Friday, February 27, 2015

BCE Bearmail 2/27/15

February 27, 2015

Dear BCE Families,

Talent Show ~ Thursday was our annual BCE Talent show and all I can say was WOW!  What a talented group of students we have here!  I was so impressed with their dedication and bravery.  I've already heard some of the kids planning their act for next year! 

Spring Pictures ~ Spring Pictures will take place on Tuesday March 10th here at BCE.  All students will get their picture taken and there is no need to pay for pictures unless you decide to buy them after you see the proof.

Please Help ~ Keep our campus secure by always signing in at the office and wearing your bright yellow visitor badge.  Our students are precious; we want to make sure we do everything we can to provide a safe environment for them.  Thank you!

End of 2nd Trimester ~ It's hard to believe that today is the last day of our 2nd trimester!  I can't believe how quickly this year is going.  Report cards will be sent home with your students next Friday, March 6th.

Need Kindergarten? ~ Kindergarten registration for Fall 2015 has begun!  Visit the BCE office to pick up a registration packet and sign up for a spot to attend one of our four Kindergarten orientations and tours. Tours will take place at 9am on March 24th, April 23rd,  May 12th and May 29th.  Please call or stop by the office to reserve your spot.

Children must be five years old by August 31st in order to enroll in Kindergarten.  If your student has a September, October or November birthday you might be interested in our Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program at the Ludlow Center in Felton.  For more information you can call 335-4475.

Pick-up/Drop-off ~ Please follow the law and do not use your cell phone when you are driving your car.  We've had several close calls lately with parents who are talking on their phones and don't notice the directions given to them by our traffic monitors.  Thank you for keeping our students and staff safe!  Also, please remember that there is no parking on Laurel St. close to the school.  The CHP can and has ticketed cars that are parked there.

Up Coming Dates to Remember
  • Tuesday 3/10 = Spring Picture Day
  • Wednesday 3/11 = Family Dinner Night, BCE Brewery
  • Thursday 3/12 = Site Council, 3:00
  • Thursday 3/12 = Parent Club Meeting, 6:30
  • Friday 3/20 = Math Madness
  • 3/30 – 4/6 = No School (Spring Break) <-- corrected from an early edition
Attendance Facts:
Helping your student arrive to school everyday and stay for the whole school day conveys to your student that you respect their teacher, the other students, and the important work that they are doing in school everyday.

Thank you for supporting your student by getting them to school every day and on time!

Safety Tip of the Week:
If your student is getting picked up by someone new or getting home in a different way than normal, please let the office know.



SLVUSD: 1:1 BYOD Laptop Initiative, Grades 6-12: Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ's
February 27, 2015

·        Are families required to buy a laptop or Chromebook for their student?
o    No. We strongly encourage families to buy a $200 Chromebook or a laptop for their students.  However, this is a recommendation, not a requirement. We are committed to providing an education that leads to the best opportunities for our students.  We believe personal student ownership of a laptop is a practical way for students to have ongoing access to technology in the classroom and at home.

o    What if my student doesn't bring a laptop to school?
o    Regarding students who come to school without a laptop, we will have backup loaner laptops available for in-classroom use.  We also have extended library hours before and after school for students who need time on a computer. Teachers will also make homework assignments available in paper form for those with no computer/Internet access at home.  That being said, we encourage every student to have a laptop.  Chromebooks are an excellent value at about $200, and many vendors offer insurance to cover damage and theft.

o    Are laptops going to be used every day in all of the classes?
o    No.  The laptop is one of many resources available to teachers and students.  Classroom learning and activities work best when there is variety in the types of instructional strategies that are used. However, access to technology is a basic educational tool for the 21st century classroom.  Having laptops available on-demand is now part of meeting the needs of student learning.

o    Does the school/district pay for a student's laptop stolen or damaged at school?
o    No. Student laptops are like other personal property brought to school by a student.  However, we strongly recommend that parents evaluate the insurance coverage plans offered by the vendor when purchasing a Chromebook or laptop.  Insurance evaluation should consider cost versus the specific coverage for loss and damage.

o    This summer new, bigger PE lockers will be installed that can accommodate clothes, laptops and any valuables (wallet, keys, phone, etc.) 

o    What about families that can't afford laptops?
o    If a family cannot afford a laptop, the district will offer financial assistance. Any student on Free or Reduced Lunch is eligible to buy a Chromebook from the district for a discounted price to be determined soon. The procedures to apply for a discounted price will be on our website.

o    How do I apply for Free and Reduced Lunch?
o    If your student(s) are not on Free or Reduced Lunch, and you qualify, you may apply on our website.  If you have any questions or difficulty applying for Free and Reduced Lunch, please call Cathy Frost at 335-5384 or drop by the Cafeteria anytime between 7-3 pm.



Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!


The BCE Way:  BE RESPECTFUL, BE SAFE, BE RESPONSIBLE



BCE PARENT CLUB EVENT & MEETING REMINDERS:
Staff Appreciation Week – This coming week (March 2nd  - March 6th) is Staff Appreciation Week!  A green flyer went home explaining the planned events and the part we would like you and your child to play in them.  If you did not receive a flyer or you have questions, please email Tammy at bcepc.execs@gmail.com.  This is going to be a big and exciting week and we are so thrilled to be honoring the amazing BCE staff.
Upcoming Dates to Save
March 11 – Family Dinner Night at The Boulder Creek Brewery
March 12 – Parents Club Meeting (in library with free childcare)
March 20 – Math Madness Night
May 16 – Carnival & Silent Auction
The annual BCE Carnival is our huge fundraising event.  Each year, the school community pulls together to put on a fun-filled extravaganza that the whole valley flocks to.  We typically need about 200 volunteers on that Saturday.  Please consider saving the date (May 16th) to run a booth for one hour.  It's a low-stress, fun position, and the students really love seeing their families helping out.  Sign-ups will be available soon.  
Our Successes
The 5th grade Bulb Sale earned $734 towards Science Camp!  Orders are expected to ship within the next couple of weeks.  Customer accounts will be charged at that time.
Our Movie Night showing of The Princess Bride was well attended.  Families enjoyed free popcorn and water.  There was laughter and cheering.  We're already looking forward to next year's movie!
Yearbook
In order to share your photos with our yearbook staff, email them to bouldercreekyearbook@gmail.com.  Only our wonderful Committee Chairperson, Wendy Sigmund will be able to view them.  Please include the name of the event in your email. Thanks a ton!!




COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITY LINK

Please click on the following link to view a variety of opportunities for your child(ren) that are offered throughout the valley and Santa Cruz areas by various organizations, such as Boy/Girl Scouts, Sports, Arts-Drama-Theater, Local Events, Community Service, Quest/YMCA (before/after-school child care), etc. Link here:  https://sites.google.com/a/slvusd.org/community-link/

This link is provided as a courtesy for parents & students, by the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District, to receive information of current local events and opportunities.  The San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District does not sponsor or endorse any of the organizations or events that are located here.

The Flyer Process for San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District is posted on the "home" page of the District website at www.slvusd.org.   The flyers and/or blurbs are no longer inserted into the school newsletters or distributed to the children.  The District is making an effort to reduce the amount of paper that is sent home with your child(ren) and is working together to streamline the newsletter so that you read about the most important information regarding your child's school.  The District has created a website where all of the approved flyers will be posted (Community Opportunity).

If you know someone who would like to receive Bearmail, please have them email rogilvie@slvusd.org.
If you no longer wish to receive Bearmail, please email rogilvie@slvusd.org.

Please do not reply to Bearmail.  Instead, email hchinello@slvusd.org, or mzavaroni@slvusd.org.