Beacon News
Week of 10.17.2022
Week in Review
Watch D.O.G.S.
Science Club
3rd Grade Science
Updates
Ballentine Homework Policy 2022-23
Ballentine Elementary School’s homework policy will follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Wake County Public School Board Policy 3135: Homework.
At Ballentine Elementary School, when it comes to homework, we believe:
● Reading (both independent reading, and children being read to) is a critical component of developing young readers. Reading in the home should be a part of each child’s daily routine.
● Homework at the elementary level should not significantly impact family functions in the home.
● Children should have time to play and engage socially with their families, as well as engage in extracurricular activities if desired by the family.
● The purpose of homework is to reinforce learning by providing practice and application at home while building independence and responsibility.
● Homework assignments should be continuations or extensions of the instructional program and appropriate to the students’ developmental level.
● Homework is considered practice.
● Teachers will follow the guidelines below for minutes of homework per day
Grades K-2: We are working to develop good, positive habits with regard to homework. Reading practice is fundamental and expected. The more students read, the better readers they will become. Therefore, nightly assigned reading (read with, read to, or read independently when a student is ready) is expected. Additionally, teachers may assign practice in other subjects not to exceed:
Kindergarten: up to 15 minutes per day
First Grade: up to 15 minutes per day
Second Grade: up to 20 minutes per day
Grades 3-5: While we continue to foster good habits and reading, daily practice becomes more important with regard to skill development and content retention. Reading practice is fundamental and expected. The more students read, the better readers they will become. Therefore nightly assigned independent reading is expected. Additionally, teachers may assign practice in other subjects not to exceed:
Third Grade: up to 30 minutes per day
Fourth Grade: up to 30 minutes per day
Fifth Grade: up to 30 minutes per day
Additional Notes about Homework:
● Homework assignments are not to be given as punishment or busy work.
● Track-out is synonymous with summer breaks. Any summer work is optional, but reading daily is still encouraged.
● Homework is considered practice and will not be taken for a grade.
● High frustration levels with a task or the inability to complete tasks should be communicated to the teacher
● On occasion, students may be asked to complete a "project" outside of school that requires a more sustained time commitment. Ample advanced notice should be given.
Positivity Project
This week, tracks 1, 2, and 3 will be focusing on the character strength of Integrity. Integrity means you are honest and speak the truth. You present yourself genuinely and sincerely.
Click Here for your P2 family letter about integrity.
PTA Update
Watch D.O.G.S. - We were blown away by the response to the Watch D.O.G.S. program this past Monday! We can't wait for these fathers and father figures to come back and be in the hallways of Ballentine - thank you to all of those that came out to our kick off! For more information, visit our website: https://www.ballentinepta.org/events/watch-d-o-g-s.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Join us for our DEI kick off on Friday, November 4th for an outdoor movie showing of Disney's "Coco"! We will meet at the side field at 6pm and start the movie as it gets dark. We hope you can join us!
Green Chair Project - We have partnered with The Green Chair Project to build bookshelves for them to fulfill their mission of helping neighbors in need facing the challenges of homelessness, crisis or disaster. If you are not familiar with this organization, check them out at https://thegreenchair.org/. We are excited to be partnering with them on November 14 at our school for the build! You can sign up to donate to the purchase of the bookshelves or volunteer your time to build the bookshelves.
Carpool - Just a reminder to be careful at carpool - people making u-turns in the middle of the road on McLaurin Ln have almost caused accidents. We sit in carpool, too, and while it seems like a long drive down the street around the roundabout, we promise it's not that much longer and keeps walkers, bus riders, and neighbors safe. Thank you for helping us be good examples for our students practicing patience and being gracious to our fellow Fireflies and those in our community!
Upcoming PTA Events (click on the names of the events for details)
- Book Fair - October 18 - October 27
- Sign up to volunteer at the Book Fair HERE - we still have quite a few needs if you are able to join us!
- PTA Membership Meeting - October 24 @ 5:30pm
- Revised Budget Vote
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Vote
- Welcome to Principal Hackmann!
- Fall Family Fun Night - October 24 @ 6pm
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Kick Off with Movie Night! - November 4 @ 6pm
- Spirit Night @ Aviator Pizzeria - November 9 @ 7pm
- Green Chair Project - November 14 @ 6:30pm
- Hurricanes Game - January 15, 2023
Board Member Roles
We are still in need of a few Board member positions:
- Audit Committee Member
- Garden Committee Chair
If you are interested in learning more about these roles, please contact Melody Reed at BallentinePresident@gmail.com.
Join the PTA - If you enjoy all the programs and communication from the PTA, please join us! We currently have 129 members, but our goal is 150! We know we can do it with YOUR help, so if you've not joined, please consider a membership - it's $8, and every member counts! Click this link to be taken to our Memberhub Store where you can join the PTA for the 22-23 school year.
We are very social, so follow us on Social Media! Click this link to find where you can follow us!
- To sign up for a time to come into the school to register as a WCPSS volunteer, please click this link: Sign up for a Time to Come in and Register as a Volunteer.
Important Dates
October 18th - October 27th: Scholastic Book Fair
Friday, October 21st: Track Out Day for track 3
Monday, October 24th: Teacher workday - No school for students
Monday, October 24th: Fall Festival/Pumpkin Night 6:00-8:00pm
Tuesday, October 25th: Track In Day for track 4
Monday, October 31st: Report cards go home for track 4
Thursday, November 3rd: Fall Picture Re-takes (Tracks 2 and 4)
Tuesday, November 8th: Election Day - No school for students
Thursday, November 10th: Early Release (1:45 dismissal); Track Out Day for track 2
Friday, November 11th: Veterans Day Holiday - No school for students
Monday, November 14th: Track In Day for track 3
Tuesday, November 15th: Fall Picture Re-takes (Tracks 1 and 3)
Wednesday, November 23rd - Friday, November 25th: Thanksgiving Break - No School for students
Monday, December 5th: Early Release (1:45 dismissal)
Wednesday, December 21st: Early Release (1:45 dismissal)
December 22 - January 2nd: Winter Vacation, No School for students