From the PTA: Blue Ribbon Bash – Let’s Celebrate in Style!

We’re turning the Bash BLUE this year to celebrate an incredible achievement—Bells Mill is officially a 2024 Blue Ribbon School! Join us for an evening of fun, friends, and festivities next Thursday, May 29 from 5:30pm to 8:00pm.

To celebrate this huge honor, admission is FREE! Just be sure to wear your best BLUE and bring your school spirit!

Here’s what’s in store:

  • Bounce houses
  • DJ dance party
  • Photobooth
  • Cotton Candy
  • Pizza (pre-order only)
  • Hot dog truck (purchase on-site)
  • Ice cream truck (purchase on-site)
  • Concessions (cash only)

Important Details:

  • Wristbands and a signed waiver are required for all children under 17: Link to Waiver
  • We still need a few more volunteers to help with setup and cleanup.
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Wrapping up with Gratitude from the PTA

As we head into the final stretch, a big THANK YOU for two awesome events!

Spring Breakfast with Bears was a sweet success—over 300 donuts served! Huge thanks to Anna Wilkes Brown, Virginia Runko, and all our amazing volunteers.

Restaurant Night at California Tortilla raised $180, bringing our total to $990 this year! Thanks to everyone who supported us, and shoutout to Danielle Somers and Belinda Tan for organizing. Stay tuned for returning favorites and new spots next year!

Middle School English Language Arts Input Needed

Nearly half of MCPS middle schoolers aren’t reading at grade level. With the StudySync contract ending this year, the Board of Education is set to vote May 22 on a new ELA program—CKLA, already used in elementary schools. CKLA offers strong ELA instruction, novel studies, supports for ESOL students, parent transparency, and great value—making it an ideal next step for middle school.

Please email the Board of Education to share your support and your experiences with CKLA as a current or future middle school parent.… Read Full Post

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Community Corner

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 [email protected]While these are not sponsored or endorsed by the BMES PTA, we’re happy to help share information as appropriate.

Spring/Summer Academic Support and Creative Enrichment Classes: Regardless of how qualified you are, as Mom and Dad it is infinitely harder to support your own child academically.… Read Full Post

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Breakfast with Bears Tomorrow!

The rescheduled Breakfast with Bears is tomorrow Tuesday, May 20. Please join us on the blacktop starting at 8:30am for morning refreshments. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow morning!

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Order Your Blue Ribbon T-Shirt by Sunday, May 18

We are so proud that Bells Mill was recognized as a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School by the US Department of Education. For a limited time only, purchase a commemorative Bells Mill Blue Ribbon t-shirt! These t-shirts, designed by our very own Mrs. Grey, are available for purchase through Sunday, May 18, and all proceeds go towards the 2025 Blue Ribbon Bash celebration on May 29! T-shirts will arrive around May 29.

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Model UN—End of Year Update

Bells Mill ES students joined Cabin John MS and Herbert Hoover MS to attend the GCDC Spring Model UN Conference at the U.S. Department of State. This conference hosted over 500 students from around the DMV.

Students were greeted by a pre-recorded video message from the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and were addressed by the Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau. Although Bells Mill students didn’t earn awards at this conference, they performed remarkably well while debating issues involving refugee migration and displacement, child survival and development, as well as new technologies to combat pollution.… Read Full Post

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Register for the Upcoming Blue Ribbon Bash

The Bells Mill PTA Bash is going BLUE this year to celebrate being named a 2024 Blue Ribbon School! The celebration to commemorate will be held on Thursday, May 29th from 5:30pm to 8pm. We are excited to offer this year’s Bash FREE OF CHARGE to celebrate our success. Please wear BLUE!

There will be bounce houses, games, a DJ, photobooth, cotton candy, an ice cream truck (purchase on site), hot dog food truck (purchase on-site), pizza (pre-order only) and concessions for sale (cash only).… Read Full Post

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Community Corner

Splash into Summer—Join Us at the Inverness Recreation Swim & Tennis Club Open House! Families of Bells Mill Elementary, mark your calendars for Saturday, May 17 and/or  Sunday May 18 from Noon to 5pm. Drop by the club (just around the corner from the school) to tour the pool and courts, meet our lifeguards and coaches, and learn about membership options—including discounted student tennis camp rates and our recently added dive team! Kids can have fun in our heated pool, while parents enjoy the scene, relax, and chat with board members.… Read Full Post

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From the PTA—Weekly Message

Staff appreciation week is underway, and we have been celebrating our amazing BMES staff each day. Tomorrow’s theme is Snack Attack: Bring a teacher their favorite snack or drink. Click here for favorites list.

Also, don’t miss our upcoming Breakfast with Bears on Tuesday, May 13 (rain date: Wednesday, May 14). Please join us on the blacktop for breakfast refreshments (donuts, juice, and coffee) before school. Each Bells Mill student can bring one special person to share the morning with.… Read Full Post

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