Principals Page
Summer Newsletter August 2023
Principals Page, December 11, 2023
SPOTLIGHT: Coming Soon- REMIND APP
SPOTLIGHT:
In the fall, MCPS introduced a new communication tool called Remind. (Click here to learn more.) In the survey data that was collected, several parents noted that there are many different resources that the schools use to disseminate data. We recognize that Remind is another communication tool, but our hope is that it will allow us to consolidate some of the tools we use. Several teachers have already begun to use Remind with their families. Over the next couple of months, Beall administration will increase the use of this communication tool to evaluate how we can most effectively use it within our community. It will continue to be an optional tool for teachers.
What are the benefits?
- In Remind, district administrators are able to send district-wide announcements to all staff, families, and students (13 and older). School administrators are able to send school-wide messages to all users or select groups within our community. Teachers have easy two-way communication with parents/guardians.
- Remind allows us to communicate via text message, email, app, (user selects their preference) or phone call
- Research shows that more people read messages sent to their phones as a text message. Remind will allow parents to receive messages directly to their phone in their preferred language.
Later this week, Beall administration will send out a test message using the Remind app. Text messages to your phone will not appear to come from a local phone number. However, it will be identified as coming from Mr. Alter and/or Beall Elementary School. Parents will be invited to download the Remind app and set your preferences. Initially, messages may arrive by text and all email accounts on file with the school system. (This means you may receive the same message in multiple ways.) Each parent will have their own Remind account.
Click here to access the Quick Guide for Parents:
Outdoor Dining Update
We are thrilled to have been able to offer students the opportunity to eat lunch outdoors throughout the fall. As the weather becomes cooler, with most days starting with frost, we will now transition all students to indoor dining only (on most days). If there are several unseasonably warm days that fall within the same week, we will try to provide students with the option to eat outside. However, until we see temperatures that are consistently dry and warm, students should expect to eat in the cafeteria for the next couple of months.
Arrival Reminder
Please make sure that your child does not arrive to school prior to 8:40 am, when the main doors will be opened for all. We have noticed more and more students arriving prior to this time. Unfortunately, we cannot provide staff supervision. This means that students are often waiting outside in cold temperatures. Please take a moment to review appropriate times for your child to begin their walk to school in order to stay safe.
Personal Body Safety Lessons
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is taking an active role in the prevention of child abuse and neglect through early prevention and intervention education.
During the month of December, our school counselor, Ms. Cohen, and classroom teachers will be presenting lessons on the topic of child abuse and neglect. The lessons are known as Personal Body Safety Lessons and their purpose is to help students to:
- Develop knowledge, decision making skills, and behaviors which promote safe living in the home, school, and community;
- Learn skills for self-protection and identifying child abuse and neglect;
- Learn skills for asking for help for self and others and practice reporting to a trusted adult; and
- Engage in positive and appropriate interactions with peers and adults.
If you have any questions or concerns about the topics that will be covered, please contact school administrators, your childβs classroom teacher, or the school counselor.
Dressing for the weather
Brrrrβ¦.Tis the Season!
Please be sure children dress appropriately for the weather. Consider layering clothes as the temperature may vary from room to room. Children will have outdoor recess unless the temperature is extremely frigid. As the weather begins to turn cooler, students often shed their warm jackets, gloves, and sweatshirts during recess. As a result, our Lost & Found grows throughout the winter months. We encourage you to label everything.
Clothes Donations Welcome!
Health Room staff welcome donations of clothes that your child may have outgrown that would fit a school-aged student. We appreciate pants, sweatpants, t-shirts, long sleeve shirts or sweatshirts, socks or even new packages of underwear for boys and girls.
Important Dates π
Coming Soon...
- December 19- PTA Dine Out Night
- December 25- January 2- No School for Winter Break
- January 3- Schools re-open
- January 9- PTA Meeting
- January 10- Winter Chorus Concert
- January 15- No School
Health Reminder
Covid Test Kits
MCPS continues to make Covid Test Kits available to MCPS students and staff. Test kits may be sent home with every student prior to Winter Break. We will happily provide Covid Test Kits to any family that has a need at any time. Please feel free to contact the main office if you would like us to send a kit home with your student.
News from MCPS
Tune in Live Dec. 14 to the Superintendentβs Recommended Budget Presentation
MCPS Superintendent Dr. Monifa B. McKnight will present her recommended Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget on Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. at Odessa Shannon Middle School. The public is invited to watch the presentation live on the MCPS website, on the MCPS-TV YouTube channel, and on the MCPS-TV channels in English and Spanish.
Reminder: Stay Connected with MCPS During Inclement Weather
With winter weather just around the corner, remember that MCPS offers numerous ways to learn about school closures, delayed openings and early dismissals when there is inclement weather. Learn more about how weather decisions are made and how to receive information about any changes.
Board Approves 2024-2025 School Year Calendar
Click here to see the highlights of next year's school calendar or to view the calendar.
It is not too late to join the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). The PTA supports Beall students in a variety of ways, including after -school programs, cultural arts programs, social activities, fundraising and parent workshops. The PTA also supports student learning by funding programs, technology and staff support. See their website for more information or registration forms.
Beall Vison Statement
A high-quality education is the fundamental right of every child at Beall Elementary School. Staff, children, parents and the community will form a multicultural learning environment which provides knowledge, skills and attitudes that will empower every student, every day to be successful.