Ms. Hough and Ms. Williams-McKinney
Spring MAP Testing
Students in grades 1 and 2 will participate in the Spring administration of MAP (Measures of Academic Performance) from May 29 - June 6, 2018. MAP is an assessment that is administered to students three times a year (Fall, Winter, Spring) for both ELA (English Language Arts) and Math. The assessment provides essential information about a student's continuum of learning and growth. MAP is a tool to help identify strengths and opportunities in order to provide instruction on the areas of greatest need. Home reports will be mailed home after testing has been completed. If you have any specific questions regarding your student's performance on MAP, please contact your student's teacher.
Calendar Changes and Updates
The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) will extend the 2017-2018 school year by two days to make up for inclement weather closings. The last day of school for students will now be Tuesday, June 19, 2018.
HCPSS schools were closed seven days this year due to inclement weather, two more than were accounted for in the school calendar. The Maryland State Board of Education (MSDE) voted on April 24 to deny a request by HCPSS to waive the two make-up days. Subsequently, the Howard County Board of Education voted on April 24 to extend the school year by two days.
The final, updated calendar for June includes:
No new graded work will be assigned at any level June 15-19.
An updated version of the HCPSS calendar is available at http://www.hcpss.org/calendar/.
Lunch Menu Changes:
Please note that on the last two days of school (Monday, June 18th and Tuesday, June 19th) there will only be ONE entree offered for lunch:
Please make a note of this when you are planning your students' lunches at home.
Bear Standard Reminders
At BWES we have 3 Bear Standards:
Please continue to remind your students of these standards as they are our behavioral expectations. With the warmer temperatures we are beginning to see a spike in behaviors that are interrupting instruction. We want to encourage all of our students to make good choices and help our school be the best it can be.
PUMP IT UP Incentive
In an effort to motivate students to make good choices, our PBIS committee has initiated a Spring PUMP IT UP! It's a carnival theme and students will have an opportunity to work together to earn their participation in various activities on Friday, June 8, 2018. Each week, classes are able to earn participation tickets by demonstrating the following:
If classes earn 3 out of the 4 criteria above each week, then they will be able to participate in the following activities:
Please help us by pumping your students up at home.
Academic Intervention Summer School/ Extended School Year
Invited students that are rising in grades K-5 will be participating in Academic Intervention Summer School/Extended School Year. The purpose of AI/ESY is to provide daily instruction in the areas of reading math for 19 days. This program is designed to prepare students for the next school year. Below, please find some pertinent information related to students' participation in AISS/ESY this summer:
Band and Strings Spring Concert
On Tuesday, May 29, 2018 students in grades 3-5 participated in the Band and Strings Spring Concert at the Jim Rouse Theatre at Wilde Lake High School. Students performed several numbers under the direction of our wonderful band and strings teacher, Ms. Zepp. Students also celebrated and thanked Ms. Zepp for her commitment to fine arts at Bryant Woods.
End of the Year Activities
We have lots of fun activities planned for the end of the year. Below, please find dates of some of these activities activities:
Kindergarten Meet and Greet
We are very excited about our incoming Kindergarten students for the 2018-19 school year. Our Kindergarten teachers will be hosting a Kindergarten Meet and Greet on Thursday, June 7th from 6:00-7:00 on the BWES playground. Please join us as we meet our future friends!!!
Educationally yours,
Ms. Hough, Principal
Ms. Williams-McKinney, Assistant Principal