Bobcat Bulletin
March 2024
Principal's Message
We have exciting news to share! We're thrilled to announce that the FCPS BOE has approved a limited renovation for our school. Phase one is set to commence at the beginning of summer and will be completed by the start of the 2024-2025 school year. This renovation will bring much-needed upgrades to our office, health room, bathrooms, and classrooms, creating a more conducive learning environment for our students.
You can view the renovation proposals at the BOE presentation here: Limited Renovation Design BOE Presentation.
We're committed to keeping you informed every step of the way throughout the summer as progress unfolds and as we get sneak peeks into our newly renovated space. Please note that our school will be closed to the public during the summer months due to construction. We will communicate further details regarding alternative locations for meetings, enrollments, etc., along with updated contact information as we near the construction start date.
We're eagerly looking forward to welcoming our students and families to visit our refreshed school space before the start of the school year at our Open House in August.
Yours in Education,
Megan Stein
Principal
March Dates
Monday, March 4- Friday, March 8: Read Across America Week
Wednesday, March 6: 6:00 PTA Meeting
Thursday, March 21: End of Term 3
Friday, March 22: No School, Teacher Work Day
Monday, March 25: Term 4 Begins
Friday, March 29- Friday, April 5: No School, Spring BreakRead Across America Week
In celebration of Read Across America Week each student will receive a reading bingo card they may choose to complete at home with their families. Once students complete BINGO, they may turn in their card to Ms. Wood in the media center for a prize! Additionally, We have a spirit week planned for this week with students to celebrate!
March Grade Level Learning Newsletters
Absences Due to Illness
We have recently experienced an influx of flu and viruses. We continue to emphasize hand washing and good hygiene practices with our students. We also encourage you to monitor your child's symptoms closely. Any of the following symptoms is cause for exclusion of the symptomatic individual for 24 hours after the relief of symptoms:
Fever of 100.4 or higher
New onset of Cough
Difficulty breathing
Diarrhea OR vomiting
New onset of severe headache (especially with fever)
New loss of taste or smell
Health Room Hours: 8:00 am - 3:30 pm
Counseling Corner
We are sad to share that our intermediate school counselor, Ms. Becky Miller, has resigned from her position and will be joining the state's attorney's office. Our counseling support team is robust, and we have a strong plan in place to support our students. If you should need any assistance, please don't hesitate to contact the following staff:
Ms. Foreman, Behavior Support Specialist: Kristen.Foreman@fcps.org
Ms. O'Neill, Primary School Counselor, kathleen.oneill@fcps.org
Mr. Humphries, School Therapist, david.humphries@fcps.org
Ms. King, Assistant Principal Grades 3-5: candace.king@fcps.org
- Ms. Stein, Principal: megan.stein@fcps.org
Teaching Your Child Empathy
Teaching children empathy involves modeling and fostering an environment that encourages understanding and compassion for others. Key strategies for teaching empathy to children include:
- Model Empathy: Show empathy towards your child and others consistently, demonstrating how to respond appropriately to various emotions.
- Label emotions: Help children identify their own emotions and the emotions of others by describing and labeling them.
- Discuss emotions: Have open conversations about emotions instead of avoiding or dismissing them.
- Play emotion charades: Engage children in games and activities that help them develop empathy through play.
- Set an example: Perform acts of kindness and charity, bringing your children along to witness and participate.
- Encourage perspective-taking: Ask your children to consider how others might be feeling based on their behavior and circumstances.
- Read books: Share stories about feelings and characters dealing with similar challenges to encourage empathy.
- Listen attentively: Pay close attention to children’s feelings and validate their emotions.
- Provide small jobs: Assign chores to foster responsibility and altruism.
- Be patient: Realize that empathy is a skill that requires consistent effort and practice to develop fully.
These strategies can be adapted according to each child’s age and developmental stage, ensuring that empathy becomes a lifelong habit.
MVCC Events at BCES
Mountain View Community Church will be hosting a Family BINGO Night and all BCES Families are invited! We will play BINGO together on Friday, March 22 from 6:30 to 8pm in the Cafeteria. There will be snacks and prizes and we would love to see your whole family! Let us know you will be attending, by clicking this link. (Use Image 1)
Mountain View Community Church's Annual Eggstravaganza will be SUNDAY, March 24, this year. The festivities will begin at 10:30 and there will be something for everyone so bring your whole family out for an Egg Hunt, Family Activities and Lunch. The Easter Bunny will also be there to take pictures with you! Find out more details at www.mvccballenger.cc/easteregg
Megan Stein, Principal
Email: megan.stein@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/bces/home
Location: 5250 Kingsbrook Drive, Frederick, MD, USA
Phone: 240-236-2500
Twitter: @FCPS_Stein