Mustang Message - 11/22/2020

A Message from the Principal

Dear Bren Mar Park families,

As we prepare for Thanksgiving, I want to thank our families for their continued partnership with our instructional staff during this very different year.  And, as we prepare to celebrate the holiday, I encourage our students, families, and staff to disconnect from school and technology during the break.  While some students may have assignments or work they would like to catch up on, there will be time after the holiday.  Projects and learning programs do not replace the importance of connecting with family, engaging in conversations, and doing hands-on activities alongside family members this time of year.

We hope that everyone can decompress, relax and reenergize during the long weekend.  A healthy balance is critical to everyone’s well-being.  I ask both students and staff to disconnect during the break. For many of us, the holidays will look different this year, and we hope that you enjoy your time together.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  

Sincerely,

Mrs. Williams

Principal

 

Bren Mar Park Front Office Closed

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the Bren Mar Park front office will be closed to the public on Wednesday, November 25 - Friday, November 27th.  We will be available again on Monday, November 30th starting at 8:30 a.m.

 

Outstanding Employee Nominations

Every year, each FCPS school seeks to recognize and celebrate employee success.  If you know an amazing Bren Mar Park staff member who you believe deserves to be recognized for their great work, you may nominate an employee in one or more categories.  Just share with us a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work! Here are the categories:

Outstanding Teacher – a teacher/librarian with 3 or more years of experience

Outstanding New Teacher – a teacher with less than 3 years of experience

Outstanding Leader – a school-based employee with at least one year of experience in the position – these positions could include Assistant Principal

Outstanding Professional Employee – a  school-based employee – these positions include School-Based Technology Specialists, Technology Support Specialists, Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, and Counselor 

Outstanding Operational Employee – a school-based employee – these positions include administrative and office staff, custodial staff, food service staff, Instructional Assistants, Public Health Assistants, Public Health Training Assistants, and parent liaisons

Outstanding New Principal – a building principal with less than 3 years of experience

The deadline to submit a name for nomination is December 1, 2020.  Contact BMP Outstanding Employee coordinator, Rebecca Harrison at rnharrison@fcps.edu, with your staff nomination or for more information.

 

Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) Level IV Screening Referral

Tuesday, December 1 is the close of the window (Sept 8-Dec 1) for parents to submit a referral form for their student to be screened for full-time Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) Level IV. The parent referral form, submitted to the school, is one pathway to have a student screened for AAP Level IV. Parents should not wait for an announcement of the second grade screening pool if they want to make sure their students is screened for AAP in the coming screening cycle. Parents of students in grades 2-7 will need to submit the referral form to our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, Cathy Trope (cjtrope@fcps.edu ) by December 1.  Referrals will not be accepted after December 1. For more information about AAP Level IV or the screening process, please visit https://www.fcps.edu/academics/academic-overview/advanced-academic-programs.

 

Returning to In-Person Instruction

Updates and more information continue to be found on the FCPS Return to School Family Guide website.

UPDATED:  Group 5 - FECEP, Kindergarten, and Some Special Education

Expected Return to In-Person Date:  Tuesday, 12/1/2020

 

UPDATED:  Group 6 - Grades 1 and 2

Expected Return to In-Person Date:  Tuesday, 12/8/2020

Independent Workdays for Teacher Preparation:  

                                                      Monday, 11/23

                                                      Tuesday, 11/24

UPDATED: Group 7 - Grades 3, 4 and 5

Expected Return to In-Person Date:  Tuesday, 1/12/2021

Independent Workdays for Teacher Preparation:   To Be Determined

 

The Many Faces of BMP

Cherly

Cherly Escoto-Ruiz, FECEP Instructional Assistant, was born in Honduras and came to the United States when she was in fifth grade. Cherly is getting her Pre-K to third grade teaching licensure at George Mason University. After changing her major from business to ECE, she has being working with young children since 2015. This is her first year with FCPS and one of our new staff at BMP. In her free time she enjoys playing soccer, working out, binge watching shows and napping. 

 

Parent Information Sessions on Return to In-Person

We hope that you will join us for Parent Information Sessions on Returning to In-Person Instruction at Bren Mar Park Elementary School.  While they are divided up by grade levels in order to allow for smaller groups and more opportunity for grade-level specific questions, all families will receive the link to participate in any of the upcoming parent information sessions. All sessions begin at 5:00 p.m. and will be held virtually. 

     UPDATED:  Grades 1 & 2 -  Tuesday, December 1, 2020, 5:00 p.m.

     UPDATED:  Grades 3, 4 & 5 -  Tuesday, January 7, 2021, 5:00 p.m.

 

Specialist Spotlight

Library Spotlight.....

Hi Families,

This is your librarian, Mrs. Watson!  I want to remind you that the library has lots of great resources for your child.  Please go to the Library Website (https://sites.google.com/fcpsschools.net/bmpeslibrary/home) and bookmark the page. From here, you can get to the library catalog, find how-to videos, access fun websites, listen to read-alouds and more!  You can also find information about Curbside Checkout.  Every other week, your child can put 5 library books on hold. You can pick them up in front of the school on Wednesday or from your bus stop on Thursday.  Check the Curbside Checkout page to find the bus schedule and a calendar to help you know exactly when to do things.  Just a reminder - there is NO Curbside Checkout next week because of the Thanksgiving Break.

Your child can also check out ebooks to read on his or her laptop or tablet.  To do this, go to the Library Website and watch the video on How to Find eBooks Using MackinVia.  Then go to Destiny (https://search.follettsoftware.com/metasearch/ui/103149) and log in.  You get to MackinVia by clicking on the icon in the Learning Links ribbon.  Your child can borrow up to 5 ebooks from MackinVia at a time.  And the best part?  No lost library books!  You can also install the MackinVia app on a tablet or a phone, so he/she can read the books on a different device.  This is super helpful when you want a book right away!  As always, if you have questions, you can reach me at clwatson@fcps.edu.  Happy Reading!

 

Important Upcoming Dates/Events

 

November 25, 26 & 27               Holiday:  Thanksgiving Break

December 1       Parent Information Session:  Grades 1 & 2, 5:00 p.m.

December 14      Virtual Winter-Sing-A-Long

December 17      Celebrating Cultural Stories Family Event

December 21 - January 1          Holiday:  Winter Break

January 7            Parent Information Session:  Grades 3, 4 & 5, 5:00 p.m.