Dear Bell Top Families, Autumn is by far my favorite season of the year. I love watching the beauty of trees as their leaves change colors. Going apple and pumpkin picking and enjoying a big jump in the leaves are a few of the fun things I remember doing as a child.

Community Support
The start of the school year went smoothly and it was great to see so many students at the ice cream social. The safety procedures we have in place are going well. Student arrival and dismissal procedures have settled into a routine and students are happy to be back.

The DeFreestville Fire Department will be presenting the annual Fire Safety program to students this year on Oct. 7th. On October 8th, we will be practicing our first LOCKDOWN drill. The North Greenbush Police department as well as other neighboring departments assist us with this drill.

Upcoming Fall Activities
Many of our students will be utilizing the Learning Barn this week to participate in the Bell Top tradition of apple cidering. They will get an opportunity to turn the cider press and sample the delicious juice. I encourage parents to come and cheer on the students during the annual Bell Top Pumpkin Run which will be held outdoors on October 14th (see attached schedule).

After the run students will receive small pumpkins provided by the PTO which has organized the annual Chicken BBQ to coincide with this event. Please visit the PTO website by Oct. 8th to place an order. https://belltoppto.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/BlackWhiteBBQ.pdf

The fall Bell Top Book Fair will run from October 25 – 29. The set-up for students will be located in the collaboratory.

On October 22nd, the Bell Top students and staff will be participating in a “Pink Out” to show support for Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Join in on some Halloween fun at the fourth annual Bell Top Trunk or Treat on October 21st. The event runs from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Twin Town Little League Fields.

Our Halloween parade is back this year after being cancelled last year due to Covid-19. It will be held outdoors and will start at 1:30 on October 29th. (Additional information below) If it should rain, the parade will be cancelled and the classroom teachers will plan an in-class celebration.

Bell Top School will be participating in a “Give Back” candy donation program. During the week of November 1, students are invited to bring in some of their Halloween candy to give to troops overseas. The candy will be brought to Dr. Lapinski’s Dental Office who organizes the candy drive.

Sincerely,

Martin Mahar
Principal

View Principal’s Newsletter

October Important Dates

• 10/6 – Board of Education Meeting @ 7:00 pm (CHS)
• 10/7 – Fire Safety presentation for all students
• 10/8 – LOCKDOWN Drill #1
• 10/11 – Columbus Day – No School
• 10/14 – Pumpkin Run
• 10/20 – Board of Education Meeting @ 7:00 pm (CHS)
• 10/21 – Trunk or Treat at Twin Town Little League (Rain date 10/26)
• 10/22 – Pink-Out Day
• 10/25 – 10/29 Fall Book Fair
• 10/29 – Halloween Parade – 1:30 (weather permitting)

Pumpkin Run Schedule
Fall is here and it is time for the “Great Pumpkin Run”. The race will be held on Thursday, October 14, 2021. Many thanks to the PTO for providing a pumpkin for every student to bring home! The schedule for the race is as follows:

Kindergarten
Girls – 1:30
Boys – 1:40

1st Grade
Girls – 1:45
Boys – 1:55

2nd Grade
Girls – 2:00
Boys – 2:10

3rd Grade
Girls – 2:15
Boys – 2:25

4th Grade
Girls – 2:30
Boys – 2:45

5th Grade
Girls – 2:50
Boys – 3:00

Halloween Parade
The Halloween Parade will take place on Friday, October 29, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. on the back field (weather permitting). Due to social distancing guidelines, parents are NOT permitted into the building during the classroom celebrations.

• Parents and Guardians are encouraged to send in notes with their child when they know in advance that they will be picking their child up prior to the official end of the school day (3:30PM).
• Parents/Guardians will be allowed to sign their child out with their classroom teachers after the pumpkin race.
• Once a child is signed out, they must remain with their parents at all times.
• Parents/Guardians will remain outside to view the race and/or the Halloween parade. There is no need to sign-in at the Main Office. Please park in the lower lot and walk to the back field.
• Students cannot wear their costumes to school on Friday, October 29, 2021. All costumes should be sent to school in a separate bag labeled with the child’s name.
• No weapon accessories will be permitted as part of the child’s costume.
• No masks that fully cover the child’s head will be allowed.