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Report Cards and Conferences

PRINCIPAL NEWSLETTER #9: 2021- 2022 SCHOOL YEAR

Report Cards andConferencesPRINCIPAL NEWSLETTER #9: 2021- 2022 SCHOOL YEAR

Dear Families

I've enjoyed seeing many of you on campus this week--we're fortunate to have the option of holding conferences in person this trimester. I Zoomed in to my own 3rd grader's conference, but it felt all too short.


A few other announcements:



  • The PTA Play has infused a BIG ENERGY to the Bel Aire campus this week. Students are excited and the production is off to a great start.



  • I'm looking for one parent volunteer to join me in representing Bel Aire at a district wide safety meeting on December 7th. Please message me if interested. Now's the perfect time to get involved!




  • Parents of bike riders--please encourage your children to follow the Safe Routes to school map for getting to Bel Aire. See below! Some unsafe crossings have been reported and we want to keep everyone safe!



  • I hope you enjoy this short video I presented at the RUSD Board Meeting yesterday.




No school next week--enjoy the time with your families! Happy Thanksgiving!




Principal John DiCosmo

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Upcoming Dates:


November 16th, 17th & 19th – Bel Aire Play “Frozen, Jr.” Auditions

November 30th – Bel Aire Play “Frozen, Jr.” Rehearsals Begin

November 30th – Bel Aire Spirit Wear Sales Table

December 1st – Bel Aire PTA Meeting

December 10th- Adopt A Family Presents Due



Adopt A Family

This year we are partnering with Adopt A Family of Marin to support families in our Marin community during the holidays. Adopt A Family of Marin works year-round to prevent homelessness and provide stability for families in crisis. The agency acts as a safety net for many families in the County by providing short term financial assistance. This year, Adopt A Family has distributed over $800,000 in financial assistance to families living in Marin County. Every year, with the help of hundreds of donors, Adopt A Family provides a warm holiday for hundreds of Marin families in need. Our hope is that through supporting these local families, we can make a difference in our own community.

Family wish lists will be distributed through your class Room Parents. Our goal is to fill at least three items from each family member's list. All gifts should be new. Please wrap and label the gift with the family member’s first name. Gifts should be brought to your child's classroom by Friday, December 10th.

For more information or questions, please contact one of the Coordinators for your grade:

We are thrilled to be able to offer every Bel Aire student the opportunity to participate in this year’s Bel Aire PTA Play, Frozen, Jr. For many years, the play has been and continues to be directed by professional theater, choreography, and vocal/music directors while it’s sponsored and produced by the Bel Aire PTA. This is a unique arts enrichment program for our students and is on par with top Bay Area children’s theater programs.


Thank you to everyone who has registered to participate in Frozen Jr. and best of luck to all of the students auditioning this week! Cast lists and the rehearsal schedule will be distributed Tuesday, November 23rd.


All students are welcome to participate in the Bel Aire Play regardless of payment. While all students are invited to participate in the play at no cost, we would be very grateful if your family is able to make a donation of any amount to offset the cost to the Bel Aire PTA. It is with the support of family donations that we are able to sustain this exceptional arts enrichment program for all students.


3rd graders typically donate $150 to be a part of the play (auditions are not required for 3rd graders and they will have less rehearsal commitments):

https://www.schoolpay.com/pay/for/Bel-Aire-Play-3rd-Grade--DONATION--20212/S7bFAS


4th and 5th graders typically donate $300 (auditions are required):

https://www.schoolpay.com/pay/for/Bel-Aire-Play-4th--5th-Grade--DONATION--/Sbl3nO5


For more information, please review the Information Packet. Rehearsals begin the week of November 29th.

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Parent Education

Register Now!

It’s not too late to join us for a conversation and Q&A between sociologist Dr. Christine Carter, author of Raising Happiness: Ten Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents" & The New Adolescence: Raising Happy and Successful Teens in an Age of Anxiety and Distraction and Dr. Mary Niesyn, Principal of RUSD Elementary School.

Dr. Carter and Dr. Niesyn will discuss how our experience of parenting can dramatically change (for the better!) during adolescence, as well as the three key skills today’s kids need -- and how parents can instill them.

In this interactive virtual event, you’ll find practical guidance for providing the support and structure kids need, helping them overcome the distractions that hinder learning, and guidance for protecting them from anxiety, isolation, and depression.

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Show your support for Local Book Store Book Passage while engendering your child’s love of reading!


Mention "Del Mar" at the register or in the order comments field if shopping online and Del Mar PTA will receive 15% of the proceeds.


Check out the Recommended Middle School and Adult Book List curated by Book Passage and our School Librarian, Janet Cerni.


This is the book list.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H0vX2KNKk0UJcXjAnHBh0H6fnJ7Hy_BpfYmlPH18rzQ/edit?usp=sharing

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Bel Aire Spirit Wear

Looking for a Holiday gift for your Bel Aire student? Bel Aire PTA will be selling Spirit Wear on Tuesday, November 30th after school at the bottom of the Bel Aire hill off of Karen Way. Pick up some of our Bel Aire classics or a hoodie and tote featuring our new Bear design! Can’t make it on November 30th? Contact our Spirit Wear Chair Amanda Hyslop (amandahyslop@gmail.com)

Bel Aire PTA:

If you are interested in learning more about the PTA or want to get involved, please join us for our next Bel Aire PTA meeting on Wednesday, December 1st at 9:00 a.m. For more information, contact Bel Aire PTA Site Chair Laura Smith, lauracarolinesmith@gmail.com

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Public Health Update Zoom

Hi All –


Join us on Thursday, December 9th @ 4:00PM for a Public Health Update for the School Community with Dr. Matt Willis and Dr. Lisa Santora.

This update is for all school staff, teachers, parents, guardians and the community

The session will be recorded and posted on the Rethinking Schools website.

Live Spanish Translation will be available.

ZOOM Link

Dial In: 408-638-0968

Webinar ID: 851 0374 8230

Passcode: 839839

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Youth Truth Survey

The family Youth Truth survey is now accessible until 11/19. One parent or guardian from each household is invited to take the survey. It's anonymous and takes about 15 minutes. The survey helps us gather feedback about what we are doing well, and how we can improve.


http://www.ytsurvey.org/rusdfamily21

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Children for Change: Volunteer Event

Come join us for a day of volunteerism to kick off Thanksgiving Break! On Saturday 11/20, Children for Change is partnering with the Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL) for Family Volunteer Day 2021. Learn more and sign up here.

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Appointments for Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccinations (for 5–11-year-olds) are now available for Saturday, November 13, 2021 and Saturday, November 20, 2021 at the Northgate Mall in San Rafael.

To sign up please go directly to My Turn, and follow the prompts as follows:

  • Which vaccine do you need? à COVID-19 à Continue
  • Click à Make an Appointment
  • Read and check Privacy Statement
  • Select COVID-19 Vaccine
  • Answer Questions
  • (Address is optional)
  • Enter zip code (94903 Northgate Mall)
  • Scroll to Northgate Mall – 5-11 years old Pfizer à Click à Schedule appointment

Times are currently available on both November 13th and November 20th. Once these appointments fill, additional appointments may be available through My Turn at other locations in Marin and neighboring communities.

More information on Pediatric Vaccines and appointments can be found on the HHS COVID-19 Vaccine for Pediatrics web page.


There have been additional appointments added to the weekend SuperPOD at Novato High School on Saturday, November 20th and Sunday, November 21st …in addition to appointments at the Northgate Mall. .


https://coronavirus.marinhhs.org/vaccine/pediatrics

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RUSD Mission & Vision: Each student will be challenged and inspired to reach their fullest intellectual, social-emotional and creative potential to positively impact the world.