Bulldog Paw Prints

The Read with Rusty program returns this fall! The 4-week reading power play is open to children ages 14 and under and is designed to promote a lifelong love for reading, literacy, and hockey through partnerships with local libraries and schools.

Read with Rusty encourages children to read outside the classroom by rewarding them for reaching their goals over the 4-week timeframe from Monday, October 14 to Sunday, November 10. Students that achieve their reading goals will receive a complimentary ticket to a Chicago Steel hockey game (USHL) at Fox Valley Ice Arena, and a Chicago Steel foam puck. Additionally, club members can join Rusty and a Steel player for a pre-game reading session.

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Many of our students are already brainstorming costume ideas, and it's been fun hearing about so many options.

We are looking forward to hosting Halloween at Belle Aire School, and I have some very general and initial information to share today.

If they so choose, students will be able to wear a costume to school on Tuesday, October 31. The key to this is that the costumes need to allow the students to participate in classroom activities as they would on a typical day. While costume masks may be worn for the all-school parade, they won't be worn during the school day.

As an alternate option, students can wear part of their costume (sweatpants, shorts, leggings, shirt, etc.) and then slip the remaining pieces of the costume over that later in the day. There will be a very short amount of time to allow this to take place before our parade.

*I'm excited to see the final costumes that each student chooses, and I ask for your help in making sure that the choices remain free from references to violence, drugs, and alcohol.

*Any desired make-up, hair color, hair spray all need to be applied at home prior to the start of the school day and allow for participation typical school activities.

*Any accessory or play weapons (axe, arrows, swords, etc.) that go along with costumes need to stay at home.

We will be hosting a costume parade. The costume parade will be held outside of the school and really makes for some great photo opportunities.

Classroom parties are scheduled to take place after the parade, and Mrs. Yoho (THANK YOU) has been working with parents to facilitate a party in each classroom. Those volunteers who signed up for the party will be the only parents/supporting the given classroom. Parties typically include different stations of games and crafting, and the volunteers may opt to have a snack station. That snack station may only consist of fresh fruits/vegetables and bottled water. Students may not bring food items/candy to share with others.

As of now, we are planning the parade to start at 2:00 p.m. with classroom parties concluding at 2:45 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, we will have a modified, indoor parade for families to see.

District 58 has a rich and diverse population in our learning community. District 58 staff members recognize that many families have different beliefs; and because of religious, cultural, or personal reasons, some families may choose to not be involved in Halloween activities. If you would not like your child(ren) to participate in Halloween activities, please communicate this with your classroom teacher and with me. We will then find an alternative location and activity for your child during the Halloween activities.

National PTA has a long-standing commitment to arts education. The Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts which boost student confidence and success in the arts and in life.

Each year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 create original works of art in response to a student-created theme. This 50+ year-old program helps them explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life.

Students submit their completed works of art in one or more of the arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts. They participate in their grade division: Primary (Pre-K – Grade 2), Intermediate (Grades 3-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), High School (Grades 9-12), Accessible Arts (All grades welcome).

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On Wednesday, October 9, we will be conducting our bus evacuation drill. All students will board a school bus with their teachers, and a First Student bus driver will work with students to understand their roles/responsibilities as passengers. Expectations of remaining seated, staying out of the aisle, using appropriate voices, and maintaining a calm body will all be discussed in terms of safety, and students will learn the various ways they can exit the bus in case of an accident/emergency.

This type of drill takes about 15-20 minutes to complete.

District 58 invites parents and guardians to sign up for fall 2024 parent-teacher conferences using the online PowerPTC conference signup system starting Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 11 a.m. via www.PowerPTC.net.

The sign-up window will close Friday, Oct. 4 at 11 a.m.

Parent-teacher conferences will be held in person. However, families who require a remote option should schedule their conference in PowerPTC and then change the meeting type from “in person” to “video conference.”

Conferences will take place on the evenings of Tuesday, Oct. 8 and Thursday, Oct. 10.

Please view the parent-teacher conference signup guide (para Español: Registro para las reuniones de padres y maestros) to learn how to sign up for a conference using the system, along with other helpful information.

This year's school picture day went really smoothly, and the students looked great. The pictures will be coming in soon, and we will be having a make-up/re-take day on Monday, October 28.

Monday, October 7: 2:00 Dismissal

Tuesday, October 8: Run/Walk Club (3:00 - 3:30 p.m.); Parent-Teacher Conferences

Wednesday, October 9: Bus Evacuation Drill (8:30 a.m.)

Thursday, October 10: Parent-Teacher Conferences

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October 14: No School

October 28: Picture Make-up/Re-take Day

October 31: Halloween Parade; Classroom Parties

2024 - 2025