BWES BEAR FACTS October 16, 2026
🚨 ACTION REQUIRED: Complete Your Family File & FARMs Application
Every Bryant Woods Elementary family must complete a new Family File and submit a FARMs application for every student each school year.
Family File
Updating your Family File ensures we have current emergency contacts and medical information if your child becomes ill or there is an emergency. It is also required for students to participate in field trips.
FARMs Application
Even if you don’t think your family will qualify, please apply. The application may provide eligible families with benefits such as:
- Free or reduced-price meals
- Discounted internet service
- College application fee waivers
- Reduced JumpStart tuition
- And other valuable resources
Just as importantly, every completed FARMs application helps Bryant Woods maintain critical funding for programs that benefit all students, including free breakfast, Title I services, Community Schools programming, and other state and federal resources.
Please complete both items as soon as possible.
FARMs Application: https://linqconnect.com/public/meal-application/new?identifier=GA4UME
BWES SCHOOL STORE FUNDRAISER!
Thank you for supporting our School Store Fundraiser. FYI, you do not have to share the emails of everyone you invite; you can participate using only the parent's email address.
During the sign-up process, providing a parent or guardian email is required to create the account, track your student's points, and receive prize updates. Sharing the email addresses of friends and family is entirely optional.
How to skip sharing other emails:
- Look for the "Skip" or "Next" button: When the system prompts you to enter email addresses for family and friends, look for a small Skip, Next, or No Thanks option at the bottom or top corner of that page.
- Use the general School ID link: Instead of sending system-generated emails, you can simply text or verbally give your school’s unique School ID or your student's Prize Code to family members. They can enter it manually on the homepage to ensure your student gets credit.
- Hope this helps and thank you!
🐻 PBIS & SEL at Bryant Woods
Full BWES PBIS / SELL HOME LETTER LINK: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f69efUUafig396o0xaR4bB0YAMl-hGM5/view?usp=sharing
At Bryant Woods, we use PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) to create a safe, positive, and supportive learning environment for all students.
💵 Bear Bucks & Bear Den Depot
Students earn Bear Bucks when they demonstrate our PAWS expectations. Students can use their Bear Bucks to shop at the Bear Den Depot school store. The store visits grade-level pods weekly from 8:30–8:45 a.m., so arriving at school on time is important!
⭐ Bear-y Bright Start Awards
Each month, students learn and practice a new Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) skill, such as kindness, friendship, bullying prevention, or growth mindset. At the end of the month, staff recognize students who demonstrate strong character connected to that month’s theme.
🐾 Quarterly Cub Clubs
At the end of each quarter, students celebrate their hard work by participating in Cub Clubs. Students choose from fun activities such as arts and crafts, nature walks, sports, technology, and dancing.
📅 Stay Connected
To stay up to date on our monthly SEL themes, spirit weeks, quarterly celebrations, and more, please check out our PBIS/SEL Calendar. Click the link below:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11c-pC0noOSh4OvdHj4wSMPsIG5Bvu990/view?usp=sharing
Food Pantry @ BWES
Did you know that Bryant Woods Elementary is one of 14 food bank locations in Howard County?
Bryant Woods is a community-based school, so we are partnering with the Community Action Council of Howard County & MD Food Bank to provide our students and families with as many resources as possible. Our food pantry is free and accessible to the entire community on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM.
If you want to visit the food pantry, please contact the front office or our
Family & Community Engagement liaison.
Lauren Slattery at lauren_slattery@hcpss.org.
Room Parents Needed:
✏️We're hoping for one Room Parent per K-4 classroom this year, two for our 5th grade classrooms.
To apply email: membership@bwespta.org
Classes currently in need:
Winder (3)
📫Due to HCPSS directory policy change, Room Parents have sent out communication to collect family contact information. Look for your grade and sign up for the directory below:
Kindergarten: https://forms.gle/HWTmWocMyN9PvMLe9
1st Grade: https://forms.gle/jENVhCJWFXcatRzeA
2nd Grade: https://forms.gle/yj6tw1H7Ce5CZy658
3rd Grade: https://forms.gle/UjBooQKP6f4EKucn9
4th Grade: https://forms.gle/oP1E1mQtDfd4R7Nd6
5th Grade: https://forms.gle/sfMMxZ7TsZ7MSWwT7
Grade-level directories help families connect, build supportive relationships, and strengthen their child’s classroom community. Families can use them to schedule playdates, invitations, and other connections, while room parents can share important grade-level requests and event information.
