The Belle Ringer
Belle River Elementary School ~ September 2016
Welcome Back!
Welcome to an exciting new school year! It is wonderful to have students back in our classrooms and hallways, filling them with energy and enthusiasm for learning. It is our mission to help every child feel welcomed, connected, and a part of the Belle River family. Additionally, we strive to challenge each student to grow to his or her greatest potentials in academics and the skills necessary for success in our modern world.
We are excited about the addition of three Chromebook Carts, with 30 Chromebooks each for our 3rd-5th grade classes to share. Extra iPads will be shifted to our K-2nd grade classrooms. This will give students in all classroom access to more digital resources and educational opportunities.
We are also excited about the addition of a Buddy Bench to our playground. Thanks to a grant written by Kathy Greib (second grade teacher) and installed by the father of Sara Rymar (Kindergarten teacher), Belle River has a beautiful new bench that students can use when they are unsure about their options at recess. We will formally dedicate the bench on Friday, September 9th.
Our PTO has planned many fun activities for students and families this year! Please join us for our first PTO meeting on Thursday, September 15th, at 4:00 p.m. in the Media Center. We understand that not everyone is available to attend meetings, but there are other ways you can support the PTO throughout the year such as helping with evening events, supporting fundraisers, or sending in items needed for PTO-sponsored activities. The private Belle River PTO Facebook group is also a great way to stay connected to activities and other Belle River parents.
As a Belle River staff, we want you to know we are here to support you and your family through your child’s educational journey. One step to getting ready for the school year, and supporting your child’s success, is to establish a bedtime and morning routine. Helping your child(ren) get to school on time each day is imperative to their success now, and in the future. Belle River teachers start teaching and supporting student learning from the minute students walk in the door. Please help your children see their education as a job, and getting to their job on time helps ensure success.
Please stop by, call, or email me at any time if you have questions, comments, or ideas for ways we can continue to make Belle River a great school for everyone!
Best wishes for the 2016-17 school year!
Rachel Card
Principal
rcard@ecsd.us/810.676.1153
Important Dates
- First Day for Students
Friday, September 9
- Buddy Bench Dedication
Thursday, September 15
- PTO Meeting at 4:00 p.m.
Friday, September 16
- Picture Day
- Constitution Day
Monday, September 26
- Half Day, Dismissal at 12:04 p.m.
- Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
Friday, September 30
- Third Grade Field Trip to Pine River Nature Center
We are excited to welcome new teachers to Belle River!
Mrs. Jessica Jones, Kindergarten
Hello, my name is Jessica Jones. I have been teaching preschool in the area for nine years. I started at Immanuel Lutheran preschool in Saint Clair and was then lucky enough to teach at The Great Start Readiness Program in East China. I have been married to my husband Jon for ten years. We have three children. Olivia is nine and in fourth grade, Chase is eight and third grade, and Jack is five and just started kindergarten. I am very excited to be in Kindergarten and watching each child grow!
Mrs. Emily Cobean, Second Grade Multiage/Media
Hi, I'm Emily Cobean and I am a 2002 graduate of the East China School District, as well as Grand Valley State University. I've taught in South Carolina, Florida and the west side of Michigan. This is my ninth year in education and my second year at Belle River. Last year your kiddos probably saw me in their room as a Title I paraprofessional. I live in St. Clair with my husband, Jon and my dog, Summer. I look forward to an outstanding year in second grade and the Media Center!
Mrs. Kika Milligan, Art
My name is Kika Milligan. This is my thirteenth year teaching. I taught at Marine City Middle School for eight years (art, science, language arts). I then moved to Kindergarten for two years and second grade for two years.
I have been married to my husband Brad for nine years, and I have two beautiful children of my own. Henry is six years old and in first grade and Asher is two years old. I love to see the growth in my children as well as the children in my classroom. I am looking forward to watching your child grow creatively, socially, and academically this year.Safety and Security
- All building doors are locked with the exception of one of the front doors. Please enter the building through this door and register in the office.
- Parents and visitors need to sign in at the office and pick up a visitor's pass to wear in the building. Please sign out when you leave.
- Student may enter the building at 8:30 a.m. Because supervision is not available, please do not drop your child off early. Latchkey is available if your child needs to arrive earlier than 8:30 a.m.
- If you pick up your child at the end of the day, please come into the office and sign your child out. We ask that you do this each time you pick your child up. For safety reasons, we need to know how our students are transported.
- We ask our parents to wait in the lobby for the children to be dismissed at the end of the day.
- Only people listed on your child's emergency card will be able to check your child from the building. If additional names need to be added, please come into the office so we can add them to the emergency information in Skyward.
- If your child is to be picked up by one of the people on the emergency card, please send a note to the teacher or office to indicate your plans.
- If your child is going home with a friend on the bus or in a car, the school office must have notes from both the sending and receiving parents. Students may only ride home with a friend on a bus if it is their current assigned bus.
First PTO Meeting
Wednesdays are Popcorn Days
Follow Belle River Elementary on Facebook
PTO Events and Volunteer Opportunities
Using Skyward to Access Your Student's Information
How to Login to Skyward Family Access:
- Go to the district home web page at www.ecsd.us.
- Click on the Parents link, then Family Access link.
- Enter your Login ID and Password on the Skyward Family Access login screen.
School Picture Day
Pest Management Services
Constitution Day
Attendance Reminders
Non-Food Birthday Recognitions
If you would like an alternative to food treats for your child’s birthday celebration at school, please check with your child’s teacher first to see what she finds acceptable for her classroom. Also, be sure to provide advance notice to make sure that she can fit the birthday plans into her schedule.
Thank you for your support and cooperation in keeping all of our students safe.
Belle River is a Title 1 School
Lunch Schedule
Grade 3 11:10 – 11:30 – 11:50
Grade 4 11:30 – 11:50 – 12:10
Grade K 11:50 – 12:10 – 12:30
Grade 1 12:20 – 12:40 – 1:00
Grade 2 12:20 – 12:40 – 1:00
Grade 5 1:00 – 1:20 – 1:40
Elementary Lunch Prices
Student/Adult
Breakfast: $1.25/$2.00
Reduced Breakfast (Students Only): $0.30
Lunch: $2.40/$3.75
Reduced Lunch (Students Only): $0.40
ALA CARTE ITEMS
Super: $1.35
Adult Specialty Salad: $4.25
Cookie/Snacks: $0.50
Fruit/Vegetable: $0.60
Milk: $0.50
Student Expectations for Behavior
Student Code of Conduct
Be Responsible
Be Respectful
Be Safe &
Be a Friend
Our Mission: Working Collaboratively to Ensure All Students Learn
Our Vision: Belle River is an inviting, caring school community that meets the needs of every 21st century learner, by using Best Practices to facilitate positive behavior support
and high expectations for lifelong learners.