FLU SEASON IS HERE! Let's Keep Our Cardinals Healthy!
Influenza (the flu) is beginning to circulate throughout our community and schools. As we head into flu season, now is a great time to remind ourselves of a few simple ways to help keep our families and school community healthy!
KNOW THE SYMPTOMS
Flu symptoms often come on suddenly and may include:
Fever (100.4°F or higher), although not everyone develops a fever
Chills
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Headache
Muscle and body aches
Significant tiredness or weakness
Sometimes vomiting or diarrhea
WHEN SHOULD I KEEP MY CHILD HOME?
Please keep your child home if they:
Have a temperature of 100.4°F or higher.
Are experiencing significant fatigue, weakness, or body aches.
Have a persistent or worsening cough or other symptoms that interfere with normal activities.
Are vomiting or having diarrhea.
Simply aren't feeling well enough to participate in a normal school day.
When can my child return?
Students should be fever-free for at least 24 hours WITHOUT fever-reducing medication (such as Tylenol or Motrin) before returning to school. Symptoms should also be improving overall, and students should feel well enough to participate in the school day.
Please remember that medication to bring down a fever does not mean a child is ready to return to school!
HOW CAN WE PREVENT THE SPREAD?
A few simple habits make a big difference:
Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Avoid sharing food, drinks, and personal items.
Clean frequently touched surfaces.
Consider getting an annual flu vaccine.
HELP US TRACK ILLNESS IN OUR SCHOOLS!
When calling your child's school to report an absence, please be as specific as possible about their symptoms.
Please let the school know:
What symptoms your child is experiencing (fever, cough, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, body aches, etc.).
Whether your child has been diagnosed with influenza or another illness.
Who provided the diagnosis, if applicable.
If your child is diagnosed with influenza after you've already reported their absence, please call the school back to let us know!
This information helps our school nurse and the Van Buren/Cass District Health Department monitor illness throughout our community and identify potential outbreaks.
A LITTLE REMINDER FROM NURSE LEXI
Keeping a sick child home isn't just about helping them recover. It's also about protecting classmates, teachers, staff, and families who may be at greater risk of serious illness.
Thank you for helping us keep our Cardinals healthy this flu season!
— Nurse Lexi
We're Celebrating Cardinal PRIDE!
Bloomingdale Middle/High School is recognizing students for their outstanding attendance and punctuality during the first quarter!
Students who qualified have received invitations to our upcoming Cardinal PRIDE celebrations, and we'd love to see families join us!
Parents, ask your student if they brought home an invitation! If they did, we hope you'll join them for breakfast as we celebrate their hard work and commitment to being present and ready to learn.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4
Middle School Cardinal PRIDE Breakfast
8:20 AM | Cafeteria
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5
High School Cardinal PRIDE Breakfast
8:20 AM | Cafeteria
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5
AM Tech Student Celebration
Brownie Sundaes | 2:40 PM (6th Hour)
High school AM Tech students who qualified will enjoy a brownie sundae celebration instead of breakfast so they don't have to miss their tech classes.
Congratulations to all of our students being recognized for their Cardinal PRIDE!


🌟 October Students of the Month – Pullman Elementary! 🌟
Congratulations to our October Students of the Month at Pullman Elementary! 🎉
These students have been recognized for their positive attitudes, hard work, and the great examples they set for their classmates each day.
We are proud of each of you! Keep up the great work, Cardinals! ❤️🤍
#CardinalPRIDE #PullmanElementary #BloomingdalePublicSchools

Congratulations to our October Students of the Month at Bloomingdale Elementary!
These Cardinals have been recognized for their positive attitudes, hard work, and for setting a great example for their classmates.
We're proud of each of you! Keep up the great work, Cardinals! ❤️

Get ready for the holidays while supporting the Bloomingdale Public Schools Band!
Band students are selling fresh Christmas wreaths and door swags from Wahmhoff Farms.
🌲 Available Items:
22" Decorated Wreath – $40
22" Undecorated Wreath – $30
21" Door Swag – $25
Over-the-Door Wreath Hanger – $5
📅 Order Deadline: Wednesday, November 11th!
Ready to order? Contact a Bloomingdale band member or use the Venmo QR code on the flyer to place your order! Please include your name and items ordered in the payment notes.
Thank you for supporting our student musicians and the Bloomingdale band program! 🎶

Winter fun is right around the corner! Bloomingdale students and families are invited to join the Ski, Snowboard & Tubing Club at Timber Ridge Ski Area in Gobles!
For just $45, students and parents can purchase a punch card that gives them access to discounted lift tickets, equipment rentals, and tubing sessions throughout the season!
⛷️ Discounted student lift tickets: $28
🏂 Ski and snowboard rentals available
❄️ Tubing sessions: $20
🚌 Transportation available!
🚨 IMPORTANT: The payment deadline is THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2026!
Don't miss your chance to take advantage of these winter savings!
📧 Contact Mrs. Fritz at kfritz@bdalecards.org to sign up or ask questions.


🌟 October Middle School & High School Cardinal PRIDE Students of the Month!
Congratulations to our Middle School and High School students recognized for demonstrating Cardinal PRIDE!
High School: Liam Leger-Moreno, Jayson Deaquino Rojas, Alexis Marin* and Yahairi Perales*
Middle School: Hazel Bodtke, Janessa Odell and Alexus Caldwell*
These students lead by example, make positive choices, and help create a school community where Cardinal PRIDE shines every day!
Way to represent, Cardinals! 🎉
*Not pictured


🎓 Calling All Bloomingdale Alumni! We Need YOU! ❤️🖤
Bloomingdale Middle & High School is looking for alumni to share their career journeys with our students at Career Day 2027!
Whether you went straight into the workforce, attended college, learned a trade, or started your own business, your experiences could help inspire our students as they explore their futures!
📅 Thursday, March 25, 2027
🕗 8:00 AM
📍 Bloomingdale High School
Interested in volunteering? Sign up here! 👇
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScDnBwtIq0nrAvkWVzVeshs2TDcILr2qTV7hwiE-SYuV_u7hA/viewform
Questions? Contact Hannah Felty at hfelty@bdalecards.org.
Help us spread the word by sharing this post with fellow Bloomingdale alumni! ❤️🖤
#BloomingdaleCardinals #CardinalPride #CareerDay2027

A big shoutout to everyone who ran for Student Council! Your creativity, hard work, and enthusiasm shined through in your campaign posters and speeches. What a wonderful display of leadership and school spirit!
We can't wait to see what our new Student Council members accomplish this year! ❤️🖤
#BloomingdaleCardinals #CardinalPride

Grab your costumes and candy buckets!
The Village of Bloomingdale is ready for a SPOOKTACULAR Halloween! 🧡🖤
🎃 Saturday, October 31, 2026
🕔 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Village of Bloomingdale.
👻 Spooky Safety Reminders!
🔦 Stay visible with flashlights or glow sticks!
🚗 Drivers, slow down and watch for little monsters!
👨👩👧 Stay together and use sidewalks when possible!
🍬 Parents, check those treats!
🏡 Visit homes with porch lights on!
🧡 Let's keep Halloween SAFE, SWEET & SPOOKTACULAR! 🎃👻

Join us for an informative evening focused on keeping our students safe, healthy, and successful!
📅 Tuesday, October 27
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Bloomingdale Middle/High School Auditorium
Topics include:
🔹 GoGuardian Parent
🔹 PowerSchool for Parents
🔹 Internet Safety
🔹 Substance Abuse Awareness
🎁 The first 25 attendees will receive a FREE gun lock!


The Bloomingdale Community Youth Scholarship Organization will hold a meeting tomorrow, Sunday, October 25, from 2:00–4:00 PM in the Bloomingdale High School auditorium.
This newly established nonprofit organization is dedicated to supporting Bloomingdale Public Schools students and graduates, ages 5–19, by providing scholarship opportunities, encouraging community involvement, and empowering local youth.
The organization is currently welcoming new participants as it prepares for its upcoming December event, “Life in a Small Town,” celebrating hometown pride and community spirit. Participation is free!
Those interested in participating are encouraged to attend Sunday's meeting. Anyone unable to attend may contact the organization directly for additional information.
📧 Bloomingdalecommunityyouth@gmail.com
We appreciate the organization's commitment to creating opportunities for our students and supporting the Bloomingdale community!


Tomorrow, Thursday, October 22nd, is a half day of school for Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences!
⏰ Dismissal Times:
- MS/HS: 11:10 AM
- Elementary: 11:20 AM

🔥 DISTRICT FINALS ARE AT HOME! 🔥
Come out Wednesday night at 7:00 PM as your Cardinals battle for the District Championship right here at home!
Let’s pack the stands and support the Cardinals! ❤️💙⚽️

🏀 Calling all future Cardinals! ❤️🤍
Boys youth basketball season is coming up! Check out the flyer below for all the details!
🏀 Register today at: bdalecardsyouthsports.com
We can't wait to see our young athletes on the court!


Pullman Elementary students visited the Lee Township Fire Department last week for a hands-on lesson in fire safety!
A special thank you to the firefighters for taking the time to teach our students and for all you do for our community. We love seeing some former Cardinals serving their community, too! ❤️







Students in Ms. Olund’s art class have been getting hands-on with clay, creating their own clay bowls! We love seeing the creativity happening in our classrooms and the fun projects our students are working on.
Ms. Olund is new to Bloomingdale this year, and we’re excited to see what her students create next! ❤️🖤



Mrs. DeVries’ class has been learning about the diversity of animals in different habitats! 🌿
Students explored how different types of birds eat different foods and have their own feeding preferences. Then, they put their creativity to work designing their very own bird feeder prototypes!
A fun way to combine science, creativity, and problem-solving! ❤️🖤










Join us for a fun night of bingo, cash prizes, and supporting our Bloomingdale Cardinals! ❤️🖤
📅 Saturday, October 17
📍 Bloomingdale Conservation Club
🚪 Doors open at 7:00 PM
🎱 Bingo begins at 8:00 PM
Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase!
All proceeds benefit the Bloomingdale Middle & High School Athletic Boosters, helping support our student-athletes and athletic programs.
🔞 Adults only (18+). Come out, have some fun, and support our Cardinals!

🍂🔎 Nature Detectives at Work!
Our middle school Michigan Outdoors students took their learning outside to investigate the natural world around them!
Students searched for clues of animal activity, explored habitats, and used their observation skills to uncover what’s happening in nature. They also put their creativity to work with nature journals, sketching and recording details of their discoveries.
A beautiful fall day for some hands-on science! 🍁🌿❤️🖤







