Author Archives: Jen Hsin

Please see the information below sent by the MCCPTA.

Yesterday, the Virtual Learning Committee sent a letter to MCPS Superintendent Dr. Jack Smith to recommend improvements to the way MCPS manages the COVID Crisis and communicates with parents.  Specifically, we propose that MCPS:

-form a COVID Crisis Response Team–led by a dedicated Associate Superintendent–to coordinate across multiple MCPS departments to address challenges and identify opportunities for innovative curriculum delivery
-produce a detailed FAQ for parents about the Reopening Plans
-ensure that MCPS communications are simpler and more readable (you might recognize some of the examples cited)

Join Our Committee!… Read Full Post

In keeping our traditions alive and well (even if over Zoom) – the BMES PTA is excited to sponsor our annual BINGO night! Bring the whole family and join us on Saturday, February 27 from 7 pm – 9 pm.

–Bells Mill Celebrity BINGO Callers: Hear from some of your favorite Bells Mill teachers as they call out the BINGO numbers!

–Lots of Fun and a Few Prizes: A small number of prizes will be awarded (in a COVID-friendly way)!… Read Full Post

The BMES PTA is looking to hold one or more zoom socials for parents in the coming months. We want to help parents connect, collaborate, and commiserate during these uncertain times. We are a strong community and we are here to help each other! To help us plan, we’re interested in hearing what topics might be of interest and when they should be held. Answer our two question poll here: https://forms.gle/o47YDCgzRgswBmK37

We’re super excited to announce the finalists for the 2020-2021 Reflections Art Program with the theme: “I Matter Because…”

Congrats to our BMES artists and finalists! You can see all of their work here.

Photography Primary – Sloane Cypes -“Masks Protect Other People” -Award of Excellence
Dance Choreography Primary – Stella Abramson – “My Dream” -Award of Merit
Literature Primary – Sloane Cypes – “Being Kind Matters” – Award of Merit
Literature Intermediate – Brodie Pashkoff – “My Voice” – Honorable Mention
Music Composition Primary – Stella Abramson – “You Can Believe in Yourself” – Honorable Mention

The PTA is looking for 5 parents to join our sister school committee to share ideas, collaborate and foster a long-lasting relationship with the staff and parents at South Lake Elementary School.

If interested, please email [email protected] and give your full contact name, email and phone number. We will host a zoom with South Lake once all volunteers are identified.

With discussions happening across all levels (BoE, county, state) about the School Resource Officer Program, the MCCPTA Engagement Subcommittee invites you to attend a learning session about the SRO program.  This not a debate, instead a discussion of ideas and informational, so our communities can make informed votes as resolutions/legislation moves forward.

Please register at bit.ly/EngageFeb2021.  Spanish Interpreters can be available if needed (please indicate as much while registering).

MCPS will begin phased reopening schools in beginning March 1^st. Parents are invited to join Dr. Smith for a virtual parent meeting on Tuesday, February 16 at 6:30-7:30 PM. Dr. Smith will be presenting the BMES re-entry plans. This meeting is being hosted by BMES and login information will come from the school.

The next county NAACP Parents’ Council Meeting will be held on February 17. MCPS Deputy Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight will be the guest speaker. Please register in advance here.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. You can submit questions in advance here.

The PTA would like to thank the amazing zoom room parents and teachers for helping to make Valentine’s Day special for the students. The fun activities, card exchanges, and goodie bags allowed students to celebrate the connections they have with each other and the school. We all appreciate the creativity, ingenuity and time it took to make these things happen!

Because of the amazing response from our MCPS high school students who are looking to volunteer as virtual tutors, the MCCPTA is directly sponsoring a number of newly formed student-led platforms to try and meet the tutoring demand.

Kiddo, provides families looking for free learning support a single place to search and register for those services. This free virtual tutoring platform is the Central platform for families to search and register for free student-led tutoring services. 

Families can also signup directly on each student-led site

Aurora Tutoring
Generation Z Tutoring
Hope Spreaders
Montgomery County Virtual Tutoring Project
MoCo Pineapple Tutoring
SparkStars Tutoring
Stepping Stone Tutoring

Note — the student-led programs operate independent registration sites, but have joined this central platform. … Read Full Post