MCPS Budget Cuts: Please Take Action to Support our Staff and Students Today

Important: Please take action today.

The County Council is currently finalizing the county operating budget, and MCPS is facing significant funding shortfalls. Without full funding, MCPS will be forced to cut critical staff positions, including Staff Development Officers and Media Assistants.

At BMES, these roles are filled by Mr. Mark Fenton and Mrs. Wendy Reiter — both of whom are essential to supporting our students, teachers, and school community. We urgently ask you to contact the County Council and advocate for fully funding the MCPS budget to prevent these cuts.… Read Full Post

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Purchase Your Tickets for Bells Mill Bash — June 4

Celebrate the end of the school year with classmates and our school community at the ever-popular Bells Mill Bash on Thursday, June 4 from 5:30-7:30 pm.

Enjoy bounce houses, games, a DJ, and time to picnic with friends over pizza, ice cream, and concessions.

All children ages 3-17 require an admission bracelet and signed waiver. Adults are free. Please note: This event is for Bells Mill families only, and children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.… Read Full Post

Changes to Math Acceleration and Literacy Plans, Meeting on May 21

At last week’s Board of Education Meeting, MCPS unveiled changes to Math and ELA enrichment and acceleration in elementary schools. Link to presentation.

Per the presentation, MCPS is planning to eliminate compacted math classes in elementary school AND eliminate “Model 1” ELA classes in grades 4 and 5. Instead, MCPS proposes delivering enrichment and acceleration through cluster grouping within heterogeneous classrooms.

While BMES is still working with its partners at Central Office to better understand these changes and what this will mean for the 2026-2027 school year and beyond, the PTA is asking parents to reach out to the Board of Education boe@mcpsmed.orgRead Full Post

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 communications@bellsmill.org. While these are not sponsored or endorsed by the BMES PTA, we’re happy to help share information as appropriate.

Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival – June 13-19 – The Scotland community is a historically significant Black community located in Potomac, Maryland.… Read Full Post

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Thank You for Helping Us Celebrate Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week!

Thank you to everyone who helped make Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week such a special celebration for our amazing Bells Mill teachers and staff!

Throughout the week, the PTA was thrilled to show our appreciation with sweets, treats, gifts, a barista bar (special shoutout to Anya Izhevskaya for setting up the bar and handcrafting delicious beverages), breakfast, a candy bar and other fun surprises. These gestures were a small way to recognize the care, dedication and hard work our teachers and staff bring to Bells Mill every day.… Read Full Post

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Breakfast with Bears — Tuesday May 12

Come join us on the blacktop for light breakfast refreshments — donuts, juice, and coffee — before school on Tuesday, May 12, from 8:30 to 9:05 a.m. Rain date: Wednesday, May 13.

Each Bells Mill Bear may bring one special person to share the morning with. To help us plan for refreshments, please RSVP by Friday, May 8.

Representatives from Safe Routes to School and Bar-T will also be at Breakfast with Bears. We’ll also have spirit wear available for purchase: $18 per T-shirt, $5 per jibbitz, or $20 for both.… Read Full Post

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Around the World with Jewish Music

May is Jewish Heritage Month and, as part of the celebration, on May 22, the Bells Mill PTA will host a special edition of Concert à la carte titled, “Around the World with Jewish Music.” This isn’t just a performance — it’s a joyful, fully interactive experience designed specifically for school-age children. Our students will have the chance to sing and dance to melodies that have traveled across continents; play instruments and act out vibrant stories; learn words in new languages; and discover the rich history of Jewish culture through song.… Read Full Post

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Share Your Feedback on MCPS Calendar Planning Priorities

At the last Delegates Assembly, the Education Committee chairs proposed that MCCPTA take a formal position on what MCPS should prioritize when developing the school calendar, as this is a recurring issue for families, schools and staff. In addition, both MCPS and MCEA have identified as a legislative priority removing the requirement that school systems meet both a minimum number of instructional hours and a minimum number of school days.

The MCCPTA education committee wants your feedback!… 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 communications@bellsmill.org. While these are not sponsored or endorsed by the BMES PTA, we’re happy to help share information as appropriate.

MCDOT Safety Day – Saturday, May 9

Inverness Recreation Club Open House and Join Today!

Summer starts here! Join us for our annual Inverness Open House on May 16 & 17 from 12–5 PM.Read Full Post

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Congratulations to our Shining Star – Mrs. Laurene Over!

Mrs. Laurene Over and MCPS Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor
MCCPTA Awards Ceremony, May 2026

Each year, MCCPTA recognizes an outstanding Montgomery County support staff member for their dedication and impact on our children and youth. This year, the PTA proudly nominated Mrs. Over—and we’re so excited to share that she was selected as this year’s award recipient!

Mrs. Over, Administrative Assistant to Dr. Smith, is truly the magic behind the scenes at Bells Mill Elementary—the person who somehow keeps a thousand moving pieces perfectly in sync while making it all look effortless.… Read Full Post

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