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Community Update - February 16

Posted On Friday February 16, 2024

Good afternoon, Bellwood Community, the home of the Bobcats where we Belong, Believe and Succeed!!

We have had a wonderful week at Bellwood and our Pancake Tuesday was a hit!  A huge shout out goes to Mrs. Saarkoppel – Cowling (parent volunteer), Mr.  Ruddock, Mr.  Calanchie, Ms. Palumbo, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Loderick and our 3 student volunteers Jenica Chaudhary, Logan and Grayson Saarkoppel-Cowling.  Without you help we could not have had such a successful morning of great pancakes for all of our classes!

Teachers have been busy working on report cards and they will be emailed to families on Wednesday February 21, 2024.  Please be reminded if you have questions about your child’s report card to please reach out to your child’s teacher.

We would like to welcome Starr McBride to our staff at Bellwood P.S.  Starr has been a part of the Bellwood community with her years of service with the Umbrella Childcare at Bellwood.  Starr will be joining the Bellwood staff as our newest ECE working alongside Mrs.  Murray in our FDK class.  We have experienced growth in our FDK enrollment and Mrs.  Murrays class of 15 in now going to be a full class of over 15 students which allows for the addition of an ECE.

Just a reminder that Monday February 19, 2024 is Family Day and the school will be closed.  Please enjoy this long weekend with your family!

Have a wonderful week ahead!

Please see below for our weekly updates;

Smencils Grade 8 Graduation Fundraiser is underway!

The Grade 8's are fundraising for their Graduation on Feb. 23 along with Treat Fridays. We are selling Smencils.  The cost of the Smencils will be $2 each or 3 for $5.  See the attached flyer.

Choosing My Success Student Transition Guide for Grade 8 Families

Please see the attached guide for your information on students transitioning from grade 8 to grade 9.  Please click on the link Choosing-My-Success Student Transition Guide (4) (2).pdf 

French Immersion for Students going to Grade 1

Below please see the link for the French program at John Dryden PS.

Senior Kindergarten Parents: If you decide to put your child into French Immersion for grade 1 at John Dryden PS please use this link to do a pre-registration so we can predict numbers and classes.

https://forms.gle/q8H7b1w5RduRWDXC6

Teams and Clubs

Students are advised to listen carefully to the morning announcements for when try-outs for teams are happening and for when clubs are running at school.  Mr.  Marshall has permission forms and a calendar on the bulletin boards just outside of the gymnasium.  It is important for students to check for permission forms and to view the calendar to see when things are happening.  Please see attached photos 

The following teams and clubs are running;

  • Junior Boys Basketball try-outs will be Feb. 20, and Feb. 22, 2024 afterschool from 3:40 – 4:30 p.m.
  • Junior Girls Basketball try-outs will be Feb. 26 at 8:15 a.m., Feb. 27, afterschool at 3:45 and Feb. 28 at 8:15 a.m.
  • Intramurals:  Monday Grades 1 and 2, Tuesday Grades 5 and 6, Wednesday Grades 3 and 4, Thursdays Grade 7 and 8.
  • Intermediate Girls Basketball
  • Chess Club   
  • Intermediate Band and Bell Choir
  • Junior/Intermediate Cooking Club will be starting for selected students on Wednesday Feb. 21, 2024 from 3:45 – 5:00 p.m.
  • Vex Robotics Intermediate Club is up and running.  They meet Monday’s afterschool and Friday’s before school
  • Intermediate Badminton team try-outs have started on Tuesday mornings before school

SCC Family Movie Nights:  Save the Dates

The SCC will be having two Family Movie Nights this year as a part of our SCC fundraising initiatives;

  • Thursday February 22, 2024 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. with doors opening at 5:45 p.m.
  • Thursday April 25, 2024 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. with doors opening at 5:45 p.m.

The cost of entry for this years Movie Nights will be $2.00 per person or $5.00 per family.  We will be also selling popcorn, chips, and cookies.

Kiss and Ride Reminders for the new year

  • When dropping students off in the kiss and ride please drive right up to the front of the kiss and ride so that other cars are able to join the Kiss and Ride to drop off their children
  • Please be patient as everyone is trying to drop off their children safely
  • We understand that the mornings and afterschool times you are busy rushing to get your children to and from school.  We ask that you choose safety over convenience as you are driving through the Kiss and Ride and please watch your speed
  • Please do not park or stop in the Kiss and Ride or in front of the kindergarten enclosure in the morning from 8:50 – 9:20 a.m. and from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.  If possible, please find a parking space or circle around (like at the airport)
  • It has been brought to our attention that some people are parking in our handicapped parking spaces who do not have the handicapped permit visible on their dashboard or where it can be seen.  We are reminding you that these parking spots are for people who have a handicapped permit, and the permit must be visible if you are going to park in the handicapped spots.  Also, we have noticed that cars are sometimes blocking these spots making it difficult for those who need it to park there.  Please note the fine for parking in these spots without a permit is $5000.00.  
  • We are also reminding parents who drive their children to school to please drive right up to the front of the Kiss and Ride.  Please do not park your car in the middle of the Kiss and Ride as this slows down the process for everyone.  Also the laneway beside the Kiss and Ride is not for parking this laneway helps the traffic move along and keeps a flow to our Kiss and Ride in the morning and afterschool
  • We are also asking that you prioritize safety over convenience as we try to keep everyone safe.  Please use the sidewalk.  We see many parents crossing in front of cars in the Kiss and Ride and this poses a very serious safety risk.  Please use the sidewalk to walk your children to their line up

Save the Date

  • February 19          Family Day – No School
  • February 21          Term 1 Reports go home
  • February 22          SCC Family Movie Night
  • February 28           Pink Shirt Day
  • February 29           Intermediates go to Rivalry Game
  • March 6                 Graduation Photo retakes
  • March 8 – 15          March Break
  • March 18                School resumes

Dates of Significance

February 14 – 20 Random Acts of Kindness Week

We celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week from February 14 to February 20 annually. It’s a celebration of all the ways we can become a positive influence in each other’s lives. Even one small act of kindness can mean a great deal to somebody. The world can be selfish and cruel sometimes and not everyone receives the same kind of support they need. In such a world, it is important for us to constantly be reminded to be kind to one another and to give others hope whenever we can. A small and random gesture of kindness can go a long way.

Lent February 14 - March 28, 2024

On February 14 this year, while some people were  celebrating a day of love, while others started the commencement of Lent.  Lent is a season of prayer and fasting. During Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday, Christians throughout the world take part in rituals to prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter.

Monday February 19 there is no school as it is Family Day

A provincial statutory holiday observed on the third Monday in February in most provinces. About

two-thirds of all Canadians will have the day off on Family Day.

Observed in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Saskatchewan. This holiday celebrates the importance of families and family life to people and their communities.

 

Your Admin Team,
 

Sharon Knights and Gavin Ruddock