Bear Bulletin
Week of December 13, 2021
BES & D5 Schools at ORANGE
Unfortunately, this means no visitors or volunteers in the building. We appreciate your understanding as we keep the focus on the safety of our students.
Click HERE to see the D5 Covid-19 Dashboard. Shaded colors on the chart reflect the mitigation levels through December 17th.
Quick Updates & Need-To-Knows!
- It's time to start our "Countdown to Winter Break" spirit week! Each day will have a fun, winter theme that will help us coast into the holidays. See bellow for details so your child can join in the fun!
- If you ordered River City wrapping paper or cookie dough, it is tentatively scheduled for delivery on Dec 15th. Once that is confirmed, we'll notify parents via email and phone message of pick up times on Dec 16th & 17th.
- The PTO Holiday Store will run from Dec 14 - 16. Students will have the opportunity to shop for gifts for immediate family members at our annual Holiday Shoppe (see teacher newsletter for specific info for your child's class.)
- Our Lost & Found is getting quite full. Please stop by any day after school between 3:00 - 5:30 if your child is missing a jacket or coat. Use the entrance near the cafeteria where the afterschool Safari program is. Any items remaining after winter break will be donated to charity.
- Friday, Dec 17, is a half-day and elementary schools will dismiss at 10:40
***please note this is earlier than our usual early release day dismissal time***
Cafeteria Menu Changes
***Please note that salads will not be a daily option.
MONDAY:
Chicken & waffles
BBQ sandwich
Wow sandwich
Yogurt & cheese
Fruit & vegetable served with all meals
TUESDAY:
Chicken wings
Taco salad
Wow sandwich
Yogurt & cheese
Fruit & vegetable served with all meals
WEDNESDAY:
Hot dog
Beef Philly sandwich
Wow sandwich
Yogurt & cheese
Fruit & vegetable served with all meals
THURSDAY:
Hamburger
Meatloaf with breadstick
Wow sandwich
Yogurt & cheese
Fruit & vegetable served with all meals
FRIDAY: 1/2 Day ***dismiss at 10:40***
Bag lunches
Art Notes from Mrs. Colchin
Students have been working very hard on their artwork this year. Log in to artsonia.com to check out your student's online art portfolio. Also, use promo code HolidayFunds21 to receive a 15% discount on one item! If you are having trouble logging in, please contact Mrs. Colchin, acolchin@lexrich5.org.
A Peek At Our Week
Special Snacks
As we move into the holiday season, please remember the District 5 Board policy ADF “School Wellness” stipulates that during the instructional day, any food that is brought to a school from home with the purpose of sharing among students be store bought, packaged and have ingredients clearly listed on the packaging. Please help us with this so we can avoid disappointment at the last minute. Treats, such as candy, cupcakes, most cookies and sweets cannot be provided to our students as they do not meet the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommended Nutrition Standards for Foods in Schools:
< 200 calories;
< 35% of total calories from fat;
< 10% of calories from saturated fats;
Zero trans fat (< 0.5 g per serving)
< 35% of calories from total sugars; and
< 200 mg sodium.
For this reason, all special snacks must be approved by the homeroom teacher well in advance of the special occasion.
***To make things easier for parents, treats may be ordered through our cafeteria. We have included the order form below.
Another great option is to send in a special treat that doesn't involve food at all - maybe pencils, stickers, fun notepads, playdough, a special read aloud or class craft, etc. Kids love things like that even more!
How to Reach Us
Parent input and feedback are always appreciated as we work through new routines and procedures. Whether through a phone call or an email, we welcome your thoughts and ideas. The Administrative Team at BES is always available to help in any way we can! You can contact us by calling the main office at 476-4500 or emailing us directly.
Principal Robin Bright rbright@lexrich5.org
Assistant Principal Zach Keister zkeister@lexrich5.org
Assistant Administrator Allison Babb ababb@lexrich5.org
Follow us on social media as well!
Facebook @BallentineElementarySchool
Twitter @BallentineElem
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to make this our BESt year yet!
Our Mission…
The mission of Ballentine Elementary School is to join together community, staff, students, and families to ensure that all students are provided a world-class, rigorous education.
Our Vision…
In partnership with the community, staff, students, and families, Ballentine Elementary School will exemplify excellence in education in a positive, safe and nurturing environment in order to prepare our students to be fully participating citizens and leaders. We will foster the development of creative thinking, encourage curiosity and problem solving, promote respect for individual differences and uphold high ethical standards.