Bison Blurb
NBES Weekly Family Newsletter for May 2, 2025
BASE Updates
1. BASE Enrichment Information
2. Card club is changing from Tuesdays - Fridays (Attached)
Clay club is switching time on Mondays from 5-6 pm.
Camp Lifetime Information
Camp Lifetimes 2025 will be a “Grief Wilderness Journey” at The Woods Fitness Park. Participants ages 6-11 years old are welcome to register to join us June 25, 2025. Families will also have an electronic waver to sign for the The Woods Fitness Park. Lory’s Place will be covering the $10 lifetime membership cost for participants and facilitators.
PTO Meeting
At the May 21 meeting we will discuss the upcoming changes to the PTO for next school year. We have worked so hard to try to come up with a solution for the PTO. We appreciate everyone that has attended meetings or helped with any event this year!
Wednesday, May 21 at 4:00 in the NBES media center
Proud to be a Bison!
Positive Behavioral Inteventions and Supports (PBIS) in May
The word of the month for May is Creativity.
This month we will focus on teaching students about creativity at school. At the end of the month we will have a schoolwide assembly to celebrate all of the hard work of our students.
No Bullying School
New Buffalo Elementary has a zero tolerance for bullying! If you believe your child is being bullied you may use the link below to report it to our staff. We encourage you to talk with your child's teacher or myself if you have concerns at any time.
New Buffalo Educational Trust Scholarship
It pays to be a New Buffalo graduate, literally! In 2010, New Buffalo Area Schools established the NB Educational Trust. The Trust was created to provide each graduate of New Buffalo Area Schools (School Code 11-200) an opportunity to attend postsecondary education or a certification program. These funds are made available through a compact between the state of Michigan and the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi. Each eligible graduate receives $25,000 ($2,500 per semester for ten semesters). This program provides up to five years of post-secondary educational expenses (per the scale above). The post-secondary education must be completed within 10 years of the date of high school graduation. Exceptions to this requirement are granted for military service (equal to one additional year for each year of active military service). One of the New Buffalo district’s primary jobs is to familiarize pupils with college and foster an understanding of the value and cost of a post-secondary education. New Buffalo Area Schools take all four high school class levels on college visitations. Each year they choose a different Michigan campus to visit. In recent years they have increased their focus on promoting skilled trades. The NB Educational Trust fund is being used to certify electricians, welders, carpenters, truck drivers, train engineers and college degrees. NB promotes all certifications that assist in our graduates adding to their skills and training that help advance their employability. The class of 2010 was the first class to receive these funds. Since 2010 NB has financially assisted 517 graduates.
Important Upcoming Dates
May 6- 3rd, 4th, & 5th Grade Math Mstep
May 6- 1st grade field trip to Sarrett Nature Center
May 7- 3rd, 4th, & 5th Grade Math Mstep
May 8- 2nd grade community field trip
May 9- 5th grade Mighty Acorns at 1:15
May 16- Bike to the Park
May 19- District 5 K
May 21- 5th grade band sign ups 4:30-6:30 at NBES music room
May 21- PTO meeting at 4:00 in media center
May 22- 2nd grade field trip to Kidsfirst Children's Museum
May 23- Pk & K field trip to Potowatomi Zoo
May 30- Last day for Pre K students
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
Important Links
New Buffalo Elementary Website
New Buffalo Elementary Facebook
Child Nutrition and Education Benefits Application
Cafeteria on-line payments
Food Service Menu
Annual Bullying Notice here
Contact information for all departments found here
NBES Vision Statement
Every student. Every day.