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| We are getting our Jeans Ready! |
Welcome to the first week of the 2026–2027 school year!
After a busy summer of planning and preparation, we are excited to welcome our Bacon Bears back to school on Thursday, September 3. Our theme this year is Bacon School is Out of This World! and throughout the year we will celebrate the infinite possibilities that exist when our students, staff, and families work together.
As we begin the year, we also want families to know what they can expect from us. We have spent a great deal of time this summer looking at our programs, practices, and data and asking an important question: How can we be more proactive in supporting every Bacon Bear? During the first month of school, you will see that work begin.
Teaching What It Means to Be a Bacon Bear
At Bacon, our three schoolwide expectations are simple:
Be Safe. Be Responsible. Be Respectful.
During the first several weeks of school, our staff will intentionally teach, model, practice, and reinforce these expectations throughout our school.
Students will learn what the expectations look and sound like in the classroom, hallways, cafeteria, recess, bathrooms, arrival and dismissal, and other areas of the building.
We believe behavioral expectations should be taught just like academic skills. We do not simply tell students what we expect, we show them, practice with them, and reinforce them when they get it right.
Noticing the Positive
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| Ms. Martinez and Mrs. B |
Teaching expectations is only the beginning.
Throughout the year, our staff will intentionally recognize students who demonstrate what it means to Be Safe, Be Responsible, and Be Respectful.
One way we do this is through our Bear Bucks program. Students can earn Bear Bucks when staff members notice them demonstrating our schoolwide expectations. So don't be surprised if your child comes home talking about earning a Bear Buck!
In fact, ask them:
“What did you do today to Be Safe, Be Responsible, or Be Respectful?” We want our students to know that the positive choices they make every day matter.
When Expectations Are Not Met
Kids are kids. Mistakes will happen, and those moments are also opportunities to learn.
This year, we are continuing to strengthen our Behavioral Response Process so that students experience greater consistency throughout the school.
When expectations are not met, staff may redirect, reteach, provide an appropriate classroom response, and document patterns of behavior when necessary. More significant behaviors will receive an appropriate administrative response.
Our goal is not to respond to behavior after it happens. We want to understand why it is happening, identify patterns, teach better choices, and provide support when a student needs more help.
Consistency matters. Students should understand that our three expectations remain the same no matter where they are or which adult they are with.
CARES: Supporting the Whole Child
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| Mrs. Somers painting her jeans |
Sometimes a student needs more than a reminder or redirection.
Our CARES process helps our team identify students who may need additional support and connect them with the appropriate people and resources.
A child may be struggling academically. Another may be having difficulty making friends. A family may be experiencing a challenge at home. A student may be struggling with attendance, behavior, anxiety, or adjusting to school.
Whatever the concern, we want families to know:
You do not have to wait until a small problem becomes a big problem to ask for help.
Our teachers, counselor, intervention teams, support staff, and administration work collaboratively to determine how we can best support our students and families.
Communication Is a Two-Way Street
One of our biggest priorities this year is early communication. You should not only hear from school when something is wrong. We want our teachers and staff building relationships with families from the beginning of the year. Likewise, if you have a question or concern, we encourage you to reach out early.
Sometimes a five-minute conversation can prevent days or weeks of misunderstanding. Our commitment is simple: Notice early. Communicate early. Support early.
And we ask our families to partner with us in doing the same.
One School. One Mission.
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| Bacon Bears getting ready for the year |
PBIS, CARES, Character Education, our behavioral response process, and family communication are not separate initiatives.
They are all pieces of the same mission: Creating a school where every Bacon Bear feels safe, supported, connected, and ready to learn.
There will certainly be challenges along the way. That is part of working with children and part of being a school family. What matters is how we work through those challenges together.
Arrival & Dismissal Reminder
As we begin the school year, please remember that school doors open at 8:50 AM and students should not enter the building before that time. Homeroom begins at 9:10 AM, so please help your child arrive on time and ready for a great day of learning! Dismissal begins at 3:35 PM.
Weekly Overview
Monday, August 31
Final Preparations
Tuesday, September 1
Staff Professional Development
Wednesday, September 2
Staff Professional Development
Thursday, September 3 – A Day
First Day of School!
Friday, September 4 – B Day
First PBIS Assembly
Upcoming Events – September
September 11 – Patriot Day
Wear Red, White & Blue
September 16 – Back to School Night
6:00–7:00 PM
September 23 – I&RS Team Meeting
September 25 – PBIS Assembly
PM
September 29 – Picture Day
Fall Individual Portraits
September 29 – Literacy Night
6:00–7:30 PM
Stay Connected with R.M. Bacon Elementary
Facebook: RM Bacon Elementary
Weekly Blog: RM Bacon Weekly
School Website: R.M. Bacon Elementary School
2026–27 Theme: Bacon School is Out of This World!
One School. One Mission. Infinite Possibilities.
Our Mission: Then. Now. Always. Family.
Dr. Spike Cook, Principal
R.M. Bacon Elementary School | Millville Public Schools
