Welcome to New Buffalo Elementary School!  My name is Melissa Lijewski and I am excited to be the new principal at NBES.  Being a homegrown Bison myself, I am deeply committed to serving our school community.  I attended New Buffalo Area Schools my whole educational career and walked the hallways of the very building I now have the honor of leading.  I have had the privilege of working at New Buffalo Elementary School for 17 years.  During that time I have taught 1st, 2nd, and 4th grades.  Most recently I was the Title I Coordinator for the past 7 years.  After receiving my bachelors degree in Elementary Education from Western Michigan University in 2006, I then went on to get my masters degree in Elementary Literacy in 2011.  Most recently, I completed my administration certification through Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals.    

As part of the New Buffalo Area Schools district, the elementary school serves approximately 240 students from kindergarten through fifth grade. Our school is known for its strong emphasis on academic excellence, a supportive community environment, and a commitment to fostering creativity and critical thinking. At NBES we offer a range of programs and activities to support the diverse needs of students, including arts, athletics, and technology integration.  Our staff includes a full-time school resource officer, guidance counselor, special education teachers, speech pathologists, multiple specialist teachers, and paraprofessionals that are able to provide additional support for our students.  We are particularly excited about the opening of the brand new cafeteria and welcoming many new staff members to our team.  

Through our vision statement “Every student.  Every day.”, the dedicated staff and educators at New Buffalo Elementary strive to work collaboratively with families and the community to provide a nurturing and enriching educational experience for all students.  We encourage you to be involved in our school community, whether through volunteering, participating in events, or joining our Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO). Your involvement makes a tremendous difference in the educational experience of our students.

As your building leader, you can count on me to communicate through multiple platforms, to be visible to our school community, and to be committed to making decisions that are best for students.  Our doors are always open to you. Please feel free to reach out to me or any member of our staff if you have questions or concerns. We value your partnership and look forward to working together to ensure a successful and enriching school year for all of our students.  Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. We are excited to embark on this journey with you and to witness the incredible growth and achievements of our students.

Warmest regards,

Melissa Lijewski