BES Newsletter

Wednesday, May 7 - 5th Grade Trip to Middle School

Thursday, May 15 - BES Career Day

Monday, May 19 - Curiosity Cube (Grades 3-5)

Thursday, June 5 - 5th grade farewell breakfast and parade in morning

Upcoming Field Trips:

Kindergarten - Tuesday, May 20

3rd Grade - Tuesday, May 13

4th Grade - Monday, June 2

5th Grade - Wednesday, June 4

Field Days

k-2 : Wednesday, May 28

3-5 : Thursday, May 29

Rain Date : Friday, May 30

New Building Update:

Mr. Park and I had the opportunity to walk through the new building a few weeks ago. The building is progressing quickly, the majority of it has had drywall installed and there was even tiling done in some of the bathrooms. We were able to get a sense of the layout of the building and see how big the central courtyard would be. The central learning stairs were also largely complete and will be a great central point of the building. As a reminder, you can view the progress and see a live camera by clicking HERE.

Blacktop Makeover Brings Fun to Recess!

Our school blacktop recently received some exciting improvements, thanks to the creativity and hard work of teachers across the district who participated in a trade time to paint new games and activities for students to enjoy during recess. From hopscotch to colorful target toss areas, the fresh designs have added energy and engagement to outdoor playtime. A big thank you to Bellefonte Building Supply for their generous discount on all the paint supplies—your support helped make this project possible!

Mr. Baughman and Mr. Bates worked with Uplifting Athletes to provide a meaningful experience for students at BES to learn more about rare diseases while spreading awareness and raising money to help. Students participated in a free throw shooting competition during P.E. class and also learned about rare diseases from Mr. Bates. Students could collect donations through an online platform where family and friends could donate a set amount or an amount per made free throw. The competition culminated in an assembly where the final four students were paired with an athlete for the final rounds in front of the whole school. BES welcomed former Penn State and NFL football players to compete with the students and celebrated raising almost $4,000 for Uplifting Athletes to help fight rare diseases. Mr. Baughman made a clutch shot at the end with over $1,000 on the line to bring the final total over $5,000. Thank you to Stefan Wisniewski, Nate Stupar, Brett Brackett, and Jordan Hill for spending some time at BES for a great cause!

Thank you to all of our teachers at BES who work so hard each day! We are fortunate to have such a dedicated group of teachers to serve our students. Our PTO has put together daily themes to help celebrate our teachers. Thank you to everyone who helped contribute to this as well.

The Laughter Prescription: How Humor Boosts Your Well-being

In our busy lives, it's easy to forget the simple yet powerful medicine that's readily available to us all: humor. More than just a source of entertainment, laughter offers a surprising array of health benefits, impacting everything from our physical bodies to our mental and emotional states. So, let's take a moment to explore why incorporating a healthy dose of humor into your daily routine might be just what the doctor ordered.

A Workout for Your Body (Without the Sweat!)

Believe it or not, a good belly laugh can actually provide a mini-workout. When you laugh, your body undergoes several physiological changes:

• Stress Hormone Reduction

• Endorphin Release

• Muscle Relaxation

• Improved Circulation

• Immune System Boost

A Balm for the Mind and Soul

The benefits of humor extend far beyond the physical. Laughter plays a crucial role in our mental and emotional well-being:

• Stress Relief

• Mood Enhancement

• Increased Resilience

• Improved Social Connection

• Enhanced Cognitive Function

• Prescribing Your Daily Dose of Humor

So, how can you incorporate more laughter into your life? It's simpler than you might think:

• Seek out funny content: Watch a comedy movie or TV show, listen to a humorous podcast, or read a funny book.

• Spend time with people who make you laugh: Surround yourself with friends and family who have a good sense of humor.

• Don't take yourself too seriously: Learn to laugh at your own mistakes and imperfections.

• Find the humor in everyday situations: Look for the funny side of life, even in mundane moments.

Please click on the file below for the cafeteria menu for May and June.

Since 2024, our district has partnered with Cartwheel to support the mental health needs of our students via virtual therapy with licensed clinicians. Students are identified and referred for these services by our school teams, but we are pleased to share that you can also request these services directly for your child. Oftentimes, families are the first to recognize that their child might need mental health support so we want to make it as easy as possible for your family to access these services.

Fill out this Family Interest Form to get started.

Please reach out to one of the school social workers or your child's school counselor if you need help or would like to talk things through.

Here are some signs to look out for to determine if your child might benefit from this support:

• Changes in mood or behavior

• Changes in eating or sleeping patterns

• Declining academic performance

• Withdrawal from friends or activities

• Increased anxiety or stress

• Expressing feelings of sadness or hopelessness

• Experiencing transition (related to life, family, peers, school)

• Exposure to a traumatic event

Check out these FAQs about the types of challenges Cartwheel can support, how it works, and more.

Approximately 175 elementary students from BASD will have artwork displayed at the Oaks Retirement Community in Pleasant Gap beginning Monday April 27, 2025 and continuing through Friday, May 9, 2025. Approximately 40 students from Bellefonte Elementary will have art work displayed during this time.

There is a public open house happening Tuesday, April 29, 2025 from 6:00-8:00PM. The public is welcome to come and view the artwork during this time.

-Mrs. Stover

• Field Trip chaperones

• School dance chaperones

• Classroom/building helpers

• Volunteering at classroom parties

• Field Day volunteers

• Holiday Shop volunteers

• PTO/Parent Group events in the buildings during school hours

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Registered volunteers will be approved by the Bellefonte Area School District Board of Directors after they have submitted the following documents:

1. Volunteer Form

2. Statement of Confidentiality

3. Residency Affidavit & Arrest/Conviction Report

4. PA Child Abuse History Certification

5. PA Criminal History clearance

If you plan on volunteering at all during the school year, it is best to get this process completed early. Please contact Liz Stone, the district Volunteer Coordinator if you have any further questions.

You can also visit the volunteer section of our website: https://www.basd.net/o/basd/page/volunteer-program

Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook for more updates and information on all of the great things happening here at BES!

https://www.facebook.com/bellefonteelem

100 W. Linn Street

Bellefonte, PA 16823

Website: https://www.basd.net/o/beles

Phone: 814-355-5519

Fax: 814-353-5338

Attendance Email: beatt@basd.net