Monday, August 31 is the first day of school! It will be a half day for K-6 and a full day for MSHS.
Bell Schedules:
Merritt Elementary
Full Day: 8:30 a.m. - 3:25 p.m.
Half Day: 8:30a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Late Start: 10:30 a.m.- 3:25 p.m.
Brandywine Elementary
Full Day: 8:40 a.m. - 3:35 p.m.
Half Day: 8:40 a.m. - 11:55 a.m.
Late Start: 10:40 a.m. - 3:35 p.m.
Middle / Senior High School
Full Day: 7:45 a.m. - 2:35 p.m.
Half Day: 7:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Late Start: 9:45 a.m. - 2:35 p.m.
Bell Schedules:
Merritt Elementary
Full Day: 8:30 a.m. - 3:25 p.m.
Half Day: 8:30a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Late Start: 10:30 a.m.- 3:25 p.m.
Brandywine Elementary
Full Day: 8:40 a.m. - 3:35 p.m.
Half Day: 8:40 a.m. - 11:55 a.m.
Late Start: 10:40 a.m. - 3:35 p.m.
Middle / Senior High School
Full Day: 7:45 a.m. - 2:35 p.m.
Half Day: 7:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Late Start: 9:45 a.m. - 2:35 p.m.
5 days before the first day of school!
Designate a quiet, well-lit desk or table space for homework.
Designate a quiet, well-lit desk or table space for homework.
Don't forget the school supplies!
Merritt Elementary: https://www.brandywinebobcats.org/o/mes/page/supply-list
Brandywine Elementary: https://www.brandywinebobcats.org/o/bes/page/supply-list
Merritt Elementary: https://www.brandywinebobcats.org/o/mes/page/supply-list
Brandywine Elementary: https://www.brandywinebobcats.org/o/bes/page/supply-list
6 days before school starts!
Pick a specific spot near the entry or bedroom (a hook, bin, or tray) dedicated only to backpacks, shoes, and jacket storage. Getting this habit in place early prevents missing keys and bags later.
Pick a specific spot near the entry or bedroom (a hook, bin, or tray) dedicated only to backpacks, shoes, and jacket storage. Getting this habit in place early prevents missing keys and bags later.
7 days before the first day of school!
Practice the morning travel route at actual school time — whether driving, walking to the bus stop, or biking.
Practice the morning travel route at actual school time — whether driving, walking to the bus stop, or biking.
8 days before the first day of school!
Head out (or order online) for missing supplies, lunch boxes, and a sturdy water bottle. Involve students in choosing a few items so they feel ownership and excitement.
Head out (or order online) for missing supplies, lunch boxes, and a sturdy water bottle. Involve students in choosing a few items so they feel ownership and excitement.
9 days before the first day of school!
Gather lingering school supplies from last year before buying new stuff. Dump everything on a table, test markers, clean out the backpack, and make a list of only what you actually need.
The countdown is on! We have 10 days before school starts!
Start shifting bedtime and wake-up times by 15–30 minutes earlier each day to prepare for the schedule change!
Start shifting bedtime and wake-up times by 15–30 minutes earlier each day to prepare for the schedule change!
We need all families to complete the Education Benefits form. Doing this will secure important resources such as staff, curriculum, and mental health support for our students. In fact, we risk losing over $1.6 million in funding if these forms are not filled out.
Families, please fill out the form by October 1. The form can be found here and takes 5 minutes to complete: https://brandywine.familyportal.cloud/
Families, please fill out the form by October 1. The form can be found here and takes 5 minutes to complete: https://brandywine.familyportal.cloud/
Attention Bobcat Families and Community Members!
Your partnership is essential to your student's success. Please join us for an open community conversation focused on supporting student learning, encouraging positive behavior, and building a supportive school discipline framework.
When: Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Time: 10-11 a.m. OR 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Where: Middle/High School Media Center
We value your insight and look forward to collaborating on ways we can help our students thrive together.
Your partnership is essential to your student's success. Please join us for an open community conversation focused on supporting student learning, encouraging positive behavior, and building a supportive school discipline framework.
When: Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Time: 10-11 a.m. OR 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Where: Middle/High School Media Center
We value your insight and look forward to collaborating on ways we can help our students thrive together.
We have free backpacks for all students! Thank you to a generous donation from Costco, we will have FREE backpacks available for pick-up at Brandywine Middle/Senior High School from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
Sixth Grade Band Start-Ups are Monday, August 17! During start-ups, instruments will be issued, students will be taught how to put instruments together and how to be cared for, and students will be taught the basics of reading notes/rhythms.
9 - 10:15 a.m. FLUTES in HIGH SCHOOL BAND ROOM
9 - 10:15 a.m. TRUMPETS in HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR ROOM
10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. CLARINETS in HIGH SCHOOL BAND ROOM
10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. TROMBONES and BARITONES in HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR ROOM
1 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. SAXOPHONES in HIGH SCHOOL BAND ROOM
1 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. PERCUSSION in HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR ROOM
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. FRENCH HORNS in HIGH SCHOOL BAND ROOM
For more information or questions, please contact Band Director Ruth Livengood at rlivengood@brandywinebobcats.org.
We have free backpacks for Brandywine students! Thank you to a generous donation from Costco, we will have FREE backpacks available for pick-up beginning August 11 at Brandywine Middle/Senior High School from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
Berrien Community Foundation will be hosting Backpacks for Good on Thursday, August 6 from 4-6 p.m. at Niles High School! This program is open to students attending Niles and Brandywine Community Schools. There will be a backpack and school supply giveaway, food pantry, and more. For more information, visit www.berriencommunity.org.
We want to officially welcome Ms. Amanda Lezotte as our new Superintendent! Her tenure as Superintendent has officially begun. Read her message to the community: https://www.brandywinebobcats.org/page/superintendent
Berrien Community Foundation will be hosting Backpacks for Good on Thursday, August 6 from 4-6 p.m. at Niles High School! This program is open to students attending Niles and Brandywine Community Schools. There will be a backpack and school supply giveaway, food pantry, and more. For more information, visit www.berriencommunity.org.
Open Houses will be next month!
Merritt Elementary
Kindergarten and DK: Tuesday, August 25, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
GSRP: Wednesday, August 26, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
1st and 2nd Grades: Wednesday, August 26, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Brandywine Elementary
3rd Grade Open House: Monday, August 24, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
4th - 6th Grade Open House: Wednesday, August 26, 6 - 7 p.m.
Brandywine Middle/Senior High School
7th Grade Open House, Wednesday, August 26, 4 - 6 p.m.
Merritt Elementary
Kindergarten and DK: Tuesday, August 25, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
GSRP: Wednesday, August 26, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
1st and 2nd Grades: Wednesday, August 26, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Brandywine Elementary
3rd Grade Open House: Monday, August 24, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
4th - 6th Grade Open House: Wednesday, August 26, 6 - 7 p.m.
Brandywine Middle/Senior High School
7th Grade Open House, Wednesday, August 26, 4 - 6 p.m.
Our summer school kids finished out their time participating in some fun spy activities!
A big thank you to Colby Event Services for donating an inflatable game for the kids to enjoy and to our Berrien RESA technology staff for putting together breakout boxes.
The Board of Education at Brandywine Community Schools has chosen its next Superintendent. Ms. Amanda Lezotte, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and Programs at Brandywine Community Schools, was unanimously voted in as Superintendent at last night’s board meeting.
We are excited for Ms. Lezotte to lead our district! She will start her new role as soon as July 28, pending contract negotiations. Congratulations!
We are excited for Ms. Lezotte to lead our district! She will start her new role as soon as July 28, pending contract negotiations. Congratulations!
Summer school is in full swing!
Yesterday, the awesome cafeteria staff planned a picnic for the students. They enjoyed their cheeseburgers in the shade on a beautiful day!
Yesterday, the awesome cafeteria staff planned a picnic for the students. They enjoyed their cheeseburgers in the shade on a beautiful day!
