BG eNews
April 21, 2023
Notes from Mrs. Klueppel...
APRIL
4/26 - Early Release (2:10 Dismissal)
4/28 - BG Shopping Day
MAY
5/8 - 10 Tips for Supporting Healthy Emotional Development (RSVP below)
5/18 - End of Year Picnic
5/22 - BG Shopping Day
5/26 - Last Day for Students
Want to Volunteer at BG this year?
Please read our volunteer protocol. Take note that the requirements are different based on if you are a one time volunteer or repeat volunteer.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN SCHOOL
We are noticing many students coming to school with phones and SmartWatches. Please be aware of our School Board Policy for phone and Smartwatch usage during school hours:
2022-23 Elementary School Handbook
ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN SCHOOL
Phones/Smart Watches
Students are extended the privilege of possessing phones/smartwatches on school grounds;
however, their use is limited to after-school dismissal and non-school days. These devices must be in the off position, or not used once the student arrives on campus until the end of the school day.
NOT ATTENDING BG NEXT YEAR?
- Release of student records form This also gives us permission to share records with your child’s new school when requested.
- Withdrawal Form This provides us with details regarding withdrawing your child from CUSD303.
Placement Information - Due 4/24
In planning for the upcoming school year, parents are invited to provide information that will assist us in the class placement process. Since every learner is unique, our goal is to pair each learner with an environment that maximizes his or her potential. Therefore, balancing classrooms based on special needs or talents, learning styles, and personalities are all factored as we compile class lists.
i-Ready Spring 2023
10 Tips for Supporting Healthy Emotional Development
We have partnered with Riverview Child and Family Therapy to provide a free parent evening in April. The session will be approximately 1 hour long and be presented in the school Cafeteria by a licensed clinical professional counselor. Please see below for the topic of the evening.
THIS IS AN ADULT ONLY EVENT, NO CHILDREN ALLOWED. We apologize for any inconvenience.
10 Tips for Supporting Healthy Emotional Development
Learn easy, doable strategies that guide the development of positive mental health in our students. Ideas support decreasing family conflict, building independence, and identifying and moving through challenging emotions.
Monday, May 8, 2023, 05:00 PM
Bell-Graham Elementary School, Fox Mill Boulevard, St. Charles, IL, USA
Health Office
Greetings from the Health Office!
We would like to introduce you to Nurse Kerisa! She is the new building nurse that started this week. She is a native to St. Charles and has been a nurse for 5 years. She is excited to be a part of The Bell Graham family so when you see her please give her a nice welcome. Just a reminder that if you need to correspond with the health office the best way to do so is to email bel-nurses@d303.org.
Kindergarten and 2nd grade parents please be on the look out for dental reminders. If your child does not have an up to date dental exam on file in the health office you will receive a reminder letter. The dental examination is required for your child to be in compliance with Illinois School Health requirements.
For your child to be in compliance with School health requirements, one of the following must be completed before May 10, 2023
· Submit a completed dental form. A dental exam, performed by a licensed dentist, and completed in the last 18 months.
· Complete a “waiver” form. The Illinois Department of Public Health has established a waiver for children who show undue burden or lack of access to a dentist.
· Provide an appointment card. Parents or legal guardians must present proof that the dental examination will take place within 60 days after May 10th.
If you have any questions regarding the dental health requirements, please contact the Health Office at Bell Graham Elementary (331-228-2104). A dental examination report form can be downloaded form the district website under the Departments tab or Parent/Community tab.
Health Office Email Address
Parents, please send any communication or test results to
bel-nurses@d303.org to ensure that all of our Bell Graham nurses receive this important information pertaining to your student(s)
New Orchestra Parent Information Meeting
Calling all 2nd grade musicians!
Over the next few weeks, every current 2nd grader will get the chance to hear a performance by members of our school orchestra AND try each of the instruments offered in our orchestra program: Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass. Nearly 1,000 children across D303 elementary schools are involved in our elementary orchestra program!
If your child is interested in joining us, please mark your calendar for our NEW Orchestra Parent Information meeting! At the virtual meeting, you will meet your orchestra director, learn details about the program, how to register, and how to rent an instrument. Each meeting will present the same information, so please join us when you can. We look forward to meeting with you. Please join us for one of these meetings:
New Orchestra Parent Information Meeting
Tuesday, May 9th 6:00pm
or
Wednesday, May 10th 6:00pm
Watch your email for a zoom link in early May.
Band Instruments Event for 4th Graders
BG PTO
AVIC
We are looking for AVIC volunteers(Art Volunteers in the Classroom). Bell Graham will be doing the whole grade level at one time for AVIC this spring. We want to try it out, and see if this is something that will work on a regular basis next year. It is a great opportunity to volunteer! Please make sure you have your volunteer information filled out at the office.
Each grade level will have one or two people in charge of planning the lessons and gathering supplies. We are looking for someone to be in charge of kindergarten and 4thgrade. Once you sign up, they will contact you and let you know when they need you there and what you will be doing. Thank you in advance!
Please let us know if you have any questions!
Courtney Habas (224)828-3135 cfarroh@hotmail.com
Holly Gerhart (630) 347-0101 holjod99@yahoo.com
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4BAEAD2FA4F85-endofthe
Restaurant Fundraiser
Our April restaurant fundraiser is at Crumbl on Tuesday, April 25 from 3pm-6pm. Click here for the flyer.
Clap Out Shirts - Deadline 4/23
5th Grade Families - clap out shirts are available to order! Click here.
Thank you
A HUGE thank you to our retiring PTO Board Members -
Andrea Benavidez - VP of Communications
Javy Hernandez - Treasurer
Thank you for donating your time and talent to our PTO!!
Welcome
And welcome to our 2023/2024 PTO Board -
Kate Bennett - President
Jessica Giltzow - VP of Communications
Candace Kloss - VP of Committees
Amy Dombrowski - Treasurer
Lisa Perrault - Secretary
Reminder - If you have any expenses for the 2022/2023 school year, they are due by May 31st OR THEY WILL NOT BE PAID.
Teacher Appreciation Week
Teacher Appreciation Week begins May 8th. Please see our flyer below with an outline of the week we have planned for our AWESOME BG staff. Each classroom will be assigned support staff to help ensure each member of the BG team has the opportunity to be recognized. Please look for a note from your room mom with additional details.
New Committee Member Needed
We are currently looking for a new Restaurant Fundraiser Committee Chair. This is a low maintenance position and a great way to get involved with the PTO. Please contact Kate Bennett if you are interested.
Chess Club
We couldn't offer this program without the support of parent volunteers. PLEASE SIGN UP for at least one time slot of this upcoming session on the sign up-genius link here.
Website
For additional information on the PTO please visit our website or our Bell Graham Elementary PTO Facebook page.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Any questions or comments? Please contact our PTO President Kate Bennett at kate.bennett82@yahoo.com or 630.461.7606.
Our Therapy Dogs Willow & Charlie
We have had such great success with Willow, we have another dog that will be joining our BG family to support our students. We have partnered with the STC police dog, Charlie, and her handler Meghan Kramer. Charlie will be on the following mornings:
- 04/28
- 05/02, 05/05, 05/09, 05/16, 05/23
Please reach out to Angelyn Dieckman or Julianna Harmon if you have any questions.
Bell Graham Store is looking for donations!
The BG Store is always looking for fun new items to add to the case. If you are out shopping and find a great deal that you can't pass up, please consider donating it to the BG Store. Make sure to check out all the after-holiday sales for great deals on items as well. The BG students and staff thank you for your support.
OR
Please consider donating one of the items identified in the Amazon Bell Graham Store site. Click on the link below, add the item to your cart and it will ship right to BG on your behalf.ALL Bell Graham students appreciate your donation.
Thank You
BG Shop Volunteers
April Empower
Volunteer Protocol
Watch D.O.G.S.
Lunch with a Loved One Guidelines:
- 1 lunch with a loved one per student each year
- Only bring food for child and/or yourself
- Stay for lunch ONLY, recess is not included
- Bring your ID for check in
How to Report Absences
Picking up your child early?
How to Report Baker Station Absences
If your child will be absent on a day they would normally attend Baker Station, you need to email your site directly bellgraham@stcparks.org or email Angela Coppola, Baker Station Coordinator at acoppola@stcparks.org , ALL absences must be reported by 12:30pm on the day of your child’s absence. The St. Charles Park District and Baker Station staff does not receive this information from the individual school sites.
Bell-Graham Resources
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