Bear Creek Bulletin

Dear Bear Creek Families,

It’s hard to believe we’re already three weeks into the new school year! I want to take a moment to thank you all for the positive start we've had to this school year! It has been incredible to see the energy and enthusiasm your student's bring to our classrooms each day. From getting to know new friends, to diving into the first units of our curriculum, they are already showing great potential and growth.

I also want to express my gratitude for your support during this busy transition period. Whether it’s adjusting to new routines, attending back-to-school events, or partnering with our teachers, your involvement makes a world of difference. As we move forward, our focus remains on creating a safe, nurturing, and challenging environment where every child can live, learn, and thrive! I’m excited for all that’s ahead, and I look forward to continuing this journey together!

Thank you for being an integral part of our Bear Creek community.

Warm regards,

Dr. Jeremy Stetler
Principal, Bear Creek School

• Enrollment is still open for 5th grade chorus! Please use the online SIGN-UP if your child is still interested. 5th grade chorus families will receive an update from Mr. McLaughlin next week with more information!
• Thank you to 4th & 5th grade families who are signed up to participate in orchestra & band! You will receive an update by Friday 9/13. Please reach out to Mr. McLaughlin or Mrs. Peters if you have any questions in the meantime!

To assist us with a smooth arrival and dismissal we are requesting parents/guardians to assist us with the following two items; we appreciate your help!!!

1) We ask all car riders to please enter our school from Sheaffer Road, not Bear Creek Road. This will allow for our busses to have easier turning access to Bear Creek Road and we feel will allow for a smoother drop-off and pick-up experience for all.

2) If you are a car-rider and have students at Bear Creek and East High, we ask that you begin your dismissal at Bear Creek each day and then head over to East High. This will allow us to limit some of the traffic around the East High busses and should allow for a quicker pick-up experience for you at both buildings!

As we get into the swing of the year, we wanted to communicate to our parents and families about bringing in snacks for student birthdays and holidays. The policy that guides these practices can be found, below! We recommend that you please communicate with your student's teacher if you are planning to send any "treat" or "snack" to school. Also, due to student allergies, we would strongly prefer pre-packaged items with nutrition labels for any classroom treats. Thank you for your assistance!

Board Policy 246 (Wellness)

" Non-Sold Competitive Foods -

Non-sold competitive foods available to students, which may include but are not limited to foods and beverages offered as rewards and incentives, at classroom parties and celebrations, or as shared classroom snacks, shall meet or exceed the standards established by the district.

If the offered competitive foods do not meet or exceed the Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards, the following standards shall apply:

Rewards and Incentives: Foods and beverages shall not be used as a reward for classroom or school activities unless the reward is an activity that promotes a positive nutrition message (e.g., guest chef, field trip to a farm or farmers market, etc.).

Classroom Parties and Celebrations: Classroom parties/celebrations with food/beverages shall be limited to no more than one (1) per month in each classroom.

Shared Classroom Snacks: The district shall provide a list of suggested nonfood ideas and healthy food and beverage alternatives to parents/guardians and staff, which may be posted via the district website, student handbooks, newsletters, posted notices and/or other efficient communication methods.

Tardy Policy: Students must be in the building by 8:50 AM. Late arrivals will need to be escorted to the office by an adult and will be marked "tardy."

CHIP Insurance Information: For families interested in CHIP Insurance, please visit here.

Construction Update: Construction on the new homes by Bear Creek has begun.This will impact our dismissal procedures. Parents will need to line up on Sheaffer Road if our parking lot is full, and please do not block the bus loop.

Bear Creek Bulletin: Next publication date 9/27/24!

September 13th - Funky Socks and Crocs

September 16th - National Play-Doh Day

September 16th - PTO Meeting 6:30-7:30 (IMC)

September 17th - Constitution Day

September 18th - National Rice Krispie Treat Day

September 16th-20th - School Safety and Security Officer Appreciation Week

September 20th - College Sweatshirt or T-Shirt Day

September 20th - Movie Night @ Bear Creek (6:00-9:30PM)

October 5th - Bear Creek Carnival (1:00-6:00PM)

October 25th - Bear Creek Night @ The EAHS Football Game

*District-issued Chromebooks are a school device, we ask that parents/guardians assist us with ensuring appropriate use at home.

*Please work with your student to ensure that your student(s) is bringing a charged device to school each day.

*The district will work with students and families when accidental damage or normal wear-and-tear occurs with a student's school-issued device.

*The building administrative team (and technology department) reserves the right to submit a bill for any damage deemed "malicious."

E-Town Back to School Center

Student/Parent Handbook

Bear Creek Academics

Staff Directory

School News/Bear Creek Bulletins

PTO

Student Supports

Appreciation Sign up

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0E4BAAAE23A1FD0-51010899-teacher#/

Spirit Wear Sign up

https://stores.inksoft.com/bear_creek_school_2024/shop/products/all?page=1

Carnival Sign Ups

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0E4BAAAE23A1FD0-50503244-carnival?useFullSite=true#/

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0E4BAAAE23A1FD0-50501139-raffle?useFullSite=true#/

Carnival Presale

https://bear-creek-school-pto.square.site/product/carnival-presale-2024/21?cs=true&cst=custom

Movie Night Google Doc

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfTud9VrVr1w-df5YNWWr2ni0oWRm6w-WWO6eM0uklYbvsTNA/viewform

At the Elizabethtown Area School District, we are committed to offering a rich selection of high-quality books that inspire, challenge, and engage all of our students. Our library collections are carefully curated and rated to meet the diverse needs of learners across all grade levels, including young adult and advanced readers. Some of these books may include more mature content, particularly for students in grades 6-12 who have access to the full range of library materials.

We understand that parents and guardians know their children best, and we respect that some families may prefer to limit their student’s access to certain books. If you feel your child is not yet ready for specific titles, we encourage you to review our rating system and determine which classifications are most appropriate for them.

To support you in this decision, we offer a library opt-out process. Completing the opt-out form will flag your student’s library account, and access to the designated materials will be restricted accordingly.

If you would like to take advantage of this option, please fill out the opt-out form, which is available at Library Resources - Opt-Out Form.

We ask that if you do elect to opt your student out of our library services, please have that conversation with your student so that they do not try to check out library materials from our IMC. Thank you for your continued partnership in your child’s education.

Bear Creek School

Principal: Dr. Jeremy Stetler

Asst. Principal: Mrs. Kate Dobyns

Asst. Principal: Mr. Mike Pericci

Main Office: Mrs. Tara Oltmans and Miss Ryleigh Geib

Website: https://bearcreek.etownschools.org/

Location: 1459 Sheaffer Road, Elizabethtown, PA 17022

Phone: 717-367-0210