October 2026
Dear D7 Families,
What a wonderful start to the school year! It has been exciting to welcome our students back to our schools and see our hallways, classrooms, playgrounds, and activities filled with energy once again. I am thrilled to be beginning another school year with our D7 students, staff, and families.
Our school open houses were a great success, and it was wonderful to see so many families in our buildings. These opportunities to meet teachers, visit classrooms, reconnect with friends, and become familiar with the school year ahead are an important part of creating a strong school community. Thank you to everyone who helped make these events so successful.
As we move through September and settle into the rhythm of the school year, this is a great time to establish healthy routines at home. Getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, staying active, and developing good study and homework habits can make a real difference in a student's ability to learn and feel successful at school.
At the same time, I encourage our families to remember that balance matters. School is an important part of a child's life, but so are family, friendships, hobbies, activities, and simply having time to play and relax. Supporting strong relationships and making time to connect as a family can be just as important as completing homework.
When our students feel supported, rested, connected, and ready to learn, they are better prepared to make the most of their school experience. We are grateful to our families for being such an important part of that partnership.
There is already a lot happening across D7, and this newsletter highlights some of the exciting things taking place in our schools, along with important dates and events to keep on your calendar. I encourage you to take a few minutes to read through the newsletter and stay connected with everything happening throughout the district.
Thank you for helping us make the beginning of this school year such a positive one. I am looking forward to all that we will accomplish together and, most importantly, to watching our students learn, grow, and thrive throughout the year.
Here's to a great school year ahead!
MORE GREAT STAFF D7 ADDITIONS:
We are pleased to welcome Ms. Amyre Smith as the new Assistant Principal at O.W. Best Middle School.
Ms. Smith brings extensive experience in education and school leadership, most recently serving as an Assistant Principal of School Culture at Michigan Math and Science Academy. She has also served as a music teacher and has experience working with students and families across a variety of educational settings.
Ms. Smith holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Grand Valley State University, a Master’s Degree in Music Education from Marygrove College, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Studies from Michigan State University.
Her leadership experience, strong commitment to students, and passion for education will make her a tremendous addition to the O.W. Best administrative team. Please join us in welcoming Ms. Smith to O.W. Best Middle School!
D7 OPEN HOUSES:
We are off to a wonderful start at D7! Our schools are full of energy, excitement, and students ready to learn and grow.
Our Open Houses were a great success, and it was wonderful to see so many families. Thank you to our families and staff for helping make the start of the year so positive!
BEDFORD OBSTACLE COURSE:
We started the school year off with a finalized project supported by the D7 Sinking Fund Planning Committee. Students get to enjoy this amazing obstacle course that certainly keeps them engaged in outdoor activity at recess at Bedford Elementary.
MEET LILY THE POLK ELEMENTARY FACILITY DOG:
Lily, our Polk Elementary Facility Dog, recently completed her training through Canines for Change to become a “Certified Facility Dog” at Polk Elementary. Lily has been onsite working with staff and students since the beginning of 2026. She has done a great job with her training and is well received, especially by the students at Polk.
Therapy dogs can provide more than companionship. Research suggests that interactions with dogs in school settings can help reduce stress and anxiety, support emotional well-being, and encourage positive social interactions.
For our students, Lily may simply be a friendly face with a wagging tail—but sometimes a few minutes of comfort, connection, and unconditional friendship can make a big difference in a child's day.
We want to thank everyone in District 7 for the support they have shown Lily, especially Lily's handlers Ms. Gargasoulas and Mrs. Lefevre. Our sincere appreciation goes to Priority Health and Canines for Change for granting the funding and training support needed to make Polk's dream of a school facility dog come true.
We are excited to welcome Lily to D7 and look forward to seeing the positive impact she will have throughout our schools!
Welcome to D7, Lily!
HOMECOMING IS AROUND THE CORNER:
Homecoming is always an exciting time at D7—a chance for students, families, staff, and alumni to come together and celebrate our schools and our community. From spirited activities to the big game, there is something for everyone to enjoy!
This year, we take on Flint Powers Catholic, and we hope you’ll join us for the excitement and show your D7 spirit. Check out the calendar for all of the Homecoming activities and events, and come be part of the fun!
D7 Board of Education:
A special “Thank You” goes out to the D7 Board of Education. They have spent countless hours reviewing student handbooks and policy over the summer months. They truly lead with dedication and support our Staff and Students!
- President - Ms. Tawnya Sterlini
- Vice President - Mrs. Leslie Windless
- Treasurer - Mr. Derek Wall
- Secretary - Ms. Mary E. Beltowski
- Trustee - Mrs. Wendy Anderson
- Trustee - Mrs. Mandy Diroff
- Trustee - Mrs. Alyse Stevanovic
D7 SAFETY REMAINS A TOP PRIORITY:
The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain a top priority at D7. Throughout the school year, we will continue to conduct all state-mandated safety drills so our students and staff know what to do and how to respond should an emergency arise. As you may know D7 implemented the Smart Boot Lockdown system for staff and student safety during the 2024-25 school year. The Smart Boot is an advanced building lockdown system that includes smart boxes which house the Boot (door barricade) and sends visual and audible lockdown alerts school-wide. We will start the school year by reviewing safety protocols with our staff and students and begin implementation of our mandatory safety drills. For more information on the Smart Boot Lockdown System please visit the website below:
Lockout USA https://lockoutusa.com/
Our Smart Boot System continues to be an important tool that helps us respond quickly and effectively when safety concerns occur. Having clear procedures, the right tools, and practiced responses helps us keep our schools prepared and our students safe.
Thank you to our students, staff, and families for making safety a shared responsibility across D7.
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As the Superintendent of D7, I want to personally thank all those who support our School District.