Our sixth grade students have continued to focus on specific SEL skills as our year has progressed. The most recent skill in focus was gratitude, and that was built into each day and recognized in as many ways as possible--morning meetings, in the readings that were covered, during discussions, in general interactions, etc. Classrooms discussed that gratitude isn't just about being thankful, but it's also about acting on that thankfulness by returning kindness and appreciation.

There were two students from each sixth grade classroom that starred in practicing and displaying this skill. They had great manners, used please and thank you, greeted and showed kindness to peers, and did their best to spread kindness throughout the room. They showed gratitude towards school by working hard and by respecting classmates and staff members.

The students who were recognized really made the classrooms shine brightly with their gratitude. Way to go, Gabriella, Jace, Eloise and Ashton! Wear those sunglasses with pride!

The 2022 holiday season marks the 75th anniversary of the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program!

For over seven decades, the Program has evolved and grown exponentially having delivered hope and the magic of Christmas to over 281 million less fortunate children. Now, in our 75th year, the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program also provides year-round support to families experiencing challenges and exceptional circumstances, thus helping to fulfill the hopes and dreams of millions of families and children in need across our great Nation.

With the support of our PTA and Nicole Smith, I'm proud to say that Belle Aire will participate in this program again this year, and I'm excited for our students to positively impact other children.

Thank you in advance for your help and contributions! The classroom that donates the most toys will receive a special, in-class surprise.

Toys will be collected at Belle Aire from November 28 - December 9, 2022

In the coming days, students will be arriving home with an e-learning envelope to be used in certain circumstances when we have an e-learning day in lieu of a typical snow/emergency day. It's my hope that we don't need to use any of these this year! In the event that we do have an e-learning day, students will go online to complete work with their teachers at various points throughout the day. The specifics of that are all explained in the linked e-learning plan below.

The contents in the envelopes will be utilized by families that may not have power, that have lost connectivity, that don't have wireless access, etc. There may also be contents in the envelope that teachers want students to access when they are working together online. Please hold onto those envelopes, and keep them in a memorable location.

District 58’s E-Learning Plan was adopted in August 2021 and remains valid through June 2024. We encourage families to please familiarize themselves with the plan and related information, linked below. The Board of Education discussed the plan at the July 2022 Board meeting and, consequently, gave District 58 greater flexibility regarding when it can use an e-learning day this school year. Ultimately, District 58 can use an e-learning day, in lieu of an emergency day (also called snow day), if staff have adequate time to prepare meaningful e-learning materials.

As always, the District would communicate when an e-learning or emergency day is needed and remind families of the e-learning process. Again, this plan is strictly for emergency day use only, when conditions make it unsafe for students to attend school onsite. Any questions about the E-Learning Plan can be directed to Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Justin Sisul at jsisul@dg58.org.

• District 58 E-Learning Plan (2021-2024)
• District 58 E-Learning Plan Presentation (from July 2021 Board meeting; information is still valid)

When working with your child with selective mutism, it may help to understand the extinction learning process behind doing speaking exposures so that, as a parent, you can understand how to maximize extinction learning and keep the new learning accessible for your child’s continued growth and generalization of speaking across people, places, and activities.

Presenter: Dr Carmen Lynas

Transforming Aggressive Behaviors [Conscious Discipline]

December 5, 2022- 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

In this workshop you will gain a toolbox of skills necessary to identify, meet, and manage your most difficult children

Presenter: Jill Molli