P Home of the Eagles January • February 2019 Volume 39, No. 3 S ellaire B ublic chools In This Issue Superintendent’s Message Robotics Parent Teacher Conferences Winter Gear School Cancellations School Meal Information PTO Bowling Spelling Bee Drama Activities Bellaire PreSchool Before/After School Care BYI After School Read at Home Board of Education School Calendar Rotary Student of the Month NHS Induction Honors Band www.bellairepublicschools.com Bellaire Public Schools students of all ages kicked off the holiday season with a series of wonderful concerts that showcased great talent and dedicated preparation. Hats off to the children and staff for a spirited celebration! Ushering in Holiday Spirit with Music High School Band Bellaire Public Schools students and staff celebrated veterans of the community in November. More than 30 veterans attended the packed assembly where students performed songs, read poetry and presented artwork to the appreciative guests. Friends of the Veterans provided a flag display outdoors for the program. Thank you to the students, Mrs. Graham, Mr. Golden and the rest of the staff for making this event a success. Honoring Veterans High School Choir Elfis Elementary Concert
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P Home of the Eagles
January • February 2019 Volume 39, No. 3
SellaireB ublic chools
In This Issue
Superintendent’s Message
Robotics
Parent Teacher Conferences
Winter Gear
School Cancellations
School MealInformation
PTO Bowling
Spelling Bee
Drama Activities
Bellaire PreSchool
Before/After School Care
BYI After School
Read at Home
Board of Education
School Calendar
Rotary Student of the Month
NHS Induction
Honors Band
www.bellairepublicschools.com
Bellaire Public Schools students of all ages kicked off the holiday season with a series of wonderful concerts that showcased great talent and dedicated preparation. Hats off to the children and staff for a spirited celebration!
Ushering in Holiday Spirit with Music
High School Band
Bellaire Public Schools students and staff celebrated veterans of the community in November. More than 30 veterans attended the packed assembly where students performed songs, read poetry and presented artwork to the appreciative guests. Friends of the Veterans provided a flag display outdoors for the program. Thank you to the students, Mrs. Graham, Mr. Golden and the rest of the staff for making this event a success.
Honoring Veterans
High School Choir
Elfis
Elementary Concert
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Superintendent’s News - Jim Emery, Superintendent
School Messenger: Please Update Your Contact Information When bad weather gets in the way of the school day, many of you will hear the message, “Good morning, this is Jim Emery Superintendent…” Bellaire Public Schools uses the School Messenger system to alert families of many district announcements such as school day cancellations and reminders of parent teacher conferences. School Messenger also allows us to let you know when your child is absent from school (and we haven’t received an excuse from you yet), and when a student’s lunch account needs more funds. Please listen to these messages in full to ensure you are well-informed. To keep School Messenger as effective as possible, please contact the school office if your phone number, email address or contacts change so we maintain accurate records in this important communication system. January is School Board Member Appreciation Month The key to a brighter future for Michigan’s children is a strong public education system. Every day, students count on public schools to help prepare them for a successful future. Whether they understand it or not, they count on adults across the state ensuring they have access to resources to help them learn, keep their buildings safe and have qualified teachers to guide them. It takes a pure, unwavering commitment to a community to make this all possible School board members are true super heroes contributing to the success of our students. They are ordinary citizens with extraordinary dedication to public schools, valuing this important volunteer work as they would a full-time job in their chosen profession. The job of a school board member is tough; the hours are long; and the “thanks” can be few and far between. They must often struggle with difficult and complex decisions to best support students. So in light of their commitment to this hard work, please thank our Bellaire Public School Board members:
Rob SilkMike Robinson
Walt MannMelissa Dyste
Don HoytKerri Ann Shannon
Brad Klooster
Bellaire Public Schools Robotics Club is thriving at many age levels, sparking a lifelong interest in science, technology, engineering and math. Sponsored by Bellaire Youth Initiative (BYI), the elementary and middle school students recently competed at the VEX IQ state qualifying tournament at Suttons Bay High School where four Bellaire teams finished in the top 50% out of the 36 teams in the qualifying rounds. In the finals, “Last Place Champions” and “Batteries Not Included” took 5th place; “Girl Tech” was 7th and “Killer Watts” finished 8th. The next VEX IQ event is January 19 in Elk Rapids. Bellaire team members are fortunate be signed up for many events that day. Thank you to BYI for funding the costly registration fees. At the high school level, Bellaire teams competed at December events at Quarkmine and Grand Traverse Academy for a state qualifying tournament. Bellaire will host to an event on January 8 and league finals on January 26 for state qualifying positions.
Bellaire Robotics Thriving
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School Meal Accounts You can access your child’s food service account balance and/or add money to the account electronically at sendmoneytoschool.com. If you already have an account it will be the same this year. To set up a new account, please follow the instructions online.
Important Note: The elementary school no longer qualifies to offer free breakfast
Free/Reduced Cost Meals
for all students. Students will be charged full price for breakfast ($1.50) unless families qualify for free/reduced ($0.30) meals. Free and reduced cost school breakfast and lunch is available to families meeting income eligibility requirements. Families must apply for free/reduced school meals every year. If you qualify, your children can receive food services at reduced or no cost. Families apply online at lunchapp.com or pick up an application in the school office.
There are many winter hats, jackets, boots and snow pants that look alike, so please label them with the owner’s name. If you are in need of winter gear for your child please contact Mrs. Poel at 533-8916 and she will see that all children have necessary items. Remember, roll-up sleds are the only type permitted at school, and should also be labeled with students’ names. Note: All unclaimed lost/found items are donated or disposed of every nine weeks - so please remember to label.
If school must be delayed or cancelled due to weather conditions, BPS families will receive a phone call notification through School Messenger. Television stations TV 7 & 4 and TV 9 & 10 will also be notified of school cancellations.
School Cancellation Alerts
Before/After School Care Kalkaska Memorial Healthcare will provide Kid’s Club before/after school care for students ages 4 - 12 at John R. Rodger Elementary School. Childcare is available from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m., and from 3:02 to 6:00 p.m. Kids Club also offers services on snow days and school vacation days. Contact Tonya Dupuie at [email protected] or call 533-8916 x285.
Bellaire Public Schools is pleased to continue the partnership with Kalkaska Memorial Healthcare offering three options for parents with preschool children: Great Start Readiness Program (4 year-olds) is free for qualifying families, Headstart (3 and 4 year-olds) is a fee-based program for qualifying families, and Preschool (3-5 year-olds) is a fee-based option for all families. Call Tonya Dupuie at 533-8916 x285 for more information.
Preschool Choices
PTO Mom & Son Event The John R. Rodger Elementary Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is planning the Mom and Son Bowling event on Friday, January 18. PTO events are great fun, and the school
The Bellaire Public School Spelling Bee is Wednesday, January 9 in the PAC. Students have time to get ready for a great competition. Parents are welcome to attend and cheer on the spellers.
Bellaire Spellers: Get Ready
community benefits from the proceeds which support enrichment activities and materials. More hands are always needed to help with projects and all parents are welcome to join. Contact the PTO at [email protected] or like us on Facebook at Bellaire Elementary PTO!
Bellaire Youth Initiative provides drama and performing arts activities at the elementary and middle school. Fifteen fourth and fifth graders in
Get in the Drama
BYI’s Performing Arts group worked hard preparing for the holiday show Christmas Carol for Kids, based on Charles Dickens’ classic play. It will be presented December 19. Middle school students will have the opportunity to participate in an after school stageplay workshop. Watch for a flyer coming home in January.
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Bellaire Public Schools Common Calendar
2018 •2019Dec 22-31 No School - Christmas RecessJan 1-6 No School - Christmas Recess 7 School Resumes 17 Half Day for Students (HS Exams) 18 Half Day for Students End of First SemesterFeb 19 Parent Teacher Conferences Elem 4:00-7:15 p.m./MS&HS 4:30-7:45 p.m. 21 Parent Teacher Conferences Elem 4:00-7:00 p.m./MS&HS 4:30-7:30 p.m. 22 Half Day for StudentsMar 21 End of Third Marking Period 22-29 No School - Spring RecessApr 1 School Resumes 18 Half Day for Students 19 No School - Good FridayMay 27 No School - Memorial Day 31 Graduation 7:00 p.m. June 10 Half Day for Students (HS Exams) 11 Half Day for Students Last Day of SchoolRegular School Day Schedule: Elem 8:05 a.m. - 3:02 p.m.MS/HS 8:00 a.m. - 2:50 p.m.
½ Day School Schedule:Elem 8:05 - 11:40 a.m.MS/HS 8:00 - 11:55 a.m.
Six (6) snow days are allowed by the Michi-gan Dept. of Education; any additional snow days after those six will need to be made up as additional days to the calendar above.
Bellaire Public Schools Newsletter, Vol. 39, No.3, Jan./Feb. 2019. This newsletter is produced five times a school year for parents, residents and taxpayers in the Bellaire Public School District. The newsletter is published by the Bellaire Board of Education:
Newsletter editing and layout is provided by the Communications Department, Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District. Comments and inquiries about the newsletter should be directed to James Emery, Superintendent, Bellaire Public Schools, 533-8015. Below are school administrators:- James Emery, Superintendent/High School Principal, 533-8015- Kristi Poel, Elementary/Middle School Principal, 533-8916- Jessica Moody, Food Services, (231) 587-9764 ext. 214
Don HoytMelissa DysteRobert SilkMike Robinson
Walt MannBrad KloosterKerrie Ann Shannon
Bicycle Adventurers This fall, fourth and fifth grade students took to the “mountains” of Glacial Hills Pathways and Nature Area on bicycles with Bellaire Youth Initiative’s after school program. Most were riding in the woods for the first time, and agreed it was more fun than a roller coaster because of the beautiful northern Michigan terrain.
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Rotary Student of the Month
Alexa Strand The Bellaire Rotary Club named Alexa Strand November Rotary Student of the Month. She is daughter of Gail and Len Strand and maintains a 3.95 grade point average. Alexa is an outstanding student, athlete, and role model for her community. Alexa has excelled during her time at Bellaire High School. She is treasurer in the National Honor Society and is eager to help others through several volunteer projects. Her involvement with Student Council and the Green Cord Tutoring Program shows Alexa’s commitment to the school community. She is on the Bellaire Honor Roll each semester and her favorite classes are math and Spanish. Alexa is a wonderful dancer, practicing at least eight hours a week in Traverse City and performs regularly throughout the United States and Canada. She also had an opportunity to dance in Ireland and Scotland, as well as choreographing for her group performances. She has not yet decided which college she will attend, but is looking forward to many wonderful options to continue her education.
Congratulations to several new members inducted into the Bellaire Chapter of the National Honor Society during a ceremony in the Performing Arts Center in October. The students inducted for 2018-19 are Hannah Bigsby, Hailey Casillas, Emma Clore, Teegan Dawson, Kaitlyn Denoyer, Olivia Derrer, Erin Evans, Luke Helsel, Isabella Martinek, Olivia Reed, Riley Kate Robinson, Katelyn Slabosz and David Yuhaus.
New NHS Members
Following rigorous fall auditions, Senior Abby Boyd (tenor saxophone) and junior Olivia Reed (clarinet) were selected to the MSBOA Region 2 Honors Band. Band students from all across northern Michigan auditioned for judges who then named the top musicians who attended a weekend workshop in Petoskey on December 1 and 2. At the conclusion of the workshop with a guest conductor, the students performed a concert at Petoskey Middle School to showcase their talents. Congratulations to Abby and Olivia on this fine recognition for their talent!
Boyd Reed
Honors Band Selections
John R. Rodger Elementary School students who participate in the Bellaire Youth Initiative Eagles Nest may choose a variety of fun and healthy after school activities. The youngsters above opted for a yoga session with Ms. Allison-Busch.
Healthy MovementBoard of Education Meetings 2018-2019
Meeting Location/Time: Bellaire Middle/High School Performing Arts Center
204 W. Forest Home Ave.Bellaire, MI 49615
All meetings are scheduled for 6:30 p.m.Jan. 21, 2019Feb. 18, 2019Mar. 18, 2019
April 15, 2019May 20, 2019
June 17, 2019July 15, 2019
Meal PricesImportant Note: The elementary school no longer qualifies to offer free breakfast for all students. Students will be charged full price for breakfast as listed below unless families qualify for free/reduced meals.Breakfast All grades $1.50 Reduced $0.30Lunch Elementary $2.60 MS/HS $2.80 Reduced $0.40 Adult (tax incl.) $3.80Milk $0.50No person because of race, color, national origin, sex, age or handicap shall be ex-cluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination in our United States Depart-ment of Agriculture donated food and nutri-tion programs. Any persons who believes he/she has been discriminated against should write immediately to the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250.
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Meal ProgramFree and reduced cost school breakfast and lunch program is available to families meeting income eligibility requirements. Families must apply for free/reduced school meals every year. If your family status changes at any time throughout the school year, you are eligible to apply. If you qualify, your children can recieve food services at reduced or no cost. An application is available online at www.lunchapp.com. You may also find applications in the school office.
Bellaire Public Schools
Half Dayof School
VRC Robotics
The Bellaire Public Schools newsletter is distributed electronically every two months. Printed copies are also available at school offices, public library, Senior Center, and Bellaire Chamber of Commerce. To request the newsletter delivery via email, contact Bellaire Public Schools at 533-8015.
