We hope everyone is having a safe and relaxing summer. The summer break is beginning to wind down and it is time to think about kicking off the next school year. Teachers report to school on Monday, August 1 and many have already begun setting up their rooms. There is much anticipation for the student return on Wednesday, August 10. We hope you and your children are excited as well.

First-Fifth Grade parents will need their parent portal username and password to sign in to Focus to see their child's teacher assignment on FRIDAY, AUGUST 5TH. If you need your password reset or have trouble with your login information please email Laura Glezer at glezerl@pcsb.org. Returning students should also be able to use their R2.D2 login information and see teacher assignments on 8/5. PreK and Kindergarten teachers will be sending families an email on 8/5. Teacher assignments are final unless we need to make adjustments per class size mandates. A great deal of work is done to build class lists using a variety of factors while also ensuring classes are balanced.

In case you missed the exciting news, school grades were released and BCE remains an "A" rated school. We are quite proud of the student performance. 3rd-5th grade FSA scores were released by the state a couple of weeks ago. The scores are visible in Focus now. Student reports are being shipped to the schools and will be sent home with students as soon as possible.

We will be communicating information about opening processes and procedures as the school year approaches in the next couple of weeks. Please make sure to keep an eye out for our "News from BCE" email.

The BCE Teacher Meet and Greet will be held on Monday, August 8. This is a great time to meet the teacher, discover the classroom, and for students to learn where to go. We will have a more formal time to discuss curriculum, expectations, and similar topics at an Open House scheduled at a later date.

Please note the grade levels and visitation times:

PreK-3, VPK, Kindergarten and Third Grade: 9:00am-9:45am

First Grade and Fourth Grade: 10:15am-11:00am

Second Grade and Fifth Grade: 11:30am-12:15pm

PTA membership and Spiritwear, Volunteer Information, YMCA information, Cafeteria Accounts, and Bus Information will be available in the cafeteria throughout the event.

Students riding the bus will need to visit the cafeteria and obtain a bus tag for his/her backpack. This tag will help staff make sure that students are placed on the correct bus for dismissal.

Recommended school supply lists can be found attached below and also on our school website.

https://www.pcsb.org/Domain/1748

Families are encouraged to bring in supplies during our Meet and Greet on 8/8. This will help make the first day of school go smoothly.

Teachers will share any additional "wish list" items in their newsletters or during Open House night.

• Parents will be able to walk their child to the classroom on the first day of school ONLY.

• Beginning on Thursday, August 11, parents will not be permitted to walk students to class. We will have plenty of staff available during the first week of school to help our Bobcats find their classrooms. Additionally, we will have tape on the ground leading from our drop off areas to the kindergarten pod. This tape will remain for a few days. Kindergarten students will be able to follow the tape to their pod.

• PLEASE BE SURE YOUR CHILD KNOWS HOW HE/SHE WILL BE GETTING HOME FROM SCHOOL EACH DAY AND SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH HIS/HER TEACHER!!!

We recognize that students (and parents) may be anxious about starting at a new school. Kindergarten students may be starting school for the first time. Older students may be starting at a new school and may not have had an opportunity to meet any students. PTA would like to invite families and children to meet at John Chestnut Park. This will give families and students an opportunity to make some friends.

Kindergarten families - 8/3 at 5:30 pm at the front playground at John Chestnut Park, meet by the picnic tables.

New families - 8/4 at 5:30 pm at the front playground at John Chestnut Park, meet by the picnic tables.

Is your child a bus rider? You should receive a postcard in the mail for each eligible rider during the week of August 1st. Transportation postcards will include the information listed below:

• Route number
• Stop location
• Pick-up and drop off times

If you do not receive a postcard by Friday, August 5th, or if you have any other transportation questions, please contact the district transportation office at 727-587-2020.

For the 2022-23 school year, school breakfast will remain free for Pinellas County Schools students. However, Brooker Creek Elementary will return to regularly priced lunch. View the schools returning to regular priced lunch. Lunch will be $2.25/day. We will be sending more information in the next update on how to set up a cafeteria account for your child.

Students in all Pinellas County Schools are still able to apply for free and reduced lunch meal benefits online. Meal applications provide funding for technology, discounted testing and college application fees, free clothing for students and more. The online application will open on August 1st to apply for free meal benefits at www.myschoolapps.com. Completing the online application is secure, convenient and worry-free. Results are available within two working days. Eligibility is based on household size and income. Once approved, the benefits are good for the entire year.

BCE is overhauling campus flower and plant beds! PTA hopes to get parents involved by donating the plants linked below. Plants can be dropped off anytime Monday through Thursday at the front of the school. Please use the link below to let us know that help is on the way. Thank you!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4FA5A62EA4FC1-plant