No School - Monday, May 29 (Memorial Day)

All schools and district offices will be closed on Monday, May 29 in observance of Memorial Day. However, Friday, May 26 and Tuesday, May 30 will be regular school days for all students and staff due to the district's use of five emergency closings this school year.

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Children’s Book Author and Anti-Bullying Advocate Visits Bell Top

Apr 28, 2023 | Bell Top, District

Children's book author Isabella Sementilli reading to students at Bell Top Elementary School.

Children’s book author and anti-bullying advocate Isabella Sementilli reading to students at Bell Top Elementary School.

Children’s book author and anti-bullying advocate Isabella Sementilli visited Bell Top Elementary School on Thursday to read from her book “The Short Story of One Tough Cookie” A True Story.” While at the school-wide assembly, Ms. Sementilli discussed the experience that inspired her book.

When Ms. Sementilli was in fifth grade, she told students, a bully pulled a chair out from beneath her causing her to fall and hit her head, leading to a concussion, fractured tailbone and neck and back injuries. After that incident, Ms. Sementilli found comfort in baking and then decided to write and publish her own book. She now has a website where she sells the book, cookies and other items with proceeds benefitting anti-bullying and brain injury awareness organizations. 

Ms. Sementilli showed the Bell Top students that young people can make a positive impact in the world and that they should spread kindness to everyone.

“It’s a lot easier to be nice than to be mean,” she said.