Belwood Elementary School

Please read this important information about how families can help build better readers - English and Spanish version.

Mrs. Holt came and read a story to Mrs. Hales class about nutrition on Monday. Reading aloud is one of the most important things parents and teachers can do with children. Reading aloud builds many important foundational skills, introduces vocabulary, provides a model of fluent, expressive reading, and helps children recognize what reading for pleasure is all about. At home, spending time together while reading aloud helps to create strong parent-child bonds and promotes healthy brain development. Children that are read to more often have improved language and listening skills, experience stronger emotional connections to their loved ones, and gain a lifelong love of reading. #readathome

Historically, September is attendance awareness month. To celebrate attendance, we will once again have a friendly competition among our schools! The school with the best overall percentage monthly attendance will be rewarded with ice cream for ALL students. A final attendance report will be run midday on September 29th, and an announcement will be made shortly thereafter.

August Character students were recognized Aug. 31st with a special breakfast provided by our local Chick-fil-a restaurant. CFA Calhoun also provides the curriculum Core Essentials, which we use to promote core values in our students. Core values are personal ethics or ideals that guide us when making decisions, building relationships and solving problems. Identifying the values that are meaningful can help us develop and achieve personal, educational, and professional goals. August core value was creativity. Creativity is using our imagination to do something new. Students recognized in August for being creative are: Wade Townsend Mariana Leon Ryker Dean Hudson Hayes Jaylen Segura Colton Bennett Isaiah Hernandez Cruz Lilah Timms Coraline Stanfield Nora Osborne Katica Morales Escogido Mavis Owen Jade Reyes Nataleigh Chenault Dawson Bohannon Aubree Bailey Genesis Baeza Almazan Brantley Romines Zeilyn Johnson Estevan Rivera Charlie Parker Victoria Hughes Sawyer Pass Santiago Rodriguez Shelania Hall Leighton Bowling Makenna Motes CONGRATULATIONS!

Belwood PTO is so excited to be partnering again this school year with Sonic to raise money for PTO!! Give your kitchen a break on September 5th from 4 -8. 10% of all sales go to Belwood PTO. When ordering let them know you are from Belwood and your students teachers name. The classroom with the MOST check-ins WINS a Milkshake or slushy party for the whole class!!

No school Monday, September 4th. Enjoy your Labor Day holiday!

Detective Fox from the Gordon County Sheriff's Office was able to demonstrate proper flag etiquette today for 5th grade students who are part of Belwood's Leadership Team. Students are recommended by their 4th grade teachers because they are reliable, dependable, and responsible students. Over the course of the past few years, the teachers and staff at BES have watched these students mature and grow into positive role models for their peers. Not only are these students excellent academically, they make good behavior choices, and demonstrate that they are willing to care and serve their school community. The American flag has a long history and is our nation's most iconic symbol of freedom. It is a huge honor and responsibility for these students to raise and lower the flag each day at Belwood. Thank you Detective Fox for modeling leadership, respect and honor today!

Third graders in Ms. Kelley's class had a book tasting on Friday of the first novel they will read and study together. Students previewed the book, made predictions, and enjoyed a treat! Starbucks donated cups 😀

Mrs. Hales class enjoyed learning about guinea pigs from Mr. Gilreath. He brought Sugar, Zuri, Isabella and Emma and taught us about their habits, safety, and nutrition. We love guinea pigs! Thank you Mr. Gilreath for sharing your pets with us:)

Circus McGurkus Mondays highlighted a game taught by Coach Mac last week in PE. The game was entitled, Lava Boats! It required critical thinking skills and team work to achieve the most points in each game!

A little rain doesn't stop Ms. Walraven's 2nd graders from having fun! YAY for indoor recess!

Circus McGurkus Mondays kicked off last Monday during Specials! Each week classes will meet whole group in the gym to review skills learned in Music, STEAM, PE, and the Library. Students will compete in various ways to display their understanding of each specials lesson from the previous week! Points are given and will culminate with a SURPRISE CELEBRATION with the winning class!

Please join us for an important presentation Tuesday, August 29th from 6 pm - 8 pm. ALL parents and guardians are encouraged to attend Keeping Kids Safe in a Digital World Parent Workshop at Rockbridge Community Church on Curtis Parkway! No Cost to attend!

Hi Belwood Families, This year our theme is "No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else" by P.T. Barnum. We are focusing on each other's wonderful qualities that make them part of the Belwood Family and the qualities that go into that. We had the opportunity to kick off our celebration of our theme as well as our Belwood's Bright Behavior with a performance from Air Elite. Air Elite promotes the principles of good behavior and good choices that reflect the same messages we stand on. They emphasized attitude is everything and treat others the way you want to be treated. The kids had a blast and Air Elite provided a phenomenal program and a good time. A big thank you to Air Elite for providing a program that reflects the school wide expectations we discuss each morning in their own unique way: We are kind and respectful. We listen and follow directions. We are prepared for class and ready to learn. We will do our very best at all times. We take pride in ourselves, our work, and our school. We strive to be leaders. We have good manners and character. We will be exceptional students. Mrs. Holt

Belwood teachers are happy to welcome students back to school!

Get ready to embark on an incredible learning adventure because TOMORROW is the first day of school! We're so excited to welcome back our amazing students and greet new faces with open arms. Teachers and staff are all set to make tomorrow a day to remember. Let's make it count! Also, when you post those first day of school photos make sure you tag us! Use the hashtag #GoCoFirstDay or email them to kpannell@gcbe.org. We will be featuring back to school photos on our social media channels and the September issue of the Gordon County Schools Connection newsletter. Parents and families - thank you for entrusting us with your children's education. We promise to make this school year unforgettable! #GoCoSchools #OneBIGFamily

Mrs. Holt and Mr. Fox are thrilled to get the new school year started at Belwood where "No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else" PT Barnum

🚍 It's back-to-school season, and that means it's time to brush up on school bus safety! Let's ensure our kids have a safe and enjoyable journey to school every day. 🎒📚 SCHOOL BUS SAFETY TIPS - AT THE BUS STOP: •Arrive at the bus stop five minutes before the bus is scheduled to come. •Wait at the bus stop in a safe place, 12 feet away from the road. •Wait in an orderly group: Form an orderly line as the bus approaches, with the first student in line standing 12 feet away from traffic. •If you miss the bus, return home and get help or phone a parent/guardian for assistance •NEVER chase after the bus. •NEVER wear headphones/ear buds or hoodies while loading or unloading the bus: the driver needs to be able to make eye contact and communicate. •NEVER walk or drive to another bus stop:your bus driver will not be expecting you. #SchoolBusSafety #GoCoSchools #OneBIGFamily

📢 Attention parents and families! Don't miss out on the opportunity to apply for free and reduced meal benefits for your child. It's a simple process that can provide significant support. Visit our website by visiting www.gcbe.org/mealapplications for more information. #MoreThanJustAMeal #GoCoSchools #GCSN

Gordon County Schools (GCS) is pleased to announce the 2023-24 School Teachers of the Year Winners. In the spring semester each school year, each GCS school is asked to select its own Teacher of the Year using nominations received from fellow staff members and community stakeholders. All school-level winners then become eligible to compete for the honor of being named the Gordon County Schools System Teacher of the Year. The annual system-wide competition is judged by a panel of community partners, retired educators, and system leadership based on applications submitted by school-level winners and classroom observations. Three system finalists will be announced the week of March 27th and the 2023-24 Gordon County Schools System Teacher of the Year will be announced at the annual banquet tentatively scheduled for May 2nd. The winner of the system-wide honor will represent Gordon County Schools on the state level for the Georgia Teacher of the Year competition. Gordon County Schools 2022-23 School-Level Teachers of the Year: Ashworth Middle: Judson Peacock Belwood Elementary: Brenda Gilmor Fairmount Elementary: Christy Smith Gordon Central High: Neal Crawford Red Bud Elementary: Brooke Cigainero Red Bud Middle: Jacqueline Cascio Sonoraville Elementary: Heidi Murphy Sonoraville High: Carmelita Everett Tolbert Elementary: Cathy Musacchio W.L. Swain Elementary: India Bennett Learn more about the 2023-24 School-Level Teachers of the Year by visiting www.gcbe.org/2023-24teacheroftheyear #GoCoSchools #GETGCS #OneBIGFamily