Weekly Update

On Feb 13th, Lakewood Freshman, Madhvi Chittoor, and 21 Jeffco schools were recognized by the Board of Education for setting the Guinness World Record for Recycling Markers. The Governor sent a congratulatory message as well. Watch this video for a glimpse into the achievement of these schools.

CURRENT 6th grade students Class of 2031:

• Elective Course Selection form DUE!

• FORM for current 6th grade students

• Course Descriptions

If you have questions, Ms. Leigh, Counselor, will be in wheel classrooms on March 5th and can answer any there! You can also email her at Lindsey.Leigh@jeffco.k12.co.us

CURRENT 7th grade students Class of 2030:

• March 4th:

• DUE DATE: Elective/Pathway Selection form closes. Make sure you have your selections in!

• FORM for current 7th graders to sign up for 8th grade elective classes.

• If you have any questions, please contact 7th grade counselor, Kathy.Cochran@jeffco.k12.co.us

• March 5th and 6th

• Through WIN time, your student will meet with their counselor and input their elective choices into Infinite Campus for the 25-26 school year. Having the Elective Course/Pathway Selection electronic form completed is necessary to complete this process.

• Red Rocks will complete online registration in Infinite Campus on Wed. March 5th.

• Mesa Verde will complete online registration in Infinite Campus on Thursday, March 6th.

We're getting ready for the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) tests! 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!

The 8th Grade Panoramic Class Pictures will be taken on Friday, March 28th at 9:30 AM in the gym. This is the ONLY time pictures will be taken of the whole class, so please make sure your student is in school and on time for this special event. All ordering is online at https://bestclasspicture.com.

Our lost and found area is overflowing with coats, jackets, water bottles, and lunch boxes again. If your student is missing anything, please encourage them to look for them in our lost and found area. You are also welcome to swing by and take a look for yourself during normal school hours. We will be donating the remaining items on March 14th.

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: Lizbeth Martinez Ramirez for being Respectful and Ro Tessier for being Accountable.

7th GRADE: Greta Gomer for being Responsible and Eli Lopera for being Optimistic.

8th GRADE: Tanner Pickens for being Responsible and Angelina Costa-Guerra Accountable.

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

• March 4 Jeffco Music Festival @ Bell 8-4

• March 4 Band Concert grades 7 & 8 @ Golden High School 6:00-8:00pm

• March 5 Jeffco Music Festival @ Bell 8-4
• March 6 Choir Concert 6:30-8:00
• March 10 PTA Meeting 5:00-6:00 Virtual (link will be sent)
• March 10 Bell Accountability Team (BAT) Meeting - 6:00-7:00 - online (link will be sent)
• March 11 6-8 Orchestra Concert, 6:00-8:00 @ Golden High School
• March 13 6-8 Band Concert 6:30-8:00 @ Bell
• March 14 End of 3rd Quarter
• March 17-21 Spring Break
• *March 24 * NO SCHOOL FOR ALL STUDENTS IN JEFFCO - Teacher Work Day
• March 25 Students return from Spring Break; 4th Quarter Begins
• March 26 Quarter 3 Grades posted
• March 28 8th Grade Panoramic Picture, 9:30 am in the Gym

Q: What did you do before becoming a SEL teacher?

Ms. S: Before starting my career in counseling I had the number of other jobs in other industries. My most recent job was as a referral booker for Sotheby's International Realty. Before that I worked at an internet start-up, marketing, federal government interior design and customer service. Once I had children, I became aware of the lack of school counselors available and I wanted to help kids lives better.

Q: Why do you like middle schoolers?

Ms. S: I like middle schoolers because you are all coming into your own and figuring out who you are. I am grateful to be a support during a very tumultuous time during development. Plus it's fun to joke out loud with middle schoolers.

Q: What is one thing you could change at Bell Middle School?

Ms. S: I would like to get to know more students and work with the whole school but I don't know everyone yet.

Fun Fact: I played competitive classical piano from ages 6 - 18.

Yearbooks are for sale! Please make sure to order your yearbook for the 2024-2025 school year. Yearbooks are $25 and can be purchased on Infinite Campus Parent Portal via Jeffco student fees or please bring $25 into the main office.

In April, our topic will be "How to Overcome Life's Challenges with a Positive Attitude," featuring Mandy Harvey, America's Got Talent fourth place winner and golden buzzer recipient. Mandy lost her hearing while studying vocal music education but taught herself to sing again and has since recorded albums, authored a book, and performed on major shows. Her inspiring story will resonate with both kids and adults.
Admission: Free, but it's a ticketed event. Be sure to get your tickets while they last! Details on obtaining tickets can be found on the attached flyer. Hope to see you there!