Bear Bulletin
Week of April 12 - 16, 2021
From the Principal
Dear Ballentine Parents.
I hope everyone had a wonderful spring break full of family and special time together. I am thrilled that we are finally moving away from the cool weather and spring is upon us. With the warm weather comes lighter clothing. As you pull out shorts for your child, please take a few moments to make sure they still fit appropriately for school. It's amazing how much they grow between fall and spring!
In this edition of the Bear Bulletin, you'll find the ballot for our Parent Teacher organization open positions, as well as the nominations for the School Improvement Council. In just a few clicks you could cast your ballot!
On Monday evening, families will receive an email regarding the SC State Department of Education Parent Opinion Survey. Throughout the year you have provided great feedback to us so that we could work together to make this most unusual year the BESt it could possibly be for our students. We rely on this input to make decisions regarding what is going well and what needs to be refined and improved. We are asking for similar feedback for the SC State Department of Education Parent Opinion Survey.
Although the Parent Opinion Survey has been administered for many years, only parents of students in the highest grade in elementary and middle schools and parents of 11th graders in high schools previously were afforded the opportunity to respond to the paper survey. This year we are excited that the survey has been moved to an online platform and is accessible to ALL parents of students in grades K-12! Thank you in advance for taking a little time to complete the survey. We value your input!
Upcoming Dates & Links
Thursday, April15 - End of 3rd quarter, spring pictures (see info below)
Friday, April 16 - eLearning day (students will not report to BES)
Monday, April 19 - MAP testing begins
Wednesday, April 28 - SIC meeting, 7:00am
From the Cafeteria - Menu change Monday, April 12
Popcorn Chicken & Waffles *OR* Mac-n-Cheese Bowl
Diced Potatoes *OR* Peas
Fruit
Spring Pictures Are This Week!
BES FIVE students will also have the opportunity to have their picture made from 8:00am - 9:00am. Please come to the entrance near the cafeteria (the same one used for MAP testing earlier in the year.) Parents will park and wait in the car. Once the student is done with the picture, s/he will be escorted back out to the parent.
***Due to covid restrictions, we will not be taking class photos this year, just individual pictures.***
From the PTO
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.)
https://besteacherappreciation.cheddarup.com
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.