Belmont Elementary School
6097 Belmont Ave NE
Belmont, MI 49306
616.863.6362
Belmont Rams...have GRIT!
On Friday, January 17 students traveled to five different stations around Belmont. Students reviewed positive behavior expectations around our school and learned more about what it means to have GRIT! Student leaders in fifth grade presented to the lower grade levels or traveled to the stations with their kindergarten buddies. It was a great day of reflecting on who we are (RAMS) and what we can be when we have GRIT! We are currently working on a schoolwide GRIT mural and are reminded that we can accomplish great things together! We will be sure to share a picture of this with you in our next newsletter!
Please let me know if you have any questions and have a great weekend!
Rachel DeKuiper, Principal
rmdekuiper@rockfordschools.org
616.863.6362
Upcoming Events:
January 24 - Belmont School Store
January 27 - Celebrating Michigan's Birthday
January 29 - Belmont Elementary School Skating Party!
January 30 - School Spelling Bee for 4th and 5th Grade Finalists NEW DATE!
February 3 - Managing Anxiety and Worry Presentation (virtual)
February 5 - Early Release Day
February 7 - Belmont School Culture Survey DUE!
February 12 - PTO Meeting
February 13 - Classroom Valentine's Day Parties
February 14 & 17 - NO SCHOOL - Midwinter Break
February 21 - Popcorn Day
February 24-28 - Scholastic Book Fair in the Library
February 25 - Parent Teacher Conferences (in person) - BC Pizza Fundraiser
February 26 - Early Release Day
February 27 - Parent Teacher Conferences (in person)
Student MORNING ARRIVAL UPDATE
Starting Monday, January 27, ALL students will be entering the school building through the main entrance. This includes walkers, bikers, parent drop-off students, and bus riders. All other doors into the building will be locked during morning arrival and throughout the school day. External doors should not be propped open at any time. Thank you for adjusting your morning routines and let us know if you have any questions.
School Culture Survey for Belmont Families
Please consider completing the School Culture Survey linked below by Friday, February 7. At Belmont, we are always looking for ways that we can improve and make Belmont the BEST place to learn and grow. Feedback from our families is crucial in making that vision a reality. Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete the survey and we look forward to sharing and responding to the results in a timely, meaningful, and positive way!
Belmont School Culture Survey for Families
Happy Birthday, Michigan - January 26!
Did you know that Michigan became the 26th state on January 26, 1837? We live in an awesome state with quite a history! Students will watch a little video about our state during lunch on Monday, January 27, and enjoy a cupcake in honor of our Great Lake State's birthday!
Belmont Elementary School Skating party - January 29
See you at the Roller Skating Rink!
Hoops for Haiti Shoot-a-thon update
Mr. Banta has extended the deadline to participate in the Hoops for Haiti shoot-a-thon during PE class at Belmont. The deadline is extended through next week! Thank you in advance for helping us raise funds to add classrooms to Harvest School in Southern Haiti. Two years ago, we helped open Harvest Preschool with our shoot-a-thon efforts. Our goal is to grow Harvest with its students by adding a grade-level/classroom a year! To learn more about this, visit this Hoops for Haiti link! Thank you!
Belmont Outdoor Learning Schedule:
Monday, January 27
- 9:00-10:00 Noakes
- 10:00-11:00 Bair
- 11:00-12:00 Walla
- 1:00-2:00 Bisher
- 2:00- 3:00 Guy
Tuesday, January 28
- 9:00-10:00 Bates
- 10:00-11:00 Lobdell
- 11:00-12:00 Humphreys
Friday, January 31
- 10:00-11:00 Miller
- 11:00-12:00 Linsley
- 1:00-2:00 Murdock
- 2:00- 3:00 Stevenson
Belmont Outdoor Learning NEXT WEEK!
Next week we will be joining Mrs. Dzirbowicz outdoors for a lesson about animals in the winter. The temperatures will be low, so let’s talk about one of the golden rules for enjoying our outdoor lesson adventures: wearing the right clothing for the cold!
Why is it so important?
When we’re warm and dry, we can focus on exploring, playing, and learning in nature.
Here’s a quick checklist to keep everyone safe and warm:
Base Layers: Thin, thermal tops and leggings are a game-changer! They trap heat without being bulky.
Mid Layers: long sleeve t-shirts, joggers, Fleece or woolly sweaters for extra coziness.
Outer Layers: Waterproof coats and pants to keep the wind and snow out.
Accessories: Hats, waterproof gloves, and thick socks are a must.
Footwear: Sturdy waterproof boots with good grip keep little explorers steady and dry.
Top Tip: Dress in layers—it’s easier to peel one off if we get too warm!
Nature is even more magical when we’re ready to embrace it!
Belmont School Post Office is Back!
We are excited to once again have the Belmont School Post Office open during the month of February! Students, staff, and families can send each other letters and/or drawings through the Belmont School Mail. We will have a basket in the vestibule for families to drop off their mail for students and staff. Mail will be sorted and distributed twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please click on the link below to access a directory for sending letters and guidance on how to address an envelope. We are excited about this fun writing opportunity and look forward to the smiles it will bring to the faces of our school community! Thank you!
Belmont Elementary "Post Office" Directory
How to Address an Envelope for our School Post Office
SOCIAL AWARENESS: Empathy
Empathy is a focus in our current TRAILS unit and encourages students to think about different perspectives, and what it might be like to walk in another person's shoes. Miss Joseph was able to share the book, "A Little Spot of Empathy," with some of our grade levels as well. Diane Alber is the author of a book series titled "The Little Spot" and offers another way to connect with the whole child.
lunchroom Rams
In addition to our Recess Ram program, we are also looking for volunteers to help in the lunchroom. With the weather getting colder, we are hoping to have extra hands in the lunchroom AND in the hallways after lunch with students getting their winter gear on. Thank you in advance for considering! We appreciate our Belmont families more than you know!
Recess Rams
Our students love it when Recess Rams are on the playground! So if you want to build a snowman or just play with some awesome kids, sign up to be Recess Ram!
Volunteers should always check in at the main office and grab a Recess Ram vest before heading to the playground. To sign up for Recess Rams, please click on the link below. THANK YOU for sharing part of your day with us...our students love seeing you at recess!
Conferences - Feb 25 and Feb 27
In-person conferences will be offered both nights in February. If you need to schedule a phone or video conference, please email your child's teacher to set this up.
As parents of elementary school children, you play a crucial role in your child's education. Your involvement and collaboration with your child's teachers can make a significant difference in their academic and personal growth.
Please click the link below to schedule a conference with your child's teacher(s). Thank you and we look forward to sharing your child's progress and goals with you.
https://www.schoolbookings.net/code/wvvyk
Student Absences
Absences MUST be called into the office 616.863.6362. If you need to email an absence, please email both Holly and Katie at hcombs@rockfordschools.org and ktrolla@rockfordschools.org.
Please leave a message on our general voicemail box if you are calling after hours. Whether you are reporting an absence on our voicemail or speaking with Karen or Jamie we need to know the following things:
- Student's name and teacher
- Reason for absence - if it is an illness we need to know the symptoms of the illness - vomiting, coughing, fever, cold, diarrhea, lice - whatever the reason may be
Weather Alert
For up-to-date information regarding Rockford Public Schools delays and/or closings, events, and safety alerts, send a text message of “Y” or “Yes” to our district’s short code number: 67587.
Opt out any time by simply replying to one of our messages with “Stop”.
Be sure to tune in on icy or snowy mornings!
Belmont...It's cold outside!
Please make sure your child is ready for outdoor recess every day. Here's a quick checklist of recommended gear:
- Snow Pants (highly recommended...NO BARE LEGS WHEN IT'S BELOW FREEZING!)
- Boots (must have to play on the wet, cold, and snowy field)
- Shoes (for after recess/indoor wear)
- Winter Coat (must have...NO BARE ARMS WHEN IT'S BELOW FREEZING!)
- Hat (recommended, but hoods are good too!)
- Mittens/Gloves (must have...thank goodness for pockets when we lose one!)
Students will go outside for recess as long as the temperature (including wind chill) is above zero. When they do go outside, they need to be dressed appropriately. If you need winter weather gear for your child, please let us know. We have resources that we are happy to utilize to keep our students safe and warm. Please reach out to Holly and Katie in the front office at 616.863.6362 if you need anything. They will be discrete and also make sure your child has what they need this winter.
Drop-Off and Pick-Up Reminders
When dropping students off in the morning, please remember the following:
- Doors (main entrance only) open to Belmont students at 8:25. Students dropped off by families in the morning will now enter through the main entrance.
- Vehicles should form a single line along the sidewalk and pull ahead as far as they can (until the sidewalk ends).
- Drivers in this line must stay in their vehicle and continue to pull forward when space allows.
- Students may not exit the vehicle until the vehicle is completely off the main road and at a complete stop.
- Students must walk on the sidewalk to the main entrance.
- Please keep your goodbye routine short and sweet.
- If you have to pull off and wait on the main road, please consider putting your hazard lights on.
- If the driver is exiting the vehicle, they must park in a parking space and walk their child to the sidewalk.
- Another option for morning arrival is to use the lot next to Book Comp across the street and let our crossing guard safely guide students to school at 8:25.
When picking your students up at the end of the day:
- Please form two lanes and pull ahead as far as you can (until the sidewalk ends).
- Please have your child's last name displayed in the window.
- If you need a new yellow sign for your vehicle, please let us know ASAP. These signs help us stay efficient and safe when getting students to the correct vehicle.
- Please avoid large gaps between vehicles. Pull ahead whenever space allows.
- If you choose to exit your vehicle, please park in a parking spot. You should not be exiting your vehicle if you are waiting in one of the two lanes.
- Some families have chosen to pick up their upper elementary students from the Book Comp lot across the road. This is another option and we have a wonderful crossing guard that will help students safely cross the street to you.
GRASP IS BACK!
GRASP is a correspondence program for students in Kindergarten through 8th grades which helps students maintain reading and math skills while they are on summer break. Enrolled students will receive a packet of materials with a booklet containing nine lessons. It should take your student approximately one hour to complete each weekly lesson. They can complete one lesson a week or work at their own pace, as long as all lessons are submitted before August 8th. The students can mail the lessons to GRASP for scoring and the results will be returned to them, via the email provided. Or, new this year, lessons can be scored with a parent/guardian cell phone instead of mailing them in! Details regarding this process will be sent in May to the email provided on the order. There is also an online version of GRASP for students in 4th through 8th grade and these students will also receive results via the email provided.
Students who complete and submit at least seven lessons with 70% accuracy are awarded a certificate. Those who complete and submit all nine lessons with 70% accuracy will receive a medal! Certificates and medals will be distributed by your student’s school at the beginning of the next school year.
Please order your student’s CURRENT grade level. If there are extenuating circumstances, order the level that is appropriate for your student. The fees for the summer of 2025 are $26 for one subject or $48 for both subjects for each student. You can enroll your student for the book version (grades K-8) or the optional online version (grades 4-8) by completing the registration and payment online.
Enrollment opens 2/13/25
Enrollment for the 2025/2026 school year opens February 13th. Children who turn five years old on or before December 1, 2025 are eligible to enroll for the 2025/2026 school year.
