Stellar Newsletter

Hope you enjoyed your 4 day weekend. This will be a short 3 day week! We have completed Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 officially begins this week. Take a moment to CELEBRATE your student for adjusting to the new school year, grade level, and for their hard work and efforts last quarter. REFLECT on any challenges or areas of improvement--then come up with a plan to move forward. PARTNER with your student leaders teacher to close any gaps & learn ways to reinforce instruction at home.

Report Cards

• Q1 Reports cards will be available on FOCUS and sent home next week - Week of 10/19
• Celebrate, Reflect, and Partner to ensure a great start to Quarter 2 !

Fall Dance Party

• The 'SOLD OUT' PTA dance of the year is THIS THURSDAY
• Please return signed permission slips, if you purchased a ticket
• Don't forget CASH! for additional concessions (optional)
• Dance Dismissal will begin at 4:30p via Car Rider Loop. Extended Day and BGC students will be dismissed to program. NO WALKERS
• Extended Day and BGC Students will follow regular dismissal procedures from the main office

CANDY COMPETITION

• The Candy Competition has BEGUN and the candy is rolling in!
• Help your class win a party and help your teacher WIN a prize!!
• Last Day to bring candy = NEXT TUESDAY 10/20

• It's time for the BELA Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat!
• We need your help to make this event a success, there are 2 ways you can help make it a success
• DECORATED TRUNK: We need decorated trunks to pass out candy at our Trunk or Treat. Click link BELOW for specific details and to sign up.
• Limited creativity? Amazon sells Trunk or Treat car Kits
• CANDY COMPETITION: Battle of the Classes Candy drive will begin 10/5.
• This year the 3 classes that bring the most candy to donate will win a class party!!

• This dance has SOLD OUT!
• SNACK CART will be open! BRING CASH - sold by BELA Safety Patrols
• Dismissal will begin at 4:30p via Car Rider Loop or on campus After School Programs. NO WALKERS
• After School Program Students will follow regular dismissal procedures from the main office

VOLUNTEERS MUST HAVE an ACTIVE LEVEL 2 DCPS VOLUNTEER APPLICATION

• Candy donations are needed for our Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat
• Our FESTIVAL is completely POWERED BY CANDY DONATIONS
• Please send candy donations with your students >Teachers will collect candy > PTA will pick up all donations from the classrooms
• The 3 classes with the most candy donations will win a class party.
• Winners will be announced 10/21 during evening school announcements

• Fall/Yearbook Picture Day is Wednesday October 21st
• Students Must Wear School Uniform Shirt , this photo will go in School Yearbook
• Students will have an opportunity to wear clothing of their choice during Spring Pictures
• Click Link Below to view packages and Preorder. Prices are cheaper at preorder
• Access Code: C817484

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!

WE ENCOURAGE STUDENT LEADERS TO WEAR PINK on THURSDAYS this month to support Breast Cancer Awareness

• Pink clothing
• Accessories (socks, headbands, wristbands)

• This year our PTA is planning another Stellar event!!

• Click buttons below to participate and help us make this event a SUCCESS for our BELA students !
  
• VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: The more volunteers we have the more we are able to do at our Fall Festival

Join this webinar to learn about :

• Magnet and Special Transfer Options
• Application Priorities
• How Lottery Works

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.

The same application is needed for volunteering opportunities and field trip chaperones. We encourage any parents, grandparents, family members who may want to get involved at BELA to complete

• 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**

This week we conclude Hispanic Heritage Month! Many grade levels created projects and posters to learn more about Hispanic Heritage and are posted around the school. Check out our VPK student leaders!

BELA is grateful for Community Partners! The generosity and support of our Community Partners help us give back to our student leaders and teachers.

If you have a business or know of a business that would like to invest in our school and believe in the power of education and community, please email hamiltons3@duvalschools.org

Every election is important, but the 2026 upcoming general election is very important to our teachers, students, and schools.

Why the 2026 Election is Important to Our School
Four years ago, voters approved a voluntary 1-mill property assessment to support salary enhancements for our teachers and staff, as well as providing a dedicated funding source for arts and athletics for students. Under state law, this funding source must be renewed every four years

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