BG eNews
December 11, 2019
Notes from Mrs. Klueppel...
Please note the following items for your attention:
The Bell Grahame Kindergarten Enrollment for the 2020-21 school year is 2/5 from 9:30 a.m. -2:30 p.m. Click here for additional information.
The Board Approved District Calendars for 2020-21 & 2021-22 are now available for viewing.- There is NO SCHOOL 12/23-1/6
School Resumes Tuesday 1/7
Remaining SIP Days: Dismissal is at 11:40 AM:
-5/6/20
Spirit Week 12/16-12/20
PTO NEWS
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Dec 11 Hairy Ant Spirit Wear orders due--deadline extended!
Dec16 Staff Appreciation Breakfast, sign up here
Dec 17-19 Spirit Stick sale during lunch
Dec 20 Staff Appreciation Cookie Exchange, sign up here
Jan 6 ASE Preview opens on Community Pass
Jan 14 PTO Meeting 1:30pm, Teacher’s Lounge, see last months minutes here
Jan 14 ASE Registration opens 9pm
Jan 23 Bingo Night
Jan 24 ASE Registration closes at midnight
GIVING TUESDAY:
Last week was Giving Tuesday, but it is not too late to participate in Bell Graham PTO’s Giving Tuesday event. Thank you to all of the families who have given so generously so far...Track our progress to our goal of $2000 on the fun Christmas tree that is displayed on the front window of the school. (We are about a third of the way to our goal!) These funds are allocated in so many wonderful ways to support the entire school throughout the year! We are all so thankful for our school and all the opportunities it provides our children. For an EASY way to “give back”, just go to our Square store to make your donation. Or write a check payable to Bell Graham PTO, place it in an envelope marked, PTO, and bring it/send with your child to the office. See all details for this no guilt fundraiser here.
Does your employee do an employee giving “match”? Consider having your company match your non-profit donations, including our PTO.
SPIRIT WEAR:
Deadline was extended to TONIGHT!! Please place your orders ASAP! We must meet a minimum order, and we are THIS CLOSE!! Check out all of the new designs! A portion of sales benefit the PTO. Orders will be delivered to your student at school. Or please contact Andrea Benavidez at andrea.getten@gmail.com to arrange for a pick up or delivery if your purchase is intended to be a gift or suprise.
Order here: Hairy Ant
STAFF APPRECIATION:
We have TWO opportunities to show our teachers and staff how much we appreciate them during the Holiday Season!
December 16th: Staff Appreciation Breakfast...Let's kick off the week before Winter break with a breakfast for the staff! We have a coffee cart coming that morning to provide the teachers with specialty coffee drinks and would love to have some tasty treats for them as well! Sign up to bring items here
December 20th: Staff Appreciation Cookie Exchange...Calling all bakers! Let's make sure our staff at Bell Graham have plenty of sweet treats to enjoy this holiday season! We will be hosting a holiday cookie exchange for our teachers and staff and we need your help to make it a success! We are asking for homemade cookies, brownies or any family favoite sweet treat. Don't bake? No problem! You can also bring in your favorite bakery cookie to share! Drop off day will be Thursday, Dec. 19th (before or after school) and Friday, Dec. 20th UNTIL 9am. Cookie exchange will follow immediately after on the 20th. Please drop off cookies at the table in the front hall before school, or send them with your child either day. Please use a disposable tray where possible. We are asking for donations of 2 dozen or more cookies. This is a great way to say thank you to our teachers and staff for all they do throughout the year. If you have any questions or need to drop off cookies early please text, call or email: Sara Barnes (203) 521-9835 sarabmott@yahoo.com Sign up here
SPIRIT STICKS:
Spirit Stick Backpack tags will be sold during lunch Tues 12/17, Wed 12/18 & Thurs 12/19. Everything is $1.00. Come check out the special sale, or send money with your child.
ASE:
Plans for our After School Enrichment program are in full swing. We expect to have over 100 classes scheduled again this year. ASE consists of a variety of classes offered after school during the month of February which will allow your Bobcat to explore new hobbies and learn new skills. ASE offers 6-8 classes to choose from each day (M-Th) after school. Classes cover a variety of topics: art, science, sports, crafts, animals, technology, dance, culinary, theater, etc. Many favorite classes are returning and we are adding lots of new & exciting classes, too. There is a cost for these classes, the money pays the vendor and a small amount goes back to the PTO. The classes begin immediately after school and pick up will be in the classrooms at 4:15. You select the activities your child is interested in using our Community Pass registration program. Some classes are in high demand and fill quickly! All classes are one day classes unless otherwise noted.
Preview on Community Pass Opens Monday, January 6
Video Preview shown at lunch Thursday, January 9
Registration opens Tuesday, January 14 at 9PM
Registration closes Friday January 24 at Midnight
TRIVIA NIGHT:
Parent Trivia Night 2020 is fast approaching!! The event will be held on Saturday February 22nd at the St. Charles Moose Lodge. We need YOUR help to make this night an even bigger success than last year! We are currently looking for donations for our Silent Auction and Raffle Baskets. Are you a Pampered Chef, Tupperware or a Rodan + Fields consultant? Do you own your own photography business? Do you own a local business? We need your help!! Please consider donating a product or service to our event!! Your business will be recognized on our Facebook page and at our event. Please contact Kate Bennett kate.bennett82@yahoo.com or Andrea Benavidez andrea.getten@gmail.com Thank you!
AMAZON SMILE:
Support the Bell Graham PTO during this season of holiday giving, by simply setting up an Amazon Smile link for all of your Amazon shopping needs. You shop. Amazon gives. Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. (Parent Teacher Organization of Bell Graham Elementary School)
AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.
Just go to smile.amazon.com and search for Parent Teacher Organization of Bell Graham Elementary School. Add items to your cart, checkout, and viola! You just made a contribution to the PTO!
BINGO NIGHT/USED BOOK SALE...THINKING AHEAD:
As you are doing your Holiday cleaning and decluttering, please remember the PTO. We will start collecting good condition toys and treasures for Bingo Night, and books (pre-readers through middle school reading levels) for the Used Book Sale after school resumes from Winter Break. Please look for the areas to donate your goods near the office. Thank you!
From the Nurse...
If you have any questions or concerns please call the health office at: 331-228-2104
LeeAnna Anzaldi BSN, RN
Attendance Line
Absences should be called in before 8:40 AM if your child will be absent for any portion of the day. The number is 331-228-2100 and has voicemail. You can call during the evening or overnight and leave a message. Please leave your child’s name, their teachers name and the reason why your child is out. If they are ill, please indicate their symptoms (headache, vomiting, etc.).
Helpful Links
CUSD 303 News
Start and end times for the 2020-2021 school year and beyond
At its meeting on June 10, 2019, in support of the District’s strategic commitment to support innovative learning, the District 303 School Board approved the addition of 40 minutes to the elementary school day beginning with the 2020-2021 school year.
At its regular meeting on December 9, 2019, the District 303 School Board approved the calendar committee’s recommendation for start and end times that will take effect August 12, 2020.
High Schools 7:20 am - 2:21 pm
Elementary Schools 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
A.M. Kindergarten 8:00 - 10:55 am
P.M. Kindergarten 12:05 - 3:00 pm
Middle Schools 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Early Childhood
morning 9:00-11:30 am
afternoon 12:30-3:00 pm
In the summer, the transportation department will design bus routes for transportation-eligible students and will publish the pickup and dropoff times prior to the first day of school.
We are working with our partner organizations that provide before and after school care to make the transition as smooth as possible for families.
Parent University Book Study
District 303 Parent University presents our second annual book study when we read "The Whole Brain Child" by Dr. Dan Siegel.
In this pioneering, practical book, Daniel J. Siegel, neuropsychiatrist and author of the bestselling book Mindsight, and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson demystify the meltdowns and aggravation, explaining the new science of how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures. The “upstairs brain,” which makes decisions and balances emotions, is under construction until the mid-twenties. Conversations will be based upon the book as well as supplemental workbook activities. Study sessions will be offered during both morning and evening times at the following locations:
- Baker Community Center (101 S. 2nd Street, St. Charles)
- Fox Ridge in the LRC (1905 Tyler Road, St. Charles)
Join us for the book study sessions on the following dates:
February 13, 2020
9:15-10:30 a.m. at Baker Community Center
6:30-7:45 p.m. at Fox Ridge in the LRC
February 27, 2020
9:15-10:30 a.m. at Baker Community Center
6:30-7:45 p.m. at Fox Ridge in the LRC
March 12, 2020
9:15-10:30 a.m. at Baker Community Center
6:30-7:45 p.m. at Fox Ridge in the LRC
Bell Graham Elementary School
Website: bellgraham.d303.org
Location: 4N505 Fox Mill Blvd St. Charles, IL 60175
Phone: 331-228-2100
Facebook: facebook.com/BellGrahamElementary
Twitter: @BellGrahamD303