Bells Mill Elementary School PTA

The County Council is slated to pass the county budget this Thursday, May 21. MCPS anticipates they will be given a budget that is short by $36M. Therefore the Board of Education will need to make adjustments to its preliminary operating budget. MCPS has announced that media assistants will likely be cut in the first round of tranches necessary to make up the shortfall. Our wonderful media assistant — Mrs Wendy Reiter — who is critical to our school and helping our students meet their literacy goals may be lost.… Read Full Post

Want to know more about MCPS changes to the Math and ELA curriculum for elementary schools? MCCPTA is offering a virtual session this Thursday, May 21 at 7 pm. Please register here to attend. Additionally MCPS will be holding community engagement sessions both in person and virtually on Math changes. Dates are as follows: 

• Tuesday, May 26, 7:00–8:15 p.m. — Rosa Parks MS
• Tuesday, June 2, 7:00–8:15 p.m. — Virtual
• Tuesday, June 9, 7:00–8:15 p.m.… Read Full Post

Important: Please take action today.

The County Council is currently finalizing the county operating budget, and MCPS is facing significant funding shortfalls. Without full funding, MCPS will be forced to cut critical staff positions, including Staff Development Officers and Media Assistants.

At BMES, these roles are filled by Mr. Mark Fenton and Mrs. Wendy Reiter — both of whom are essential to supporting our students, teachers, and school community. We urgently ask you to contact the County Council and advocate for fully funding the MCPS budget to prevent these cuts.… Read Full Post

Each week in Bear Post, we will share information from other schools in the cluster or community events that provide opportunities to connect and help each other. If you have anything you would like to add, email communications@bellsmill.org. While these are not sponsored or endorsed by the BMES PTA, we’re happy to help share information as appropriate.

Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival – June 13-19 – The Scotland community is a historically significant Black community located in Potomac, Maryland.… Read Full Post

Thank you to everyone who helped make Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week such a special celebration for our amazing Bells Mill teachers and staff!

Throughout the week, the PTA was thrilled to show our appreciation with sweets, treats, gifts, a barista bar (special shoutout to Anya Izhevskaya for setting up the bar and handcrafting delicious beverages), breakfast, a candy bar and other fun surprises. These gestures were a small way to recognize the care, dedication and hard work our teachers and staff bring to Bells Mill every day.… Read Full Post

Come join us on the blacktop for light breakfast refreshments — donuts, juice, and coffee — before school on Tuesday, May 12, from 8:30 to 9:05 a.m. Rain date: Wednesday, May 13.

Each Bells Mill Bear may bring one special person to share the morning with. To help us plan for refreshments, please RSVP by Friday, May 8.

Representatives from Safe Routes to School and Bar-T will also be at Breakfast with Bears. We’ll also have spirit wear available for purchase: $18 per T-shirt, $5 per jibbitz, or $20 for both.… Read Full Post

May is Jewish Heritage Month and, as part of the celebration, on May 22, the Bells Mill PTA will host a special edition of Concert à la carte titled, “Around the World with Jewish Music.” This isn’t just a performance — it’s a joyful, fully interactive experience designed specifically for school-age children. Our students will have the chance to sing and dance to melodies that have traveled across continents; play instruments and act out vibrant stories; learn words in new languages; and discover the rich history of Jewish culture through song.… Read Full Post

At the last Delegates Assembly, the Education Committee chairs proposed that MCCPTA take a formal position on what MCPS should prioritize when developing the school calendar, as this is a recurring issue for families, schools and staff. In addition, both MCPS and MCEA have identified as a legislative priority removing the requirement that school systems meet both a minimum number of instructional hours and a minimum number of school days.

The MCCPTA education committee wants your feedback!… Read Full Post