This week is NWEA testing for students in kindergarten through tenth grade!
NWEA testing is used to measure student growth in math, reading, language, and science in a given school year. Students take it at the beginning of the year and then retake it later on to see where their skills are.
Here are some growth highlights from last year's testing:
-District-wide (grades K-10): 59% of students met their Math growth goal
-58% of students met their growth goal in Reading
-70% of Merritt students met their Math goal
-64% of middle school students met their Math goal
-65% of middle school students met their Reading goal
#thebrandywinedifference
NWEA testing is used to measure student growth in math, reading, language, and science in a given school year. Students take it at the beginning of the year and then retake it later on to see where their skills are.
Here are some growth highlights from last year's testing:
-District-wide (grades K-10): 59% of students met their Math growth goal
-58% of students met their growth goal in Reading
-70% of Merritt students met their Math goal
-64% of middle school students met their Math goal
-65% of middle school students met their Reading goal
#thebrandywinedifference
Michigan Teacher of the Year Nominations are open!
Please take a moment to nominate one or more of our district’s outstanding teachers for the Michigan Department of Education’s 2027-28 Michigan Teacher of the Year. Celebrate a deserving teacher by simply completing the online form: https://mde.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3VO6y33yPJYG0t0
The nomination window is open now until Wednesday, September 23.
Please take a moment to nominate one or more of our district’s outstanding teachers for the Michigan Department of Education’s 2027-28 Michigan Teacher of the Year. Celebrate a deserving teacher by simply completing the online form: https://mde.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3VO6y33yPJYG0t0
The nomination window is open now until Wednesday, September 23.
September is Suicide Prevention Month. Today is 988 Day, a national initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and emphasizing the importance of mental health and suicide prevention.
In Michigan each year, 1 in 9 young adults, ages 12-17, have serious thoughts of suicide, according to the National Alliance of Mental Illness. Learn to recognize the signs, you could save a life.
Suicide Prevention Action Steps: https://aptg.co/z35lnG
Warning Signs: https://aptg.co/k9yH9v
If these warning signs apply to you or someone you know, get help as soon as possible, particularly if the behavior is new or has increased recently.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:
Call or text 988
Chat at 988lifeline.org
In Michigan each year, 1 in 9 young adults, ages 12-17, have serious thoughts of suicide, according to the National Alliance of Mental Illness. Learn to recognize the signs, you could save a life.
Suicide Prevention Action Steps: https://aptg.co/z35lnG
Warning Signs: https://aptg.co/k9yH9v
If these warning signs apply to you or someone you know, get help as soon as possible, particularly if the behavior is new or has increased recently.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:
Call or text 988
Chat at 988lifeline.org
Welcome Kelley Neville to Brandywine Elementary! 🐾
We are thrilled to introduce our new Dean of Students, Kelley Neville!
Kelley holds a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from Ball State University. Originally from Reno, Nevada, her extensive background as a behavior specialist and working with students with disabilities has deeply shaped her commitment to inclusive education. As she steps into this school leadership role, Kelley was drawn to Brandywine because our mission aligns directly with her core belief: every student can rise to high expectations when provided with a supportive, inclusive environment tailored to their needs.
At home, Kelley stays busy raising her eight-year-old twins and two-year-old, and in her free time, she loves playing pickleball! She is most looking forward to building strong, lasting relationships with the staff, students, and families throughout the district.
We are thrilled to introduce our new Dean of Students, Kelley Neville!
Kelley holds a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from Ball State University. Originally from Reno, Nevada, her extensive background as a behavior specialist and working with students with disabilities has deeply shaped her commitment to inclusive education. As she steps into this school leadership role, Kelley was drawn to Brandywine because our mission aligns directly with her core belief: every student can rise to high expectations when provided with a supportive, inclusive environment tailored to their needs.
At home, Kelley stays busy raising her eight-year-old twins and two-year-old, and in her free time, she loves playing pickleball! She is most looking forward to building strong, lasting relationships with the staff, students, and families throughout the district.
It's time to cheer for the Bobcats!
The Mini Cheer Clinic will be taking place on October 6 and 7 from 5 - 7 p.m. with a performance on Friday, October 9 at 7 p.m. during the first quarter of the football game. This is for students in DK through 6th grade. The cost is $35.
Registration will be September 11 and 12 from 4 - 5 p.m. in the Brandywine Middle/Senior High School cafeteria.
For more information, contact Cheer Coach Mia Frazier at mfrazier@brandywinebobcats.org.
The Mini Cheer Clinic will be taking place on October 6 and 7 from 5 - 7 p.m. with a performance on Friday, October 9 at 7 p.m. during the first quarter of the football game. This is for students in DK through 6th grade. The cost is $35.
Registration will be September 11 and 12 from 4 - 5 p.m. in the Brandywine Middle/Senior High School cafeteria.
For more information, contact Cheer Coach Mia Frazier at mfrazier@brandywinebobcats.org.
Welcome Shanna Harper to Brandywine Elementary! 🐾
We are excited to officially welcome Shanna Harper as our new Sixth Grade Science teacher!
Shanna earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Western Michigan University and comes to us from nearby Buchanan. While she is stepping into a new role this year, Shanna is already a familiar face around the district—having substitute taught at Brandywine for a long time! Over the years, she has been continuously impressed by the overwhelming kindness throughout our schools. Outside the classroom, Shanna loves spending quality time with her family and looks forward to her favorite season, winter. She can't wait to dive into science and learn and grow right alongside her sixth graders this year!
We are excited to officially welcome Shanna Harper as our new Sixth Grade Science teacher!
Shanna earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Western Michigan University and comes to us from nearby Buchanan. While she is stepping into a new role this year, Shanna is already a familiar face around the district—having substitute taught at Brandywine for a long time! Over the years, she has been continuously impressed by the overwhelming kindness throughout our schools. Outside the classroom, Shanna loves spending quality time with her family and looks forward to her favorite season, winter. She can't wait to dive into science and learn and grow right alongside her sixth graders this year!
Here's what's happening this week at Brandywine Community Schools!
View the full schedule at www.brandywinebobcats.org.
View the full schedule at www.brandywinebobcats.org.
This Week in Photos!
Welcome CieAna Werner to Brandywine Elementary! 🐾
We are thrilled to welcome our new Third Grade Teacher, CieAna Werner!
CieAna earned her degree in Early Childhood Education (P–3) from Purdue North Central and brings 8 years of teaching experience with her. Coming to us from Michigan City and LaPorte, teaching has been her lifelong dream, and while she is a seasoned educator, this marks her first year teaching 3rd grade! CieAna was drawn to Brandywine’s close-knit community and places immense value on building strong relationships with students, their families, and the school staff. She is most looking forward to getting to know her third graders and creating a warm, connected classroom community this year!
We are thrilled to welcome our new Third Grade Teacher, CieAna Werner!
CieAna earned her degree in Early Childhood Education (P–3) from Purdue North Central and brings 8 years of teaching experience with her. Coming to us from Michigan City and LaPorte, teaching has been her lifelong dream, and while she is a seasoned educator, this marks her first year teaching 3rd grade! CieAna was drawn to Brandywine’s close-knit community and places immense value on building strong relationships with students, their families, and the school staff. She is most looking forward to getting to know her third graders and creating a warm, connected classroom community this year!
Mrs. Alstott's third graders are being safe and responsible Bobcats! They created Fire Safety posters in class this week!
Mrs. Weglowski’s and Mrs. Abdoo’s fourth graders teamed up yesterday for a round of Times Table Bingo!
The multiplication game is strong and the learning is officially unlocked!
The multiplication game is strong and the learning is officially unlocked!
Welcome Sydney Fritz to Brandywine Elementary! 🐾
We are delighted to introduce our new Speech-Language Pathologist, Sydney Fritz!
Sydney holds a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Andrews University. Originally from Mills River, North Carolina, she was drawn to Brandywine by its warm community feel and supportive environment. Outside of school, Sydney loves reading, staying active, spending quality time with her fiancé and cats, nurturing a constantly growing houseplant collection, and enjoying a good cup of coffee. She is most looking forward to getting to know the students and staff across the district and diving into full-time speech and language support!
We are delighted to introduce our new Speech-Language Pathologist, Sydney Fritz!
Sydney holds a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Andrews University. Originally from Mills River, North Carolina, she was drawn to Brandywine by its warm community feel and supportive environment. Outside of school, Sydney loves reading, staying active, spending quality time with her fiancé and cats, nurturing a constantly growing houseplant collection, and enjoying a good cup of coffee. She is most looking forward to getting to know the students and staff across the district and diving into full-time speech and language support!
Nothing beats being back together!
Our students are back, and seeing them reunited with their friends is the absolute best part of a new school year.
Our students are back, and seeing them reunited with their friends is the absolute best part of a new school year.
Kiddy Cats League registration will be Monday September 14 and September 21 from 5-6 p.m. in the Brandywine Middle/Senior High School Cafeteria! This basketball league is for all Brandywine girls in grades DK-6th grade. The cost is $50 or $40 a piece for siblings.
Practices will begin the week of September 28. Games are played on Sundays.
For more information, contact Coach Josh Hood at jhood@brandywinebobcats.org
Practices will begin the week of September 28. Games are played on Sundays.
For more information, contact Coach Josh Hood at jhood@brandywinebobcats.org
Welcome Mia Garcia to Brandywine Elementary! 🐾
We are thrilled to introduce our new Title 1 Reading Intervention Specialist, Mia Garcia!
Mia comes to us with an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University. Growing up nearby in South Bend, she was drawn to Brandywine because of the tight-knit, small-district community feel. When she isn't helping our students build a love for reading, she stays active working part-time in fitness and keeping up with her three kids—including a set of twins!
We are thrilled to introduce our new Title 1 Reading Intervention Specialist, Mia Garcia!
Mia comes to us with an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University. Growing up nearby in South Bend, she was drawn to Brandywine because of the tight-knit, small-district community feel. When she isn't helping our students build a love for reading, she stays active working part-time in fitness and keeping up with her three kids—including a set of twins!
Day 1 is officially in the books. 🎒✨
We are so happy to have the hallways buzzing with laughter and chatter again! Welcome back, Bobcats!
We are so happy to have the hallways buzzing with laughter and chatter again! Welcome back, Bobcats!
Here we go! It's the first day of school! Welcome back, Bobcats!
And we're back! Here's what we have going on this week at Brandywine Community Schools!
View the full schedule at www.brandywinebobcats.org.
View the full schedule at www.brandywinebobcats.org.
1 day of school before the first day of school!
Pack bags, fill water bottles, lay out clothes, and set alarms before dinner. End the night with a relaxing routine and early bedtime.
Pack bags, fill water bottles, lay out clothes, and set alarms before dinner. End the night with a relaxing routine and early bedtime.
2 days before the first day of school!
Pick out clothes for the first day of school!
