Hello,

We hope everyone had a lovely holiday break. We are back this week and busy as always. With only 14 days before our next break, teachers and students have been busy learning and having fun. The holiday spirit is all over campus.

I have had a great time this week reading a new book to all classrooms, The Invisible Boy. We have been talking about ensuring everyone has a friend, and it only takes one person to stand up and ensure everyone is involved. The text also covers the idea that every person has a superpower. Please talk with your student about identifying their superpower and how they can use that power to spread kindness. In January, we will launch our yearly Kindness challenge.

We will be having a school-wide movie party on 12/19. We will be watching holiday favorites. If you do not want your child to participate, please contact your teacher, as we will have alternative activities. Please note that this is an opt-out-only event. We are looking forward to a fun and exciting day.

Next week, we will have our last Bear Paw store before the Holiday Break. The kids are very excited.

Have a great weekend- 9 days will Holiday Break,

Gerri Fippin

Principal, BCE

We need your help for the canned food drive. We are hoping every student can bring in 10 cans ASAP. Please help BCE meet our goal!

December 11th at Aroma Restaurant, 5:30-7:30pm VWC Trivia Night Fundraiser for the BCE Fifth Grade Science Camp Fund. The Valley Women’s Club is hosting a trivia night at Aroma. Come have great food while testing out your trivia knowledge. One trivia round will test your 5th grade science knowledge! The VWC’s education committee supports educational efforts within the SLV through fundraising, grants and scholarships.

Our students work hard every day and earn Bear Paws for following the BCE Way - Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful. Our next Bear Paw Store is December 13th. If you are able, please consider supporting our store by purchasing items from our Amazon Wish List. Donations are very appreciated! Thank you for supporting this important PBIS program (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports)!

The 2019 Highway 9/SLV Complete Streets Plan is being updated and expanded. The new Rural Highways Safety Plan (RHSP) effort by the SCCRTC and Caltrans will also include all other conventional highways in Santa Cruz County, including Highway 236 and Highway 35. Share your safety concerns using the bilingual survey on the RHSP project webpage (sccrtc.org/rhsp) until December 6, 2024.

Head to the Highway 9/SLV Complete Streets Program webpage (sccrtc.org/slvplan) for updates on upcoming and planned construction projects, including the 2025 construction of the sidewalk and bike lanes connecting SLV High School to downtown Felton. Sign up for “Highway 9 SLV” and “Vision Zero” email updates on the SCCRTC eSubscription webpage (sccrtc.org/esubscriptions) to keep informed about Highway 9 Complete Streets implementation and the Rural Highways Safety Plan.

We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help make this year’s BCE Yearbook unforgettable! Whether you’re a budding photographer, a creative designer, or a detail-oriented organizer, we have a spot for you. Be part of a fun and rewarding experience as we document the highlights of the school year and create a keepsake that everyone will treasure.

Visit https://bit.ly/BCEyearbook25 or email us at yearbook@bceparentsclub.org for more information.

Drop Off and Pick Up

We have had several issues the past couple of weeks at both drop off and pick up. Please know that all of us out at the cross walk are only trying to keep our students and families safe. I wanted to remind everyone to please first be Kind and Patient. Here are a few reminders about pick up and drop off

• You can drop off on either side of Laurel Street.
• You can NOT drop off coming up on Lomond street.
• You can only leave your car in designated parking spots on Laurel street.
• Make sure you are not parking in front of our neighbors drive ways
• On Lomond Street, you need to park in the right direction. Buses are not able to get through when cars are away from the side and parked in the wrong direction.
• When walking down Lomond Street please use the sidewalk. We have had a few close calls with kids and parents walking in the center of the street.

Thank you everyone for helping ensure safety of all of our students. Below is the parking map again for reference.