This week's newsletter includes:

• Dates for your calendar
• The lunch menu for the week & how to set up/add money to your child's account

• Car line information
• Details about our upcoming spirit week!
• Yearbook information (Click HERE for order info)
• Volunteer opportunities (click HERE to see all opportunities!)
• A sneak peek of the Daddy Daughter Dance - save the date!
• How to reserve your spirit rock ONLINE

This event was created by the PTO for the students of Ballentine so they would have an opportunity to buy gifts for their immediate family. This year we will have many tables from which students can select gifts. We need some volunteers to help students shop, especially our younger students! We've also attached the schedule for all classes so you can avoid the time in which your child may be shopping - we won't want to spoil any surprises!

A special invitation from The Center to all BES families! You are invited to the Annual Holiday Tree Festival next Thursday, December 12th from 5-7PM. Come see and vote for your favorite holiday display using monetary donations for local charities. Kids Welcome! Holiday crafts, Santa Letters, cookies, hot cocoa, and THE GRINCH will all be there to celebrate the season with you!

As we move into the holiday season, please help us avoid last minute disappointment by ensuring all special snacks follow the District 5 Board policy ADF “School Wellness.” This policy stipulates that during the instructional day, any food that is brought to a school from home with the purpose of sharing among students be store bought, packaged and have ingredients clearly listed on the packaging. Treats, such as candy, cupcakes, most cookies and sweets cannot be provided to our students as they do not meet the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommended Nutrition Standards for Foods in Schools:

< 200 calories;

< 35% of total calories from fat;

< 10% of calories from saturated fats;

Zero trans fat (< 0.5 g per serving)

< 35% of calories from total sugars; and

< 200 mg sodium.

For this reason, all special snacks must be approved by the homeroom teacher well in advance of the special occasion.

**** In addition, please note that deliveries for students such as flowers, balloons, or food that has been ordered via Door Dash or other food delivery service should be reserved to enjoy at home. ****

Our car line, when running properly, is one of the most efficient of any school in our area. Recently, there has been some confusion on this procedure. To help with this, we have installed signs along the entrance and provided a review of the procedures below. We have also included video below that explains the flow of the car line and earlier this week, we had district safety officers in the afternoon carline for a couple of days to help everyone get a better understanding of the procedures. We are hopeful that everyone has a better understanding of the flow and the rest of the year will go a little more smoothly.

Using the image below, the blue/green dotted line shows the entrance/exit for car riders.

• Please note the signs in the car line. Hopefully this will help with establishing routines.
• In the mornings, starting at 7:20, cars should use both lanes of the car line to double-stack cars entering BES.
• In the afternoons, starting at 2:20, cars should use both lanes of the car line to double-stack cars entering BES.
• Once double stacking begins, there is not a passing lane, so during heavy traffic times, drivers needing to access the parking lot may be required to wait a few minutes until traffic is moving.
  
• As cars approach the student drop off area, the two lines of traffic will take turns merging the two lanes into one line. At this point, anyone needing to park will turn left into the upper parking lot.
• Drivers needing to access handicap parking in the lower lot should have parking placards clearly displayed. Families using the drop off area will follow the traffic flow to the right.
• The exit onto Bickley Road is one lane and is RIGHT TURN ONLY.

This traffic pattern has been developed by the SC Department of Transportation and D5 Safety Officers to assure maximum safety not only for you and your child, but for all drivers on Bickley Road. This also provides plenty of space for cars to line up while waiting for arrival/dismissal of car riders. Please pull as far forward as possible so that we may load/unload multiple cars at once. Also, to ensure the safety of all, please remain in your car at all times. Students should have all items gathered and be ready to exit the vehicle when it stops. If parents need to get out of the car for any reason, please park in a designated parking place to do so.

***SEAT BELTS: If your child needs assistance with the seat belt, please do not step out of the car into the carline. We ask that you use one of the parking lots so you are able to park and safely get out to help.***

The public review process plays an important role in selecting instructional materials that reflect the highest standards and meet the needs of South Carolina students. By involving parents, educators, and community members, we ensure that every voice contributes to this decision-making process. Your feedback is essential to ensure that the selected materials meet the highest quality standards and address the needs of our students. Please find the attached press release, which includes additional details about the virtual public review and in-person locations.

Front Office - 803-476-4500

School Nurse - 803-476-4509

Cafeteria - 803-476-4508

School Counselor - 803-476-4534

Library - 803-476-4518

Parent input and feedback are always appreciated. Whether through a phone call or an email, we welcome your thoughts and ideas. The Administrative Team at BES is always available to help in any way we can! You can contact us by calling the main office at 476-4500 or emailing us directly.

Principal Robin Bright rbright@lexrich5.org

Assistant Principal Zach Keister zkeister@lexrich5.org

Assistant Administrator Allison Babb ababb@lexrich5.org

Follow us on social media as well!

Facebook @BallentineElementarySchool

Twitter @BallentineElem

Our Mission…

The mission of Ballentine Elementary School is to join together community, staff, students, and families to ensure that all students are provided a world-class, rigorous education.

Our Vision…

In partnership with the community, staff, students, and families, Ballentine Elementary School will exemplify excellence in education in a positive, safe and nurturing environment in order to prepare our students to be fully participating citizens and leaders. We will foster the development of creative thinking, encourage curiosity and problem solving, promote respect for individual differences and uphold high ethical standards.