The Bulldog Bulletin
Friday, March 29th
Upcoming Events
April
- PTO Meeting-April 4 @ 6pm
- BRAVOS Concert-April 4 @ 7pm
- MAP Testing-April 15-26 (details below)
- Healthy Kids Week-April 22-26
May
- PTO Meeting-May 2 @ 7pm
- Blacktop Ball-May 3 5:30pm-7:00pm
- Early Dismissal-May 10 @ 11:45am
- Crossover Day-May 14 @ 9:15am
- Field Day-May 17
- 5th Grade Party-May 21
- Field Day Rain Date-May 22
- 5th Grade Farewell Celebration-May 24
- Last day of School & Early Release- May 24 @ 11:45am
Science Center Visit!
As a launch to our next science unit, 2nd grade enjoyed a presentation on weather by the Science Center. Thank you, PTO!
HOW TO DRAW POKEMON CHARACTERS with Mr. Todd
ONE HOUR CLASS AGES: 6-11
$10 PER CHILD
ALL MATERIALS INCLUDED
Are you a parent who constantly has to listen to their children tell them about what Pokemon evolve into what other Pokemon and how rare a particular card is despite the fact your kid has twelve of them as well as every one of their friends? Do you want a break for an hour to try to forget everything you've ever learned about this game? Then this drawing class is for you! This class teaches two characters from the Pokemon series, and will be voted on by the children in class!
Registration CLOSES 4/1/19
MAP Testing Schedule
- April 16th-24th--5th Grade MAP Testing
- April 17th-25th--4th Grade MAP Testing
- April 23rd-26--3rd Grade MAP Testing
Classroom teachers can be contacted to provide more specific information.
5th Grade Art Show!
Questions?
Contact: Marissa Capron at capron.marissa@wgmail.org
Come and Watch Intelligent Lives on April 17th at 6:00 P.M.
From award-winning filmmaker Dan Habib comes INTELLIGENT LIVES, a catalyst to transform the label of intellectual disability from a life sentence of isolation into a life of possibility for the most systematically segregated people in America.
INTELLIGENT LIVES stars three pioneering young American adults with intellectual disabilities – Micah, Naieer, and Naomie – who challenge perceptions of intelligence as they navigate high school, college, and the workforce. Academy Award-winning actor and narrator Chris Cooper contextualizes the lives of these central characters through the emotional personal story of his son Jesse, as the film unpacks the shameful and ongoing track record of intelligence testing in the U.S.
INTELLIGENT LIVES challenges what it means to be intelligent, and points to a future in which people of all abilities can fully participate in higher education, meaningful employment, and intimate relationships.
Film length: 70 minutes
2019 Bristol Day At the Ballpark
2019 Bristol Day At the Ballpark
This year’s Bristol Day at the Ballpark is Saturday, May 11th at 1:15 pm. The Bristol Bravos will be singing The National Anthem before the game!! This event is open to ALL Bristol families! We would love to have you join us! Tickets are $20 each. Checks should be made out to Bristol PTO. All proceeds from ticket sales will be used by classroom teachers to put needed learning tools in the hands of our students. A link to the order form is included here. Please return your ticket orders to John Helmig, 4th grade teacher, NO LATER THAN FRIDAY APRIL 12th!
Please consider joining us. It’s a great time, for a great cause, and an awesome opportunity to hang out with your Bristol community!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CXmEnAz2dlGW5VrbZq_TuPbrDsI_9DNvVPDkbx3gV64/edit?usp=sharing
PTO Executive Board Openings for the 2019-2020 School Year
- Co-President (1 opening)
- 1st Vice President (1 opening)
- 2nd Vice President (2 openings)
- Auditor (1 opening)
Please contact Mason Alinger at masonalinger@gmail.com or 202.421.4567 or Jamie Baley at trackedbysatellites@gmail.com
Proposition E on the Ballot April 2nd
Voters in the Webster Groves School District will be asked to approve the district's Proposition E in the April 2 election. The district has placed information about Prop E on its website. You can find studies, surveys and other information related to development of the proposition as well as a place to ask questions here https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/domain/3898
Over the next few weeks, we'll feature information about the proposition in newsletters and social media, starting with some frequently asked questions.
What is Proposition E?
Proposition E is a no-tax-rate-increase, $22 million bond issue on the ballot April 2 to improve safety, accessibility and other space issues in district buildings and relieve overcrowding in elementary schools.
Six million dollars would be used for safety and accessibility enhancements that include secure doors and controlled, single point of entry vestibules for all buildings, a districtwide communications system, asbestos abatement, secure interior and classroom doors, secure exterior doors, as well as elevators and chairlifts to improve accessibility, in accord with the
Americans with Disabilities Act.
In addition, the bond issue would include $16 million to add space at Hixson Middle School so that sixth grade can be moved there and to convert the Steger Sixth Grade Center/Givens School campus into a single elementary building.
Passage of the bond issue would not raise the district’s current debt service tax rate of 56.99 cents for every $100 of assessed valuation.
How much will this cost me?
Passage of the Proposition E bond issue would not increase the district’s current debt service tax rate. Property owners will continue to pay the current debt service tax rate of 56.99 cents for every $100 of assessed valuation.
Doesn’t the district’s overall tax rate rank at the top of school districts in St. Louis County?
No. The district hasn’t had an increase in its overall tax rate since 2010. It currently ranks ninth out of 22 school districts in the county.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proposition E - April 2
Proposition E April 2, 2019 for Safety, Accessibility and Space
Proposition E, a no-tax-rate-increase bond issue on the ballot April 2, would improve safety, accessibility and other space issues in district buildings and relieve overcrowding in elementary schools. Six million dollars of the bond issue would be used for safety and accessibility enhancements that include secure doors and controlled, single point of entry vestibules for all buildings, asbestos abatement, secure interior and classroom doors, secure exterior doors, as well as elevators and chairlifts to improve accessibility, in accord with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. The bond issue would include $16 million to add space at Hixson Middle School so that sixth grade can be moved there and to convert the Steger Sixth Grade Center/Givens School campus into a single elementary building.
You can find additional information – as well as survey results, studies and other material – on the Proposition E page on our website, at this link https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/domain/3898
How did the Board of Education decide to put this proposition on the ballot?
The board’s vote to move forward with the proposition came after about a year of needs assessment/analysis by the district and several months of community discussions including meetings, focus groups and surveys. Superintendent John Simpson said that the decision represents “the best thinking and recommendations” of district administration regarding the path forward for maintaining, improving and right-sizing district facilities to support student learning and achievement.
How did the district determine the safety, space and accessibility priorities covered in the bond issue?
During the past year, the Building Advisory Committee (a citizens committee) has been actively engaged in the evaluation of district facility needs including a comprehensive Facilities Condition Assessment of existing district infrastructure (buildings and improvements). It subsequently evolved into a broader view of district-wide space, security, accessibility, health/safety and programmatic needs. This assessment was completed in April 2018 and included the identification and cataloguing of all major building systems/components and site improvements, the current condition and expected remaining useful life of each, an estimated cost of repair/replacement and a projected date such repairs/replacements would be needed on a year-by-year basis for the next 10 years.
Data collected regarding space and facility needs in the school district include:
o Accessibility Needs (Fall 2018 by district)
o Asbestos (August 2018 by district)
o Safety and Security (July 2018 by Gallagher Bassett)
o Safety and Security (Fall 2018 by Webster Groves Police Department)
o Facilities Condition Assessment (April 2018 by EMG)
o Enrollment Projections (updated January 2018 by Dr. Charles Kofron)
o Additional Enrollment Data (June 2018 by district)
o Programmatic Needs (updated September 2018 by district)
What safety, accessibility and space improvements would Proposition E fund?
Proposition E would provide $6 million for enhancements that include secure doors and controlled, single point of entry vestibules for all buildings, asbestos abatement, secure interior and classroom doors, secure exterior doors, as well as accessibility improvements such as elevators and chairlifts, in accord with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.
· If the district weren’t asking voters to approve a bond issue, wouldn’t the debt service tax rate roll back?
Passage of Proposition E means the school district would maintain its current debt service levy of 56.99 cents. Absent a bond issue, the district would either need to roll back (reduce) the debt service levy or use what would be rolled back to pay off other existing bonds. The reduction of our debt service levy would need to be gradual if we went that route. We have estimated that beginning in 2021-22, WGSD would need to reduce the levy by about five cents if no new bonds were issued. On a $300,000 residential property, this would translate to about $29 in the pocket of the property owner. Naturally, the home owner would continue to see more property tax savings as time passed and the district continued reducing the levy.
If we chose to use that money to pay down other school district bonds, we would maintain the debt service levy at its current level to do so - 56.99 cents for several more years.
Office Contact Information
314.963.6433
Sign Up Parties Are Still Available!
Sign-up Today if you would like to join a sing-up party!
Go to: Bristol.givesmart.com > Click Items> search for your party
These are the available parties!
Grade Level Parties: Kindergarten Roller Skate- Date TBD • 1st Grade Pool Party- Date TBD • 2nd Grade Girl’s Party- 5/4/19 • 2nd Grade July 4th Parade (family)- 7/4/19 • 3rd Grade Boy’s Pool Party- 6/15/19 • 3rd Grade Girl’s Pool Party- 8/11/19 • 5th Grade Bubble Bus- Date TBD • 5th Grade Nacho Average Pool Party- 8/4/19
Adult Parties: Cookie Decorating Class- July 2019
Family/Kids: Creepy WG History Walking Tour- Date TBD • Family Lake Fun & BBQ- 6/30/19 • Fancy Schmancy Tea Party- TBD • Kids Cake Decorating Class- TBD • Lacrosse Lesson (kids) and Happy hour (adults) 2nd-5th graders- 3/30/19 4-5:30
Arrival Reminder
Webster Groves School District Foundation Update
This will be another wonderful event and we are excited to continue with our mission to raise money to help support innovative and dynamic learning in our classrooms. Thanks for your support!!
Event Details
· Mardi Gras @ Cyrano's is a fabulous night to come together as a community to show support of the Webster Groves School District Foundation. Enjoy an evening of delicious food, great music and your fellow Webster Groves community members! Money raised from the event funds grants to teachers to provide innovative and dynamic learning opportunities throughout the Webster Groves School District.
· The night will feature music from the WGSD Jazz Band, New Orleans inspired Hors D'Oeuvres by Chef Mike Johnson of Sugar Fire, and 2 drink tickets.
· Ticket price for the event is $50 per person or $60 per person at the door. Register for tickets at www.wgsdfoundation.org
Attention all incoming 3rd-6th grade families!
Please help us with traffic flow
Because of our location arrival and dismissal are challenging. There are a few things that can help:
- No Parking Zones: Please observe designated No Parking zone on W Cedar heading away from Bristol. Cars parked here slow traffic flow and create an unsafe situation at the crosswalk. Thank You!
- U-Turns: Please do not make U-Turns on Gray or in the intersection or Gray & Cedar during arrival or dismissal. This slows traffic flow and creates an unsafe situation at the crosswalk. Thank You!
- Drop & Go: Please refrain from parking and exiting your vehicle during arrival & dismissal times. If you must park please pull all the way down Gray or park on a neighboring street.
Thank you!
Little Statemen Store
The Ambrose PTO has gained permission to open an online Little Statesmen Store specializing in spirit wear for the youngest of children in the district (infants through preschool). The High School Parents Club graciously shared their designs with us so we could be the providers for little kids. Please help our PTO support the Ambrose Center by sharing this information. The store will be open for three weeks so timing is everything.
Link to the store: https://littlestatesmen.itemorder.com
What's for Breakfast & Lunch?
Allergies & Lunch Room Seating
Thank you!
Look for us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bristolelementary/
Bristol Elementary School
Email: senti.william@wgmail.org
Website: http://bristol.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/bristol
Location: 20 Gray Avenue, Webster Groves, MO, United States
Phone: 314-963-6433
Twitter: @bristolbuddies