Skip to main content

Parent Newsletter 10/10

Posted Date: 10/10/25 (5:00 PM)

Bear Necessities Newsletter
 
We have so many exciting things happening this month at Bear Lake! Our PTA Fun Run Fundraiser kicks off ends this week. The Fun Run is Friday - we are so excited to see how many laps everyone runs! Also this week there are two other PTA events - Skate Night (Wednesday Night) and Trunk or Treat (Friday Night). And we have an ESOL parent night at the end of the month.

Students are off Monday, October 13 and the 1st quarter comes to a close. Please make sure you are monitoring Skyward for student grades and reaching out to your teacher if you have any concerns or questions.
October News Graphic
 
Fun Run Graphic

PTA FUN RUN

ABOUT OUR FUNDRAISER
Our goal is to provide all of our students with the best education and school experience possible and to ensure they have the tools they need to learn and grow. All students are included in the leadership program and fitness event regardless of financial participation in the fundraiser. If you can help, please know that no donation is too small.

ABOUT APEX LEADERSHIP CO.
Apex is a two-week interactive leadership and character-building program combined with a fitness focused event fundraiser to help schools raise much needed funds.

2025-2026 LEADERSHIP THEME
The Apex Leadership program empowers students to grow as leaders by focusing on personal responsibility, empathy, goal-setting, and resilience. Through quick, high-energy lessons, students learn how to lead by example, understand others, work through challenges, and bring out the best in themselves and their peers. Each lesson builds critical interpersonal skills that align with our school’s vision of cultivating a positive, inclusive, and achievement-focused community.

IMPORTANT DATES:
Pledging Opens: 10/07/25 Event Day: 10/17/25
Parents are welcome at the Fun Run event. Please check your child's specials time for their run. PTA will be collecting candy for the Trunk or Treat when you sign in at the front office. Don't forget to Feed the Candy Monster. :)

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
When pledging opens go to www.myapexevent.com and log in using your child’s unique ACCESS CODE. Their Access Code and a QR code for the site can be found on their VIP Badge.

Use the “Share Wizard” tool to send a donation link to ten family members and friends via email, text, and social media asking that they donate online to help our school.

Make a flat donation OR pledge a dollar amount per unit that your child completes at the event. Reported units are capped at 40 max. If a student is in Pre-K, absent or unable to participate, their units count will default to 35. Units are based on the type of event at your school.

 
Running Club Bear

RUNNING CLUB SIGN UPS BEGIN NOW

Join our Bear Lake Running Club!
Open to all K-5 Students!
No cost to join!
Late October-Mid February, but please sign up now.
T-Shirts and sweatshirts available for purchase soon!
Practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:15-8:05 AM, Races on selected Saturday mornings. 

Sign Up Here:
 

PTA Reflections Contest Open - Entries Due OCTOBER 20


✨ Encourage your child to express their creativity and voice through art, writing, music, or dance in this year’s PTA Reflections program! The theme “I Belong” invites students to explore what belonging means to them and share their unique perspective.

🎨 Whether they love to draw, write, compose, or perform, every student has a story to tell. Let’s celebrate their talents and help them shine by submitting an entry that shows how they belong!

Official Rules and Submission form: English version

Official Rules and Submission form: Spanish version
 
Candy Monster graphic
 
Skate Night Infographic
 

Apply For Meal Benefits Today!

As the year progresses and you identify needs for your family, I want to take the time to remind everyone about the Free and Reduced Lunch Application. Last year 63% of our families qualified on this quick application to reduce lunch costs to their students which is a huge benefit. Families often think this doesn't apply to them, however some large families with income nearing $100,000 have qualified. If you have needed FEMA support due to the hurricanes you may easily qualify as well. It is a great way to lower the lunch costs for your family. When schools reach over 64% of qualified applications it also provides extra grant funding to the school to support student instruction.

Our District is committed to providing each student with the tools they need to succeed, including nutritious meals they can enjoy. All students are eligible to apply for meal benefits and we encourage SCPS families needing financial support to submit an application for the 2025-2026 school year.

In addition to qualifying for free and reduced-priced meals, completing the meal benefits application may qualify your family for discounted internet services, after-school programs, and additional resources for your school.

Apply today at:
https://www.diningservices.scps.us/apply-for-benefits
 
Teach-In Graphic
 
Post it Note graphic with Important Dates Text

Upcoming Events

October 13: Teacher Work Day (Student Non-Attendance Day)
October 17: Fun Run & Trunk or Treat
October 20: PTA Reflections Contest Due
October 24: Fall Picture Retakes
October 29: ESOL Parent Night
November 18: Teach-In
 

Bus Routes and Information

Bus routes for students eligible for school bus transportation will be posted to the My Ride K-12 App soon. Please go to https://myridek12.tylerapp.com/ or download the App from the Google or Apple App Stores. This will allow you to view your child's bus stop and receive important updates from our transportation department.

If you have a question about your child's bus transportation, please call the front office and we will assist you.
School Bus Image with bus transportation information text
 
Car with Arrival Reminders Text

Arrival Reminders

Morning Drop Off begins at 8:05AM - there is no student supervision before this time. 

For their safety, please wait until 8:05AM to drop students off.

Parents, please be alert on the car line in order to help keep our students and staff safe.

Follow staff directions and stay off your cell phones. 

Please do not park in the parking spots and walk through the car line to drop off or pick up your child. 

There is no parking in the primary line handicapped parking spaces unless you are a PreK ESE parent or have been directed to do so by a staff member. 

And finally, please work with your children on how to buckle/unbuckle themselves so they can get out the car without assistance and get themselves in and safe for the car ride home.  
Children with school information text

School Information

School Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:35AM - 3:05PM
Wednesday: 8:35AM - 2:05PM

*No student sign-out after 2:30PM Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and after 1:30PM on Wednesdays*
 
FAST/STAR Logo

FAST PM1 and iReady Diagnostic 1

Student scores for FAST and STAR assessments will be available in the state family portal. Please see the below direction on how to access this portal through Skyward.

 
Personal Electronic Device Poster
 
Fortify FL and Speak Out Graphic
 
Admin Staff Picture

Thank you for being our partner in education!

If you ever have any questions or concerns, please contact us at the front office.

Mrs. Amy Barone, Principal


Dr. Kristin Sweeney, Assistant Principal


Mrs. Daysi Hinksman, School Administration Manager



Front office: 407-746-5550