Author Archives: Jen Hsin

Given that the school buildings are currently closed, you can register your incoming kindergartner online for next year. Parents of incoming kindergartners can now proceed with enrollment through a secure drop box where you can send all your enrollment documents. Please follow the google form below. Fill it out and you will receive an automated email from MCPS with further directions on how to get documents for enrollment to the school.

Please use this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScNNQ5nntorQTHZbXm6IQO4fY3XzM1dyHi6AaaeMj9tk0dSNw/viewform… Read Full Post

The Bells Mill ES PTA 2019-2020 Fiscal Year ends on June 30, 2020. In order to process all expenses in a timely fashion, it is critical that we receive all requests to pay expenses and all reimbursement requests by Wednesday, June 17, 2020. This is the day after the Teacher Professional Day that ends the 2019-2020 School Year.  Any requests for reimbursement or requests for payment received after this date will not be paid.… Read Full Post

AmazonSmile customers can now support Bells Mill Elem PTA in the Amazon shopping app on iOS and Android mobile phones! Simply follow these instructions to turn on AmazonSmile and start generating donations.

1. Open the Amazon Shopping app on your device
2. Go into the main menu of the Amazon Shopping app and tap into ‘Settings’
3. Tap ‘AmazonSmile’ and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process

If you do not have the latest version of the Amazon Shopping app, update your app.… Read Full Post

We are currently in the beginning stages of planning a summer program for all students at Bells Mill ES. There will be no cost to the program and it will run from July 13 – July 31. Students will be able to choose three courses that will be live taught lessons over zoom during this three week program. Students will have the option of taking up to 3 courses. One will be a Math Boost, one a Reading/LA Boost, and the third will be a variety of enrichment classes being developed by our teachers or those in the cluster.… Read Full Post

Now that summer is here, you may be looking for activities to do with your children to keep their minds sharp for the next school year. Statistics in Schools (SIS) can help! Check out the following resources from SIS as you plan their days.

• New SIS Parent/Caregiver Toolkits. These easy-to-use toolkits, designed for parents and guardians, break down the best resources for keeping kids at all grade levels learning and engaged outside of school. Each toolkit provides tips, best practices, and instruction on how to adapt SIS activities and resources for at-home use.

Since we weren’t able to celebrate the amazing diversity of Bells Mill with our traditional International Festival this year, the PTA would like to create a BMES International Festival cookbook for everyone to enjoy at home. The Bells Mill community is invited to submit your favorite recipes from where you’re from, where you’ve traveled, or just a favorite dish from your family.

Please submit your recipes with the following information:

• Contributor’s name (family name as you would like it to appear in the cookbook)
• Recipe name
• List of ingredients and amounts
• Recipe yield
• Preparation and cooking instructions (include cook times and temperatures)
• Recipe country of origin
• Contributor’s note – please share 2-3 sentences about the dish and its traditions or why it is important to your family

We will distribute it electronically at the end of the year.… Read Full Post

This week we are having a virtual International Festival on the PTA Facebook Page. Mark where your family would like to travel or learn fun facts about 15+ countries as we travel the world together.

The PTA is excited to sponsor a virtual science assembly with Mad Science  tomorrow (Friday, May 15). They will offer two shows: “Things That Go Boom” for grades K-2 at 1:00, and “Reaction and Action” for grades 3-5 at 2:00. Please check Mrs. O’s spotlight for Zoom information.

On Tuesday we had the final scheduled general meeting of the Bells Mill PTA for this school year, via Zoom.  Per the current rules in effect, we were not able to take any official votes during this meeting, but several issues were discussed that will be put to official votes at the next general meeting.  Thanks to all who attended, and a special thanks to Mrs. Kanter for presenting!

For those who could not make it, here is a quick recap:

• Devin Donaldson opened the meeting by thanking the volunteers who have been working to help reshape our PTA activities for this year, as well as the teachers for being so supportive and collaborative.

The Bells Mill teachers want you to know that they miss you! Check out this awesome video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2fpL08Qsfs&feature=youtu.be