August 27, 2019

Dear Bellmawr Learning Community Member,

I hope you enjoyed your summer. Many of your children were in our summer camp which again was a
huge success under the leadership of Mrs. Krapf and Mr. Harper at the Bell Oaks site and Mrs. Yezzo at
the ACECC. The ESY staff provided support at Bell Oaks and Bellmawr Park Schools while the
custodians prepared for the unveiling of the newly renovated E M Burke School. We are planning an
Open House on September 3, 2019 at the Burke School from 2-6. All are welcome to visit. The
members of the Teacher Leadership Cadre have been hard at work planning opening day activities that
support our 19-20 District goals:

• The students, staff, and community will focus on creating opportunities for social-emotional
learning to foster growth for all members of our learning community.
• The administrators and teachers will continue to engage in professional development to design
units of study in all content areas that focus on improving students reading, writing, and 21-
century skills.
• The administrators and teachers will continue to utilize individualized student data to inform
instruction.
We are anxious to collaborate with you as we launch our new motto: Bellmawr Rocks: Respecting
Relationships and Reaching our Community, Kids and Schools. We recognize the importance of
supporting the social emotional learning needs of our students, their families and our staff. As such we
are planning instructional opportunities that foster that growth throughout the day beginning with
expanded time for recess and the development of curricula that incorporates these principles through out
the content areas. You will recognize many familiar faces in each of your respective buildings this year
and as we expand our services to your children, there will be new folks to get to know. I know that the
principals will introduce their new learning community members to you in their opening day letters.
The most current calendar is posted on our Schools’ and District web and Facebook pages. There are
significant changes to the iteration that was passed by the Board of Education in January.

• The last day of school is June 12, 2020,

• There are two less professional development days
• There are only five one session days for students
I recommend you check that calendar periodically, as there are times we have to make adjustments. I will
send updates to you through our global messaging system as changes are made.
Please be reminded that the first day of school for children is September 3, 2019. This is a one session
day with a 1:00 dismissal. The doors open at 8:30 at the Bell Oaks School, 8:35 at the elementary
schools and 8:50 at the ACECC. Please adhere to those drop off times as we are not bringing students
in the buildings prior to that time.

On behalf of the Board members, teacher and staff we welcome you back and look forward to learning
with you and your families throughout the year.

Sincerely,
Annette Castiglione
Superintendent of Schools