Greetings Banneker Families,

I hope all students distance and hybrid had a great week. It was so sweet to see all of those book characters during Read Across America Week. We have a few spirit weeks left this month so be on the lookout for how your child can participate. This Thursday and Friday will be wearing our favorite sports team's gear. Go Niners! We are looking to fill the yearbook with great spirit pictures. Make sure to order your yearbook soon! I have included more details below. Did you know that we are already planning for next school year? If you know someone who needs to enroll at Banneker or know a family who enrolled in homeschool last year but wants to come back to Banneker next year, now is the time to preregister. Last week’s Positivity Project theme was Enthusiasm. This week's Positivity Project theme is Social Intelligence. Social Intelligence means you are aware of other peoples' thoughts and feelings. You understand why they do things. Are you enjoying the "Best of Banneker" articles? This week we are highlighting Mr. Cornell and Mrs. Hamilton. Let's have a great week together.

Robert L. Carter, Principal

Please enjoy taking a look at the family resources from P2. What a great resource. Enjoy.

https://posproject.org/p2-for-families/

Password: P2

This is my sixth year teaching at Banneker and my tenth year teaching in Loudoun County. Before I became a teacher, I grew up in northern New Jersey. When I was in 5th grade, I loved skateboarding, snowboarding, fishing, riding dirt bikes, and trying to keep out of trouble.

After high school, I was not sure what I wanted to do with my life. To be honest, teaching was never part of what I envisioned myself doing! I worked in my dad’s shop building snow plow trucks. I learned welding and mechanical skills. In my early 20s, I developed a passion for aviation and obtained my pilot’s license. I worked in construction for a few years and then decided I wanted to join the U.S. Coast Guard after the events of September 11th. During my five years in the service, I worked on both boats and helicopters and enjoyed the many rescue and law enforcement missions that I completed with my teammates. I realized that helping others and being out in the community was a natural calling of mine and I decided to pursue a career in education. After I completed my enlistment, I attended and graduated from East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania with a degree in Elementary Education. I now live in Loudoun County with my wife, who is also an LCPS teacher, and our two children, Luke and Anna. I am always busy building or fixing something and being outside in nature. I love to fish, hike, kayak, and ride ATVs in the woods with my kids. My wife and I also are beekeepers, and we currently have 4 hives and can’t wait until honey season this spring and summer. Our honey even won a blue ribbon in the 2019 Loudoun County Fair! I love working at Banneker and learning with the amazing kids and staff that are there each day. Go Broncos!

I am LOVING my second year at Banneker as a 5th grade teacher. I grew up and went to college in Baltimore, Maryland (Goucher--GO GOPHERS!), and got into teaching because of several phenomenal professors that I had. I realized that one person can have such an impact on another, and its important these days to be GOOD HUMAN BEINGS to one another. I will read ANYTHING, and love cooking and hanging out with my family (4 dogs included). My two sons are 11 and 13, both smart and talented and funny. While you all know how much I LOVE coffee, you may not know that I also love to do my own hair. While I've only been blond at Banneker, over the years I have dyed my hair most colors of the rainbow. Deep blue was a favorite...who knows, maybe Mr. Carter will approve that as a school spirit thing? What I LOVE about Banneker is no matter what grade you're in, or who your teacher is, we are ALL a part of the BANFAM.

March is Women's History Month

March 11 &12 Sports Team Spirit Days

March 17 St. Patrick's Day

March 18 & 19 Crazy Hair / Crazy Hat Spirit Days

March 25 & 26 Over the Top Banneker Blue Spirit Days

March 29 - April 2: Spring Break