. Students will be able to bring money and shop to buy gifts during this time.
If you would like to volunteer to help students shop, click on the link below and sign up for a time in one of the colored boxes. The more the merrier!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DHyt8rbb6JlxZK6pHYRbwNXeV0tYqQHOcYZMFuiLkOs/edit?gid=0#gid=0
Holiday Parties
Winter holiday parties are coming soon! Kindergarten-5th grade parties will be on December 19 at 2:30. The PreK party will be at 10:15 on December 19.
Please remember that if you plan to attend you MUST have an approved background check. If you have never done one before you will complete it at this link. If it has been a year or more since you completed one you will need to email Devinnie Wysocki at dwysocki@nbas.org to have your renewal completed. Please allow at least one week for your background check to be approved. No one without a completed background check will be admitted into the building. Thank you for your cooperation with this matter!
Child Nutrition and Education Benefits
We need your help! If you have not already done so, please fill out this application. Students and the school receive many benefits from the completion of this application.
Students that qualify for scholarships for summer camp and field trips need to fill out this form. This is also needed for students that apply for Toys for Tots.
Child Nutrition and Education Benefits Application
Positive Behavioral Inteventions and Supports (PBIS)
Our schoolwide expectations for students are:
Be responsible. Be respectful. Be safe.
BASE Updates
1. Sign out location change: The parents/guardians may enter in the BASE Door 1A, sign their children out and exit out of door 1B in the cafeteria.
*The doors will remain locked, but please ring the bell if the door is not opened for you.*
2. The next Science Olympiad practice is on Thursday, December 11th.
*This is a change on the schedule, due to the Empty Bowls event at the High School.
3. Please view the 2nd trimester enrichment schedule to see what's being offered at BASE!
Important Upcoming Dates
December 8- Tree Decorating at city & township hall
December 9-11- PTO Holiday Shop
December 16- 5th grade field trip to sing at nursing home @ 8:30
December 18- 3rd Grade Mighty Acorns 1:00
December 18- PTO Chat in elementary Conference Room at 8:30
December 19- Pre K Holiday Party 10"15
December 19- Holiday Parties 2:30
December 22- January 2- Winter Break
January 5- School resumes
January 8 & 9- Dibels Testing
January 14- PTO Board Meeting at 4:00 in elementary media center
January 15- 1/2 day for students- Parent Teacher Conference 1:00-4:00 & 6:00-8:00
January 16- 1/2 day for students
January 16- 5th Grade Mighty Acorns 10:10
January 29- PTO chat in elementary Conference Room at 8:30
2025-2026 District Calendar
School Contact Information
Melissa Lijewski, Elementary Principal- mlijewski@nbas.org, (269) 469-6060
Jenna Wendel, Administrative Assistant- jwendel@nbas.org, (269) 469-6060
Renee Bowen, Student Services- rbowen@nbas.org, (269) 469-6069
Madeline Selby, BASE Director- mselby@nbas.org, (269) 469- 6062
Tom Whitsel, Transportation Director- twhitsel@nbas.org, (269) 469- 6009
Jacob Stella, Technology Director- techstaff@nbas.org, (269) 469-6020
Susan Martinic, Food Service Director- smartinic@nbas.org, (269) 469-6048
Mark German, Director of Operations- mgerman@nbas.org, (269) 469- 6018
Important Links
NBES Mission and Vision Statement
Every student. Every day.