Battlefield Newsletter

BES Mission Statement: Our mission is working together to promote high levels of learning for all students.

BES Vision Statement: Building Exceptional Students

• We will create a caring environment where all students can succeed.

• We will work collaboratively to learn, plan and grow as educators in order to promote high levels of achievement.

• We will help our students reach their potential by prioritizing individual student goals, differentiating instruction, and utilizing best practices

• We will work together to encourage and celebrate student success.

• We will give 100% to know and meet the social, academic, and emotional needs of each child.

Goal 2: The percentage of students (all grades) performing at Proficient and Distinguished will improve from 38.2% to 43% on the 2025 EOG Milestones ELA assessment.

Goal 3: The percentage of 5th grade students performing at Developing, Proficient, and Distinguished will improve from 59.3% to 80% on the 2025 EOG Milestones Science assessment.

"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear."

- Martin Luther King Jr.

Hard to believe it’s already September—bring on the cooler temperatures (and college football)! What a wonderful start to the school year we’ve had. Our students have settled in and are already doing a wonderful job. Ms. Bailey and I are excited about all that this year holds and the great things still to come. Below, you’ll find a list of important events for the first semester—please be sure to mark your calendars and take note of these upcoming dates.

We are excited to welcome two new teachers to our BES family this year—Mrs. Jenny Keown and Mrs. Lisa Millard. Mrs. Keown joins us as a fourth-grade teacher and brings a wealth of experience, having taught students from Pre-K through age twenty-one. She also holds a reading endorsement, which will be a wonderful asset to our school. We are thrilled to have Mrs. Keown on our team and look forward to the many ways she will support and inspire our students!

Mrs. Lisa Millard comes to BES from Hamilton County Schools with a wide range of experience in education. She has served as a Pre-K teacher and director, interventionist, STEM teacher, and special education teacher. In addition, Mrs. Millard is a STEM-certified educator, bringing valuable expertise that will enrich learning opportunities for our students. We are excited to welcome her to our special education team and know she will make a wonderful impact at BES!

For families who have been with us over the years, you know that Accelerated Reader (AR) has been a staple in our building. However, with recent state and federal budget cuts, we had to make some tough decisions and adjustments. After careful research, we are excited to introduce Book Taco as our new program. Book Taco is more modern, engaging, and offers a variety of ways to encourage students to read for enjoyment. Several other schools in our district are already using it and have shared great feedback about its features. Over the next few weeks, we will also be reviewing and updating our reading reward program to better align with Book Taco. We look forward to seeing how this new resource will inspire a love of reading in our students!

Our staff works hard each day to ensure that our car rider line runs efficiently while keeping safety as the top priority. We ask that all families remain alert and cautious during drop-off and pick-up. Please make sure your child is safely on the sidewalk before pulling away. If you need to come into the building, remember to enter using the car rider line route and park in the front lot—the side lot is reserved for bus loading and unloading only. Finally, please drive slowly and carefully through the front lot, as students and families may be walking through the area. Thank you for keeping our families, staff and students safe.

Thank you to all of our parents who joined us for Parent Orientation and WIN Night! We appreciate your time and partnership as we work together to support your child’s success. Families shared that they especially enjoyed:

• The simple and informative information provided

• The interaction with teachers and ability to ask questions

• Learning more about MAP scores and how their child’s day looks

• Both teachers being very helpful in answering questions and communicating well

• Hearing from both teachers about how they partner to meet the needs of all students and provide a well-rounded approach

• Seeing the personalities of the teachers shine

• Mrs. Lively’s clear explanation of the MAP information

We are so grateful for your feedback and continued support!

As a reminder, September 19th will be a half day for students. We will dismiss at 11:00. The YMCA will operate on a modified schedule (11:00 to 2:30) on student half days.

We are Battlefield!

Dr. McCrary

We make every effort to keep you informed about important events. Please note that all dates are subject to change; however, we will provide updates as soon as possible if any adjustments are necessary.

9/3- 9/10: Book Fair

9/5: 3rd Grade Grandparent Breakfast (permission slip coming next week)

9/8: 4th Grade Grandparent Breakfast (permission slip coming next week)

9/9: 5th Grade Grandparent Breakfast (permission slip coming next week)

9/19: 1/2 Day for Students

9/22: Fall Pictures

10/2: Vision/Hearing Screening

10/3: End of 1st 9 Weeks

10/6 - 10/10: Fall Break

10/20: Fall Picture Retakes

11/7: 1/2 Day for Students

11/11: Veteran Day Program @ LFO Theater

11/20: 3rd Grade Parent Lunch

11/24 - 11/28: Thanksgiving Break

12/11: BES Spelling Bee

12/12: 4th Grade Parent Lunch

12/19: Class Parties/ End of 2nd 9 Weeks

Since 1997, the citizens of Catoosa County have shown their strong commitment to public education by supporting the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST). This one-cent sales tax on consumer purchases has been instrumental in providing high-quality learning environments and resources for every student in our community.

Thanks to ESPLOST, our students benefit from:

• Safe, modern, and well-maintained school facilities

• Excellent athletic and performance spaces

• Advanced classroom technology

• Reliable, updated school transportation

• Individual learning devices and resources that prepare students for future success

Another advantage of ESPLOST is that it generates revenue from everyone who shops, dines, or buys gas in Catoosa County—not just local residents. Every visitor transaction contributes directly to supporting education for our children.

Recent ESPLOST investments that directly benefited BES students, families, and staff include:

• MAP Reading and Math Assessments

• Benchmark Advance (K–5)

• i-Ready Toolbox (K–8)

• Lexia/Ready Intervention Licenses

• Amira Learning (Grades 4–5)

• Pear Assessment Tools

• Intercom System Upgrade

• Custodial Equipment

• Office Phone System Conversion

ESPLOST continues to make a lasting difference in the lives of our students by ensuring they have access to the tools, resources, and facilities needed to thrive.

Month: September

Theme: Digital Citizenship

Focus Title: Is your child gaming with friends... or strangers?

Parent Blurb: Even popular games like Roblox or Fortnite let kids talk to strangers. Make sure your child’s in-game settings are safe.

Grade 3-5 Message: Is your child chatting with strangers in games like Roblox or Minecraft?

Learn what settings to check on Parent ProTech: https://app.parentprotech.com/932/catoosa-county/en/signup?source=admin

Subject: New Bus Traversa MyRide K-12 Parent App - Starting March 26, 2025

Dear CCPS Bus Rider Families,

We are excited to announce a new bus-tracking app called Traversa MyRide K-12, starting on March 26, 2025, for the entire district. CCPS Parents will have access to our new app, MyRide K-12. Please scan the QR code below with your smartphone's camera to download and sign up for our new CCPS Bus app.

Changing over to Traversa offers a more advanced and user-friendly platform designed to improve the safety and efficiency of our student transportation. Key benefits include:

• Improved Efficiency: Streamlined processes and real-time updates.

• Enhanced Safety: Advanced features to ensure student safety.

• Better Communication: Timely notifications and updates through the MyRide K-12 Parent App, allowing you to track your child’s bus with:

• Estimated arrival times

• Potential delays or route changes

• Notifications for specific events (e.g., bus approaching)

• Data Privacy: Rest assured that student data is protected and the app adheres to all privacy regulations.

After scanning the QR code, you will be directed to download the app and create an account using your student ID.

Directions to Download MyRide K-12 App

We encourage all CCPS Bus rider families to participate in the new Bus app program. We are particularly interested in your comments regarding the accuracy of bus pick-up and drop-off times displayed in the app. You will be able to track your student 30 minutes prior to and post pick-up time.

Please share your thoughts and suggestions with:

• Mr. Ernie Ellis, CCPS Director of Transportation: eellis@catoosa.k12.ga.us

• Mrs. Mary Lanham, CCPS Transportation Manager: mlanham@catoosa.k12.ga.us

• Or call our Transportation Office @ 706-965-2913

All comments are welcome and appreciated. We look forward to our new MyRide K-12 Program and all it can offer by way of accuracy. We look forward to partnering with you to make our transportation system the best it can be.

Sincerely,

Mr. Ellis

CCPS Transportation Director