COMMUNICATION INFORMATION

Communicating with the Bells Mill community is a challenge! As our school continues to grow, the PTA is committed to reaching parents in as many ways as possible, while achieving our goal of fiscal and environmental responsibility. We have gone green, and are largely paper-less.

BearMail is the PTA’s weekly informational email. Each Thursday, parents receive an email of news and information. This can include information on PTA-related activities and events, sign-up sheets, and reminders for important dates. Sign up for BearMail by emailing Mandy Lemar, with a subject line of "BearMail Sign-Up".

The Bells Mill Beacon is a monthly e-newsletter designed for parents. It features content researched, reported and/or written by parents, staff and teachers, touching on important issues, and providing tips and advice on making elementary school life easier, smoother, and more successful. Favorite features include teacher articles about each grade.

Facebook links our parents to pertinent information related to PTA business, school affairs, and educational topics. Information on Facebook is relevant either to everyone in the school community, or to a general segment of it. Click here to Friend us on Facebook.

 

FULL COMMUNICATION DETAILS

BearMail Delivery
Unless there is an emergency, BearMails will be sent every Thursday throughout the school year. They will be sent on an as needed basis throughout the summer vacation. Sign up for BearMail: Email mhlemar@verizon.net with "BearMail Sign-Up" in the subject line.

BearMail Rules of the Road
BearMail is the weekly electronic mail network sponsored by the BMES PTA. Only parents with a child attending BMES or faculty/staff members may receive BearMail. BearMail emails must be related to PTA business, school affairs, and educational topics. Information must be pertinent to everyone in the school community, or to a general segment of it.

Typical content appropriate to ask to send via BearMail includes:

  • Announcements and reminders of meetings and school events
  • Meeting agendas and minutes
  • Requests for volunteers
  • School Related Fundraisers
  • Emergency closing announcements and follow-up
  • Educational topics covering a wide range of areas

Weekly BearMails May Include:

  • A two-week calendar at the top of the front page to quickly show what’s coming up, e.g., PTA events and other important school information;
  • Attached flyers from PTA committees or from the Bells Mill front office (e.g., event registration forms, volunteer forms, guidance counselor hand-outs); and
  • A section with brief articles.

How do I get my BearMail listing posted?

  • Write the post - Include a clear and specific subject line. Then explain the event in detail (remember there are new families to school that need full details in order to understand what the event is all about) and your needs in the body copy. Please be sure to include your name and contact information.
  • Email the Post – Email the listing you would like to both Haylie Iseman and Mandy Lemar BY 7:00pm on Wednesday, for delivery on the next Thursday. Please include "For BearMail" in the subject of your email.
  • Attachments - To add a PTA flyer to the Thursday BearMail, please email a PDF or Microsoft Word document BY 12:00pm on Tuesday to both Haylie Iseman and Mandy Lemar. NOTE: A very small number of flyers should be copied and distributed to specific Bells Mill teachers, for families without internet access. There will be a listing of the number of copies each teacher needs above the copy machine in the school office.

Communication Resources