Bell Bulletin
April 25, 2017
Lots of Fun Coming Your Way!
Make sure you read below for information on upcoming events!
Braswell Baseball Night
Yearbook Orders Due
Field Day
Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast
Hat Day
Pajama Day
Teacher Appreciation Week
Awards Celebrations/End of Year Parties
And more! You'll want to read/scroll all the way down for this one! :)
Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast - May 22 - 8:45 AM
On behalf of the staff and students of Bell Elementary, we would like to say THANK YOU to our wonderful volunteers who have added so much to our year. From unpacking boxes to special events - mentoring, cutting, laminating, door decorating, fundraising, assisting on field trips - there's one thing for sure...Bell Elementary would not be the same without you!
We invite you to a breakfast in the Bell Elementary cafeteria on May 22nd from 8:45 AM - 9:45 AM. All you have to do is sign in at the front office for a Visitor's Badge and let us do the rest. Come hungry!
Invitations will be coming home soon based on volunteer hours at our front desk sign-in system, however, we don't want to miss anyone due to a system error! If you were able to volunteer in any capacity this year, please join us in celebration and in thanks. We feel so lucky to have had you as part of our campus this year.
Hello From Camp Grady Spruce
Bell Elementary 5th grade students want to send you a big Bobcat "hello" from Camp Grady Spruce science camp. Students will spend three days and two nights here hiking, boat riding, exploring plant and animal life, team building, and more! We are so proud of this group and know they are representing Bell positively. We are already gearing up and getting excited to plan next year's trip when our current 4th graders will have this opportunity! Being a Bobcat is amazing!
Check out what they are doing!
Campus Closed to Visitors May 8-11
As you know, May 8, May 9, and May 10 our students will be taking the statewide STAAR assessment. (May 11 open for all our make-up testing).
Monday, May 8 - 3rd Grade & 4th Grade STAAR Math, 5th Grade STAAR Math Re-Test
Tuesday, May 9 - 3rd Grade & 4th Grade STAAR Reading, 5th Grade STAAR Reading Re-Test
Wednesday, May 10 - 5th Grade STAAR Science
There are a few things we want to go over to ensure your child’s best success on these tests.
In an effort to minimize distractions and keep a secure testing environment, the campus will be closed to all visitors from May 8-May 11 (testing days including make-up testing). This includes volunteers and eating in the lunchroom for all grades, kindergarten through 5th grade. Please make sure your children have a lunch packed in the morning or know to eat from the cafeteria line these days. Lunch times are rearranged on testing days.
Your child’s attendance on the STAAR testing days is crucial. Please avoid any scheduled appointments or early dismissals on these days.
We are requesting that if your child is testing, please have them eat a healthy breakfast on these days. Students will not be given time as a class for a snack break during the test. This will ensure that all students have ample time to complete their test during the 4-hour window.
Per TEA, students are NOT permitted to have cell phones or personal electronic devices during STAAR testing as the devices can disrupt the testing environment and be used to compromise the security and confidentiality of the test. To ensure this TEA mandate, the procedures for Bell Elementary will be as follows: We are requesting that all students leave cell phones and personal electronic devices at home on test days. Any cell phones or personal electronic devices brought to school on STAAR test days must be turned off and stored in the student’s backpack. All visible devices will be collected by the teacher, labeled with the student name, and turned off for the duration of the test. They will be returned at the end of the test day.
Please have your child dress comfortably; preferably in layers so that they can self-regulate their own comfort level in the testing rooms. If your child takes medications at home, please make sure that they have taken it prior to coming to school. Students who normally take medication at school will still do so, however it is your responsibility to make sure that they have sufficient medication left in the nurse’s office. Students who wear glasses should bring them to school in order to perform their best and to avoid the school having to call you so that you can bring them.
Lastly, we want your child to do well and take his or her time on the test, but please remember that this is a timed test. Please make sure your child gets a good night’s rest and eats a healthy breakfast.
Thank you for your support!
Lauren Shapiro
Principal
It's That Time Of Year
Perseverance
Bell Elementary students are learning that leaders do not give up when the going gets tough - and we are a school full of future leaders!
This month we are focusing on the character trait of perseverance with our students. Each day on announcements we talk about how success does not come by chance, but by continued hard work and grit - even when obstacles come in our path.
Some of the quotes we use to help spring conversation include:
"Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did." - Newt Gringrich
"Perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the 20th." - Julie Andrews
"Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another." - Walter Elliot
Bell's FIRST Yearbook! Order by May 1st!
Yearbooks are now on sale! Go to http://www.balfour.com/, type in our school name, and you may purchase on-line using a credit or debit card! So easy! Yearbooks will be delivered in May. The last day to order yearbooks is May 1st!
For any questions, please contact Bellyearbook1617@gmail.com!
We want to give a special THANK YOU to PTA and volunteers for making this a reality!
Are You Connected?
Join Bell Elementary's Facebook Page to receive special updates and reminders!
https://www.facebook.com/catherinebellelemschool/
Or search "Catherine Coleman Bell Elementary" and LIKE the page
Support Bell PTA and receive information from their Facebook page!
https://www.facebook.com/KeepCalmAndVolunteer/?fref=ts
Or search "Bell Elementary PTA" and LIKE the page
Not a PTA member yet? It's not too late! Stop by the office and we can get you set up!
Dates To Remember
April 24th - April 26th: 5th Grade Science Camp
April 26th - Kindergarten Orientation (incoming kinder students)
8:30 AM-9:30 AM OR 6:00 PM-7:00 PM
April 27th - 1st Grade & 2nd Grade Arts Showcase
Bell Cafeteria at 6:00 PM
April 28th - Bell Elementary Night at the Braswell Baseball Game
@ Braswell High School
Students that wear their Bell shirt will get in free
Come hear our choir perform and watch Mrs. Shapiro throw out the first pitch!
Choir performs around 6:30 PM as JV finishes. Choir performs National Anthem before Varsity game around 7:20 PM. Varsity game begins around 7:30 PM.
Go Bobcats! Go Bengals!
April 29th - Singing Bobcats (Bell Elem Choir) performs at Denton Arts and Jazz Fest
@ Indoor stage, "Center Stage" 10:00 AM
May 1st - May 5th: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 1st: Last Day to Order Yearbooks!
May 2nd: Chick-fil-A Spirit Day
6 AM - 10 PM, Cross Roads location
Visit Chick-fil-A for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! Tell them you are from Bell when you order!
May 8th: STAAR Testing - Campus Closed to Visitors
3rd Grade & 4th Grade Math STAAR
5th Grade Math Re-Test
May 9th: STAAR Testing - Campus Closed to Visitors
3rd Grade & 4th Grade Reading STAAR
5th Grade Reading Re-Test
May 10th: STAAR Testing - Campus Closed to Visitors
5th Grade Science STAAR
May 12th: Field Day
Kinder-2nd 8:30-10:30, 3rd-5th 12:00-2:00
Wear grade level colors (K purple, 1st orange, 2nd green, 3rd yellow, 4th red, 5th blue)
Sack Lunch Day
Sign in at front office first before joining us outside!
Please check with your child's teacher for more specific information
May 15th: Pajama Day
Wear your pajamas to school today!
Make sure to bring appropriate closed toe shoes for PE and recess!
May 18th: Talent Show (2nd-5th Grade)
Bell Cafeteria - Please Sign in At Front Office
8:15 AM-9:45 AM
May 22nd: Hat Day
Students may donate $1 to wear a hat at school today!
Donations will fund staff appreciation
Students may give their $1 to their teacher that day!
May 22nd: Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast
Bell Cafeteria @ 8:45 AM
May 29th: Memorial Day
No School
May 30th, 31st or June 1st: End of Year Awards/Classroom Parties
Teachers will be sending home information specific to their classroom.
3rd Grade - May 30th - Awards and Party in Classrooms - 1:00 PM
Kindergarten - May 31st - Awards in Cafeteria (8:30 AM-9:30 AM) - Party in Classrooms immediately following the awards ceremony
1st Grade - May 31st - Awards and Party in Classrooms - 11:45 AM
2nd Grade - May 31st - Awards and Party in Classrooms - 12:35 PM
4th Grade - May 31st - Awards and Party in Classrooms - 1:00 PM
5th Grade - June 1st - Awards in Cafeteria (8:30 AM-10:00 AM) - Picnic/Party Outside immediately following the awards ceremony
June 1st: Last Day of School
Report Cards Go Home Today
Dismissal at 12:00 PM
Catherine Coleman Bell Elementary
Email: bellnotes@dentonisd.org
Website: http://www.dentonisd.org/belles
Location: 601 Villa Paloma Boulevard, Little Elm, TX, United States
Phone: (972) 347-7200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherinebellelemschool/