Bedwell Friday Folder
 
May 31, 2013
Hello at home,  
 
Bedwell's first International Foodfest is tonight, and it promises to be a delicious good time.  Next week begins with a trip to the Bronx Zoo, which is always a highlight of the year for our fourth graders. With Field Day following close behind, we just can't seem to fit in enough fun. 
 
It's time to enjoy!   
 
Warm regards, 
 

Gretchen Dempsey

Assistant Principal 

 
May:
  • 5/31/13 Spirit Day - Wear Red, White and Blue
  • 5/31/13 BES Build the Future Day 
June:
  • 6/3/13 Grade 4 - Bronx Zoo Trip
  • 6/6/13 Field Day
  • 6/7/13 First Field Day Rain Date
  • 6/10/13 Second Field Day Rain Date
  • 6/12/13 Grade 4 Pool Party
  • 6/13/13 Grade 4 Pool Party Rain Date
  • 6/14/13 End of Marking Period
  • 6/14/13 Flag Day Ceremony
  • 6/18/13 Early Dismissal (1:20 PM)
  • 6/18/13 Grade 4 Moving Up Ceremony - BHS PAC (4:30 PM)
  • 6/19/13 Early Dismissal (1:20 PM)
  • 6/20/13 Early Dismissal (1:20 PM) - Last Day for Students 
  • 6/20/13 Spirit Day - Wear a Hawaiian Shirt
Miscellaneous: 
  • NEW! June Lunch Menu
  • Moving-Up ceremony, Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at 4:30 P.M. 
  • Throughout the school year Bedwell students have been encouraged to accept Rachel's Challenge by using kind words, doing nice things, including others and starting their own chain reaction. Our students are learning to stand up to bullying by being kind and compassionate. Please join students and staff by wearing white on May 30th as a symbolicdemonstration of our commitment against bullying.
  • Sun Safety Tips from the Health Office! 
  • In March Bedwell Elementary School received the NJ Green Ribbon School Award from the New Jersey Department of Education. In addition to this wonderful news, we have more exciting information! The US Department of Education has just announced that Bedwell Elementary School is a National Green Ribbon School Award winner. This is the highest honor in the nation for schools that are outstanding examples of schools taking a comprehensive approach to being a green school with a commitment to environmental stewardship, health and sustainability. With over 500,00 schools in the nation, Bedwell is one of only 64 schools who will receive this honor.  Congratulations to the students, staff and parents at Bedwell Elementary School for helping us with this wonderful achievement.
  • Attention second, third and fourth grade families! Remember the little pine seedling  your child received in 1st grade? Did you plant it?  These seedlings were funded by The Friends for Greener Bernardsville, and they would love to see how the trees are doing. Please take a picture of your little tree and email it to Karen Mastrangeli (Schessler) at kmastrangeli@shsd.org.
  • Sign up for Field Day!  Thursday, June 6 (Rain date: June 7) Please note that you will NOT need to register an account on VolunteerSpot and your email will not be shared.
  • Please take the time to complete Maschio's cafeteria survey! At Maschio's our customers are important to us and this survey is intended to help us determine what we can do to meet your needs. It will only take a minute! Thank you for taking the time to let us know how we are doing and what we can do to provide better service. Participation in the survey is anonymous. 
  • Effective immediately, visitors to The Somerset Hills School District may be asked to show a photo ID upon arrival.  Additionally, as a reminder, all visitors are required to sign in at the main office, state the purpose of the visit, wear a visitor's badge, sign out, and return the visitor's badge when leaving.  We appreciate your cooperation as we work together to keep our school community safe.
  • Reminder! Students arriving via the Car Rider Line may be dropped off at the back of the building between 8:35-8:50 AM when teachers are on Car Rider Duty and the back doors are being monitored. Students are never to be dropped off without a staff member present. If you pull up to the Car Rider Line before 8:35 or after 8:50 when no staff members are present, do not let your child out of the car.  After 8:50, parents must drive to the front of the building to drop students off. If it is after 8:55 AM, parents must bring the students into the main office to sign in. We appreciate your cooperation as we work together to keep our school community safe.
  • Reminder!  We've noticed that some students have been carrying electronic devices to Bedwell. As detailed in our Parent Handbook, students should not bring items of value to school. Please help us keep your costly items safe by leaving them at home.
  • School Closings, Early Dismissals, Delayed Openings and Parent Notifications
  • Bernards High School Fly Fishing Club is looking for used rods, reels and equipment. If you have anything that you no longer use or need and would like to donate it to the club, please email Jim McCarron at jmccarron@shsd.org.
  • Revised district calendar
  • Sign up for the Community Folder 
  • Additional Somerset Hills School District Information 

  • NEW! The 2013 annual Walk-a-thon was held on Tuesday, May 21st. The weather was beautiful, and all the students enjoyed plenty of physical activity, DJ fun and ice pops! Congratulations to Owen Liming, grade 1, grand prize winner of an iPod Touch! Owen earned $400.00 in donations to go directly toward enriching programs at Bedwell!
  • NEW! Let's turn our old crayons into new ones!  Bedwell students and families can support the National  by donating all their unwanted, used crayons. 
  • Volunteer for Bedwell Buddies 
  • 2013-3014 Homeroom Parents Wanted!
  • BOX TOPS:Final Box Top Contest has begun!  Clip those Box Tops and send them in!  We are also collecting Labels for Education...  Will your class be the Bedwell Champs????
  • BUS VOLUNTEERS, CHAIRPERSON(S) NEEDED: Chairs are needed to work with district staff to identify bus routes, students and placement of volunteers on those buses for the first few days of school. Chairs help to coordinate bus volunteers, route information, seat assignments and safety measures. Once underway, the committee facilitates a "Thank You" breakfast held for bus drivers and crossing guards. If interested, please contact Shellie Iossa, michelle.iossa@gmail.com.
  • Get a head start on next year's "to do" list! Order your school supplies now for the 2013-2014 school year. Log into www.shopttkits.com and enter Bedwell code 89060. Online orders accepted through June 7th. Paper orders can be placed in the box in the Bedwell Lobby through May 31st.
  • ATTENTION PARENTS OF 4TH GRADERS: Bernardsville Middle School Home and School Association (BMS HSA) is pleased to welcome the 4th graders who will be joining BMS in the fall! Attached please find important dates for you and your soon to be 5th grader.
  • Shop at Shoprite or Starbucks? Order your gift cards through Scrip!
  • For all HSA members who want to begin enjoying the Online Member directory today, please see these tips to get started right away.
  • Waste-Free Wednesday Lunch Program
  • It's not too late to receive access to the HSA Membership Directory!  If you are interested, please click for the Membership Form and Pledge Form. 
  • PLANNING FOR SHEF'S FUTURE! The SHEF Trustees are thrilled to announce the establishment of THE SOMERSET HILLS EDUCATION FOUNDATION PETER J. MILLER ENDOWMENT FUND to honor Superintendent Pete Miller who is retiring on June 30, 2013 after serving the district admirably for 35 years.  Establishing an endowment in the name of Pete Miller recognizes his many contributions, his values and his long term commitment to The Somerset Hills School District (SHSD).  By establishing this fund the SHEF Trustees are planning for the foundation's future - honoring its long-term commitment to promote and provide education opportunities by funding innovative programs and projects for the benefit of the students of the SHSD.  SHEF's goal is to raise $35,000 by June 30 in honor of Peter Miller's 35 years of dedication to the district.  With leading gift contributions by SHEF Trustees already pledged, SHEF is looking forward to the support of the Endowment fund by parents, alumnus and community members who share our commitment to the students of the SHSD.  To pledge or to make a contribution, CLICK HERE to download the Endowment Fund Letter of Intent.