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:

• Monday, June 11-Thursday, June 14: Full days of school for all students.
  • High school exams:
    • June 11: 1 exam
    • June 12-14: 2 exams
• Friday, June 15-Tuesday, June 19: All schools dismiss three-hours early. No half-day Pre-K/RECC.
• Tuesday, June 19: Last day of school for students.

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:

• Yogurt, fruit plate

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:

• Be Safe
• Be Respectful
• Be Ready to Learn

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:

• Related Arts Compliments
• Hallway Compliments
• No Take 5's
• No Office Referrals or MIR's

If classes earn 3 out of the 4 criteria above each week, then they will be able to participate in the following activities:

• Championship Basketball
• Face painting/Photobooth/Balloons
• Kona Ice
• Water Balloon Relays
• Activation Station

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:

 

• Summer School Site:  Running Brook Elementary School, 5215 West Running Brook Road,
  Columbia, Maryland 21044
• Summer School Dates:  Monday, July 2, 2018- Friday, July 27, 2018 (No School on Wednesday, July 4, 2018)
• Student Times: 9:00AM-12:15PM
• Parent Orientation:  Tuesday, June 5, 2018 from 6:30-7:30 @ Running Brook Elementary School
• Transportation:  Bus transportation via collector stops near Bryant Woods will be provided
• Lunch:  Will be provided

 

 

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:

• Pre-K Promotion Ceremony (Friday, June 15th from 9:00-9:45)
• Kindergarten Promotion Ceremony (Monday, June 11th from 9:00-10:30)
• Kindergarten EOY Picnic (Tuesday, June 12th from 12:15-2:00)
• Grade 1 EOY Picnic (Monday, June 11th from 11:15-12:45)
• Grade 2 EOY Picnic (Thursday, June 14th from 9:15-10:45)
• Grade 3 EOY Picnic (Monday, June 18th from 9:00-12:00)
• Grade 4 EOY Picnic (Thursday, June 14th from 11:00-1:30)
• Grade 5 EOY Picnic (Tuesday, June 5th from10:00-2:00)
• Grade 5 Promotion Ceremony (Tuesday, June 12th  from 9:00-10:30)

 

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