Bear Bulletin
Week of May 17 - 21, 2021 (revised)
Upcoming Dates & Links
Tuesday, May 18
- SC Ready - ELA (In-person students only. Testing dates for FIVE students are below.)
Wednesday, May 19
- SC Ready - ELA (In-person students only. Testing dates for FIVE students are below.)
- Marco's spirit night (see flyer below)
Thursday, May 20
- FIVE students only - SC Ready - ELA (Specific testing details and logistics will be communicated directly to those families)
Friday, May 21
- FIVE students only - SC Ready - ELA (Specific testing details and logistics will be communicated directly to those families)
Monday, May 24
- D5 School Board Meeting, 7:00pm
Tuesday, May 25
- SC Ready - Math (In-person students only. Testing dates for FIVE students are below.)
Wednesday, May 26
- SIC meeting, 7:00am
- FIVE students only - SC Ready - Math (Specific testing details and logistics will be communicated directly to those families)
Planning for Next Year
I know it is hard to believe, but we are already starting to plan for the 2021-2022 school year! An important part of this preparation is building our master schedule and class lists. The staff spends a great deal of time and effort to ensure that the individual needs of all students are met. If you have specific concerns, however, about your child’s academic needs, please put them in writing to Mrs. Bright, Principal, by Friday, June 4, 2021. ***A letter is not needed unless your child has specific needs that need to be considered during class placement. Requests for specific teachers will not be considered. All letters must be received by Friday, June 4, 2021.***
Important Information for Parents of 3rd, 4th and 5th graders
This spring, students in grades 3, 4, and 5 across the state of South Carolina will take standardized assessments in math and English/Language Arts. Students in 4th grade will also take SCPASS for science. To help with your planning, testing dates and details are below. Please help us by ensuring that your child is well rested, has a good breakfast, arrives to school on time, and avoid early dismissals on these days.
Unlike MAP, SC READY and SCPASS cannot be administered virtually. The test can only be administered in-person in a secure testing environment. (Specific testing details and logistics for FIVE students will be communicated directly to those families.)
Information on SC READY and SCPASS can be found on the South Carolina Department of Education website at https://ed.sc.gov/tests/
Fond Farewell and Best Wishes!
Please join us as we send big BES bear hugs and well wishes to several staff members who are either retiring, moving, transitioning to new schools, or who are heading out on new adventures all together at the end of this school year!
Mrs. Mundo (Spanish), Mr. Kawamoto (Computer Lab), Mrs. Collins (School Psychologist) and Mrs. Jansen (Teacher Assistant) will be retiring.
Mrs. McKnight (2nd gr) and Mrs. Hayes (5th gr) will be transitioning to teach virtually in the FIVE program next year.
Mrs. Thompson (2nd gr) will be moving to the new Piney Woods Elementary School.
Mrs. Martin (1st gr), Mrs. Patrick (Kindergarten), Mrs. Wheeler (5th gr), and Mr. Russell (Assistant) will not be returning to D5.
Also, our autism program will be moving to Piney Woods Elementary school, so the staff in those classes will be moving as well (Mrs. McCowan, Mrs. Hartzler, Mrs. Burks, Mrs. Elkins, and Mrs. Bundrick.)
Each of these wonderful staff members will be greatly missed and we wish them much happiness.
Irmo Chamber of Commerce Teacher & Student of the Month!
A Peek at Our Week
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.
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.