Bear Bulletin

Here are the top Need-to-Knows for this week

• We are looking for some first responders! If you are one, or know one, please see a special invitation below
• The menu for the week & how to set up or add to your child's lunch account
• Report card distribution changes
• how you can opt-in to a student directory
• UPDATED BALLOT - voting has now re-opened - access the NEW ballot to vote for our PTO and SIC representatives for the 26-27 school year
• First Friday and other volunteer opportunities
• BES Preview dates for your calendar
• Important information about special snacks at school

As we recognize Patriot Day on September 11, we would love to welcome first responders into BES classrooms as special guest readers! If you are a first responder, or know someone who may be interested, we invite you to sign up to read to a class the morning of 9/11 between 8:00-9:00am.

Books will be available, or guest readers are welcome to bring a favorite book of their own. We’ll also send you on your way with a thank-you breakfast from Chick-fil-a as a small token of our appreciation not only of your time to read to our students, but for your service to our community.

Interested in joining us? Use this link to sign up!

So that we have time to finalize schedules, a response is requested no later than Friday, September 4th.

On August 24, all D5 parents/guardians will receive an informational email regarding Google Classroom Guardian Summaries. This option allows you to receive regular updates about your student’s activity and assignments in Google Classroom.

Please keep in mind that at BES, most student assignments are completed in person during the school day, and not all assignments are posted or linked in Google Classroom. Because of this, your student’s Google Classroom activity may appear limited and may not provide a complete picture of your child’s assignments or progress. It is also possible for your child to have an incomplete or missing classroom assignment that does not appear in Google Classroom.

Low Google Classroom usage simply means that your student does not use the platform frequently and is not, by itself, a reason for concern.

We hope this helps provide a little context as you begin receiving Guardian Summaries. As always, your child’s teacher is the best source of information if you have questions about specific assignments, classroom work, or your child’s progress. Thank you for partnering with us to support your child’s learning throughout the year!

This year, all District Five report cards will be sent electronically through Parent Portal. Parent Portal is also a great way to stay informed about your child’s attendance and grades throughout the school year.

Many families have already created an account. If you have not, please contact Tracy Tomlin, BES Registrar, to receive the access information specific to your child. As part of the process, identification is required. You may stop by the school for a quick two-minute visit with the registrar, or send a copy of your driver’s license along with a written request for your Parent Portal access information.

We encourage all families to make sure their Parent Portal account is set up and accessible before report cards are issued.

We’re excited to offer a BES Student Directory to help families connect outside of school! This is a completely optional, opt-in list that can make it easier for families to arrange after-school activities, send birthday invitations, and help students stay in touch with friends.

If you choose to participate, you may share:

• Student name

• Parent/guardian name

• Parent phone number

• Parent email address

The sign-up window will be open through Thursday, September 10.

Once compiled, the directory will be shared via email with BES families only.

This is a great way to strengthen our school community and make it easier for our students and families to connect beyond the school day!

A special thank you to everyone who has volunteered to serve on our PTO and School Improvement Council (SIC)! We appreciate your willingness to give your time and talents to support Ballentine and our school community.

Please take a moment to cast your vote using the ballot below. Voting will remain open through Friday, September 11. (Even if you already voted using the previous link, please take a moment to vote again using the NEW ballot - THANK YOU!)

These parent information evenings are a great opportunity to learn more about what your child will be learning this year, classroom routines and procedures, and important Read to Succeed information. You’ll also have time to get to know your child’s teacher and ask questions.

Don’t rely on neighborhood hearsay, the group chat, or social media to figure out what’s happening in your child’s classroom - come straight to the source and be in the know! It’s also a great opportunity to begin building that important parent-teacher relationship and work together to set your child up for a successful year.

If you do not want your child to receive a meal during an inclement weather early dismissal, please email NutritionServices@lexrich5.org in advance of the weather event.

For the month of September, the BES PTO is providing a DIY trail mix theme for the staff. They'll get to create their own perfect mix from a variety of items! This is a fun, easy way to send a little "thank you" to your child's teacher for a great start to the school year. Use the links below to sign up.

We have had an amazing start to the new school year and we want to thank our teachers with a Duty Free Lunch. Teachers will enjoy a quiet lunch with colleagues while parents help other BES staff supervise kids in the cafeteria.

Shout out to Splash Master Exterior Cleaning - a family owned business out of Chapin SC serving the Midlands. They did some work for us this summer to get us all shiny for the first day of school, and boy were we impressed!

Front Office - 803-476-4500

School Nurse - 803-476-4509

Cafeteria - 803-476-4508

School Counselor - 803-476-4534

Library - 803-476-4518

Parent input and feedback are always appreciated. Whether through a phone call or an email, we welcome your thoughts and ideas. The Administrative Team at BES is always available to help in any way we can! You can contact us by calling the main office at 476-4500 or emailing us directly.

Follow us on social media as well!

Facebook @BallentineElementarySchool

Our Mission…

The mission of Ballentine Elementary School is to join together community, staff, students, and families to ensure that all students are provided a world-class, rigorous education.

Our Vision…

In partnership with the community, staff, students, and families, Ballentine Elementary School will exemplify excellence in education in a positive, safe and nurturing environment in order to prepare our students to be fully participating citizens and leaders. We will foster the development of creative thinking, encourage curiosity and problem solving, promote respect for individual differences and uphold high ethical standards.