The Bethlehem Star

Winter grime got your car looking dull? The BES Spring Fundraiser is just what you need! Purchase a $10 Tidal Wave certificate and exchange it at any Tidal Wave location for a Graph X4 wash! Orders are due Friday, April 4. You can use this link to purchase online :

https://barrowcountyga.schoolwindow.com/estore/bes.html

We are starting our final rounds of MAP assessments this week. We look forward to seeing the progress our students have made this year. Please encourage your child to do his or her best so we can get a good measure of their learning.

MAP Assessment Dates

April 1: 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade READING

April 2: 3rd & 4th Grade LANGUAGE ARTS; 5th Grade MATH

April 3: 3rd & 4th Grade MATH; 5th Grade LANGUAGE ARTS

April 15: Kdg., 1st, and 2nd Grade READING

April 16: Kdg., 1st and 2nd Grade MATH

We are thrilled to announce that BES will have a PTO in place for the 2025-2026 school year. A meeting was held on March 27, and we are excited to share who our new PTO officers are. We look forward to growing this amazing partnership between our families, teachers, and school.

President: Jennifer Latham

Vice-President: Teresa Brown

Secretary: Shelly Anglin

Treasurer: Matt Patillo

Member at Large: Kady Cates

We loved celebrating our students who competed in Barrow County's Special Olympics on March 28. Our entire school lined the halls while the athletes paraded through the building for a celebratory send-off. It was a great experience for everyone!

April is Autism Awareness Month! From April 1st to April 4th, join us in raising awareness and fostering understanding for individuals with autism.

Our final Field Day fundraiser is this Friday, April 4. You may wear a hat for a $1 donation. Proceeds will help fund some of the fun events during Field Day on April 18.

The Barrow County School System's Art Show will be ending this week. We have many pieces of art on display. We hope you have been able to stop by and see all of the beautiful art on display. If not, there are still a couple of days left!

1. Read from day one. Start a reading routine in those very first days with a newborn. Even very young babies respond to the warmth of a lap and the soothing sound of a book being read aloud.
2. Share books every day. Read with your child every day, even after he becomes an independent reader.
3. Reread favorites. Most children love to hear their favorite stories over and over again. Rereading books provides an opportunity to hear or see something that may have been missed the first time, and provides another chance to hear a favorite part.
4. Send positive messages about the joys of literacy. Your own interest and excitement about books will be contagious!
5. Visit the library early and often. Public libraries are great resources for books, helpful advice about authors and illustrators, story times, and more. Make visiting the library part of your family’s routine.
6. Find the reading and writing in everyday things. Take the time to show your child ways that adults use reading and writing every day. Grocery lists, notes to the teacher, maps, and cooking all involve important reading and writing skills.
7. Give your reader something to think and talk about. There are many different types of books available to readers. Vary the types of books you check out from the library, and seek out new subjects that give you and your reader something to think and talk about.
8. Talk, talk, talk. A child’s vocabulary grows through rich conversations with others. No matter your child’s age, narrate what you’re doing, talk in full sentences, and sprinkle your conversations with interesting words.
9. Know your stuff. Parents don’t need to be reading specialists, but it is important to understand the basics about learning to read.
10. Speak up if something doesn’t feel right. Parents are often the first ones to recognize a problem. If you have concerns about your child’s development, speak with your child’s teacher and your pediatrician. It’s never too early to check in with an expert.

Look for new books and authors that your child may enjoy.
Organize an area dedicated to reading and writing tools.
Visit the library for story time and book recommendations.
Encourage your child to talk about what he’s read.

Talk to your child, and sprinkle interesting words into your conversation.
Offer a variety of books to read.

Read with your child every day.
Expand your home library to include magazines and nonfiction.
Ask questions if you’re concerned about your child’s development.
Decide to raise a reader!

We have recently seen some issues arise, particularly with Smart Watches that have text/photo capabilities. Please leave smart watches at home. Here is the excerpt from our student handbook that outlines our expectations:

NO CELL PHONES, SMART WATCHES, OR OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES

At the elementary level, cell phones and smart watches serve as a distraction to students and negatively impact our ability to provide a safe and productive learning environment both on the bus and in the building. As such, phones, smart watches, and other student-owned electronic devices will not be permitted for use at school or on the bus, and we would prefer they not even be sent to school with students. If there is no way to avoid this, the phone/watch/device must be left turned completely off (not silenced or on vibrate) and in the backpack at all times. Students who violate this protocol may be subject to having their phone or watch placed in the front office, and the student’s parent/guardian will be required to come to the school to pick it up. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen electronic devices.

Field Day is Friday, April 18. We are looking forward to this annual event!

We will be administering the GA Milestones Assessments in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade on the following dates. To help your child prepare, you may visit the following link for a plethora of great resources.

Georgia Milestones Parent Resources

Georgia Milestones Testing Dates for 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Students

April 30: ELA Section 1

May 1: ELA Section 2

May 2: ELA Section 3

May 5: Math Section 1

May 6: Math Section 2

May 7: (5th Grade only) Science 1 & 2

Please avoid scheduling outside appointments on these dates if your child is in one of the grade levels being assessed. Thank you!

We will be observing Spring Break from April 7-11. We hope all of our families have a safe and enjoyable week.

April's Word of the Month is CREATIVITY. We have included some things your family can do to foster creativity.

We will hold an informational planning meeting on Thursday, April 17 at 3:00 in the Art Room. This meeting will focus on sharing some of the results from our teacher and parent needs assessment surveys, reviewing/revising our school/family compact, and creating some plans for next school year. We hope you can attend.

1: Field Day Shirt Orders Due; 3rd-5th Grade MAP Assessments; Dress as future career

2: Kindergarten Field Trip to Atlanta Safari; 3rd-5th Grade MAP Assessments; Wear blue

3: National Paraprofessional Appreciation Day; 3rd-5th Grade MAP Assessments; Wear pajamas

4: Hat Day-$1; Wear Animal Print; National Librarian Appreciation Day

7-11: Spring Break-No School

15: 4th Grade Field Trip to Magic Flute at Innovation Ampitheater; K-2 MAP Assessments

16: K-2 MAP Assessments

17: 5th Grade Field Trip to Top Golf; Spring Planning 3:00 in Art Room

18: Field Day 8:00-1:00

21: 3rd Grade Field Trip to Elachee Nature Center

25: 1st Grade Field Trip to Ft. Yargo State Park

30: Georgia Milestones Assessments Begin for 3rd-5th Grade Students

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5-9. We look forward highlighting how much we appreciate our teachers during this nationally recognized week, but we are grateful for our teachers each and every day! They are the BESt!

Please see the attached newsletter from Nurse Moira.