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Bell Parent Teacher Organization - Marblehead, MA

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Volunteers! We need you at the Magic Hat!

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By September 30, we will need to have clocked up a minimum of 180 hours of volunteering hours at the Magic Hat to qualify for our funding check – which we will receive in October. This money pays for our extensive Cultural Enrichment Program – which includes the visits, workshops and presentations your kids enjoy throughout the year from various individuals and organisations – plus, the lessons and activities they enjoy in the Organic Garden. Without the funding, these programs simply wouldn’t happen. 

We are still just short of our target and we NEED VOLUNTEERS to help us make up some crucial hours!

If you’ve volunteered before and know what it’s all about, PLEASE drop in anytime Tuesday thru Friday, 10-2 and donate an hour or two. Even better, take a friend to help and double your contribution!

Not done it before but interested? Check out our little intro videos on Facebook for a taste of what to expect. It’s fun, easy and worthwhile and the team members at the Magic Hat will welcome you and give you all the guidance you need.

Latest news and updates from the PTO

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Hello! Welcome to our first newsletter of the new school year. We look forward to meeting many of you this evening at the Open House event. Members of the PTO will be on-hand to answer any questions you may have – as well as take donations.

IMPORTANT DATES: Stay in the loop, check out the calendar on our PTO website and events page on Facebook!

  • Thursday September 14, 10.00am – New Volunteer Orientation at the Magic Hat. Interested in volunteering but not sure what it’s all about? Join us for a tour of the shop and a run through of typical volunteer duties at this informal orientation.
  • Friday September 15, 8.30am – New Parent Coffee, Lower Bell Gym. Hosted by Donna Zaeske. Informal Q&A and opportunity to meet new families. Existing parents welcome – as are younger siblings.
  • Monday September 18, 7pm – Listening Tour Event, Marblehead High School. Your chance to find out more about the Coffin Gerry Bell School Feasibility Study and plans to improve elementary education facilities town-wide.
  • Wednesday September 27 – Harvest of the Month. Fresh tomato salsa and corn chips! Volunteers needed to help prepare and serve tastings, approximately 8.30-9.30. Contact Sarah Fox.
  • Friday September 29, 8.30am – PTO General Meeting, Upper Bell Library. Come and meet the PTO team, find out what’s planned for the year ahead and get involved! All welcome – including younger siblings.
  • Friday October 20, 8.30am – Q&A with Superintendent MaryAnn Perry, Upper Bell Library.

BELL FAMILY DIRECTORY:

Thank you to everyone who has submitted their contact information either online or via the paper form for our family contact directory. If you’ve not had a chance to check or add your information yet, please do so before Friday September 15. This will ensure it is as complete and useful as possible for everyone. If you submitted your information via paper form, the PTO is currently entering the data on your behalf. You should receive an email within the next week with log on information. If you have any queries, please reach out to us at malcolmbellpto@gmail.com. For more detail, please visit: https://www.bellpto.org/geese/school-directory/

FUNDRAISING: 

ANNUAL DONATIONS: Thank you to all the families who have donated to the PTO online or by check as part of the directory sign up process. Your generosity is hugely appreciated and will fund the many programs and projects we have planned for the year ahead – all of which are designed to enrich and complement your child’s education and experience at school. For example, our Cultural Enrichment program includes visits, presentations and workshops from outside individuals and organizations. It also covers the lessons and activities based in the Organic Garden. Other projects include improving the access to technology – including iPads and learning applications like Raz Kids, new playground equipment as well as the many the different events your kids enjoy inside and outside school. You’ll be able to make a cash or check donation this evening at Open House, or can donate via PayPal on our website.

VOLUNTEERING AT THE MAGIC HAT: A huge portion of our annual budget comes from the Magic Hat! Last year Bell School received over $20,000 in funding. As a school, we need to clock up a minimum of 180 volunteering hours two times a year. Our current 180 hours target ends on September 30. We are approximately 30 hours away from meeting it! Please get down to the Hat and volunteer! If you’re new or not volunteered before, it’s really easy and fun. Pop along to the Orientation Session on Thursday at 10.00am to find out more. Or just pop in when you can and the team will help you get started. For more information, visit our website.

NEW SCHOOL SPIRIT WEAR: Another fun way to support Bell School is to purchase items from our range of school Spirit Wear. Our new range will be launched next week. Watch this space for more information!

ORGANIC GARDEN:

HARVEST OF THE MONTH: The first tasting for the year will be on Wednesday, September 27. Students will try Fresh Tomato Salsa with Corn Chips. Please send in your child’s permission slip or contact the school nurse if you have any concerns. Volunteers are welcome to come and help with serving the tastings (about an hour commitment). Contact Sarah Fox for more information. For more information on the Mass Farm to Schools Harvest of the Month program please visit http://www.massfarmtoschool.org/

Thanks for your attention! Have a great week.

Sincerely, Bell PTO

 

Welcome back! Important start of year reminders

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Welcome back everyone! We hope you’ve had a wonderful summer vacation and you’re looking forward to getting back into the school routine. We know it’s a crazy time getting organised for these first few days, but we wanted to take this opportunity to remind you of a few important points which need your attention.

First, is to ensure you are part of our Bell School family directory. It’s online (with print options) and hosted on myschoolanywhere.com. It takes just a couple of minutes whether you’re new to Bell or an existing family. It’s free to join and makes getting in contact with fellow class and school mates, plus teachers so much easier! Existing families can check their details via this link: https://www.myschoolanywhere.com/new-family.a5w?fam=MalcolmBellSchool70720 

New families should go to: join.myschoolanywhere.com and enter the code GOLDIE2016.

Next is to let you know about our annual donations drive. All of the programs, projects, assistance and events led by the PTO are only possible because of the generous financial support we receive from Bell School families. Donations made at the start of the year help us hit the ground running. If you’re able to help, you can donate simply, securely and easily online via our family directory or by clicking here. Alternatively, checks made out to Bell School PTO, can be sent into school. Donations are also tax deductible. Thank you for your support!

Finally, there are many ways to keep in touch and up to date with what’s happening. We hold our general meetings every 6-8 weeks. Our first meeting will be at 8.30am on September 29th in the Library at Upper Bell. Everyone, including young children, are welcome. Meetings are scheduled to last one hour maximum. We’ll publish the dates, times and venue details of future meetings on this website. We email out a (usually) weekly newsletter to everyone registered on our family directory, which gives a heads up on upcoming events, important dates and provides information on what your kids have been up to at school. This website is also the perfect ‘go to’ for the latest news and information. We update it as regularly as needed. We also post brief news updates on our Facebook page. Like and follow us at: www.facebook.com/MalcolmLBellElementarySchool

We look forward to working with you all this coming year. If you have any queries, you can contact any of us via the general PTO email address at malcolmbellpto@gmail.com 

With thanks, Becky Seidel, Lindsay Northrop, Sarah Fox, Dina Moniz, Debra Herman and Claire Henry

PTO Blast, June 6: News and event updates

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Hello! Less than three weeks of school to go now and still lots going on at Bell. Here is your quick round up of news and updates. You can also keep up to date by regularly checking our website, especially our calendar and by following our Facebook page.

EVENTS:

Please join us at the last PTO GENERAL MEETING of the current school year this Friday, June 9, at 8.30am in the library at Upper Bell. We’ll be voting in new board members and agreeing proposed end of year investments as well as providing updates from Principal Zaeske and on end of year events and the Organic Garden. We hope you can make it. Everyone is welcome including younger children.

FINE ARTS NIGHT is next Thursday, June 15 from 6pm. Flyers with more information about the running order for the evening will be coming home from school this week. This year, the PTO will be running a NEW POTTERY RAFFLE (as opposed to the silent auction of previous years). Almost 20 pieces have been decorated by our wonderful Bell School staff and will be on display in reception that evening. We’ll be selling raffle tickets by the main entrance for $2/each or $10/6 tickets – so please remember to bring some CASH if you’d like to participate! You simply need to write your name and number on your tickets and then place them into the container(s) corresponding to the pottery piece or piece(s) you hope to win. Good luck!

PARENT VOLUNTEERS! Ms. Simone and Mrs Nohelty are looking for some helpers to keep things organized behind the scenes that night too. It’s a brief (about 30 minutes), fun experience and you get front row seats at the performance! You will also have plenty of time to view the art exhibits, see your child perform, visit the pottery raffle and explore the Bell Organic Garden. If you’re able to help, please check out the sign up genius: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0c4daca923ab9-fine1

FIELD DAY will take place next Friday, June 16. The schedule and more information is on our website. Thank you to everyone who has signed up to help that day – we still need a few more volunteers for the 3rd grade session 1.20-2.20pm ideally. If you’re available and keen to help, please sign up! http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0f44acac2ba4fe3-field

This year’s 3rd GRADE CELEBRATION will take place on June 22. A flyer with more information will be coming home later this week.

FUNDRAISING: 

Bell School’s next designated week at the MAGIC HAT runs June 13-17 – sign up is now open. Please do continue to drop in whenever you can – you do not have to wait for our designated week to volunteer. With the summer vacation looming – it’s critical we build up as many hours as we can before school ends, as the Magic Hat is our main source of income for the year! The ‘Hat’ is also running a monthly volunteer raffle to thank regular volunteers.

IMPORTANT DATES:  

June 13 – 17 – Next Magic Hat Week! Sign up open!

June 15 – Fine Arts Night, Bell School

June 16 – Field Day, Bell School. Sign up open! 

June 22 – 3rd Grade celebration, Bell School

June 23 – Last day of school – NOON dismissal

CULTURAL ENRICHMENT: 

On June 14, all grades will be treated to a visit by the Tanglewood Marionettes, courtesy of the Cultural Enrichment Committee.  This has always been a favorite for our students (and teachers!) in the past, so we are happy that we were able to find a time for them to come before school ends for the summer!

OTHER NEWS: 

THANK YOU to all the parents who helped make last week’s Staff Appreciation Lunch a great success! Whether you donated your time, a dish, drinks or equipment, your contribution was extremely appreciated by the PTO and Bell School staff.

SAVING SEA TURTLES: June 8 is World Oceans Day and MHTV is recognizing this with special programming including a beautiful, award winning film entitled “Saving Sea Turtles: Preventing Extinction”. This film features the amazing turtle rescue efforts of the New England Aquarium and the Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. MHTV, Thursday June 8, 7:30pm. (Comcast/Channel 8; Verizon/Channel 28). See more at www.savingseaturtlesmovie.com.

Thanks and have a great week!

Bell PTO

Latest news from the PTO, May 23

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Hello! Another week, another call for parent helpers please! We still need people for the Staff Appreciation Lunch. We’re also now appealing for volunteers to help at this year’s Field Day and at the Magic Hat. We really do appreciate all your support – we can’t do this without you! Thank you. We’ve also got an update following last week’s Fun Run including a link to some great photos, plus a reminder that any orders for new school Spirit Wear are due by Friday! Check out the range at www.bellpto.org/store.

Keep up to date by regularly checking our website, especially our calendar and by following our Facebook page.

IMPORTANT DATES:  

May 25 – Conversation with the Superintendent, MaryAnn Perry, Village School, 8.30am – all welcome

May 26 – New Spirit Wear order deadline

May 29 – No school (Memorial Day)

May 31 – Get your Fun Run sponsorship money in by today! 

June 1 – Staff Appreciation Luncheon, Bell School. Sign up open! 

June 9 – PTO General Meeting, 8.30am, Bell School – all welcome

June 13 – 17 – Next Magic Hat Week! Sign up open!

June 15 – Fine Arts Night, Bell School

June 16 – Field Day, Bell School. Sign up open! 

June 22 – 3rd Grade celebration, Bell School

June 23 – Last day of school – NOON dismissal

NEWS & EVENTS: 

STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCH: This year’s luncheon will take place on Thursday, June 1. We’re still looking for people to sign up and help – either by being there in person to help set up, serve and clean up and/or by supplying food, drink, coolers and other equipment: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0c4daca923ab9-thanks

PTO MEETING: Please mark Friday June 9 in your diaries for the last PTO General Meeting of this school year.  If you’re interested in getting more involved with PTO stuff, please do let us know. We’re looking for more active volunteers! Email us: malcolmbellpto@gmail.com 

FINE ARTS NIGHT: Please mark your diaries for this year’s Fine Arts Night, which will be held on Thursday June 15. More information about the schedule for the night and the pottery raffle coming soon!

FIELD DAY 2017: Field Day will be on Friday June 16 this year (rain date Monday June 19). We’re currently pulling plans together and need to recruit an army of parent helpers – sign up is now open! Thank you too to Libby Bowen and Christina Mangual who have donated their unwanted plasmacars for us to use. If you have a spare plasmacar you’re looking to donate, we’ll gladly put it to good use! Please contact us at malcolmbellpto@gmail.com and we’ll arrange to collect. Thank you!

CULTURAL ENRICHMENT: 

NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM VISIT: Today kindergarden students were treated to a visit by the New England Aquarium to experience their “Tide Pools Alive” program. The kids studied tide pool animals and learned about their body parts and how they behave. They were also able to dress up in a sea star costume as well as touch the live animals including sea stars, snails, mussels, clams and hermit crabs. Photos from today’s visit can be seen on our PTO website.

2ND GRADE STORYTELLING VISIT: Jim Bruchac, a Native American storyteller and youngest member of The Adirondack Liars’ Club, will be visiting Bell School’s 2nd grade students tomorrow, Wednesday May 24. Jim will share stories from his books and tell the kids about growing up hearing native legends told by his father Joseph and exploring the wilderness – both of which have greatly influenced his storytelling and writing. Students will also get a chance to work on their own animal tale.

FUNDRAISING

FUN RUN 2017: We hope your kids loved this year’s Fun Run. A huge thank you to everyone who helped before, during and after the run. It was greatly appreciated! A big, big thank you too to Vicki Hendrix Photography who took some amazing photos. Check out the album here: 2017-05-18 Bell School Fun Run. On the site you can view and download images (just left click on the image) and order prints if you wish.

So far, we’ve raised an amazing $9,500 and sponsorships are still coming in! Thank you to all the family, friends and neighbors who supported this awesome event. We’ll be accepting donations through to May 31 when we’ll also be picking out the prize winners! Prizes will be awarded for: the donation from the farthest point from Marblehead; the most number of donations; the most creative way of raising sponsorship and the most money raised by grade. There’s also a grand prize of 4 TICKETS TO A RED SOX GAME for the person who raised the most money overall! Sponsorship money can be handed in to Gayle at the front desk (in an envelope marked for the PTO) or paid directly online via www.bellpto.org/sponsor.

SCHOOL SPIRIT WEAR: Check out the lovely new items in the Bell School Spirit Wear collection. We’ve just extended our order deadline to Friday May 26. www.bellpto.org/store 

MAGIC HAT: Bell School’s next designated week runs June 13-17 – sign up is now open. Please do continue to drop in whenever you can – you do not have to wait for our designated week to volunteer. With the summer vacation looming – it’s critical we build up as many hours as we can before school ends! The ‘Hat’ is also running a monthly volunteer raffle to thank regular volunteers.

Have a great week!

Bell PTO

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