Bennett Woods Elementary Family Council

08/25/2026

We enjoyed seeing so many of you last night at Kick Start and are looking forward to the first day of school tomorrow! Please join us on the BW hill after you drop off your student(s) for some coffee and donut holes from our friends at 242. The School of the Arts has also prepared a fun take home craft for your student.

Make sure you tag us in your photos - we want to see those first day of school smiles 😃

08/22/2026

Sign up by Monday night for $10 off (Code: OKIERUNS) and guaranteed shirt. Okemos Wolf Run and Walk https://share.google/VazSRWNssHd6oZwu1

08/06/2026

07/10/2026

Join us for a special day of jumping with Okie and Joey! Saturday, July 11 at 2pm at Launch.

Launch is offering special discounts all day and the opportunity to sign up for the Okemos Wolf Pack Run!

Can’t make it? Sign up for the run at https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Okemos/okemoswolfrun

And join us on August 29 where Okie and Joey will join their friends in our second annual Mascot Trot!

06/12/2026

Have you seen our brand new Family Council web site yet? Bookmark it and visit often to see information about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities and more:

Bennett Woods Family Council

06/11/2026

Come visit us at Protect the Pack tomorrow night!

06/10/2026

⚠️ Proposed Cuts to Instructional Coaches in Okemos Public Schools

What Parents Need to Know Before the Final Board Vote

⸻

📊 WHO DO INSTRUCTIONAL COACHES SUPPORT?

👨‍🎓 1,700+ Students

👩‍🏫 150+ Teachers

🏫 Every Elementary School

📚 Reading, Math, Intervention, Enrichment & MTSS Support

⸻

⭐ WHAT DO INSTRUCTIONAL COACHES DO?

Tier 1: Support for ALL Students

✅ Help teachers improve instruction

✅ Analyze student learning data

✅ Differentiate lessons

✅ Support struggling and advanced learners

⸻

Tier 2: Targeted Support

✅ Identify students needing extra help

✅ Coordinate reading and math interventions

✅ Monitor student progress

✅ Oversee state-required reading plans

⸻

Tier 3: Intensive Support

✅ Coordinate individualized interventions

✅ Collaborate with specialists and support teams

✅ Support gifted and advanced learners

✅ Align services for student success

⸻

🏫 Schoolwide Leadership

✅ Lead school improvement efforts

✅ Provide teacher training and coaching

✅ Ensure interventions are effective

✅ Help schools meet state and federal requirements

⸻

❌ WHAT HAPPENS IF THESE POSITIONS ARE CUT?

📉 Less Support for Teachers

Teachers lose a dedicated partner who helps improve instruction and meet diverse student needs.

📉 Weaker Academic Interventions

More than 250 students receive intervention support daily.
Without coaches, students may be identified later and receive less consistent support.

📉 Increased Compliance Challenges

Michigan requires literacy screenings, dyslexia identification, reading improvement plans, and evidence-based interventions.

Instructional Coaches help schools meet these requirements.

📉 Fewer Opportunities for Advanced Learners

Gifted and high-achieving students may receive less enrichment and challenge.

📉 More Responsibility on Principals & Teachers

Coach responsibilities don’t disappear—they shift to already stretched staff.

📉 Less Schoolwide Coordination

Fewer data meetings, less consistency across classrooms, and reduced collaboration among educators.

⸻

🚨 WHY THIS MATTERS NOW

Okemos schools are preparing for:

📚 New Reading Curriculum

➗ New Math Curriculum

📖 Michigan Dyslexia Legislation Requirements

💰 Literacy Coaching Expectations Linked to State Funding

Instructional Coaches play a critical role in helping schools successfully implement these changes.

⸻

❤️ THE BOTTOM LINE

Instructional Coaches are not an extra.

They help ensure every student receives timely support, every teacher has access to instructional expertise, and every school can meet growing academic expectations.

Eliminating these positions means less support for students, teachers, and schools.

⸻

📣 TAKE ACTION

📧 Email: [email protected]
📧 Email Superintendent Matt Olson: [email protected]

🗓️ Attend the School Board Meeting

🗣️ Share your concerns and support for maintaining Instructional Coach positions in Okemos Public Schools.

Every voice matters. Every student matters.

06/03/2026

We catered Ozzy's Kabob for one last staff lunch today. Thank you to all of the Bennett Woods staff for taking such great care of our kids. We appreciate you all ❤️

05/22/2026

Tomorrow is the last day of mileage club! Feel free to come and cheer on the kids and volunteer here:

Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you! You may sign sign up for multiple slots per day and multiple days. Mileage Club can't happen without volunteers! In the case of inclement weather, we will notify you ASAP if we need to cancel. If you have younger....