Chatfield News

It is an honor to embark on another exciting school year with all of you. Our theme, "Anchored in Excellence," emphasizes the importance of stability and our steadfast commitment to our shared goals. At Chatfield School, we believe that by working hand in hand with families, we create a nurturing environment where students can flourish. Our dedicated staff is eager to engage in collaborative efforts that inspire innovation and uphold high expectations. Through fostering meaningful relationships, we aim to empower every student to reach their full potential. Let's make this year a remarkable chapter in our educational adventure, grounded in purpose and driven by excellence. Welcome back!

We're excited to introduce a fresh new look for our newsletter! This change comes as we adopt a new platform designed to ensure ADA compliance, making our content more accessible to everyone in our community. While the appearance may be different, rest assured that you'll continue to receive all the essential updates and news from Chatfield. We appreciate your understanding and support as we make these improvements to better serve all families.

Please return your child's yellow emergency card by Wednesday, August 26. Kindergarten families completed these during orientation. If not yet submitted, ensure it's done by the deadline. Complete the card fully with authorized emergency contacts. This ensures student safety.

Mark your calendars for Picture Day on August 27! Flyers will be sent home with students, and it's important that each student returns their filled-out form on Picture Day. To order photos, simply visit the Geskus Photography Inc. website. You can easily access the website by selecting this link. Make sure to capture these precious school memories!

Please click here to access the 2026-27 parent-student handbook.

The beginning of the school year can indeed be a hectic time, with busy schedules and crowded areas, especially in school zones. It's crucial to exercise patience in the parking lot, as many students and parents are navigating the same space. Be mindful of your speed, adhering strictly to the posted limits to ensure the safety of everyone around.

Additionally, always be vigilant for pedestrians, particularly young children who may not always be aware of their surroundings. By practicing patience and caution, we can all contribute to a safer, more organized environment at the start of the school year.

Select this link for specific drop-off and pick-up instructions.

Select this link to view this year's school calendar.

Check out the Dolphin Cafe's breakfast menu by selecting THIS LINK.

Check out the Dolphin Cafe's lunch menu by selecting THIS LINK.

We are excited to announce that breakfast and lunch will continue to be FREE this school year!

Please take a moment to complete the School Meals and Summer EBT Application sent home with your child the evening of your child’s grade level open house and return one form per family to school. This form collects information needed to ensure Chatfield School receives state and federal funding for several educational programs.

Select this link to access the form.

If your child arrives at school late, please ensure they bring a cold lunch with them. Hot lunch orders are submitted by 9 am, and we want to make sure every child has a meal they enjoy. Please make sure to call their lunch order into the office ahead of time. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Milk Money:

Attention parents and guardians, there is a $0.50 charge for milk only. You have the option to add money to your child's account to cover the cost of milk. You can do so by sending in a check or cash with your child, or by making a payment online through the Chatfield website.

• Work in your child’s classroom
• Coach a Chatfield sports team
• Attend Chatfield events
• Participate in parent workshops
• Get involved and attend P.I.E. meetings
• Volunteer to read to your child’s class
• Attend a school board meeting
• Have volunteer ideas? Let us know!

Please consider participating in your child’s education by attending the January P.I.E. meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 10 at 4:00 pm in the middle school commons. Childcare is available.

President: Audrey Brady

Vice President: Crystal Pekarek

Secretary: Melinda VanWagoner

Trustee: Ginger Blainey

Treasurer: Vacant

Select this link to learn more about P.I.E. and how you can be an involved parent partner at Chatfield!

For the second year, PIE will offer parents the opportunity to pre-purchase popcorn and/or

ice cream for their students at the beginning of the year so there is no need to remember to

send cash with your students each month.

There will be 9 popcorn days this year, with the first scheduled for Friday, Sept 18.

Popcorn is $1 a bag.

There will be 5 ice cream days this year, with the first scheduled for Monday, Sept

28. Ice Cream is $1.50 each for preorders, or $2 if you buy on the day of the sale at

lunch.

Select this link to access the popcorn and ice cream pre-sale form.

On the first day of school, students will receive a complimentary ice cream treat at lunch, generously provided by P.I.E.!

Popcorn Sale

$1.00

Friday, September 18

Ice Cream Sale

During Lunch!

$1.00

Monday, September 28

To ensure the safety and security of all our students, we use a guest lanyard system for anyone visiting the building during the school day from 8:20-3:35. Any guest who will have direct contact with students must undergo a background check. Additionally, all visitors will be required to sign in at the office to receive a "guest" lanyard. This measure is designed to help us easily identify authorized visitors and maintain a safe environment for our students. Please see the Parent-Student Handbook for more details regarding policies.

Select this link for the Volunteer/Visitor Form.

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to student safety.

If you are interested in driving on your child's field trips, it's important to complete the volunteer form provided by the school. This ensures that all necessary information is gathered and that you are officially recognized as a volunteer.

Select this link for a copy of the Volunteer Form. This form only needs to be filled out once and every three years.

Additionally, to ensure the safety and well-being of all students, all drivers are required to undergo a background check. This process helps the school maintain a secure environment and ensures that only qualified individuals are entrusted with the responsibility of transporting children. Your cooperation and understanding in completing these steps are greatly appreciated and contribute to a positive and safe experience for everyone involved.

Below is a link to a document containing the dates for our upcoming board meetings.

Please select this link to view the board meeting dates.

We want to remind all parents that it is essential to complete the necessary paperwork for the Latchkey program. This ensures that your child is registered and can benefit from the program without any interruptions. We kindly ask that you fill out the forms before your child attends the Latchkey sessions.

Forms and paperwork can be picked up from the main office or from Miss Jodi. If you have any questions or need assistance with the paperwork, please do not hesitate to reach out via email to Jodi Smith at: jsmith@chatfieldschool.org.

The first Bike Club of the season will be held on Monday, September 14th, from 3:45 to 4:45 PM. This club is free and open to any student in grades 4-8, and parents and non-Chatfield students are also welcome to join. Students in 3rd grade or younger can participate if accompanied by a parent. Most of our riding will take place on the Oakdale trail system, which features 9.5 miles of singletrack with no road crossings and offers fantastic terrain to explore. Bikes can be stored on the bike rack near the gym or parked by the Willows if brought to school beforehand. Helmets are mandatory, and we have loaners available. The Bike Club will run for approximately 8 weeks.

For any questions, please contact Peter McCreedy at pmccreedy@chatfieldschool.org.

Weekly participation is not mandatory, but registration is required to join.

To register, please select this link to complete a Google form.

Builders Club is a student-led service organization for middle school students. Members in this program are students who are interested in service to their school, community, and world. The local Kiwanis Club of Lapeer serves as the Builders Club sponsor. Mrs. Bierbusse will act as the Builders Club advisor and will attend all Builders Club meetings. Lapeer High School’s Key Club members will help lead club meetings and mentor Chatfield’s middle school students as they work side-by-side to serve our community.

Meetings will be conducted at Chatfield School in Mrs. Bierbusse’s classroom at 3:40-4:20 pm beginning Wednesday, September 9.

For a complete list of tentative meeting dates and the permission slip to attend, please select this link.

The Chatfield Student Farmer Co-op is a unique family partnership aimed at engaging students in the rewarding responsibility of caring for our school farm during non-school hours. Occasionally, during weekends, vacations, and special programs, Peter may be unavailable and we will need your assistance.

By joining our call list, you can be contacted based on your availability to help with various tasks, such as caring for pigs and chickens, watering plants, hosting special events, and selling our student-made goods. Your support is crucial in providing this very special learning opportunity for our students and helping them gain valuable skills and experiences. Thank you for being a part of our community and contributing to the growth and success of our school farm!

If your student is interested in signing up to be placed on the call list, please select this link to complete a Google form.

We invite you to participate in the 6th annual Beaver Dash Bash, a lively event taking place on September 19th at Oakdale Trails. This event promises excitement for all ages with professionally timed 12 and 23-mile mountain bike courses, a 5K trail run, a 5K cross county ruck race, along with 3 levels of FREE youth races. New this year is the advanced youth bike race, a 5.5mile trail race directly inspired by our Chatfield bike club. Enjoy a day filled with fun, food trucks, a beer tent, and various vendors. The Beaver Dash Bash is organized by Crank 4 A Cause, with all proceeds going to the Friends of Oakdale Trails to enhance and extend our beloved trails. Our school benefits tremendously from this trail and river system adjacent to our campus. We appreciate your support!

Select this link for more information & to register.

if you're looking for assistance or support, dialing 211 can be a valuable resource. This service connects individuals and families with a wide range of community resources, including housing assistance, food programs, healthcare services, state emergency relief, DHS, and more. Available in many regions, 211 is a confidential and free service that operates 24/7, making it accessible whenever you need help. Whether you're facing a crisis or simply need information about local services, 211 can guide you to the help you need. Don't hesitate to reach out and connect with the resources available in your community.

Additional Resources:

• Holiday Depot Gift Center

Location: 110 West Park Street, Lapeer, MI 48446

Contact: (810) 834-7507

• First Presbyterian Church of Lapeer

Location: 433 North Calhoun Street, Lapeer, MI 48446

Contact: (810) 664-8565

• Linked Hearts

Location: 5595 Main Street, Dryden, MI 48428

Contact: (810) 796-3407

• Hispanic Service Center

Location: 113 North Almont Avenue, Imlay City, MI 48444

Contact: (810) 724-3665

These centers offer various support services, and contacting them directly will provide more specific assistance tailored to your needs.

• Picture Day, Thursday, August 27
• No School, Friday, August 28
• No School, Friday, September 4
• No School, Monday, September 7
• Grandparents Evening or Special Guest, Thursday, September 24, 5:30 pm
• Picture Retake Day, Monday, September 28
• Parent-Teacher Conferences, Thursday, October 1 and Friday, October 2
• Half-day, Friday, October 2, Dismissal @ 11:30
• End of First Marking Period, 1/2 Day, Friday, October 23, Dismissal @ 11:30
• Trunk-or-Treat, Friday, October 30
• No School, Monday, November 2

Chatfield office hours are from

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Attendance messages may be left at anytime by calling:

(810)-667-8970

231 Lake Drive

Lapeer, MI 48446

810.667.8970

www.chatfieldschool.org

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