The Growler

• Back to School BBQ- Thank you!
• Green Thumb Club
• Bellview Carnival
• Oregon Battle of the Books
• Family Survey Feedback
• Bellview PTO: Running Club, Spirit Wear, Meetings
• Family Calendar 2026-27
• Volunteering at School
• Free Breakfast & Lunch for all

Thank you to the Ashland Fire Department for coming to cook for our Back to School BBQ!

Thank you to our music teacher Dr. Harris for organizing our choir to perform at the BBQ, and to our choir members for doing a beautiful job after only one or two practices.

Another big thank you to Kari Mattson for coordinating a fleet of parent volunteers to help us slice watermelon, set up tables and chairs, organize the water station, and clean up!

We had a great turnout and it is always wonderful to see families and get a chance to socialize together. See the article below for family feedback on the survey that was distributed.

Big shout out to our PTO Co-President Ashleigh Cropper for spearheading our school garden revival, and to Amy Gygax for starting the Bellview Green Thumb Club! The produce planted last spring is thriving and kids have gotten to try vegetables grown in our garden in the cafeteria. The Green Thumb Club is open to all all Bellview students and families- the next meeting will be after school on October 13th! We will be planting a pollinator garden soon!

Start getting ready to read! OBOB is going to get started at Bellview during the month of October. OBOB is a state-wide competition. Teams collectively read 16 books, then compete by answering trivia questions about the books. Bellview will hold their OBOB battles Feb 16, 17 and final on the 18th. The winning team will advance to the regionals battle. If your child loves reading or is interested in trying some new books, we encourage them to join OBOB! We also need parent volunteers to coach teams! Reach out to Annie Funk if interested in coaching (annie.funk09@gmail.com). OBOB registration will be opening soon to all 3-5th graders.

How long has your child attended Bellview?

We are new:

1 year: 14 families

2 years: 7 families

3 years: 18 families

4 years: 16 families

5 years: 9 families

6 plus: 14 families

I have a child in the following grades:

K: 25 families

1: 22 families

2: 29 families

3: 20 families

4: 25 families

5: 32 families

I feel welcome at Bellview School

Strongly Agree: 74

Agree: 26

Disagree: 0

Strongly Disagree: 0

My child feels comfortable at Bellview School

Strongly Agree: 69

Agree: 29

Disagree: 3

Strongly Disagree: 0

Bellview supports and values a diverse community

Strongly Agree: 69

Agree: 33

Disagree: 1

Strongly Disagree: 0

Bellview teaches children to be respectful

Strongly Agree: 68

Agree: 32

Disagree: 0

Strongly Disagree: 0

Bellview fosters responsibility in children

Strongly Agree: 63

Agree: 35

Disagree: 0

Strongly Disagree: 0

Bellview develops children's critical thinking skills

Strongly Agree: 54

Agree: 44

Disagree: 1

Strongly Disagree: 0

Bellview staff keeps us informed of our child/ren's academic and social progress

Strongly Agree: 38

Agree: 41

Disagree: 1

Strongly Disagree: 0

To stay informed about Bellview's activities I read:

Class Newsletters: 55

School Newsletters: 60

School Website: 13

Emails from teacher: 71

Facebook: 7

Fliers/Papers sent home: 59

I would like more information on how to support my child at home in the areas of:

Reading: 20

Writing: 31

Math: 22

Behavior: 18

Mental Health: 16

Technology Use: 7

Diversity and Bias: 5

Growth Mindset: 28

What do you love about Bellview?

• Bellview is so welcoming and supportive. Our kids feel like teachers care about them. The staff is amazing and remember kids from year to year. We couldn't love school any more- it is amazing! We think Ms. McCollom is magical!
• Community assemblies
• Sense of Community x7
• Emotional learning
• Teachers and staff genuinely care and support students
• We feel very welcomed, seems like lots of people care about my student
• My MAPS child is accommodated very well. My kinder is given the appropriate amount of independence and responsibility. Staff is always helpful and kind.
• Bellview is a wonderful school. My child is adjusting to school and thrives here.
• Its not too big or too small. There's support for kids who need one on one in certain areas. Even though its predominantly white, my mix kids haven't had any issues with other kids, which reflects open minds for the majority represented. Its not an issue.
• Everything
• Love the staff, how much effort is put into student development and all the extras the school does to support the community.
• Unity, Bellview song
• The support the kids receive and dedication to students.
• I love the care, support and enthusiasm Bellview offers. Very beautiful.
• The community and events
• Thanks! x2
• Teachers and staff, diverse opportunities, kids love school.
• I see the progress my son is making and the school is so supportive of his social emotional growth along with academics.
• We love the small, close-knit community of kids and parents here.
• My child has adored all of her teachers and loved the big buddy program. I love how communicative the school is, all the opportunities for participation, and the care the school seems to take to teach the core academic curriculum alongside healthy pro-social attitudes and behaviors.
• My children get the help they need and feel welcome by everyone who works at the school.
• How comfortable they make my child feel, she has grown lots of confidence and she's such a great friend.
• Adaptation to evolving systemic issues!
• We love our Bellview community. Our teachers are so great! Thank you for all you do! Shout out to Ms. Meg in the office, she's our glue!
• I love how kind and caring most all of the staff are.
• I love all the care that the Bellview staff and teachers give to this school!
• How everyone makes anyone and everyone feel welcome!
• Teachers and staff members. The support and care that comes from each of them means so much to me.
• The school spirit and welcoming everyone
• Love the awesome teachers and great families
• Amazing community school! Love all the activities and wonderful teaching.
• Its the main community for us here in Ashland. Great teachers, staff, principal.
• How welcoming it is
• It's our first year, but love there is a new kid lunch group!
• We love Bellview and will forever be grateful for the love and support my child and family has received. Can't say enough good things.
• Inclusion, feels like a second family to us. Appreciate the teachers and staff who truly care.
• I love how my children love their teachers, friends, and feel at home at school.
• The school culture and the community fostered really helps our students thrive
• Bellview fosters community in fun and unique ways- PTO events are great! Teachers are responsive and really care about students' growth and success in and out of school.
• Homework folder with notes is helpful, thank you!
• Good life values, loving atmosphere, kind/caring teachers
• The families and their involvement/support with fundraisers- jog-a-thon, carnival
• How they make my children and myself feel welcome
• I love that you do not put pressure on parents. I feel very understood. I love the therapy dog and Ms. Kate. I feel like I am part of a true community.
• Great teachers and staff
• It feels very welcoming, a great big family.
• Its like a private school in holistic approach not just education but social/emotional and field trips but free- yay!
• Been a great experience so far and appreciate the community.
• The kindness, inclusivity, friendliness, free school breakfasts and lunches, school bussing.
• Staff is friendly and kind
• The traditions and overall welcoming and positive culture. Events like carnival, Jog-a-Thon, Talent Show brings community together.
• I love the personal touches and how the principal knows each students' name. I love all the bonding experiences they get to participate in, as well as family involvement
• The teachers really care about the students and seem to love their job.
• The staff. Everyone is wonderful.
• Love you all, thank you for all your hard work!
• How much they care about each student
• My child has gotten great teachers over the years
• You grow good humans
• I love how personal you all are but you understand life is busy for a lot of us. I really feel like I found the best community here.
• The staff and community
• The staff is amazing!
• Bellview feels like home

In what ways can Bellview improve?

• Parent interaction meet ups
• We don't have anything, school is wonderful for our family.
• I prefer paper flier contact. Keep giving support to kids that are behind, this is already being done, so doesn't need t improve, but its a suggestion to maintain for the future.
• Offering more art and creative projects
• Healthier less processed foods, less candy
• Keep the communication coming!
• Stay open! x5
• Challenge the kids that are ready for more x2
• Spelling tests
• I'd prefer less tablet use, but its not an especially strongly held preference
• More newsletters
• Extra 5 minutes for lunch
• Spanish in 4th and 5th grade, higher math opportunities
• Funding seems to be the main challenge, but its not the school's fault.
• Knowing when picture day is :)
• More out oft he classroom experiences, field trips, hands on experiences
• More play/creative opportunities. Buddies for 4th and 5th.
• Would like to see more open ended assignments to encourage creative and critical thinking
• More communication about how my child is doing in class and what he can work on would be helpful
• More SE curriculum
• More security at pick up, ID checks
• Helping kids learn to care for their personal belongings, help improve handwriting
• Continue supporting and helping our children learn.
• More field trips, non-violent communication, "The Anxious Generation" knowledge tips
• Child updates would be nice
• More opportunities for inclusion. Start with LRE and then pull student for SDI
• Do your best to not have mixed grade classes. Both teachers and students seem better off when the classroom is one grade. Homework instructions could be clearer sometimes.
• More challenging homework
• More communication when things are going well
• Better communication from teachers at times
• Longer lunch
• There is work to be done on unconscious bias
• I wish to support teachers. I have experienced hesitance from them to reach out in the past. Teachers have cited parents that get upset at staff. We are a team, so please let me know what I can do. If my child is struggling or has behaviors, I'd like to be informed at least.

Running Club Continues!

Meet us on the track every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 8:00am - 8:15am!**

Each student has their own QR code badge to track their laps, and toe token rewards will be distributed at the monthly school assemblies as students reach their running milestones!

**This program will meet as scheduled, subject to weather conditions (i.e. no rain, no snow).

The Running Club will continue after the Jog-A-Thon until November 24th, take a short winter break, and then start back up in March 2027.

Spirit Wear Sale - T-Shirts and Tote Bags

Order forms were distributed at the Back-to-School BBQ. If you do not have a copy of the order form, please visit Meg in the office.

T-shirts (of any size): $10 each

Tote bags: $10 each

Deadline to submit your order form and payment: Wednesday, October 14th.

Bellview is very fortunate to have an active and supportive Parent Teacher Organization! There is no fee to join and if you are a Bellview parent or guardian you are already a member! They meet several times a year in the Library at school to make plans for fun events and fundraisers. Please consider joining us!

PTO Meeting dates for 2026-27 information:

Time: 6:30 to 7:30 pm for all meetings

Location: Bellview Library, Pizza and Childcare Provided

Dates:

November 5th

January 7th

February 4th

April 1st

May 6th

PTO Board:

Presidents: Justine Wickard & Ashleigh Cropper

Treasurer: Jeff Nichols

Communications: Robyn Ray Fuentes

Events Coordinator: Brooke Walker

To get the most up to date information from the PTO, please sign up for their communication system FreshSchools here. It is a great resource to stay up to date with PTO and classroom events, and is where you can connect with the directory of other parents for things like play dates.

2026-27 Bellview Family Calendar

Mission Statement: Inspiring future leaders to imagine and

build a better world through thoughtful action and kindness

August

31 First day for grades 1-5, 12:30 dismissal

31 Kinder Orientation

September

1 1st day of Kindergarten, 12:30 Dismissal

1 Yahoo/Boo Hoo Coffee 8:00AM

7 No School, Labor Day

10 PTO Meeting 6:30 @ Bellview Library

23 Back to School BBQ 5-7 PM

25 Jog-a-Thon

October

1 PTO Carnival Meeting 6:30 @ BE Library

9 No School, In-Service Day

12 No School, Indigenous People’s Day

24 Carnival 5-8 PM

28 Costume Walk & Class Parties in PM

29 & 30 No School, Conferences

November

5 PTO Meeting 6:30-7:30

11 No School, Veteran’s Day

12 Family Science Night 5-7(Tentative)

23-24 Booksgiving

25-27 No School, Thanksgiving

December

21- Jan. 1 Winter Break

January

7 PTO Meeting 6:30 BE Library

18 No School, Dr. MLK Jr. Day

25 No School, In-service Day

28 Family Literacy Night

February

10 Parties in PM

11 & 12 No School, Conferences

15 No School, President’s Day

24 Talent Show 5:30-7:30

26 No School, In-Service Day

March

1-5 Classified Staff Appreciation

10 Science Fair 5:30-6:30 in the Gym

22-26 Spring Break

29 No School, In-Service Day

April

1 PTO Meeting 6:30 @ Bellview Library

5-9 Book Fair

7 Art Night 6:00-7:00

26 Snow Make up day (no school if we haven’t had a snow day yet)

28 Bingo Night 6:30 @ Bellview Gym

May

3-7 Teacher Appreciation Week

6 PTO Meeting 6:30-7:30

14 4th & 5th District Track Meet

31 No School, Memorial Day

June

9 5:30 5th grade promotion

11 Field Day, Last Day of School 12:30 Dismissal

Requirements:

• All volunteers must complete an application and consent to a background check.

• A copy of your driver’s license or ID card uploaded with the application.

• Certification of Completion for Sexual Misconduct: Staff-to-Student (not PSA) to be uploaded with application.

• Certification of Completion for Child Abuse Mandatory Reporting: Full Course (Oregon Parent) to be uploaded with application.

• Review Volunteer Responsibilities

Step 1:

• Review Volunteer Responsibilities.

Step 2:

• Go to https://ashland-or.safeschools.com/register/6184f8c4

• Sign up & click the green "Register" button

• If you have already created an account, please go to https://ashland-or.safeschools.com/login to log in with your username.

• Complete the course & save the Certifications of Completion (Sexual Misconduct: Staff-to-Student) and Child Abuse Mandatory Reporting: Full Course (Oregon Parent)

• Return to the district website https://www.ashland.k12.or.us/page/volunteer-in-the-schools

• Go to Step 3 and complete the volunteer application.

Step 3:

• Have a digital copy of your driver’s license/ID card & your Certifications of Completion for Sexual Misconduct: Staff-to-Student (not PSA) and Child Abuse Mandatory Reporting: Full Course (Oregon Parent) ready to upload during the volunteer application process.

• For safety, the application cannot be saved and, for this reason, you must complete and submit your application with the required documents at the same time.

• To complete the online volunteer application, click here.

• You must provide a valid email address so you can be notified about the status of your application and future communication. The same email address cannot be used for more than one individual. Don’t have an email address? We suggest you obtain a free email account through Google or Yahoo.

• Background Check: after an application is completed and submitted, the system automatically transfers it to the ASD Human Resources department to be processed. The information you enter must match your driver’s license/ID card, including your full legal name. All information collected on the application will remain confidential and not be shared outside the volunteer program. Once you are cleared, you will receive an email. Please allow at least 2-4 weeks for processing.

Once you have passed your background check, you are cleared to apply to volunteer for any position throughout the school year. No additional background check is needed throughout the current school year; however, it is necessary to repeat this process at every new school year (July 1st-June 30th). You will receive a reminder email notification near the time of renewal.

Step 4:
Mark your calendar with the agreed upon days and times. Please note that certain positions require training and a time commitment. Make sure you can fulfill the volunteer commitments before agreeing to the position.

Be prompt and dependable. Please call ahead if you are ill or unable to keep your appointed times. When you commit to volunteering, people are depending on you.

She, Her

Email: christine.mccollom@ashland.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.ashland.k12.or.us/o/bes
Location: 1070 Tolman Creek Road, Ashland, OR, USA
Phone: 541-482-1310
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bellview-Elementary-School-104141858437771