The Belle Ringer
Belle River Elementary School Newsletter, March 2017
Important Dates
Wednesday, March 1
- Popcorn Day
- Read a Shirt Day
- Dance-A-Thon winners go to lunch in MC via fire truck/police car, 11:00 a.m.
- 2:45 p.m. Reading Month Kick-off/Principal Sliming
Thursday, March 2
- PTO Meeting, 6:00 p.m.
Monday, March 6
- Jump Rope for Heart assembly, 2:40 p.m.
Wednesday, March 8
- Popcorn Day
- Read a Shirt Day
- Kindergarten Roundup at East China Central Office
Friday, March 10
- School Store
- Kindergarten Roundup at East China Central Office
Monday, March 13
- Staff Meeting, 3:45 p.m.
Tuesday, March 14
- Detroit Lions "Score with Reading" Assembly, 10:30 a.m.
- Blood Drive, 2:00-8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 15
- Popcorn Day
- Read a Shirt Day
- Family STEAM Night, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 16
- Half Day for Students, dismissal at 12:04 p.m.
Friday, March 17
- No School
- Happy St. Patrick's Day
- PTO Movie Fundraiser at Riverside Cinemas
Tuesday, March 21
- Book Swap
Wednesday, March 22
- Popcorn Day
- Read a Shirt Day
Friday, March 24
- Mother Son Event, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Monday, March 27
- Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 p.m. ~ Belle River Curriculum Spotlight
Wednesday, March 29
- Popcorn Day
- Read a Shirt Day
Friday, March 31
- Bring a Stuffed Animal to School
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Movie in Classrooms
Belle River Reads!
Dear Belle River Families,
During the month of March, we will celebrate Reading Month as a community of readers. Every family will receive a copy of the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Each evening through March, families are asked to read one or two chapters of the book. I am personally asking you to make some time each night so your family can participate in this special activity.
Reading aloud at home is valuable because it better prepares your child to be an effective reader. Reading together is also a fun, worthwhile family activity. Through reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as a school, we aim to build a community of readers at Belle River. Everyone - students, parents, teachers, support staff, and the principal - will be participating, and we can all reap the many benefits while we share reactions to this classic story with one another.
The oldest child in each family will receive a copy of the book after a special school-wide assembly introducing the title and story. We will follow a calendar to keep track of reading assignments and related activities happening at school. Please spend about 15-20 minutes per night reading the assigned chapter. One member of the family can read the book to the rest. Take time to discuss the characters and events, make connections to the story, and predict what will happen in the next chapter.
Each day at school, your child will be invited to answer daily trivia questions to encourage and reward attentive listening. You will soon find that your child will take pride in knowing and anticipating the details of the story. In class and at school, there may be various activities which discuss or explore the book. You will want to make sure your family keeps up so your child can join in discussions and answer the trivia questions. Throughout March, everyone at Belle River will be talking about Charlie and Willy Wonka.
Students at all grade levels will read or listen to the same book. Strange as that may seem, it actually makes sound educational sense. Reading professionals recommend reading material out loud that is beyond a child’s own reading level. We also believe that you can and should continue reading chapter books with your older children, even when they are able to read by themselves. The Belle River staff selected a title that can be followed and understood and enjoyed by younger students, but will still captivate and stimulate older children. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is truly a classic and one of the greatest children’s books of all time.
Enjoy reading the book! I hope to talk with both you and your student sometime this month about the rich characters, include Charlie and Willy Wonka. When a whole school reads a book, there’s a lot to talk about. With your help, we can build a community of readers at Belle River.
Looking forward to reading with you!
Rachel Card, Principal
Kindergarten Round-Up 2017
It is that time of year again! Kindergarten Round-Up will be held on Wednesday, March 8, and Thursday, March 9, at the East China School District Administrative Office building at 1585 Meisner Road. Registration will be from noon to 5:30 p.m. for children who will be five years old on or before September 1, 2017. Please park in the lot and enter the doors by the parked school bus. Enrollment is on a walk-in basis. The busiest times tend to be from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. and from 3:30 - 4:15, so please plan accordingly. Your Kindergarten student is invited and encouraged to attend Round-Up with you. District staff will be present to answer questions about bus transportation, before and after-school childcare services, food services and other topics.
February Students of the Month
All of our students strive to be be motivated learners as well as model citizens, and each month we will honor two students from each class who exemplify the following qualities:
Academic
- Student prepares for classroom activities.
- Student goes above and beyond his/her role as a student.
- Student has made significant progress in the classroom.
- Student has been working to his/her potential.
- Student completes all assignments and homework.
- Student has a good work ethic and is diligent.
Leadership/ Citizenship/ Character
- Student demonstrates respect of self and others.
- Student assists others in need.
- Student shows acts of kindness.
- Student demonstrates a positive attitude.
- Student displays good conduct.
- Student is a positive role model by example.
- Student participates and puts forth full effort in all areas.
- Student follows school rules.
Kindergarten
Mrs. Jones Class: Quinn Valentine, Brennan Blarek
Mrs. Rymar’s Class: Makenna Hartsoe, Tristan Bowden
Mrs. Trout’s Class: Summer Murphy, Karli Uppleger
First Grade
Mrs. Talaski’s Class: Emma Adams, Frederick Dupine
Mrs. White’s Class: Lucas Carlson, Lucas Elsholz
First/Second Grade
Mrs. Gunderson’s/Cobean’s Class: Sophie Breloski, Jordan Osterland
Second Grade
Mrs. Greib’s Class: Evelyn Becker, Mya Geremesz
Mrs. Moses’ Class: Randall Russell, Ashton Hightower
Third Grade
Mrs. Charron’s Class: Annabella Ames, Avalene Baumgartner
Mrs. Drumb’s Class: Gaige Megie, Emma Arnold
Mrs. Weatherly’s Class: Addison Williams, Wyatt DuVall
Fourth Grade
Mrs. Penzien’s Class: Jeremy Frantz, Savanna Lynch
Mrs. Robbins’ Class: Trevor Brockley, Alexis Rock
Mrs. Westerhof’s Class: Kyra Hebel, Andrew Pressman
Fifth Grade
Mrs. Dunn’s Class: Lyle Defer, Kevin Dibble, Kameron Simons
Mrs. Carnahan’s Class: Merrill Hoski, Grant Westrick
Mrs. Tyler’s Class: Haley Armstead, Anthony Stadler
Mr. Westerhof’s P.E. Class: Jeremy Westrick, Madison Atwell
Our Mission: Working Collaboratively to Ensure All Students Learn
Student Code of Conduct
Be Responsible
Be Respectful
Be Safe &
Be a Friend