BES Newsletter

PTO Lip Sync Variety Show: Friday, March 20 at 6:00 pm

End of 3rd Marking Period: Wednesday, March 25

Math and Art Night: Tuesday, March 31

We have begun the process of starting to get items packed up and ready to move to our new school. A large part of this process involves packing and moving the library and all of the books. To accomplish this, the library will be shut down at the beginning of May while Ms. Estel and Ms. Parsons begin to inventory and pack the books. The last book check-out will take place in mid-April. The book fair will also be done virtually this year. We will send out more information in the near future.

To replace Library in the specials rotation, students will have a STEM special taught by our district STEM Instructional Coach, Ms. Allison D'Ambrosia. Ms. D'Ambrosia will send communication home to parents as we closer to May.

Mrs. Stover is looking for a few volunteers to help hang art work for the art show that will be combined with Math Night at Bellefonte Elementary happening Tuesday, March 31.

Help would include writing names on background paper and attaching and hanging artwork on banners and in the school. If you would be willing to help out, please reach out to Mrs. Stover at estover@basd.net.

Thank you for considering helping out!

When you come to the building, we ask that you please wait to be checked into the secure vestibule one at a time. I know that this can be awkward at times, and we don't anyone to feel slighted. However, in the interest of safety, we do want to make sure that we maintain control of who enters the building and when.

This cold and flu season has sure made its mark! Remember, if your child is out and sees the doctor, please make sure to get the doctor's excuse turned into Mrs. Cook. Medical excuses do not count towards your 10 days of excused absences. You can email them to beatt@basd.net or have them faxed to 814-353-5338.

As noted above, we have started to pack up the belongings we are taking with us to the new building in an effort to prepare for three waves of moves. We will be strategic in these moves and ensure that the items that go in the last move in June are the items we need to finish the school year.

I also wanted to reinforce that we will have back-to-school night before the start of school next year. There will also be additional opportunities for tours for anyone who wants to go in and see the building prior to the start of the school year. Information about these opportunities will be shared into the spring and summer.

In terms of teachers per grade level, there will be four teachers per grade level in third grade. The rest of the grades in kindergarten through fifth will have five teachers per grade level. The numbers of teachers in each grade level are set at a district level based on the number of students in that grade level. This is a common practice across the district that takes place each year in an effort to be financially responsible.

Furniture is currently scheduled to be delivered this week. Once it is delivered, there is an approximate two week installation period. All of our teachers will be spending the day working in the new building during our Professional Learning day on April 2. We are all excited to take more steps forward and begin to make ourselves home in our new space. Check out some new photos below:

March 8–14: Sleep Awareness Week!

The National Sleep Foundation has officially declared March 8-14, Sleep Awareness Week. It’s the perfect time to talk about one of the most powerful tools for student success: a good night’s rest.

Why Sleep Matters

When students run on empty, it affects more than just their morning mood. Consistent poor sleep is linked to:

• Academic struggles: Lower concentration and memory retention.

• Safety risks: An increase in accidents and injuries.

• Emotional hurdles: Higher levels of anxiety, depression, and impulsive risk-taking.

Strategies for Better Rest

We know that "enforcing" sleep can be a battle. Here are the most effective ways to help your student (and yourself!) get back on track:

1. The Digital Sunset

Screens are the enemy of sleep. Experts recommend no phones or computers at least one hour before bed.

* The Pro-Tip: Since "banning" phones can feel impossible, try a family charging station in the kitchen or living room. If the phone isn't next to the bed, the temptation to scroll disappears!

2. Consistency is Key (Even on Weekends!)

Our bodies thrive on rhythm. Encourage your student to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day—yes, even on Saturdays.

• Feeling extra tired? Instead of sleeping in late, try going to bed an hour earlier, but keep that morning alarm the same. This helps maintain a healthy internal clock even through summer break.

3. Perfect Your Sleep Hygiene

Help your student create a 15-minute nightly routine that signals to their brain: "It’s time to wind down."

• The Routine: Wash up, brush teeth, and read a physical book (no e-readers!).

• The Environment: Keep the bedroom cool, dark, and quiet.

• The Diet: Avoid caffeine and spicy foods in the evening.

When to Call Your Healthcare Provider….

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, sleep remains a struggle. If your student is consistently having trouble, please consult your healthcare provider. Conditions like Restless Leg Syndrome or Sleep Apnea can affect teens, as can anxiety, ADHD, or ASD.

Sweet dreams, BASD families!

References

Suni, E. (2009, April 17). Sleep for teenagers. Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/teens-and-sleep

Teenagers and sleep: How much sleep is enough? (2022, March 25). Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/teenagers-and-sleep-how-much-sleep-is-enough

Click here to access the Food Services section of the district website which contains information about free and reduced lunches, lunch payments and more!

The lunch menu for this month is below:

• The Snip-It: Strong readers create a "movie in their mind" as they read. This active visualization keeps them engaged and helps them remember details and follow the plot.

• The Tip: Pause and Describe the Scene. When reading together, stop at a key point and ask: "What are you picturing right now?" Have them describe the characters, setting, and action using descriptive words. This helps them monitor their own comprehension—if they can't picture it, they need to re-read!

The dates for PSSA testing are below simply for informational purposes. Please remember that the district does not approve educational trip requests that fall on PSSA testing days. More information can be found on page 18 of the Handbook.

English Language Arts - April 21-23

Math - April 27 - 28

Science (5th grade only) - April 29, 30

If you or someone you know will be registering a student for kindergarten for next year, please mark these dates down. We, along with Benner Elementary, will be completing Kindergarten Registration at the new elementary school building.

You may contact the Main Office for more information. We will begin scheduling appointments in the near future. The dates we will hold Kindergarten Registration are below:

Thursday, April 9 from 11:30 am to 6:00 pm

Wednesday, May 13 from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm

Attending school regularly is the first thing that everyone can do to help ensure success in the classroom. However, life happens and we know that there are times when students should stay at home, especially if they are sick. A complete overview of our attendance guidelines can be found on pages 16-18 of the Student Handbook. Below are some main points to remember.

• Remember to turn in a written excuse anytime your student is absent. Sending an email to our Attendance Clerk at beatt@basd.net is usually the easiest way. Even if you call in, we still need a written note for our records.
• Always get a note from your doctor when your child is absent for an appointment. Most offices will fax excuses directly to the school. If they do this, give us a call the next day to make sure we received it.
• Students are marked late/tardy if they arrive between 8:10 and 8:45 am. After 8:45, students will be marked absent for either a whole day or half day am. If students are tardy 15 times in a school year, truancy proceedings may be initiated with the District Magistrate.
• If a student is absent and no excuse is turned in, or the reason for an absence is not one of the valid reasons we can excuse, the absence will be marked as illegal. If a student accumulates 3 illegal absences, a meeting will be called to allow us to work together and avoid any further illegal absences. If a student accumulates 6 illegal absences, truancy proceedings may be initiated with the District Magistrate.

Ultimately, our goal is to make sure that our students are in school and that we are working with you to make that happen and also help you to make sure that their absences are recorded correctly. Please reach out to us with questions and allow us to help you if needed.

Educational Trips:

We see the value in traveling as a family and taking your children to see and experience different places and events. Below is information on how to make sure these absences are accounted for.

• Students can now take up to 10 days of Educational Trips each school year.
• An Educational Trip Form must be submitted at least seven calendar days prior to the trip. You can send that form to our Attendance Clerk at beatt@basd.net.
• This form can be found on the District Website, I will also include the link our back to school newsletter.
  

• BASD Website > Menu> Attendance > Educational Trip Request Form

Please click on the files below to learn more about Cartwheel. We partner with Cartwheel to provide mental health services to students and families.

Anyone who plans on volunteering in our buildings during the school day or at school-sponsored events, must become a registered volunteer and be approved by the School Board. Examples of volunteering opportunities that you must be an approved volunteer for include but are not limited to:

• 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

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

All registered volunteers will need to update their clearances every five years.

If you plan on volunteering at all during the school year, it is best to get this process completed early. Please contact the main office or our volunteer coordinator, Liz Stone (lstone@basd.net) if you have any questions.

Click Here for the Volunteer Program section on the BASD website.

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/Domain/388

Phone: 814-355-5519

Fax: 814-353-5338

Attendance Email: beatt@basd.net