The Growler

• Bellview Carnival- Thank you!
• Save the Date- Family Science Night!
• Veterans Day Wall of Fame
• Family Survey Results
• SART Lesson Notification
• Booksgiving
• Conferences
• Parents of Students with Learning Differences Support Group
• Community Resources
• Bellview PTO Update
• Volunteering at School

A huge thank you to Susie Goetz and all of the parents, students, and friends of Bellview who helped make our 83rd annual Halloween Carnival a success last weekend!

Halloween Carnival Recap

What a night! Thank you to everyone who attended and supported this event. Thank you to Susie Goetz for guiding us through all the coordination and logistics! A huge THANK YOU to everyone who volunteered and made it happen once again. The Bellview Carnival gives our kids something joyful to anticipate and experience together, we can't thank you enough!

Tuesday, November 11th is Veterans Day and we will not be having school that day to observe the holiday. On Monday, we will have an assembly explaining the significance of that date, and we would like to honor any veterans that are special to our Bellview community.

Please fill out the attached document and include a picture of(can be a photograph or a drawing) along with how that person is special to you! We will hang them in the gym for the assembly on the 10th.

Thank you to all of the families that came to the Back to School BBQ and gave us feedback on our family survey! I appreciate the feedback from families that weren't able to make it as well! We will use your input to plan events and advise our Site Council goals. Here are the results:

Total number of families participating: 105

How long has your child/ren attended Bellview School:

0-1 Year: 23

2 Years: 19

3 Years: 19

4 Years: 16

5+ Years: 24

Grade levels represented:

K: 18

1: 29

2: 23

3: 21

4: 34

5: 20

I feel welcome at Bellview School:

Strongly Agree: 70

Agree: 33

Disagree: 0

Strongly Disagree: 1

My child feels comfortable at Bellview School:

Strongly Agree: 77

Agree: 27

Disagree: 0

Strongly Disagree: 0

Bellview supports and values a diverse community:

Strongly Agree: 61

Agree: 41

Disagree: 1

Strongly Disagree: 0

Bellview teaches children to be respectful:

Strongly Agree: 65

Agree: 38

Disagree: 1

Strongly Disagree: 0

Bellview fosters responsibility in children:

Strongly Agree: 60

Agree: 42

Disagree: 1

Strongly Disagree: 0

Bellview develops children's critical thinking skills:

Strongly Agree: 59

Agree: 45

Disagree: 2

Strongly Disagree: 1

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

Strongly Agree: 42

Agree: 47

Disagree: 4

Strongly Disagree: 0

To stay informed about Bellview activities, I read:

Class newsletters: 74

School Newsletters: 78

School Website: 22

Emails from Teacher: 81

Facebook: 3

Fliers/Papers sent home: 70

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

Reading: 22

Writing: 23

Math: 22

Behavior: 16

Mental Health: 18

Technology Use: 9

Diversity and Bias: 8

Growth Mindset: 23

What do you love about Bellview?

• We love our Bellview community! X2
  
• The staff are welcoming and their heart is in the work they do to care for our children!
  
• The teachers are fantastic. The school itself is beautiful and I love all the field trips and school activities
  
• How everyone is kind to each other
  
• The teachers are so sweet and welcoming to our kids
  
• Teachers! X4
  
• The community and support
  
• Support diversity
  
• How welcome we feel here and safe our children are!
  
• My child feels understood
  
• The pro-social emotional and cognitive development it provides for my child
  
• The community feel. The principal greets the children at the entrance by name.
  
• The school culture is really positive, encouraging, and seems like a good, safe, community
  
• We like all the teachers and children/family
  
• Sense of community x3
  
• Great caring teachers, school lunch throughout the year
  
• I feel Bellview is a well rounded school with a great staff
  
• I love the caring staff, the shared responsibility for children, the small things that make school fun like the Lego table, running club, etc.
  
• Well equipped, modern classrooms and building, after school program, Ms. Gates and Mr. Mann are amazing!
  
• The friendly staff, Meg in the office
  
• The teachers make you feel welcome. I’d love more. Things to do for the kids because it makes it more fun for the kids when the parents come in
  
• Fun, welcoming environment x3
  
• School spirit and that kindergarten is so fun!
  
• Good attitude towards the child
  
• The support staff and teachers, great environment
  
• The staff has always been amazing!
  
• Positive environment, fun creative learning opportunities, committed staff
  
• The teachers and staff
  
• Awesome teachers and friends
  
• Friendly inclusive nature
• I love the community. I also love the staff and teachers.
• We like that Bellview is part of teachers kids families, thank you
• The strong values and sense of belonging
• I really appreciate how engaged all teachers are in children’s education and wellbeing
• Great staff!
• The incredible support and community
• Happy environment, most teachers seem to really care about the children and supporting them
• Individualized support for my child’s needs x2
• Small neighborhood feeling, sweet community
• The community and the teachers
• Generally everyone is very supportive and is doing the best they can with the changing circumstances in the district
• The staff and teachers! A commitment to teach and value social skills. Ms. Kate is an amazing addition.
• Because I know my child will be safe in school.
• My child loves his school and his friends. He is sad during summers- he misses his friends and schedule. We feel lucky to have our son at Bellview.
• The kind and supportive teachers and staff x2
• The inclusivity and diversity represented in curriculum
• The thorough communication provided to families by staff and PTO
• The campus itself
• Ms. Kate and her support to students
• The well stocked library
• The lunches provided by the school
• How wonderful the teachers are!
• The amazing staff that make school feel safe, welcome, and help the kids be the best versions of themselves
• I love how every morning the kids are greeted by Mrs. McCollom and staff. I love the events and involvement the school has for parents.
• We love Ms. Eddington! We really enjoy the involvement with our child’s learning and the library.
• All of the support options, staff, and great communication.
• We love the staff and the culture at school
• It’s our neighborhood school and we feel welcomed by the community.
• The teachers and staff are great. My kid loves it here and we’ve had good experiences as parents as well.
• I love that my kids enjoy their teachers and classmates
• It’s the BEST!
• My daughter is adapting very well and she likes it very much
• Options for support systems like bus, meals, after school care

In what ways can Bellview improve?

• More money for support staff/ EA’s x2
• Lunch is very short. If the line is long, kids don’t have enough time to eat.
• It’s a great school. I wouldn’t change anything. X2
• Nothing, love the school and staff. X2
• Keep doing what you are doing!
• Healthier lunch options
• Second language
• Better support from the board financially
• Increase diversity in faculty and staff
• New markers in the library
• Less processed lunches
• Help parents with the new changes with blending classes
• Push the kids on the fundamentals, especially spelling and writing
• Kids at this age need to learn more to respect the social rules
• Fostering more community with families
• I would like to know every time my child has a behavior leading them to the office
• Keep asking for feedback
• We are doing a great job and coming up with new ways to improve
• More focus on education and not as much “parenting”, installing beliefs that might not align with personal family values
• Better support for teachers in classrooms (smaller class size/more assistants) x2
• Pre-K program
• Use ceramics equipment more often
• More resources/planning for kids with TAG
• Ensuring integrity when mistakes are made- holding adults to the same standard of repair and care that Bellview holds children to
• Less chocolate milk days in the cafeteria
• More community engagement activities that are fun for kids
• We would love more academic feedback more often.
• Is there a Site Council? What ways can parents be involved outside the PTO. A newsletter from the principal would be helpful too.

In July of 2015, the Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 856 (Sexual Abuse Prevention Instruction) which requires schools to provide child sexual abuse prevention instruction kindergarten through grade 12. We are working with the Jackson County Sexual Assault Response Team (JC SART) to consult on curriculum and provide lessons to students. JC SART is a local organization that provides services to sexual assault survivors and brings prevention education classes into our local schools.

The Prevention Coordinator will be offering a comprehensive K-12 sexual and gender violence curriculum for schools that focuses on prevention, as well as risk reduction methods. The lesson plans are age appropriate and in line with state and national sexual health standards and Erin’s Law recommendations. All Bellview students will have the first lessons this fall and the second lessons will be taught in the spring.

The K-5 curriculum focuses on personal space, understanding and recognizing consent-a freely given yes, and a reluctant yes- in the perspective of playing a game with their friend, telling/reporting to an adult if someone is getting hurt, empathy, internet safety and peer pressure. They will also focus on good touch/bad touch, body ownership, good secrets/bad secrets, and grooming. The presentations are delivered with sensitivity, in a conversation style. If you would like to preview the lessons for your child's grade level, please feel free to contact Mrs. McCollom.

Gobble, Gobble.

There is a chill in the air, leaves are falling and once again Booksgiving is returning to Bellview on November 20th and 21st. Students can show their spirit of giving and caring by donating slightly used books. These collected books will then be available for other classmates to choose their favorite ones. Students can take part in this event by donating books in the coming weeks. Look for collection boxes in the drop off zones outside of school, the hallways, or the classrooms. Please advise students that they may select books even if they did not donate one. Let us all look forward to Booksgiving , a time when students can display their charity and their gratitude for receiving a new book to read this holiday season.

Collection boxes will be out starting the week of November 3rd.

Fall conferences will be happening November 24th and 25th, and will be offered either in person or through Zoom. This will be a time to connect to your child's teacher about where they are academically and discuss their needs and successes. Conference sign ups will be coming out in the next week or so, please be sure to connect with your child's teacher about the best times.

It has come to my attention that 750 thousand Oregonians will be losing their food benefits on November 1st due to the government shutdown. If your family is experiencing food insecurity, there are community resources below to help. If you are able to donate food or funds to our local food bank, that is a tremendous help as well.

Ashland Community Food Bank:

To Receive Services

We serve families living in Ashland or Talent and surrounding rural areas with 97520 or 97540 zip code. Signing up to receive food from the Ashland Community Food Bank is easy! Just come to 560 Clover Lane with a photo ID and proof of your address.

To Receive Services, Please Bring

· Valid Photo ID

· Proof of current address in Ashland or Talent (utility bill, rental agreement, piece of mail with your name and a date, etc.)

For the Unhoused

· Photo ID

o We accept out-of-state ID’s OR no ID until you can acquire one

· During your first visit, you will receive a “traveler’s bag” and be eligible to receive three more within the first 30 days you are in our community; if you remain in the Ashland/Talent community for 30 days, you will be eligible for more generous shops four times a month.

Service Hours and Required Items

· Monday to Friday 9:30am - 12:30pm

· Every 3rd Saturday of the month

· Photo ID and proof of current address in Ashland or Talent

Rogue Food Unites:

Weekly no cost Farmer's Market- bring a shopping bag

Tuesdays- The Way Medford Family Church 4-6 PM 2655 S Pacific Hwy. Medford

Wednesdays- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 3-5 PM 11175 OR-62 Eagle Point

Thursdays- Medical Pharmacy Parking Lot 4-6 PM 49 Talent Ave., Talent

Talent Food Pantry:

206 E. Main Street. Talent

Open Thursdays 11-1:30

Greensprings Community Food Pantry:

16151 Hwy 66, Ashland

Open Saturdays 8:30-11:30 AM

Please reach out to Principal Christine McCollom 541-482-1310 or our Care Coordinator Janeice Bouchard 541-450-7163 for additional sources of assistance.

PTO Meeting Meeting Nov. 6th

Our next meeting is on Thursday, November 6th from 6:30pm - 7:30pm. All are welcome to attend, pizza and childcare will be provided.

Upcoming Events

Thurs, Nov. 13th, 5pm - 7pm - Family Science Night at ScienceWorks - FREE EVENT!

Thurs, Nov. 20th and Fri. Nov. 21st - Booksgiving (@ Bellview Library)

Running Club Update

Bellview PTO was awarded a grant from the Ashland Schools Foundation to cover the costs of purchasing the equipment, supplies and initial running subscription for the Running Club. We started this program with a few supplies from the school to see what the response would be like, and it's been really positive. New equipment (including a QR code scanning system!) will be launched at the start of the Spring segment in March 2026.

PTO Meeting dates for 2025-26:

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