Volunteers Needed!

Belle River is looking for volunteers who will referee Kick Ball for 3rd-5th grade students during the lunch periods (weather permitting). The time is 11:15-12:30 and you can do it once a week, once a month, whatever works for you. If you are interested, please call 676-1150. Thanks!

Please join us Friday at Belle River for our

 Annual Halloween Parade at 10:30!

If the weather is nice, we will be parading outside around the bus loop.  If weather is poor all parents will watch the parade in the gym.

Have a Safe Halloween!

Halloween is an exciting day for children so please make sure everyone has fun while also staying safe. Make sure students understand the following rules when trick-or-treating:

·         Always stay with an adult.

·         Carry a flashlight.

·         Walk, don't run.

·         Stay on Sidewalks (If no sidewalk walk on the left side of the road facing traffic)

·         Obey traffic signals.

·         Stay in familiar neighborhoods.

·         Don't cut across yards or driveways.

·         Make sure costumes don't drag on the ground or across candles

·         Shoes should fit (even if they don't go with your costume)

·         Avoid wearing masks while walking from house to house.

·         Carry only flexible props.

·         Wear clothing with reflective markings or tape.

·         Approach only houses that are lit.

·         Stay away from and don't pet animals you don't know.

A note from Kellie Carnahan, Belle River's Media Specialist & 5th Grade Social Stu. Teacher..

THANK YOU to all the parents and children that purchased items at the Belle River Fall Book Fair.  

It really was ‘A Cool Place to Discover Books.’ 

Special thanks goes out to all our volunteers, including Mrs. Westrick who chaired it,
and all the staff members that helped students make their wish lists and purchase items.  

The students will soon be seeing some new books in the library, thanks to your support!
Happy Reading!

We Are 1 Team October Character Skill

Be an UpStander

The current We Are One Team Character Play (lesson) being taught is “Be an UpStander”.  An “UpStander” is someone that stands up for what is right, for their friends and for themselves.  I am sure you have heard about bullying in schools these days.  This character lesson helps kids learn how to handle different situations related to bullying at school.  Students will learn when and how to talk to someone that is hurting their feelings or picking on them.   They will also learn how they can stand up for a friend/classmate that is being bullied and when to report problems to the teacher and/or an adult at home.  This is a very important lesson because every child has the right to feel safe at school. 

The first part of this lesson deals with awareness. Plenty of kids have good intentions and want to protect their friends, but if they aren’t aware of what is going on around them they can’t be an “UpStander”.  Becoming aware of our surroundings and aware of our own personal space is a big step in eliminating many problems at school.

Students will also be working on how to resolve conflicts with their words.  Conflict resolution is an important part of this lesson and is a great life skill for your child to develop.  It is impossible not to have some conflict at school, but most of the conflicts are small and can be handled at the student level.  Your child will learn how to approach the conflict and also how to report it to the adult in charge.   Any time a student is threatened, intimidated or hurt; they will be instructed to report it immediately to the teacher AND to an adult at home.   

One of the challenging things to deal with is the difference between tattling and reporting.  One lesson is devoted to when a student should address an issue directly and when and how they should report the problem.  It is actually preferred for the students to error on the side of reporting too much than feel they are left alone to resolve their own problems.  As a team, we can work together to solve conflicts and work together to be our best.  Teachers will coach them on how to handle situations that can be taken care of between students. 

As you go about your day with you child, find times in which they can practice being an “UpStander”.  When people have each other’s backs and stand up for each other, they become a strong team working together to be their best.

Thanks,
James E. Jones, MBA

Written by National Youth Motivational Speaker and Founder of the We Are One Team Character Program – James E. Jones, MBA

Belle River Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences

Student Led Conferences

This year most students at Belle River Elementary School will participate in student led Parent Teacher Conferences. Student involvement at conferences provides students an opportunity to take an active role in the evaluation of their work and helps students to be more accountable for their learning.  Student led conferencing creates a partnership between the home and school, which empowers students to be responsible learners and citizens.  Following are just a few of the benefits:

Students will develop a stronger sense of pride in their accomplishments.
Students will learn the importance and power of setting goals & achieving them.
Students and teachers will establish productive relationships.
Parents will have a better understanding of their child’s academics and responsibilities.
Teachers and parents will increase communication regarding student work.

During the conference, parents will listen to their student talk about their learning and goals, as the teacher facilitates the conference.  We encourage parents to ask questions about the student’s work, goals and plans.  Our hope is parents will gain a better understanding of their student’s academic progress.  We look forward to this exciting opportunity and encourage you to make every effort possible to attend your child(ren)s’ conferences.  If you are unable to attend please call to reschedule a time that works for you.

For families with multiple students, students in grades 2-5^th will be expected to sit in the hall quietly as they wait for their parents to attend their brothers/ sisters’ conferences. They ARE NOT to attend their brothers/ sisters’ conferences. Students in Kindergarten- 1^st grade (as well as toddlers) may be dropped off in the Gym, where we will provide short term childcare while parents attend conferences without distractions.

What to do When at Conferences:
 

          Parent Survey (MEDIA CENTER)

Please take a few minutes to fill out the Parent Survey in the Media Center. Your input is important and helps with our School Improvement Plan. The classroom with the highest number of surveys taken wins a classroom surprise.

           Belle River Book Fair (MEDIA CENTER)

The Book Fair will be open during Conferences from 1:00 –4:00 and 5:15 – 8:00 on both conference days.  You may shop from the classroom teacher’s wish list which will add books to your child(ren)’s classroom library.  Please make checks payable to Belle River & remember to include 6% sales tax on all purchases.  Credit Cards will also be accepted at conferences. You can shop online until October 23rd. Go to http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/belleriver . These books will be delivered to the library, and we’ll call you when they come in.  

Visit Specials Teachers at the following days/ times:
Mrs. Nowak( Music): Wednesday  & evening (Music Room/ Media Center)
Mrs. McKellar (Art): Wed evening (Art Room/ Media Center)
Mrs. Sagan (Media): Wed evening (Media Center)
Mr. Westerhof  (Gym& Spanish): Wed & eve & Thurs evening (Spanish/Media)  
Mr. Oberski (Gym)I: Thursday afternoon (Gym/ Media Center
Mrs. Carnanhan (Media & 5th Gr Soc. St) Wed & Thurs (Room 16/ Media)

 

   ECSD Ballot Information & Spirit Wear Sale: Will be located in the front lobby.

 

Students need to be with their parent(s) when visiting the Book Fair in the Media Center!

Belle River Book Fair

The book fair is in full swing in the library and includes many discounted titles.  

The students made their “wish lists” today 

and can purchase items until the end of conferences.  

As you know, books are a great way to encourage your child to expand his/her knowledge.  Remember, the holidays are approaching and books make perfect gifts.

Thurs, Oct. 9 – Students preview and make “wish lists”

Fri, Oct. 10 – Thurs, Oct. 16 – Students can purchase items

Wed, Oct. 15 & Thur, Oct. 16 - Open for parents to shop 1:00-4:00 & 5:15-8:00

We also have an online book fair running from now until Thursday, October 23.  You’ll find even more books to choose from at http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/belleriver. 
The books you order will be shipped to Belle River and sent home with your child.  
If they are gifts, let us know and we’ll call you when they come in.  
Thanks for supporting Belle River's Media Center! 

Letter from Belle River's Art  Teacher Mrs. McKellar

October 2014

Dear Parents,

Welcome to a new school year in Art!  We are well under way with several new projects and looking forward to a great school year.

The grades for the Art program will remain the same as in past years, and are consistent with all elementary itinerant programs in the school district.  They are as follows:

                                                O = Outstanding

                                                S = Satisfactory

                                                N = Needs Improvement

                                                U = Unsatisfactory

As always, I welcome the items you continue to send along to the Art room.  Things especially needed include: paper plates (the thin cheap ones), cardboard tubes, kleenex, newspapers, zip lock bags (all sizes), heavy duty aluminum foil, black shoe polish, beans (lima, pinto, navy, kidney, black, etc.), wooden beads, bubble wrap and brown paper lunch and grocery bags. Just send or bring these items to school with your child labeled “Art Room”, and I will be sure to get it.

Please do not hesitate to call 676-1192 if you have any questions, or concerns.  I am at Belle River on Monday mornings, Tuesday afternoons and all day Thursday and Friday.

Sincerely,

Patricia McKellar

Art Teacher

Belle River Elementary

 Students Stay Healthy with......

Belle River's Before School Walking Club

Mr. Westerhof, Belle River's Physical Education teacher, walks with Belle River students before school on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays when the weather is ok. We understand the importance of exercise when it comes to learning so this is a great opportunity for students before starting their learning day. Grade levels are rotated and students are invited to get off the bus on their walking days to join Mr. Westerhof.