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| A Newsletter for the Belle View Elementary School Community | January 2011 |
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Dear Belle View Parents,
We want to begin 2011 by wishing each of you a Happy New Year. As Belle View looks ahead to the second part of the school year, we will continue to focus on academic objectives and high expectations for all students. However, this is not an objective that can be accomplished without your help. Please continue to support teachers by reinforcing with your children that school is important and that they need to always try their best. Your implementation of the following procedures can assist us in educating your children. · Check to make sure that your child completes his or her homework each day. · Review work that is sent home and discuss the strengths and areas for improvement. · Make sure your child comes to school on time each day and is only absent when necessary. · Communicate regularly with your child's teacher. Together, we can help every child succeed. We wish all of you a very Happy New Year! Proud Principals of the Belle View Bobcats,
Tom Kuntz Eleanor Contreras
Principal Assistant Principal
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Third Grade
Takes a Trip to Ancient Egypt
Just before the December break our third grade classes were invited to take a trip back in time to Ancient Egypt, 3000 BC. They were greeted in the school cafeteria by 22 parent volunteer time- travel guides. These helpful volunteers introduced the students: to a marketplace and the bartering system; to the practice of mummification; to cartouche making using hieroglyphs; and to pyramid construction. The cafeteria was set up so that each student was able to spend approximately 20 minutes with six or seven classmates participating in the various activities.
Pyramid construction allowed each student to work as a team using glue and sugar cubes to create the many layers and hidden spaces representative of existing Egyptian pyramids. The students found it took time and patience to set good foundations for each subsequent layer of sugar cubes. They also discovered what Ancient Egyptians must have realized, that success is often achieved by trial and error.
Alongside the pyramids the students had the opportunity to used hieroglyphs to design and personalize golden cartouches, which they wore around their necks.
Mummification was performed on apple slices. The students were given the opportunity to perform a scientific experiment using apple slices and three change agents. They were first given the opportunity to hypothesize about which of the eight options would be the most effective in drawing out the moisture from the apple slices and to explain their reasoning. The students then weighed all eight slices separately. One slice was the control, the seven remaining cups held an apple slice and either: salt, baking soda (BS), Epsom salts (ES), or combinations of the three: ¼ salt & ¼ BS, ¼ salt & ¼ ES, ¼ BS & ¼ ES, and 1/3 Salt & 1/3 BS & 1/3 ES. To complete the experiment the apples are to be re-weighed and the findings shared with the classes this month.
The final tour brought the students to a mock market place displaying many of the fruits, vegetables, grains and spices that would have been available to ancient Egyptians. The students were asked questions about Ancient Egypt learned in class. A successful answer earned them a barter card that represented various skills and goods that these people would have used for trade. Once the students had earned their barter cards, they were able to trade at the market where they were encouraged to try pomegranates, figs, dates, flat bread, and mango juice. They were also encouraged to smell various spices such as cloves, cinnamon and salt and to touch dry grains like wheat, rice and lentils. It was a multi sensory experience.
This was a wonderful trip for all involved. The students really seemed engaged in the various activities, the volunteers enjoyed working with the students and the teachers thought it was a worthwhile learning experience. Thanks to all those who made this event such a success: Ms. Betz, Ms. Earley & Mrs. Luster for supporting the project; Bridget Weisel, Chris Goerke and Quinn Byrnes for being committee chairs; and the following parents for being willing to help: Kristin Schmoldt, John Ryan, Sally Murphy, Josh Himes, Karen O'Bryan, Ann Ngo, Kim Gallagher, Kathy Guthrie, Mary Elizabeth Duke, Ainsley English, Ann Pallasch, Tracy Bennett, Susan Collins, Debbie Fairbanks, Cindy Anderson, Jenni Mills, Sue Himes, Pete Helmlinger & Karl Goerke.
Next month we are off to China!
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After School Fun
In keeping with our goals to promote healthy active lifestyles for our children. The PTA continues to offer after school activities that are both fun and physically challenging.
As we moved into the colder weather our after school sports program moved from the playing fields to the gym and started the second year of fencing instruction.  In the Spring we will move back outside for track practice. The Belle View Track program is our largest after school activity and requires many volunteers to be successful, so dust off your running shoes and get ready to join in the fun on Monday afternoons.
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Staff & Teacher Appreciation Breakfast
Thanks to the 3rd and 4th Grade classes for all your support!
This breakfast was a huge success! Although we were delayed with snow, there was no shortage of support for our Staff and Teachers. Thank you to all those who continue to so selflessly give.
The next breakfast will be hosted by our 1st and 2nd grade classes. Mark your calendar for this important event.
17 February 8:30 a.m.
If you have questions or comments about this event, please contact Leslie Fry, the breakfast coordinator, by phone, (703) 598-3487 or
email lesliefry@cox.net
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 We Reused, Reduced, and Recycled. 2nd Grade Class wins Pizza Party and Field Trip! Belle View Elementary School's continued mantra is Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle. As you are aware the PTA has created a Recycling Committee to further enhance the recycling program at the school. The students and staff of BVES already take steps to recycle materials at school, but the PTA would like to help increase the recycling efforts in our school and our community in an ongoing and proactive manner. Mrs. McCarl's 2nd grade class won the trip to the Waste Management Facilityon January 28th by bringing in the most signed pledges to recycle and brought in the most reusable water bottles, with 100 %participation. Mr. Tierney will document this trip so that it can be shared on BVTV. Good job Mrs. McCarl's class! |
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Belle View's Outdoor Classroom Updates
If you have been on the school grounds lately, you may have noticed some changes. In addition to our bluebird and bat houses we now have a Purple Martin Colony (thank you Mr. Kuntz for installation). We are excitedly anticipating the arrival of tenants in the spring! We also have begun work on the planting beds for our "easy reach" flower garden and our kindergarten pumpkin patch. Hopefully, we will be able to get some volunteers to help us fill them with dirt soon. We have also completed a mulched area for the children to line up on after their run for PE.
Currently we have an "Evergreen Tree for Wildlife" outside my classroom that we are decorating with food for wildlife during the winter season. If you would like to make things to add to the tree you are welcome to do so. One of our most exciting additions is the giant "climbing log" located near the playground. The children are enjoying the exercise of climbing on it and also exploring the squirrel holes, bark, tree rings and insect tracks.
In the near future we hope to add the amphitheater, a rock pile (for fifth grade studies and reptile habitat) and prepare the beds for planting. Our planting goals include a sunflower garden and a butterfly garden of native grasses and flowers. We were all very sad to lose our pond (due to safety concerns expressed by the county) but stay tuned for a new and improved wetland area!
I am so thankful for the help and encouragement that I and my committee have received. We are now in contact with several agencies including Audubon, Friends of Dyke Marsh and we have a landscape specialist coming to advise us on site planning. At this point our major need is for grants and donations to make all of these ideas possible. Thank you to the PTA and Mr. Kuntz as well as private donations for funding to complete our projects to date.
Plan on joining us on our next gardening day!!
Carolyn Bush
Outdoor Classroom Committee |
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Winter Sing-A-Long: The Gift of Song
December 22nd officially ushered in the holidays with our annual Winter Sing-A-Long. There was no shortage of joy or glee as parents, students and family members caroled in the gym to the accompaniment of Mrs. Davis on the piano, the Strings Orchestra, the School's band, along with the students on recorders.
If you missed it this year, not to worry as each year Belle View sends the students off for their winter break with a sing-a-long for enjoyment of all.
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The Belle View Scholastic Bookfair was a huge success raising almost $3,000 for our school Library. Thank you for all those who not only worked tirelessly at the Bookfair but to all those families that made numerous trips to purchase gifts for the holiday season. Your generosity really does make a difference in your child's school. |
 Save the date!!! The Belle View Sock Hop will be Feburary 11. This years theme is "Born To Be Wild." |
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Box Tops and UPC labels
Last year Belle View received over $1500 for cashing in the Box Tops and labels you and your children meticulously cut away and collected for the school. That $1500 helped to fund field trips, in school cultural arts events, and to buy media and technology resources for the classrooms. This year in addition to saving Labels for Education UPCs from Campbell's soup and Pepperidge Farm (and other products), you can also collect points at time of purchase by registering your Safeway card at www.elablesforeducation.com .
Click on the link, sign up to register your Safeway card and select Belle View Elementary as your school. Enter special promotion code SYB1 and we will receive a bonus of 250 points for every new registrant!! Share this with neighbors and family that may also want to have their purchases go toward Belle View.
Keep clipping and sending in your BoxTops and UPCs...we are halfway to knowing which classes will win the contest this year!!
Sincerely,
Kristen Baldwin
Box Tops and UPC Chairman |
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2010 Belle View PTA Annual Fund Drive Raises Over $4,000!
The Belle View PTA would like to acknowledge and thank our generous donors for this year's campaign including the Karlisch Family, the Heck Family, and the Kuntz Family, as well as many anonymous donors who wish to remain unnamed. Every dollar raised will go directly to support our school by offsetting the cost of field trips, special events held at school, new books and equipment for our classrooms, and many other needed resources.
Donations are still being accepted for this year's campaign. As the county school budget continues to face serious constraints, we as a community can help support Belle View directly with our donations. For more information on donating to the Belle View Annual Fund Drive, please contact Joyce Neverov at joycewn@gmail.com . |
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Chuck E. Cheese Night
Our first Chuck E. Cheese night of the school year is going to be on Thursday, January 20th, from 4:30 until 8 p.m. If you have not been to the refurbished Chuck E. Cheese, you are really missing out on a great time.
Along with many new games, the new staff and facilities are amazing. This event is not only a fun night out with family and your Belle View friends, a portion of the money made by Chuck E. Cheese Night goes directly to our school. |
 SCA Food Drive Belle View Shares our Bounty
This year the SCA was able to help the Salvation Army in their efforts to feed the homeless and needy for the holidays. During the months of November and December, students in the SCA encouraged their classmates, friends and family members to donate goods for the campaign. Mr Tierney, the SCA leader, said the students collected over 250 canned and dry goods. Surely this went a long way to help those in our community that were in need this year. Way to go SCA!
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Who's Who at Belle View
 Belle View's Parent Liaison
1. When did you become a member of the Belle View Team?
I became a member of the Belle View Team September 14th, 2010. As the Parent Liaison, I work on Monday and Wednesday from 8:30 to 12:30.
2. What does a Parent Liaison do?
At this school and at any school in Fairfax County, I serve as a communication link or alliance with students and families. I work with teachers, staff and parents in order to build respect, success, and long lasting relationships with families in order to provide support for their children's educational growth and for their success in school. I help parents to recognize that parental involvement plays a critical role in their child's education.
3. Where did you get your training to become a Parent Liaison?
I'm a Catholic religious sister, my congregation is Sisters For Christian
Community, and I am a member of the Washington DC and Baltimore region(WEB Region). I'm from El Salvador and I have lived in this neighborhood for 12 years.
4. What is the best part about being a Parent Liaison?
Providing assistance to students, parents, teachers, and staff is very rewarding. I am very open to listening and I am always ready to help families as Parent Liaison. When I'm able to see our students improving upon their grades, as well as seeing parent participation in the school and helping families meet their needs, is very professionally and personally fulfilling.
5. Do you have any hobbies?
I like to walk, to meet new people, to listen to children and parents. I enjoy gardening, arts and craft projects, as well as painting and doing puzzles.
6. What is your educational background?
I lived in San Francisco, California where I attended San Francisco State
University. I hold a BA degree in general Psychology.
7. What do you like to read?
I like to keep myself updated by reading information on social programs,
health programs, and modern educational resources. I like to read comedy and mystery
books.
8. Do you have any favorite subjects in Elementary School?
My favorite subject in Elementary school is math especially with all the new
advances and new teaching methods.
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Reflections Breakfast
In celebration of their efforts in the Reflections Art Program, the PTA hosted a breakfast for all students that participated. Works of art were displayed and students had an opportunity to share their experiences with one another,and discuss their challenges and successes.
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Game mornings began Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Club 24 is held on Tuesday mornings each week from 8:30 - 8:55am.
For Information on Club 24 contact Talley Fulghum at tallyful@verizon.net . |
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Date to Remember!!
REFERRALS for FULL-TIME ADVANCED ACADEMIC PLACEMENT LEVEL IV (Grades 2-7)
Parents or guardians of students not in the second grade screening pool may initiate the full-time AAP (Level IV) screening process by completing and submitting an AAP Level IV Referral Form to the local school principal no later than February 4, 2011. No late referrals will be accepted. Second graders not in the pool and all third through seventh graders are screened only by referral. Forms are available on the AAP website (www.fcps.edu/dis/gt) and in the Parent Information Packet available at the local school. (Please note: Parents or guardians of students who are in the 2nd grade pool will be notified by the school. Students who are not in the 2nd grade pool will not receive notification. The benchmark score used to create the 2nd grade pool will be published on the Advanced Academic Programs website mid-January.)
Mrs. Tkacik will be scheduling a Parent Meeting to address questions about referrals and the screening process in a few weeks.
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Little things that mean a lot!
No matter how hard we try, I don't know of anyone who has not had to bring something to the school for their children. So what is the best way to handle that left behind lunch, instrument or homework?
First let me say that even though visitors are welcome at Belle View, for school assemblies, class parties, and lunches with their children, once students are in the classroom receiving instruction it is not a good time to stop in and visit. Visitors can be very distracting to both the teachers and the students.
So if you decide that you don't want to make your child go hungry for leaving his lunch home for the 3rd time in a month, the best way to get it to them is to bring it to the office. One of the front office staff, Donna, Darlene, or Mary, will call to the classroom and your child will pick a buddy to walk with them to retreive the wayward item.
If you would like to visit the classroom for an observation, please call or email Mr. Kuntz and he can arrange the visit.
Finally, always check in with the front office during school hours even if you have pre-arranged a visit with the staff at the school. Thank you for doing the little things you do everyday to help our children grow and learn. |
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Walking Wednesdays...
Be Part of a National Push for Fitness and Fun
As you may be aware, many of the families surrounding Belle View have chosen to participate on Walking Wednesdays to encourage physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle with our children. In the growing epidemic of obesity in the United States we are trying to do our part by walking when we can, which is health promoting as well as good for the environment. Come and join us on Wednesday mornings. Groups leave from a number of different locations. If you would like to know who is walking from your neighborhood email mc1997@cox.net.
If you would like information about the President's Challenge Program for physical fitness, you can visit the webpage at www.presidentschallenge.org. |
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Magical Monograms
Embroidered and Monogrammed Products and Services
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The bus stops here!
A Child's Place
Hollin Hall Summer Camp at A Child's Place
1500 Shenandoah Road
Alexandria, VA22308
703-765-8811
Elinor Shemeld, Summer Camp Director
Summer fun begins here when the school year ends.
Registration opens February 1, 2011
Forms will be online or email to have a packet mailed to you.
Junior Camp 6 to 81/2, Senior Camp 8 1/2 to 13
Fields trips every day! | | |
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Mason Montague Bavin
