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| A Newsletter for the Belle View Elementary School Community |
May 2011 |
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Dear Belle View Parents,
This month begins the main testing season for Fairfax County Public Schools. The Standards of Learning tests will be given May 16th through June 3rd. Students in Grades 3-6 in our school will be taking the Virginia Standards of Learning tests. It will be very helpful if you can avoid appointments which may take your child out of school during this time period. Also, it will help your child perform his or her best if he or she has had a good night's rest, a healthy breakfast, and comes to school with a positive attitude.
The Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) tests are required of all students in Grades 3-6 across the state by the Virginia Department of Education. SOL tests measure the extent to which students have learned the content and skills specified in the Virginia SOLs. Content areas include writing, reading, mathematics, history/social science, and science.
The purpose of the testing is to provide information about student achievement in several subject areas. Scores from the tests will be used to determine whether students fail to meet standards, are proficient in meeting the standards, or advanced in the standards.
Proud Principals of the Belle View Bobcats,
Tom Kuntz Eleanor Contreras
Principal Assistant Principal |
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Who's Who at Belle View
Sandra Nolff, School Health Aide
I started my position as a school health aide at the end of March this year, and Belle View is my first school. The best part of being a school health aide is working with the children. I have always loved helping people.
I live in Fauquier County. I have a son, Josh, who is in the
Army and is just deploying to Afghanistan. I also have a daughter, Erin, who will be graduating from high school this June and a step-son, Eli, who is in 7th grade.
Additional members of our family are two yellow labs, Max & Sophie and two cats, Jazmine & Zeppelin. When not working, my hobbies include trying to garden -without killing the plants) and being involved with activities at our church.
Professionally, I have worked with school aged children and adults with developmental disabilities for the past 12 years. Formerly, I was also an emergency medical technician for 8 years.
I would like to extend a thank you to everyone here at Belle View who has been so friendly to me, making me feel right at home.
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Belle View's Outdoor Classroom
On, Saturday, April 30th, volunteering
Bobcats brought the Belle View grounds to life with plantings and projects of all sorts during Gardening Day.
If you missed this event, there is another Gardening Day scheduled for:
Saturday, May 14th
from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
These days are not merely an effort to improve our school grounds. The focus of our improvements are to enrich our students through Belle View's Outdoor Classroom.
The Outdoor Classroom has been evolving over the school year and upon completion will include: bird feeding stations, a rain garden, a deadwood and compost station, as well as an amphitheater.
The above listed stations will promote the Virginia Science SOLs as well as provide a fresh air learning environment for reading, math and creative writing.
There will be an ice cream party for the class with the most attendees at the upcoming Gardening Day. If you are unable to attend, your child's class can still get credit for attending by providing snacks for those that participate at the school.
Additionally, you can help support our efforts by making a financial donation. Checks should be made payable to Belle View PTA-Outdoor Classroom.
Please bring your lawn tools with you on this day. Hoe's, rakes, etc. will be most helpful for this event.
Questions about this event can be directed to Mrs. Bush. carolyn.bush@fcps.edu
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Belle View's First Annual Fast Cats Run
On May 1st, over 200 students and adults participated in Belle Views's First Annual Fast Cats Run. The event consisted of a 1 mile run for students and a 5k for those looking for more of a challenge.
Fastest times for the 1 mile run were Bobby Kelly and Brendan Kosar (students), and the fastest 5k finisher's were Mike O'Bryan and Sue Himes (parents), followed by students James Duke and Carly Shawn. The first Belle View staff member to cross the finish line was Darlene Snyder.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to Hollin Hall Automotive for donating our running bibs, and to Safeway for the donation of fruit and bagels for race participants.
This event could not have been so successful had it not been for the Fast Cats planning committe. A special thank you goes out to Jessica Earley and the Wellness Committee along with the multitude of volunteers that gave so generously of their time and talents.
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More Track Updates!
Belle View's Spring Track Program for K-2 began on March 14th. The program culminated in a competition on April 11th at West Potomac High School. Belle View had an excellent "track record" during this event. Look for official results in the June newsletter for both the upper and lower grades track meets.
The first 3-6 practice was April 25th, the Monday after Spring Break.
The 3-6 track meet is scheduled to be held at the West Potomac Track on May 16th.
Come out and cheer us on!
Questions regarding this program should be directed to Melissa Lynch, meldanlynch@cox.net.
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Mark Your Calendars!
May 14 Gardening Day
May 16-27 SOL Testing
May 27 Early Release (1:40 p.m.)
May 30 Memorial Day Holiday
June 1 PTA Meeting
June 6 Field Day (k-2)
June 10 End of the Year Picnic
June 13 Field Day (3-6)
June 15 Chuck E Cheese Night
June 16 Summer Fine Arts Concert
June 17 6th Grade Promotion
June 21 Last Day of School
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PTA NEWS!
Your new PTA Board Members have been elected. The following is a list of all newly elected members. Congratulations!
President- Sue Capper
1st Vice President- Cindy Slone
2nd Vice President- Melissa Brunton
Corresponding Secretary- Cathy Guthrie
Treasurer- Ceri Richards
Recording Secretaries- Jessica McCarl and Rosemary Genuario
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Arts in Education
Under the Sea visits Belle View!
Under the Sea, an EXCITING and EDUCATIONAL program teaching students about the ocean,beach, Potomac river, Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay.
This program specializes in bringing LIVE animals, REAL artifacts, and CURRENT information presented in a lively yet entertaining manner.
Students at the assembly learned about vertebrates and invertebrates in a fascinating and close-up manner. Asking students and teachers their opinion about this event, many were heard to say "it was one of the best assemblies we have ever seen." Apparently, a particularly fun highlight was when an amazing eel jumped out of its aquarium onto the floor. Doesn't get any more up close and personal than that!
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$500 Belle View Scholarship to be awarded in June
The Belle View Elementary School Principal's Outstanding Achievement Award will be presented to a West Potomac High School Senior this June. The $500 award, which is presented during the WPHS Seniors Awards Convocation, recognizes outstanding student achievement, leadership and service. If you know of a senior at West Potomac who would like to be considered for this award, please have them contact Elaina Johnson, Career Counselor at West Potomac High School. To be eligible, applicants must have been a student at Belle View for one or more years and must currently be a graduating senior at West Potomac. Completed applications are due to Ms. Johson by Friday, May 20, 2011. The winner will be announced at the Awards Convocation (date to be determined).
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A special Thank you to all the Head Start and Kindergarten families that helped make the May 6th Staff and Teacher Appreciation Breakfast a success. In typical Bobcat style, there was no shortage of food for this event, and your heartfelt thanks were conveyed in the most appreciated and delicious way possible.
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End of the Year Picnic
June 10th
There is no better way to end a fantastic school year than with a picnic. In keeping with Belle View tradition, we are dedicating time to enjoy and celebrate our successes and make memories to last a lifetime.
Be on the lookout for a flyer with all the particulars about this event. The End of the Year Picnic Committee is still in their planning stage, but they have assured us that we will have ample food and drink for purchase, as well as many outdoor activities for all to enjoy.
If you are interested in volunteering for this event, contact karen Gardiner, Committe Chair at karenandchip@msn.com
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Running Trail Completion!
The quarter-mile running trail is complete!
This endeavor was made possible by the monies collected in our Spell Check Fundraiser this Spring.
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Cookie Dough Sales Leaders get a Chance at
Games2U
Rewarding their superior cookie dough sales, the leading Bobcat sellers were treated to an afternoon with the Games2U game van. A music playing, wii displaying van that pumps out loads of fun entertained our winning students. Most popular was a human sized "hamster ball."
Great job cookie dough sellers! Your efforts go a long way to support your PTA in their endeavors to raise money to fund various programs during the year.
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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
Join us for our Open House on Thursday, February 24 from 6pm to 7pm! Refreshments will be served.
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
