FCPS

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We are a community of learners... thriving in a diverse world!

We are a family.

We are capable.

We are caring.

We all belong!

 

Veteran's Day Assembly at BMP

Important Dates

Nov. 11, 2024    No School - Veterans Day

Nov. 18, 2024   3 hour early release

Nov. 20, 2024  Turkey Trot Walk-A-Thon

Nov. 21, 2024   Thanksgiving Day Lunch  

Nov. 27 - Nov. 29   No School - Thanksgiving Break

 

Specialist Spotlight - PE

Physical Education Classes

There has been a lot of excitement down in the gym recently as our mustangs have begun our gymnastics unit. During the next few weeks, students will be working to develop a variety of skills including rolling, balancing, tumbling, and jumping and landing. Thanks in part to our partnership with K12 Athletics Foundation, we have a large amount of gymnastics equipment for our student to use to help improve their skills including springboards, vaulting blocks, tumbling mats, pit mats, and balance beams.

Gymnastics Club

We are currently sponsoring a morning gymnastics club for students in 4th & 5th grade and for students in the morning SACC program. The club meets 8:30-9:00am Monday-Friday from November 19th until December 19th. Students interested in participating can get a permission form from              Mrs. Domingo and Mr. Hill during PE class.

Sneaker Reminder

In order for students to safety participate in all our PE activities and to perform to the best of their abilities, we need them to wear sneakers to PE class. Please have your child wear sneakers to school on their PE days or have them bring a pair of sneakers in their backpacks to change into for PE class. A list of class PE days can be found on our BMP PE Twitter page.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns. Email is the best way to reach us.

Michelle Domingo & Dave Hill, Physical Education Teachers ([email protected] ; [email protected] )

 

BMP PTA Turkey Trot Walk-A-Thon

The PTA is excited about our SECOND Mustangs Turkey Trot Walk-A-Thon!! This event replaces the traditional Turkey Trot. We are raising money and school spirit by doing an event in which everyone can participate.

It will take place on Wednesday, November 20th during the school day. If you would like to volunteer, sign up at 

https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/60B0948ABA92EABF94-53150860-bren

To register for donation collection, use https://www.getmovinfundhub.com/register?school_uuid=654425910e331or the QR code below.  The school identifier is 654425910e331 And the most important thing you can do is share, share, SHARE your link!

All students will participate in the Turkey Trot Walk-A-Thon, and we request that all students register for fundraising.  Students can gather pledges for a flat rate or per lap amount. All money raised will go toward classroom supplies, field trips, teacher grants/events, end of the year assembly, community building events, and more.  Students can wear their new (or old!) spirit wear. 

Each 30 minute schedule will include:  5 minutes to arrive and get directions, 20 minutes to walk or jog the designated loop and 5 minutes to cool down and receive a medal. 

Family members are invited to come and cheer children on!  Just please sign in to the front office prior to going to the fields.

There are incentives:

1. Students who register before Friday evening will be entered to win a donut breakfast for their entire class. A winner will be randomly selected and donuts delivered to the class on Monday morning.
2. Each student who registers will receive a slap bracelet and lollipop.
3. Each student who reach all star status (raise at least $150), will have breakfast with Principal Williams.
4. Each student who raises at least $25, will receive a Thanksgiving pop it. 
5.  Any class that reaches their fundraising goals (tracked on the website) will get a free choice PE class.
6.  If the school meets the fundraising goal of $8,000, there will be a special incentive. Do you have ideas what this incentive should be? If so, email [email protected]. (Last year, Mrs. Williams dyed her hair BLUE once we met our school goal!)

We hope you feel enthusiastic about this event and thank you in advance for helping. If you have questions or suggestions, please email me. Anything you can do to get your student excited for this event is greatly appreciated!!!

All the best,

Kelly Thompson

PTA President

[email protected]

 

BMP Thanksgiving Lunch

Families are Welcome to Join Us for School Thanksgiving Lunch

Save the Date!  Thursday, November 21.  Family members 18 years or older are invited to join us for a very special tradition – Thanksgiving lunch at Bren Mar Park.  Families may choose to bring their own lunch or purchase the school lunch for $4.75.  Cash only, please.  Sit and enjoy time with your child and get to know his/her friend group, too.  Enjoy the student special art creations which will decorate the day.  An adjusted lunch schedule will be coming home soon.

 

FCPS Comprehensive School Boundary Review

Fairfax County Public Schools is undergoing a comprehensive boundary review. This review will assess the boundaries across our district to better support student population growth, changes in school capacity, student health and wellness, and evolving community needs. 

Boundary Review Committee Meetings begin next week.  The Region 6 meeting will be held at Annandale High School on Thursday, December 12, 2024, beginning at 6:45 p.m.  Other meeting dates and locations can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/maps/2024-2026-boundary-review

Family Market

Dear Wonderful Volunteers,

Thank you all for making our family market a great success! Your support was absolutely invaluable in making this happen. It couldn’t have been done without you.

We have 7 more market dates ahead, where we’ll continue to need volunteer support to serve our community together:        

December 5        January 9      February 6

March 6               April 3           May 1

June 5

If you are able and willing to support, from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m., on one or more of these dates, please contact Belle Arze at  [email protected]  

 

The Great Work of Our Teachers

We are excited to share the success of our recent math professional development sessions, held across the Annandale Pyramid. This collaboration is part of our ongoing commitment to aligning and enhancing math instruction from kindergarten through 12th grade, ensuring every student benefits from innovative, inclusive approaches to learning.

The sessions were made even more memorable by a visit from Superintendent Reid, who observed one of the workshops at Annandale Terrace Elementary School. She highlighted the visit in her "Weekly Reflections" newsletter, sharing her appreciation for our teachers’ dedication: "It was inspiring to see second grade teachers from across the pyramid collaborating on the upcoming math unit, sharing strategies, and adapting resources specifically to support our multilingual learners." Her words energize us to continue this vital work in supporting our diverse learners.

Here’s a look at the event highlights and outcomes:

Annandale Pyramid Elementary Schools: The recent Annandale Pyramid Elementary Math Professional Development session, held across various schools, brought together K-5 teachers for focused workshops tailored to each grade level. The sessions began with an overview of goals and shared resources, emphasizing adaptations for multilingual learners. Teachers then practiced effective scaffolding techniques in small groups and rehearsed lesson plans, with peer feedback to refine their approaches. These collaborative efforts aimed to enhance support for multilingual students and foster consistent instructional strategies across schools.

Annandale Pyramid Secondary Schools (Grades 6-12): Teachers from Annandale High School, Poe Middle School, and Holmes Middle School worked closely to share best practices to support our diverse group of students. They explored ways to address students’ needs through teacher-led small groups and used pictorial anchor charts to strengthen students' mathematical language. Content teams identified specific upcoming lessons where they plan to apply these strategies. This collaborative work highlights our commitment to building community across our schools and supporting our unified vision:

In the Annandale Pyramid, mathematics teaching and learning focuses on developing an understanding of concepts and procedures through problem-solving, reasoning, and discourse.

Thank you for your continued support as we foster a collaborative learning community in the Annandale Pyramid. Together, we are making strides toward a brighter future for all our students.

The Annandale Pyramid Principals

Ingrid Badia (Annandale Terrace ES), Keesha Jackson-Muir (Braddock ES), Elizabeth Williams (Bren Mar Park ES), Michael Astudillo (Columbia ES), Felicia Usher (Weyanoke ES), Chad McRae (North Springfield ES), Serena Giron (Holmes MS), Jason Pannutti (Poe MS), and Shawn DeRose (Annandale HS)Click to edit this placeholder text.

Getting to Know Your BMP Staff

Megan Sarangoulis, 2nd Grade Teacher

Hello! I’m so excited to be joining BMP!  This will be my 9th year teaching - before this I taught 2nd grade in Maryland.  

I grew up in Wisconsin and received my Bachelor’s degree from University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point.  I also have my Master’s in Reading Education.  

When I’m not teaching, I love to read, draw, and pet as many dogs as I can.

 

6344 Beryl Road, Alexandria, VA 22312  | Main Office: 703-914-7200
Attendance: 703-914-7272 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

We are a community of learners... thriving in a diverse world!

We are a family.

We are capable.

We are caring.

We all belong!

 

Important Dates

Nov. 18, 2024   3 Hour Early Release, School ends at 1:00 p.m.

Nov. 20, 2024   Turkey Trot Walk-A-Thon

Nov. 21, 2024   Thanksgiving Day Lunch  

Nov. 27 - Nov. 29   No School - Thanksgiving Break

Dec. - Jan.  No School - Winter Break

 

BMP PTA Turkey Trot Walk-A-Thon

The PTA is excited about our SECOND Mustangs Turkey Trot Walk-A-Thon!! This event replaces the traditional Turkey Trot. We are raising money and school spirit by doing an event in which everyone can participate.

It will take place on Wednesday, November 20th during the school day. If you would like to volunteer, sign up at 

https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/60B0948ABA92EABF94-53150860-bren

To register for donation collection, use https://www.getmovinfundhub.com/register?school_uuid=654425910e331or the QR code below.  The school identifier is 654425910e331 And the most important thing you can do is share, share, SHARE your link!

All students will participate in the Turkey Trot Walk-A-Thon, and we request that all students register for fundraising.  Students can gather pledges for a flat rate or per lap amount. All money raised will go toward classroom supplies, field trips, teacher grants/events, end of the year assembly, community building events, and more.  Students can wear their new (or old!) spirit wear. 

Each 30 minute schedule will include:  5 minutes to arrive and get directions, 20 minutes to walk or jog the designated loop and 5 minutes to cool down and receive a medal. 

Family members are invited to come and cheer children on!  Just please sign in to the front office prior to going to the fields.

There are incentives:

1. Students who register before Friday evening will be entered to win a donut breakfastfor their entire class. A winner will be randomly selected and donuts delivered to the class on Monday morning.
2. Each student who registers will receive a slap bracelet and lollipop.
3. Each student who reach all star status (raise at least $150), will have breakfast with Principal Williams.
4. Each student who raises at least $25, will receive a Thanksgiving pop it. 
5.  Any class that reaches their fundraising goals (tracked on the website) will get a free choice PE class.
6.  If the school meets the fundraising goal of $8,000, there will be a special incentive. Do you have ideas what this incentive should be? If so, email [email protected]. (Last year, Principal Williams dyed her hair BLUE once we met our school goal!)

We hope you feel enthusiastic about this event and thank you in advance for helping. If you have questions or suggestions, please email me. Anything you can do to get your student excited for this event is greatly appreciated!!!

All the best,

Kelly Thompson

PTA President

[email protected]

 

BMP Thanksgiving Lunch

Save the Date!  Thursday, November 21, 2024.  Family members 18 years or older are invited to join us for a very special tradition – Thanksgiving lunch at Bren Mar Park.  Families may choose to bring their own lunch or purchase the school lunch for $4.75.  Cash only, please.  Sit and enjoy time with your child and get to know his/her friend group, too.  Enjoy the student special art creations which will decorate the day.  An adjusted lunch schedule will be coming home soon.

 

Welcome to Our New Family Liaison

Welcome to our new Family Liaison, Belle Arze (Arz-ay)! She is a first generation Latina college graduate from Virginia Tech with a Bachelors in Public Health.  She has previous experiences working on an ambulance as part of the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad and as a Director of Special Projects and an Information Technology (IT) officer.  She is bilingual in Spanish and English.

At last Friday's Family Coffee, she presented the many different ways she can be of help to families.  As the Family Liaison, she connects families with volunteer opportunities, supports student learning by guiding families to information and resources, and supports families through connections to community resources.

Ms. Arze is available to all BMP families via email at bbarze@fcps or phone at 703-914-7200.  

Please help us welcome Ms. Arze to the BMP community!

 

Specialist Spotlight - Music

Hi BMP Families! It has been a busy month for the Music Team. Our Kindergarten and 1st grade students have been exploring different types of Percussion Sounds and learning how to play Rhythm Sticks and Egg Shakers by playing rhythmic patterns. Our 2nd and 3rd grade students have been working very hard on their Music Literacy Skills and are growing into amazing musicians. 

5th grade has been learning all about Music History and practicing their Singing in Ms. Walker's Class and have been performing as an Orff Ensemble in Ms. Kinsella's class. They are all doing excellent work! Chorus has had a strong start to the school year, and we love to see your students reading Choral Music and problem solving on their own.

We are very, very proud of our 4th grade students for their hard work on preparing and presenting the Veteran's Day Concert. The 4th graders sang 4 Patriotic Tunes, and students from the 4A Exploratory music class, sharpened their Recorder Skills and performed "My Country 'tis of Thee" on Recorder for us. They rocked!

We are looking forward to a very musical 2nd quarter.

 

Family Market

Dear Wonderful Volunteers,

Thank you all for making our first family market this fall a great success! Your support was absolutely invaluable in making this happen. It couldn’t have been done without you.

We have 8 more market dates ahead, where we’ll continue to need volunteer support to serve our community together:        

- December 5

- January 9

- February 6

- March 6

- April 3

- May 1

- June 5

If you are able and willing to support, from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m., on one or more of these dates, please contact Belle Arze at  [email protected]  

 

Tutoring Resources for Families

Is your family looking for resources to help support your child’s academic success? FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of district employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to be hired as a tutor by parents. FRC maintains this list, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with tutors. This list is not “approved” by FCPS and is only meant as a resource.

FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.

 

The Great Work of Our Teachers

We are excited to share the success of our recent math professional development sessions, held across the Annandale Pyramid. This collaboration is part of our ongoing commitment to aligning and enhancing math instruction from kindergarten through 12th grade, ensuring every student benefits from innovative, inclusive approaches to learning.

The sessions were made even more memorable by a visit from Superintendent Reid, who observed one of the workshops at Annandale Terrace Elementary School. She highlighted the visit in her "Weekly Reflections" newsletter, sharing her appreciation for our teachers’ dedication: "It was inspiring to see second grade teachers from across the pyramid collaborating on the upcoming math unit, sharing strategies, and adapting resources specifically to support our multilingual learners." Her words energize us to continue this vital work in supporting our diverse learners.

Here’s a look at the event highlights and outcomes:

Annandale Pyramid Elementary Schools: The recent Annandale Pyramid Elementary Math Professional Development session, held across various schools, brought together K-5 teachers for focused workshops tailored to each grade level. The sessions began with an overview of goals and shared resources, emphasizing adaptations for multilingual learners. Teachers then practiced effective scaffolding techniques in small groups and rehearsed lesson plans, with peer feedback to refine their approaches. These collaborative efforts aimed to enhance support for multilingual students and foster consistent instructional strategies across schools.

Annandale Pyramid Secondary Schools (Grades 6-12): Teachers from Annandale High School, Poe Middle School, and Holmes Middle School worked closely to share best practices to support our diverse group of students. They explored ways to address students’ needs through teacher-led small groups and used pictorial anchor charts to strengthen students' mathematical language. Content teams identified specific upcoming lessons where they plan to apply these strategies. This collaborative work highlights our commitment to building community across our schools and supporting our unified vision:

In the Annandale Pyramid, mathematics teaching and learning focuses on developing an understanding of concepts and procedures through problem-solving, reasoning, and discourse.

Thank you for your continued support as we foster a collaborative learning community in the Annandale Pyramid. Together, we are making strides toward a brighter future for all our students.

The Annandale Pyramid Principals

Ingrid Badia (Annandale Terrace ES), Keesha Jackson-Muir (Braddock ES), Elizabeth Williams (Bren Mar Park ES), Michael Astudillo (Columbia ES), Felicia Usher (Weyanoke ES), Chad McRae (North Springfield ES), Serena Giron (Holmes MS), Jason Pannutti (Poe MS), and Shawn DeRose (Annandale HS)

6344 Beryl Road, Alexandria, VA 22312  | Main Office: 703-914-7200
Attendance: 703-914-7272 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

We are a community of learners... thriving in a diverse world!

We are a family.

We are capable.

We are caring.

We all belong!

 

BMP Picture Re-take Nov. 13, 2024

Click to Order : Barksdale Storefront

School picture retake day is tomorrow, Wednesday, November 13, 2024 for new students, students absent on picture day, and students who would like to re-take their photos. Students who would like to retake must bring their original portrait packet to the camera and return it to the photographer. 

6344 Beryl Road, Alexandria, VA 22312  | Main Office: 703-914-7200
Attendance: 703-914-7272 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

We are a community of learners... thriving in a diverse world!

We are a family.

We are capable.

We are caring.

We all belong!

 

Fourth graders dissecting flowers in science as they learn about the parts of a plant.

 

Important Dates

Nov. 11, 2024    No School - Veterans Day

Nov. 18, 2024   3 hour early release

Nov. 20, 2024   Turkey Trot Walkathon

Nov. 21, 2024   Thanksgiving Day Lunch  

Nov. 27 - Nov. 29   No School - Thanksgiving Break

 

Specialist Spotlight - Music

Hi BMP Families! It has been a busy month for the Music Team. Our Kindergarten and 1st grade students have been exploring different types of Percussion Sounds and learning how to play Rhythm Sticks and Egg Shakers by playing rhythmic patterns. Our 2nd and 3rd grade students have been working very hard on their Music Literacy Skills and are growing into amazing musicians. 

5th grade has been learning all about Music History and practicing their Singing in Ms. Walker's Class and have been performing as an Orff Ensemble in Ms. Kinsella's class. They are all doing excellent work! Chorus has had a strong start to the school year, and we love to see your students reading Choral Music and problem solving on their own.

We are very, very proud of our 4th grade students for their hard work on preparing and presenting the Veteran's Day Concert. The 4th graders sang 4 Patriotic Tunes, and students from the 4A Exploratory music class, sharpened their Recorder Skills and performed "My Country 'tis of Thee" on Recorder for us. They rocked!

We are looking forward to a very musical 2nd quarter.

 

Welcome to our new Family Liaison, Belle Arze, who presented the many different ways she can be of help to families.

 

BMP Thanksgiving Lunch

Families Welcome to Join Us for School Thanksgiving Lunch

Save the Date!  Thursday, November 21.  Family members 18 years or older are invited to join us for a very special tradition – Thanksgiving lunch at Bren Mar Park.  Families may choose to bring their own lunch or purchase the school lunch for $4.75.  Cash only, please.  Sit and enjoy time with your child and get to know his/her friend group, too.  Enjoy the student special art creations which will decorate the day.  An adjusted lunch schedule will be coming home soon.

 

Coat Needs & Donations

Firefighters and Friends to the Rescue is a non-profit organization that supports connecting students in need who may not otherwise be able to have a coat.  Donations and funds to this program support students in many schools, including Bren Mar Park.  Direct donations of coats for Bren Mar Park children, especially in sizes adult S and M are also welcomed and accepted at the Bren Mar Park front office.

Family Market

Dear Wonderful Volunteers,

Thank you all for making our first family market this fall a great success! Your support was absolutely invaluable in making this happen. It couldn’t have been done without you.

We have 8 more market dates ahead, where we’ll continue to need volunteer support to serve our community together:        

- December 5

- January 9

- February 6

- March 6

- April 3

- May 1

- June 5

If you are able and willing to support, from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m., on one or more of these dates, please contact Belle Arze at  [email protected]  

 

Services for Hearing-Impaired and Visually-Impaired Students

Students with sensory disabilities require specialized services and support to access instruction that is typically presented visually and auditorily (by means of hearing). FCPS provides educational services to students who are deaf, hearing-impaired, or visually impaired. They are supported in various settings, including at their school or through itinerant specialists who travel to different schools to work with students, rather than being based in a single school. Learn more about Services for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Services for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired.

Visit the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) website for Resources for Serving Students with Sensory Disabilities.

 

Tutoring Resources for Families

Is your family looking for resources to help support your child’s academic success? FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of district employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to be hired as a tutor by parents. FRC maintains this list, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with tutors. This list is not “approved” by FCPS and is only meant as a resource.

FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.

 

Getting to Know Your BMP Staff

Devon Murray, 1st Grade Teacher

This is my first year in FCPS and I’m so excited to be joining in at Bren Mar Park!  I come from Stone Mountain, GA.  This is my 18th year as an educator.  I received my Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education from Kennesaw State University, Master’s in Early Childhood Education, and Specialist in Teacher Leadership from Mercer University.  

During my personal time I enjoy reading, pilates, walking, karaoke, and binging old television shows like I Love Lucy.

 

6344 Beryl Road, Alexandria, VA 22312  | Main Office: 703-914-7200
Attendance: 703-914-7272 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

We are a community of learners... thriving in a diverse world!

We are a family.

We are capable.

We are caring.

We all belong!

 

A Bren Mar Park Celebration!!!

Our staff have been working hard to provide resources, build a welcoming environment for children and family who move, and engage in professional learning to better understand military connected students' unique needs.

Because of this commitment, the Virginia Council on the Educational Opportunity for Military Children  identified Bren Mar Park Elementary as a recipient of the SY 2024-2025 Purple Star Award.  The Purple Star Award is a recognition program for schools who support military connected students and their families and meets the specific criteria which demonstrates our commitment to serving these students and  easing transitions for students and families moving to new areas.

In addition, as a recipient of the Purple Star Award, we will also receive the coveted Purple Star Award challenge coin. This coin is a nod to the military community that is known for the practice of bestowing unit coins to those who have contributed to the mission. 

On behalf of military connected and newest students we are thrilled to celebrate all BMP staff and community members involved in making our school a welcoming and supportive place, especially for military connected students. 

The FCPS School Board, leadership and other distinguished guests will be recognizing Bren Mar Park Elementary as a Purple Star Award recipient on Thursday, November 14, 2024 during the School Board Meeting at 7:00 p.m.

 

Volunteers Needed - Family Market

Our next Family Market is on Thursday, November 7, 2024 in the Bren Mar Park.  We need volunteers to support with this amazing monthly event!

Volunteers are needed to help at:

      - 8:45 - 9:30 a.m.  We are looking for 2 people, each with a van or truck to help pick up additional food donations from the Trader Joe’s on Rolling Road and Keene Mill ES and delivering it to the cafeteria doors in the BMP parking lot just after the school day starts (Please email Nora Joy at [email protected] if you can help with this)

      - 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. to unload items and set up the market  (Please email Ariel Brathewaite at [email protected] if you can help with this)

      - 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. (or until supplies last) to welcome community members and distribute food items and complete clean up.  (Please email Ariel Brathewaite at [email protected] if you can help with this)

 

6344 Beryl Road, Alexandria, VA 22312  | Main Office: 703-914-7200
Attendance: 703-914-7272 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

We are a community of learners... thriving in a diverse world!

We are a family.

We are capable.

We are caring.

We all belong!

 

Congratulations to the winners of Dress as a Book Character

Important Dates

Friday, Nov. 1     Holiday  - No School (Office Closed to the Public)

Monday, Nov.4   Student Holiday 

Tuesday, Nov 5  Election Day - No School (Office Closed to the Public)

 

Coat Needs & Donations

 

Firefighters and Friends to the Rescue is a non-profit organization that supports connecting students in need who may not otherwise be able to have a coat.  Donations and funds to this program support students in many schools, including Bren Mar Park.  Direct donations of coats for Bren Mar Park children, especially in sizes adult S and M are also welcomed and accepted at the Bren Mar Park front office.

 

Specialist Spotlight - Math

ST Math at BMP and At Home

During math workshop, students have been using ST Math program and should continue to practice at home.  In ST Math, the game puzzles start off simple and then get more challenging as the student progresses.  

• ST Math is a visual math program for students 
• There are no written words (text), no multiple-choice answers, no timer
• Students are seeing the math and thinking using pictures
• Students “try and see” the problems and receive quick feedback to solve math puzzles

When a student reaches a challenging problem, she/he may ask for your help.   As a parent, you might ask questions like: 

• What do you notice about the puzzle?
• What things can you click on?
• What question is this puzzle asking?
• Describe the strategy that you are going to use.
• Describe what you see after you try your strategy.  What did you learn?
• What will you do now? 

Starting in November, we will share a schoolwide ST Math Challenge for classes to reach their puzzle goals for the year.  

Students access ST Math through their Schoology account or Student Links on Bren Mar Park website.

Parents may click on this link to learn more Welcome ST Math 

 

Outstanding Employee Nominations

Nominations are open for Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a Bren Mar Park Outstanding Employee for exceptional work please complete the nomination through this Google form link: https://forms.gle/YAWfiHwV8V4vkCqP7 You may submit your nomination in any language!

You may nominate one or more employees at our school!

Outstanding Teacher 

A teacher or librarian with 3+ years of experience

Outstanding New Teacher

A teacher or librarian with less than 3 years of experience

Outstanding Principal

A principal with 3+ years of experience in the role       

Outstanding Leader 

An assistant principal with 1+ years of experience in the role

Outstanding Professional Employee 

A School-Based Technology Specialist, Instructional Coach, After-School Specialist, Psychologist, Social Worker, Counselor, Resource Teacher, Special Education Department Chair or Reading Specialist with 1+ years of experience in the role

Outstanding Operational Employee

Administrative, Office, Custodial, Food Service staff or Instructional Assistant, Public Health Attendant, with 1+ years of experience in the role

The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, November 8, 2024.

If you have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Williams at [email protected]

 

BMP Holidays & Closings

Nov. 4 – No School:  Professional Development & Conferences

There is no school for students on Monday, November 4 for Professional Development.  This is also a day in which teachers are hosting parent/guardian-teacher conferences.  Families of all Bren Mar Park K-5 students are invited to participate.  A conference allows families to better understand the high expectations for your child, share your input to establish an academic plan for your child, and get information about what you can do at home to help improve your child’s learning.  The front office is open to the public.

 

Nov. 5 – No School:  Teacher Workday

There is no school for students on Tuesday, November 5 for Teacher Workday.  This is also a day in which some teachers are hosting virtual parent/guardian-teacher conferences.  Families of all Bren Mar Park K-5 students are invited to participate.  A conference allows families to better understand the high expectations for your child, share your input to establish an academic plan for your child, and get information about what you can do at home to help improve your child’s learning.  The front office is closed to the public.

 

Families Welcome to Join Us for School Thanksigving Lunch

Save the Date!  Thursday, November 21.  Family members 18 years or older are invited to join us for a very special tradition – Thanksgiving lunch at Bren Mar Park.  Families may choose to bring their own lunch or purchase the school lunch for $4.75.  Cash only, please.  Sit and enjoy time with your child and get to know his/her friend group, too.  Enjoy the student special art creations which will decorate the day.  An adjusted lunch schedule will be coming home soon.

 

Family Market

Dear Wonderful Volunteers,

Thank you all for making our first family market this fall a great success! Your support was absolutely invaluable in making this happen. It couldn’t have been done without you.

We have 8 more market dates ahead, where we’ll continue to need volunteer support to serve our community together:

- November 7             

- December 5

- January 9

- February 6

- March 6

- April 3

- May 1

- June 5

If you are able and willing to support, from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m., on one or more of these dates, please contact Ariel Brathwaite at [email protected] 

 

Getting to Know Your BMP Staff

Beatrice Fairbanks, Kindergarten teacher

2024-2025 is my first academic year at Bren Mar Park ES and at FCPS!

I have been teaching kindergarteners for 4.5 years at Miami-Dade County Schools in Florida, before then I was an executive protocol officer with the Department of State, United States Mission to the United Nation. I then joined the United Nations Interim mission to Yugoslavia Kosovo.

I enjoy learning about new cultures and listening to audio books.  I have traveled around Europe, Africa and all over the United States.

 

6344 Beryl Road, Alexandria, VA 22312  | Main Office: 703-914-7200
Attendance: 703-914-7272 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

We are a community of learners... thriving in a diverse world!

We are a family.

We are capable.

We are caring.

We all belong!

 

Congratulations to our top 3 BMP Attendance Poster winners who remind us of all the reasons attending school every day is important.

 

Important Dates

Thursday, Oct. 31      End of First Quarter - 2 hour early release

Friday, Nov. 1     Diwali  - No School

Monday, Nov.4   Student Holiday (Staff Development)

Tuesday, Nov 5  Election Day - No School

 

 

Outstanding Employee Nominations

Nominations are open for Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a Bren Mar Park Outstanding Employee for exceptional work please complete the nomination through this Google form link: https://forms.gle/YAWfiHwV8V4vkCqP7 You may submit your nomination in any language!

You may nominate one or more employees at our school!

Outstanding Teacher 

A teacher or librarian with 3+ years of experience

Outstanding New Teacher

A teacher or librarian with less than 3 years of experience

Outstanding Principal

A principal with 3+ years of experience in the role       

Outstanding Leader 

An assistant principal with 1+ years of experience in the role

Outstanding Professional Employee 

A School-Based Technology Specialist, Instructional Coach, After-School Specialist, Psychologist, Social Worker, Counselor, Resource Teacher, Special Education Department Chair or Reading Specialist with 1+ years of experience in the role

Outstanding Operational Employee

Administrative, Office, Custodial, Food Service staff or Instructional Assistant, Public Health Attendant, with 1+ years of experience in the role

The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, November 8, 2024.

If you have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Williams at [email protected]

 

Specialist Spotlight - Literecy

What is Phonics?

 

Phonics is a method of teaching children the relationship between letters (or spelling patterns) and the sounds they represent. This understanding is essential for reading and spelling accurately.

 

 

Phonics: Unlocking the Code

 

Phonics teaches children that letters and sounds work like a code. Once they learn this code, they can unlock the ability to read and spell accurately.

 

 

Fun Phonics Activities to Try at Home

Reading Together

• Encourage your child to sound out unfamiliar words and blend the sounds to read them.

Letter and Sound Hunts

•  Search for words around your home or neighborhood that start with or contain specific letters or sounds. Look through books, signs, or magazines!

Spelling and Word Building

• Use familiar words to practice spelling. Incorporate fun materials like colored pencils, crayons, or magnetic letters to keep it interesting.

Modeling

• Demonstrate how to read words by pronouncing each letter or spelling pattern and blending the sounds. Show how to break down words into sounds for spelling.

 

BMP Holidays & Closings

Oct. 31 – 2 Hour Early Release

The FCPS calendar identifies Thursday, October 31 as a 2 hour early release.  The Bren Mar Park school day ends at 2:00 p.m.  This FCPS-directed early release is different from the Limited Early Release Monday on October 21.  There is no option for any after-school care on this day.  All students are expected to go home at 2:00 p.m. on this day.

 

Nov. 1 – No School:  Holiday

There is no school for staff or students on Friday, November 1 in honor of Diwali.  The front office is closed to the public.  You can view the full FCPS calendar at https://www.fcps.edu/calendars

 

Nov. 4 – No School:  Professional Development & Conferences

There is no school for students on Monday, November 4 for Professional Development.  This is also a day in which teachers are hosting parent/guardian-teacher conferences.  Families of all Bren Mar Park K-5 students are invited to participate.  A conference allows families to better understand the high expectations for your child, share your input to establish an academic plan for your child, and get information about what you can do at home to help improve your child’s learning.  The front office is open to the public.

 

Nov. 5 – No School:  Teacher Workday

There is no school for students on Tuesday, November 5 for Teacher Workday.  This is also a day in which some teachers are hosting virtual parent/guardian-teacher conferences.  Families of all Bren Mar Park K-5 students are invited to participate.  A conference allows families to better understand the high expectations for your child, share your input to establish an academic plan for your child, and get information about what you can do at home to help improve your child’s learning.  The front office is closed to the public.

 

Families Welcome to Join Us for School Thanksigving Lunch

Save the Date!  Thursday, November 21.  Family members 18 years or older are invited to join us for a very special tradition – Thanksgiving lunch at Bren Mar Park.  Families may choose to bring their own lunch or purchase the school lunch for $4.75.  Cash only, please.  Sit and enjoy time with your child and get to know his/her friend group, too.  Enjoy the student special art creations which will decorate the day.  An adjusted lunch schedule will be coming home soon.

 

Family Market

Dear Wonderful Volunteers,

Thank you all for making our first family market this fall a great success! Your support was absolutely invaluable in making this happen. It couldn’t have been done without you.

We have 8 more market dates ahead, where we’ll continue to need volunteer support to serve our community together:

- November 7             

- December 5

- January 9

- February 6

- March 6

- April 3

- May 1

- June 5

If you are able and willing to support, from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m., on one or more of these dates, please contact Ariel Brathwaite at [email protected] 

 

Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions at the final community conversation this fall. It will be held Wednesday, October 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Herndon Middle School. Click the date to register. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

Getting to Know Your BMP Staff

Scarlett Bishop, Kindergarten teacher

Hello! This is my first year at Bren Mar Park and I could not be more excited to join the Mustang family!

I am a 2nd year teacher, having taught 2nd grade in ACPS last year. 

As an FCPS graduate, I am thrilled to be back! 

I am so excited to meet my new kindergarten students and I can’t wait to get started!

6344 Beryl Road, Alexandria, VA 22312  | Main Office: 703-914-7200
Attendance: 703-914-7272 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

We are a community of learners... thriving in a diverse world!

We are a family.

We are capable.

We are caring.

We all belong!

 

From the PTA: BINGOween

Please help us with donations for BINGOWEEN! We will need snacks (chips, candy, etc) and drinks (cases of Gatorade, juice boxes, water, or soda). Please drop off at the front office of BMP.  We will also have pizza for sale. We can’t wait to see you there on Friday!

Thank you!!  -PTA President, Kelly Thompson

 

Volunteer Opportunity: BINGOween, 10/25

Volunteers make our family events successful!  We need adult volunteers to help with the following parts of BINGOween –

       4:30 – 5:15    Set up tables and decorations in the gym

       6:00 – 6:30    Help with food sales in the cafeteria

       6:15 – 7:00    Handing out BINGO cards in the gym

       8:00 – 8:30    Help with gym clean up

Please email [email protected]  or Principal Williams at [email protected] if you are willing and able to help us out!

 

6344 Beryl Road, Alexandria, VA 22312  | Main Office: 703-914-7200
Attendance: 703-914-7272 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

We are a community of learners... thriving in a diverse world!

We are a family.

We are capable.

We are caring.

We all belong!

 

Grade 5 students have conversations about ways in which this rectangle can be represented in fractions, decimals, and percentages.  This supports students flexible thinking in mathematics as a part of the preparation for algebra.

Important Dates

Monday, Oct. 21         Three hour early release 

Friday, Oct. 25            Storybook Character Day & BINGOween (6:30 p.m.)

Thursday, Oct. 31      End of First Quarter - 2 hour early release

 

 

Health Information & Emergency Care Forms

The Health Information Form (HIF) (SS/SE-71) and the Emergency Care Information form (SS/SE-3) provide valuable information regarding student health conditions.  These forms are required for all students, and help FCPS staff to meet the requirements of Regulation 2104 Health Services-School Health-Related Needs.  Enrolling parents/guardians who have a SIS ParentVUE account may submit them electronically by using the Online Verification/Update packet.  For families without SIS ParentVue accounts, forms can be located in the Back-to-School packets and on the General Registration Forms page. 

 

BMP Fall Book Fair Cancelled

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Bren Mar Park Fall Book Fair with Scholastic is being cancelled.  We look forward to the Spring Book Fair, scheduled from April 4 – 11, 2025.  Volunteers will be needed and appreciated for this special event! 

 

BMP Title 1 Family Feedback Requested

Bren Mar Park is one of 42 Title 1 schools in Fairfax County Public Schools.  Title 1 is a federal program funded to provide all children significant opportunities to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education and to close educational achievement gaps.  Family engagement is a critical part of Title 1, including family events, family resources and information sessions, and the BMP Home-School Family Engagement Compact.  We welcome family feedback on ways in which Title 1 money will support our family connections.  Share your thinking in the Google form found at https://forms.gle/E5QgrrgWnJYavAuV7  The form closes at midnight on Friday, October 25, 2024.

 

Attendance Tip: Scheduling Family Trips or Events

Good attendance is an important life skill that will help students succeed in school and beyond.

When planning trips or family events, refer to the FCPS calendar and try to use weekends and school holidays. Every day of learning is a day toward success. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered chronically absent.

When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or another reason, you must report the absence. 

Watch this video with tips on understanding the FCPS school year calendar and visit the Attendance webpage for additional information. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!

 

Family Market

Dear Wonderful Volunteers,

Thank you all for making our first family market this fall a great success! Your support was absolutely invaluable in making this happen. It couldn’t have been done without you.

We have 8 more market dates ahead, where we’ll continue to need volunteer support to serve our community together:

- November 7

- December 5

- January 9

- February 6

- March 6

- April 3

- May 1

- June 5

If you are able and willing to support, from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m., on one or more of these dates, please contact Ariel Brathwaite at [email protected] 

 

Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:

• Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary School.
• Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle School.

Events take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

 

Getting to Know Your BMP Staff

Zac Fisher, Technology Support Specialist (TSSpec)

• I was a school counselor in FCPS for 8 years
• My wife is also a counselor in FCPS
• Masters from George Washington University
• Passionate about technology on and off the job.  Feel free to ask me any tech related questions (Phones, TV’s, Cyber Security, AI, Crypto, etc.)
• Split time between Bren Mar Park Elementary and North Springfield Elementary
• NOVA native, graduated from Annandale High​

6344 Beryl Road, Alexandria, VA 22312  | Main Office: 703-914-7200
Attendance: 703-914-7272 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

We are a community of learners... thriving in a diverse world!

We are a family.

We are capable.

We are caring.

We all belong!

 

Exploring the musical arts at BMP through a partnership visit with members of Edison High School's marching band.  

Important Dates

Monday, Oct. 14         Student Holiday / Staff Development Day

Friday, Oct. 18           Family Coffee: The continuum of AAP services

Monday, Oct. 21         Three hour early release 

Thursday, Oct. 31      End of First Quarter - 2 hour earl

 

Specialist Spotlight - Counseling

Meet your Bren Mar Park School Counselors. Mrs. Michelle Kramer and Ms. Ariel Brathwaite are full-time counselors, and Ms. Mackenzie Cate is our part-time counselor. We support all students' social-emotional, academic and career goals to help them be productive citizens in our school. We teach classroom guidance lessons, where we cover topics including friendship, empathy, bullying prevention, and coping with big feelings. We also hold small groups, lunch bunches, and may check-in with individual students for brief counseling as needed. Our goal is to keep students in class, happy, healthy and learning. We are also learning and reviewing our school expectations, such as being respectful to all staff, guest teachers, and our peers. We discuss the importance of Attendance everyday linked to future career success. Students that attend school regularly are more likely to achieve high levels of success. 

We are excited to have therapy dogs again this year from the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Certified therapy dogs share joy and smiles with others. Therapy dogs can help reduce stress levels and encourage social connection and communication. Students will have the chance to pet, read to, and ask questions to the handlers to learn about their dogs. If you would like your child to participate in this program, or if you would like your child to be opted out from this program please email Ms.Cate at [email protected] 

 

BMP Highlights – What You Love!

Bren Mar Park will be creating a Top 10 Highlights to post on our website in the upcoming months.  We value your thinking about what you love about Bren Mar Park for us to highlight with our school community and our FCPS community.  Share your thinking in the Google form found at https://forms.gle/YcXR8u8y2g44QvBP6  One idea per line, please!  The form closes at midnight on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.

 

BMP Fall Book Fair Cancelled

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Bren Mar Park Fall Book Fair with Scholastic is being cancelled.  We look forward to the Spring Book Fair, scheduled from April 4 – 11, 2025.  Volunteers will be needed and appreciated for this special event! 

 

Digital Citizenship Week

October 14-18 is Digital Citizenship Week

On the Digital Equity and Inclusion website, families can learn how to:

1. Find Free WiFi
2. Borrow a Computer
3. Visit Fairfax Access Locations
4. Take Free Tech Classes
5. Sign up for an ACP Internet Discount

Families can also access the Media Balance & Wellbeing Toolkit to support the healthy use of technology. FCPS will continue leading efforts to promote a positive culture of media and technology use.

 

BMP Title 1 Family Feedback Requested

Bren Mar Park is one of 42 Title 1 schools in Fairfax County Public Schools.  Title 1 is a federal program funded to provide all children significant opportunities to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education and to close educational achievement gaps.  Family engagement is a critical part of Title 1, including family events, family resources and information sessions, and the BMP Home-School Family Engagement Compact.  We welcome family feedback on ways in which Title 1 money will support our family connections.  Share your thinking in the Google form found at https://forms.gle/E5QgrrgWnJYavAuV7  The form closes at midnight on Friday, October 25, 2024.

 

Attendance Tip: Scheduling Family Trips or Events

Good attendance is an important life skill that will help students succeed in school and beyond.

When planning trips or family events, refer to the FCPS calendar and try to use weekends and school holidays. Every day of learning is a day toward success. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered chronically absent.

When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or another reason, you must report the absence. 

Watch this video with tips on understanding the FCPS school year calendar and visit the Attendance webpage for additional information. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!

 

Family Market

Dear Wonderful Volunteers,

Thank you all for making our first family market this fall a great success! Your support was absolutely invaluable in making this happen. It couldn’t have been done without you.

We have 8 more market dates ahead, where we’ll continue to need volunteer support to serve our community together:

- November 7

- December 5

- January 9

- February 6

- March 6

- April 3

- May 1

- June 5

If you are able and willing to support, from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m., on one or more of these dates, please contact Ariel Brathwaite at [email protected] 

 

Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:

• Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary School.
• Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle School.

Events take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

 

Join the PTA at Chuck E. Cheese on Monday, Oct. 14

The PTA joins all BMP students to join their families at Chuck E Cheese on Monday, October 14, 2024 since there is no school for students!  There will be an informational PTA meeting at 4:00 p.m. while the children get their energy out! This is also a fundraise for our school – our school will get 20% of all purchases.  We hope to see you there!

Location: 9404 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22031

Coupons found here (and some will be available at the restaurant): https://www.chuckecheese.com/fundraising-pr-kit

 

Getting to Know Your BMP Staff

Elizabeth Williams is a native of Phoenix, Arizona and has been in Virginia since 2009.  She holds with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a minor in Spanish and a Masters in Educational Leadership, both from Northern Arizona University.  She has taught grades 2, 3, 4 and 6, served as an Instructional Coach, and has been the BMP principal since 2019.  She is committed is building partnerships between the school and families and is passionate about seeking ways to help students achieve their greatest potential and empowering children to follow their dreams in life.

Mrs. Williams is a wife and mother of 3 children.  Her oldest is at Georgia Tech, middle is a senior, and her youngest is a 6th grader.  She has 4 cats and 2 dogs.  She loves reading, spending time in nature and enjoying new experiences. 

6344 Beryl Road, Alexandria, VA 22312  | Main Office: 703-914-7200
Attendance: 703-914-7272 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

We are a community of learners... thriving in a diverse world!

We are a family.

We are capable.

We are caring.

We all belong!

 

Kindergarten students engage in using pictures and words to retell facts from a non-fiction text in a lesson with the new FCPS basal resource.

Important Dates

Thursday, Oct 10        Family Market 

Monday, Oct. 14         Student Holiday / Staff Development Day

Friday, Oct. 18           Family Coffee: The continuum of AAP services

Monday, Oct. 21         Three hour early release 

 

Specialist Spotlight - Advance Academics

We are branching out in our critical and creative thinking lessons focus.

What:   Visualization & Point of View

Visualization:  This strategy encourages all students to make a “mental picture in their mind of a thought they are processing”.  We teach them to see the image, hold the image, and then reproduce those images on paper.  We visualize old things, new things, and concepts that better help us to comprehend the world around us.  How can we re-think and explore the positive and negative aspects of ideas or activities? 

We then move on to the Point of View. We now have an image of our processing on paper, and we are more capable of exploring positive and negative aspects of ideas and activities but is it possible to explain our own understanding to a peer or another adult who’s in our classroom?  Is this a skill we can transfer between home and school?  We are focused on these skills so that students may verbalize thoughtfully their preferences and the reasoning behind those preferences.  We now have the opportunity to process at a more critical and creative level based on our preferences.

At Home Connection:  Read a story like (the three pigs or Goldilocks and the three bears).  Ask your child to visualize a lesson that can be learned from either story.  Have the student draw those images on a piece of paper.  Have them write a label, caption, or sentence about their point of view. If you’d like to record a video of your child expressing (their understanding of the story and why).  Record the conversation.  Take pictures of the images and descriptions and email [email protected]. 

 

Free Immunizations for All FCPS Students

Safeway Pharmacy will be providing immunizations for all FCPS students at no cost! Parents or guardians may schedule an appointment and provide consent for their student(s). The immunization clinics are being held at Frost Middle School on:  

• Tuesday, October 8, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, October 12, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Students under the age of 19, with a scheduled appointment and parental consent, must be accompanied by their parent, guardian, or another adult over the age of 19. 

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students under the age of 19 in order to provide consent.  

Transportation services are also available. Please visit our Immunization Resources webpage for details. 

Parents may learn more about this Safeway Pharmacy and other immunization resources and FCPS school-required immunizations

 

Attendance Tip: Scheduling Family Trips or Events

Good attendance is an important life skill that will help students succeed in school and beyond.

When planning trips or family events, refer to the FCPS calendar and try to use weekends and school holidays. Every day of learning is a day toward success. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered chronically absent.

When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or another reason, you must report the absence. 

Watch this video with tips on understanding the FCPS school year calendar and visit the Attendance webpage for additional information. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!

 

Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:

• Monday, October 14, at Fairhill Elementary School.
• Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary School.
• Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle School.

Events take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

 

Parenting Class

Free parenting classes in Spanish for families with teenagers. Classes are held in person and virtually at Annandale High School. Refreshments will be served.

 

BMP PTA

Join us for fun, family events throughout the school year, sponsored by the PTA!.

Oct. 14   PTA meeting at Chuck E Cheese event (9404 Main Street, Fairfax) at 4 PM

Oct 25   BINGOWEEN at 6:30

Nov 08   PTA Meeting after Family Coffee at BMP ( around 10:30 a.m.)

Nov 20  TURKEY TROT WALKATHON

Jan 17   PTA Meeting after Family Coffee at BMP (around 10:30 a.m.)

Feb 13   PTA Meeting at BMP at 6:30 p.m.

Feb 21   Family Dance Night at 6:30

Mar 15   Pancake Breakfast & PTA Meeting (10:00 - 11:30)

Apr 25   PTA Meeting after Family Coffee at BMP (around 10:30 a.m.)

May 5 - 9   Teacher Appreciation Week - Events all week

May 15   PTA Meeting - Vote on next year's PTA Board

 

The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 5: Leading for Tomorrow's Innovation

FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. 

Our final goal is Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation. We are preparing our students for a future that has yet to be imagined. We must give them the skills they will need to succeed. Watch this video to see students exploring and preparing for careers through Career and Technical Experience programs. See how Goal 5 is being put into practice.

6344 Beryl Road, Alexandria, VA 22312  | Main Office: 703-914-7200
Attendance: 703-914-7272 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

We are a community of learners... thriving in a diverse world!

We are a family.

We are capable.

We are caring.

We all belong!

 

Our dedicated and caring Multi-Age staff

Important Dates

Thursday, Oct. 3          HOLIDAY:  No School for Rosh Hashanah

Friday, Oct. 4               NO SCHOOL:  Teacher Workday

Thursday, Oct 10        Family Market 

Monday, Oct. 21         Three hour early release 

Friday, Oct. 27            Family Coffee: Children and Technology at 9:30

 

Specialist Spotlight - Art

Hello Bren Mar Park Families!  We are starting the year off strong in art.  Kindergarten artists have done several weeks of painting and are now doing our first drawing unit.  First grade artists have been working on refreshing their painting skills and now making a collage depicting their families as their favorite animals (HILARIOUS).  Second grade artists have finished a farm painting and are moving into doing a drawing of themselves and a friend.  Third grade artists have been working on a large painting and will be starting a unit drawing a portrait reflecting their culture.  Fourth grade artists have made BEAUTIFUL coil pottery, and it is drying and waiting for its first kiln firing so we can glaze.  Fifth grade artists are finishing up an oil pastel global landscape. Multi-age artists have been painting using cars and other fun objects.  Preschool artists have started coming on Friday afternoon and ECCB/PAC artists have been joining us for Open Studio on Monday mornings to try out some materials and play.

We are happy to welcome Ms. Erika Radke to teach some classes on Wednesdays.  Her first-grade class is working on 3D house sculptures, her 2nd grade class is working on a portrait with a friend, and her 3rd grade class is wrapping up an abstract food collage.  Ms. Radke is a ceramicist and has taught for many years at Workhouse Art Center so it’s great to have her expertise!

Things we always need in the art room:  Rolls of paper towels (for inevitable spills!), any random art supplies (for our quarterly free art/catch up day) such as google eyes, beads, feathers, yarn, etc. and baby wipes for PreK and multi-age hands.  Thank you for your donations.

 

Attendance Tip: Scheduling Family Trips or Events

Good attendance is an important life skill that will help students succeed in school and beyond.

When planning trips or family events, refer to the FCPS calendar and try to use weekends and school holidays. Every day of learning is a day toward success. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered chronically absent.

When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or another reason, you must report the absence. 

Watch this video with tips on understanding the FCPS school year calendar and visit the Attendance webpage for additional information. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!

 

Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:

• Monday, September 30, at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School.
• Monday, October 14, at Fairhill Elementary School.
• Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary School.
• Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle School.

Events take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

 

Parenting Class

Free parenting classes in Spanish for families with teenagers. Classes are held in person and virtually at Annandale High School. Refreshments will be served.

 

BMP PTA

Join us for fun, family events throughout the school year, sponsored by the PTA!.

Oct. 14   PTA meeting at Chuck E Cheese event (9404 Main Street, Fairfax) at 4 PM

Oct 25   BINGOWEEN at 6:30

Nov 08   PTA Meeting after Family Coffee at BMP ( around 10:30 a.m.)

Nov 20  TURKEY TROT WALKATHON

Jan 17   PTA Meeting after Family Coffee at BMP (around 10:30 a.m.)

Feb 13   PTA Meeting at BMP at 6:30 p.m.

Feb 21   Family Dance Night at 6:30

Mar 15   Pancake Breakfast & PTA Meeting (10:00 - 11:30)

Apr 25   PTA Meeting after Family Coffee at BMP (around 10:30 a.m.)

May 5 - 9   Teacher Appreciation Week - Events all week

May 15   PTA Meeting - Vote on next year's PTA Board

 

The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 4: Equitable Access to Opportunities

FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. 

The fourth goal ensures all students have the same access to opportunities, no matter what school they attend. This includes academics and other programs that inspire and engage students and allow them to explore their passions and talents. See how Goal 4 is being put into practice. 

A Big Thank You to BMP Volunteers!

Thank you to the BMP parent volunteers! We appreciate each and everyone of you.

 

Fundraising Walk-A-Thon Saturday, September 28

2Twenty, a non-profit fundraising and volunteer group, provides weekend packs each month to Bren Mar Park.  These weekend packs provide students with meal items that children can prepare and enjoy when school is not in session.  Their annual fundraising Walk-A-Thon is on Saturday, September 28.  You are invited to join Principal Williams on a fundraising work that will support our school community!

6344 Beryl Road, Alexandria, VA 22312  | Main Office: 703-914-7200
Attendance: 703-914-7272 | Web | Twitter

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We are a community of learners... thriving in a diverse world!

We are a family.

We are capable.

We are caring.

We all belong!

 

Important Dates

Friday, Sept. 27          Family Coffee: Children and Technology at 9:30 a.m.

Thursday, Oct. 3         HOLIDAY:  No School for Rosh Hashanah

Friday, Oct. 4              NO SCHOOL:  Teacher Workday

Thursday, Oct 10        Family Market, 4:30 p.m. 

Monday, Oct. 21         Three hour early release; School ends at 1:00 p.m. 

 

 

6344 Beryl Road, Alexandria, VA 22312  | Main Office: 703-914-7200
Attendance: 703-914-7272 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

We are a community of learners... thriving in a diverse world!

We are a family.

We are capable.

We are caring.

We all belong!

 

All students in grades K-5 explored their rights and responsibilities as a student with Assistant Principal Floyd (pictured) and Principal Williams.

 

Important Dates

Thursday, Oct. 3          HOLIDAY:  No School for Rosh Hashanah

Friday, Oct. 4               NO SCHOOL:  Teacher Workday

Thursday, Oct 10        Family Market 

Monday, Oct. 21         Three hour early release 

Friday, Oct. 27            Family Coffee: Children and Technology at 9:30

 

Parent/Caregiver, Have You Completed These Forms?

We understand that the multiple school forms caregivers receive during the first weeks of school can feel overwhelming, but each one helps set your child up for a successful school year! If you do not have a SIS ParentVUE account, please contact your child’s school for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage. 

 

Immunization Requirements

Please check with your healthcare provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up to date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school. 

You may check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to your school’s front office. 

Alternative immunization documents (below) may also be provided to your school’s front office, but they may not be uploaded in ParentVUE:

• A healthcare provider’s written statement specifying all administered immunizations.
• A healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
• A notarized Religious Exemption form objecting to the administration of immunizations due to conflicts with religious tenets or practices.

Find more information on immunizations. 

 

Permission Forms

Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed.

Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool. 

 

Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)

The SR&R document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when logging in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage. This form should be signed and returned by Friday, September 30.

 

Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. 

The next event is scheduled for Monday, September 23, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Newington Forest Elementary School. Click on the date to register. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

 

When a Student Should Stay Home From School

Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.

Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit our website for information on when to keep your child at home.

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that assistance can be provided if needed. Keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.

Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!

Fundraising Walk-A-Thon Saturday, September 28

2Twenty, a non-profit fundraising and volunteer group, provides weekend packs each month to Bren Mar Park.  These weekend packs provide students with meal items that children can prepare and enjoy when school is not in session.  Their annual fundraising Walk-A-Thon is on Saturday, September 28.  You are invited to join Principal Williams on a fundraising work that will support our school community!

Edison High School Feeder Night & Deck Bowl - Join us to celebrate our future Eagles and honoring our late Coach Deck, by running the field before the game on October 4 at 6:30 p.m.

 

Volunteers Needed: Family Market

Over the past years, Bren Mar Park has become a hub for ensuring families have access to food they need in our local community through the hosting of a Family Market.  In order to continue to make this a success, we need your help.  Our first Family Market is Thursday, October 10, 2024.

Volunteers are needed for the following activities:

• 3:30 – 4:00 p.m. - Setting up food in the cafeteria (shopping market style)
• 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. - Welcome families and collect number in household information (Spanish-speakers very appreciated, too)
• 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. - Helping serve the families.
• 6:00 – 6:30 p.m. - Clean up, including wiping down tables and organizing any leftover for family distribution.

We would love to have volunteers commit every month for the Family Market, and we welcome those who can only commit to 1 or 2 during the year. Family Market dates are:

• October 10, 2024
• November 7, 2024
• December 5, 2024
• January 9, 2025
• February 6, 2025
• March 6, 2025
• April 3, 2025
• May 1, 2025
• June 5, 2025

If you are interested in volunteering, please email school counselor, Ariel Brathwaite at [email protected].

 

Alliance of Therapy Dogs at BMP!

We are excited to partner with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs again this year. Therapy dogs are trained dogs that are certified to provide comfort and a calming presence. Petting therapy dogs can help relieve stress and boost mood. Dog handlers will be with the dogs along with school counselors. The dogs will be at BMP with the school counselors every Thursday starting in October. 

Rosie, the friendly lab 

This year students will have the opportunity to visit and read to the therapy dogs. Parents will receive notification through Talking Points if their child is invited to visit the therapy dogs. 

If you have any questions or would like to opt your child out of this program, please feel free to reach out to Mackenzie Cate, School Counselor. Email: [email protected]

 

6344 Beryl Road, Alexandria, VA 22312  | Main Office: 703-914-7200
Attendance: 703-914-7272 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

We are a community of learners... thriving in a diverse world!

We are a family.

We are capable.

We are caring.

We all belong!

 

FCPS student collected donations from local sports team for school supplies.

Important Dates

Monday, Sept. 16         Early Release Monday, School Ends at 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 18   Fall Picture Day

Thursday, Sept. 19      PTA meeting @ 6pm

Thursday, Sept. 19      Family Social-Emotional Learning Night     

Thursday, Oct. 3          HOLIDAY:  No School for Rosh Hashanah

Friday, Oct. 4               NO SCHOOL:  Teacher Workday

 

Volunteers Needed: Family Market

Over the past years, Bren Mar Park has become a hub for ensuring families have access to food they need in our local community through the hosting of a Family Market.  In order to continue to make this a success, we need your help.  Our first Family Market is Thursday, October 10, 2024.

Volunteers are needed for the following activities:

• 3:30 – 4:00 p.m. - Setting up food in the cafeteria (shopping market style)
• 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. - Welcome families and collect number in household information (Spanish-speakers very appreciated, too)
• 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. - Helping serve the families.
• 6:00 – 6:30 p.m. - Clean up, including wiping down tables and organizing any leftover for family distribution.

Volunteers can include:

• Edison High School students for service hours
• Parents/Family members of our school community
• Community members who live in the area
• Business volunteer initiatives

We would love to have volunteers commit every month for the Family Market, and we welcome those who can only commit to 1 or 2 during the year. Family Market dates are:

• October 10, 2024
• November 7, 2024
• December 5, 2024
• January 9, 2025
• February 6, 2025
• March 6, 2025
• April 3, 2025
• May 1, 2025
• June 5, 2025

If you are interested in volunteering, please email school counselor, Ariel Brathwaite at [email protected].

 

Alliance of Therapy Dogs at BMP!

We are excited to partner with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs again this year. Therapy dogs are trained dogs that are certified to provide comfort and a calming presence. Petting therapy dogs can help relieve stress and boost mood. Dog handlers will be with the dogs along with school counselors. The dogs will be at BMP with the school counselors every Thursday starting in October. 

Rosie, the friendly lab 

This year students will have the opportunity to visit and read to the therapy dogs. Parents will receive notification through Talking Points if their child is invited to visit the therapy dogs. 

If you have any questions or would like to opt your child out of this program, please feel free to reach out to Mackenzie Cate, School Counselor. Email: [email protected]

 

BMP PTA Meeting

Join us in the BMP cafeteria for our first PTA meeting of the year on Thursday, September 19th at 6pm before the social emotional event. We hope to see you there (even if you are not yet a member!)

 

Family Social-Emotional Learning Night

BMP's Family Social-Emotional Learning Night is 6:30 pm on Thursday, September 19th in the Cafeteria.

Learn ways you can help your child with big feelings. The whole family is welcome, all children must be accompanied by an adult.

 

Picture Day

Picture day is September 18, 2024. Payments are due on Picture Day. Send exact change or check with student, or order online with code 0036558IN  (password expires 24 hours after picture day). Click Barksdale Storefront to order

Free Workshops for Families

Parents and caregivers can access free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. Learn more about the Family Resource Center (FRC).

In September, the FRC will host webinars for families on supporting siblings of children with disabilities, helping students organize their school work, working with children who like to push boundaries, and teen development and well-being. Sign up for the FRC newsletter for their latest offerings or visit their webinar website.

 

Varsity Tutors

Varsity Tutors can help students with homework or help them prepare for the next big test whenever they need it. Tutoring is available in English and Spanish. 

The Varsity Tutors platform gives your student more opportunities to learn at their own pace and covers kindergarten through 12th grade curriculum with the following features:

On-Demand Chat

Live Group Classes

Essay Review

College & Career Readiness

Assessment & Self-Study

For more information, visit the website https://www.fcps.edu/services/families-and-caregivers/family-academy/tutoring-options/online-tutoring-service

 

 

6344 Beryl Road, Alexandria, VA 22312  | Main Office: 703-914-7200
Attendance: 703-914-7272 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

We are a community of learners... thriving in a diverse world!

We are a family.

We are capable.

We are caring.

We all belong!

 

Important Dates

Saturday, Sept. 7         Playground Playdates

Monday, Sept. 16         Early Release Monday, School Ends at 1:00 p.m.

Thursday Sept 19         Family Social-Emotional Learning Night     

Thursday, Oct. 3          HOLIDAY:  No School for Rosh Hashanah

Friday, Oct. 4               NO SCHOOL:  Teacher Workday

 

4th grade students engage in a math tasks, comparing thinking around how they solved the problem.

 

Family Social-Emotional Learning Night

BMP's Family Social-Emotional Learning Night is 6:30 pm on Thursday, September 19th in the Cafeteria.

Learn ways you can help your child with big feelings. The whole family is welcome, all children must be accompanied by an adult.

Attendance Poster Contest

Our counselors are visiting classrooms to explain our attendance contest and extra copies of the flyer have been placed in teacher mailboxes. Student entries are due by September 15th to the counselors. 

Playground Playdates Volunteer Opportunity: BMP Rep for Challenged Materials Review

Did you know that a library or instructional material may be challenged by a parent or guardian or an employee of Fairfax County Public Schools?

Each year, Bren Mar Park is required to put together a list of individuals who are available to serve on a Challenged Materials Review Committee, should there be a need. We need at least two parents or guardians.  The list of potential committee members is maintained at central office and names are randomly chosen to serve if a central departmental committee is required to review a challenged material.

If you are willing to be available for this committee, please email Principal Williams as we prepare the Bren Mar Park representation list for FCPS.

 

Free Workshops for Families

Parents and caregivers can access free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. Learn more about the Family Resource Center (FRC).

In September, the FRC will host webinars for families on supporting siblings of children with disabilities, helping students organize their school work, working with children who like to push boundaries, and teen development and well-being. Sign up for the FRC newsletter for their latest offerings or visit their webinar website.

 

Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost

FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors. 

 

Out of courtesy to our community and for the safety of all BMP families, we ask families to support us in being a positive role model and comply with the following laws and procedures:

All children who are leaving the grounds in a car should be picked up through the Kiss & Ride line; families are asked to not drive to school, park in the neighborhood, and then walk to pick up their child. This is for the safety of the children and to keep the flow of traffic for all community members in a congested area.

All children arriving at school in a car should be dropped off through the Kiss & Ride line; families are asked to not stop on Beryl to drop off children. This is for the safety of the children and to keep the flow of traffic for all community members in a congested area.

Follow all posted signs, including not parking within 15' of the street intersections and no U-turns on Beryl Road; this is to ensure that cars may continue to follow smoothly and as efficiently as possible.

Pedestrians and bicycle riders are asked to cross at marked crosswalks; this allows for pedestrian safety and increased efficiency flow of traffic during high traffic times.

Please do not park in front of driveways; this is out of courtesy for those who live in the community near our school.

Student Medical Insurance

Fairfax County Public Schools does not provide medical insurance for accidents that occur at school. Parents may want to consider if purchasing voluntary student insurance is right for their family.

Student accident insurance coverage is available for purchase by parents. If you do not have other insurance, this plan may be a resource to consider. Additionally, if you have other coverage, this plan can help fill gaps caused by deductibles and co-pays. Coverage may be purchased at any time during the school year.

Visit Voluntary Student Insurance | Fairfax County Public Schools (fcps.edu) for more information.

 

BMP Renovation Updates!

The additional modular buildings have been great additions in helping us to prepare for renovations, which is expected to begin in December, 2024. Phase 1 of the renovation involves the new 2-story addition to BMP! 

For more information, visit the Bren Mar Park Elementary School Capital Project website.

 

6344 Beryl Road, Alexandria, VA 22312  | Main Office: 703-914-7200
Attendance: 703-914-7272 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

We are a community of learners... thriving in a diverse world!

We are a family.

We are capable.

We are caring.

We all belong!

 

Important Dates

Monday, Sept. 2          HOLIDAY:  No School for Labor Day

Thursday, Sept. 5        6:30 p.m.   Back to School Curriculum Information Night

Saturday, Sept. 7         Playground Playdates

Monday, Sept. 16         Early Release Monday, School Ends at 1:00 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 3          HOLIDAY:  No School for Rosh Hashanah

Friday, Oct. 4               NO SCHOOL:  Teacher Workday

 

BMP staff and students welcomed our kindergarten children with a Spirit Week highlighting a different color each day.  Next week will be blue on Tuesday, purple on Wednesday, favorite color on Thursday, and BMP Spirit Wear on Friday.  Click to

No School on Monday

There is no school on Monday in honor of Labor Day.  Have a safe and wonderful long weekend!

 

Back to School Curriculum Information Night, Sept. 5

Join us to learn more about what your child will learn this school year and ways that you can help at home!

         - 6:15 p.m., Doors open 

         - 6:30 - 7:10 p.m.    Session 1

         - 7:20 - 8:00 p.m.    Session 2

 

Playground Playdates Volunteer Opportunity: BMP Rep for Challenged Materials Review

Did you know that a library or instructional material may be challenged by a parent or guardian or an employee of Fairfax County Public Schools?

Each year, Bren Mar Park is required to put together a list of individuals who are available to serve on a Challenged Materials Review Committee, should there be a need. We need at least two parents or guardians.  The list of potential committee members is maintained at central office and names are randomly chosen to serve if a central departmental committee is required to review a challenged material.

If you are willing to be available for this committee, please email Principal Williams as we prepare the Bren Mar Park representation list for FCPS.

 

Free Workshops for Families

Parents and caregivers can access free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. Learn more about the Family Resource Center (FRC).

In September, the FRC will host webinars for families on supporting siblings of children with disabilities, helping students organize their school work, working with children who like to push boundaries, and teen development and well-being. Sign up for the FRC newsletter for their latest offerings or visit their webinar website.

 

Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost

FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors. 

 

Out of courtesy to our community and for the safety of all BMP families, we ask families to support us in being a positive role model and comply with the following laws and procedures:

         - All children who are leaving the grounds in a car should be picked up                 through the Kiss & Ride line; families are asked to not drive to school,               park in the neighborhood, and then walk to pick up their child.  This is               for the safety of the children and to keep the flow of traffic for all                         community members in a congested area.

         - All children arriving at school in a car should be dropped off through the             Kiss & Ride line; families are asked to not stop on Beryl to drop off                     children.  This is for the safety of the children and to keep the flow of                 traffic for all community members in a congested area.

         - Follow all posted signs, including not parking within 15' of the street                   intersections and no U-turns on Beryl Road; this is to ensure that cars               may continue to follow smoothly and as efficiently as possible

         - Pedestrians and bicycle riders are asked to cross at marked                               crosswalks; this allows for pedestrian safety and increased efficiency                 flow off traffic during high-traffic times

         - Please do not park in front of driveways; this is out of courtesy for                     those who live in the community near our school.

 

Student Medical Insurance

Fairfax County Public Schools does not provide medical insurance for accidents that occur at school. Parents may want to consider if purchasing voluntary student insurance is right for their family.

Student accident insurance coverage is available for purchase by parents. If you do not have other insurance, this plan may be a resource to consider. Additionally, if you have other coverage, this plan can help fill gaps caused by deductibles and co-pays. Coverage may be purchased at any time during the school year.

Visit Voluntary Student Insurance | Fairfax County Public Schools (fcps.edu) for more information.

 

BMP Renovation Updates!

The additional modular buildings have been great additions in helping us to prepare for renovations, which is expected to begin in December, 2024. Phase 1 of the renovation involves the new 2-story addition to BMP! 

For more information, visit the Bren Mar Park Elementary School Capital Project website.

 

6344 Beryl Road, Alexandria, VA 22312  | Main Office: 703-914-7200
Attendance: 703-914-7272 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

We are a community of learners... thriving in a diverse world!

We are a family.

We are capable.

We are caring.

We all belong!

 

Students at Bren Mar Park jump right back into learning!

Important Dates

Monday, Aug. 26         9:00 a.m.    First day of school for ECCB/PreK

Friday, Aug. 30            HOLIDAY:  No School for Labor Day

Monday, Sept. 2          HOLIDAY:  No School for Labor Day

Thursday, Sept. 5        6:30 p.m.   Back to School Night

Saturday, Sept. 7         Playground Playdates

Monday, Sept. 16         3 Hour Early Release; School Ends at 1:00 p.m.

 

Highlighting Amazing Work!

I am excited to share that the Annandale Pyramid Math Teachers recently came together to align and strengthen math instruction from kindergarten through 12th grade. After two years of dedicated work, including extensive observations of math instruction across our schools, pyramid principals and math leaders have crafted a unified vision statement to guide this work:

In the Annandale Pyramid, mathematics teaching and learning focuses on developing an understanding of concepts and procedures through problem-solving, reasoning, and discourse.

Our Pyramid Math Kickoff provided every math teacher in our pyramid (Braddock ES, Weyanoke ES, Annandale Terrace ES Columbia ES, Bren Mar Park ES, North Springfield ES, Holmes MS, Poe MS, and Annandale HS) the opportunity to plan the first unit of the year together. They also were able to attend sessions tailored to their interests, with topics ranging from lesson planning and building a classroom community, to increasing student discourse and ensuring that every student can access mathematics.

The feedback from these sessions was overwhelmingly positive. Here are just a few reflections from our educators:

• “I got goosebumps hearing the references to the FCPS Vision of Excellence in Mathematics. I truly believe that the work we launched today and the work I know we will continue to do throughout the year is going to help students.”
• "Thanks for a great learning session! Do this again with upcoming content."
• "It was great to be around new faces and get a better understanding of how to plan for student-centered discourse."
• "I loved this! It was wonderful to connect with former colleagues and align our thinking as a pyramid."
• "The unpacking portion was really helpful. It’s nice to get takeaways from colleagues outside of my school team."
• "This was great! Thanks for a quick and informative PD!"

I am proud of the collaborative spirit that has brought us this far and excited about the path ahead. Together, as a pyramid, we are not just teaching math—we are building a strong foundation for our students' success.

-Principal Williams

 

No School on Labor Day Weekend

There will be no school on Friday, August 30 or Monday, September 2 in recognition of Labor Day.  The front office will also be closed on these days.  We look forward to welcoming our Mustangs back on Tuesday, September 3 at 9:00 a.m.

 

Family Lunch Guests Start Oct. 1

Bren Mar Park has a long tradition of welcoming family members to bring lunch and eat alongside their child during the school day.  This is not a set day, however families should wait until October 1 before making a plan for this to allow our students to settle in to routines and expectations of the new school year and grade level expectations.  In addition, these other guidelines must also be followed:

      - The adult must report to the main office and sign in through the visitor                system; be sure to bring a valid, government-issued ID

      - The adult may choose to bring food for his/her child ONLY; due to                      student allergies, do not bring or share food with other students

      - This is only for lunch time; adults may not attend recess or return to the            classroom with students

      - Door Dash or other food delivery programs are not permitted

 

FCPS Strategic Plan

Successfully Completing Algebra 1 by Eighth Grade

Helping students to complete Algebra 1 by eighth grade is part of our FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence. 

Passing Algebra 1 earlier allows for students to take more advanced classes like Dual Enrollment courses, Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses. These advanced courses help students succeed in college. A recent study from the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) found that completing Algebra 1 by grade eight led to 30% more ninth graders and 16% more 11th graders taking advanced courses.  

Students Reading on Level by the Third Grade

FCPS has continued to improve its approach to reading over the last several years through our Equitable Access to Literacy (EAL) plan. Reading by third grade is also one of the measures of Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence in our 2023-30 Strategic Plan. 

By focusing on foundational skills for our young readers and literacy intervention for upper grades, FCPS has made significant progress toward narrowing the achievement gaps in this critical skill. Visit the Strategic Plan webpage for more information. 

 

ParentVUE to Report Full-Day Absences 

Parents/caregivers can submit full-day absences through FCPS’ SIS ParentVUE platform. This will make reporting and tracking absences easier for our school.

Parents/caregivers may report absences by using ParentVUE or by contacting the front office. Please find important details below:

• How to Use ParentVUE: Log in to your ParentVUE account and select “Report Absence.” 
• More Ways to Report: Use our 703-914-7272 or [email protected] for absences longer than two days, late arrivals, and early dismissals.
• Where to Get Help: Visit FCPS’ Attendance Reporting webpage for step-by-step instructions. 

If you need to set up a ParentVUE account or have questions, please contact our front office at 703-914-7203. Ms. Camargo will provide you with an “activation key” and instructions to create a ParentVUE account. 

 

Limited Early Release Mondays for Elementary Schools

FCPS elementary schools will have limited early release Mondays during the upcoming school year. The goal is to provide elementary teachers with additional time to meet new professional development requirements for the Virginia Literacy Act.

Please help us plan for the early release Mondays by watching your email for a short BMP survey asking if your child will leave at the early release time on these days or remain at school until the standard dismissal time. Your response will help us in planning activities for students who will need to stay at school until regular dismissal time.

We realize there are many details for us to finalize before our first early release Monday in mid-September. Thank you for your patience, we strive to create a positive and successful experience for students, families, and teachers. 

Early release Mondays for our school include:

• September 16
• October 21
• November 18
• February 10
• March 10
• April 21
• May 12

Learn more about Early-Release Mondays. 

 

Bookmark the School Year Calendar

Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances:

• Days marked with a blue “H” are student holidays. Schools are closed on these days.
• Days marked with an orange “O” are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings if only half marked). There is school on these days, but certain events that cannot be made up may not be scheduled on these days. 
• Days marked in pink are holidays for students, but working days for teachers and staff.

Note: Some holidays and observances, such as Eid al-Fitr, may shift and the calendar may be adjusted.

 

Alexandria
4700 King St., Suite 100
Alexandria, VA 22302
Phone: 571.665.6599
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Annandale
7617 Little River Tpke., Suite 850
Annandale, VA 22003
Phone: 571.665.6636
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

6344 Beryl Road, Alexandria, VA 22312  | Main Office: 703-914-7200
Attendance: 703-914-7272 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

We are a community of learners... thriving in a diverse world!

We are a family.

We are capable.

We are caring.

We all belong!

 

Important Dates

Monday, Aug. 19        9:00 a.m.    First day of school for PAC, K-5

                                   9:15 a.m.    Boohoo/Yahoo Breakfast

Monday, Aug.  26        9:00 a.m.    First day of school for ECCB/PreK

Friday, Aug. 30            HOLIDAY:  No School for Labor Day

Monday, Sept. 2          HOLIDAY:  No School for Labor Day

Thursday, Sept. 5        6:30 p.m.   Back to School Night

Saturday, Sept. 7         Playground Playdates

 

Welcome Back!

We’re Eager to Welcome You Back-to School!

As summer winds down, our school and staff are looking forward to welcoming students back to our classrooms. Before the first day of school, make sure you have completed the following: 

Sign Up for SIS ParentVUE

Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Parents/caregivers should receive an activation code when they register their child. Contact the school registrar Jackie Camargo if you need a code. 

Once you have activated a SIS ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same SIS ParentVUE account. Access SIS ParentVUE using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices. 

Need help creating an account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE. 

Update Your Contact Information

To be sure you receive important information from your schools, update your phone numbers and/or email addresses in the Parent/Guardian section of SIS ParentVUE.

Update Immunizations and Records

Immunizations are required for all students to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of protecting them from certain diseases and keeping them healthy. Please log in to SIS ParentVUE to see what immunizations your child has recorded. 

Please check with your healthcare provider to make sure your child is up-to-date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia as soon as possible. If your child needs a vaccine, please make an appointment with your healthcare provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or access other local services.

Remember to request your child’s immunization record and bring that to the school’s front office or submit the record via SIS ParentVUE as soon as possible. Find more information on FCPS’ website. 

Prepare for Meals at School 

Parents/caregivers need to provide their students with money to purchase meals at school, send them with a packed lunch, or apply (and be approved) for free and reduced-price meals benefits. School breakfast for students costs $1.75. Lunch is $3.25 for elementary students and $3.50 for middle, secondary, and high school students. 

The best way to purchase meals and additional food items is to use MySchoolBucks. If you have not already, set up your student’s MySchoolBucks account today. 

MySchoolBucks accounts can be set up to add money to the account automatically as needed, and families with multiple children can use the same MySchoolBucks account. 

Apply for Free and Reduced-Priced Meals

The application for free and reduced-priced meals is now available for the 2024-25 school year. Students who were approved for free and reduced-price lunch last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should re-apply as soon as possible, so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.

 

Get Involved! Make a Difference! Volunteer!

Want to make a positive impact on your child's education? We need YOU!

We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities to fit your schedule. Whether you can spare an hour a month or a few hours a week, your help is invaluable.

• Update our school marquee with important dates and events.
• Lend a hand in the cafeteria during lunchtime.
• Join the PTA and become a part of our school community.

And that's just the beginning! There are countless ways to get involved. Let's work together to create a fantastic school environment for our children.

Learn more about the opportunities available on our website at https://brenmarparkes.fcps.edu/get-involved 

 

Boohoo or Yahoo? Join us!

Are you a new parent feeling a mix of emotions about your child starting school? Or a returning parent excited for another year?

Either way, you're invited to our Boohoo/Yahoo Breakfast!

Come connect with other families, enjoy a warm cup of coffee, and savor some delicious treats. It's a perfect opportunity to meet new friends, share stories, and build a strong school community.  You'll also get a chance to connect with Principal Williams and Assistant Principal Floyd.

When: Monday, August 19 at 9:15 a.m.                 Where: BMP Cafeteria

Don't miss this chance to start your day off right!

We can't wait to see you there!

 

Bookmark the School Year Calendar

Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances:

• Days marked with a blue “H” are student holidays. Schools are closed on these days.
• Days marked with an orange “O” are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings if only half marked). There is school on these days, but certain events that cannot be made up may not be scheduled on these days. 
• Days marked in pink are holidays for students, but working days for teachers and staff.

Note: Some holidays and observances, such as Eid al-Fitr, may shift and the calendar may be adjusted.

 

6344 Beryl Road, Alexandria, VA 22312  | Main Office: 703-914-7200
Attendance: 703-914-7272 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

We are a community of learners... thriving in a diverse world!

We are a family.

We are capable.

We are caring.

We all belong!

 

BMP Safety Patrol Training

During the training camp the safety patrols had the opportunity to practice evacuating busses, including a smoke filled bus and an overturned bus. 

Important Dates

Monday, Aug. 19        9:00 a.m.    First day of school for PAC, K-5

                                   9:15 a.m.    Boohoo/Yahoo Breakfast

Monday, Aug.  26        9:00 a.m.    First day of school for ECCB/PreK

Friday, Aug. 30            HOLIDAY:  No School

Monday, Sept. 2          HOLIDAY:  No School

Thursday, Sept. 5        6:30 p.m.   Back to School Night

Saturday, Sept. 7         Playground Playdates

 

Get Involved! Make a Difference! Volunteer!

Want to make a positive impact on your child's education? We need YOU!

We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities to fit your schedule. Whether you can spare an hour a month or a few hours a week, your help is invaluable.

• Update our school marquee with important dates and events.
• Lend a hand in the cafeteria during lunchtime.
• Join the PTA and become a part of our school community.

And that's just the beginning! There are countless ways to get involved. Let's work together to create a fantastic school environment for our children.

Learn more about the opportunities available on our website at https://brenmarparkes.fcps.edu/get-involved 

 

SIS ParentVue

SIS ParentVue allows parents/guardians to access information about their child's attendance, report cards, class schedules, discipline, health, and emergency contact/ physician information. In addition, parents of middle and high school student can access course histories, course requests, and gradebooks. The Online Verification/Update allows parents to review and update phone numbers, emergency contacts, and health information (such as health conditions and immunizations) for students in grades PS/HS and kindergarten through grade 12. The enrolling parent will be able to access OVU through their SIS ParentVUE account.  

Don't have a SIS ParentVue account?  Contact Jackie Camargo to get an access code to sign up.

You can get more information about ParentVue at SIS ParentVUE Online Verification/Update (OVU) Packet | Fairfax County Public Schools (fcps.edu)

Online resources to help guide families are located at https://www.fcps.edu/resources/technology/student-information-system-sis-fcps/sis-parent-account-overview

 

School Supplies

School supplies are on sale!  Supply lists are available on our website at https://brenmarparkes.fcps.edu/academics/school-supply-lists 

 

Immunizations

Students are required to have certain immunizations to attend school.  Before September 30, 2024, students will need to have proof of updated immunization for the appropriate age level.  The status of immunization information can be seen in your FCPS ParentVue account, under the Health and Immunization tabs.  Please contact Ms. Camargo, SIA, at 703-914-7203 if you have questions about your child.

More information can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/registration/general-registration-requirements/documents/immunizations

 

Boohoo or Yahoo? Join us!

Are you a new parent feeling a mix of emotions about your child starting school? Or a returning parent excited for another year?

Either way, you're invited to our Boohoo/Yahoo Breakfast!

Come connect with other families, enjoy a warm cup of coffee, and savor some delicious treats. It's a perfect opportunity to meet new friends, share stories, and build a strong school community.  You'll also get a chance to connect with Principal Williams and Assistant Principal Floyd.

When: Monday, August 19 at 9:15 a.m.                 Where: BMP Cafeteria

Don't miss this chance to start your day off right!

We can't wait to see you there!

 

6344 Beryl Road, Alexandria, VA 22312  | Main Office: 703-914-7200
Attendance: 703-914-7272 | Web | Twitter