Dear Bel Aire Families,

It's finally here--the first day of school! Teachers and staff can't wait to welcome 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade Bel Aire Bears back to school. I don't know about students and teachers, but I'm not going to be able to sleep a WINK tonight--I'm too excited!

Students shouldn't worry about finding their classrooms, all students will meet on the lower blacktop and we'll have plenty of adults on campus to guide them to the right place (it's hard to miss).

Thank you to the Bel Aire PTA and Chair Laura Smith for providing lunch for teachers today. Teachers were working hard preparing classrooms and getting ready for tomorrow. Lunch was delicious--thank you! It's impossible to overstate our appreciation for the Bel Aire PTA!

Parents! School begins at 8:00 AM tomorrow, with dismissal at 1:35 PM. Log in to your Alma portal today (8/17) after 4:00 PM to view class placements. Friday (8/19) is a regular day, with dismissal at 2:35 PM.

Morning drop-off will be at the bottom of the hill on Karen Way. It's a great spot to take pictures, see old friends, and make some new ones. If you are driving, please go slowly around the local streets and be mindful of our neighbors--avoid blocking driveways. While I'm thrilled to be able to welcome parents and caregivers back to the Bel Aire Campus in an increased capacity this year, for student safety, right now we're asking parents not to come up the hill for morning drop-off and afternoon pickup--thank you.

I look forward to partnering with you on your child's education this year!

John DiCosmo

Principal

Bel Aire Elementary School

Bel Aire Family Handbook

The Bel Aire Family handbook outlines some of our programs, policies and procedures, and the expected behavior for our community. It has been written by staff and students. Check it out!

Schedule for Week 1

First Week School Hours

8:00am-1:35pm Thursday, August 18 (Early Release Day)

8:00am-2:35pm Friday, August 19

Regular School Hours

8:00-2:35pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 

8:00-1:35pm Wednesdays (Early Release Day)

Breakfast and Lunch

We recommend sending your child with a snack and water bottle each day. We have a brand new vendor providing school breakfasts and lunches each day, which will be FREE to all students. While this program may be accessed by all students, you are always welcome to send your student with lunch from home.

This is a new system and, with that, we are unsure if there may be lines or wait times to obtain the free lunch while we get the program started. We need to log each student who takes a breakfast or lunch. Soon we will share upcoming menus, so your child knows what to expect if they opt for the free lunch. We have not yet been provided with upcoming menus but will notify you as we get updated information.

Lunch Help Needed!

We need help at Bel Aire every day of the school year serving nutritious lunch free of charge to every student who requests one. Please sign up for a regular once-a-month shift by adding your name to one of the slots on the BA Lunch 2022/2023 Google Sheet. Volunteers work in teams of 4 so sign up with friends and make it a regular get together! It's a great way to get on campus, see what the kids are up to at recess, and provide a vital service for our school. Questions? Contact the Lunch Chairs (Sarah Abbott sabbott29@gmail.com; Toni Lee ttoutloff@gmail.com; or Keri McCarthy Ferry keri.l.mccarthy@gmail.com)

New Family Welcome!

Families new to Bel Aire are invited to join me for a Zoom chat to review some of Bel Aire's programs and schedules. Tell a friend! The session will be recorded for those who cannot attend live. Friday, August 19th at 9:00 AM

https://reedschools-org.zoom.us/j/82537201694

Attendance

Parents, please email any absences to Belaireattendance@reedschools.org. Please state the child's full legal name, your name, reason for absence and, if ill, the symptoms and/or diagnosis.

Additionally, you can call our attendance line at 415-388-7100 X2004 to report absences. We expect students to attend school, unless there is an excused absence-for illness, injury, a medical/dental appointment or a religious holiday. All other absences are marked "unexcused."

Students arriving late to school must sign in with the office and get a tardy slip before going to class. Any student leaving before the end of the day must be signed out by their parent or an authorized adult.

Upcoming Dates:

August 16th - September 2nd - Bel Aire Spirit Wear Online Store Open

August 26th - Deadline to Volunteer as a Room Parent or Class Coordinator

September 7th – Bel Aire PTA Meeting

On behalf of Bel Aire’s Parent Teacher Association, I would like to welcome you to the 2022-2023 school year. The mission of the PTA is to enrich the lives of our children and school community and as Bel Aire’s PTA Site Chair, I encourage you to join us in supporting our mission.

If you are interested in learning more about the PTA or want to get involved, please feel free to contact me and join us for a PTA meeting. The meetings are scheduled on the first Wednesday of each month at 8:30 a.m. in the Staff Development Room at Bel Aire and our next meeting is on September 7th.

Thank you for supporting Bel Aire and our wonderful community!

Laura Smith

Bel Aire PTA Site Chair

lauracarolinesmith@gmail.com

Volunteer with the Bel Aire PTA

Are you interested in volunteering with the Bel Aire PTA and/or as a volunteer in your child’s classroom? Get more involved at Bel Aire and help create a sense of community within your class! Please consider volunteering as a Room Parent, Yearbook Photo Coordinator or Party Coordinator for your child's classroom. These are very important and rewarding volunteer positions with the wonderful upside of working closely with your child’s teacher.

Please complete THIS FORM and submit by Friday, August 26th. Volunteers will be contacted by their Grade Level Coordinator with further details by September 2nd. Thank you for sharing your time! If you have any questions, please contact your Grade Level Coordinator:

For 3rd Grade, contact Jayme Catanese jayme.catanese@yahoo.com

For 4th grade, contact Christine Neumeier christine@neumeiers-online.com

For 5th grade, contact Tina E. Davis tina_e_davis@yahoo.com

Hey Bel Aire Bears! Are the kids ready for the start of the year? Add some Bel-Aire swag to the wardrobe. Shop traditional shirts to comfy hoodies. New sweatpants and flannels have landed. Click on the link https://belaireschoolspirit2022.itemorder.com. Bel Aire’s Online Spirit Store is Open from August 16-Sept 2. Please contact Amanda Hyslop amandahyslop@gmail.com for questions.

The RUSD Parent Teacher Association (PTA) welcomes you to the 2022-23 school year. The RUSD PTA is a membership-based organization that combines the efforts of parent volunteers, teachers and administrators to enhance the school experience of our children. The PTA coordinates parent volunteers and sponsors many events and activities throughout the year. There are many opportunities to get involved and we hope that every family in the district will participate in the PTA this year, both as members and volunteers.

Support the PTA by becoming a member!

PLEASE LINK GRAPHIC TO https://www.schoolpay.com/pay/for/REED-UNION-SCHOOL-DISTRICT-PTA-Annual-Me/SdP8caF

Reed Union School District will have a new lunch program starting this year. All students will be able to receive both breakfast and lunch free of charge. Monthly menus will be posted on our school website.

Volunteers are needed to make the distribution of lunches run smoothly. If you can help, please fill out the form below and your school’s lunch volunteer coordinator will contact you. Service will start tomorrow on the first day of school, August 18th!

PLEASE LINK GRAPHIC TO https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNFbyDIA1EJaEQXck7AmB8f-p1J_UbNp3Y5TXwPM-_Uk2ONg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Welcome Back from the Foundation for Reed Schools!