Bellerive Bulletin

Dear Bellerive Families,

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Joe Butler on his graduation this weekend with his Doctor of Education degree from Maryville University! This is an incredible accomplishment, and we are so proud of him. As our Assistant Principal, Dr. Butler is a steady, positive presence for our students and staff, and we are excited to celebrate this milestone with him.

Here are a few important action items for the week:

• MRA Survey: We still need 23 more families to complete the MRA (Measurable Results Assessment) Survey connected to our Leader in Me work. Please see the information below or follow this link.
• Holiday Help: Our Bellerive community has rallied to support the families of the seven students in need of assistance this holiday season. We have a handful of open slots left and would love to have them all filled by Wednesday’s deadline. Many of the remaining items are simple things like gift cards, wrapping paper, and tape. Please take a look at the links below to see how you can help.
• Movie Sign Up: The Winter Movie Party is next Friday. Parents should complete this form by Thursday, December 11, so we know your child’s approved movie selection. You should have received a paper copy of the form last week. Please complete it and send it to school with your child. If you no longer have the form, you can email your child’s movie choice directly to their classroom teacher.

Thank you for staying connected and for all the ways you support the Bellerive community.

In partnership,

Joey Kneer

Monday, December 8

• Strings Open House (during each class)
• 4th & 5th Grade Music Concert: 7:00 pm

Tuesday, December 9

• Strings Open House (during each class)

Wednesday, December 10

• Half Day--1:05 pm Dismissal at Bellerive (Professional Development)
• Board of Education Regular Meeting: 7:00 pm, Parkway Welcome Center

Friday, December 12

• 4th Gr. Field Trip

Please join us for the 4th & 5th Grade Music Concert at 7: 00 pm on Monday, December 8 in the gymnasium. Students should report to the cafeteria at 6:45 pm. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Aaron Watson (awatson1@parkwayschools.net).

Strings Open House continues through Tuesday, December 9. Click here for the schedule and letter to parents about the event. Most performances take place during each class's regular strings time. (5th grade strings classes are slightly altered as Miller/McGinnis and Robertson/Janes-Miller are combining for the Open House.) We look forward to seeing you at the Open House! Please contact Mr. Wheeler (awheeler1@parkwayschools.net) if you have any questions.

Our focus this month is Habit 4: Think Win-Win. This habit is about looking for solutions where everyone benefits. Leaders know that cooperation and fairness create better outcomes than competition or “my way only.”

At Bellerive, students are practicing Habit 4 by:

• Working together on classroom projects.

• Resolving conflicts in ways that help both people.

• Celebrating each other’s successes.

Families can support this habit at home by encouraging children to brainstorm solutions during disagreements with siblings or by modeling how decisions can work for everyone in the family. You may also participate by completing the "Habits at Home" activity that will be sent home on Wednesday.

When students learn to think win-win, they grow in empathy, teamwork, and problem-solving!

We are swimming along toward our attendance goal of 95% and are currently meeting it. Let’s keep that momentum going as we move into the winter months. Being on time is especially important so students can start their day calmly, confidently, and ready to learn. Thank you for helping us create a Sea of Leaders who show up on time and ready to shine each day.

Consistent attendance builds stronger reading skills! Research shows that students who miss just 2 days of school a month are less likely to read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade. Make sure your student is in school each day they are not sick.

We are seeing an increase in students going home a different way without prior communication from families. This creates confusion at dismissal and is slowing down the dismissal process.

For Adventure Club families specifically, please remember that students scheduled to go to Adventure Club will be sent to Adventure Club unless the office and classroom teacher receive communication from an adult. We cannot rely on a student’s word that they are a car or bus rider that day.

Without communication from a parent or guardian, students will follow their normal dismissal routine. Thank you for helping us keep dismissal smooth and safe for everyone.

Sherry Norfolk will be joining grades K-2 at Bellerive on December 18th. Over the summer Sherry was a part of the Kirkwood Public Library’s Wacky Wednesday. She is an award winning storyteller, author, and teaching artist (and she’s performed at Bellerive before!) Her performances are interactive and engaging, we are super excited for her to join us! Click here to learn more about Ms. Norfolk, and you may email Liz Zahnweh at lzahnweh@parkwayschools.net by Monday, December 15 to opt out your child from the event.

This semester, our district is completing a targeted review of the Security Department and is gathering input from staff, parents, and middle and high school students.

Please take a few minutes to complete the parent survey. Your feedback is important and will help guide this work. Thank you for supporting this districtwide effort.

Click here for the December Nurse newsletter.

We are currently seeking donations for our nurse’s office clothing closet. Our school nurse is in need of boys underwear and pants in sizes 5, 6, and 8. Gently used or new items are welcome and appreciated. These sizes are used frequently and our supply is running very low.

Here is a link to Nurse O's Amazon Wish List where you can order the items to donate with just a few clicks!

Dismissal Changes: Our normal procedure is for students to go home using their typical method, and any changes must be communicated before 3:30 pm. If your child needs to go home a different way, please send a signed note to the teacher or call the office at 314-415-6050, since teachers may not see email or voicemail during the school day. Without a note or phone call, students will follow their usual plan, so early notification helps ensure all children get home safely. Please refrain from calling after 3:30 pm with dismissal changes.

Early Pick-Ups: We also ask that early student pick-ups not occur after 3:30 pm.

What about Half-Days? We know that on half-days many students may go home a different way. Please communicate any changes ahead of time with your child’s teacher. On half days, early pick-ups and dismissal changes must be completed by 12:30 pm so we can prepare for the 1:05 pm dismissal.

Why This Matters: After 3:30 pm, staff are fully focused on coordinating a safe and efficient dismissal for all students at the regular dismissal time. Last-minute changes or late pick-ups can create confusion and safety concerns, so your support is greatly appreciated!

As we enter the holiday season, many families asked us to reshare this list of Staff Favorites and appreciation preferences.

Winter weather is with us! Please help your child remember to dress for the cooler temperatures by wearing coats, hats, gloves, etc. to school each day so everyone is prepared for recess, arrival, and dismissal times. Consider labeling coats and accessories with your child's name to prevent loss.

Click here for a direct link to sign up.

We are excited about the upcoming Winter Party, which is a schoolwide movie day! The flyer below will be sent home with your child this week. Please return it to your child's classroom teacher by Thursday, December 11th. Students are invited to bring a blanket or towel to donate to the Humane Society.

This holiday season we are calling upon the Bellerive Community to help support other families in need. Below, you will find links to wish lists containing items that we hope to provide for these families. If you would like to help, please look over the list and find some needs that you can help meet.

1 - Please sign up online by clicking individual links below. Sign-ups end Wednesday, December 10th.

2 - When signing up, please include your child's name and teacher in case we need to communicate about a gift.

3 - Please send your gift(s) to school labeled with the Student Number (#1 - #7) NO LATER THAN Tuesday, December 16th.

Student #1 - 4th Grade Boy

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0C4BABA623A5FA7-60681664-student

Student #2 - 2nd Grade Girl - FULL

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0C4BABA623A5FA7-60682193-student

Student #3 - Kindergarten Boy

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0C4BABA623A5FA7-60657474-student

Student #4 - 4th Grade Boy

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0C4BABA623A5FA7-60679820-student

Student #5 - 5th Grade Boy

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0C4BABA623A5FA7-60706220-student

Student #6 - 5th Grade Boy

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0C4BABA623A5FA7-60682601-student

Student #7 - 1st Grade Girl

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0C4BABA623A5FA7-60630521-student

Our Bellerive community is always so generous, and we thank you for your continued support and generosity this time of year.

Please click here for a direct link to the survey!

It’s time to order your child’s 2025–2026 yearbook! This is your opportunity to capture and keep the special memories, friendships, and milestones from this school year.

Bellerive Elementary

Yearbooks start at $17.10

Visit our school’s store to order: https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/belleriveelementary

Purchasing a yearbook gives your student a keepsake they’ll treasure for years. Thank you for helping us celebrate another year of memories at Bellerive Elementary.

Week of December 15

Volunteer Opportunity: PTO Gift Wrapping for Staff: Wednesday, December 17

Non-Letter Day/Winter Party Movie Day: Friday, December 19

End of 1st Semester: Friday, December 19

Half Day--1:05 pm Dismissal at Bellerive (Records Day): Friday, December 19

Weeks of December 22 and December 29

No School (Winter Break): December 22, 2025 - January 1, 2026:

No School (Records Day): Friday, January 2

Week of January 5, 2026

School Resumes: Monday, January 5

Kdg Registration for 26-27 Opens Online: Monday, January 5

1st Semester Progress Reports Shared with Families: Wednesday, January 7

5th Gr. Course Request Night: Wednesday, January 7, 5:45 - 6:45 pm, Parkway Northeast Middle

Club/Group Photos: Friday, January 9, 9:15 - 10:45 am