Bethel Springs Elementary School

We never imagined what this school year would bring! We were all thrust into a radically new normal with little more than a weekend to prepare! Our teachers, students, and parents have done commendable work and have shown incredible patience and understanding as we have tried to teach and learn in a whole new way. We have accomplished some amazing things, while we also have learned many things that will help us improve future endeavors. This has been an exceedingly challenging few months, but the strength, dedication, and generous spirit that characterize our school community have kept us going!. Thank you to all!

Mr. Piasecki and Mrs. Allen

All school iPads that students have been using at home should be returned on June 8th and 9th at each grade level's scheduled time. The information below refers to iPads that students will receive later this summer and will use throughout the 2020-21 school year. Students will be able to use these iPads at school and at home. Additional details below:

Elementary iPad Program for 2020-2021 School Year

All K-5 students will receive an iPad this summer to use at school and at home. In order for your child to receive his/her iPad, a parent/guardian must sign off on Garnet Valley’s Acceptable Use Policy, iPad Care, and decide if they would like to purchase insurance for the device. All parents must complete this process for their child to receive an iPad.

There is NO charge for this iPad. However, if parents would like to purchase insurance for accidental damages, they can now do so. So that we can offer families the lowest possible rate, Garnet Valley has partnered with Edvative, an educational non-profit, to assist with this program.

This program is optional and offered to Garnet Valley families who want the peace of mind of having their child’s iPad insured for accidental damages for the 2020-2021 school year.

• For students entering grades 1-5 as of September 2020, please click HERE. (incoming Kindergarten students will be done in August)
• For our current 5th grade students who will be entering GVMS in the fall, please click HERE for GVMS' Chromebook Program.

On June 8th and 9th BSES families will have times by grade to line up in our usual pick-up/drop-off line alongside the gym to receive any items (including instruments) that students had left at school. At the same time, we will collect iPads as well as any textbooks, school library books, and classroom library books that students have at home. Our 5th graders will also drop off their time capsule items (see Time Capsule information below).

IMPORTANT: We need your help!

1) Please place a visible sign on the passenger side of the dashboard stating the student's last name and the homeroom teacher's name.

2) Prior to arriving at BSES please place your child's district-issued iPad, any borrowed books/textbooks/items from classrooms or the school library in a brown bag marked with your child's name and his/her homeroom teacher's name. 5th grade parents, please remember to place Time Capsule items in bag as well. Fold over top of bag and tape or staple shut. Place the bag in your trunk. When you pull up, pop your trunk and a BSES staff member will retrieve any returned items and place your child's belongings in your trunk.

3) If you have more than one BSES child and you cannot come through the line at each one's designated time, please let staff members know when you pull up that you need items for all BSES children in your family. Please know, however, that only teachers from a given grade level will be present to say good-bye to students at that grade level's designated time. IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, PLEASE COME THROUGH THE LINE AT THE TIMES SCHEDULED FOR FOR EACH OF YOUR BSES CHILDREN-- THEIR TEACHERS MISS THEM AND WANT TO SEE THEM!

After dropping off and retrieving items, parents will make a right and slowly drive along the front of the school where teachers from a given grade level will be posted (at a safe distance from cars and from each other) to say good-bye to students. Students and family members MUST stay in cars. In our minds and hearts we will be hugging you, but we will remain at a safe distance! After passing by all teachers, parents will then turn left to exit the property.

Below are the dates and times:

Monday, June 8th

Grade 1 8:30 to 10:30

Grade 2 11:00 to 1:00

Grade 3 1:30 to 3:30

Tuesday, June 9th

Grade 4 8:30 to 10:30

Grade 5 11:00 to 1:00

Make-up 1:30 to 3:30 (For families who could not make it at any of the other times. Teachers will not be present.)

We thank our many volunteers who have contributed time and effort to enhance the mission of our school. We regret that we did not have the opportunity to thank you properly at our Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. Please know how much we value the support of our parents and we look forward to our continued partnership in the coming school year! Thank you!

THANK YOU, HSA VOLUNTEERS!! In what will be our last official update of the 2019-2020 school year, the HSA wants to recognize all of the parents and guardians who volunteered their time and talents this year. From late night photoshopping of teacher portraits for the Book Fair to directing activities at Trunk or Treat; from taking pictures and organizing activities at each classroom party to searching for pictures of this year’s 5th graders as 1st graders; from handing out daubers and snacks at Bingo Night to counting out each little BoxTop cut out - however you contributed, your efforts were truly appreciated. The student experience at Bethel Springs is truly special, and your contributions make all the difference. Thank you all, and have a great and safe summer!

YEARBOOK DELIVERY UPDATE: We are currently working with Barksdale to determine when the yearbooks will be delivered, and although everything is on track and still moving forward, they will not be able to deliver them before the scheduled Student Building Cleanout on Monday, June 8th or Tuesday, June 9th.

We will move forward with two options for folks who have purchased yearbooks:

1. School Pickup: Once the yearbooks have been printed, we will schedule a day when parents can pick up the yearbooks from Bethel Springs (ie-like the Student Building Cleanout but later). Updates will be coming soon.

2. Direct Delivery from Barksdale: For a fee of $8.50, you can request that your student’s yearbook is shipped directly to your home.

To request direct delivery, follow these instructions.

• Navigate to barksdalephoto.com

• In the “What are you looking for?” dropdown menu, select “Order Your Yearbook.”

• Enter the Bethel Springs Shipping Order Access Code 01766SHIP (Note-you may need to scroll down to see this field).

• Enter the requested information and pay $8.50 with a credit card or via PayPal.

The deadline to request direct delivery is Friday, June 5th.

If you have any issues or questions, please reach out to bsesyearbook@gmail.com.

BSES HSA Volunteers: The BSES HSA is looking for a few good volunteers to help out with committees and events during the 2020-2021 school year. (Fingers crossed for the most normal possible school year starting in the fall, so let’s plan ahead accordingly!) Please check out this FORM to learn what volunteer opportunities are available and to sign up if interested. If you have any questions, please reach out to bseshsa@gmail.com.

IMPORTANT INFO FOR 5TH GRADE PARENTS: Although things have come to an anticlimactic ending this year, the HSA feels that it’s important to continue the tradition known as the Time Capsule. The “Class of 2027 Time Capsule” will contain memorabilia from your children’s elementary school experience such as the 5th grade video, the yearbook, the “Life as a 5th Grader” survey and a letter written from you to your child. The time capsule will be opened senior year, and the letters you have written, along with the survey, will be given out to your children.

For more information, please click HERE for the letter describing the time capsule specifics and the “Life as a 5th Grader” survey. Please note that we are asking parents to return the letter and survey in the same envelope labeled with the student’s first and last names on Monday, June 8th or Tuesday, June 9th during the scheduled Student Building Cleanout. If you have any questions, please contact Andrea Smith.

For the most up to date information, check out the BSES HSA Website!

Follow us on social media:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bseshsa/

Instagram - @bethel_springs_hsa

Twitter - @bseshsa1

Dear 5th Grade Families,

Save the date! We would like to invite all 5th grade families to attend the 5th Grade Promotion Assembly via webinar on Thursday, June 4, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. as we recognize students for their accomplishments and wish them well as they officially become the class of 2027.

A link to access the assembly will be shared through Alma a day prior to the event. All certificates will be emailed home after the assembly.

We look forward to sharing this event with our students, families, and staff!

IMPORTANT INFO FOR 5TH GRADE PARENTS: Although things have come to an anticlimactic ending this year, the HSA feels that it’s important to continue the tradition known as the Time Capsule. The “Class of 2027 Time Capsule” will contain memorabilia from your children’s elementary school experience such as the 5th grade video, the yearbook, the “Life as a 5th Grader” survey and a letter written from you to your child. The time capsule will be opened at the Post Prom senior year and the letters you have written, along with the survey, will be given out to your children.

For more information, please click HERE for the letter describing the time capsule specifics and the “Life as a 5th Grader” survey. Please note that we are asking parents to return the letter and survey in the same envelope labeled with the student’s first and last names on Tuesday, June 9th during the scheduled Student Building Cleanout. If you have any questions, please contact Andrea Smith.

A student in grades K-5 will be considered present when a completed parental verification of attendance is received. The form will be emailed on a weekly basis to parents. The verification form includes a space for you to indicate a reason for missed days of “school.

The next and last form will be emailed to you on Monday, June 8th to confirm attendance for the week of June 1st to June 5th. Thank you for your assistance!

For your convenient reference, the weekly announcements will be archived on the school website. Simply go the Bethel Springs page on the district website (garnetvalleyschools.com) and go to "Our School" and to the "Announcements" drop-down. Click on the particular weekly announcements you wish to view. Thanks!

"Learning and fun all in one."

From Keira Dively