The Bear Bulletin www.lex5.k12.sc.us/Ballentine.

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A South Carolina Red Carpet School
An Exemplary Writing School
2006 State Winner of the S.C. International Reading Assoc. Exemplary Reading Award

The Bear Bulletin

VOLUME 8, ISSUE 3 SEPTEMBER 17, 2009

From the Principal

Robin W. Bright
“Excellent” Report Card
Rating
2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06,
We’re Off To A Great Start
2006-07, 2007-08 & 2008-09 Dear Ballentine Families,
Closing the Achievement Gap
Recognition 2003-04, 2004-05, I hope you and your family have had a wonderful week following the Labor Day
2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08 & holiday. Our BES staff and students have certainly had a busy week of learning. I invite
2008-09
you to come and visit all of the wonderful things going on in the classrooms across our
school. Please contact your child's teacher to schedule a visit as your schedule allows.
Calendar of As some of you may already know, for the safety of our children, Lexington Dis-
trict 5 has adopted a new policy requiring office personnel to check the IDs of any
Events guests visiting the school. While we recognize most of our parents, we are required to
check all IDs. So, please do not be offended when we ask for the identification. We also
September ask that if you have grandparents or others who are picking up your child that you let
• Sept. 23: Early Re- them know that we will be asking for a picture ID.
lease Day, 11:40
dismissal Thank you for your cooperation and help with this.

October
• Oct. 5: Sonic Night,
BES named S.C. Rockin’ Reader School by
5-8 p.m. Cracker Barrel!
• Oct. 9: Picture Day! Later this month, Cracker Barrel will ship the two double rockers, books and "barrel"
• Oct. 12: Student bookshelf to Ballentine Elementary for our BES family and guests to “rock, read and
Holiday, Teacher enjoy!”
Professional Devel-
opment Day
• Oct. 22: Early Re-
lease Day, 11:40 Parent Reminder:
dismissal
Parents, please remember to inform the office any time you have a
• Oct. 27: Health change in your contact information. It is important that we have accu-
Screening Day rate phone numbers and emergency contact information. Thank you
• Oct. 31: Happy Hal- for your help.
loween!
November
• Nov. 1: Daylight Elementary Spirit Night!
Savings Time Ends.
Set clocks back 1 Elementary School Spirit Night will be at the Dutch Fork High School
hour. football game on Friday, September 18th at 7:30. During half-time,
elementary students will be invited to the field to represent their schools, so wear your
• Nov. 3: Student BES school colors and cheer on Dutch Fork as they play Blythewood High School!
Holiday; Profes-
sional Dev. Day for
Teachers
THE BEAR BULLETIN PAGE 2

Guidance News
Ballentine Elementary School would like to welcome Dr. Jane Lawther as our new part-time guidance coun-
selor. Dr. Lawther is here to work with children, parents and teachers to ensure a successful school experience.
She comes to us with over 30 years of experience in middle and elementary schools. She loves children and has
really enjoyed being welcomed so warmly by the staff and students at BES.
You may contact Dr. Lawther by email at jlawther@lex5.k12.sc.us or by phone at 476-4528. She is with us
on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Welcome Dr. Lawther!

If your question is, “What should my child be learning

this year?” There’s an answer for you!
Information on academic standards for your
child’s grade level on our school webpage-
www.lex5.k12.sc.us/Ballentine.cfm.

MAP Testing – Students in grades two through five are participating in Measures of Academic
Progress (MAP) testing September 8 – 25th. MAP is used as a diagnostic test, and it provides parents
and teachers data regarding a child’s performance compared to a national sample of students. The stu-
dents will be tested in reading and math. Results will be sent to parents. Check your child’s classroom
newsletter for the specific dates for his/her class. Encourage your child to take his time and to do his very
best! A good night’s sleep and a good breakfast will help him focus while testing.

They are finally here!

The 2009-2010 Entertainment Books!
PAGE Five (Parent Advocates for Gifted Education in District 5) will be selling The Entertainment Book as a fund-
raiser to support programs related to gifted education such as a college scholarship competition for high school
seniors, Junior Scholars ceremony, competitions, evening parent programs, field trip expenses, etc. . Each child in
AGP pullout and content classes will receive a bag containing an Entertainment Book and the attached parent
cover letter in their AGP classes between September 16th and September 22nd. Parents will either return the book
or a check made payable to PAGE Five by October 2nd. AGP teachers will contact PAGE Five representatives
when students bring in money, and the PAGE Five representative will pick up the money as well as returned books.
This fundraiser was discussed this week with AGP teachers. PAGE Five is in hopes that this fundraiser will enable
them to expand their level of support to the gifted programs in District Five.

A Special Thank You to…

Ballentine Elementary PTO
Hosted a delicious Back to School Breakfast for our faculty and staff. We are thankful for the many other
countless things you do to contribute to the life of our school!
Gateway Baptist Church
Donated book bags filled to the rim with school supplies for several children in need.
BES School Improvement Council
For your willingness to serve and make a difference in the lives of children.
We are grateful for the support of our parents and community!
VOLUME 8, ISSUE 3 PAGE 3

Ballentine Elementary
School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties does
not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex or 1040 Bickley Road
handicap in admission to, treatment in or employment in its Irmo, SC 29063
programs and activities. The following persons have been
designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination Phone:
policies: Dr. Angela Bain, Title IX Coordinator, and Marlene
Metts, 504 Coordinator, 1020 Dutch Fork Road, Ballentine, SC (803) 476-4500
29002, (803) 476-8100. Fax:
(803) 476-4520
THE BEAR BULLETIN PAGE 4