Bobcat Bulletin

Can you believe we've already completed our first nine weeks of school? It feels like we were just welcoming everyone back! We've had a wonderful start to the year, filled with learning, growth, athletics, and plenty of memorable moments along the way.

A big thank you to everyone who joined us for our STEAM Fair this past Wednesday! We loved seeing our students' creativity, problem-solving skills, and hard work on display. It's always exciting to see what our Bobcats can accomplish!

As we begin our second nine weeks, we hope everyone enjoys the school holiday on Monday, October 12. We'll welcome students back on Tuesday, ready for another great stretch of learning!

We're also excited about our upcoming Fall Open House! 🍂 This is a wonderful opportunity to invite friends, neighbors, and families who might be interested in BAS to come see what makes our school special. Help us spread the word and invite someone to experience BAS firsthand!

And October isn't slowing down! We still have Parent/Teacher Conferences, our Entire School Field Trip, and Red Ribbon Week, Spirit Week, and Week of Prayer coming up.

This year, BAS is using Peekapak to help our students build important life skills like managing emotions and stress, showing kindness and empathy, building healthy relationships, setting goals, and making responsible choices.

We want these skills to go beyond the classroom, too! Each month, we’ll share a Peekapak Wellbeing Activity Calendar with students and families. The activities are simple and designed to fit into everyday life—things like taking a walk, playing a family game, journaling, talking about stress, or setting a personal goal.

Students, you don’t have to complete every activity! Pick a few that interest you, try them on your own or with your family, and use them as opportunities to check in with yourself and others.

Our goal is to help our students grow not only academically, but also in the skills they need to become healthy, confident, compassionate people. We hope you’ll join us!

As we begin a new nine weeks, it's a great time to think about how much responsibility we're allowing our children to take for their own learning.

As parents, it's easy to fall into the habit of reminding, organizing, checking, and sometimes even doing things for our kids because it's simply faster and easier! But one of the most important things we can teach our children is how to manage responsibilities on their own.

A few ways to encourage independence at home:

• Let them own their belongings. Even younger students can help pack their backpacks, remember their water bottles, and keep track of their school supplies.

• Make homework their responsibility. You can provide the time, space, and support, but let your child take the lead in completing and turning in assignments.

• Teach them to plan ahead. Instead of reminding them five times, help them create a checklist or routine they can follow independently.

• Let them speak for themselves. Encourage students to ask their teachers questions, explain concerns, and seek help when needed.

• Expect mistakes along the way. Independence takes practice, and sometimes a forgotten item or missed deadline is part of the learning process.

Our goal isn't to raise children who never forget anything or make mistakes. It's to raise young people who know how to take responsibility, solve problems, and keep growing.

And remember, independence looks different at age 5 than it does at age 13. Start small, give them opportunities to practice, and gradually step back as they're ready. 💙💛

October is moving right along, and we have several important events coming up at BAS! Be sure to mark your calendars!

• 🍂 Monday, October 12 — School Holiday — NO SCHOOL! Enjoy the long weekend! We'll see everyone back on Tuesday!

• 🍁 Wednesday, October 14 - Fall Open House — Help us spread the word! Invite friends, neighbors, and families interested in learning more about BAS to come visit our school and see what makes our Bobcat family special!

• 📸 Monday, October 19 — Fall Picture Retakes — If your student needs to have their school picture retaken or missed our original Picture Day, please email office@bas4u.org to sign up for picture retakes.

• 👩‍🏫 Wednesday, October 21 — Parent/Teacher Conferences — Early dismissal at 12:00 PM. This is a great opportunity to connect with your child's teacher and discuss their progress as we begin the second nine weeks. After School Care charges will begin at 12:15. Watch for conference scheduling information!

• 🚌 Thursday, October 22 — Entire School Field Trip — 8:30 AM–3:30 PM. You can sign your student's field trip permission slip online! Cost $15, students need a sack lunch. No microwaves available. We will be eating outside.

• 🎶 Saturday, October 24 — BAS Singing at Burleson SDA Church — Our BAS students will be sharing special music during the church service! We invite our school families to join us as our Bobcats share their voices in worship.

• ❤️🙏🎉 October 26–30 — Red Ribbon Week, Spirit Week & Week of Prayer — One of our busiest weeks of the fall! We'll have special activities, themed dress-up days, and opportunities to grow together in faith. More details coming soon!

Lots to look forward to this month! Keep an eye on upcoming announcements so you don't miss anything. 💙💛🐾

After three and a half years of coursework, research, and plenty of late nights, I'm excited to share that I've officially completed my doctorate! It's official—Dr. Carrie Suess!

I want to sincerely thank our BAS families, school board, Burleson SDA Church, and especially our wonderful staff for your encouragement, patience, and support throughout this journey. A special thank you to the teachers, students, and families who participated in my research and helped make it possible.

This journey has been a reminder that learning never stops, perseverance pays off, and we can accomplish hard things with the support of those around us.

Thank you for being part of this journey with me! 💙💛