Bell Bulletin Summer Edition
May 25, 2017
It Flew By! Only 3.5 Days of School Left!
Registration for 2017-2018 - A Must Read!
School registration is on-line using INFOSNAP (same as in previous years). A "snap code" will be sent to your email address for all returning students, and you will use this code to complete registration on-line beginning on July 13th. Please allow 2-3 days to receive your code(s). Each student will receive their own code. If you have not received a "snap code" by July 25th, please contact our front office at (972) 347-7200. Please do not complete a "New Student" registration form for your returning student (if this is chosen, it will have to be discarded and you will need to start over - we don't want this as your time is precious). You will only complete this if you have a new to Denton ISD student. When finished, it will prompt you to print the verification page that you will bring to Bell during the week of July 31st to August 4th (July 31, Aug 1, Aug 2, Aug 4th = 8 AM-3 PM AND Aug 3 = 7 AM-7 PM). Don't forget that you must complete both on-line registration AND Bell campus registration to have your child on a class list for Meet the Teacher Night! You can see how very important it is that we have a good email address for you on file! If your email address has changed or you would like to check the one we have on file for you, please contact our front office at (972) 347-7200.
*Release of Directory Information:
This is always a tricky part of on-line registration for parents, and we get many questions about this step! During your on-line registration portion, you will be asked to choose a Release of Directory Information option. Options will include:
Option #1: All info released. Information can be shared with contacts outside of DISD.
Option #2: Release limited information. Information will only be used within DISD (Bell Facebook, yearbook, Denton ISD Facebook, school photos, school website, etc).
Option #3: Release no information. No information will be released at the school, within the district, or outside the district. This means your child cannot have their school photos taken, and cannot be in the yearbook, as an example.
*Please note that Bell keeps all student information such as phone number and address confidential. We do not print directories with this information that goes home for all parents. If you have any questions about this step, please give us a call!
During Bell campus registration, you will bring the following:
- Verification print out from INFOSNAP
- Proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement). Cable, phone, cell phone, or insurance bills cannot be accepted. If you live with relatives, you will both need to be present at registration and will need to complete an affidavit of residency.
- Any updated vaccinations that were completed over the summer (all vaccinations for any new students).
- You will complete car tag information, etc while at Bell. We will make paperwork to be completed at Bell kept to a minimum for your convenience!
The email address you provide during registration is also used for Home Access Center. Home Access Center is the districts' parent portal where you can follow your child's attendance, daily schedule, and grades (secondary schools). If you do not have access to Home Access Center, please contact our front office at (972) 347-7200, and we can help.
Please remember, registration is not completed until you come to school!
We hope you have an amazing summer! Please call with any questions you have before June 6th or after July 25th. Thank you for a great first year, Bobcat Nation!
School Supplies 2017-2018
Access class school supply lists at Bell's website: http://www.dentonisd.org/belles
You also have the option of skipping the lines and purchasing school supply packs through EPI. Packs will be delivered by the company to classrooms prior to Meet the Teacher Night ready for your child(ren). Order now through June 25th!
1. Go to www.educationalproducts.com/shoppacks
2. Enter the school ID BEL224 (3 letters/3 numbers)
3. Follow the directions to complete your order
4. Keep your online confirmation as your receipt.
Sales tax will be added at checkout.
Time Change/Calendar Change for 2017-2018
While you are out buying school supplies, don't forget a dependable alarm clock! 20 minutes is being added to each day in elementary school across Denton ISD - 10 minutes at the start of the day, and 10 minutes at the end of the day. As a staff, we are so excited for this 20 minutes additional, and will be using the time in Bobcat Morning Meeting each day in every classroom. During this time we will focus on different character traits based on the core values we identified in our Bobcat Pledge (ask your child to recite it for you!). Be a leader, Overcome obstacles, Bring a positive attitude, Cultivate character, Accept responsibility, Treat others with respect, and Show integrity. What a great time to build community within the classroom, and give everyone a voice and an understanding of the special role and contribution each have to the class!
School Hours:
7:40 AM - 3:00 PM
The bell rings at 7:40 AM, and students should be in their classroom seat ready for video announcements to begin at 7:40! A "tardy" is getting to school after 7:40 AM. Thank you in advance for helping our students start the day off right by coming in on time and ready to learn alongside their peers!
Dismissal will be started earlier than 3:00 the first week or two of school while we spend extra time teaching students how to be safe during this time. Please expect car rider dismissal to take about 45 minutes the first week of school while students are learning their numbers and learning this system. This is normal, and the time will become faster each day. In fact, our car rider dismissal ends only 7 minutes behind our "walker" dismissal after it gets going. Don't give up on it after the first few days! :) After the first 2 weeks of school, our students should be ready to push dismissal back to 3:00 so we can maximize time on learning. We communicate this now so you are in the know and prepared for next year. This year started with about 640 students, we are around 710 students currently, and are expecting to be with at least 750 students next year. This is a lot of students to dismiss, and we could not do it without your continued support. We appreciate you every day!
You may access the 2017-2018 school calendar here:
http://www.dentonisd.org/cms/lib/TX21000245/Centricity/Domain/1/2017-18%20DISD%20Calendar.pdf
Bringing Items From Home - 2017-2018
In preparation for next year, we want to make you aware of the following items that will be included in our Student/Parent Handbook:
Toys:
We have had some trouble with toys being brought to school here at the end of the year. Toys are not allowed at Bell Elementary. We are not able to ensure the security of items brought from home and are not responsible for them being lost or taken. Please help us by not allowing your child to bring them to school so that focus can be on classroom learning and peer social interactions. Teachers will take up toys that are disrupting learning and will be in contact with you if it becomes a problem. The only exception to this is if classroom teachers have a special day/event they let you know about or if they allow recess sporting equipment - they will be your point of contact for what is allowed in their classroom. "Toys" includes spinners, as an example. If a child needs a fidget item during class due to a 504 or IEP plan accommodation, the teacher will supply one and include training on how to use it appropriately.
Bikes/Scooters:
We have many students who ride their bikes and scooters to school. These must be locked up at our bike racks to ensure they are not stolen. Please make sure you have a lock for your child prior to school starting!
Technology:
We have many students who walk home after school and need a phone for safety. Phones need to remain silent and in a child's backpack. Students should not be texting each other or family members during school hours, so there is no need to have a phone in a pocket. If you need to get your child a message, please call our front office. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items. There may be special times teachers allow students to use technology from home (tablets, smart phones, etc) to help with learning, such as research projects. The teacher will let students know when these items can be taken out for instruction and the expectation for use. Having technology at school is not a requirement to complete on-line learning in class. All classes have Chromebooks, at least one tablet, and access to Bell Computer Lab and Bell Collaboration Lab. Teachers will take up technology that is disrupting learning and will be in contact with you if it becomes a problem.
Attitude
Bell Elementary students are learning that leaders have positive attitudes - about themselves, about others, and about new learning and the challenges that come with new learning.
This month we are focusing on the character trait of attitude with our students. Each day on announcements we talk about how attitude is key for success.
Some of the quotes we use to help spring conversation include:
"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." - Winston Churchill
"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude."
- Maya Angelou
"Your attitude towards failure determines your altitude after failure." - John C. Maxwell
"A healthy attitude is contagious, but don't wait to catch it from others. Be a carrier."
- Tom Stoppard
Are You Connected?
Join Bell Elementary's Facebook Page to receive special updates and reminders!
https://www.facebook.com/catherinebellelemschool/
Or search "Catherine Coleman Bell Elementary" and LIKE the page
Support Bell PTA and receive information from their Facebook page!
https://www.facebook.com/KeepCalmAndVolunteer/?fref=ts
Or search "Bell Elementary PTA" and LIKE the page
Not a PTA member yet? It's not too late! Stop by the office and we can get you set up!
Dates To Remember
May 29th: Memorial Day
No School
May 30th, 31st or June 1st: End of Year Awards/Classroom Parties
Teachers will be sending home information specific to their classroom.
3rd Grade - May 30th - Awards and Party in Classrooms - 12:30 PM *Time Change*
Kindergarten - May 31st - Awards in Cafeteria (8:30 AM-9:30 AM) - Party in Cafeteria immediately following the awards ceremony
1st Grade - May 31st - Awards and Party in Classrooms - 11:45 AM
2nd Grade - May 31st - Awards and Party in Classrooms - 12:35 PM
4th Grade - May 31st - Awards and Party in Classrooms - 1:00 PM
5th Grade - June 1st - Awards in Cafeteria (8:30 AM-10:00 AM) - Picnic/Party Outside immediately following the awards ceremony
June 1st: Last Day of School
Report Cards Go Home Today
Dismissal at 12:00 PM - Make sure the classroom teacher knows if your child will have a different dismissal for early release!
Meet the Teacher Night!
TBD
First Day of School
Wednesday, August 16th, 2017
7:40 AM - 3:00 PM
Catherine Coleman Bell Elementary
Email: bellnotes@dentonisd.org
Website: http://www.dentonisd.org/belles
Location: 601 Villa Paloma Boulevard, Little Elm, TX, United States
Phone: (972) 347-7200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherinebellelemschool/