Paw Print

Consider this to be my annual PSA about kids and cell phones and/or smart watches in cell phone mode. Thanks for reading. I share this because of two organs that are of particular interest to me: Your child's brain. Your child's heart.

As a parent, it is and will always be your right to either provide, or not provide a cellular device for your child's use. Undisputed.

As an elementary school administrator, it is my responsibility to manage when students may have access to those devices during the school day. Here are the rules for school:

• Cell phones must remain in silent mode inside student backpacks from the time they enter in the morning until the time they leave school for the day. If you find the need to text your child during the school day, do not expect them to access the text to respond until after school. Just call the office at 913-667-1810 and we will be happy to share an important message with your child, such as transportation changes, of which they need to be aware. If your child needs to reach you during the school day, no worries. We have phones for that!
• Smart watches may only be used as an actual timepiece during the school day. School mode must be in effect, or the watch will also need to remain inside the student backpack until the child leaves school for the day. Disruptions in the classroom, cafeteria and playground are unnecessary and can be avoided. Do not text or call your child during the school day. If you need to contact them due to an emergency, call the office at 913-667-1810!
• Cell phones or watches being used for purposes other than a timepiece may be confiscated until the end of the day. We don't want to keep your child's phone, we don't want to have to mess with phones or watches at all. Ever. But we will enforce the expectations because that's our job.

Now to the brain and the heart. Have you looked at your child's phone lately to see how they are using it? Read any texts? Watched any videos? Checked out the apps? Noticed how many hours a day they are on their screen? By now you've all certainly read the research that ties certain types of technology usage to changes in young brains. It's out there. Check it out.

I can almost guarantee you though, that even more damaging to our youngsters is the social pressure that batters their hearts. Be this. Do that. Did you hear about? How many likes did I get? Group chat this. Group chat that. In the group. Out of the group. Forwarded messages that no one else was supposed to see. Growing up too fast. Way. Too. Fast. Or on the flip side, becoming emotionally stunted and unable to grow up as one would typically expect.

No. I don't have any specific research to back my hypothesis but I'm betting that it's out there. I just see it every day. Every year it gets more intense. I don't want to judge people. I want to educate people. Our sweet nuggets are seeing and talking about things that they don't understand. They need their parents to guide them. They need their parents to provide checks and balances. If you are that parent, THANK YOU! If you are a parent who is just making it through the day, and hadn't even thought about all of the ugly possibilities yet, it's okay. There is time. Start now. Our children are begging for us to provide them the structure and rules that they argue against. There's that old classic that says, "you can't always get what you want," and that's okay!! Because sometimes it's more important that "you get what you need."

Your kids will thank you later, I promise. I do have live action research on that! I bet you do, too! Parenting isn't easy, but it is the most rewarding thing you'll ever do. Thanks for taking us along for the journey.

Where- Belmont Elementary Library

When- September 27th & 28th

Dates & Times

· Wednesday, September 27th- 4:30-8:15pm

Come shop at the Belmont book fair and enjoy dinner and a treat! Dolelicious and Taco Via food trucks (parked right outside Belmont) will be serving from 4:30-7:00pm…yummy!

· Thursday, September 28th- 10:00am-2:00pm & 3:00-8:00pm

This is the last day to shop at the book fair. Come by the book fair (set-up in the library at Belmont) before or after your parent teacher conferences to find some wonderful books!

Want to volunteer?? Click HERE to join us!

Practice those smiles!! Pictures will be taken at Belmont Elementary on Tuesday, September 19, of every student for our yearbook! Parents may also choose to order picture packets online. Orders must be in prior to picture day. If you don't love your child's pictures (it happens, but honestly you might want to kick yourself later if you don't buy the hilarious ones now...just saying from experience) our photography company will absolutely work with you to get a retake that works for you.

Order online at inter-state.com/order using the code: 78615RT

Online ordering is available before and after Picture Day. Shipping and handling charges may apply to orders placed after Picture Day.

$9, 032.86 is today's total. Let me ask you this...do you work for a company that might match your donations? Do you own a small business that might benefit from making a donation to a 501-3C non-profit organization such as our Belmont PTO which would then be able to give your business a shout out here in the Paw Print and through social media? Have you called that old neighbor who really loves your kids and tends to enjoy participating in community events. Just asking.

Our goal is still $15,000 to do all of the events and activities that our students deserve and enjoy. We can do this! Together! THANK YOU!! Did you get that link? Great! Cash and checks also accepted in our school office! You may also send it to school with your children.

September 18 PTO Meeting, 6:30pm in the Cafeteria (please park in back lot and enter through the west cafeteria door)

September 19 School Picture Day

September 27 Early Dismissal at 12:10- No lunch served, Conferences

September 27 & 28 Conferences

September 29 No School, Building Closed

Visit the BE Online Calendar of Events (by clicking on the button below) for a more complete list of activities!

Would you like to come and enjoy lunch with your child? We would love to have you come experience lunch at BE. Right now we are reviewing lunchroom expectations and letting our Bulldogs settle in to their new lunch routines, but after Labor Day, we'll be ready to welcome two visiting families per grade level per day. We will continue with attendance at lunch through reservation only to ensure that we maintain appropriate safety measures in our cafeteria. If more than one human is coming to lunch from your family, please use ONE spot for your space. For those who are new to Belmont, visitors for lunch are often a parent, grandparent, other close relative, or a family friend visiting from out of town. If we don't recognize the name, or a parent doesn't provide clarification, that visitor may miss their lunch opportunity while we work to solve the puzzle, so thank you for giving us a quick call to verify if the visitor isn't a custodial parent of record.

Lunch at school is considered a special privilege. Please, reserve this opportunity for special occasions or once in a while treats. We have many families and only so many spots! We appreciate your willingness to share the love (and the table!)

A few things to keep in mind:

• Lunch periods are 27 minutes long and we have to stay on schedule. Be here a few minutes early to get signed in. Your child gets REALLY stressed out when they don't see you as they walk down the hall when they know that you are supposed to be there.
• Parents may be joined at their reserved seats by their child only. It can create negative competition with hurt feelings when we allow others to join.
• Parents may bring in outside food for their dining party only. We have several students with food allergies or intolerances, and the students know that for safety reasons we do not share or trade food. Food and/or drink must be consumed during the lunch period and not sent back to class with the student.
• Confidentiality is important to us, so kindly refrain from sharing stories later if you happen to notice that another child is having behavioral or learning challenges. We've got people for that! Feel absolutely free to seek assistance from our on-duty staff if you notice that someone needs help!

How do I sign up? Click this link to let us know when you are coming! Closer to your date, please call the office to reserve a school lunch if you're not bringing your own. The cost of an adult lunch is $4.35, which needs to be paid (with exact change, please) on the date you will eat with us.

If you like LOTS of happy noise all at once and don't mind the possibility of wearing syrup and ketchup on your body when you leave...feel free to join us!

11:15-11:42 1st Grade

11:25-11:52 Kindergarten

11:55-12:22 5th Grade

12:05-12:32 4th Grade

12:35-1:02 2nd Grade

12:45-1:15 3rd Grade

Reservations required to join your child for lunch- CLICK HERE to reserve your spot at a family table!

Sign up for Text Alerts

Receive emergency information, school closings, early dismissals and administrative reminders on your mobile device. This text and email service is free, but check with your mobile provider as text messaging and data rates may apply.

To subscribe >> Click Here

Community partner Country Club Bank is providing support to ensure this service is available in USD 232.

Email: phargrove@usd232.org
Website: be.usd232.org
Location: 5805 Belmont Drive, Shawnee, KS 66226, United States
Phone: (913)667-1810
Twitter: @BEBulldogs