Bel Ayr Elementary School

Dear families,

On Wednesday, April 29, our staff collaborated to deepen their understanding of resources for the P–3 Language Arts curriculum. At the same time, teachers in grades 3–6 were introduced to a new Integrated Language Arts curriculum. In both areas, there is an increased focus on the science of reading, word study, and the integration of other core subjects within the language arts program.

As a staff, we continue to analyze literacy and math achievement data on a monthly basis, allowing us to respond with targeted classroom strategies that address the most significant gaps in student learning.

We are also closely monitoring the achievement of our Indigenous and Black students to ensure that culturally responsive instruction and strong relationship-building practices foster a safe, inclusive, and academically rigorous learning environment for all students.

Sincerely,

Shawn Marsh

Principal

MAY - Asian Heritage Month

4: Star Wars Spirit Day - May the 4th be with You!

4-5: Staff Appreciation Week

5: Red Dress Day - Awareness About MMIWG2S - Wear Red

6: Meeting for Parents and Guardians of 2026-27 Grade Primary Students - 6 PM

12: RWM3 - Literacy Day 1 (Grade 3 Provincial Assessments)

13: RWM3 - Literacy Day 2 (Grade 3 Provincial Assessments)

13: SAC (6PM)

15: Black Excellence Day - Wear Black

17: The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia

18: Victoria Day - no classes

20: RWM3 - Math- Day1 (Grade 3 Provincial Assessments)

21: RWM3 - Math - Day 2 (Grade 3 Provincial Assessments)

26: Track and Field Meet

27: Track and Field Rain Date (Gr 4-6)

29: PBIS Assembly - 1:30 PM

31: Access Awareness Week

JUNE - PRIDE Month

6: Spring Fair (Saturday) - 11-1

9: Field Day

11: Field Day (Rain Date)

21: National Indigenous Peoples Day - Wear Prange

23: Halifax Library Visits - Summer Reading Program Presentations

24: Grade 6 Closing - 1:30 p.m.

29: Assessment & Evaluation Day - no classes all schools

30: Last day of school - Reports cards emailed to families after 10 a.m.

The province is taking some additional time before staffing decisions and allocations are released to schools. Our current enrollment for 2025–2026 is 198 students; however, this is expected to decrease to approximately 182 students in the fall if projections remain consistent.

At this time, we anticipate one Pre-Primary class with seven students and eight P–6 homerooms. Final class configurations and staffing decisions have not yet been determined.

Thank you to our Home and School, SAC, and to those who donated and supported our fundraising efforts this year. In June, families will recieve a list of items to purchase remaining items outside of our budget over the summer months. There will be a grade P-3 list and a grade 4-6 list for simplicity. The items on these lists will be those that cannot be purchased through our bulk ordering system or things in excess of the monies raised. We will not have a school supply fee on SchoolCash this spring.

Parents and guardians of children registered for Grade Primary this fall are invited to attend an information session with Mr. Marsh and Ms. Hendren on Wednesday, May 6 at 6:00 PM. During this session, you will learn about our school routines, curriculum, and ways you can support your child’s learning at home.

One important concept in early literacy is that children benefit from at least 1,000 “book experiences” before entering Grade Primary. These experiences help build strong language and reading foundations. Examples include:

• Being read to regularly (ideally every day, even for a short time)
• Engaging in conversations with adults (back-and-forth talk is key)
• Singing songs, rhymes, and playing with sounds
• Storytelling and imaginative play
• Exposure to print (books, signs, labels, and writing materials)

In math, families can support learning at home by counting everyday items. Grade Primary students develop number sense up to and including ten, so frequent practice counting objects around the house can make a big difference in school readiness.

Subitizing is another important skill at this level. This is the ability to quickly recognize small quantities without counting (for example, identifying how many dots are shown at a glance). You can support this at home by briefly showing small groups of objects (such as counters or dots) and asking your child how many they see. Try to vary the arrangement rather than placing them in familiar patterns like those on dice.

Finally, Grade Primary learning also emphasizes independence and responsibility. You can help your child prepare by encouraging them to take care of their personal belongings, keep their space tidy, get dressed independently, and manage basic hygiene routines.

Do you have or know a child who will be starting Pre Primary or Primary this fall? It’s time to register!

Registration for the 2026-27 school year began on Monday, February 2. To ensure we have the right staff and supports in place for September, it’s important that we gather enrolment numbers now.

Tip: Before you begin, make sure you have the following documents in electronic form (image, PDF or Word document):

• Proof of identity/age with one of the following: birth certificate, passport, immigration papers, or legal adoption papers if you are new to the HRCE

• Proof of home address with one of the following: a recently dated official government or utility document with your current address that includes your name and date, such as water bill, power bill, internet bill, home fuel bill, a tax receipt, property assessment, a mortgage contract or a residential lease agreement

Visit the HRCE website for more information and to enrol your child today through PowerSchool Enrollment!

Don’t have a child to register? Maybe you know someone who does! Please help us spread the word and pass this information on to friends, neighbours or relatives who will be looking to register for the fall.

Please note that students who are registered at Bel Ayr for the current school year do not have to re-register unless they are moving to a different catchment area. This includes our grade 6s who are transitioning to Eric Graves Junior High in the fall.

If you are moving, please notify Mr. Marsh right away and then fill out the same form in the link above but select " I would like to update my address" instead of completing a new registration. This will ensure that any supports or services for your child at Bel Ayr will get communicated and set up in advance at your new school. Out of Area applications to stay at Bel Ayr for the 2026-27 school year can be submitted beginning on April 1, 2026 at 8:00am. Space is not guaranteed and depends upon enrollment numbers for families currently living within our catchment area.

Black Excellence Day 2026 in Nova Scotia is an opportunity for schools to reflect on the learning and exploration of Black people and culture over the past year. It recognizes, celebrates, and supports learning from the achievements, contributions, and leadership of Black individuals and communities. More than a single-day celebration, Black Excellence is the recognition of meaningful steps toward strengthening inclusive learning environments where all students see themselves reflected in curriculum materials, through the stories we tell and the histories we honour.

The purpose of celebrating Black Excellence in our schools and classrooms is to affirm student's identities, build confidence, and inspire futures by highlighting the role Black people have made in education, science, arts, leadership, and community advocacy. It reflects and celebrates thoughtful conversations in schools about equity, representation, and the ongoing work to remove systemic barriers.

This moment of reflection also invites educators and school communities to consider how Black Excellence is represented within their own classrooms and learning spaces. For some, this may affirm intentional work already underway; for others, it may serve as an opportunity to begin or deepen this practice. Black Excellence Day reminds us that this work is ongoing, and that there is always time to plan, reflect, and be deliberate in ensuring all students see themselves meaningfully reflected in our schools.

We welcome everyone to wear a black shirt, if you’re able, on May 15 to show your support for Black Excellence Day!

Each year on May 17, we recognize the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia—a time to celebrate diversity and promote kindness, respect, and inclusion for all. At our school, we are committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment where every student feels valued for who they are. This day is a great opportunity to talk with children about acceptance, standing up against bullying, and the importance of being an ally to others. Together, we can help build a community where everyone belongs.

May is an exciting month for celebrations! In May, we engage in classroom conversations and learning about Asian cultures. Please click here to see what's being planned in the HRM this month!

Families of Grade 3 students are encouraged to speak with their children about the importance of attending school and doing their best as they prepare to write their first provincial assessments this month. An information pamphlet has been emailed to all Grade 3 families, and a paper copy—including the assessment dates listed below—will also be sent home.

Assessment Schedule:

• Tuesday, May 12: RWM3 – Literacy, Day 1
• Wednesday, May 13: RWM3 – Literacy, Day 2
• Wednesday, May 20: RWM3 – Math, Day 1
• Thursday, May 21: RWM3 – Math, Day 2

While these assessments are not included on report cards, they are based on P–3 curriculum outcomes and are marked by teachers across Nova Scotia. The results help us identify school-wide trends and compare them with our classroom data to ensure we are effectively meeting student learning needs.

As summer approaches, many families are thinking about screen time. This article introduces the idea of a “digital diet,” encouraging a focus on the quality and purpose of screen use rather than just limiting it. It offers practical ways to help children build healthier, more balanced habits with technology. Read more here.

Engage Nova Scotia is seeking more youth voices in their Nova Scotia Quality of Life Survey to ensure this critical demographic is properly represented in reporting. To ensure youth voices are heard, Engage Nova Scotia is asking parents to encourage youth and young adults in their household, who are age 16 and older, to complete the survey.

Take the survey now!

Please email Engage Nova Scotia at survey@engagenovascotia.ca to take the Nova Scotia Quality of Life Survey. By sharing your story – your day-to-day experiences from affordability and sense of belonging in community to close personal connections and your level of trust in institutions – you can help reveal the full story of your community’s well-being.

You can also learn more at engagenovascotia.ca.

Engage Nova Scotia is a non-profit, independent organization that works with partners to advance the quality of life of all Nova Scotia residents. They believe everyone should be included to share their story, seed their future, and influence change to improve their own well-being and the well-being of their communities. Engage works closely with local municipalities and organizations across the province.

Unplugged Canada is hosting a LIVE webinar on May 6 every parent and caregiver needs to hear. We're talking smartphones, social media, the research — and most importantly, what we can do about it.

Hosted by Kirsten Sweet, educator and National Program Director with Unplugged Canada with Tania Johnson, Co-founder of the Institute of Child Psychology and Dr. Michele Locke, Clinical Psychologist, learn about the impact of smartphones and social media on youth and how the Unplugged Canada Pledge and our resources can spark meaningful conversations in your home, school, and community.

We'll also introduce two new initiatives: the National School Champion Program and Operation Landline — a summer campaign helping families delay smartphones and reconnect in simpler, more intentional ways.

Come ready to learn, connect, and be part of the movement. Register here.

On April 10, students from Dalhousie University visited our Grade 5 and 6 students and facilitated station-based workshops featuring a variety of STEM challenges.

This week, our Grade 5 students took on a leadership role by facilitating a STEM challenge, previously learned from Acadia students in February, with our 2/3 O’Leary class. These opportunities are an important step in developing leadership skills as they prepare to become Grade 6 leaders next year.

Our SAC Innovation Team is currently using remaining funds to purchase STEM supplies and kits so that we can continue to strengthen STEM and STEAM learning as a key focus at Bel Ayr moving forward.

Our school will post items for purchase and assign school fees relevant to your child. You can make all purchases and payments from your phone, tablet or computer.

We would like families to register as soon as possible.

To get started, please register for SchoolCash Online. It’s free and takes less than two minutes. You will receive an email once items are posted for purchase.

Visit https://hrce.schoolcashonline.com/ and click Register to get started.

Need support? Connect with the SchoolCash Online help desk at schoolcashonline.com/Home/Support

We hope that SchoolCash Online makes paying school-related fees more convenient!

Paper Newsletters - If you wish to receive paper copies of our newsletter, please contact Ms. MacLeod in the main office (902-435-8353)

School Insurance Program (SIP) - Your child is automatically covered for accidents and injuries that happen during the school day. If you want to have 24/7 coverage including the summer months it only costs $14.00/year for a gold plan.

Email: bla@hrce.ca
Website: bla.hrce.ca
Location: 4 Bell Street, Dartmouth, NS, Canada
Phone: 902-435-8353
X(Twitter): @belayrschool