Mustang Message - April 17, 2022

We are a community of learners thriving in a diverse world!

We are a family.

We are capable.

We are caring.

We all belong!

 

BMP Student Jumping Back into School

BMP students jump right back into school after Spring Break.  Kindergarten Instructional Assistants help students practice their math and counting in creative and fun ways!

 

Health & Safety Reminders

As we begin the last quarter of the school year, we remind families:

  - For the safety of all children, please be sure to bring a photo ID when picking up your child from school; only individuals on the emergency care card with photo ID may check a child out from school

  - For the safety of children with allergies, please consider non-food items such as pencils, small gift items, or a book donation to the classroom; food-based birthday treats are not to be brought to school

  - For the health and safety of all children, please leave animals at home when walking to school or keep any pets on public sidewalks; dogs may not be brought onto school grounds

  - For the safe flow of traffic, families who drive to school should use the Kiss & Ride lanes and follow the traffic patterns; please do not drive around cars or use handicap or other parking spaces as pick up/drop off locations

We appreciate your support in helping Bren Mar Park be a safe and respectful place for all of our students and community members!

 

Specialist Spotlight: Strings

We are looking forward to presenting a great spring concert along with our school band and chorus. Strings students have been working on three musical selections, and we are continuing to develop skills and practice good posture and position. Our evening performance will be held in the gym on Wednesday, April 20 at 7:00 PM.

3rd grade students will be invited to a special concert during school on April 20. 3rd and 4th grade students should start thinking about taking strings class during the next school year. Most of our 5th graders will continue to play their string instruments at Holmes Middle School, and we look forward to seeing them continue to make music.

Mr. Calvin Zubaly, from George Mason University, has joined our classes over the past few weeks as a student teacher. He will assist with the concert and will continue to teach parts of our strings classes until May 4.

Thank you to our strings parents for your support and encouragement.

- Mr. Johnson, Strings Teacher

 

Ways to Help Your Child at Home

Self Regulation -

Several studies have linked self-control to long term success in life. The ability to control your emotions and impulses to make an informed decision based on reason is an essential life skill. When a child has self-control he/she can: delay gratification, control emotions when provoked, they think before speaking or acting and is able to consider possibilities before making decisions.  

Here are some ideas to help them: 1) Coach the through it. When your child loses control, respond empathetically. Recognize and name their emotions without approving their negative action. Ask what are some other things that they could have done differently Or what they will try next time?2) Model it. Children are like sponges, if they see it and they more liked to pick up on it. 3) Practice. It has been shown that self-control can be practiced and improved. Play games like “red light, green light” or “freeze dance” with them.  

Here are some Books about self control: 1) No, David! By David Shannon, 2) My mouth is a volcano by Julie Cook, 3) If you are angry and you know it by Cecily Kaiser, 4) Interrupting chicken by David Ezra Stein.  

-Ms. Kramer, School Counselor

 

BMP Students Provide Feedback and Suggestions

Bren Mar Park students work with our Responsive Classroom coach to provide insights, feedback and suggestions for improving the cafeteria experience.

 

The Spring Book Fair is Coming!

The book fair is coming the week of April 18-22nd!  Students may shop at the book fair during the school day.  Families may come shop during school hours or you may come after school from 4:15-5:30 on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (April 18, 19, 20).  On Literacy Night, the book fair will be open from 4:15-6:30 so that you can shop before Literacy Night activities begin.  What better way to support your child’s literacy than with a new book?

Attendance Matters!

Every day counts when it comes to student attendance.  We are eager to welcome your children back in school tomorrow, April 11 at 9:00 a.m.  Your child's attendance is very important!  Teachers will be teaching, and students will be learning. 

  • Studies have shown that just 2 absences per month can cause students to fall behind and start to struggle. Let’s finish this school year strong!
  • According to a recent student of elementary and middle schools, there’s a 5.8% difference between April and June attendance rates.  And, in some schools, the attendance drop is nearly twice that.  Let's work together to end the school year with success.

 

HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR CHILD HAVE GOOD ATTENDANCE?

  • Don’t let your child stay home unless she is truly sick. Complaints of a stomachache or headache may be a sign of anxiety and not necessarily a reason to stay home, especially if your child has not been exposed to Covid-19.
  • If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to your child's teacher, our school counselor Ms. Kramer, or other parents/guardians for advice on how to make her feel comfortable and excited about learning.
  • Talk to teachers if you notice sudden changes in behavior. These could be tied to something going on at school, and we are here to help!
  • Ask for help from school officials, afterschool programs, other parents or community agencies if you’re having trouble getting your child to school.  Contact our Family Liaison, Mrs. Chetelat, if you might need support with this.
  • We ask that family trips and extended vacations be limited to scheduled school holidays, such as Spring and Summer breaks.  Every school day is important for teaching and learning.  The last day of this school year is Friday, June 10th.

Thank you for your partnership!

 

Kindergarten Orientation

We invite families of rising Kindergarten students to join us for Kindergarten Orientation to learn more about Bren Mar Park and a typical school day.

 

Kindergarten Orientation

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

In-Person and Virtual Participation Options

 

Lunch Meal Information

Ms. Lee, our cafeteria manager, reminds families that one lunch meal per child continues to be free for every student in our building.  Students are to take the full meal and not just one item.  Should a child want an extra serving, those items will be charged to the child’s lunch account at the following prices:

Extra Meal                                        $4.50

One Side Dish (like fries)                 $2.75

Milk                                                   $0.60

Families can pay 3 ways:  MySchoolBucks, check or cash.  Families may also choose to apply for free- or reduced-meals through the online application here.   Free- or reduced-meal qualifications may also allow families to access reduced fees for other programs, including some summer programs.

 

Important Upcoming Dates/Events

April 20                 Donuts with Dependents (Military), 8:30-9:15 a.m.

April 20                 BMP Band/Chorus/Strings Concert, 7:00 p.m.

April 20                 PTA-Sponsored Restaurant Night:  Chipotle, Springfield Mall

April 21                 Family Literacy Night, 6:30 p.m. (In-Person); pizza at 6:00

April 27                 Kindergarten Orientation, 4:30 p.m.

April 28                 Parent Coffee, 9:30 a.m., virtual and in person

April 28                 PTA General Body Meeting, 6:00 p.m.

May 2 - 6              Teacher Appreciation Week

May 2 - June 3     SOL Testing for students in grades 3-5     

June 10                Last Day of School

August 22             First Day of the 2022-23 School Year, Grades K-5