Pirate Post
Preschool screenings | New AI program | Upcoming workshops
Pirate Post: February 22
Spread the Word that Grace is Scheduling Preschool Screenings
Call now to schedule your preschool screenings at Grace Early Childhood Center. Screenings are March 20-23, but spots are filling up quickly. Families will need to bring a state-certified birth certificate and immunization record. Call 816-489-7303 to schedule, because screenings are by appointment only.
Upcoming Days Off
- March 10; staff collaboration
- March 17; staff professional development
- April 3-7; spring break
New Artificial Intelligence to Know About
ChatGPT is a computer program that uses artificial intelligence to generate text. ChatGPT generates responses on demand by gathering data from across the internet.
Take a look at the attached article to learn more about ChatGPT, including expert concerns surrounding the program like cheating, plagiarism and misinformation.
Open Selection for STEAM Now Available
Open selection enrollment for Wilckens STEAM Academy at Hillcrest is available until March 15. STEAM is a hands-on approach to real-world learning, which allows students to use critical-thinking skills to solve problems.
At STEAM, students gain a deep understanding of the content, how to take responsibility of their learning, gain confidence, solve problems, work collaboratively, communicate ideas, and they are creative innovators.
Belton CARES Trivia Night
The Belton CARES trivia night is Friday, February 24, beginning at 6 p.m. Get a team together and join us at Memorial Station to raise money so we can provide safe, alcohol-free and drug-free celebrations after prom and graduation. Contact Mary Cummings for more information.
Free Tax Assistance
We wanted to let all of our families know that the IRS is offering free face-to-face help at select taxpayer assistance centers from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the following dates:
- March 11:
555 N. Woodlawn Blvd., Building 4, Wichita, KS 67208
30 W. Pershing Road (Union Station), Kansas City, MO 64108 or
2937 S. Claremont Ave., Building A, Springfield, MO 65804 - April 8:
30 W. Pershing Road (Union Station), Kansas City, MO 64108 - May 13:
30 W. Pershing Road (Union Station), Kansas City, MO 64108
Note: dates and locations are subject to change
Upcoming Workshop: Developmental Assets Kids Need to Know
Belton CARES is hosting a workshop with First Call for parents, teachers and teenagers about development assets in children on March 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the BSD Curriculum Center by Southwick Stadium. Experts found that there are 40 key assets that positively shape the lives of successful adolescents. They found that the more assets these youth have, the healthier and more positive their development. However, the fewer the assets, the more likely they would engage in risky behaviors such as drug use or violence. In this session, you will learn about the 40 assets and how to attain them.
Belton CARES is providing lunch.
Adolescent Development and Substance Abuse Workshop on April 15
Belton CARES invites teachers, parents, trusted adults, community members and teens to its teen and adolescent development and substance abuse workshop on April 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the BSD Curriculum Center by Southwick Stadium. Participants will learn how to identity the signs of substance use, the dangers of substance us, and they will be given resources to help and support substance users.
Compass Health Network is providing lunch, and participants will have access to free Narcan.
Upcoming Narcan Training on April 22
Belton CARES is hosting a training with First Call to teach us about illegal fentanyl distribution and how to properly administer Narcan on April 22 from 10 a.m. to noon at the BSD Curriculum Center by Southwick Stadium. Belton CARES will provide snacks and drinks, and free Narcan will be available to participants. Students are welcome to attend.
If you suspect someone you know or love is experiencing an overdose, this training could help you try to save their life as you wait for an ambulance to arrive. Please make plans to attend.
2022-2023 VFW Smart/Maher Citizen Education Teacher Award
Congratulations to Mill Creek Upper Elementary School’s Sheila Hamilton for earning the 2022-2023 VFW Smart/Maher Citizen Education Teacher Award for the Belton and Ray-Pec area.
This award honors educators that care deeply about America and its children. Honorees encourage and model good citizenship and student involvement, use innovation in the classroom, identify and use new resources and are passionate about education.
Golden Plunger Award
Earlier this year, Pirates walked the plank on the shores of Longview Lake to plunge into frigid waters, which raised money for Special Olympics Missouri! Our team raised $13,944, which earned us the Golden Plunger School award. Compared to other districts, we raised the most money for this year's plunge.
Kentucky Trail Earns State School of Character Award
Kentucky Trail Elementary School earned the State School of Character designation. Kentucky Trail is the only Kansas City-area school to earn the designation this year, and this is the second time it has earned this award.
Kentucky Trail earned the award for meeting Character.org's rigorous standards, including its 11 Principles Framework for Schools. The national organization had a team of trained evaluators review Kentucky Trail’s school culture, climate and performance. Character.org determined Kentucky Trail deserved the designation for its school-wide effort in developing and implementing an intentional, proactive and comprehensive approach that embeds character into all aspects of school life. This includes its daily “Wish You Well” ritual in the morning to make students feel loved and remembered, their Ambassador Families program to welcome new families and students to Kentucky Trail and its Kids Character Council, which gives students ownership of their character education.
Apply to be a Bus Driver
We partner with DS Bus Lines Belton to provide transportation for our students. They are looking for people to join their team to be drivers and monitors on buses. This is a great opportunity for stay-at-home parents, grandparents or retirees. And, you can bring your child to work!
Bus drivers start at $16.80 an hour, and bus monitors start at $11.55 an hour. Rates increase with experience. Visit their website to apply, or call 816-331-3200.