In preparation for the 2023-24 school year, the Bell Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA) worked with the Lake Washington School District (LWSD) to acquire email addresses for families whose students will be attending Bell Elementary this year. These email addresses are essential for us to effectively communicate important updates, such as the Bulldog Blast newsletter, Zoom links for community meetings, and other information about school programs and events.

Our primary objective is to maintain a clean and up-to-date contact database while ensuring we don't send emails to families who are no longer associated with Bell Elementary. To achieve this, we conduct a thorough data cleanup each year in September, with the most recent one taking place on September 17.

We strongly encourage all Bell families to take a moment to visit agbellptsa.org and register or update their contact information and student data. Some families may have chosen to restrict the district from sharing their information. In such cases, please note that the PTSA will not have access to your contact details, and it's essential to add this information manually at agbellptsa.org if you wish to receive communications from us.

The 2023 Walk to School Week is October 2-6. Join us and millions of other students, parents, and teachers all over the country and walk to school!

Walking and biking to school is a fun way to get exercise, reduce congestion and pollution around schools, and create community. Studies say students who walk and bike to school arrive more alert and ready to learn.

Every morning of the week the PTSA will have tables set up where students can enter into a daily raffle to win prizes! One winner per grade will be announced each day. Tell your students to be on the lookout for a special guest!

We still need a few volunteers each morning to make this event possible. This is a super fun and easy volunteer opportunity that occurs for 30 minutes each day before school that week. Volunteers will help students with completing tickets for entry into the daily raffle for prizes. The kids love this event and you're all done by the time your little ones have entered the building! If you're able to help out, please sign up below.

Bell Bulldogs, are you ready for this year’s class competition? Last year we saw several classes vying for the win. It went down to the wire with a strong competition until the last minute! Last year Lazoritz, Crites, Magnani, Morris, Barker and Clark/Holzer (tie), Davies, Nickels, and Coberly’s classes all won class parties. Nickels’ class walked away the big winner with the most participation points in the whole school! 

Who is going to win this year???

Rules of the Game

Between Monday, October 9th and Friday, October 13th, we will be tracking the number of donations per class, per grade level. The classes with the highest number of participants who donate prior to October 14th will win a party provided by the Bell PTSA.

Participation points will be awarded on a 5-point scale:

donation amounts ranging from $5.00-$100 will earn 1 point for your child's classroom(s)

donation amounts ranging from $101-$500 will earn 2 points for your child's classroom(s)

donation amounts ranging from $501-$999 will earn 3 points for your child's classroom(s)

donation amounts $1,000 or more will earn 5 points for your child's classroom(s)!

Only one donation per day, per family will count. The minimum donation is $5.00. 

If you wish to donate multiple times to boost points, please make your donations on different days. Recruiting other family members to participate is a great way to boost participation points ~ Grandmas & Grandpas, Aunts & Uncles are welcome to get into the game!  Game stats will be announced daily ~ be sure to check your inbox everyday during game week!

Don’t forget to double your money with employer matching!

Our fundraising goal this year is $41,000

*donation deadline for participation points is 11:59pm on Friday, October 13th.

**for families with multiple students at Bell, no need to make separate donations! We’ll apply the participation points to each child’s classroom.  

***for families who have already donated this school year, we see you! Participation points have already been applied to your student’s classrooms.

****If you send in a check, please make sure it has your student’s name(s) and grade(s) so we can apply the points correctly.

Donate online at agbellptsa.org/donate

Processing fees have been removed from the website. 
We encourage donations through the website to allow for easier point tracking.

It’s time to start planning your trunk decor or family costumes (or both) for the annual Bell Harvest Party!
 

This year’s favorite fall event will include Trunk-or-Treating, games, crafts, photo booth pics, and more on Friday, Oct. 27 at 6:30pm.

• Remember that costumes must NOT include overly scary/violent themes, weapons, masks (hygiene masks are ok of course!), or be culturally appropriative: What to know about Halloween costumes and cultural appropriation (usatoday.com).
• This is not a drop-off event – parents must remain with and supervise their children – parent costumes welcome!
  
  

Thanks in advance to all of our great volunteers who help to make this party fantastic! We have lots of volunteer opportunities from party game shifts to decorating your trunk and passing out treats. Most shifts are short so you can enjoy the party. To sign up, click below. 

Any questions? Please contact Lindsey Pepper (harvestparty@agbellptsa.org)

Students: This competition is open to students in 2nd - 5th grade

Competition date: November 17, 2023 (after school - 3:20-4:05pm)

Location: Bell Elementary  

Student registration deadline: October 18, 2023

Fees: $15

Registration: Register under My Forms/Paperwork via this website (scroll down to the Noetic form)

Registration Minimum: Our goal is a minimum of 6 students per grade. If enrollment is low, we may cancel the competition and issue refunds.

Scholarships: Need-based scholarships are available through the Bell PTSA. To apply, go to My Forms and Paperwork > Scholarship Application

Accommodations: The PTSA does not have visibility to IEPs or 504 plans. If your student needs accommodations, please reach out to studentenrichment@agbellptsa.org to discuss how we can best support your student.

Sample Questions: Participants will get 2 sets of sample papers 

Questions: email studentenrichment@agbellptsa.org 

National PTA's Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts which boost student confidence and success in the arts and in life.

Each year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 create original works of art in response to a student-selected theme. This 50+ year-old program helps them explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life.

The 2023–2024 Reflections theme is I am Hopeful Because...

Students are encouraged to submit art reflecting the theme I am Hopeful Because... in one or all of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts (note: only 2D). 

Entries are due November 1st.

Visit our Reflections page for entry forms and category guidelines.

If you are in need of supplies for the visual art category, we have art kits for loan that students can bring home for creating 2D visual art. Fill out the form HEREand we will deliver a kit to your child's teacher.

If you have any questions, please email reflections@agbellstpa.org.

Dine-Outs are one of the ways we fundraise throughout the year. We partner with local restaurants who give a percentage of sales to Bell PTSA for the day of the event. It's a great way to come together to support our school and our local restaurants.

Join us for our first Bell PTSA Dine-out Fundraiser of the year at Chuck E. Cheese in Bellevue! 20% of all purchases from 3-9pm on October 30th will be donated to our PTSA - just mention Bell at checkout.

Teachers, Chuck E. Cheese knows these nights are about raising funds for your school, but we think it’s also a great way to honor our educators while enjoying a night of fun and school spirit. Because we value your time and dedication, we invite all teachers to show their school spirit by enjoying our exclusive teacher deal. That’s a FREE meal and a competitive trip into the Ticket Blaster against your fellow teachers during your school’s event. Simply present your school ID to receive an individual, one-topping pizza OR an all-you-can-eat salad bar AND soft drink.

Join or renew your membership today!

Membership is open to anyone (parents, teachers, grandparents, relatives, friends) who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of our children. 

Family Membership = $22

Individual Membership = $14

Teachers / Staff = $5 (discounted while funds allow, regular $12)

If you would like to join the PTSA but cost is a barrier, please reach out to membership@agbellptsa.org about membership scholarship options.

The impact of the Bell PTSA on our school community is significant. We advocate for and enhance the school experience for Bell students and families. We encourage everyone in the community to get involved. We have room on all of our committees for next year (35+ committees, so there are MANY ways to get involved). We tend to see that the vast majority of PTSA volunteers (especially on our board and committees) are women. We would like to see that change. Bell dads and father figures, we encourage you to get involved too.

Our volunteer page is updated throughout the year with current volunteer opportunities from event signups to open chair positions. We even have some volunteer opportunities that can be done completely remotely. Check out the Volunteer Page or fill out our Volunteer Interest Form to find a volunteer opportunity that works for you.

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Alexander Graham Bell PTSA

11212 NE 112th St

Kirkland, WA 98033