The Railroader Express
BES Family Newsletter - July 25, 2022
In This Issue...
- Summer Updates
- Car Rider Information
- Bus Rider Information
- My School Bucks
- Meal Updates (Free Meals are not Universal in 2022-23)
- SchoolCash Online
- Find Out First
- Volunteer Training and Registration
- Dates To Remember
- Summer Learning Reminders
- Community Item
- PTO Information
Dear BES Families,
For those that were not able to pick up teacher assignment letters last week, they will be mailed this week. Please know that placing students in classrooms is a long and complex process that requires teachers, specialists, counselors and administrators to work together carefully. Class placement is determined by many factors including
- academic strengths and needs,
- required services such as special education, interventions and advanced academics,
- social emotional concerns,
- space constraints,
- staff expertise,
- and more!
If your child is worried about their placement, please help to reassure them that we care very much about them and want them to be successful now and in the future. They will have many opportunities to interact with students and teachers from other classrooms and we will help them to continue grow and achieve here at BES. We are so fortunate to have the incredible staff we have here and we are committed to making every classroom a positive learning environment!
While much work is going on inside BES, the outside is humming as well!!! Take a look at the amazing progress the construction team is making. As you can see, we weren't kidding about how fast the work is taking place.
You will also notice a few changes to our current usable space. The side parking lot has been cut in half by construction needs. This means that car rider drop off and pick up will be slightly impacted. We can still use the side lot for moving cars during our morning and afternoon process, but there will be no space for parking. If anyone requires parking their car for drop off or pick up, they will need to park across the street and walk across.
Thank you, in advance, for your understanding about parking. We currently rent 90 spaces from the Eagles and this is just enough for our staff. When we hold events with guests, we will have to ask staff to park on the playground blacktop behind the building. This closes the areas for student play space so it will be a limited option. We are all looking forward to the day that our new building, play spaces and parking lots open!!!
OPEN HOUSE!
Save The Date
Friday, August 12th
4:15 - 4:45 PreK
5:00 - 5:45 Kindergarten
5:45 - 6:30 5th Grade
Monday, August 15th
5:00 - 5:45 2nd Grade
5:45 - 6:30 4th Grade
Tuesday, August 16th
5:00 - 5:45 1st Grade
5:45 - 6:30 3rd Grade
Families can plan to bring supplies to drop off at the Open House.
School supply lists can be found at
BES 22-23 SY Car Rider Information
We're super excited about the new school year! As we continue to prepare for the first day, it will be helpful to know which families are planning on being car riders.
There will be two phases for car riders:
Phase A (3:30-3:45 pm) Students with the last names A-L
Phase B (3:45-4 pm) Students with the last names M-Z
As we did for the 21-22 SY, families will receive a number (visor tag) to help expedite the pick up process.
If you're planning on having your child (children) be a car rider on a regular basis, complete the form below (one form for each child). We need every family to re-register for this school year even if you were a car rider last school year. We will have new color tags to issue this school year.
For those families who pre-register, visor tags will be available for pick up at the BES open house in August. If you have additional questions, please email Jason Rubeling / Assistant Principal (thomas.rubeling@fcps.org)
Bus Information
Eligibility for Bus Transportation is determined by FCPS Policies and Regulations. Bus information will be available after 6 am on August 6. To find out if your student is eligible for bus transportation and what bus stop they will utilize, please use the following links:
Online Bus Stop Information - https://www.fcps.org/transportation/bus-stop-information-online (you will need your child's student ID and their birthdate) (Student ID information can be found on their report cards and we will be giving this information out during our open house)
Bus Status Information (Delays and Cancellations) - https://apps.fcps.org/transportation/status
It is a parent or guardian's responsibility to be sure there is someone at the bus stop to pick up young children.
IMPORTANT MEAL INFORMATION
Meals are no longer free for all students.
Families must apply and be approved for Free & Reduced Meals. Stated meal prices will apply otherwise.
My School Bucks
2022 - 2023 Meal Updates
2022-2023 MEAL PRICES (Printable Price List)
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Breakfast $1.60
Lunch $2.65
Breakfast and lunch meals are free to students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
Milk purchased a la carte (not as part of a meal) is $0.60.
FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE MEAL BENEFITS
Meal Benefit applications for school year 2022-2023 will be available in July. We encourage all families who feel they qualify or are not sure if they qualify to fill out the electronic free and reduced-price meal benefits application online once it is available in July. We cannot accept a 2021-2022 application for the 2022-2023 school year. A paper application is available if requested.
Application Information
https://www.fcpsnutrition.com/index.php?page=lunchapps&sid=1496937421390
SchoolCash Online
Dear Parent/Guardian,
We are excited to inform you that Frederick County Public Schools offers SchoolCash Online as our preferred method of payment for all school fees, including everything from field trips to yearbooks. Our SchoolCash Online page can be found here: https://frederickcounty.schoolcashonline.com/.
Benefits to parents and schools
SchoolCash Online helps parents and community members pay school-related fees safely, quickly, and easily. In addition to convenience for yourself, you will help increase efficiency and security at your school by making payments directly into your school's bank account. This allows teachers and secretaries to focus on helping students, and not counting cash. In addition, you are immediately informed about school activities!
Register now!
Registering for your free SchoolCash Online account takes less than two minutes! Visit https://frederickcounty.schoolcashonline.com/ and click Register.
Should you encounter any difficulties, please contact the SchoolCash Online parent help desk by visiting schoolcashonline.com/Home/Support.
How it works
Powered by KEV Group, SchoolCash Online is the industry leader in the safe and secure management of school fees. This system puts all of the school-related fees for your student online for purchase. Schools post their items and activities and assign the relevant fees to your student, so you can then make purchases online using your credit card. This allows you to stay informed about upcoming school activities while keeping track of the school fees that require your attention.
Thank you for your support!
Find Out First
Your FindOutFirst (FOF) record will automatically reflect your child’s school and grade level.
From FOF you will receive instructions about how to log in to add a mobile phone number to get emergency-closing text messages. You will also receive instructions about how to sign up for system-level email such as calendar updates, newsletters, BOE action and more. If you change your email address during the school year, notify our school office so you will continue to get FOF emergency notices.
REQUIRED TRAINING For Volunteers and Chaperones
Volunteer and Chaperone Training (REQUIRED Yearly)
Before anyone is permitted to volunteer in the school, serve as a chaperone or attend an event during school hours, they must complete the Volunteer Training and Registration. This is a county requirement and must be done by individuals each year.
Once the training and registration form is completed, the process for approval takes several days. Please consider doing this at the start of the year to avoid last minute issues. Please share this information with any/all adults that may be involved at the school. We cannot make exceptions to this and we will turn individuals away who have not completed this and received approval from FCPS. This is mandatory for student and staff safety.
Volunteer Training and Registration - https://pubforms.fcps.org/view.php?id=78542
Upcoming Dates
August:
Friday, August 12: Open house: Pre-K 4:15 - 4:45; Kindergarten 5 - 5:45; 5th grade 5:45 - 6:30
Monday, August 15: Open house: 2nd grade 5- 5:45; 4th grade 5:45 - 6:30
Tuesday, August 16: Open house 1st grade 5 - 5:45; 3rd grade 5:45 - 6:30
Wednesday, August 17: 1st day of school for students (Pre-K and K students will stagger start)
September:
Monday, September 5: School Closed for Labor Day
i-Ready - Keep Learning During the Summer
Your student, currently enrolled in a FCPS elementary school, will be able to continue their math learning journey throughout the summer with iReady My Path and Learning Games. Grade 5 students moving to an FCPS middle school will also have access. iReady My Path provides students with lessons based on their individual skill level and needs, so they can learn at a pace that is just right for them. These lessons are fun and interactive to keep your student engaged as they learn. iReady Learning Games allow students to practice math in fun and engaging ways, helping them to develop a positive view of math.
How to Log In
Students will gain access to iReady by logging in through Clever as they do during the school year. Students should log into their FCPS student account in a Chrome browser—
Select FCPS Bookmark folder—Select Clever Portal—Log in with Active Directory
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZtHbVWZl6zazmVpF3GnZKQi_wtQ_HBedj5mGhzd6kC8/edit?usp=sharing
Additional iReady support for families - Supporting Summer Learning at Home (curriculumassociates.com)
Fact Fluency
If you want to pick up a paper copy, please come to the school to pick one up in the front office during summer office hours.
New Hope United Methodist Church - Back-to-School Block Party
New Hope United Methodist Church invites you to their Back-to-School Block Party on Saturday, August 13 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at the railroad square parking lot by the MARC train station.
Please see the flier for more information.
BES PTO INFORMATION
The BES PTO website includes information for volunteers, fundraising opportunities, PTO-sponsored events, membership forms, and much more! Join Today
Sign Up for Membership HERE
BES PTO Officers for the 2022-2023 School Year
Stephanie Ortega - President
Position needs filled - Vice President
Dee Dee Fowler - Secretary
Position needs filled - Treasurer
Lindsay Matthai- Fundraising
Christine Paugh - Volunteer Coordinator
Natasha Termohlen - Hospitality Coordinator
Alisa Bell - Social Media Coordinator / Hospitality
Brunswick Elementary School
Email: BrunswickES@fcps.org
Website: http://education.fcps.org/bes/
Location: 400 Central Avenue, Brunswick, MD, United States
Phone: 240.236.2900
Twitter: @DrMazaleski