Douglas Road Elementary School (DRE)

Douglas Road Elementary School, building, and BPS logo

WELCOME TO DOUGLAS ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!

KEEP INFORMED

Set Schoology Parent Account Notification Settings to see additional announcements shared with students. Learn how here!

PICTURE RETAKE DAY

Wednesday, October 11th

Blood Drive

Wednesday, November 1, 2023
12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
DRE Gym

To schedule YOUR appointment, please call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit
RedCrossBlood.org and enter code: DOUGLASRDPINT

OTIS SPUNKMEYER FUNDRAISER

SEP. 25 - OCT. 4
Beginning on Monday, September 25, 2023, DRE students will start selling Otis Spunkmeyer items. The final day of the sale is Wednesday, October 4, 2023 and payments are due on that day. Any checks should be made out to Bedford Public Schools.

Profits from this sale benefit all students! Our PTO uses these funds to pay for special events such as Mornings with Misses, Donuts with Dudes, Staff Appreciation, DRE in the Dark, 5th Grade Graduation, beautification, assemblies, field trips and more!

The tentative delivery date is Wednesday, November 8, 2023.

Thank you for your support!

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR

OCTOBER 16-20

Seeking Volunteers
The PTO is sponsoring a Scholastic Book Fair the week of October 16, 2023. If you would like to volunteer to help set up the fair on Friday, October 13, 2023, please reach out to a member of the PTO board. We will also need volunteers throughout the week (October 16 through October 20) to help students shop.

DRE STUDENTS OF THE MONTH PROGRAM

OUR FIRST STUDENTS OF THE MONTH WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON!

At Douglas Road Elementary we strive to bring attention to positive behaviors through our PBIS program. As part of that program, we are excited to announce that every month each teacher will be choosing one student from his/her class to be honored as Student of the Month. These students are examples of exemplary behavior in all areas of school. They have demonstrated responsible, kind, and respectful behavior to earn this achievement.

As part of this award, the students of the month will receive the following incentives:

Student of the month certificate
Group picture posted on the marquee in front of DRE, on Schoology and on the PBIS bulletin board.
$10 in Mule Money
Lunch with the principals (Students will eat their own lunch but in a fun location with the principals and other student of the month winners!)

Please join us in celebrating these students each month and continuing to encourage respectful, kind, and responsible behaviors at DRE!

DRE PTO NEWS

WELCOME TO DOUGLAS ROAD ELEMENTARY PTO!
Welcome to Douglas Road Elementary! The DRE PTO is excited to welcome you here and we can't wait to get to know you.

FOLLOW THE DRE PTO ON FACEBOOK!
We utilize our Facebook page to share information and to provide many exciting opportunities for involvement.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR OUR MEETINGS!
Our PTO meetings will be on the dates listed below at 3:45 pm in the Library and available through Facebook live. We encourage you to contribute your thoughts and ideas in person or from home! We happily provide childcare during meetings and the kids have a ton of fun playing with the other Douglas Road kiddos.

September 14, 2023
October 5, 2023
November 9, 2023
December 7, 2023
January 11, 2024
February 8, 2024
March 14, 2024
April 11, 2024
May 16, 2024

OTHER FUN PTO EVENTS TO MARK ON YOUR CALENDAR

September 21, 2023: Morning with Misses
September 22-October 4, 2023: Otis Spunkmeyer Sale (Order pickup: November 8th)
October 10-14, 2023: Book Fair
October 24, 2023: Trunk or Treat, 6-6:30 pm
December 11-15, 2023: Snowflake Shop
February 2, 2024: Mule Masquerade
March 4-7, 2024: Book Fair
March 6, 2024: Book Fair/Family Night, 5-7 pm
April 25, 2024: Donuts with Dudes
May 3, 2024: DRE in the Dark (sales start March 6th)
May 6-10, 2024: Staff Appreciation Week
May 17, 2024: Mini Mule Mini Marathon
May 31, 2024: 5th Grade Recognition
June 3, 2024: Kindergarten Recognition

DRE ONLINE SPIRIT SHOP

DRE Online Spirit Shop will be open August 30 - September 13th.
Please allow 3 weeks after the store closes to receive your order.

PTO EXECUTIVE BOARD:
President: Julianne Pickard
Vice-President: Tara Coakley
Secretary: Kaitlyn Pisanti
Treasurer: Maria Zapp
Teacher Liaisons: Nicole Hite and Laura Burgermeister

SUPPORTING DRE PTO WHILE YOU SHOP

BOXTOPS ARE NOW EVEN EASIER!
Simply make an account at this link and scan your receipts after you shop. The app does all the work and you get to help Douglas Road!

SUPPORT DRE PTO WITH KROGER REWARDS AND AMAZON SMILE

Get TO KNOW OUR NEW ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

Meet Dr. Kochendoerfer!

Amy Kochendoerfer

It is with great excitement that I introduce myself as the newly appointed assistant principal of Douglas Road Elementary! I am honored to join this school community where the mission is to inspire emotional and academic growth for a successful future!

Professionally, I have enjoyed a gratifying career in education. I spent seventeen years in the classroom as a second-grade, third-grade, and kindergarten teacher, eleven years as a reading specialist, and the past four years as an assistant principal in the Bedford Public School System. In this most recent role, I support the principal in managing the daily operations of the school and pride myself in supporting educators, parents, and students.

Personally, I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 32 years. We are blessed with five children and are thrilled to be welcoming our first grandbaby into the family later this month! Aside from spending time with my family at our Bedford home or family cottage, I am active in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the community as a member of the Bedford Lions Club. Additionally, I frequently volunteer at Corpus Christi University Parish in Toledo and am especially enthusiastic to begin volunteering for Monroe County Special Olympics this year as an assistant snowshoe coach!

I appreciate the warm welcome I have received from Principal Kim Johnson, staff members, and parents! I look forward to meeting everyone at Open House!

COMMUNTY EDUCATION NEWS

You can see our full list of Community Education programs and register online at HTTPS://BEDFORD.CE.ELEYO.COM/

2023 FALL BROCHURE IS HERE!

Check out the fall programs covering everything from art classes to kayaking, youth sports leagues and skills training, to special programs for adults; computers, and CPR, or take a trip to Frankenmuth! There truly is something for everyone!

SEARCH PROGRAMS & REGISTER ONLINE AT:
HTTPS://BEDFORD.CE.ELEYO.COM.

Ed2Go offers a full array of online Career Training programs in multiple fields. Go to www.ed2go.com/bedfordae for a complete list

Adult enrichment classes are also offered. Check out the adult fitness classes: cardio & tone, karate, line dancing, and yoga as well as art classes and more.

Don't see a class that you would be interested in? Email us your interests - [email protected] or call our office 734-850-6036.

Follow Community Ed on Facebook for updates on their new programs and activities: facebook.com/bedfordcommunityeducation

GENERAL INFORMATION

ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL TRAFFIC FLOW MAP
Please review the Arrival/Dismissal Traffic Flow Map to help things flow smoothly from Day 1!

LATCHKEY IS AVAILABLE
Latchkey is available before and after school. You can learn more on the Latchkey website or by calling 734-850-6004 to speak with Latchkey Director, Amber Brushaber.

MEDICATION AUTHORIZATION FORM
Parents can drop off any medication that will be given at school in the health room. A Medication Authorization Form, signed by a physician, must accompany the medication. This includes many common over-the-counter medications, such as cough drops.

UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS ARE BACK!
FREE & REDUCED SCHOOL MEALS APPLICATION STILL WORTH FILLING OUT!
We encourage families in need to fill out a Free and Reduced School Meals Application. Other programs that may benefit families may also require this form to be completed in order to be considered such as potentially waived or discounted Chromebook Fees. Family participation in the program may also qualify the school to receive additional funding to support our students. This form can be filled out online: https://bedfordps.familyportal.cloud/.

BUS ROUTE INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON TRAVERSA RIDE 360 MOBILE APP

Ride 360 App Icon

Link to detailed instructions on how to access and use the Traversa Ride 360 app and website
The “Where’s the Bus?” link on our website also links to these instructions.

Please note that the staff is continuing to make adjustments to the routes as last minute student registrations come in. Please double check before the first day of school. Times will fluctuate at the start of a new school year until everyone settles down into a routine.

BPS MOBILE APP AVAILABLE
-- APP STORE LINK
-- GOOGLE PLAY STORE LINK

2023-2024 DISTRICT SCHOOL-YEAR-AT-A-GLANCE CALENDAR

Note: Easter Sunday is March 31, 2024. It is the last day of Spring Break.

2023 NEWS & VIEWS NEWSLETTER

The BPS District Back-to-School Newsletter is a great resource to use year round!

HOW TO REQUEST TEXT MESSAGE ALERTS AND MANAGE YOUR CONTACT PREFERENCES IN INFINITE CAMPUS

Bedford Public Schools uses Infinite Campus' ability to send out Emergency Notifications. You can manage your contact preferences within your Infinite Campus Parent Portal. (If you have not set up your Parent Portal Account yet, please check you email for an activation key code.)

You can choose how you want to receive our messages: email, phone calls, and now text messages. The default setting is email and phone options. If you wish to add text messages, you will have to add that as an option in your Parent Portal Settings. Please use this link for Instructions on How to Set Your Contact Preferences and to Receive Text Message Alerts.

You can edit your phone numbers within the portal, but if you need to change your email, you will need to contact the school office.

NEW TO INFINITE CAMPUS?
Each parent who is listed as a student guardian in Infinite Campus will receive an email on Monday. This email will include their personal parent activation key (a long string of letters and numbers) that will connect the parent to all of the students in their household that attend BPS. A parent will use that special key to set up their Infinite Campus parent account.

BPS MOBILE APP AVAILABLE

APP STORE LINK
GOOGLE PLAY STORE LINK

TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT UPDATES

Please see the latest Tech Department Newsletter with information for current 1st-11th grade families as we wrap up the 2022-23 school year and get ready for 2023-24!

It includes details on:

End of Year Chromebook & Charger Collection
2023-24 Chromebook Insurance for 2nd-12th Grade
Optional Protective Chromebook Messenger Bag Available
Chromebook Distribution for 2023-24
Google Drive & Gmail Summer Access for Students
Like the Bedford Ed Tech Facebook Page

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Parents Guide: How to View Child Information on Schoology & Infinite Campus
Infinite Campus: Resources for Parents to Get Started

COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR BEDFORD FAMILIES

Find details with this Community Assistance Opportunities for Bedford Families Link including information about food assistance programs, Eye Exams/Glasses, Parent Support Group and more. New information will be added to that document as it comes in. Some programs are seasonal but past details are included for future reference.

MOBILE FOOD PANTRY

Link to Mobile Food Pantry dates/locations in Monroe County

Douglas Road Elementary Vision and Mission Statement

OUR VISION:

D -- Developing thoughtful minds
R -- Relationship driven
E -- Establishing successful students

OUR MISSION: Inspiring emotional and academic growth for a successful future.

DOUGLAS ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
6875 DOUGLAS ROAD, LAMBERTVILLE, MI 48144
PHONE: 734-850-6700, ATTENDANCE: 734-850-6720, FAX: 734-850-6799

SOLIANT NAMES BEST INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUNDS IN AMERICA

DRE MAKES THE LIST!

When the Gandee family decided to do the CP Swagger to raise awareness for Cerebral Palsy, they did not imagine their efforts would spark an outpouring of support and donations for an inclusive playground. Those donations, and many hours of volunteer work from community members, launched the C.P. Swagger Playground. These inspirational efforts caught the attention of Soliant as they sought to celebrate the ten best inclusive playgrounds in the United States.

Soliant reviewed outstanding school playgrounds across the country based on several factors, including the utilization of inclusive playground design core principles, quantity, and quality of play features offered, and any unique inspirations or stories behind the development, funding, or name of the playground. These selected playgrounds go beyond minimum accessibility to offer play experiences for a wide variety of needs—for example, by offering braille features for students who are visually impaired and sensory-rich structures for students with developmental disabilities.

“We were absolutely blown away at the number and variety of inclusive playgrounds in schools nationwide, so much so that it felt nearly impossible to pick just ten. Here at Soliant, we feel grateful for this opportunity to spotlight ten playgrounds with incredible design and stories. Additionally, we extend our acclamation to the school educators and support staff who help push inclusivity further into education systems and continuously work to benefit the experience for all children—regardless of abilities,” Soliant Senior Vice President of Education Lesley Slaughter said.

Use this link to see "The 10 Best Inclusive School Playgrounds in America” released by Soliant. Douglas Road Elementary School’s C.P. Swagger Shipyard is the second entry on the list and it is the only one located in Michigan.

“The opportunity to be able to offer an inclusive educational environment both in and outside of the classroom is extremely important for our students,” said Bedford Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Carl Shultz. “The Douglas Road Elementary community came together to purchase and install an amazing play structure that would benefit all students equally. This is another amazing example of what can happen when caring people come together for the benefit of all.”

Now hiring, jobs at BPS, see website for details

BPS is hiring!

Among the available openings are several Parapro positions. These are great for people looking for part time work that fits within the same times as their child’s school days!

Use the “Jobs at BPS” link to see what is available and for details on applying.

A variety of substitute positions are also available. Substitute bus drivers are in demand. (If you are interested in being a bus driver, please call Transportation Director, Cari Dupree, at 734-850-6071 to ask about paid training if needed.)

Bedford Public Schools