Bella Mente Family Newsletter 8/29/17

Dear Parents,

We had a fantastic first week of school! Students and staff enjoyed hearing about summer adventures, meeting new friends and starting the school year routines. As with all new school years, it is important to make long and short term goals for your students. Goals keep us focused and accountable for achieving growth.

"Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success." - Pablo Picasso

I encourage you to sit down as a family and discuss your goals for the 2017/18 school year. Then, make a road map for attaining those goals. Celebrate mini successes that inch you closer to the big goal. Here are some supports that can help you and your child reach the academic goals you set in place this year:

*Make school a priority. Every absence (excused or not), can impact a child’s academic achievement. Talk to your child about how important their education is. Make daily routines for homework and waking up on time for school.

*Maintain communication with teachers and keep an eye on your child’s academic progress.

*Make a plan. If your schedule or transportation situation makes getting your child to school a challenge, ask for assistance. Make a carpool or transportation plan with other parents or family members, or ask your school principal for community programs or school initiatives that may help.

*Know your school’s attendance policies. If an absence or early dismissal is unavoidable, contact your school. If your family’s religious observances fall on school days, let teachers know early in the year which days your child will miss.

*Schedule wisely. Know your school’s calendar, and arrange doctor and dentist appointments after school, on weekends, or during holiday breaks, if possible. Resist the urge to schedule vacations when students will miss school. This gives students the impression that school is not a priority. Help students complete assignments. When your child has to miss school, make arrangements with teachers to pick up a packet of make-up work. Please notify your teacher at least 10 days prior to the scheduled absence to complete an Independent Study form.

Please take some time to review important school documents, including our Family Handbook at https://www.bellamentecharter.org/downloads .

What's Happening at Bella Mente:

We are currently looking for additional noon aides to assist with supervision during recess each day.

Hours: 11-1:15 Monday-Thur

Pay: $11.21/hr

To apply, email your resume and cover letter toinfo@bellamentecharter.org

Attendance Counts!

At Bella Mente, we aspire and expect our students to have regular attendance. Our goal for this year is to have 98% attendance for all students. When your child is absent, they miss valuable lessons, are unable to contribute and can quickly fall behind. If you must keep your student(s) home, please contact the front office.

DASH BOARD PLACARDS

Please remember to pick up your Dashboard Placard at the Front Office for the new school year. You must display your placard when entering the campus and leave it in place until your child enters your vehicle. Grab extra for your other cars.

DROP OFF

Students are not to be dropped off before 8:00 am. We want to make sure that your student is safe. Because our staff will not be available to supervise your student before 8:00, we need your help in following this direction.

PARKING LOT

BMMA has 82 staff members but only 67 parking spots. Because of this, we do not allow our parents to park in the parking lot in the morning. Please utilize off campus parking when visiting the campus during the morning hours.

Reminders:

School Hours:

Monday-Thursday

Primary 9:00-2:45

Lower 8:25- 2:55

Upper 8:15-3:10

Adol 8:15- 3:10

Friday:

Primary 9:00-11:45

Lower 8:25-11:55

Upper 8:15-12:10

Adol 8:15-3:10

Front Office Hours: 8am-4pm Monday-Friday

If you have yet to visit our year round forms page, we highly encourage you to visit the link and view all of the attachments. Information regarding bell schedule, supply lists, uniforms, donations, and more can be found at Forms and Downloads

Dismissal Reminders:

1. Remind your older students to pick up their younger siblings on the way to the car.

2. Write the name of all students and their teachers on the placards.

3. For parents who are walking up, please stand west of the pedestrian gate to allow students to walk down to the pick up line. This will be enforced by staff.

4. When parking on Huff, please remember to follow all driving/parking laws. Refrain from parking in red zones or in the entrances of our neighbors.

Registration:

Please make sure that your registration forms have been completed and submitted to the front office. Registration is mandatory.

Uniforms:

Uniforms can be ordered via our webstore. All uniform orders that are placed in August will be received by the end of September. Orders will be processed every 2 months starting September.

Free and Reduced Lunch Applications:

Applications were processed. You will receive an approval or a denial letter within 10 school days via email. Fees on orderlunches.com will be updated accordingly.

Lunch Orders:

https://topnotchcatering.orderlunches.com/access.php

School Code: BMC1

Create an account. Once an account is created then you will need to assign a teacher to your student.

Mr. Hank's Corner

As we enter the second week of school we enter those weeks that get really hot. With this said it is vital to keep your children hydrated. Please pack a reusable water bottle so your child could use our hydration station located in the MPR. Water regulates your body temperature and lubricates your joints. It helps transport nutrients to give you energy and keep you healthy. If you're not hydrated, your body can't perform at its highest level. You may feel tired, have muscle cramps, dizziness, or other serious symptoms. Instead of drinking a sugary filled sport drink enjoy a flavored water such as lemon basil or jalapeno strawberry.

I have seen many children showing up with healthy options as snacks such as apples, oranges and other great choices. Help your child by slicing the fruit if they are young and can’t quite bite into those delicious choices. Unfortunately, I have also seen Hot Cheetos as snacks which is not a healthy option. Help get your child a “Greens Thumb Up” with their snack choice. Have your child help you make their own snack and lunch and let them be a part of making a healthier choice. Chef Ann Cooper says, “Hungry kids can't think, and malnourished kids can't learn.

“If we’re going to close the achievement gap in our country, we need to close the nutrition gap.”

—Arne Duncan, U.S. Former Secretary of Education

August is Children’s eye health and safety month. For more information how to not protect your own eyes but your child’s eyes check out this link for further information.

http://www.preventblindness.org/

If you can help in the garden or with the nutrition lab at anytime please email Mr. Hank at hstelzl@bellamentecharter.org. Please let me know your availability as I will be needing your help to grow happy healthy kids.

Bella Mente Montessori Charter School is in need of adult family volunteers.

These volunteers will enhance the safety of our students by providing:

Assisting staff during drop off and pick up of students.

Assisting staff at events such as Spring Fling, Fall Festival, graduations, etc.

Staff with special skills, i.e, EMTs, etc., can assist by manning first aid booths during special events.

Each volunteer must complete a School Volunteer Application, a Volunteer Code of Conduct and have a valid photo ID. They must also complete a Live Scan and a current TB Test at their own expense.

For more information, please visit Volunteer Information

Please contact Ray Valenzuela at rvalenzuela@bellamentecharter.org if you would like to help.

Reminder, there is no school on Monday, September 4.

Look for news and information from your 2017/18 PTO coming soon!

STAR Education

STAR Education provides before and after school child care on the BMMA campus, as well as drop-in care for occasional use. Please contact Laurie Coldren at bellamente@starinc.org for pricing and registration information.