9-6-2026
Dear Best Middle School Students and Families,
Welcome Back!!!!
I hope everyone had a wonderful and restful summer! We are incredibly excited to welcome our students back to O.W. Best Middle School and begin what promises to be an outstanding 2026–2027 school year.
This letter is a follow-up to the information shared on August 28, 2026, with a few important additions and reminders.
The Best staff has been working incredibly hard preparing our building, classrooms, lessons, activities, and learning experiences for your return. Our school looks fantastic, and we are ready to welcome our students back! We are excited to see everyone and cannot wait to begin a new year filled with learning, growth, new opportunities, friendships, and success. Please read this letter carefully and in its entirety.
Please watch 6th grade Orientation that was held on Sep 1, 2026 as that will assist with some of the new changes for all students effective immediately for the 2026-2027 school year such as the dress code and tardy policy. Orientation 2026
We are looking forward to a great year together!
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL INFORMATION
The first day of school is Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
Tuesday, September 8
- 6th Grade: Report at 7:50 a.m. School begins at 8:00 a.m.
- 7th & 8th Grade: Report at 8:50 a.m. School begins at 9:00 a.m.
- All students will spend the first half day of school with their MP2 teacher.
- All students: Dismissal is at 11:07 a.m.
- Breakfast begins at 7:15 a.m.
September 9–11, 2026
The first week of school will consist of half days.
- School Hours: 8:00 a.m.–11:07 a.m.
- Students should report by 7:50 a.m. to allow for time to get to their locker and class before the tardy bell rings at 8:00 a.m.
- Breakfast begins at 7:15 a.m.
First Full Day of School
Our first full day of school will be Monday, September 14, 2026.
- School Hours: 7:57 a.m.–2:50 p.m.
- Students should report by 7:47 a.m. to allow for time to get to their locker and class before the tardy bell rings at 7:57 a.m.
- Breakfast begins at 7:15 a.m.
Lunch Schedule:
- 6th Grade: 11:22 a.m.–11:52 a.m.
- 7th Grade: 11:52 a.m.–12:22 p.m.
- 8th Grade: 12:22 p.m.–12:52 p.m.
STUDENT SCHEDULES
Student schedules are now visible through Student and Parent Connect. Directions for Parent/Student Connect are attached to this email.
Parent Portal Parent Portal
Student Portal Student Connect Portal
Please have your child log in, pull up their schedule, and write it down on a piece of paper. Students should record:
- Teacher's name
- Room number
- Class hour
Having a written copy of their schedule will help students navigate the building and locate their classrooms throughout the school day.
Please make sure students pay special attention to their first hour. Their first hour is MP2, and this is where they will report on the first day of school.
EMERGENCY CARDS – REQUIRED FOR EVERY STUDENT
It is mandatory that every student have a current emergency card on file. Accurate and up-to-date emergency information is essential to helping us keep your child safe while at school.
Emergency cards and a Back-to-School packet will be sent home with students on the first day of school, Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
Please:
- Complete the emergency card and all required forms that evening.
- Carefully review all information.
- Make sure emergency contacts and authorized individuals are current.
- Have your child return the completed paperwork to school on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
Students who do not have an updated emergency card on file by Friday, September 11, 2026 will not be permitted to attend school until the completed emergency card is received.
If your emergency information changes at any time during the school year, please contact the Best Middle School Main Office so we can update your child's records.
PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES – YONDR POUCH
Beginning September 8, 2026 in MP2, all students will be assigned a Yondr Pouch to turn off and securely store their electronic devices while school is in session, in accordance with the Michigan statewide classroom cell phone requirements effective for the 2026–2027 school year. Please watch the Yondr video for more information Yondr Introduction . For further information regarding Yondr, please visit the Yondr Parent Tool Kit Yondr Parent Toolkit
Students will keep their assigned, numbered Yondr Pouch for the entire school year and will return it when they leave the building on the last day of school.
Important Yondr Pouch Expectations
- Students will be required to place their electronic devices in their Yondr Pouch as they enter the school building each day.
- Devices must remain secured, turned off in the pouch throughout the school day.
- Students will unlock their Yondr Pouch as they exit the building each day.
- Students should not damage, write on, draw on, or decorate their Yondr Pouch.
- Lost, stolen, or damaged pouches will require a $30 replacement fee.
Please talk with your child about the importance of taking responsibility for the proper care and maintenance of their assigned Yondr Pouch.
Electronic devices include, but are not limited to:
- Cell phones
- Smartwatches
- Earbuds and headphones
- Meta glasses and other smart glasses
- Tablets and iPads
- Personal laptops
We appreciate your partnership and support as we work together to create a focused, safe, and productive learning environment for all students.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS
Best Middle School Open House & Meet and Greet
Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 5:00–6:00 p.m.
We look forward to welcoming our families into the building! This will be a wonderful opportunity to meet staff, visit classrooms, and learn more about the Best Middle School experience.
Picture Day
Friday, October 9, 2026
Pictures may only be purchased online. Please use the Best Middle School code provided on the attached flyer when placing your order.
Volleyball & Cheerleading Tryouts
Monday, September 14 & Tuesday, September 15
3:00–5:00 p.m.
Students interested in participating must have a completed physical on file.
STAY CONNECTED
Parents and students, please continue to check your email regularly as well as our O.W. Best Middle School Calendar, Best Calendar located on our website O.W. Best webpage. Email will be one of our primary methods of communicating important information, reminders, updates, and announcements.
We also encourage families to follow or like the District 7 O.W. Best Middle School Facebook page to stay informed about school activities, events, announcements, and celebrations.
We want our families to stay connected and informed throughout the school year!
IMPORTANT LUNCH & FOOD REMINDERS
As a friendly reminder, O.W. Best Middle School is a closed campus during lunch.
Students may not leave campus for lunch and may not order food or snacks to be delivered to the school from outside sources.
If a student forgets their lunch, there are numerous choices available in the cafeteria through our free lunch program. Please do not bring carry-out meals, snacks, or celebratory food items to school for students.
Breakfast & Beverages
Students should also not bring breakfast, coffee, or any other beverages into the school building. These items are not permitted.
Students are permitted to bring plastic water bottle containing plain water only with a cap on it. Other beverages, including flavored water or water with added flavors, are not permitted. No tumblers are permitted.
We have several filtered water-filling stations located throughout the school for students to use.
Students also have access to free breakfast in the cafeteria from 7:15 am–7:40 a.m.
Updates regarding Code of Conduct Dress Code Changes:
At Best we dress for success.
Accessories
- Coats, hats, slingbacks, large purses, backpacks or book bags must be placed in lockers upon arrival and remain in the locker throug
- Hoodies are fine as long as the hood is not worn over a student’s head/face.
- No distracting or Halloween makeup
Clothing
- Undergarments must not be exposed at any time.
- No see-through or mesh material permitted.
- Tops must be long enough to cover the stomach.
- Winter coats cannot be worn or taken to class.
- No tank tops of any kind are allowed
- Sleeveless shirts are ok as long as they cover the shoulders
- Pants must be worn at the waist at all times.
- Jeans must have suitable coverage. Holes and fray are allowed, but should NOT be revealing or above the upper thigh.
- Skirts and shorts must be no less than to the middle finger tip.
- No Excessively Baggy pants or clothing.
- Pants must be worn at the waistline.
- Pants must provide proper coverage and not be too revealing
Students who violate the dress code will be asked to call home for a change of clothes to be brought up. Students will wait for the change of clothing in the SRC. Students who do not follow the dress code will face progressive disciplinary action.
Please watch 6th grade Orientation that was held on Sep 1, 2026 as that will assist with some of the new changes for all students. Orientation 2026 that are effective immediately.
Final Note:
A new school year brings new opportunities to learn, grow, build relationships, discover new interests, overcome challenges, and celebrate successes. Our entire staff is committed to providing students with a safe, welcoming, supportive, and engaging school environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive.
Thank you in advance for your continued partnership, support, and trust. When our school, students, and families work together, amazing things can happen!
We cannot wait to see you on Tuesday, September 8!
Let's make 2026–2027 the BEST year yet!
Welcome Back!With excitement for the year ahead,
Cheryl Howard
Director of Safety/Health
Principal O.W. Best Middle School
Title IX Coordinator
District 7
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