Bear Bulletin
Week of April 26 - 30, 2021
From the Principal
Dear BES families,
This is one of my favorite times of the year! The sunny, warm days with grass and trees turning a vibrant green, birds chirping and flowers blooming all tell us that spring is here! As the weather warms up, we all get a touch of spring fever and thoughts start to drift to summer vacation, but we still have several weeks of school. Although there are many fun activities planned between now and the end of school, we also have a lot of learning left! We appreciate your support in helping to keep school a priority by having your child at school daily, encouraging your child to read every night, be well rested for a good day at school, and to finish strong!
If you have a rising kindergarten student or know someone who does, we are currently enrolling for the upcoming school year. Registration information can be located further down in this newsletter, as well as on the BES or the D5 websites. Once the online portion is completed, please contact our Registrar, Mrs. Spell, to complete the process. We look forward to meeting our newest BES Bears!
Upcoming Dates & Links
Monday, April 26
- Report cards sent home
- D5 School Board Meeting, 7:00pm
Wednesday, April 28
- SIC meeting, 7:00am
Chromebook Check & Cleaning
Important Information for Parents of 3rd, 4th and 5th graders
This spring, students in grades 3, 4, and 5 across the state of South Carolina will take standardized assessments in math and English/Language Arts. Students in 4th grade will also take SCPASS for science. To help with your planning, testing dates and details are below. Please help us by ensuring that your child is well rested, has a good breakfast, arrives to school on time, and avoid early dismissals on these days.
Unlike MAP, SC READY and SCPASS cannot be administered virtually. The test can only be administered in-person in a secure testing environment. (Specific testing details and logistics for FIVE students will be communicated directly to those families.)
Information on SC READY and SCPASS can be found on the South Carolina Department of Education website at https://ed.sc.gov/tests/
Welcome!
Shawndora Seabrook-Cooper, Jacqueline Dubose-Anonie, Mary Soltis
Also a warm welcome to the newly elected PTO Board members:
Treasurer - Melissa Neel, Vice-President - Sarah Barker
We are so thankful to have such involved parents and families!
The contest may be over, but we are still recycling!
From Mrs. Colchin - Art Supplies
A Peek at Our Week
From the PTO
Mother Son Bowling Night! Pre-order your Mother Son Date Night Kits for $10 by April 30th through this online portal
https://besmotherson.cheddarup.com
Each kit will include a voucher for one game of bowling and shoe rental for both an adult and a child at Anchor Lanes in Irmo and two Lil' Sundae vouchers from Highway 55 in Ballentine.
Extra child kits can be ordered for $5 that will include one game of bowling and shoe rental plus one Lil' Sundae voucher. Highway 55 vouchers are valid through May 31 for dine in or carry out orders and Anchor Lane vouchers can be used through July 31. Kits will be sent home with students or available for office pickup on May 6th.
Appreciation Station! Would you like to show your appreciation for our hard working BES teachers and staff? If so, please click the link below to donate to our “First Friday” Hospitality fund for the month of April. We will be collecting donations and putting them towards purchasing treats to be distributed during Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week (May 3 - 7.)
Kindergarten Registration for 2021-2022 Now Open
BES is currently registering students for five-year-old kindergarten for children who will be five years-old on or before September 1, 2021. Parents and guardians of children meeting this eligibility can go to the District’s Registration Page online to begin registering your child at http://bit.ly/D5Register5K. In-person registration may be available at zoned elementary schools. Required documents include:
The student’s legal birth certificate
- A current South Carolina Certificate of Immunization, or a South Carolina Certificate of Medical or Religious Exemption
- A property tax receipt or a rental lease showing all occupants
- Two utility bills showing the current home address
Students that are in the 4-year-old kindergarten program and in PowerSchool should not complete the new student process, as current students will roll into 5-year-old kindergarten at the end of the school year. Parents will be prompted to update their information in Registration Gateway over the summer.
For more information on School District Five’s 5-year-old kindergarten program or the online registration form, contact Mrs. Spell, BES Registrar at 476-4500.
A Look Ahead to Next School Year
How to Reach Us...
Parent input and feedback are always appreciated as we work through new routines and procedures. Whether through a phone call or an email, we welcome your thoughts and ideas. The Administrative Team at BES is always available to help in any way we can! You can contact us by calling the main office at 476-4500 or emailing us directly.
Principal Robin Bright rbright@lexrich5.org
Assistant Principal Zach Keister zkeister@lexrich5.org
Assistant Administrator Amy Sgorrano asgorran@lexrich5.org
Follow BES on social media as well!
Facebook @BallentineElementarySchool
Twitter @BallentineElem
Our Mission…
The mission of Ballentine Elementary School is to join together community, staff, students, and families to ensure that all students are provided a world-class, rigorous education.
Our Vision…
In partnership with the community, staff, students, and families, Ballentine Elementary School will exemplify excellence in education in a positive, safe and nurturing environment in order to prepare our students to be fully participating citizens and leaders. We will foster the development of creative thinking, encourage curiosity and problem solving, promote respect for individual differences and uphold high ethical standards.