PRINCIPAL'S CORNER

BELL TOP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

East Greenbush Central School District
39 Reynolds Road, Troy, New York 12180-8695
Telephone: (518) 207-2600 Ÿ Fax (518) 283-1184
James McHugh
Principal

March 29, 2012

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The spring is a very busy time in all NYS schools! This was “Music in Our Schools” Month which involved a phenomenal performance by Mark Woods and many of our EGCSD students, a district-wide Instrumental Festival, and a district-wide Choral Festival. Marvin Bubie, author and presenter spoke to all of our fourth and fifth graders about NYS and the Erie Canal. Report Cards were sent home for the second marking period and parent conferences were held. Our PTO provided an outstanding Staff Appreciation Luncheon on March 15th. We were fortunate to have Dr. Connie Hebert; National Literacy Consultant and Reading Program Professor work with our staff on Thursday, March 22, 2012. On March 23rd, staff attended National Incident Management Systems Training, Annual Professional Performance Review Training, and a CASDA conference on Co-Teaching and Behavior Management Strategies for the Classroom.

The following classrooms were recognized as Bell Top’s Classrooms of the Month:

Mrs. Wilkes Music
Mr. Miller (Mrs. Adams) Library
Mrs. Valenti Physical Education
Mrs. O’Connell Cafeteria
Mrs. Gilligan Art
Mrs. Bennett Art

Dates to Remember:

3-28-12 Grade 5 Green Living Summit 1:30 PM
3-28-12 Bell Top Family Reading Night 6:30 PM
3-29-12 Mrs. Lyte “Sugar bush” Play 6:45 PM
3-30-12 Special Friends Day

9:30 – 10:30

Mr. Miller (Mrs. Adams)
Mrs. Richardson
Mrs. Gigliello
Mrs. Lussier
Ms. Lyte
Mrs. Morgan

1:45-2:45 PM

Mrs. Fox
Mrs. Wilkes
Mrs. Bennett/Mrs. Cornell
Mrs. O’Connell
Mrs. Warren
Mr. Lussier
Mrs. Gilligan
Mrs. Valenti

4-2-12: Honoring four more students as Bell Top “Students of Character”
4-3-12: Bell Top Education Fair 6:00 – 8:30 PM
4-4-12 – 4-15-12: NO SCHOOL – SPRING RECESS
4-17-12: NYS ELA TEST (Grades 3 - 5)
4-18-12: NYS ELA TEST (Grades 3 – 5)
4-19-12: NYS ELA TEST (Grades 3 – 5)
4-20-12: Bell Top Spring Fling 6:30 – 8:30 PM
4-25-12: NYS MATHEMATICS TEST (Grades 3 – 5)
4-26-12: NYS MATHEMATICS TEST (Grades 3 – 5)
4-26-12: Bell Top Grade 4 Concert 7:00 PM
4-27-12: NYS MATHEMATICS TEST (Grades 3 – 5)
5-1-12: Bell Top Kindergarten Screening By apt.
5-1-12: Bell Top PTO 7:00 PM
5-2-12: Bell Top Kindergarten Screening By apt.
5-3-12: District-Wide Music and Arts Festival at CHS 6:00 PM
5-7-12: National “Teacher Appreciation Week”
5-15-12: District Vote
5-15-12: Bell Top Field Day

9:30-10:00 Kindergarten
10:10-10:50 Grade 1
10:55-11:35 Grade 3
12:30-1:10 Grade 2
1:15-1:55 Grade 5
2:00-2:40 Grade 4
2:45 Coaches Cup Race

5-16-12: Grade 5 Concert (Mary Poppins) at CHS 7:00 PM
5-18-12: 5th Grade Visit to Goff 9:15-11:00 AM
5-23-12: NYS Grade 4 SCIENCE PERFORMANCE TEST

Included with this newsletter is information pertaining to Ticks and Lyme Disease. Additional information is available in our main office and can also be accessed at:
www.nyhealth.gov and http://www.deetonline.org

There is an additional article enclosed regarding the NYS P-12 Common Core Learning Standards that is extremely informative.

It is my continued pleasure to serve this school-community as the Bell Top principal.

Respectfully,

Jim McHugh

East Greenbush Central School District
39 Reynolds Road, Troy, New York 12180-8695
Telephone: (518) 207-2600 Ÿ Fax (518) 283-1184
James McHugh
Principal

February 7, 2012

Dear Parents and Guardians,
            We are just past the half way mark of the 2011-2012 school year! The remaining months will be filled with opportunities to learn and grow.
            Bell Top School welcomes Mr. Scott Miller who will be filling in for Mrs. Adams in kindergarten for the remainder of the school year. Mr. Miller is a familiar teacher within our school-community and has substituted regularly and has completed several long-term substitute positions in the past.
            Sincere gratitude goes out to our 5th grade students, Mrs. Longworth, and Ms. Meliosky who used their $500.00 grant prize from the BlueShield of Northeastern New York Healthy Changes Everything Video Contest to purchase painted parallel bars for our school’s playground. The new piece of equipment has been ordered and will hopefully be installed at some point this spring.
            Our Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 2 report cards are currently under revision. Report cards should be for our parents and students with the goal of improving teaching and learning. The focus of report cards should be on the standards (grade specific; aligned to the state/district assessment system) and clearly document what has been learned. The feedback provided to our parents should include assignment descriptions, standards/outcomes assessed, and student specific results. The revised report cards will most likely be implemented for the 2012-2013 school year.
          Our district recently implemented the EnVision Mathematics Program. EnVision Math helps students in developing the conceptual understanding of important math concepts. Every lesson includes a problem-based interactive learning activity that builds concrete understanding of math concepts. Then, step-by-step visual instruction using the Visual Learning Bridge or the Visual Learning Animation deepens students’ understanding of the concept. EnVision Math also provides ongoing assessment, diagnosis, and intervention strategies. Formative assessments are interwoven throughout this program at the lesson and topic level. EnVision Math is organized with each grade-level program divided into topics. Topics are organized and color-coded by content strands, such as Number and Operations, Algebra, and Problem Solving.
            There have been numerous challenges and mandates that have garnered our attention this year. We continue to attend to the new common core learning standards and the requirements of the new Annual Professional Performance Review for teachers and principals. We’ve implemented many new instructional resources and have piloted the Northwest Evaluation Association online assessment program while consistently focusing our attention on meeting the needs of all of our young learners.
Part 100 Regulations state that there is no required number of instructional minutes in kindergarten through grade 6, but all students in K-6 “must have a program of instruction designed to assist all students in meeting the common core standards”.

The Bell Top School staff spent the half day of professional development on January 27th reviewing and discussing the types of NWEA reports; how to access them, and how to use the available data to make instructional decisions. Our teaching assistants participated in EnVision Math training and our school monitors worked with Needham Risk Management geared towards improving the safety and quality of our lunch/recess periods.
The New York State Testing Program for English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science will be as follows: [Grades 3, 4, and 5]

English Language Arts:

Tuesday, April 17, 2012 (Book #1)
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 (Book #2)
Thursday, April 19, 2012 (Book #3)
Make-Ups: Friday, April 20, 2012

Mathematics:

Wednesday, April 25, 2012 (Book #1)
Thursday, April 26, 2012 (Book #2)
Friday, April 27, 2012 (Book #3)
Make-Ups: Monday, April 30, 2012

Science (Grade 4 only):

Performance Test: Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Written Test: Monday, June 4, 2012

The determination of need and allocation of classroom sections for Bell Top School for the 2012-2013 school year will not be finalized until after the budget process. Please refer to the district’s home page for the 2012-2013 budget development timeline.
As always, please contact me with any questions, concerns, or ideas. This Friday is YMCA Night for Bell Top School. I apologize in advance that I will be unable to attend this event as my own son will be wrestling in the Section Two Championships in the Glens Falls Civic Center (Go Blue Devils!)

Respectfully,

Jim McHugh

Important Dates to Remember

2-7-12: Bell Top PTO 7:00 pm
2-8-12: Board of Ed Meeting (Admin) 7:30 pm
2-9-12: Bell Top Kindergarten Registration 9:30-11:00 am/6:00-8:00 pm
2-10-12: YMCA Night for Bell Top 6:30-8:00 pm
2-13-12: BRAC Meeting (Admin) 7:30 pm
2-20-12 through 2-24-12: WINTER RECESS (No School)
3-6-12: Bell Top PTO 7:00 pm
3-7-12: District-Wide Instrumental Festival at CHS 10:00 am
3-9-12: End of Marking Period (Gr. K-5)
3-14-12: Board of Ed Meeting (Admin) 7:30 pm
3-15-12: K-5 Half Day for Parent Conferences
3-21-12: District-Wide Choral Festival at Genet 10:00 am
3-23-12: Half Day(K-12) Professional Development
3-28-12: Board of Ed Meeting(Admin) 7:30 pm
3-30-12: Bell Top Special Friends Day

BELL TOP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

East Greenbush Central School District
39 Reynolds Road, Troy, New York 12180-8695
Telephone: (518) 207-2600 Ÿ Fax (518) 283-1184
James McHugh
Principal

January 9, 2012
Dear Parents,

I am hopeful that all of our families had an enjoyable holiday break. May 2012 afford each of you with great health and happiness!

Below is a thorough explanation of our district’s homework policy along with some strategies and tips regarding the completion of assignments. As a father of four, I am certainly understanding of the logistical challenges in attempting to accomplish all of life’s daily responsibilities.

Homework help is one of the most important contributions that parents can make in support of their children's education. Homework should be designed to augment what children learn in school. Children quite often ask for assistance at the last minute and this can lead to disagreement and turmoil within the typical busy household. These types of situations create an opportune time to educate children on how to handle their schoolwork responsibly by establishing and adhering to an industrious routine. Establishing these beneficial routines often spare our children and us from a lot of aggravation and disappointment. Children, like adults, may need some time to relax when they first get home form their work day. Nonetheless, it's important to have a set time to complete work and study -- the earlier the better. The sooner that homework is started, the sooner any problems can be identified. This approach will spare you a lengthy session of trying to figure the assignment, task or project out.

Have a well-lit, organized desk or space for doing homework.
Whenever it’s possible every attempt should be made to stick to a set routine.

If your child knows that homework time is from 4pm to 5pm everyday, there will be less resistance to doing the work.

Set aside extra time for big projects and term papers, like weekends.
Try to create a quiet environment with few or no distractions: no television, no little brothers or sisters coming and going, etc.
Make sure the desk contains only the material being worked on - nothing else!
Prepare all needed materials for the specific subject in advance. Do you have what you need?
If your child needs help, give guidance, not answers. It’s their work! Always be willing to help - but wait for your child to request it.
Being there to help shows that you're interested and it allows your child to know that what he or she is doing is important.
Your homework is to always be aware of your child's assignments and due dates.
Tackle the tough tasks first. Teach children not to procrastinate. Tasks appear to get harder to do when we get more tired.
Having trouble concentrating? Take a break! Be sure to decide up front how long the break will be - and stick to it

East Greenbush Central School District Board of Education Policy 4730-R Homework Regulation            (Grades K-6)
“Homework” is defined as “independent student practice”. Homework should be experienced-based and function as review, reinforcement and extension of what has been previously taught to the student.
Homework is recognized as one of several necessary components to effective teaching and learning. Homework assignments are an integral part of the instructional program and should be designed to help students develop good study habits, foster positive attitudes toward school, and communicate to them that learning takes place at home as well as at school. Determination of whether or not homework should be assigned on a given day is to be made by a student’s teacher(s). The length and complexity of homework assignments should be made based in the age and ability of students, student’s ability to complete them independently, and their completion’s likelihood of inducing a feeling of accomplishment. Homework should not be limited to paper and pencil activities. Whereas, the district encourages homework assignments that promote a wide range of thinking skills (Bloom’s Taxonomy), it discourages the extensive use of dittos and memo worksheets.
When homework assignments are given, teachers must ensure that students understand what is expected of them and why. From kindergarten through second grade, assignments should be brief and specific and should include activities designed to promote interaction between parents and children. Grading of homework should be kept to a minimum.
As students progress through the grades, assignments should increase in complexity, and length, and should be graded more frequently. Teachers should always collect homework, check it for completion, and provide instructional feedback. By immediately acknowledging homework, teachers reward good work habits and reinforce students’ understanding that homework promotes learning. Not evaluating, correcting, or reviewing homework is an unacceptable practice.
Students from families whose religious observances fall while school is in session should not be responsible for homework assignments given on those days. Make-up work can be discussed and decided with individual teachers.
The district recognizes that students often interact with several teachers during the day and could as a result, have a number of daily assignments, which, in the aggregate, may be unreasonable. Therefore, teachers are expected to plan and coordinate homework assignments with their colleagues to insure the reasonableness of the homework assigned.
The district prohibits using homework as a disciplinary measure. To do so would violate learning theory and would work as a disincentive to student learning.
Parents should not be asked to play a formal instructional role in homework, especially in the early grades. Instead they should be asked to create a home environment that facilitates student self-study. Parents also should demonstrate how much they value student achievement.
To ensure that parents understand these regulations about homework, a portion of each school’s Open House should be devoted to this topic. In addition, newsletters from the teacher and/or the school, addressing this topic should be considered as a supplement.
Upcoming Dates to Remember:
1/9/12-2/10/12 Fountas and Pinnell Mid-Year Benchmark Assessment Window
1/10/12:           Previewing of 5th Grade AIDS/HIV Instructional Video       6:45 PM
1/10/12:           Bell Top PTO Meeting                                                                      7:00 PM
1/11/12:           B.O.E. Meeting at Administration Center                            7:30 PM
1/13/12-1/15/12:          District’s Winterfest   (refer to schedule of events)
1/16/12:           Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – NO SCHOOL
1/19/12:           Bell Top Character Ed/Anti-Bullying Committee Meeting 8:20 AM
1/23/12:           BRAC – Administration Center                                            7:30 PM
1/25/12:           BT Shared Decision Making Team Meeting                                    8:20 AM
1/25/12:           B.O.E. Meeting at Bell Top                                                   7:30 PM
1/27/12:           K-12 Half Day Professional Development Day          (11:35 AM Dismissal at BT)
2/7/12:             Bell Top PTO Meeting                                                                      7:00 PM
2/7/12:             Special Needs Parent Group Meeting (Genet Library)         7:00 PM
2/8/12:             B.O.E. Meeting at Administration Center                            7:30 PM
2/9/12:             Bell Top Character Ed/Anti-Bullying Committee Meeting 8:20 AM
2/9/12:             Bell Top Kindergarten Registration (9:30-11:00 AM and 6:00-8:00 PM)
2/10/12:           YMCA Night for Bell Top
2/13/12:           BRAC Meeting - Administration Center                             7:30 PM
2/20/12-2/24/12:          WINTER RECESS – NO SCHOOL
Please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns or suggestions.

Respectfully,

Jim McHugh

BELL TOP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

East Greenbush Central School District
39 Reynolds Road, Troy, New York 12180-8695
Telephone: (518) 207-2600 Ÿ Fax (518) 283-1184
James McHugh
Principal

October 28, 2011

Dear Parents and Guardians:

It has been a busy and productive few months here at Bell Top School. Our PTO has already held its annual Ice Cream Social and the Fall Festival. Environmentalist, George Steele worked with all of our classrooms in late September and early October. Bell Top parent, Dan Garab and the Defreestville Fire Department conducted our annual Fire Safety Day on October 13th. On October 24th Sergeant Greg Croll from the North Greenbush Police Department presented to our students on Halloween Safety. The Rensselaer Elks Club donated dictionaries to each of our 3rd graders, the North Greenbush Kiwanis Club donated backpacks and school supplies for some of our students, and Target supplied our school with hundreds of extra school notebooks! Our Pumpkin Race went off without a hitch on October 20th due to the tremendous efforts of Mrs. Longworth and our students. The Bell Top Running Club was a tremendous success as the participation numbers appeared to be at an all-time high. Bell Top is extremely grateful to all of our parents, volunteers, and community organizations that continue to support our mission.

The Bell Top staff has participated in numerous professional development opportunities already this year, such as: Guided Reading Instruction, Overview of the Common Core Standards, Addressing the Common Core Standards, QUESTAR Mathematics Regional Mapping, Envision Mathematics, Response to Intervention, Autism, Character Education, Speech-Language Pathology, Assessment and Treatment Using Medical, Behavioral, and Sensory Approaches, etc. The staff at Bell Top School participates in a Professional Learning Community (“STAR” Sharing Topics and Reflections) prior to the start of the school day where many new mandates and initiatives are researched and discussed.

Bell Top School is currently piloting the Northwest Evaluation Association Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) and Primary MAP Program. A core team of Bell Top Staff members participated in several training sessions throughout the summer months and into this fall in order to prepare for the implementation of this on-line assessment program. The information acquired through this program provides our staff with another “snapshot” of each child in order to best make our daily instructional decisions. Piloting this program has been a proactive approach to meeting the new education law 3012-c which requires all schools to adopt and implement another assessment “as rigorous and as equitable” as the state assessment.

Bell Top School is also utilizing (Piloting) a new mathematics (K-5) program in order to best address the new common core curriculum. All teachers are participating in on-going professional development training in order to best meet all of our learners’ needs while utilizing enVison Mathematics, additional resources, and the common core.

We will have our annual Halloween Parade on Monday, October 31st at 1:30 pm. As per district and school policy, all visitors must sign-in as they enter the building.

A representative from Capital Region Language Center will be here at school on October 31st from noon to 1:00 pm for those parents still interested in signing their child up for an after-school foreign language program.

            Bell Top School would also like to invite our families to join us on Thursday, November 10th at 2:40 pm for a small but extremely deserving Veterans Day recognition celebration presented by our students. Our 4th and 5th graders will be singing under the direction of Ms. Glennie and some of our 5th grade students will be sharing some of their writings regarding the significance of Veterans Day and as a display of our gratitude for their brave service.

            The first marking period ends on November 10th and the report cards are scheduled to go home on Wednesday, November 16th. Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for November 17th and 30th.

Please feel free to stop by, e-mail or call if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Jim McHugh

BELL TOP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

East Greenbush Central School District
39 Reynolds Road, Troy, New York 12180-8695
Telephone: (518) 207-2600 Ÿ Fax (518) 283-1184
James McHugh
Principal

September 6, 2011

Dear Parents and Guardians:

I sincerely hope that your child experienced a wonderful first day to the 2011-2012 school year! There is much to accomplish this year; as we address the new Common Core Standards and implement the new teacher and principal evaluation requirements. I strongly encourage you to review the new learning standards for all students which can be accessed through our district’s homepage (NYS Commissioner of Education Back to School Messages) or by going to NYSED.gov.

Our primary mission will remain the same. We will strive to address the needs of the whole child while preparing every student for success in the 21st century. Please know that as the principal of Bell Top Elementary School, my door is open to our students, staff, and parents and I can be contacted via email (mchughja@egcsd.org), by phone (518-207-2600), or in person here at school.

I look forward to seeing you at our annual Open House Nights that have been scheduled as follows:

Thursday, September 15, 2011 (Grades 3, 4, and 5) 7:00 to 8:30 PM
Thursday, September 22, 2011 (Grades K, 1, and 2) 7:00 to 8:30 PM

These nights will begin in the Bell Top gymnasium where I will briefly review new mandates, the implementation of the new common core learning standards, programs, school results, and policies. Parents will then have approximately one hour to visit with their child’s teacher(s).

Our dismissal this year may be a bit tricky as the construction at Couse Corners continues (Rt .4 and Rt. 151). We will begin our daily dismissal here at 3:25 pm and we will attempt to load our buses by 3:35 PM. However, some of our buses may be running late from their previous runs at Goff M.S. Your child may be arriving home a little bit later than usual especially at the start of the school year, however as we enter the third week of school, your child’s arrival time home should be consistent. Whenever you have a concern in regards to your child’s drop-off/arrival time, please feel free to contact me here at school or call the transportation center at (477-9288).

MSN had a post today which was taken from Good Housekeeping. The article was titled: Back to School – Make This School Year Great and it was written by Lisa Collier Cool. She listed the following strategies for parents:

Don’t’ be a stranger!

Talk to your child’s teacher early and often

Learning doesn’t stop at 3:15.

Encourage your child to show you something that they worked on at school.

Let your child make mistakes.

Remember that it’s ok for your child to get some things wrong. Let your child do the work.

Stay involved.

Provide moral support and be your child’s cheerleader.

The teacher’s on your side – give them the benefit of the doubt.

Get all of the facts before you react.

Keep your child organized.

Empty the backpack (Have your child empty the backpack) as part of their daily routine. Set up a special place where they can put their papers, etc.

If the teacher deserves a good grade, give them one.

It’s incredibly uplifting when someone takes the time to thank you. We often hear when things didn’t go well, but we don’t always take the time to acknowledge when things do. Volunteering is also welcomed.

As we begin a new school year and our staff begins the process of designing their lessons and instruction to address specific needs of all children, it is worthy to review what has been accomplished.

Bell Top Elementary School made AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) in all areas (English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science)
Bell Top’s Performance Index in ELA was 183 with an Effective AMO of 113.

[Performance Index (PI) = A value from 0 to 200 that is assigned to an accountability group, indicating how that group performed
Effective AMO = The value that each accountability group within a school or district is expected to achieve in order to make AYP

Bell Top’s Performance Index in Mathematics was 193 with an Effective AMO of 128.
Bell top’s Performance Index in Science was 200 with a State Standard of 100.
Bell Top’s ELA Results (% of students passing – level 3 and level 4)

Grade 3: 95.7%
Grade 4: 78.0%
Grade 5: 75%
State average: 52.8%

Bell Top’s Mathematics Results (% of students passing – level 3 and level 4)

Grade 3: 97.8%
Grade 4: 96.1% (52.9% at level 4)
Grade 5: 85.7
State average: 63.3%

I look forward to working with you in the days and months ahead.

Sincerely,

Jim McHugh

August 2011

Dear Bell Top Parents, Guardians, and Children,

I am excited to begin the 2011-2012 school year! It is always a pleasure to see our hardworking students after the summer months and it will be a pleasure to welcome our new students and their families to the Bell Top School-Community. Each new school year presents many opportunities for growth and development. Our entire staff will continue to work on creating and maintaining a safe, supportive, challenging, and engaging environment for all of our students. I hope that you are all well rested and eager to return to class, begin working, and see all of your friends.

As always, the summer months have been busy in order to prepare for your return. Many of our staff members have attended various professional development seminars centered on a variety of educational topics. Staff members have been busy planning their lessons and getting their classrooms prepared.

I would like to invite all of our parents to attend our Bell Top Elementary School “Back-to-School Nights” (Open House) which has been scheduled as follows:

Grades 3 – 5: Thursday, September 15, 2011 from 7:00-8:30 PM

Kindergarten – Grade 2: Thursday, September 22, 2001 from 7:00-8:30 PM

These evenings provide our parents with an opportunity to meet the staff members that will be working with their child this school year. On these nights staff members typically provide our parents with important information regarding the school year, such as: grade level curriculum, classroom routines, expectations, etc. This night also provides our parents with an opportunity to ask questions about their child’s classroom, work expectations, routine, etc. These nights do not provide parents with an opportunity for individual student conferences. Conferences will be held on November 17th and 30th or as necessary and agreed upon.

I encourage you to regularly visit our school website where you can find many of our district’s and school’s latest “happenings” such as: classroom supply lists, PTO and principal parent newsletters, bus routes, school calendar, lunch menus, free and reduced price meal applications, etc.

Our annual “Meet and Greet” for Grade 1 – 5 students and parents has been scheduled for Thursday, September 1, 2011, from 9:00 – 10:00 AM. This is not mandatory to attend, but provides an opportunity to allow our students to locate their new classroom, drop off their supplies, and say a quick hello to staff.

August 31st, September 1st and September 2nd are very busy days for all of our staff members as everyone is preparing for the opening of school. These days are filled with district and building meetings, classroom preparations and planning. Staff will be discussing the new Common Core Standards, Analyzing and Using Student Assessment Data, Curriculum Mapping, District Policy Updates, etc.

Just as a reminder, the opening days of school are scheduled as follows:

Thursday, September 1, 2011: (9:00-10:00) Optional “Meet and Greet” for parents and students
Tuesday, September 6, 2011: First day of school for all students in Grades 1 – 5 [Our Kindergarten students will attend school with their parents/guardians by appointment time only.]
Wednesday, September 7, 2011: Full day of school for all students in Grades K – 5
Friday, September 9, 2011: Bell Top’s Ice Cream Social sponsored by our PTO from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. [Parents/Guardians must accompany their child to this event.]
Monday, September 12, 2011: String Parent Information Night at Bell Top @ 7:00 PM
Thursday, September 15, 2011: Bell Top Open House – Grades 3-5 (7:00 – 8:30 P.M.)
Thursday, September 22, 2011: Bell Top Open House – Grades K-2 (7:00 – 8:30 P.M.)

Due to student enrollment, Bell Top School was allocated an additional section over the summer. Bell Top’s Classrooms are as follows:

Mrs. Richardson and Mrs. Ferriero Kindergarten
Mrs. Adams Kindergarten
Mrs. Gigliello Kindergarten/Grade 1 Combination Class
Mrs. Lussier Grade 1
Ms. Lyte Grade 1
Mrs. Fox Grade 2
Mrs. Wilkes Grade 2
Mrs. Bennett and Mrs. Cornell Grade 2/Grade 3 Inclusion Class
Mrs. O’Connell Grade 3
Mrs. Warren Grade 3
Mr. Lussier and Mrs. Ferriero Grade 4
Mrs. Morgan Grade 4
Mrs. Gilligan and Mr. Rivera Grade 5
Mrs. Valenti and Mr. Rivera Grade 5

Bell Top’s A.M. Arrival and P.M. Departure Policy:

Parents dropping their child off to school must park their vehicle in the lower parking lot and then escort their child to the center doors.
Please do not drop children off on Reynolds Road and allow them to cross our bus entrance area.
Please do not park or pull-in in front of the building (front circle) between 8:40-9:10 A.M. and 3:10-3:40 P.M. as it interferes with our A.M. arrival and P.M. dismissal and it causes a severe safety hazard for students exiting and entering their buses.
If your child is being dropped off for school after 9:10 A.M., you must accompany your child/children to the main office so that they can be properly signed in.
Children should not be dropped off prior to 9:00 A.M. There are no available staff members to supervise children prior to the official start of the school day at 9:00 A.M. If you arrive at Bell Top before 9:00 A.M., you must remain with your child in the center foyer area until the morning bell rings.
If you need to pick-up your child prior to the PM bus dismissal, please make every attempt to do so between 3:10 and 3:20 P.M. due to hallway congestion, moderate parking availability, and the negative impact on your child’s academic time.
All notes, lunches, materials, etc. should have your child’s full name (first and last) included on them in order to avoid any confusion.
Bell Top’s school day begins at 9:10 A.M. and ends at 3:30 P.M. As the school year progresses the majority of our buses will depart from Bell Top at approximately 3:35 P.M. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at 207-2600.
At the end of the day, we have a Silent Dismissal so that all staff and students can hear the announcements. This is necessary due to the logistics of our “load and go” dismissal and our unique and confined space for all of our buses.
Students who attend Greenbush Child Care are dismissed from their classrooms at approximately 3:22 P.M.
Grade 4 Bus Buddies are dismissed to go assist their “Kindergarten Buddies” at approximately 3:25 P.M.
All other students are called for dismissal as their buses arrive here at Bell Top.
The majority of our buses will depart from Bell Top School at 3:35 P.M.

School Safety:

To ensure the safety of our students and staff here at Bell Top School all exterior doors will be locked at approximately 9:10 A.M. each day. At this time Bell Top goes to our single point of entry method for all visitors.
The single point of entry at Bell Top School will remain at the center entrance of our building. For all individuals that require handicap access to our building, the exterior doors located by our kitchen area will also be available.
Each time a guest arrives here at school during the instructional day they will be required to buzz the main office to gain access to the building.
All visitors will be instructed to report to the main office to sign-in properly.
Once a visitor is buzzed into the building, our main office staff will monitor the visitor’s entry into the school via one of the monitors in the main office.
When a visitor arrives in the main office they will be required to show a valid ID unless known by the office staff.
All visitors to Bell Top will be required to wear a tag that identifies them to all staff members as a visitor.
The Bell Top staff understands that all non-staff persons in the building must have this tag displayed.
All visitors are required to sign-out of the building in the main office as well. This procedure allows our staff to properly account for all individuals in the building in case of an emergency or drill situation.

If you have any questions concerning the opening of school, I encourage you to contact the main office (207-2600) between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM during the last two weeks of August.
Please take some time to relax and enjoy your families during the remaining days of summer. I am sure that this will be a fun and rewarding school year for all.

Best regards,

James McHugh

BELL TOP ES

PRINCIPAL'S CORNER

BELL TOP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

BELL TOP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

BELL TOP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

BELL TOP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL