Community Update - November 11
Good morning, Bellwood Community, the home of the Bobcats where we Belong, Believe and Succeed!
We would like to invite you to our school’s Remembrance Day ceremony on Monday November 11, 2024, starting at 10:45 a.m. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m.
A lot of exciting things have been happening at school! We had Film Camp in a box who worked with our Grade 6-8 students. The students were so engaged and enjoyed this experience. If you have children in these grades, please ask them about this experience. Thank you to Mrs. Misner for bringing this experience to Bellwood and for facilitating.
We had our school assembly this week and were able to display all the kindness and generosity of our school community who contributed to our Project Love Box as a part of the Super Sophia Project. We know that these contributions will go a long way in bringing smiles to the faces of children who are in hospital. Thank you to Mrs. Aquino for bringing this initiative to Bellwood.
Our big prize for Walktober was drawn at our school assembly this week, and the winner of a brand-new scooter went to Jeremiah Beckford! Congratulations Jeremiah! Thank you to our school community for taking the opportunity to walk to school! We hope this continues throughout the year as the more students walk to school the less traffic in our Kiss and Ride!! Thank you to Mr. Smart for his hard work leading our Walk to School Initiative!
Our Bellwood Bracelet Club, Averie Szymanski, Oakleigh Mayer, Brooklyn Tilley, and Fatima Patel raised $155.60 for the DDSB Ignite Foundation. These students presented a cheque for this amount to the Foundation's Executive Director. We are so proud of the girls and that they were able to give back locally to help many families in the Durham region
School Spirit Wear is here! Attached is the student spirit wear order form, including the new Bellwood Bobcat mascot stuffie. To receive the items for the holidays, our deadline for placing our order is November 29th.
We will have samples of some of the items (including the stuffie), at our Parent/Teacher Interviews as we have done in the past. Order forms will also be available.
Click on the link to see what the options are for school Spirit Wear.
Please fill out an order form if you are interested and bring your order form to the office with cash or a cheque for us to order for you.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Have a wonderful week ahead!
Please see below for our weekly updates:
Parent-Teacher Conference Information
We will be holding Parent-Teacher Interviews on Thursday, November 14th from 4:00 – 8:00 pm and Friday, November 15th from 9:00 – 11:00 am. This year, you will be able to schedule your Parent-Teacher Interviews online. If you wish to schedule a meeting with any of your child's teachers, please follow the instructions printed further down the page.
You will be able to schedule appointments until November 13th at 11:00 pm.
Instructions
1. Go to the Bellwood scheduling webpage at https://parentinterview.com/s/bellwood
2. Enter the Parent Code (printed below) and click "Sign In"
Please make a note of your Confirmation #
3. Fill in your contact information and click "Continue to Make Appointments"
4. Click on the name of a teacher with whom you wish to schedule an appointment
5. Click on an available time at which you wish to have your meeting
6. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 until you have scheduled all the teachers you wish to meet
7. Click on "My Schedule" (top left of the page)
8. Email, print out, or copy down your schedule
Should you wish to cancel an appointment you have made, click on "Cancel" beside the meeting you wish to have removed from your schedule.
If you misplace your schedule, you may use your Confirmation # to retrieve your schedule from the website at any time. If you need help using the service, please email support@parentinterview.com
We look forward to speaking with you.
Intramurals are back!
Intramurals are a one-day event that will take place during lunchtime recess and are available for all students in Grade 1 thru 8.
Intramurals are a great way to increase student engagement by providing students with opportunities to interact socially with their peers, which foster a sense of belonging, positive mental health, and greater engagement in both academic and non-academic activities. Participation in intramurals helps students further develop their social skills, co-operation, teamwork, physical literacy, and overall health.
If your child is interested in participating, they can get a permission form from their teacher or Mr. Marshall.
The Schedule for Intramurals is as follows:
- Mondays grades 1 and 2
- Tuesdays grade 3 and 4
- Wednesdays grades 7 and 8
- Thursdays grades 5 and 6
DDSB Virtual Family and Community Engagement Speaker Series
Everyday Resiliency and Hope: How to Build Sustainable Well Being. Thursday November 21, 2024 from 7-8 p.m. Click on the link for more information
DDSB Compendium of Action for Black Student Success 2.0
Dear DDSB Community Members,
The Durham District School Board (DDSB) will be hosting a virtual community engagement for the Compendium of Action for Black Student Success 2.0.
One of the commitments made in the Compendium of Action for Black Student Success 2.0 was to connect with and report back to the community twice a year to share and discuss the work we are doing to implement the action items of the Compendium.
This event will be family focussed and will feature Dr. Nicole West Burns as our keynote speaker, as well as other members of the DDSB community.
When: Wednesday, November 27, 2024 - 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Zoom (Virtual)
Join us as we continue the conversation to dismantle anti-Black racism, guided by the DDSB’s Human Rights, Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Racism Policy, our Anti-Oppression Strategy and Compendium of Action for Black Student Success 2.0.
Sent on behalf of Margaret Lazarus Superintendent of Equitable Education, Anti-Oppression/French, International and Classical Languages/Family of Schools
Ignite Learning Foundation
The Bellwood Chew Chew Train food drive campaign for the Ignite Learning Foundation will begin on December 1, 2024. The class to bring in the most food will win a Pizza Party! Stay tuned for more information!
Partnership with DDSB and Victim Services of Durham
The Durham District School Board is committed to the safety and well-being of all students. As part of this commitment, we have developed a long-standing relationship with Victim Services of Durham Region (VSDR), who has been providing staff and student education on the topic of Sex Trafficking Education and Prevention.
We are pleased to share with you the following upcoming opportunities hosted by VSDR, for parents/guardians to participate in the Sex Trafficking Education & Prevention (STEP) program sessions.
Please see below for dates and times:
- Tuesday November 26, 2024 - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Thursday December 19, 2024 - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Registration can be found at the following link: Sex Trafficking Education and Prevention Registration
IT's BACK !! Krispy Kreme Doughnut Fundraising Event!
Krispy Kreme doughnuts will be sold by the dozen at Bellwood, so don't miss out! The price per box (12 original doughnuts) is $15, with proceeds going towards our school's SCC fundraising initiatives for things like classroom tech and outdoor play equipment. Please support our school by purchasing these tasty treats!
The final date for purchasing will be December 6th, 2024, with pick-up at the school on DECEMBER 18TH, 2024
Please note: There are no refunds or transfers of School Cash Online credit.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH WITH YOUR STUDENT FOR PAYMENT - payment is to be made via School Cash Online.
Kiss and Ride – We continue to ask families to make safety a number 1 priority!
- Between 8:55 – 9:15am please DO NOT park in front of the kindergarten enclosure. We need to keep the flow of traffic moving.
- Please DO NOT let your children out of the car in the center lane to pass. Please drive through the Kiss and Ride to let children out of the car. This is a safety concern for us here at Bellwood.
- When you are using the Kiss and Ride, please make sure you drive right up, pick up your children quickly and safely and follow the directions to keep moving by the staff supporting the smooth running of our Kiss and Ride.
- Please do not park in the Kiss and Ride as this causes back up and is not safe for our students.
- Please use the sidewalks to walk your children around and do not cut between the cars as this is a safety hazard. This is a safety concern for us here at Bellwood.
Safety is our number one priority, and we work hard to make sure that our Kiss and Ride runs safely and smoothly. We need your help!
Teams and Activities Around Bellwood
- Junior Boys Volleyball Practices: Mon. and Wed. 8:15 a.m., Tues. and Thurs. 3:35 p.m.
- Junior Girls Volleyball Practices: Mon. and Wed. 3:35 p.m. and Thurs. 8:15 a.m.
- Peer Tutoring – Tuesdays and Thursdays November 5- December 10, 2024
- Senior Band – TBD
- Bell Choir grades 6-8 Tues. and Thurs. 8:15 a.m.
Students are encouraged to check the schedules posted on the white board by the gym doors for practice days and times.
Save the Date
- Photo Retake Day: November 12, 2024
- Report Cards go home: Wednesday November 13, 2024
- Parent Interviews: Thursday November 14, 2024 – 4-8p.m.
- Parent Interview and PA Day: Friday November 15, 2024, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Movie Night and Parent Engagement with Kwesi Millington: December 5, 2024, 6:30 – 8:00
- Holiday Concert: December 12, 2024
- Breakfast with the Bobcats: Saturday December 14, 2024. Stay tuned for more information
- School Spirit Wear: will be available to look at on the Parent Interview days
Dates of Significance
November 8
Indigenous Veterans Day
National Indigenous Veterans Day is a memorial day observed in Canada in recognition of aboriginal contributions to military service, particularly in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War. It occurs annually on 8 November. The day was first commemorated in 1994.
November 11th
Remembrance Day
This day commemorates the soldiers killed in World Wars I and II and is in remembrance for all those who have given their lives in service of their country. Canadians always set aside this day in memory of those who gave their lives for freedom. Many observers wear red poppies as a symbol of this day.
November 13th
International World Kindness Day
World Kindness Day is celebrated annually on November 13 as part of the Global Kindness Movement. This Day gives us the opportunity to reflect on one of the most important and unifying human principles - empathy, compassion and kindness.
November 13-19
Transgender Awareness Week
Transgender Awareness Week is a week when transgender people and their allies take action to bring attention to the community by educating the public about who transgender people are, sharing stories and experiences, and advancing advocacy around the issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that affect the transgender community.
November 20th
Classroom Support Staff Appreciation Day
Today, we celebrate our hardworking and dedicated Educational Assistants! Our Educational Assistants are such an important part of our community and school team. If you have ever seen them in action, you have seen love, patience and grace at work in a tangible way. We are always grateful for your incredible contribution to our school communities and celebrate you today with heartfelt thanks.
Your Admin Team
Sharon Knights and Todd Smart
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