Bear Bulletin

We are in the final week and we have some fun things planned leading up to winter break. With the holiday season right around the corner, we hope everyone has a wonderful winter break full of family, friends, and time together to make special memories. Thank you for being such a special part of the BES family!

Top "Need to Knows"

This week's newsletter includes:

• Important Lost & Found info - any items remaining after 12/20 will be donated. See details below.
• Holiday spirit week info
• The lunch menu for the week & how to set up/add money to your child's account
• Important deadlines for yearbook Love Lines & Ads
• Volunteer opportunities (click HERE to see all opportunities, including some this week!)
• 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!

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. ****

Details and ticket information coming after winter break.

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.