Bellevue Community Schools

Things are starting to look very festive in the Elementary Meal serving area. What a great atmosphere for the kids to enjoy.

New lunch room tables at the elementary. I think they look great and there is more room.

Earlier this month Bellevue Community Schools Jr/Sr High received the Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) designation due to a graduation rate until 67%. Since that time we have met with Calhoun ISD leadership to brainstorm ideas on how to partner together. The State of Michigan has been in contact with the District as well. To support our District a liaison will be assigned to us by the State. This liaison will meet with district leadership and ISD representatives quarterly. There will also be at least two site visits by the State each year to check on our progress. Bellevue will also be eligible for additional grants. While these supports are important, the greatest support Bellevue Community Schools can have is your partnership. That is why we will be starting Bronco Community Meetings no later than February 2023. These meetings will be opportunity to have a conversation with the Superintendent and ask questions. Please fill out the attached survey so that we can schedule meetings that best fit around your schedule. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScN-KMR6xG_lcwIX3k3xOhZxOKIvaqDLkut0zin999vNs5apw/viewform Go Broncos! Dr. McGarry mcgarrym@bellevue-schools.com

Today at the Jr/Sr high they are preparing their World famous BRONCO burgers. They are delicious and the kids love them. Its a great day to be a Bronco.

Congratulations to our Bronco of the Month winners: Julie Brophy Sarah Hill Both will be recognized at the next Board of Education meeting on December 19. Attached are all the Broncos recognized in November. Thank you Bellevue community for recognizing the hard work of those at Bellevue Community Schools. Thank you Broncos for all you do for students, and making Bellevue the best place to work!

Jeff Veley Presentation will be Friday December 9th at the times previously mentioned

The Jr/ Sr High will be hosting Jeff Veley Resilience Education and Social Aggression speaker. Jeff will be presenting in two sessions 9:45am-10:40am 10-12 grades and 12:00n-12:55pm 7-9 grades. This will be a great opportunity for our staff and students to learn new tools to help deal with difficult situations.

Last month, Bellevue Community Schools saw 46 nominations of staff members for Broncos of the Month. This month we will be holding the same nomination process. We hope you will take a minute to celebrate the hard work our staff does every day by nominating a staff member. Bronco of the Month https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScHBMbAN2WfoWbcYYj9rWqMFJZG4wB4dgvStvSPBnDJzp2EmA/viewform Go Broncos! Dr. McGarry mcgarrym@bellevue-schools.com

Thank you to Bellevue’s Indoor Soccer League, Bellevue Athletic Boosters, Adam Herr and crew for providing our soccer players shelter for when they are on the sidelines.

Today we made Delicious Homemade Lasagna, Tuscan Cream Vegetables, and Garlic Cheddar Biscuit. The Broncos are eating better then ever.

Good evening, Today the State of Michigan released a list of schools based on Michigan School Index scores. Schools could score as a Targeted Support and Improvement, Additional Targeted Support, or Comprehensive Support and Improvement. Bellevue Junior/Senior High School scored as a Comprehensive Support and Improvement solely for having a four-year graduation rate below 67%. As a result, we will carry this label for three years. While we have this label the school will have access to Regional Assistance Grants, additional professional development opportunities, additional networking and collaboration within the State, and be provided assistance with school improvement planning and support, compliance and accountability, and data review and support. We are working closely with Calhoun ISD to formulate a plan of action to improve our graduation rate well before the three year deadline. Already this year we have created a partnership with Graduation Alliance, and are actively working with them to make sure as many present and past students as possible have an opportunity to earn a Bellevue diploma. Go Broncos! Dr. McGarry Superintendent

The Board of Education election results have been certified. Congratulations to our three (3) six-year term winners who will take their place on the Board in January 2023: Scott Byers Jill Caro Shannon Visger Congratulations to our two (2) two-year term winners who will take their place on the Board later this month: Roger Mathewson Travis Sparks

This past weekend many families and friends gathered to give thanks during Thanksgiving. In the spirit of this past Thursday, I wanted to take a moment to give thanks to the teachers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, food service workers, maintenance workers, administrative assistants, substitutes, coaches, volunteers, and administrators/directions at Bellevue Community Schools. Each of these Broncos work tirelessly to make Bellevue a great place to learn and grow. So, thank you Broncos for all you do. You are appreciated and valued. Go Broncos! mcgarrym@bellevue-schools.com

The Culinary Crew here at Bellevue Community Schools knocked it out of the park today for the Turkey Feast. There was delicious pie for desert. The children are very lucky to have such a caring staff.

Attention Families: The State of Michigan has partnered with AP Potential. This company analyzes PSAT scores and identifies students who may be eligible for advance placement courses. Bellevue Community Schools has active partnerships with Calhoun ISD, KCC, Olivet College, and the Battle Creek Math & Science Center. Each of these partnerships offer a wide variety of opportunities for advanced courses and career and technical learning. We encourage our students to take advantage of these great opportunities.

On Tuesday, November 22 Straight Talk will be coming to the Jr/Sr High School to talk about the dangers of drug use. This year we have noticed the presence of vapes and marijuana in our school. We have strict disciplinary policies about these substances. We also acknowledge that we must inform our students of the dangers surrounding the use of vapes and drugs. While Straight Talk is one way we are handling the situation. Another involves your help. As a community it is important that we regularly talk with our students about the dangers of vapes and drugs. Please talk with your student about these dangers. Anything is possible when we work together. Go Broncos! mcgarrym@bellevue-schools.com

Happy Friday, There is no school Friday, November 18, 2022. Battle Creek Math and Science and CAAC buses will not either. Please enjoy the extended weekend and be safe. Go Broncos! Dr. Mark McGarry

New Bronco Logo Today is the last day to vote for the new logo. Please limit votes to one vote per person, so the results will reflect the community’s voice. The survey is now live. Go Broncos! https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSco9.../viewform

Cold Weather With the weather cooling down, please help students remember that bringing hats, gloves, jackets, and boots are important to staying warm. This is especially true for our younger students who have outside time. With more time inside, it is also means the chances of sharing colds, the flu, or COVID-19 increases. If a student has a fever or has thrown up, please make sure they stay home from school. Please know that if a student develops a fever or gets sick at school, we will need them picked up. When we work together, all things are possible. Go Broncos! Dr. Mark McGarry

Snow Days As the weather gets colder we are beginning to see snow in the forecast. While winter in Michigan is beautiful, it can also create some hazardous traveling conditions. These conditions can sometimes impact school. At Bellevue Community Schools we understand that a snow day may be great for the students, but it makes life harder on families who must now think about child care. That is why when there is enough evidence to support an early call we will make it. Unfortunately, mother nature does not always cooperate and there are storms that come in late at night or early in the morning that surprise us. When this happens Bellevue has a process for thinking through if it is safe for school to open. We begin by coordinating with local road crews. Bellevue Community Schools spans three different counties in Michigan, so we talk with Barry, Eaton, and Calhoun counties. All three of these countries operate differently, so it is very possible that some roads in Barry county are clear and roads in Eaton county are still being worked on. Next, we talk with other school districts to see what their conditions are like. Finally, we consider the temperature. If the temperature with wind chill is below 20 degree Fahrenheit it is not safe to be outside. We try to do all of this before 5:00 am. If the majority of the roads are not safe we will send out an email, text message, phone call, and social media alert. We will also inform television stations: WWMT TV-3, WLNS TV-6, WOOD TV-8, WILX TV-10, WOTV TV-41, FOX TV-47, WLAF TV-53 and radio stations: WMMQ 94.9, WBXX 95.3, WUFN 96.7, WNWN 98.5, WKFR 103.3, WJXQ 106.1, WRKR 107.7, WBCK 930, WKMI 1360. Winter is coming, and with it all the joys that are unique to our great state. While it can create hazardous conditions, Bellevue Community Schools is committed to making sure all students can attend school safely. Go Broncos! Dr. Mark McGarry