October 2, 2020

BOWEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

We’re on Target Mary Campione, Principal

4483 Kalamazoo Ave, SE

For Grand Rapids, MI 49508

Ph# 616-455-5220

Success! Fax# 616-455-6991

www.kentwoodps.org/bowen
bowen.office @kentwoodps.org

Dear Bowen Families,

It seems impossible that we are already in the

month of October. The weather is getting cooler,
IMPORTANT DATES
leaves are changing colors and the days are feel-
ing shorter and shorter. As the months change, so Please note that all dates are subject to change
too do the seasons! Wednesday, 10/7 Count Day.

As we conclude our fourth week of in-person Monday, 10/26 and Tuesday. 10/27 full days of
learning, students and teachers are diving into school.

the curriculum and following regular routines. Wednesday, 10/28 full day of school . Conferences
With those routines will come the increased value 4-8pm.
of parent and teacher communication. While Par- Thursday, 10/29 HALF DAY. 12:03 DISMISSAL
ent-Teacher Conferences are four weeks away, Conferences 1-8pm.
parents do not need to wait to connect with their
Friday, 10/30 HALF DAY. 12:03 DISMISSAL
child’s teacher. Parents can contact teachers on
their Google Classroom platform, via phone or Wednesday, November 25-27. NO SCHOOL
email. We encourage our Bowen parents to con- Classes resume Monday, November 27.
nect with their child’s teacher and to establish on- Friday, December 18 HALF DAY. 12:03
going communication. This consistent communi- DISMISSAL
cation from both home and school can only
Monday, December 21– January 1 NO SCHOOL
strengthen the message that is being sent to your Classes resume Monday, January 4, 2021.
child.
Virtual Sack Lunch Pick Up
If you have any questions regarding this note, or
anything related to COVID-19 and school proce-
dures, please do not hesitate to contact the Bow- Starting Tuesday, October 9 virtual learners
can pick up breakfast and lunch for the entire
en office. week on
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11AM until
12:30PM at the following schools.
Thank you, Valleywood, Crestwood and the EKFC.
Mary Campione
If you have any questions, please feel free to
contact the Bowen office at 455-5220.

Kentwood Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, height, weight, or marital
status in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies:
ASST. SUPERINTENDENT FOR STUDENT SERVICES, 5820 Eastern Avenue SE, Kentwood, Michigan 49508, 616/455-4400.
October 2, 2020

Library Corner Daily Schedule

8:55 Student Drop Off -Go to grade level lines.

Bowen Arrows began their first Reading Challenge
yesterday and need to read 200 minutes by 10/15!
The minutes will also be added to our year-long chal-
lenge to celebrate in May. Thank you for encouraging
them to read.
9:00 School Begins-Breakfast served in classrooms.
11:55-12:10 Lunchtime -2nd & 3rd Grade. Lunch served in
classroom.

Overdue Library Books: If you have any Bowen or 12:15-12:30 Lunchtime -K-1st Grade.
KDL library books at home, please send them back
Lunch served in classroom.
with your student. Thank you!

Scholastic Book Fair – We will be holding a Book 12:35-12:50 Lunchtime -4th & 5th Grade. Lunch served in
Fair but it will look different this year. Watch for fur- classroom.
ther information to come. Sadly, our Grandparents
Event is cancelled this year. We can’t wait to cele-
brate together in the future! 3:05 Student Dismissal

Reading is so important and we appreciate all you do

to keep them focused. I’ve included the Five Finger
Tips graphic as one more tool in selecting books for
your students to read.
Important Health Questions
Please see the following list of symptoms to look for in your
child before sending them to school. Our goal is keeping all
of our kids and staff safe at all times.
If you see any combination of the following symptoms we
ask that you keep them home from school.
* Fever-child feels warm to the touch OR feels fe-
verish or has chills
* Sore throat
* New cough or change in cough for a child who
often has a cough
* Diarrhea, vomiting, or belly pain
* New severe headache
* New loss of taste or smell
If you have any questions, please call the office.
455-5220

A Note from Ms. Dawkins

R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Respect is like a Boomerang. If you give respect, it usually comes right back to
you! I have been going into classrooms during September talking about what
respect looks like, how to give and get respect, as well as showing respect at
school. We talked about bullying and how friends can help each other when they
are in trouble. We talked about respect at home and how listening and following
directions the FIRST TIME is a sign of respect. If we model respectful behavior dai-
ly for our kids it will continue to help them grow into individuals who will give so
much to this world in the future!
October 2, 2020

COUNSELOR’S CORNER
Hello! Namaste! Well wishes!

My name is Ms. Allaire and I am a school counselor for Kentwood Schools. I have served in the
district for 22 years, counseling at all levels. As an elementary counselor, I work with students
individually, in small groups, and within the classroom to build social-emotional skills and strate-
gies that help to increase success at school and are transferable to all environments and
throughout their lifetime.

Thank you for your unconditional love, patience, and support for your child(ren), as caring
for each others’ hearts is of utmost importance. I look forward to connecting with you and
your family. Please feel free to email or call me with questions or concerns that may be affect-
ing your child’s experience at school. Together we will support each other toward the achieve-
ment of common goals. Have a great school year!

carey.allaire@kentwoodps.org

or you can reach me at Bowen on Fridays 616-455-5220 x 21128

Bowen 2020 Bus Routes

Thank you parents for remembering to send
your student to school with a mask. The Click the link above for bus routes
kids are
doing a great job being responsible wearing
them everyday!
Please remember to send your child with a
water bottle. It is important that the kids
stay hydrated throughout the day.
The cooler weather means the kids will need
to wear warm jackets and hats on most days
as they WILL go outside for a recess every-
day.
If you have any questions, please call the
office.
616-455-5220
October 2, 2020

The information below is for K-3rd grade

parents only.

Third Grade Reading Law - A Parent Guide

What Is The Law All About?

 The Michigan reading law was implemented in all districts on August 1, 2017
 Michigan’s test scores on reading assessments (M-STEP English Language Arts and
NAEP Reading Assessment) have shown a need for attention to early reading and literacy
 The law requires additional support for any K-3 student that shows a reading deficiency
 The goal is for all third graders to be reading at or above a third grade level

What Do I Need to Know as a Parent?

If your child has a reading deficiency, he/she will receive an Individual Reading Improvement
Plan (IRP).

The Individual Reading Improvement Plan will include:

 Additional instruction and support in areas of need

 Ongoing checks on reading progress
 An At-Home Reading Plan that encourages you to continue working on reading skills at
home with your child(ren) to form a partnership with the classroom teacher

On Wednesday, September 30th, written notification was mailed to our Bowen families de-
scribing the Third Grade Reading Law and your child’s Individual Reading Improvement Plan
(IRP). Your child’s IRP details areas of proficiency, and areas that need further growth. On
Tuesday, October 6th your child’s teacher will be reaching out to confirm you received
this information. These documents will be discussed in more detail at Parent -Teacher
Conferences at the end of October.