Sep 6, 2024 | News
Sabrina Bottom and daughter Kaleah Roberts relaxed on a bench as they eagerly waited for the doors to open at Dudley STEM Elementary on Wednesday, Aug. 21.
For Kaleah, it was the first day of kindergarten and her first official day as a Bearcat.
“I’m excited for her and she’s definitely happy to start her first day too,” Bottom said. “We definitely are looking forward to the Bearcat Advantage and hopefully she’ll have a successful year here.”
Like other schools, there was a palpable mix of nerves and excitement on the first day of the 2024-25 school year at Dudley STEM. As the school for students in kindergarten through second grade opened its doors, many parents and guardians held hands with incoming students, escorting them before releasing them to the friendly and welcoming faces of school staff.
Cassandra Quearry, Principal of Dudley STEM, said the first day of school can be just as nerve-racking for the adults as it is for students.
“Sending your kid the first day of kindergarten can be very emotional,” Quearry said. “Yes, there is excitement, but then your little one is leaving and will not be with you. We’re making sure all kids are accounted for, knowing that they're nervous because they may not know where to go, but there’s excitement in seeing all the kids. We are outside every day to greet the kids so they always have a welcoming space.”
Included in the excitement at Dudley STEM was a visit from representatives from Sunshine Toyota, who distributed free backpacks and school supplies to students in their classrooms.
Kindergarten teacher Bobbi VanWormer has spent 19 out of 20 years in education at Dudley STEM. Many students got a preview of their new classrooms ahead of the first day of school during ‘Meet the Teacher’ night. For weeks in advance, teachers have been busy getting their classrooms ready and writing lesson plans.
“I am very prepared and excited to meet all the little new faces,” VanWormer said. “In kindergarten, there are two reactions; they are either excited or they are scared and want to leave. There’s some anticipation and a little of the unknown, so I have to be prepared for both.”
For Title I reading tutor Barb Porter, it marked her 58th first day of school. All but two of her years in education have been with Battle Creek Public Schools, retiring from the district and then returning to a part-time role.
“I really enjoy what I do,” Porter said. “I never sleep well the night before the first day of school. Everybody seems excited the first day and each year feels like starting over.”
EXPERIENCING THE BEARCAT ADVANTAGE
The Bearcat Advantage is a new scholarship exclusively available to eligible BCPS graduates that covers up to 100% of college tuition and mandatory fees.
BCPS graduates who qualify for the Bearcat Advantage scholarship now also have access to additional scholarship funds covering up to 100% of tuition and fees at 15 top private colleges and universities in Michigan. In addition, eligible graduates can receive up to 100% paid tuition and mandatory fees covered at eligible four-year colleges and universities in Michigan, as well as nearly 100 eligible Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs) across the country.
There is a sliding scale for award amounts based on how long a student has attended BCPS, so students who are enrolled by Sept. 1 and attend BCPS from kindergarten through graduation receive 100% of tuition and mandatory fees paid.
Kindergarten enrollment is open for the 2024-2025 school year. Students must be turning 5 years old before September 1, 2024 to be eligible for kindergarten. For more information, visit battlecreekpublicschools.org.
