Stellar Newsletter

We have made it to the last week of the month of October. Our students and teachers have been hard at work! It has been great to see the engagement, growth, and enthusiasm throughout our classrooms. Continue reading with your child each day. Consistent reading at home is one of the best ways to support academic success.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We appreciate all you do to help make BELA a special place for our students to learn, grow, and be STELLAR!

School Safety

• Biscayne now has enhanced security features on campus during morning intake
• See below for more details

NO HALLOWEEN COSTUMES

• Costumes are NOT to be worn to school this week
• Students will have an opportunity to dress up during Literacy Week

Red Ribbon Week

• Red Ribbon Week kicked off last Friday!
• See calendar of events below to participate in the National Drug and Bully Prevention Campaign here at BELA
  
• Participate where you can!

THANK YOU ...

• Stellar PTA: creating and hosting another fun, family friendly, community event.
• BELA FAMILIES : supporting and donating to the Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat
• Check out a few of our pictures below and the 'POWERFUL HIGHLIGHTS'⚡⚡section

NOVEMBER is Family Engagement Month

• This month we celebrate and bring awareness to the importance of family involvement and partnership in the success of our student leaders
• Mark your calendars for NEXT WEDNESDAY. It's BELA Night at Texas Roadhouse!
• Stay Tuned to next week newsletter. More information to come

Red Ribbon Week kicked off last Friday! See calendar of events below to see how we will bring awareness to this national Drug and Bully Prevention Campaign.

• The district has implemented weapons detection systems in elementary schools beginning this school year. Biscayne systems have been installed and implementation begin Wednesday 10/21/26. The Weapon Detection System/OpenGate:
• Provides additional level of safety and security
• GOAL= Keep students and staff safe
• We ask our students and families to be patient with this safety upgrade to help ensure a successful implementation
• The CEIA OPENGATE systems are designed to efficiently screen large numbers of people, including backpacks, while maintaining a steady flow of entry

Our 3rd Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat was another SUCCESS because of YOU!!

An EXTRA THANK YOU to our families that hosted a decorated trunk! We had 25+ cars pass out candy to hundreds of students!!

Your creativity, smiles, and friendly faces were the highlight of our evening. Thank you for your commitment to ensuring our students and community had a BLAST!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR Trunk Winner: Mrs. Roneisha P.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR BELA FAMILIES FOR PARTICIPATING IN the BATTLE OF THE CLASSES: Candy Competition

Each class below will celebrate with a Class Party of their choice!!

• BELA is collecting aluminum pop tabs to support Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC)
• Ronald McDonald house provides housing, meals, and support to families with sick or injured children. How can you help?

1. Remove the tab from your can
2. Collect tabs in a disposable container or Ziplock bag
3. Once you've collected enough drop off with Ms. Alvarado (1st grade) or Ms. Rodgers (5th grade)

• Collecting NOW until 11/19

• NEXT WEDNESDAYs DINNER ---> TEXAS ROADHOUSE
• Have dinner with your family and donate to your school at the same time
• 10% of your order will be donated back to BELA

• 5th grade Parents AND Parents who want to know more about what the district has to offer! Discover at the upcoming School Expo

🗳️ What does the 1-mill continuation look like on the ballot?

Take a look at the graphic to see the official ballot language highlighted so you know what to look for when reviewing your November 3 ballot.

📅 Early voting: Oct. 20–Nov. 1
🗳️ Election Day: Nov. 3, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For early voting locations and more information about the 1 mill, visit https://www.duvalelections.gov/ and https://www.duvalschools.org/vote

October is National Principals Month! This month is recognized across the nation to honor the hard work, leadership, and impact of school principals.

Take a moment this month to express your gratitude to our STELLAR PRINCIPAL- Mrs. McBride. Being a principal is so much more than leading a school. It is about creating a place where children feel loved, teachers feel supported, and families feel welcomed. Often working behind the scenes to ensure our student leaders are prepared, exposed to opportunities, and challenged to grow. Principal McBride embodies our school theme-- She is building a Legacy of Stellar students and leaders, by setting a standard of unapologetic excellence!

Let our principal know just how much her tireless efforts, school vision, and determination to see our students succeed mean to you and you family!

As a reminder, students will not be released after 2:15 PM per DCPS policy. In addition, please reserve early pick up for days when it is absolutely needed. We understand that appointments and emergencies come up at times but please ensure your child is in school the entire day when possible.

DCPS requires all volunteers and chaperones to have an active and valid volunteer application

ALL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES DURING SCHOOL AND AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM HOURS AT BISCAYNE ELEMENTARY REQUIRE A LEVEL 2 BACKGROUND SCREENING

We encourage any parents, grandparents, family members who may want to get involved at BELA to complete ASAP

• EVERY student expected to be in :
• Tops: RED, BLACK, GREY
• Bottoms: Khaki and Black
• Show your school pride EVERY FRIDAY! Wear your school spirit shirt!

• School Doors Open at 8a.
• Please do NOT drop off before 8a
• *THERE IS NO ADULT SUPERVISION BEFORE 8A
• Please keep your student safe, by allowing them to wait in the car, or standing with them until the doors open
• Car Rider loop should be utilized for drop off until 8:25a
• Instruction begins at 8:30a PROMPTLY
• Arrival after 8:30a is considered TARDY
• Please follow proper drop off and pick up procedures to ensure safety
• ALL CHANGES to STUDENT route of dismissal MUST be made in PikMyKid App ** changes cannot be made over the phone to front office staff**

Duval Shoutout goes to Ms. Flanders for ensuring that our VPK students had the opportunity to take part in the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration and fostering inclusion, cultural appreciation, and meaningful learning experiences at a young age.

A few pics of the Family Fun from the Fall Festival

A few of our school clubs participated in the EWU HomeComing Parade. More pics coming soon to our FB page

See Current District School Calendar below, click link for more details and most up to date changes

per DCPS : ALL parent-teacher communication should be via Rooms in Duval Schools App

Please ensure you have downloaded the DUVAL Schools APP, once connected you will have access to:

• Communicate with your childs' teacher via classROOMS
• Receive all school and district communications, texts, and emails, and alerts

See below to link Parent Account to Student Account.

• Parent Account needed to view students grades
• View progress reports that will post this week
• Update Contact information
• Register for school bus or do School Choice application for Middle School

We utilize PikMyKid for dismissal. All families should download the app. This will allow you to have access to change your child's dismissal, who is allowed to pick up and see when your child is dismissed from school. All changes must be completed by 12:00pm daily.

Click attachment below for complete User Guide