The Growler

• Jog-a-Thon is Coming!
• Kindergarten Soft Start Schedule
• Blended Class Structure
• School Supplies for 2025-26
• Thank you Becky West! Problem Solving Wall Refreshed!
• Bellview PTO Update
• Volunteering at School

The school year is barely underway, but we are already finalizing our plans for the 2025 Jogathon to be held the last Friday in September (9/26). In support of the school's largest fundraiser, we are looking for between 2-4 sponsors and between $500-$1000 per sponsor. Sponsorship money will be used to purchase the shirts that the students will wear on the day of the event as they make their way around the track. The shirts will include the winning t-shirt design and the logo of your business. For more details, reach out to Nathan Van De Graaff at n.vandegraaff@gmail.com or 480-295-9425.

Kindergarten will start at 8:20 on Tuesday, September 2nd, and will be dismissed at 12:30 that day. Wednesday, September 3rd, all students are dismissed at 1:30. Regular, full day classes will start on Thursday September 4th (2:50 dismissal)

Students may arrive at school as early as 7:50 in the morning and can choose to go out and play on the playground, read and look at books in our library, or eat breakfast in the cafeteria (free!). The first bell rings at 8:15 and students are expected to be in their classrooms at 8:20. They will not go to their classrooms until the bell rings at 8:15. Kindergarten grown-ups are welcome to accompany their student to their morning choice.

Kindergarten students that are not riding a bus or walking home can be picked up at the blacktop from the lower loop of our parking lot by the kindergarten classrooms.

This year, all of our classes in grades 2-5 are blended. Students in those grades are either in a 2nd/3rd grade blend, or a 4th/5th grade blend. Our teachers are team teaching and specializing in particular subject bands. Our reading specialist (Jeff Mann) and our math specialist (Matt Damon) are assisting with core reading and math classes so that students have a smaller class size in the core subjects, and so that they receive instruction tailored to their grade level.

If your student is in 2nd or 3rd grade, they will have the following teachers for the following subjects:

Math: Lindsay Gates and Matt Damon

Language Arts: Rebekkah McAlvage and Jeff Mann

Science and Social Studies: Cory Carnes

If your student is in 4th or 5th grade, they will have the following teachers for the following subjects:

Math: Max Schmeling and Matt Damon

Language Arts: Sheri Preskenis and Jeff Mann

Science and Social Studies: Angelina Tejada

Students will be with their homeroom blended class for PE, Music, and Social Emotional Learning.

Mrs. McCollom will be holding a meeting on Zoom next Thursday, September 4th at 5:45 for any families that have questions. Zoom Link for Families

Bellview bulk ordered school supplies for all students again for the 2025-26 school year! By doing this, we save you time and money, and ensure that all students have equitable access to what they need at school. We are asking families for $30 per student to help cover the cost if you are able. Scholarships are available! If you would like to donate more to help cover the cost for students that are in need, we would gratefully accept! At this time we can take cash or checks. If you have any questions, please give our office a call 541-482-1310.

At Bellview, students are taught a specific process to follow if they are having a small to medium sized problem. The process is called STEP (which is an acronym). Here are the steps:

S- State the problem without blame

T-Think of possible solutions

E- Explore the options and consider potential outcomes of each choice

P- Pick the best solution

Many years ago, Max Malcomb, who is currently an Art teacher at the High School, painted a mural on one of our playground walls to remind students of the process and provide a visual reference. Over the years, the weather wore it down significantly. This summer, Becky West, a volunteer, retired educator and Bellview neighbor, volunteered to give the mural a much-needed refresh. Becky got the paint donated from a local store and got to work! Thank you so much Becky for stepping in when you saw a need- this is community working together at its best!

Welcome back Bobcat families!

1. The track refinishing project was completed over the summer break (hooray!). Please mention to your child to try it out and give it a test run!

2. We have new artwork for our school's spirit wear! Please stop by at the first PTO meeting of year on Thursday, Sept. 4th at 6:30pm to submit your vote!

3. Yahoo/Boo-Hoo Coffee Meet Up on Tuesday, Sept. 2nd at 8:00am. Stop by and catch up over coffee and morning treats. Let's welcome the new school year together!

4. The first PTO meeting of year will be on Thursday, Sept. 4th at 6:30pm. Pizza and child care will be provided. Find out what we have planned for the upcoming school year!

PTO Meeting dates for 2025-26:

September 4th 6:30-7:30

October 2nd Carnival Meeting 6:30-7:30

November 6th 6:30-7:30

January 8th 6:30-7:30

April 2nd 6:30-7:30

May 7th 6:30-7:30

PTO Board:

President: Susie Goetz

Treasurer: Jeff Nichols

Communications: Lia Spidlen

The PTO will be contacting you after school starts to get signed up for Fresh Schools emails, which is the communication system that they use. It is a great resource to stay up to date with PTO and classroom events!

How To Become a Volunteer:

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.

Step 1:

• Go to https://pacetraining-or.safeschools.com/login

• Click Register (under the Login button)

• Enter Registration Key: 093efff6

• Sign up under your name (no email needed)

• Select Ashland School District

• Click the green "Register" button

• Complete the course & download the Certification of Completion (Sexual Misconduct: Staff-to-Student) (about 20 minutes)

  • NOTE: After you complete the course and download your certificate, an optional bonus video will be available.

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

• Go to Step 2 and complete the volunteer application.

Step 2:

• Have a digital copy of your driver’s license/ID card & your Certification of Completion for Sexual Misconduct: Staff-to-Student (not PSA) 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 3:
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