Attention incoming 7th and 8th graders!
Volleyball tryouts are August 24-26 from 3-5 p.m. at the Brandywine Middle/Senior High School Main Gym. You must attend each day and have a current physical on file.
Questions? Contact Coach Sara Paul at spaul@brandywinebobcats.org.
Volleyball tryouts are August 24-26 from 3-5 p.m. at the Brandywine Middle/Senior High School Main Gym. You must attend each day and have a current physical on file.
Questions? Contact Coach Sara Paul at spaul@brandywinebobcats.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
Project update!
The hallways at Brandywine may be quiet, but just outside the buildings, big things are happening! This summer, construction started on both the Career & Technical Education Center and the new Merritt Elementary gymnasium addition. The first two pictures are the CTE center and the last two are at Merritt.
These projects were made possible by the passing of our 2024 Bond Proposal. To learn more about current and upcoming projects, visit https://www.brandywinebobcats.org/page/bond2024
The hallways at Brandywine may be quiet, but just outside the buildings, big things are happening! This summer, construction started on both the Career & Technical Education Center and the new Merritt Elementary gymnasium addition. The first two pictures are the CTE center and the last two are at Merritt.
These projects were made possible by the passing of our 2024 Bond Proposal. To learn more about current and upcoming projects, visit https://www.brandywinebobcats.org/page/bond2024
Our cross country teams have been working hard to prepare for this year's fall season! There are still a few weeks of summer conditioning left for any students in grades 6-12 who want to join in on the fun, Monday through Thursday at 9 a.m. For students who may be interested, but are unable to come in the summer months, please be on the lookout for more information in the coming weeks.
For any questions, please contact Jen Murray at jmurray@brandywinebobcats.org
For any questions, please contact Jen Murray at jmurray@brandywinebobcats.org
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.
The Brandywine Jazz Band invites you to attend the Brandywine Jazz Collective - a Jazz Band comprised of current and former Brandywine students and special guests. This event raises funds for the Brandywine Band program.
The Jazz Cafe will take place THIS Saturday, July 25 at 7 p.m. at the Brandywine Athletic Community Center. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children 18 and younger.
We hope to see you there!
The Jazz Cafe will take place THIS Saturday, July 25 at 7 p.m. at the Brandywine Athletic Community Center. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children 18 and younger.
We hope to see you there!
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.
Coach Frelen Gowen has been selected for the prestigious Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan Hall of Honor!
The award is given to only a few individuals each year. It honors those who have made a lasting impact in the sport of basketball for 20+ years. Mr. Gowen has been a coach or Athletic Director for 30+ years in our area. He will be inducted at the state basketball banquet in Battle Creek this fall.
Thank you, Coach Gowen, for being a part of Brandywine and congratulations on an honor well deserved!
Photo credit: Nick Shelton
Are you on the Brandywine app? Keep up with all things maroon and gold by downloading the Brandywine app on your phone! Receive notifications, stay up to date on what's going on in the district, and once school is back in session, you will be able to communicate directly with your child's teachers through our Rooms feature.
Athletes need to have physicals on file for the 2026-2027 school year! There will be a Mobile Clinic at Brandywine on Wednesday, July 29 at 8:30 - 4:30 p.m.
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!
Last month, incoming freshman had a chance to attend Summer Manufacturing Camp here at Brandywine with our CTE Director, Kirk Shafer.
Students spent the week being introduced to the machining, welding, and carpentry trades through hands-on projects and local industry visits,
Students spent the week being introduced to the machining, welding, and carpentry trades through hands-on projects and local industry visits,
Students who are incoming 7th–12th graders and interested in participating in the 2026–27 fall production of Matilda the Musical are invited (and encouraged) to attend our free audition clinic.
📅 Thursday, August 13, 2026
⏰ 9 AM–5 PM (Check-in begins at 8:40 AM)
📍 Brandywine Elementary School Gym
💲 No cost to attend
During the clinic, students will learn one company number from the show, explore characters, participate in theater activities, learn audition best practices, and complete their audition.
All new and returning performers are encouraged to participate. All students interested in participating in the musical should complete this audition form: https://bit.ly/4obECYq. Mrs. Amster will contact students who cannot attend the clinic with information about alternative audition arrangements. There is a place to indicate within the form.
Questions? Contact Musical Director Daysha Amster at damster@brandywinebobcats.org
📅 Thursday, August 13, 2026
⏰ 9 AM–5 PM (Check-in begins at 8:40 AM)
📍 Brandywine Elementary School Gym
💲 No cost to attend
During the clinic, students will learn one company number from the show, explore characters, participate in theater activities, learn audition best practices, and complete their audition.
All new and returning performers are encouraged to participate. All students interested in participating in the musical should complete this audition form: https://bit.ly/4obECYq. Mrs. Amster will contact students who cannot attend the clinic with information about alternative audition arrangements. There is a place to indicate within the form.
Questions? Contact Musical Director Daysha Amster at damster@brandywinebobcats.org
The Brandywine Jazz Band invites you to attend the Brandywine Jazz Collective - a Jazz Band comprised of current and former Brandywine students and special guests. This event raises funds for the Brandywine Band program.
The Jazz Cafe will take place Saturday, July 25 at 7 p.m. at the Brandywine Athletic Community Center. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children 18 and younger.
We hope to see you there!
The Jazz Cafe will take place Saturday, July 25 at 7 p.m. at the Brandywine Athletic Community Center. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children 18 and younger.
We hope to see you there!
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!
The Brandywine Community Schools Board of Education is pleased to announce that Ms. Amanda Lezotte has been selected as the sole finalist in its search for the district's next Superintendent. The community is invited to meet Ms. Lezotte at a Meet and Greet on Monday, July 13 at 5:30 p.m. in the Brandywine Middle/Senior High School Media Center.
Following the Meet and Greet, the Board will hold its regularly scheduled July meeting. At the conclusion of the meeting, Ms. Lezotte will present her initial 90-day plan and share how her professional experiences align with the district's leadership profile and goals. To stay up to date on the search process, visit our website: https://www.brandywinebobcats.org/page/superintendent-search
Following the Meet and Greet, the Board will hold its regularly scheduled July meeting. At the conclusion of the meeting, Ms. Lezotte will present her initial 90-day plan and share how her professional experiences align with the district's leadership profile and goals. To stay up to date on the search process, visit our website: https://www.brandywinebobcats.org/page/superintendent-search
Our band students are doing big things!
Cooper Saddison, Mason Stier, Benjamin Miracle, Norah Skinner, Jude Skinner, and Grant Livengood all represented Brandywine at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Spring Lake, Michigan over the past few weeks. They all received scholarships and represented Brandywine’s Band program amongst schools in and out of state.
Well done!
Cooper Saddison, Mason Stier, Benjamin Miracle, Norah Skinner, Jude Skinner, and Grant Livengood all represented Brandywine at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Spring Lake, Michigan over the past few weeks. They all received scholarships and represented Brandywine’s Band program amongst schools in and out of state.
Well done!
Give hope this summer!
Join us for the Brandywine Middle/Senior High School Community Blood Drive. Your donation can save lives right here in our community.
When: Tuesday, July 14 from 11:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Where: Brandywine Middle/Senior High School - Media Center (1700 Bell Rd.)
How to Book Your Appointment: Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome as the schedule allows! Call 866-642-5663. Schedule online: https://donateblood.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/11640908
Helpful Tip: Make sure to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water before donating. For eligibility questions, please call 866-642-5663.
Presented by Versiti Blood Center of Michigan.
Join us for the Brandywine Middle/Senior High School Community Blood Drive. Your donation can save lives right here in our community.
When: Tuesday, July 14 from 11:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Where: Brandywine Middle/Senior High School - Media Center (1700 Bell Rd.)
How to Book Your Appointment: Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome as the schedule allows! Call 866-642-5663. Schedule online: https://donateblood.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/11640908
Helpful Tip: Make sure to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water before donating. For eligibility questions, please call 866-642-5663.
Presented by Versiti Blood Center of Michigan.
![[Image Description:] Image 1: A graphic featuring a large, orange-and-pink gradient blood drop in the center with the words "GIVE HOPE" written across it in bold white letters. Surrounding the blood drop are various summer-themed pink icons, including a camper van, a slice of watermelon, a sailboat, a camera, ice cream, sunglasses, a grill spatula, a guitar, a drink, a sun, a football, and swim fins. Image 2: A standard black and white QR code meant for scanning to schedule a blood donation appointment.](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/brandywine_community_schools_ar/live_feed_image/image/28247264/large_Screenshot_2026-06-24_at_11.33.30_AM.png)
Meet Up & Eat Up offers FREE summer meals to children and teens 18 and
under across Michigan!
Brandywine MSHS:
June 15-August 13 Monday through Thursday (closed the week of July 4)
Brandywine Elementary:
June 15-July 16 Monday through Thursday (closed the week of July 4)
Breakfast served 8 - 9 a.m., lunch served 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
under across Michigan!
Brandywine MSHS:
June 15-August 13 Monday through Thursday (closed the week of July 4)
Brandywine Elementary:
June 15-July 16 Monday through Thursday (closed the week of July 4)
Breakfast served 8 - 9 a.m., lunch served 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
