September 2025
Happy September Everyone!
Reminders
You can find all of our closure dates at: Bellamente.org/calendar
Thanksgiving Closure: 11/26-Closed at noon 11/27-11/28 Closed
Winter Break: 12/24-1/2
Classroom Parents
Big thank you to Susie Stemper, Katie Harmon, Jacque Clinton, Bethany Buer, Jenessa Loche, Nicole Hendrix Herman who helped us get this new classroom initiative going last school year! Building community is a core value for us and these parents played a big role in bringing us all together.
What are classroom parents? Each classroom has a parent (or set of parents) who will collaborate with other classroom parents to help coordinate social events and volunteer opportunities for this school year culminating in August of 2026. This can be in the form of smaller class play dates or Larger whole school family socials.
If you would like to be a classroom parent this year please reach out at bellamenteearlylearning@gmail.com
Upcoming Class and Individual Picture Day
We have Dawndra Budd lined up for the week of December 8th to do our individual and class pictures. We will send out a follow up link for info and to sign your child up for these optional pictures.
Why do we use Facebook?
Our school uses Facebook as a way to document the learning in the classroom. We know some families do not use Facebook but we wanted to highlight why we feel it is the best option for our documentation.
Facebook groups allow us to create private groups for each classroom. Since this platform is free it also allows us to not pass on any extra costs to the families. Many popular preschool apps require not only a subscription but begin to charge per student, then limit the type of content we can supply. Here we are able to share video, photos and messages about what is happening in the classroom.
What can you do if you are not on Facebook? You are welcome to create an anonymous account and request your child’s group. We have security questions for each class so you can tell us your name and your child’s name so we can admit you. We also send emails out with important reminders in addition to sending out our monthly newsletter. However, our facebook groups will be where you will be able to get a glimpse into your child’s classroom. Please let us know if you need the link to join your child’s class page.
Gear up for Fall- Clothing drive for West Side Baby
We are excited to support West Side Baby this month and their “Gear up for Fall” campaign. As kids across King County head back to school, many need warm coats, rain gear, backpacks, and other essentials to keep them cozy, dry, and ready to learn. We will have a designated donation area for each classroom.
Staff Shout Out
Miss Lauren
Miss Lauren is our magnificent Owner and Director at Bella Mente Early Learning. Lauren’s career in child care started over 25 years ago. During this time she has worked as a nanny, preschool teacher, had an in-home child care center, and opened Bella Mente in 2007. Her love of children is evident in her every day interactions with children and staff. She finds joy in knowing that we are shaping children into who they will become as adults. Her approach to childcare focuses on teaching independence, confidence, self-worth, love for each other and respect towards people and things. Lauren makes Bella Mente the beautiful community that it is through her love and leadership.
Miss Cascade
Miss. Cascade is a mom of 3 and currently lives in California. She has been in the field for over fifteen years and holds her Masters in Education (emphasis on early childhood education). She began her Bella Mente journey in 2011 and has spent time working in all of the classrooms as an assistant, lead teacher, program supervisor and trainer. She recently began teaching early childhood classes at the local community college. This has been a fun way to keep everyone growing and learning. In her free time, she loves to spend time at the beach or take walks in the forest. Maybe even enjoy a coffee alone. Cascade works remotely part time, but is here to help you with your invoices, registrations and most questions you may have.
You can learn more about the rest of our incredible staff here:
https://www.bellamente.org/team
Payment Options
As a reminder we manually create our invoices. If you request card or ACH payments please allow a few days for the change to reflect on your account. There will not be a late fee charged during this time.
Check: If you prefer to write a check, you can place it in your child’s classroom envelope located on the information board.
Or you can mail it to: Bella Mente Early Learning at 9051 20th Ave SW Suite 1 Seattle, WA 98106
Online via your bank’s bill pay: This mails a check to us at at 9051 20th Ave SW Suite 1 Seattle, WA 98106
BECU: If you are a member with BECU you can Pay with direct BECU transfer by filling out the form at this link: bellamente.org/becu
ACH Fee is added Via Quickbooks: We will manually add the 1% or $20 max fee to your invoice
Credit Card Fee is added Via Quickbooks: We will manually add the 2.99% fee to your invoice
Please use the link below to let us know how you prefer to pay: bellamente.org/payment-options
Welcome Back Snapshots
Tax Information
Bella Mente Early Learning Center East
9051 20TH AVE SW suite 1
Seattle, WA 98106
(206) 321-6448
EIN# 13-4368329