Bulldog Paw Prints
Week Ending October 6, 2023
Playground Ribbon Cutting
Our superintendent, Dr. Russell, stopped by to visit with us, and he introduced the State Representatives that support our district -- Representative Anne Stave-Murray and Representative Terra Costa-Howard. Our new playground couldn't have been possible without the support of our Belle Aire community, our State Representatives, and District 58. I love when things come together!
Next Safety Drills
We will be conducting two fire drills next week -- one on Monday and one on Friday. Students will know about these drills, and we will be using the siren. Monday's drill will be an in-house drill for us as a student/staff community. Friday's drill will have the Downers Grove Fire Department present to observe and to identify any procedures that we should alter.
This type of drill takes about five to seven minutes to complete.
Please reach out if you have any questions.
Reading Games is COMING SOON!
Reading Games is a fun event that runs from October through the event day on February 24, 2024. Students should form teams of 5-8 students who will read from Book List 1 (3rd and 4th graders) or Book List 2 (5th - 8th graders), share details about the books with their teammates over the coming months, then face off in three rounds to answer questions about the books at the event. Each team will need three parent volunteers to help at the event as team chaperones or in other ways for the overall games.
Reach out to your child's friends and classmates to form your teams now. If you have 1-4 students that are interested in participating, but have been unable to form a full team, please reach out to Lindsay Richardson at lindsayrichardson11@gmail.com so we can help form teams at Belle Aire.
Please note that teams can be made up of students in different grades, as long as they are on the same reading list (3rd and 4th together, 5th - 8th together). Teams can also be made up of students from multiple district 58 schools.
For more information, please visit the Reading Games website. We are looking forward to a great Reading Games!
Halloween Party, Parade, and Costumes
Many of our students are already brainstorming costume ideas, and it's been fun hearing about so many options.
We are looking forward to hosting Halloween at Belle Aire School, and I have some very general and initial information to share today.
If they so choose, students will be able to wear a costume to school on Tuesday, October 31. The key to this is that the costumes need to allow the students to participate in classroom activities as they would on a typical day. While costume masks may be worn for the all-school parade, they won't be worn during the school day.
As an alternate option, students can wear part of their costume (sweatpants, shorts, leggings, shirt, etc.) and then slip the remaining pieces of the costume over that later in the day. There will be a very short amount of time to allow this to take place before our parade.
*I'm excited to see the final costumes that each student chooses, and I ask for your help in making sure that the choices remain free from references to violence, drugs, and alcohol.
*Any desired make-up, hair color, hair spray all need to be applied at home prior to the start of the school day.
*Any accessory or play weapons (axe, arrows, swords, etc.) that go along with some really great costumes need to stay at home.
The costume parade will be held outside of the school and really makes for some great photo opportunities. Classroom parties are scheduled to take place after the parade, and Mrs. Yoho (THANK YOU) has been looking to identify parents to facilitate a party in each classroom. Be on the lookout for information from her, and check the PTA website to volunteer!
As of now, we are planning the parade to start at 2:00 p.m. with classroom parties concluding at 2:45 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, we will have a modified, indoor parade for families to see.
District 58 has a rich and diverse population in our learning community. District 58 staff members recognize that many families have different beliefs; and because of religious, cultural, or personal reasons, some families may choose to not be involved in Halloween activities. If you would not like your child(ren) to participate in Halloween activities, please communicate this with your classroom teacher and with me. We will then find an alternative location and activity for your child during the Halloween activities.
District Calendar, 2023-2024
Mark Your Calendars
Monday, October 9: Fire Drill (In-House Drill); 2:00 Dismissal for Students
Tuesday, October 10: Young Rembrandts (3:05-4:05 p.m. for those enrolled); Run/Walk Club (3:00 p.m. - 3:35 p.m for those registered.)
Wednesday, October 11: Student Council Meeting (during the day); BAM Theater (after school for those enrolled)
Thursday, October 12: Parent/Teacher Conferences
Friday, September 13: Fire Drill (Supervised by the DGFD); Hot Dog/Chicken Hot Lunch (for those who registered)
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Monday, October 30: Picture Re-take Day