Blue Jay Bulletin - February 2021
#TheBlueJayWay
Upcoming Events
Thursday, February 11th
Report Cards Distributed
Friday, February 12th
Wear Pink or Red for Heart Health/Valentine's Day
Sunday, February 14th
Valentine's Day
Monday, February 15th
President's Day Schools & Offices Closed
Wednesday, February 17th
follow Monday Schedule
Monday, March 1st
Cohort A students in grade PS-2 return to in-person learning
Thursday, March 4th
Cohort B students in grade PS-2 return to in-person learning
March 25 - April 5
Spring Break - School Closed
Monday, April 6th
Cohort A students in grade 3rd-5th return to in-person learning
Thursday, April 8th
Cohort B students in grade 3rd-5th return to in-person learning
Principal's Note from Mr. Ament
WOW!! Reopening is finally upon us, and it is an exciting time. Mrs. Ellick and I have been visiting students this school year, and one thing we hear over and over again from our BlueJays is just how much they wish they could come back to the school building. Well, we are one step closer to making that happen!!
Over the first half of February, our school's Reopening Team will be developing a detailed plan that will make everyone's transition to school as seamless, smooth, and safe as possible.
Our students, families, and teachers are important and deserve the most thoughtful plan we can create. Our Reopening Plan will be submitted to BCPS leadership for approval and then we will share it with our families. When shared, please feel free to contact the school with any questions you may have.
Over the past week a few parents asked me if their child would "be on the computer all day" if they chose to use the hybrid model for instruction. That is an important question and deserves to be answered. Please be assured that students who return to the school building will NOT be on computers all day. Computer usage is a necessity 100% of the time in virtual instruction, but not during face-to-face instruction. The last year has taught us a lot about leveraging computers for education, but young students still need face-to-face instruction. They need personalized feedback. They need practice that is closely monitored. We have made headway with those things in virtual learning, but nothing is quite like the face-to-face model. Students who return to the school building will definitely benefit from face-to-face communication and interaction with their teachers and peers, while maintaining safe practices for everyone.
The hybrid model of instruction will require our teachers to become fluent in one more form of teaching. BCPS Teachers have been through so much this year, more than most teachers, due to the cyberattack. Just like they have crushed every other obstacle they have been presented with, they will become Masters of hybrid teaching as well. Be patient and encouraging as they learn this platform. In all your Valentine writing this month, please take a moment to send your child's teacher a note to let them know they rock and that you appreciate their care and effort.
If you are interested in revising your child's school attendance choice, please use the link below.
Heart Health Month
February is Heart Health Month. Please show spirit for keeping your heart healthy on Friday, February 12th by wearing red or pink.
A Note from our School Counselor, Mrs. Coale
Welcome, February! My heartfelt gratitude for sharing your child(ren) with us each and every day. Their enthusiasm for learning is contagious! Please check- out our ‘sweet’ topics…
IGE- 3 and Pre- K/ WORRY: We will connect to our bodies, brain and heart to detect how ‘WORRY’ presents itself. Coping strategies will be discussed, always.
K- 2nd Grades: Celebrating our Differences
3rd Grade: Unique Qualities
4th Grade: Celebrating our Differences highlighting The Other Side (Jacqueline Woodson)
5th Grade: Equity and Equality
Please stay in touch…mcoale@bcps.org
Notes from Nurse Clara
Reasons to Get Vaccinated!
News from the Library by Mrs. Bixby
I am excited to share that our online catalog, Destiny, is once again up and running. Students can choose from almost 400 ebooks to read. Here is the link https://baltimore.follettdestiny.com/common/welcome.jsp?context=saas007_1993744
Be sure to tune in to the morning announcements on Mondays to hear our read aloud "Mrs. Piggle- Wiggle" by Betty MacDonald and again on Thursday mornings when I read seasonal favorites and retro classics.
Yearbooks
With the uncertainty of when students will actually be returning to the building. We have decide to do a fall 2021 delivery of the yearbook. This means that instead of getting a yearbook in June before school dismisses, the book would deliver mid-August to early Sept. With a fall delivery book, this would allow for spring class portraits to be included, and give us the most amount of time to include all types of content like Field Day, 5th Grade Farewell, Spring Musical, etc. At the end of the school year, we will provide all students with autograph inserts, so that they will be able to have that activity before school dismisses for the summer.
The Yearbook Staff invites students, parents, faculty and staff to submit photos for this year's yearbook of virtual learning, movement breaks, community events, students with their masks on, or just having fun to hshiflett@bcps.org.
Yearbooks may be purchased by going to ybpay.lifetouch.com and entering order#1742821.
PTA February Newsletter
Edgemere Elementary School
Email: cament@bcps.org
Website: edgemerees.bcps.org/
Location: 7201 N Point Road, Edgemere, MD
Phone: 443-887-7507