Bushy Park PTA Newsletter
Leading with Kindness | November 6, 2019
Dear BPES Family,
I hope this finds you well.
We have some truly amazing things going on and I want to make sure you're aware of them.
The Bushy Bear Dash was a huge success! We surpassed our first goal of $12k and almost met our 2nd goal of $15k with $14, 561. This means that our budget goes from theoretical (partially-funded) to actual (fully-funded) and we are able to fully-fund all planned activities. Additionally, our two-day Tony Locos fundraiser raised $1,046.73 (10% of the two-days' revenue). Thank you, for your support.
Please make plans to join us for our upcoming Family Fun Nights:
- Fit Night, November 11th, 6:45-8:30pm, RSVP: https://forms.gle/wKhFsEeNQCCYe7of8
- Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) Night, December 4th, 6:45-8:30pm, Call for Presentations
- Winter Potluck with Damon Foreman, December 9th, 6:30-8:30pm
Calling all student artists! The Reflections student art competition is OPEN. Please register at: https://www.bushyparkpta.org/reflections. Entries are due November 12th.
Our Community Service Partner People Who Needs People (PWNP) is collecting NEW TWIN size blankets during the month of November. Bushy Park will act as an official collection point for donations. For ease of donations, please visit our PWNP Amazon Wishlist. Donations will be directly shipped to the school. Please help us "Share the Warmth."
November is Native American Heritage Month. Thanks to our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee for our morning announcement and educational lobby showcase.
In Partnership,
Randee Wilding
BPES PTA Leadership Team, 2019-20
Randee Wilding, President
Kristin Baker, Treasurer
Voula Augustin, First Vice President
Gina Lease, Second Vice President
Michelle Sexton, Secretary
Jaime Belmore, Corresponding Secretary
Special Thanks to our Bushy Bear Dash Raffle Donors
Reflections: Student Art Competition
Participating in the PTA Reflections Program is an easy way to get creative, get recognition, and support our school!
Simply have your students create an original work of art no larger than 24 x 30 inches. Then deliver it to Mrs. Guertin or Mr. Van Meter’s rooms by November 12th. Make sure to have your students include their name, grade, teacher and contact information. All art will be judged based on creativity, technique and interpretation of theme. This year’s theme is LOOK WITHIN.
For more information visit www.bushyparkpta.org/reflections
or contact ebaumwald@thecreativecan.com
November is Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month, or as it is commonly refered to, American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.
The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Heritage Month is also an opportune time to educate the general public about tribes, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.
Americans
American Indian images, names, and stories infuse American history and contemporary life. Pervasive, powerful, at times demeaning, the images, names, and stories reveal the deep connection between Americans and American Indians as well as how Indians have been embedded in unexpected ways in the history, pop culture, and identity of the United States.
Explore the online exhibition »
Resources:
Native American Heritage Month https://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov
NAHM For Teachers https://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/for-teachers/
National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) http://www.ncai.org/initiatives/native-american-heritage-month
National Museum of the American Indian https://americanindian.si.edu
When you enter or leave our school, please take a moment to see the bulletin board that recognizes Native American Heritage Month.
You are invited to Family Fun Night (FFN) Fit Night!
One of the PTA's goals this year is to build community and create new opportunities for families to connect.
Please join us on Monday, November 11th, 6:45-8:30pm. We will be working out with 39 Minute Workout & Wellness! Bring your water bottles and towels for our second FFN of the year!
RSVP for your family at: https://forms.gle/wKhFsEeNQCCYe7of8.
"Bushy Park Family...IT'S TIME TO SWEAT
Join us for a full-body strength and fitness circuit for all ages and abilities!!
Whether you are a gym-rat or haven't cracked the door of a gym since the first time scrunchy socks were cool, this workout will be a blast. You can workout right next to your child and show them what mom and dad have going for them. A little healthy competition and fitness fun with your kids is the perfect way to enjoy an evening.
We'll start out with a 10 minute warm-up, then teach some of the basics for the workout. Then we'll break into 6 stations that will include body weight exercises, cardio, and core work.
This is being run by Bushy Park parents, David and Abby Beares who have 3 kids go through Bushy Park, and are also the owners of 39 Minute Workout with David in Ellicott City for the last 10 years. You can feel comfortable knowing that our primary clientele are women in their 30's-60's and we work with all abilities.
So don't be intimidated! We'll make this safe and fun for all levels.
It would REALLY help if you'd RSVP for the event so we know how much gear we need that night. So do me a favor click the sign up link (and head-count): https://forms.gle/wKhFsEeNQCCYe7of8
If you have any questions or concerns before the night of the event, feel free to leave a comment below, message me or call me directly at 410-935-0967.
David Bears"
Calling those in Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)!
- Scientist? Could you present about anatomy or blood?
- Technologist? Could you present about code or online security?
- Engineer? Can you present about how you solve problems?
- Mathematician? Can you present how math is used in everyday life?.
We're looking for unique kid-friendly presentations that can be done over the course of our STEM Family Night for small groups. STEM Night is Wednesday, December 4th, 6:45-8:30pm.
Presenting:
- CRYPTOWHEEL 101: This talk introduces younger students to the basics of substitution cryptography. Using a cipher wheel, students match separate alphabets to determine the ‘slide’ of the alphabet. Students are then challenged to solve a simple substitution cipher to put their new skills to the test.
- MAKER SPACE: Visit Ms. Carey's "Maker Space" where you can create, explore, build, and program with a variety of materials.
- ROBOTIATORS 888: Come see a demonstration of Glenelg High School robotics team's latest inventions. Talk to high school students and learn how you can get involved.
What do you think? Email bpesptapres@gmaill.com with interest.
FFN Winter Potluck with Damon Foreman
Make plans to bring your whole family to our winter potluck on Monday, December 9th, 6:30-8:30pm. We are thrilled to have Damon Foreman and other musical guests perform during our event. You don't want to miss this. Seriously. It's going to be amazing.
Stay tuned for more details.
PWNP November: Share the Warmth
The PTA is doing some really amazing work this year and a lot of it is focused on our staff, families and building community.
By partnering with People Who Need People (PWNP), and living our "Leading with Kindness" mantra, we are extending our love and community to others.
For the remainder of the school year, we will have a new initiative each month.
Please join me in supporting November's "Share the Warmth" blanket drive. We are collecting NEW TWIN size blankets during the month of November. Bushy Park will act as an official collection point for donations.
For ease of donations, please visit our PWNP Amazon Wishlist. Donations will be directly shipped to the school by using "Bushy Park Elementary School's Gift Registry Address" for shipping. Family Fit Night on Monday, November 11th would be a great time to bring a blanket in too!
Please help us "Share the Warmth." You are welcome to share this to your friends and family.
PTA Website: https://www.bushyparkpta.org/post/pwnp-november-share-the-warmth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BushyParkPTA/
November Membership Drawing
Written by Dr. Sheer, "The Elephant with a Knot in his Trunk" is about being different from other kids, perseverance and doing the right thing. The “Elephant Pak” consists of the book, an elephant book bag and a stuffed elephant.
It is written from a place of compassion and love by Dr. Sheer and his friend Nancy Patz. It highlights Dr. Sheer’s world travels helping patients who are different.
The book is offered on AmazonSmile and by order at Books with a Past.
The PTA will be doing a drawing from all family memberships at the end of November.
Congratulations to October winner: The Latchis Family! "UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World" will be delivered via kid-mail this week.
Volunteer Opportunities
Walking Wednesdays needs your help!
The activity requires 2 or 3 parent volunteers per recess period and provides a great opportunity for parents to interact with their children and their friends. WW is a great way for parents, grandparents and other caregivers to get involved. (Walking Wednesdays will begin in October and ends after Thanksgiving, then weather permitting, we will start walking again in mid-March until the end of the School-Year.) Sign-up at: https://signup.com/go/AkKoMOX
We have everything from event-specific to seasonal opportunities.
Buddy Bear is now live on Mabel's Labels!
The Logo Label pack is available by visiting:
- campaigns.mabelslabels.com
- Select Bushy Park Elementary
- click on “Combo Label Packs” and the Logo Label pack will appear.
That's it! The PTA will receive 20% of all sales and you will know that your towels, lunch bags and water bottles will always be labeled!
Amount raised as of 10/21: $131.69
Number of orders as of 11/6: 13
Upcoming Events
November 2019
7 PTA Conference Call - 7pm
11 PTA FFN - FIT Night - 6:45pm
14 Student fall portrait retakes
18-22 American Education Week
22 Spirit Day: Jersey Day
25 PTA Dinner for Staff & 3 hour early dismissal for students/Parent Teacher Conferences
26 3 hour early dismissal for students/Parent Teacher Conferences
27 No school for students/Parent Teacher Conferences
28-29 No school for students
Website PTA Calendar: https://www.bushyparkpta.org/calendar
Facebook PTA Events: https://www.facebook.com/pg/BushyParkPTA/events/
Yearbook Cover Contest
We are looking for Bushy Park students to design a custom cover for this year’s school yearbook! This year’s theme will be belonging and inclusiveness (for example: ‘Everyone belongs at Bushy Park’. This theme will be discussed throughout the year in guidance lessons by Ms. Bengermino.) The winner’s entry will be featured as our front cover. The next top 4 entries will be featured on the back cover.
Entries are due by November 22nd. Please submit your drawings to your teacher no later than Friday, November 22nd. No late entries will be accepted. Voting by teachers and students will take place at school on December 5th.
All entries must:
- Be completed on an 8.5x11 sheet of white paper (printer paper), with a vertical orientation
- Contain “Bushy Park Elementary School” and the school year “2019-2020”
- Depict a belonging/inclusiveness theme
- Include Buddy the Bushy Park bear
- Have your name written in *pencil* on the BACK of your entry
Tips for a good entry:
- Add a bold outline to words and pictures.
- Use the entire sheet of paper for your drawing—fill in all spaces with color!
- Use crayons, colored pencils, or markers
- The darker you color your artwork in, the better.
- Neatness counts!
- Don’t forget to illustrate belonging or inclusiveness in your artwork!
Some examples from past cover design contests:
- “Green School” themed covers
- “Kindness” themed covers
Questions? Email bushyparkyearbook@gmail.com. Download the flyer below.
HCPSS/TCOE Parent Academy: Supporting Your Child’s Social, Emotional and Mental Well-Being
Saturday, November 9, 9–11:15 a.m.
Oakland Mills Middle School
9540 Kilimanjaro Road, Columbia
Attendees at this HCPSS/The Council of Elders Academy workshop will learn more about some of the factors that impact students’ social, emotional, and mental well-being, and will receive timely strategies and resources. This session is appropriate for parents/guardians of students at all levels.
The session is free to attend. Those interested are asked to register online.
Please call 410-313-1598 in advance to arrange for the following services:
- Child Care
- Interpreting
Mt. Airy Children's Dental Associates
Rocky Brown, REALTOR®, The Wendy Slaughter Team of Elevate Real Estate Brokerage
Western Howard County (WHC) Youth Soccer
Western Howard County (WHC) Warhawks Football & Cheer
The Bushy Park Elementary PTA invites you to become a business or sports sponsor. Our community sponsor program provides an opportunity to support the staff and students of Bushy Park Elementary.
Bushy Park Elementary PTA
Our PTA is here to build a bridge between home and school, integrating the efforts of parents, teachers, staff and our community. It is an integral part of the Bushy Park community by offering many activities and programs to our families.
Our vision is simple. Lead with kindness and let everything follow.
Email: bpesptapres@gmail.com
Website: http://www.bushyparkpta.org
Location: 14601 Carrs Mill Rd, Glenwood, MD 21738
Phone: 410-313-5500
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BushyParkPTA/
Twitter: @hcpss_bpes