At BE, yearly themes help us to focus on our goals in a fun and meaningful way. This year's theme is We BElong. It is incredibly important to us that every student finds themselves, every day, in a school in which they FEEL and UNDERSTAND that they belong here. As educators, we understand this need deeply, and have experience and strategies we can pretty easily employ to create this environment. Our past school perception surveys have told us that 100% of our students know that they are loved and cared for at Belmont by the adults. Now if that's not humbling, I don't know what is. We don't take this honor lightly. As adults, we know, though, that the power of the peers is strong; so equally important, is that we are raising a school of individual students who also learn how to help other students feel safe and accepted for the human they are, and are becoming. Data says that our students, who most all believe that they are almost always following every expectation themselves, feel that a lot of other students aren't doing as well as them. Hmmm. Me thinks we've got some perception work yet to do! Okay, I'll clean up my grammar now. Children are truly incredible; so very unique. And thankfully, most often, so welcoming to, and forgiving of others. You are raising them well! We have some very special learners in most every classroom, with learning needs and communication strategies that may be different than neurotypical learners. They are, however, just kids, who want to be loved and accepted and included. I'm so proud of our students who are learning how to give grace while sharing space here. Classmates are learning that those who learn differently can't learn if we do everything for them, and that BEing a good friend is learning how to BE our BEst self and encouraging the BEst in others, as well. I went on a BE kick there. Easy to BE silly at the end of a BEautiful week with your nuggets!

You might wonder about the symbol we chose in our logo. We're focusing on positive energy and balance, but more importantly, maybe, would be the concept that rather than seeing conflict between opposing sides, we see compatibility. Our ability to have different opinions and still successfully move mountains when we're focused in on the same important task is...well...powerfully, and positively fulfilling. Winning or losing doesn't define us as humans, but how we handle ourselves and treat others in that process really does. We all need a little something to push us to be our best self. And we all have incredible value in our own strengths. It's the yin and the yang. We need both! We're ready to roll out our positive energy, and will be taking our students on the ride of their lives this year. (If you want to feel the energy yourself and get a little Joy in your life, check out The Energy Bus and The Energy Bus for Kids by Jon Gordon. Gems.)

This week we introduced and taught our new School-wide PAWSitive Expectations. Ask your child what they are, and I'll bet they'll tell AND show you! if you need a hint to get them going...BE Kind, BE Aware and Work Hard. We wrap that all up with our growth mindset motto...BElieve We Can! The full matrix of prompts can be found here and on our website.

I'll always try to keep you in the loop of how and why we do what we do around here. Sometimes I'll even do it in a MUCH shorter newsletter. Thanks for indulging me. We're off to an amazing BEginning! Let me know if ever I can help in your child's particular learning journey. BE Kind. BE Aware. Work Hard. I BElieve We Can!

Wow! We do have some wonderful students, who are learning how to be leaders. Some students feel a strong desire to BE a leader, and at Belmont, we've got a plan for encouraging that yen.

Monty's Mentors will be involved with many activities designed to make a difference at Belmont and beyond! Please, talk with your 3rd, 4th or 5th grader to see if this is an opportunity that interests them. There is a small commitment on the parental unit, as meetings are held once a month before school, requiring an 8am drop off.

The application form can be found right here and should be returned to Mrs. Schreiber by Friday, September 2nd!

Mr. Russell Harvey is our Band Instructor, and he will be conducting informational band meetings for parents of 5th graders interested in an instrumental adventure through elementary band. Our band meets during the school day, from 10-10:30, with different small groups meeting on a rotational basis until they're ready for the magic of a full band experience.

If your 5th grader has expressed an interest in band, please plan to attend a Zoom meeting to get yourself in the know and get your questions answered. The same information will be repeated on Tuesday, August 23 and Wednesday, August 24 at 7:00 p.m.

https://usd232.zoom.us/j/5278678873

Zoom ID: 527 867 8873

Passcode: band

August 29 General PTO Meeting

September 5 No School, Labor Day

September TBD Bulldog Dash!!!

September 21 Late Arrival- 2 hour delayed start- lunch served!

September 28 Early Dismissal at 12:10- No lunch served, Conferences

September 28 & 29 Conferences

September 30 No School, Building Closed

Visit the BE Online Calendar of Events (by clicking on the button below) for a more complete list of activities!

We are SO VERY EXCITED to welcome our students back to the building on Wednesday! As parents, other than knowing that your child is happy and learning during the school day, next in importance is often knowing how to safely get your kids TO school and then how to get them back FROM school.

Lucky for you, we are providing this sUpEr LoNg list of helpful information to help your first day, and every day go well at Belmont! We'll also provide visuals (like the one below) to help!

• OFFICE HOURS are 7:45-4:30 p.m. but there are no kidsitters employed here, so please do not drop off your children prior to 8:30 a.m. when the building opens to students (the only exception is 8:25 breakfast program) and make sure that they are collected prior to 4:00 p.m. at the end of the day.
• All ELEMENTARY students should be dropped off between 8:30 and 8:40 a.m. Students will find it difficult to make it to their lockers and be in their desks ready to learn by 8:45 if they arrive later than 8:40 to school. Students who are tardy to class not only disrupt the classroom routine, but more importantly, begin their day already behind and frazzled.
• KINDERGARTEN and 1st GRADE STUDENTS (and family groups or carpools that include kindergarten or 1st grade students) should be dropped off in the FRONT LOOP- see visual guide below. Students should stay in their cars until staff arrive to assist.
• 2nd GRADE THROUGH 5th GRADE STUDENTS should be dropped off in the BACK LOOP- see visual guide below. Students should stay in their cars until staff arrive to assist.
• LATE TO ARRIVE STUDENTS (8:40 a.m. or later) should be dropped off in the front loop.
• Special circumstances may require an alternate drop-off and/or pick-up site for some students- don't be crabby if you see something happening that is different than this plan...it's most likely just a different plan for a very good reason.
• BREAKFAST is served from 8:25-8:45 in the cafeteria. Students may go directly to the cafeteria to eat prior to going to their classroom. This is not a social time, but meant to efficiently provide nourishment to participating students prior to their school day.
• BUS STOP INFORMATION is located in Skyward in your Family Access Account. Click here for How to Find Bus Route Information in Family Access.
• HELMETS are expected for bike and scooter riders and permission from parents should be on file in the office. Bikes and scooters should be walked on the school grounds.
• GOLF CARTS are now street legal in limited areas, but they should not be utilized as transportation in the car loops. Sorry. I know they're fun.
• The SPEED LIMIT on Belmont Drive is 25, but 20 is PLENTY. Please watch our for our kids on the streets and sidewalks. When students enter a crosswalk, it is the law to stop for them. Drive slowly and watch closely. Oh, and please put your cell phone down. Kids are only kids for such a short time. Enjoy them.
• PLEASE, help us to be good neighbors by NOT blocking or turning around in driveways of residents near the school. That's just not cool. You might also pay attention if a neighbor is trying to enter or exit their own driveway. Pay it forward!
• TRANSPORTATION CHANGES should be communicated to the office either by calling 913-667-1810 or by emailing smccann@usd232.org, khall@usd232.org and your child's teacher. All changes should be made at least 45 minutes prior to dismissal.

See! I told you we'd help you out! If you have questions, don't hesitate to call or email to ask!

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