Weekly Update

Dear Bell Families-

Next Wednesday is Assistant Principal & Dean Appreciation Day. At Bell, we have Assistant Principals Adam Seaman and Andi Allen and Dean Lance Krisl. Every year I think about what I can do, or give, to my outstanding administrative team that would adequately express how much we appreciate them. In truth, nothing aside from giving them a guaranteed winning lottery ticket could do this.

Being an assistant principal or a dean is not an easy job. It requires constant problem-solving, patience, empathy, compassion, teaching, accountability, and sometimes making unpopular decisions. One minute, you are comforting a crying student or parent, and the next minute you might be on the phone with a disgruntled community member. Regardless of the situation, Adam Seaman, Andi Allen, and Lance Krisl go above and beyond every week to support Bell's students, staff, and families.

It is always stressful when I, as the principal, am called to be out of the school for various, although valid, reasons. However, knowing this team is back at Bell managing everything eases that stress tremendously. They have proven time and again that they handle situations with professionalism and care. Having been a principal for a total of 13 years now, I know that having a team that collaborates so well is rare. We are genuinely lucky to have Adam Seaman, Andi Allen, and Lance Krisl helping lead our school.

Michele DeAndrea Austin, M.A.
Principal
Bell Middle School

Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) is almost here! Here's what you need to know:

• Testing Dates: April 15th through April 18th.
• Grades Participating: All students will take the English Language Arts (ELA) and Math tests. 8th graders will also take the Science test.
• Schedule:
  • April 15th, 16th, and 17th:
    • ELA tests will be in the morning.
    • Math tests will be after lunch.
    • All students in grades 6th-8th will be dismissed early at 1:20 PM. Buses will depart at this time.
  • April 18th:
    • Only 8th grade students will attend school to complete the Science portion of the CMAS test. Normal dismissal time (3:20).
• Planning: Please schedule appointments and events outside of these testing times to ensure your student is present and able to focus during the assessments.
• Some students may begin testing the week before based on their specific educational plan. Their schedules will be adjusted accordingly.
• Transportation: Please make arrangements for student pick-up at 1:20 PM on April 15th, 16th, and 17th if your student does not ride the bus.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping our students succeed!

Bell PTA is planning to provide lunch on Wednesday, May 7th and breakfast on Friday, May 9th. We would love donations to help make the week extra special. Any donations can be sent via Venmo to our PTA Treasurer, Bart Buhlig (Last 4 Digits - 1989). Please put Bell TAW in the notes.

Thank you for helping us celebrate our Bell teachers and staff.

We have a pretty robust Fiber Arts club at Bell during WIN time. Any knitters / crocheters in our community who have spare yarn, we would welcome donations to help our students practice thier craft. Also, any extra crochet hooks, hat looms, or other fiber arts supplies would be greatly appreciated!

Bell's annual 8th grade dance is coming soon on Thursday, April 24th! The dance will be after school in the early evening from 5:30 to 7:00. There will be food, drinks, games, and a dance floor. 8th grade families, we need your help with food and drinks. Your contributions will ensure it’s a fun and memorable time for everyone! Sign up here

The 8th graders' last day of school is Thursday, May 22nd. No other grades attend school that day. Students shoud plan on a fun-filled day, including a bowling field trip, yearbook signing, carnival games, a barbeque, and more! The fee for the bowling activity is already in the student fee payment schedule online. More details and permissions slips will be forthcoming.

Here are this week’s Bobcats of the Week, as nominated by teachers and staff members weekly from each grade. Students are nominated based on consistent or exceptional R.O.A.R. (Respectful, Optimistic, Accountable, Responsible) behavior. 😊

6th GRADE: Charles Mickey for being respectful and Kaeson Andreozzi for being optimistic.

7th GRADE: Caleb Bunker for being optimistic and Lucy Roper for being optimistic.

8th GRADE: Aaliyah Torres Chavez for being responsible and Logan Levia for being responsible.

ALP surveys

Students with ALP's will be expected to complete their end of year survey about their affective and academic goals this week. Students will receive the ALP email in their student email accounts on Thursday, April 10th.

😍TEAM leader applications will be available on the 2030 Bobcat google classroom on the morning of Monday, April 7th and will close Monday April 21st. The TEAM leader program trains incoming 8th grade students to support 6th grade orientation and transition to Bell as a middle schooler.

😍While we consider grades and behavior and attendance, we are looking for a diverse group of leaders able to be accepting, patient and helpful showing true pride for our school and a welcoming spirit for our learning community.

Hazel Health Network-online Mental Health Support

This free counseling service is Jeffco-supported and very quick to get started.

Parents or your student's grade-level counselor can make a referral by clicking the link above. Many Bell parents have used this service and have great feedback.

Your School Counseling Team:

6th grade: Lindsey Leigh- Lindsey.Leigh@jeffco.k12.co.us

7th grade: Kathy Cochran- Kathy.Cochran@jeffco.k12.co.us

8th grade: Linda Jelinek- Linda.Jelinek@jeffco.k12.co.us

SELS: Danielle Swanson - Danielle.Swanson@jeffco.k12.co.us

• April 15-17 CMAS Testing ELA and Math - Early Release time@ 1:20 Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday

• April 18 CMAS (Science) 8th Grade only; No School 6th & 7th grades

• April 24 8th Grade Dinner and Dance 5:30-7:00
• *April 25 *NO SCHOOL FOR ALL STUDENTS IN JEFFCO - Teacher Work Day
• April 28 PTA Meeting 5-6
• April 28 Bell Accountability Team (BAT) Meeting - 6:00-7:00 - online (link will be sent)
• April 28-May 2 Sea Camp San Diego
• May 5-9 Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
• May 6 Spring Musical
• May 7 Spring Musical
• May 7 MAP Testing (ELA)
• May 8 MAP Testing (MATH)
• May 12 -May 16 Sea Camp San Diego

• May 22nd: 8th Grade Celebration (No School for 7th and 6th Graders)
• May 23rd: ROAR Party for Grades 6/7 (No School for 8th Graders)

Q: What’s your favorite grade to teach and why?

Mr. S: My favorite grade to teach would be 6th grade because they get to experience a new curriculum and they are very engaged and enthusiastic about what they are learning. Their personalities are fun to work with. I like working with all grade levels but 6th grade brings a different energy and creates a fun environment to work with.

Q: Why did you want to be a middle school PE teacher?

S: This was my favorite subject in school and I want to pass down my knowledge from what I have learned in school and in sports in general to help kids not only in the classroom but in life. Physical education is important for our students to have, they need to be educated on the importance of creating a healthy active lifestyle. I want to be able to give them the tools and resources to achieve their health goals in a fun and safe environment.

Q: Do you have any pets and if you do what's your favorite thing to do with them?

Mr. S: I have 2 dogs, one is a border collie mix and the other is a Pomeranian husky also known as a Pomsky. Their names are Boomer and Jett. I like taking them to the dog park and on hikes.

Fun Fact: I played college baseball at MSU Denver and now coaching high school baseball at Arvada West. I like to play pickleball and golf now since I’m old.

Do you know a special teacher who demonstrates a contagious enthusiasm for teaching and learning? Are they someone who regularly inspires all students to take on new challenges and to recognize their full potential? Have you met a teacher who thinks outside the box and advances new approaches to teaching and learning? Golden Schools Foundation is holding the 14th annual Golden Teacher Recognition Awards to reward and encourage excellence in teaching at our articulation schools. These Golden schools include Kyffin, Mitchell, Ralston, Shelton, and Welchester Elementary, Bell Middle, and Golden High School. Please click here for all the information on nominating your favorite teacher.