Author Archives: BMES PTA

MCCPTA: Synthetic Turf and AI Policy Resolutions

Posted on by

The MCCPTA will be voting on two resolutions on January 27th, 2026. The first is regarding the AI Usage Policy and second one is regarding Synthetic Turf.

Please review the provided resources on AI, Tech & Education and provide any thoughts or feedback directly to your BMES PTA Delegates (delegate@bellsmill.org). You can also review the draft resolution, slides on the purpose of the resolution, and the associated Q&A. There will be two additional Tech Committee office hours to Discuss AI Resolution that you can attend on Zoom on:
Thursday, January 15, 7:00 pm
Thursday, January 15, 9:00 pm

The second resolution is in regard to the Dangers of Synthetic Turf.… Read Full Post

Posted in PTA

Please Complete Boundary Study Survey by Tomorrow, January 9

Posted on by

COMPLETE THE SURVEY TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK TO MCPS by January 9, 2026. We have heard from MCPS and the Board of Education that meaningful feedback matters!

The recently proposed Crown Boundary Study options have caused significant concerns within our Bells Mill Elementary School community, as several of the options would cause split articulation to Herbert Hoover Middle School and Cabin John Middle School, before meeting back at Churchill High School.

On December 1, MCPS released four additional boundary options for the Crown/Damascus Boundary Study (Options E-H).… Read Full Post

Posted in PTA

MCCPTA Meeting on K-12 English Language Arts – January 12

Posted on by

Interested in learning more about K-12 English Language Arts (ELA) programming in MCPS? Join for an informative session hosted by the MCCPTA Curriculum Committee and the Gifted Education Committee. They will share updates on the ELA curriculum for elementary, middle, and high school, along with details about enrichment and acceleration opportunities available to students. You’ll also learn what you can do to advocate for stronger curriculum and enrichment options within the school system. Please bring your questions.… Read Full Post

Bells Mill Elementary Community Night at Potomac Pizza – January 14

Posted on by

Make dinner easy and support our school! Join us for Bells Mill Elementary Community Night at Potomac Pizza on Wednesday, January 14th from 4–9 PM. Dine in or carry out, and mention Bells Mill Elementary School. 20% of sales will be donated back to the school!

Ordering online? Be sure to click the “Fundraiser” tab on the left menu and add it to your cart before checkout for your order to count. We hope to see lots of Bells Mill families there!… Read Full Post

From the PTA: Book Fair Success and Thank You for the Cookies!

Posted on by


Last week’s Literati Book Fair was a wonderful success, and we are thrilled to share that our school community raised nearly $17,000! Thanks to your incredible support, we’ve already been able to put close to $4,000 right back into our school by purchasing new books for the media center and classroom teachers—getting great reads into students’ hands as quickly as possible. Your participation directly supports literacy at Bells Mill, and we’re so grateful for the enthusiasm the children showed throughout the fair.… Read Full Post

More Holiday Cheer: Gifts for BMES Staff

Posted on by

For the third year, we are coordinating holiday gifts for our non-classroom staff so that all of the amazing people who support our students feel appreciated. We still need a few more volunteers to sign up for gift cards so that all of our staff and faculty at the school can be celebrated! Check out the Signup Genius Link today!

Also check out the list of BMES staff’s favorite things. Gifts may be sent in with your child or dropped off at the front office for staff mailboxes.… Read Full Post

Posted in PTA

AI, Chromebooks, and Phones in Schools – A Summary of Key Projects from the MCCPTA Technology Committee

Posted on by

The Tech Committee wants all MCPS families to be aware of several of our key projects, aligned with MCCPTA’s ​advocacy priorities​, all of which would greatly benefit from your engagement in the next month! For ease of reference, below is a summary of these key projects.

Review the Draft Artificial Intelligence Resolution

Our draft resolution on AI in schools is now open for review and comment by all PTA members. At the next Delegates Assembly on January 27, delegates and presidents from each local PTA will be able to vote on the resolution as well as any suggested amendments.… Read Full Post

Community Corner

Posted on by

Each week, the PTA will share information from other schools in the cluster or community programs 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.

RISE Flag Football: Flag Football is the fastest-growing youth sport in the country. Get active, learn the fundamentals, and build teamwork in a safe, non-contact environment led by the WJ Varsity Flag Football Coach, Butch Worden.… Read Full Post

Boundary Study Update

Posted on by

The recently proposed Crown Boundary Study options have caused significant concerns within our Bells Mill Elementary School community, as several of the options would cause split articulation to Herbert Hoover Middle School and Cabin John Middle School, before meeting back at Churchill High School.

On December 1, MCPS released four additional boundary options for the Crown/Damascus Boundary Study (Options E-H). As with the four proposed in October, changes are proposed that will affect Bells Mill articulation.… Read Full Post

Posted in PTA