August 10 Newsletter

The start of the 2023-2024 school year is only a month away. I hope you are enjoying your summer with family and friends and have had the opportunity to attend one of our many family summer engagement events hosted by all our schools. I’ve highlighted a few of the remaining events in this newsletter, along with our Back-to-School nights. I invite you to come out and meet our staff and connect with other families while having fun.

Our engaging summer school program was a success. More than 800 students took advantage of this free program emphasizing learning, hands-on activities, field trips, and collaboration with our community partners. In addition to our summer school program, our district understands the importance of ensuring all children have access to free healthy meals. From June 20 through July 28, we served 22,624 breakfast and lunch meals to all children in our community under the age of 18 from our schools and at the Beloit Public Library, Stateline Boys & Girls Club, Stateline Family YMCA, and Merrill Community Center.

During the past few months, our staff have worked hard preparing for the return of our students. We want to ensure that the start of the school year is successful for you and your child(ren). Timely, accurate, and transparent communication is our priority as we near the start of school on Tuesday, September 5. Our schools send newsletters every two weeks via email and text, we provide a weekly Monday morning news recap on our Facebook page, our website is updated weekly, and our SDB app has school and district information available in one spot. Please reach out to your child(ren)’s school if you are not receiving communication.

Our school buildings are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Our school staff is available to answer questions and provide guidance. Please feel free to reach out to your child(ren)’s school. I hope the remaining few weeks of summer include lots of sunshine and fun for your family. We look forward to welcoming our students back to school on September 5.

In service,

Dr. Willie E. Garrison II

School District of Beloit Superintendent

All returning School District of Beloit students must register for the upcoming 2023-204 school year. Online registration is quick and easy and it helps us get all the information we need to have your child(ren) scheduled with a teacher and ready for a successful first day of school. You can register your child(ren) today by accessing this link.

If you prefer to register your child(ren) in-person, or you need help with registration please contact your child(ren)’s school.

Who is Eligible for Transportation:

• Students in PreK through 5th grade that live 1 mile or more from their resident school or in a designated hazardous area.

• Students in 6th through 8th grade that live 2 miles or more from their resident school, in a designated hazardous area or West of the Rock River.

Students who were enrolled at Cunningham and McNeel last school year were automatically signed up to receive transportation. Families do not need to complete a transportation application. Bus route information will be mailed to families in the next few weeks.

Complete the Transportation Application Here:

• If your child is eligible, based on the criteria above.

• If your family has had a change of address for the 2023-2024 school year.

• If your child is newly enrolled in the School District of Beloit for the 2023-2024 school year.

Contact Information:

• Please contact Durham School Services if you have bus route or eligibility questions, at (608) 362-2628.

• Please contact our district business office if you have general transportation questions, at (608) 361-4007.

Please return your student's Chromebook, charger, and case to the Kolak Education Center (1500 Fourth St.) before the start of the 2023-2024 school year to ensure that the device is ready and updated for the first day of school. You can stop by Kolak Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

This year through the Wisconsin Seal-A-Smile program, all School District of Beloit students will have access to high-quality, school-based oral health prevention services for free. HealthNet of Rock County provides free dental sealants and prevention services in our school buildings during school hours.

Dental sealants are quick and easy. Applying sealants in our schools saves your child time away from class and prevents your child from developing cavities.

Back-to-School Night

Elementary: Wednesday, August 30 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Middle: Thursday, August 31 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

BMHS: Wednesday, August 30 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

BLA: Wednesday, August 30 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

First Day of School

Tuesday, September 5th

Start and Stop Times

Elementary: 7:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Middle: 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

BMHS: 7:55 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

BLA: 9:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Early Dismissal Times

Our early dismissal days continue on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Our first early dismissal day is September 20.

Elementary: 1:30 p.m.

Middle: 2:15 p.m.

BMHS: 2:30 p.m.

BLA: 2:30 p.m.

School Supply Lists

Elementary (4k - 5th)

Middle (6th - 8th)

School Year Calendar

Click on the button below to access our bilingual calendar. The English version is on page one and the Spanish version is on page two.

Every Monday we post a 2-3 minute podcast that is shared out on our Facebook page and several podcast platforms with district top news of the week. Listen to this week's update.

Every Friday, we post a podcasts interview highlighting staff, students, and community partners. It's a great way to listen to all the #GoodThingsHappening in our district and community. Listen to the latest episodes spotlighting Fruzen Principal Jennifer Schieve, Aldrich Principal Joe Vrydaghs, and BLA Principal Dr. Betsy Schroeder. You can access our podcast on our website, Facebook, LinkedIn, or any podcast platform.

The School District of Beloit embraces and values the work and commitment of all our volunteers. We have over 1,100 volunteers providing support in the classroom, tutoring students, providing engaging presentations, chaperoning field trips, and so much more. Volunteer applications will be available online starting August 28. If you were approved to volunteer last year, you will not have to reapply.

We have established a Volunteer booklet with clear guidelines for the benefit of our students, staff, and volunteers. Please access this link to familiarize yourself with our volunteer guidelines as we get ready for the 2023-2024 school year.

Our District and community partners are hosting several family-friendly events. Click on the images below to learn more about each event and visit our Community Hub page for even more events.

At the School District of Beloit, we enjoy sharing events, achievements, and recognitions highlighting our students, staff, and community partners. We provide transparent and up-to-date information and communication through our social media platforms, our SDB App, website, weekly school newsletters, and my weekly newsletter. We appreciate the positive engagement by everyone who follows us on on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn and stays connected with us by downloading our SDB App or accessing our News Tab.

We believe in respectful, truthful, and encouraging messaging and communication. We will continue to communicate in that manner with our students, staff, families, and community.