The Belle Ringer
Belle River School Newsletter, October 2016
Important Dates
Tuesday, October 4
- Open Computer Lab, 8:00 a.m. - 8:35 a.m.
- Kindergarten Fire Truck Visit, 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday, October 5
- Pupil Count Day
- Popcorn Day
Thursday, October 6
- PTO Meeting, 4:00 in Media Center
Friday, October 7
- Fourth Grade to Port Huron Museums
- PTO Carnival, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 11
- Open Computer Lab, 8:00 a.m. - 8:35 a.m.
Wednesday, October 12
- Popcorn Day
- Open Computer Lab, 8:00 a.m. - 8:35 a.m.
- Picture Retake Day
Wednesday, October 19
- Popcorn Day
Friday, October 21
- Half Day Students, Dismissal at 12:04 p.m.
Tuesday, October 25
- Open Computer Lab, 8:00 a.m. - 8:35 a.m.
- Michigan Cyber Safety Initiative Presentations, K-5
Wednesday, October 26
- Popcorn Day
Monday, October 31
- Halloween
Wednesday are Popcorn Days!
The aroma of freshly-popped popcorn fills the halls of Belle River on Wednesday mornings! Please send in $.25 with your student if he or she would like to purchase a tasty bag of popcorn for a snack on Popcorn Day.
Field Trips
PTO Fall Carnival
Hearing and Vision Screenings
Birthday Treat Reminder
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.
Daily Attendance
Skyward Family Access
September 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 your classroom (for later in the year).
- 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: Makayla Guzowski, Thomas Reeves
Mrs. Rymar’s Class: Kendra Smith, Kaiden Walker
Mrs. Trout’s Class: Tansley Holden, Matthew Fregetto
First Grade
Mrs. Talaski’s Class: Angelynn Clemons, Noah Schomaker
Mrs. White’s Class: Calleigh Webster, Elliot Buckingham
First/Second Grade
Mrs. Gunderson’s/Cobean’s Class: Charlotte Ming, Camdyn Trendy
Second Grade
Mrs. Greib’s Class: Skyler Heslop, Sawyer McCulloch
Mrs. Moses’ Class: Madison Atwell, Jaben Holden
Third Grade
Mrs. Charron’s Class: Reese Atkinson, Madison Mackie
Mrs. Drumb’s Class: Chelsea Montroy, Lucy Hendricks
Mrs. Weatherly’s Class: Nevaeh Thomason and Anna Fox
Fourth Grade
Mrs. Penzien’s Class: Grace Grytzelius, Gavin Engelhardt
Mrs. Robbins’ Class: Austin Kohler, Nevaeh DeClaire
Mrs. Westerhof’s Class: Lyla Barkovitch, Derek Michoff
Fifth Grade
Mrs. Dunn’s Class: Colin Agosta & Heather Segura
Mrs. Carnahan’s Class: Hayden Hall & Lily Sharpe
Mrs. Tyler’s Class: Molly Beaker and Caleb Wood
Mr. Westerhof’s P.E. Class: Caleb Wood, Peyton Fessenden
Student Council
We are excited to start a Student Council at Belle River this year! Mrs. Becky Dunn and Mrs. Kellie Carnahan are serving as advisors, and they worked diligently during the end of September to recruit responsible, enthusiastic, and hard-working members from grades 3-5 for the 2016-2017 school year. Applications were reviewed by teachers, and two students from each grade 3-5 class were selected to serve on the Student Council.
Fifth graders had opportunity to run for the office of President, Vice President, Secretary, or Public Relations Manager. Those students campaigned during the week of September 26th, and made brief statements during a Student Council Rally assembly on Tuesday, September 27th. Then, students in grades 3-5 voted for officers on September 30th.
We are excited to announce the officers and members of the 2016-2017 Belle River Student Council!
President: Blake Labuhn Vice President: Jade Blanchard
Secretary: Merrill Hoski Public Relations Manager: Christopher Street
Representatives
Third Grade: Nathan Beaker, Aidan Becker, Finley Hatcher, Mackenzie Guzowski, Nick Ruffina, and Addison Williams
Fourth Grade: Lyla Barkovitch, Molly Coppens, Collin Gabler, Jaelin Johnson, Quaid McCulloch, Andrew Pressman
Fifth Grade: Molly Beaker, Bryan Humbert, Nick May, Jasmine Owens, Grant Westrick, Makayla Woznak
East China School District Halloween Reminders and Information
East China School District Parent,
We hope that this school year has started out very well for not only your child, but for you and your family as well.
Halloween has often been a half day of school in the past, but as you look to the district calendar, this is scheduled as a full day of the school on Monday, October 31, 2016. Students are more than welcome to dress up in costume for this day at school, as this has been customary in the past. However, since Halloween is a full day of school, we would like to communicate some reminders and additional information to both students and parents.
Normal instruction, teaching and learning will be occurring in the classroom most of the school day. In addition, students are expected to participate in normal school activities and classes (i.e. recess, physical education, art, etc…)
Students may come to school in costume for the day. These costumes must be simple and comfortable for the students to wear the entire day. Costumes can not be changed at school.
Costumes can not by too scary, gory, or violent in any way. This includes any accessory item.
Toy guns, knifes, arrows, swords, chains, or any other toy weapon accessory can not be brought to school.
For safety and accountability reasons, masks that fully cover the face can not be worn at school.
Light makeup and/or hair color are allowed, but must be applied before school, not during the school day
Silly string or any other aerosol cans are not to be brought to school
Each elementary building and/or teacher will communicate with parents about the particular schedule for the day
Parents are more than welcome in our schools, and we encourage parents to enjoy the school and classroom festivities on this date, especially the school-wide parade. However, we do ask that all parents please notify their child’s teacher when planning on attending any kind of celebration in the classroom.
If there are any questions, please direct them to your building principal. Thank you for your continued support of the East China School District!
Michigan Cyber Safety Initiative Presentations
The Michigan Attorney General’s office will be conducting presentations on student safety featuring the Michigan Cyber Safety Initiative (CSI) and the student safety hotline, OK2SAY. The presentation will be given for Belle River Elementary students in grades (K-5) on October 25th.
The primary theme of the K – 1st grade presentation is the “3 Keeps.” Students are instructed to (1) Keep Safe by carefully guarding their personal information online; (2) Keep Away from Internet strangers; and (3) Keep Telling parents or a trusted adult about anything that makes them uncomfortable. This presentation features a video from Common Sense Media that discusses important rules for being safe online and a video from Sesame Street that encourages children to seek the help of an adult they trust when faced with challenging situations like bullying.
The topics covered in the K – 1st grade presentation are addressed more thoroughly in the 2nd – 3rd grade seminar. The presentation discusses important rules for being safe online and encourages students to seek the help of a trusted adult when faced with challenging situations. Using Brain Pop videos, the presentation discusses the need to have permission to go online and to visit only sites where permission has been granted from a teacher or trusted adult. The second video emphasizes how to recognize and respond to a bully.
The 4th – 5th grade presentation teaches students to recognize common Internet predator grooming techniques, as well as additional appropriate responses to bullying and cyberbullying. Dynamic videos are provided compliments of SweetyHigh, the Ad Council, the National Crime Prevention Council, ShakeState, and Ahmir. The students are also introduced to the OK2SAY student safety program and encouraged to always talk to a trusted adult before contacting OK2SAY.
You are encouraged to preview the videos your child will see at the Attorney General's website (www.mi.gov/csi). More information on OK2SAY, as well as resources, is available on the OK2SAY website (www.ok2say.com).
If you do NOT want your child to participate, please request and complete a Parent Opt-Out form and return it to your student's teacher by October 21st.
Our donations allow UNICEF to save and protect children who struggle to survive and thrive, with programs that provide health care, clean water, education, and emergency relief. It doesn't take much to help.
Every day, an average of 16,000 children under the age of five die from causes that are totally preventable. Please participate and help to make a difference in the lives of children around the world.
Sincerely,
Mr. Westerhof
Buddy Bench Dedication Video
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.