Blair Mill Beagle Brief
From our PAWS to yours..... February 9, 2022
2021 Theme: Simply the BEST...Students, Families, Staff
Principal's Message
Dear Blair Mill Families,
This week, teachers, Rachel Hartman, Lauren Pace and Tori Chamberlain presented information to our school board about our new Math resource, Number Corner. They highlighted how our teachers are implementing this new program in our school. Click the video below to see some of our teachers and students during Number Corner. Learn more about how our teachers are using this resource to elevate Mathematical thinking and discussions.
Here are a few reminders for the upcoming week:
- The candy gram sale ends Friday, February 11th
- Valentine's Day parties are Monday, February 14th (See information below)
- 100th Day of School is Tuesday, February 15th
- Title 1 Family Night 6:00 PM (Virtual) February 15th
- Early Dismissal, Friday, February 18th
Get ready to celebrate the number 2 in a big way!!! On Tuesday, 2-22-22, students and teachers are invited to celebrate this cool repeated digit date by wearing Tie-Dye, Ties, Tutus, and/or Tube Socks! There will be twos everywhere – on desks and in hallways. Twinning for the number 2 is encouraged! At 2:22 p.m., everyone will stop for a two-minute and 22 second dance party. We are also inviting each child to bring in 2 canned food items on this day to benefit a local food pantry.
A quick plug for Kindergarten registration. Kindergarten registration is around the corner. We will be very excited to welcome our new friends to the Blair Mill family next year. If you know anyone who has a little one to register, please spread the word. Early registration helps the district prepare for the upcoming school year. See the flyer included below for more details.
Finally, this week's Blair Mill Beagle Brief includes a SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT that I think the children will be very excited about! See below under the Principal's Message.
Reminder to contact our school nurse, sclark@hatboro-horsham.org, if your child develops symptoms or is being tested for COVID-19.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me via email, egee@hatboro-horsham.org.
Stay safe, happy and healthy!
Dr. Gee
Learn About Number Corner at Blair Mill!
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: BLAIR MILL ELEMENTARY GETS A NEW PLAYGROUND!
I have a special announcement in this week's Beagle Brief. This past summer I had an opportunity to write a proposal for a new playground for our school. I am thrilled to announce that the proposal and grant were approved and we will be working with our facilities department and vendors to plan for a new playground. I am looking forward to getting the children involved in the design process. I will be sharing this with them on Friday during announcements. More information will be shared over the next couple months. Ssh!! It's a secret until Friday.
Recess Information
As a school we look to find a balance between giving our kids the opportunity for fitness and play, while providing enough supervision, support, and organization to facilitate cooperation, sharing, problem-solving, and coping skills while socializing with friends. At Blair Mill, a team of dedicated recess assistants facilitate a play structure which allows all students to enter the play yard and experience a variety of activities.
Recess and lunch are scheduled for 45 minutes every day, which is consistent with our district elementary schedule. New recess balls, jump ropes, and other play items were purchased in September, and are replenished throughout the year. Students rotate through different play areas throughout the week allowing them to play games and utilize equipment that they love. They can also walk the track with friends.
Our play areas have had many positive benefits. They have resulted in fewer disciplinary referrals, injuries, and conflicts during recess that spill over into the classroom. Recess assistants supervise designated groups, allowing them to get to know the students by name, build relationships, and help resolve conflicts.
This week I have had an opportunity to talk to several students to ask what activities would make recess more enjoyable for them. From these conversations, many of them expressed wanting to have an expanded area where they can play with friends from other classes. They also expressed wanting to learn more games to play on the blacktop since during the winter, our grassy areas might be damp or wet.
We will continue to have stations set up around the playground offering students choices of different activities including four square, basketball, hula hoops, playground equipment, and hopscotch. We will also honor the student feedback by making adjustments to our routines so that students can independently choose an area to convene with their peers during outdoor recess. Our recess assistants will monitor play activity and encourage the children to rotate as needed, so that any particular area doesn’t become overcrowded and unsafe.
Insight from our school community is helpful to us as we work collaboratively to create a positive school experience for everyone.
Running Club and 5K Save the Date!
RUNNING CLUB BEGINS MARCH 1ST
We are excited to have our Running Club and the 5k this year! The Running Club forms were distributed today for students in grades 3rd, 4th and 5th. As always. Running club will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45 to 4:45. Students do teambuilding activities as well as practice running.
SAVE THE DATE for our 5k which is Friday, June 3rd— 6 pm half mile run and 6:30 pm is the 5k. The Blair Mill Spring Bash is also that same night so a great time for families.
Sponsors are needed for our 5K. I have attached the sponsorship form for your convenience. If you know anyone who owns a business, please consider asking them to sponsor the race. All sponsors get their business logo on our race shirt and are more than welcome to put brochures/flyers in our swag bags. They also are allowed to attend the 5k and set up a table to advertise their business.
Contact skiss@hatboro-horsham.org
Kindergarten Registration Information Below!
Volunteer Spotlight!
A Shout Out to Lisa Saile, Taralyn Schultz, and Christin Snyder for helping out with our One School, One Book Program! We are getting geared up for a wonderful month in March. More to come on that later this month!
Home and School News
Candy Gram Sale - January 31, 2022 - February 11, 2022
Buy a Valentine Gram for your children, teachers or friends in school!
Your Valentine’s Gram will include several pieces of candy for $1.00
Sale starts January 31st and ends February 11th.
Fill out the attached Valentine’s Gram form and send them along with the money to school in an envelope marked Valentine’s Grams.
Valentine’s Grams will be delivered to the student’s homeroom on February 14th.
Please contact Amy Cooper at amycooper74@gmail.com with any questions.
SEE FLYERS BELOW TO PLACE YOUR ORDER!
5TH GRADE FAMILIES -BABY PICTURES NEEDED.
Baby picture are needed for the yearbook. Pease send your child’s baby picture in an envelope marked “Yearbook Baby Photo” with your child’s name and homeroom teacher or email baby picture with your child’s full name to Blairmillyearbook2022@gmail.com. Your photo will be returned.
Valentine's Day Activities February 14th @ 2:30 PM
Students are invited to send in Valentine's CARDS (WITHOUT CANDY) to pass out to their classmates. Teachers will provide you with a class list (first names only). Please send in your Valentine's CARDS in by Monday, February 7th.
- Valentine's Activities will begin at 2:30 PM in the classroom.
- Teachers will coordinate with the lead homeroom parent to plan a PREPACKAGED snack, small craft, and game.
- There will be two room parents who join each class during this time to set up and facilitate the activities. Room parents can arrive during this time to set up and assist.
- Room parents assist in the room that they are assigned and should not visit other classrooms during this time.
- As a reminder, room parents must have their volunteer badge and adhere to health and safety guidelines for volunteers including a vaccination or negative antigen test within 48 hours of the party.
- All Health and Safety protocols will be followed for the party including store bought individually wrapped snacks.
Save the Date
Monday, February 21st - School Closed
Tuesday, February 22nd - 2-22-22 SPIRIT DAY - The Ultimate TWOS Day Ties, Tutus, and Tie-dye Dress up day!!!
Updated Dates:
- STEM Night - Stem Night will be May 26th. Our hope is to do an outdoor Science and Summer themed activity.
- SWEETHEART DANCE UPDATE: Sweetheart Dance Updated Date will be March 25, 2022 at 6:30 PM