James H. Bean School
Parent Newsletter Week of September 21
Dear Parents,
Now that we have three weeks of hybrid learning under our belts, we are starting to breathe a little easier. What a beginning it has been! Everyone is so happy and grateful to be back learning in the building. Fingers crossed that we will be able to continue in this way for the year.
Let me begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to you, the parents, for your cooperation and patience as we maneuver many new procedures here at Bean. The parent drop off and pick up procedures are running like a well-oiled machine. So well, we will most likely continue with these procedures post-covid. You have all been so supportive of the precautionary measures we've put in place to keep students and staff safe and healthy...thank you!
Our students are so resilient. Even after being out of the building since March 13, they returned happy and haven't missed a beat. They are really doing an amazing job wearing face coverings, and maintaining physical distance between themselves and others. Please be sure that the face coverings that your child is wearing is clean each day, or new, if he/she is wearing a disposable mask. Also, if your child happens to forget his/her face covering, please don't fret, we have extras available for them. They won't be as flashy as some of the face coverings that I've seen, but they'll do in a pinch.
Finally, I can never express to our community how hard the staff at JHB are working to implement the reopening guidelines from the DOE. From the moment they walk into the building until well into the evening, staff members are "on." They are constantly assessing the learning areas to be sure that students are wearing face coverings appropriately, maintaining physical distance, cleaning high touch areas, creating relationships, providing personal supplies...I could go on and on. Staff members have ALWAYS done these things, but there is a heightened importance to these efforts this year. Please take a moment to express either via phone call, email, or message your appreciation to your child's teacher. They do not hear it enough...and the simple act of saying, "Thank you" is more meaningful to a teacher than you would ever know. We are committed to doing everything in our power to continue learning inside the walls of JHB.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact me at estpeter@rsu18.org or 547-3395 with any questions and/or concerns you may have. Make today a great day...the JHB way!
Your proud principal,
Mrs. St. Peter
James H. Bean's Fall Fundraiser
Who can forget the Cowabunga craze last year???? Well...get ready to meet this year's Oinksters!
Fall Fundraising packets were sent home with our Dragons on Friday, September 18. Fundraisers help with the purchase of additional classroom supplies and to pay for extracurricular activities, as well as essential tools such as document cameras, science equipment, art and music programs, and much more. This year, we were able to purchase playground equipment for all classrooms using funds that were raised last year. These events, however, can also be fun learning experiences for students of all ages. With that being said, this is an optional activity. Please read through the materials sent home and decide as a family whether or not your child will participate. We do NOT encourage our students to go door to door selling items, but rather approach family members and close neighbors or friends. By just registering online, your child can earn a highly sought out "Oinkster." Please submit all fundraising by Wednesday, September 30. Thank you for supporting your child's education here at JHB. We appreciate everything you do.
Lost and Found
New Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures
Picture Day and Flu Shot Clinic
Our Flu Shot Clinic will be on Friday, October 23. If you would like to have your child receive a flu shot here at school, please complete the paperwork that was sent home and return it to JHB. Again, parents will not be allowed in the building to sit with their child during the shot. Remote learners are welcome to come to school between the hours of 8:00 and 9:00 to receive their shots.
Are you looking for outside tutoring for your child? Contact the school for more information.
Some important reminders...
- Send your child to school each day with a CLEAN, laundered face covering
- Your child should bring a water bottle to school each day as the water fountains are closed down but the water bottle filling station is available to all students
- Label ALL of your child's outerwear with his/her name
- If your child's after school transportation plan changes, please be sure to write a note, email or call the office.
- ALL students are receiving FREE breakfast and lunch through December. If you have sent in money, it has been deposited into your child's account and will be used in January.
- Even if your family does not qualify for free or reduced lunch, we still need families to return the application signed and dated.
- Please return updated Emergency Forms as soon as possible.
Upcoming Dates...
Monday, October 12-NO SCHOOL, Indigenous People's Day
Thursday, October 22-School Picture Day
Friday, October 23-Flu Shot Clinic
Friday, October 30-Annual Halloween Costume Parade
Tuesday, November 3-JHB Election Day
Friday, November 6-NO SCHOOL, Teacher Inservice
Wednesday, November 11-NO SCHOOL, Veteran's Day
Thursday, November 12-Schoolwide Parent/Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, November 25-Friday, November 27-NO SCHOOL, Thanksgiving Break