Bobcat Buzz Newsletter

Welcoming the New Year Together at Botsford Elementary

The Regulation Tool Kit - 8 Expert Tips to Help Families

Botsford Elementary Families & Friends,

Over winter break, I spent time reflecting on what is needed to continue leading our learning community through this ongoing adventure of learning and school—while also maintaining a healthy balance between personal and professional responsibilities. Through this reflection, I revisited an article highlighted in Psychology Today by social psychologist Veronika Tate, featuring the work of Dr. Bruce Perry, a child psychologist. Dr. Perry shares Eight Expert Tips to Help Families Stay Regulated, which felt especially relevant as we begin a new year together.

According to Dr. Perry, many of us have experienced work interruptions, family disruptions, and health concerns, and no one seems immune to increased stress and anxiety during times of uncertainty. What is important to remember is that we are navigating this together.

Dr. Perry emphasizes the importance of self-regulation, defined as the ability to manage our behavior, emotions, and thoughts while working toward long-term goals. He believes this is a skill that parents and caregivers can nurture in children—especially during times of stress. He also reminds us that stress itself is not necessarily a “bad thing” when we respond in ways that build resilience. With that in mind, he outlines eight practical tools for families to focus on as we support ourselves and our children.

1. Structure Your Day

2. Have Family Meals

3. Limit Media

4. Exercise

5. Reach Out

6. Help Others

7. Practice Good Sleep Hygiene

8. Stay Positive and Future-Focused

Dr. Perry closes by reminding us to be gentle with ourselves and practice self-compassion. It is okay to grieve missed experiences, celebrations, or routines. He reassures us that families often emerge from challenging times with greater strength and resilience when they prioritize self-care, connection, and community.

As we begin this new year, I encourage our entire learning community to practice these eight tips together as we continue navigating this journey, adventure, and experience—together.

"Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about."

Mr. Bryan DeCaire, Botsford Elementary Principal

JANUARY

1 - New Year’s Day

5 - Staff & Students Return from Winter Break

7-15 - Botsford Hearing Screening

7 - Early Release Wednesday @ 210 PM

8 - Severe Weather Drill

14 - Early Release Wednesday @ 210 PM

14 - BEST Parent Organization Meeting @ 630 PM - Postponed

19 - NO SCHOOL, Martin Luther King Day

19 - BEST Koney Island Inn Fundraiser @ 8-8 PM

20 - Lockdown Drill

21 - Yearbook Candid Photos @ 9-1130 AM

21 - Early Release Wednesday @ 210 PM

28 - Early Release Wednesday @ 210 PM

Botsford Elementary - Principal DeCaire, Parent/Family Survey 2025-26

As we approach the midpoint of the school year, I invite you to take a few moments to share your thoughts and provide meaningful feedback on our school community. After nearly two quarters of learning, your input is valuable in helping us understand what is going well and where we may need to focus additional attention at Botsford Elementary.

This Principal Survey is one of two methods of feedback being used during the 2025–2026 school year to guide reflection, growth, and continuous improvement. I look forward to reviewing the information shared and truly appreciate the voices of our families and friends in this process.

Your participation is encouraged and greatly appreciated. Please use the button below to access and complete the survey.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in making Botsford Elementary a strong and thriving learning community.

As the building principal, I wanted to take a moment to recognize and honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Throughout my years as a fifth-grade teacher, I consistently emphasized the importance of teaching students about Dr. King—who he was, what he stood for, and the lasting impact of his vision on American history. Dr. King challenged all Americans to be accepting and to welcome equality regardless of ethnicity, culture, belief, gender, or race.

In 1963, Dr. King delivered his powerful “I Have a Dream” speech, clearly articulating a vision of unity, equity, and hope. Each morning, I reflect on ways I can continue leading our school community toward that dream—by encouraging acceptance of our differences and by modeling and promoting simple acts of kindness, both within our school and beyond.

Several years ago, I watched a news segment highlighting New York University’s initiative to offer free tuition to all medical students. This program was created in response to the overwhelming financial debt many graduates face, which often pushes them toward higher-paying specialties rather than careers in family medicine, pediatrics, or research. NYU’s hope was not only to support students financially, but also to inspire other institutions to follow their lead.

You may ask—how does this relate to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.?

What stood out to me was the idea that generosity and kindness have the power to multiply. The segment discussed how students and donors might eventually “boomerang” that generosity back into the world through service, compassion, and giving to others. This, I believe, closely aligns with Dr. King’s dream—that kindness spreads, communities grow stronger, and the world becomes a better place when we care for one another.

A boomerang is defined as a curved object that returns to the person who throws it. This concept beautifully symbolizes how kindness often comes back to us. It also reflects the Golden Rule many of us were raised with: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

In honor of Dr. King’s legacy, I challenge every member of the Botsford Elementary family to continue striving toward this Boomerang Effect—where acts of kindness, empathy, and respect are shared freely and ultimately returned. By doing so, we help keep Dr. King’s dream alive in meaningful, everyday ways.

Students who have a language other than English spoken at home and are identified as English Learners are required to participate in a state assessment called WIDA ACCESS for ELLs (Accessing Comprehension and Communication in English State to State for English Language Learners).

This requirement is based on information provided on the Enrollment Office form completed when your child enrolled in the Clarenceville School District. Please note that students are required to take this assessment even if they are not currently receiving ESL/EL services.

The WIDA ACCESS assessment measures students’ proficiency in the following areas:

• Reading

• Writing

• Listening

• Speaking

• Overall English comprehension

Students will complete the assessment during the testing window of January 27th through April 3rd, 2026.

Once results are received from the Michigan Department of Education, your child’s test results will be mailed home for your review.

If you have any questions regarding the WIDA ACCESS assessment, please feel free to contact Karen Morrison at 248-919-0402.

At Botsford Elementary, we are proud to support positive behavior through our PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) system called Botsford Elementary B.E.S.T. This framework helps create a safe, respectful, and encouraging learning environment for all students.

B.E.S.T. stands for:

• B – Be Kind

• E – Encourage Kindness

• S – Safety First

• T – Try Your Best

Students are recognized and reinforced for demonstrating these expectations throughout the school day—in classrooms, hallways, lunch, recess, and all school settings.

To celebrate positive choices, students may earn Bobcat Bucks, which acknowledge when they are living out our B.E.S.T. expectations. Bobcat Bucks can be saved or spent at our school store, which will open at the end of January, offering a variety of fun and motivating incentives.

We encourage families to talk with their children about the B.E.S.T. expectations and celebrate their positive choices at home as well. Together, we can continue to build a strong, respectful, and supportive school community.

This winter, our students brought learning, creativity, and future dreams together through our Career Snowman Project!

As part of this engaging activity, students were encouraged to think about the future and imagine what career they might like to have one day—whether that be a teacher, doctor, firefighter, artist, athlete, scientist, or another exciting profession. Using a snowman as their canvas, students creatively designed and decorated their snowman to represent that chosen career.

Each snowman was thoughtfully detailed with clothing appropriate for the job, tools or items the professional might use, and expressive faces and fun features that made each project unique. Students used colors, patterns, and accessories to highlight what makes their career special and proudly labeled their snowman with the career name.

This project not only fostered creativity and fine-motor skills, but it also encouraged students to begin thinking about goal setting, personal interests, and the many possibilities their future holds. Most importantly, students took their time, worked carefully, and demonstrated pride in their efforts.

We are incredibly proud of our students’ imagination, hard work, and willingness to dream big. Be sure to take a moment to admire the wonderful Career Snowmen displayed throughout our school—they truly reflect the joy of learning and the bright futures ahead!

As temperatures begin to drop and winter approaches, Botsford Elementary would like to remind our families, friends, and students about the importance of dressing appropriately for cold weather.

As building principal, I want to continue encouraging outdoor play whenever weather conditions allow. Students will go outside for recess when the temperature (including wind chill) is 10°F or above. It is essential that all students come prepared with the proper clothing for outdoor activities and while waiting for the school bus. This includes — at a minimum — a warm coat, hat, gloves, and layers to stay comfortable and safe.

Students who do not bring appropriate winter clothing are still expected to participate in outdoor recess and will not be permitted to remain indoors or in the office. If your child has a medical condition that prevents outdoor participation, please provide a medical note from your healthcare provider—a parent note alone cannot excuse a student from outdoor recess.

We ask that families and school staff work together to help our children understand the importance of dressing for the weather and the potential risks of not taking proper precautions. Your cooperation ensures that all students can enjoy recess safely throughout the winter season.

As partners in your child’s education, we can all agree that consistent school attendance is essential to long-term success. Regular attendance ensures that students fully benefit from the academic, social, and emotional opportunities school provides. When students miss school, they miss out on these important experiences.

School attendance is so critical that Michigan law requires all children between the ages of 6 and 16 to attend school. When a child is excessively absent, parents and guardians may be held accountable under state law. If a student is considered truant—defined as missing scheduled school time without an accepted excused absence—both the parent/guardian and student may face serious legal consequences, including court involvement.

Attendance may be one of the single most important factors in a child’s school success. Research shows that:

• Students perform best academically when they are in class every day. The U.S. Department of Education reports that for every day a student misses school, it can take up to two days to catch up.

• Beyond academics, regular attendance helps children develop responsibility, commitment, and strong work habits.

• Students who attend school consistently maintain stronger connections with peers, teachers, and the school community.

• On average, students who graduate from high school earn approximately 30% more annually than those who do not complete high school.

• One in ten kindergarten students misses nearly a month of school each year; in some districts, that number increases to one in three.

• Kindergarten students who miss 10% of the school year demonstrate lower academic performance by first grade.

• Chronic absenteeism in kindergarten has been linked to lower academic achievement by fifth grade.

Below you will find additional information that highlights the strong correlation between attendance and student achievement. We appreciate your continued partnership in making regular attendance a priority for your child’s success.

The Schools of Choice application window for the 2025–2026 school year will be opening soon! Families interested in joining or continuing in the Clarenceville School District through Schools of Choice should review the following important dates:

Application Windows

• Middle School: November 17 – November 28, 2025 (by 4:00 p.m.)

• Elementary (Botsford & Grandview) and High School: Jan. 12 – Jan. 23, 2026 (by 4:00 p.m.)

  Limited spots are available at all grade levels.

  
  

If applications exceed available openings, a lottery will be held on:

• Middle School: December 1, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.

• Elementary & High School: January 26, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

Families will be notified of their status on:

• Middle School: December 2, 2025

• Elementary & High School: January 27, 2026

A waiting list will be maintained if needed.

Enrollment Documents

All accepted applicants must complete online enrollment and submit required documents by:

• Middle School: December 5, 2025

• Elementary & High School: January 30, 2026

Required documents include:

• Affirmation of Prior Discipline form

• High School Transcripts (if applicable)

• Cooperative Agreement for special education services (if the student resides outside Oakland County)

⚠️ Failure to submit all required documents by the deadline will result in the loss of your enrollment seat.

Additional Information

• All applications will be reviewed and verified with the student’s prior school district.

• Falsified applications may result in disqualification or removal from enrollment.

• Current families who have moved or changed addresses must reapply for Schools of Choice.

Lost & Found Reminder

Over the past few weeks, a variety of belongings have accumulated in our Lost & Found—including lunch boxes, coats, sweatshirts, and water bottles. Many of these items were likely misplaced or left on the playground during recess.

To help us return items quickly, please make sure your child’s belongings are clearly labeled with their name and/or room number. This small step makes a big difference in ensuring lost items make their way back to their rightful owners.

All unclaimed items will remain in the Lost & Found for a limited time. Any belongings not retrieved after an extended period will be donated.

Thank you for your help in keeping our school organized and ensuring that students’ items find their way home!

Botsford Elementary families are encouraged to review the Clarenceville School District Communication Flowchart, which outlines the proper steps to follow when addressing a concern, challenge, or conflict.

This flowchart serves as a helpful reference guide to ensure that questions and concerns are directed to the appropriate person and can be resolved efficiently and respectfully. By following this process, we can work together to maintain clear communication and support a positive learning environment for all students.

Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to open, effective communication within our school community.

Great News — Botsford is STILL a Box Tops School!

That means you can help our school earn free money just by scanning your grocery receipts — no more clipping! Every Box Top adds up to support our students and classrooms.

Here’s how you can join in:

1. Download the Box Tops for Education App on your phone.
2. Use our referral code: OEHG68MV when you sign up.
3. Scan your receipts after you shop — it’s that easy!
4. Select your child’s grade so their class earns the points.

Bonus: When you use the referral code and scan your first receipt, you and our coordinator both earn 25 Bonus Box Tops (that’s 50¢ for Botsford right away!).

Our school goal is to raise $500 through Box Tops this year, and with everyone’s help, we’ll get there in no time!

New this November!

If you’d rather not download the app, you can still participate! Starting in November, there will be a Box Tops collection box in the main lobby. Just drop your store receipts in the box and write your child’s grade level on the receipt so we can make sure their grade gets the credit.

Thank you for helping support our amazing school in such an easy (and fun!) way. Every receipt counts — let’s reach that goal together!

BEST Parent Meeting - January 14th @ 6 PM (POSTPONED)

Our next B.E.S.T. (Botsford Elementary Support ) Parent Meeting of the 2025–2026 school year will be held on Wednesday, February 11th at 6:00 PM. We invite all families to attend and take this opportunity to ask questions, learn more about the exciting events planned for the year, and connect with other members of the Botsford Elementary community. The B.E.S.T. Organization will continue to meet on the second Wednesday of each month, unless otherwise communicated. We look forward to working together to make this school year a great one for all of our Bobcats!

As the school year has gotten underway, we've already collected a number of misplaced items such as lunch boxes, coats, sweatshirts, and water bottles—many of which are left behind during recess or around the building.

To help us quickly return these items to their rightful owners, we kindly ask that families label belongings with your child’s name and/or room number. Labeled items are much easier to identify and return. Unlabeled items are placed in the Lost & Found, but if they remain unclaimed over time, they will be donated.

Support Our School with Mabel’s Labels

A simple and effective way to label your child’s items is through our year-round fundraiser with Mabel’s Labels. These durable labels are laundry, dishwasher, microwave safe, and waterproof—perfect for school gear!

• Visit campaigns.mabelslabels.com

• Search for Botsford Elementary (B.E.S.T)

• Your labels ship free to your home

• Botsford B.E.S.T earns 20% from every order!

Thank you for helping us keep our students' belongings out of the Lost & Found and for supporting our school!

Please be sure to follow Botsford Elementary and stay connected with our school community on X by using the handle @BotsfordElem. This platform is a great way to catch a glimpse of the exciting activities, learning experiences, and celebrations happening with our Bobcats and their dedicated teachers throughout the school year. Stay informed, engaged, and proud of all the amazing things taking place at Botsford!

Email: bryan.decaire@clarencevilleschools.org
Location: 19515 Lathers Street, Livonia, MI, USA
Phone: (248)919-0402
X: @BotsfordElem