Hello BCE Community

I hope to see everyone at the carnival tonight. It will be such a fun family event. The parent club has gone all out—bounce houses, petting zoo, face painting, etc.

We had such an amazing time last Friday with the walk/ Job-a-thon. Thank you to all that helped make it happen. We have some super fast runners. I raced a few and didn't win them all :)

Open house is next Thursday. We will have our 3rd-5th graders singing and playing instruments with Mr. G from 5-6. We will also have a BBQ from 5-6, and classrooms open from 6-7. Our students and teachers have been working so hard all year. Everyone can't wait to show off their work.

State testing starts next week for our 3rd-5th graders. Every student will take various tests over the next 2 weeks. You can help ensure your student is at school on time daily and try not to take them out for appointments before lunch. The parent club and the office have supplied a few snacks for each class. Any healthy snack is appreciated if you can help out a bit more. Studies show our students do better on tests with healthy snacks and great sleep.

Thank you to all that supported our first Gala last Saturday night. It was such a wonderful night, with friends, food, and so much fun. We are still tallying up the night, but we can't thank you for all that came and donated.

The silent auction is open. We have some amazing items up for grabs. We have another VIP parking spot available too. Take a look when you have a chance. Visit www.bit.ly/3N6lr1p

Have a great weekend, everyone.

Mrs. Fippin and Office Staff

CAASPP testing- There are many ways to measure your child’s learning. Your child’s teacher uses report card grades, classroom work, teacher observations, and end-of-year statewide test results to get a complete picture of your child’s learning. Students participate in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) each year. Your child will take the following tests, depending on their grade level or instructional program:

• Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for English language arts and math, required tests in grades 3–8 and 11

• California Science Test (CAST), a required test in grades 5 and 8 and once in high school

We will b starting our CAASP testing May 1st- 12th for 3rd-5th graders. We ask that you do whatever you can to ensure your student is at school on time and rested on those days.

You are an essential part of your child’s education. To make sure your child feels comfortable taking tests, you can:

• Explain to your child that these tests are tools to help them learn, and they should not be anxious or scared.

• Explore the practice tests with your child at caaspp.org/practice-and-training/index.html so they can become familiar with the platform and setup of the tests.

• Remind your child that you and their teacher want them to try their best and are there to help every step of the way.

You will receive your child’s results at or before the beginning of the next school year. The results will identify where your child is doing well or needs more help, so you can better support their learning at home, and teachers can better support their learning in the classroom.

To learn more about these tests, go to the Starting Smarter web page at ca.startingsmarter.org/, or review the Parent Guides to Understanding at cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/parentguidetounderstand.asp.

Get your Yearbook today- A few important dates

• Custom pages for the yearbooks need to be done by April 30th
• The deadline to order to have them by the last day of school is April 30th.

See flyers below for ordering information

I know that many have been receiving attendance letters from the office. Please note that whenever your child misses school, they miss out on their education. While we completely understand that things come up and students get sick, we encourage you to do whatever you can to ensure your student is in school daily. If you plan on being out for more than 3 days, please see the office at least 2 weeks prior. We can complete an independent studies packet for you. Please see the attached document that states what excused and unexcused absences are.

If you have any questions please contact the office.

Reading is Powerful……

Especially when it is nightly and at least 20 minutes! Balancing schedules, school, work, media, screens, and reading is not an easy task for many of us (myself included!) and the struggle is real. It is also nearly impossible to ignore the studies and research of former and current experts in the field of literacy that reflect the importance of daily/nightly reading- and not just for test scores.

I feel this graph says it all, and would also like to point out that while research statistics show that reading 20 minutes nightly benefits students academically, there are a MYRIAD of reasons beyond academics to make this a family habit if it isn’t already! Reading can stimulate the imagination, improve social-emotional well-being and life skills, and empower our writers among other wonderful outcomes.

Stimulates Imagination

When it comes to growing and expanding creativity, a reader (big or small) can get lost in a world of fiction and experience characters, situations, and feelings they may not have bumped into yet. This can help even help them become more compassionate by learning to approach situations and consider the feelings of others.

Social-Emotional

Empathy, perseverance, kindness, and strength are solid and true life skills that readers can practice through experiencing someone else’s story, sometimes even preparing them for particularly challenging situations. Books can be strong enough to inspire readers to help others through action as well.

Empowering our Writers

Last, reading also grows our young reader’s thinking and writing. Through the power of the written word, our readers can discover new ways to convey meaning, use persuasion and figurative language, and be emotionally engaged in a story. From short stories to short essays to job/college/trade school applications, these skills help students become stronger writers no matter what genre they are writing in.

So whether you head over to the library, shop at our local bookstore, or peruse a secondhand bookstore, HAPPY READING and have a great Spring Break!!!!

SAVE THE DATE (5/17): SLV Music Boosters will host our Second Annual SLV Music & Art Festival at Roaring Camp Railroads on May 17, 2023. This event features students in grades 5-12 and includes band, choir, and art. The gate opens at 4:00, and performances begin at 5:00. We hope you will attend this community event and enjoy a fun night out with performances from each of the talented school music ensembles, a student art display, 6 food trucks, a silent auction. The festival is free for everyone, but donations will be accepted to raise money for future field trips, music, instruments, and instrument accessories.

If you are able to donate an auction item or provide cash sponsorship to our silent auction, please fill out our silent auction donation form.

Please come by the office if you plan to register a new Bear for the 23/24 school year. Registration is open, and knowing how many new students we have early is crucial in determining whether we have adequate staff.

We can't wait to meet our new BEARS!!

Eyeglasses and Eye Exams

Please contact our District Nurse, Kelly McWaid at kmcwaid@slvusd.org if you'd like information on how students who have financial needs in SC county may qualify for free eye exams and/or new or replacement glasses.

BCE Spirit Wear is now available for purchase online.

Our online store is open 24/7, 365 days, so you can order your BCE merchandise any time!

Best of all, it is shipped directly to you!

Lots of new merchandise now and more to come! Check it out!

Link: https://bce-spiritwear.myspreadshop.com/

Staff Appreciation Week (SAW): Staff Appreciation Week is May 1st- 5th, with door decorating on Sunday, April 30th. If you are interested in volunteering to be a Staff Appreciation class representative (multiple slots for each class). Please sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/bd3t7mf

There will be a Staff Appreciation Week volunteer meeting on Wednesday, April 12th (information will be sent to those who sign up). This is a fun way to show the BCE teachers and staff how much we appreciate all they do! Any questions, contact Dawn at bcepc.execs@gmail.com and subject: SAW.

Square 1 Art : Offering a Mother's Day special from 3/31- 4/4/2023. Use promo code MOMSROCK1 and get 20% off for this limited time.

Hello 5th Grade Parents!

We have some fun opportunities for you to have you students featured in the yearbook. First, we want to see your adorable BABIES!! You can upload your favorite baby picture to TreeRing here or, after you log in, go to Content, and at the top of the page, where it says SCHOOL PHOTOS, make sure to select BABY PHOTOS to get it in the correct folder.

Second, we have a page for dedications from their parents or guardians to your students. Give them some words of encouragement and let them know your feelings about them growing up and moving on to Middle School. You can send those here to make sure they are included.

Please send these ASAP! We have a deadline to make sure the yearbooks get printed in time to get them to the students by the end of the school year.