A Letter from the PTSA Co-Presidents

Welcome back, Bell Bulldogs! 

We don't know about you, but it has been a busy summer!  Swimming, camping, soccer, drama, parks, playdates, work, vacations and of course, the recent solar eclipse have all made this summer one to remember.  It also may have left you depleted of energy and ready to get your children back to school!  Or perhaps you have a new kindergartner and are feeling extra excitement about the first day!  Good news - school is back in session for grades 1-5 on Tuesday, September 5th, and the first day of school for Kindergarten students will be Monday, September 11th.  We want to help you kick off your child's school year smoothly, so go ahead and mark your calendars now with the following September events:

Today:

Join the PTSA!  Do it now, before the school year starts and life gets even more busy!  Our mission is to create and foster opportunities that enrich and support our children, teachers and community.  If you want to support your students and Bell community - join today!  Individual membership is $12 and family membership is $20.  There is no requirement to volunteer (although we always welcome the extra help)!  Membership fees go to support the programs and activities we host here at Bell, like field trips, a robust art program, and fun activities and events like the Harvest Party, Reading Night, Walk to School Week, and so much more.  Sign up to show your support today!

Thursday, 8/31:

Kindergarten Playdate: 1-2P, Bell Playground

Kindergarten Orientation: 2-3P, Bell

Special Education Info Meeting: 2:30-3P, Bell

Meet and Greet (Grades 1-5): 3-4P, Bell

Tuesday, 9/5:

First Day of School for grades 1-5

Thursday, 9/7:

First PTSA General Membership Meeting: 6:30-8P, Bell Library - All are welcome!

Monday, 9/11:

First day of school for Kindergarten students

New Family Welcome Brunch: 9A, Bell Commons

Thursday, 9/14:

Back to School Picnic: 6-7:30P, Bell

Tuesday, 9/26:

School Pictures (Fall)

Wednesday, 9/27:

Math Club Assessment (advance sign up required)

Thursday, 9/28:

Curriculum Night: 6-7:30P (Grades K-2), 7-8:30P (Grades 3-5) (Parents only, please)

We look forward to meeting you at these events!  Please introduce yourself or feel free to reach out to us with any questions, comments, or just to say hello!  Here's to a great school year for you and your family!

Best,

Allison Dunmire & Diane Devlyne-Thompson

Co-Presidents, Bell PTSA

president@agbellptsa.org

Communications 411 at Bell

New to the school and wondering how to get information about what events and programs are coming up?  This information is for you! 

Bell PTSA knows you are a busy parent, so we attempt to make our communications efforts as diverse as possible to cover all of the bases.  We have a weekly email newsletter that is sent out each Friday to all parents & guardians (the Bulldog Blast), a very active Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/agbellptsa/), our website (https://www.agbellptsa.org), and a monthly paper calendar that will be sent home in your child's folder (Kidmail).  Occasionally an all-school email will be sent out from the school office with more information about events or programs.  Please like us on Facebook for the most up-to-date information.  We love to hear from you!  If you have a question or concern, we are happy to help.  Reach out to us at feedback@agbellptsa.org.

Math Team – *NEW AT BELL*

Sign up for the FREE one-hour placement test on September 27th at 2pm at the Art Room at http://www.ellipsisacademy.com/ag-bell- elementary.html and join students who enjoy math for enrichment, fun, and challenges! Open to students from 3rd to 5th grades that are eligible for the 4th grade and 5th grade math teams! It's going to be fun! It's going to be exciting! We will have our final field trips together as a team for our competitions in the spring, and it will be an amazing experience! Come one, come all! Check out the flyer that came home in your child’s back to school packet for more info. Calling all mathletes and let's have a grand time! (Teams closed for the year after placement and max out at 14 per 4th and 5th grade levels)
http://www.ellipsisacademy.com/ag-bell-elementary.html
If you have any questions contact Helen Ramsby at helenramsby@gmail.com

Online Directory

This year the Bell PTSA is providing a free online directory to help families find each other and connect.  You will have the ability to decide what, if any of your information is visible, and update or correct it at any time.  The directory will be available on the PTSA website, and you will update and publish your information using your website account.  

Directory Setup Instructions

Collect Box Tops to support Bell!

Do you collect Box Tops For Education? We earn 10 cents for our kids with each Box Top that we turn in - last year we earned $1000! Send in any Box Tops with your children, and join us for the next Box Tops Clippings and Coffee in the Bell Commons or Art Room (check the weekly Bulldog Blast for the next date and time).  We will have conversation and clip and sort the Box Tops and Labels that have been received this school year. If you are new to our school, this is a great way to meet others. If you have any questions, please contact Diane Devlyne-Thompson at fundraising@agbellptsa.org.

Volunteer Time Match! 

Many of us work for companies (Microsoft, Boeing, Google among many) that will pay an organization such as Bell PTSA when the employee volunteers. If you have volunteered this school year at Bell please consider entering your time volunteered and direct it to AG Bell PTSA.  If you have any questions, please contact Diane Devlyne-Thompson.

THANK YOU to ALL our PTSA Members who helped us on achieving the Gold level with Washington State PTA!  With your participation we have grown our PTSA by 10% over last year. Thank you for all your hard work and enthusiasm to give a louder voice to children in Washington State.