Principal's Newsletter #19

4/26/2023

Dear Bel Aire Families,

I am excited to welcome you to the Bel Aire campus for our Open House event next Thursday, May 4th. Students and teachers have been working hard on compiling their efforts and classrooms look fantastic. There will be a short concert performance at 5:30 and then you will be off to visit classrooms. We will end promptly at 7 PM. I hope you will be able to meet other Bel Aire families, chat with teachers, and see first-hand some of the learning that is happening at our distinguished school!

Sincerely,

John DiCosmo

Principal

Important Events

Book Drive for Global Book Exchange

April 17-28

Foundation for Reed Schools 

Boutiques, Bites & Bubbles

April 28

Mosaic Project, 4th Grade

May 8 - 12

East Corte Madera New Family Welcome

 April 28 @ 9:30

Bel Aire Open House

May 4 @ 5:30

Bel Aire CAASPP Testing

May 16th -19th 

Nature Bridge @ Golden Gate, 5th Grade

May 22-24

• The bus program is designed to provide neighborhood-to-school service. You can view maps of next year’s routes and individual stops by visiting this link and clicking on your selected school (routes, stops, and timings will remain the same as this year).
• Passes will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. We hope to accommodate as many riders as possible, but we anticipate that routes will sell out. Please make your purchase as soon as possible.
• Only annual passes will be available. Your pass is only valid on your assigned route. Passes are not transferable (to other people or other routes).
• The cost of passes for the 2023/24 school year will be $345 each way/$690 round trip. This represents approximately 35% of the actual cost of the pass (the remainder is subsidized by local and state contributions). 
• Please review information about routes and timing to select the correct route and stop.
• Passes purchased before July 15 will be received in time for the start of school. Buying a pass signifies that you have read, reviewed with your student, and agree to abide by the information shared in the FAQs and bus rules.

Upcoming Dates

Now through April 28 - Book Drive

April 28th 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. - “Book Drive Collection Truck" at the bottom of the hill at Bel Aire on Friday morning

May 1-5 - Staff Appreciation Week

May 3 - Walk & Roll: JEDI Challenge 

May 3 - Bel Aire PTA Meeting

May 4 - 18 - Bel Aire Spiritwear Online Store Open

Save the Date:

June 8 - 5th Grade Promotion Assembly (parents welcome)

June 9 8:30 a.m. - 5th Grade Farewell Parade

Book Drive: Now through April 28

It's time to clean out those bookshelves and make room for new books! Bel Aire is hosting a book drive in conjunction with Reed Elementary for The Book Exchange! The Book Exchange is a non-profit that collects gently used books and redistributes books to under-resourced children in Marin county. 

Let's work together to hit our district target of collecting 2,500 books for Marin's under-resourced children! There will be a "Book Drive Collection Truck" at the bottom of the hill from 7:30-8:30 a.m. on Friday morning (4/28) for the final push of collections! 

Go Team Bel Aire!

What: New or gently used book for ages 0-18

When: Now through April 28

Where: Labeled collection bins at the front office

This is what we are collecting:

• Board books

• Beginning and easy readers

• Picture books

• Chapter books

• Novels for teens

• Nonfiction books written for children

• Please no adult books

For more information please contact Shaida Aytay or Caryn Sarhangi: shaidaaytay@yahoo.com; carynwu@gmail.com

A message from the Del Mar PTA

We’d like to welcome rising 6th grade families to Del Mar Middle School! We look forward to having you join us next year in achieving the PTA’s mission to enrich the lives of our children and the school community.

Here are a few reminders to prepare for next year:

• Stay tuned for information regarding the 6th grade orientation in August (date and time tbd).

• Get geared up and show off your new school spirit with Del Mar Spiritwear (order here beginning May 1).

• Want to get involved at Del Mar? We are looking for volunteers and have several roles available on the PTA board. If you are interested in learning more please contact Connie Maddox at delmarptasitechair@gmail.com.

Yearbook

The 2022-2023 yearbook promises another all color, fun filled book of school day memories. Reserve your child’s copy today! If you have any questions, please contact Ory Shirazi (ory@imsspecialists.com) or Carrie Staahl (carringtonstaahl@gmail.com.

Please note: if you have multiple RUSD students, you will need separate SchoolPay transactions to purchase each student’s yearbook. If you experience an issue with SchoolPay, please log out of SchoolPay and purchase each yearbook as a GUEST. 

BUY YOUR YEARBOOK HERE

Lunch Recess Volunteers

We are looking for lunch recess volunteers daily from 12:10-12:55 p.m.  It's a fun way to volunteer on campus while watching your children run around. Sign up HERE.

Bel Aire PTA

Please join us for our next meeting on Wednesday, May 3rd at 8:30 a.m.  (Bel Aire PTA meetings are generally on the first Wednesday of the month)  For more information, contact Bel Aire PTA Site Chair Laura Smith, lauracarolinesmith@gmail.com

Bel Aire Spiritwear

Do you have an incoming Bel Aire third-grader? Or just need more Bel Aire Spiritwear?  Show off your school spirit and support your beloved Bel Aire Elementary! Check out the latest Bel Aire Spiritwear collection! : https://belairespirit.itemorder.com/ 

The Bel Aire Spiritwear line shows off the iconic blue and gold colors and flexes our Bel Aire Bear. Show your pride with our stylish t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, and more. And the best part? All entering third graders get to flaunt their swag and make a statement on their first day of school!  Online store opens May 4-May 18. If you have any questions contact Amanda Hyslop amandahyslop@gmail.com

Walk and Roll - Win a Custom Bike!!!!

Wednesday, May 3rd is National Bike to School Day and Day 5 of the JEDI Challenge! Start your Spring off right by joining the Jedi Challenge! When you arrive at school, be sure to come to the welcome table where there will be prizes and awards for participants who demonstrate the most effort, enthusiasm, and JEDI spirit. It's easy to participate! Walk, bike, scoot, carpool, or take the bus to school. If you live too far, then parking and walking is always an option too. This is the last day to participate in the JEDI challenge and be entered to win the custom Cleary Bike. See you there!

PTA Executive Board Slate

The 2023 Nominating Committee has completed its work to develop a slate of nominees for the 2023-2025 PTA Executive Board. The slate will be presented to the PTA Membership for election into office during the District PTA meeting on May 17th . Congratulations to the following individuals for their nomination:

District President - Mickey Hubbell

District Secretary - Jessica Etchevers

Del Mar Treasurer - Elaine Moore

Bel Aire Site Chair - Tracey Paull

Bel Aire Treasurer - Garrett Harden

Big thanks to our wonderful Nominating Committee: Dana Berhoff, Rachel Berman, Jennifer Feldman, Rebecca Hermanski, Wendy Martin and Principal-Advisor John DiCosmo for all of their hard work in bringing this to fruition.

RUSD Mission & Vision: Each student will be challenged and inspired to reach their fullest intellectual, social-emotional and creative potential to positively impact the world.