See below for a copy of Mrs. O’s Spotlight and click here for a printable PDF. Have a nice weekend!
This Week:
Mon., Sept. 10 — Curriculum 2.0 Parent Info Meetings (1 at 8 am in rm. 229 and 1 at 7 pm in Media Center) and Language Stars Spanish, 3:30-4:30, rm. 121
Tues., Sept. 11 — Guitar, 3:30-4:30, rm. 125 and Restaurant Night: California Tortilla Night, 5:00-8:00 pm – PTA earns a percentage and/or Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt Night, 4:30-8:00 pm – PTA earns a percentage
Wed., Sept. 12 –Daisies, 3:30-4:45, rm. 128 (NOT KINDERGARTENERS), Girl Scouts, 3:30-4:45, rm. 149, Instrumental Music Parent Info. Mtg., 6:30-7:00 pm, APR, and Grades 3-5 Back to School Night, 7:00 pm
Thur., Sept. 13 — Kung Fu, 3:30-4:30, rm. 164 and Hip Hop, 3:30-4:30, gym
Fri., Sept. 14 — Violin, 3:30-4:30, rm. 120
Have a great long weekend! NO SCHOOL on Monday
A Look Ahead
Sept. 17 Rosh Hashanah Holiday, No School
Sept. 20 Odyssey of the Mind Parent Info Meeting, 7:00-8:00 pm, APR
Sept. 26 Yom Kippur Holiday, No School
Sept. 28 Early Release Day, 1:00 pm dismissal
- Wednesday evening, September 12, 2012, is our Back to School Night for parents of students in grades 3-5. We ask that you meet with us in the All Purpose Room at 7:00 to kick off the new school year. Following that very brief meeting filled with important announcements you will be attending information sessions with your child’s teachers. You will hear about routines and procedures as well as information about the curriculum expectations. Session 1 will run from 7:20 – 8:00, and session 2 will run from 8:05 until 8:40. There will be childcare in the gym provided by the Bar T staff. We look forward to seeing you at this very special evening.
- Attention Parents of 4th and 5th graders, there will be an information meeting for parents of students who wish to participate in the Bells Mill instrumental music program. Parents of new and returning instrumental music students are invited to meet with Mr. Allen, instrumental music teacher, on Wednesday, September 12, 2012, 6:40-7:00 pm, in the APR.
- Still have questions about Curriculum 2.0, Grading and Reporting or new kindergarten report cards? On September 10 we are offering two information meetings for parents. You can choose between an 8:00 am meeting in rm. 229, or a 7:00 pm meeting in the Media Center. Both meetings will cover the same topics.
- Tuesday evening enjoy a night without cooking by having dinner at California Tortilla and dessert afterwards at the Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt eateries in the Cabin John Mall. Just tell them you are from Bells Mill Elementary School when you order. The PTA will get a percentage from the receipts of the evening.
- The BMES Odyssey of the Mind (OM) program is starting up again soon! OM is an international educational program in which teams of 5-7students solve problems ranging from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. Students learn teamwork, performance, and problem-solving skills. Many BMES teams compete in OM tournaments. Last year three teams competed in the Maryland State Finals and one team was selected to participate in the World Finals. Teams meet weekly from fall to mid-spring under the supervision of trained parent coaches (kindergarten students will meet less frequently). Cost is minimal, but parent assistance is required given that OM is an entirely volunteer program. Most meetings will be held on Friday afternoons at the Media Center. The BMES OM program is directed by Dr. Bill Klein, a Bells Mill parent and last year’s recipient of the Maryland OM “OMER” award for his coaching work at Bells Mill and Cabin John. Interested in joining a Bells Mill team? A mandatory informational meeting for students and parents will be held on Thursday, Sept. 20, from 7:00-8:00 pm in the APR. Previous participants should attend.
- FREE homework help is available from MCPS-TV’s Homework Hotline Live (Comcast Ch. 34, Fios Ch. 36, or RCN Ch. 89). Students may contact the Hotline teachers Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday on the phone 4-6 pm, and online 4-9 pm. Phone: 301-279-3234; Web: AskHHL.org ; Email: [email protected]; Facebook: Facebook.com/AskHHL; Twitter: Twitter.com/AskHHL. Homework Hotline Live service begins on September 12.
- Sharing the Task of Parenting, a seminar led by Dr. Tim Evans, Ph.D. and sponsored by the YMCA Youth & Family Services, will be offered Thursday, October 11, 7:00-9:00 pm, Suburban Hospital Auditorium. Conflict in parenting relationships can have a profound effect on children. Learn behaviors that encourage teamwork and develop skills that increase communication. Appropriate for parents, grandparents, step-parents and caregivers. Cost is $15/person; $25/couple; fee waivers are available. Register: www.yfsparentsfall2012.eventbrite.com , or at the door.
Thank you for being partners in your child’s education.