The Badger Bulletin
Brandywine Elementary Monthly Newsletter
Dear Brandywine Families,
February is always a special month at Brandywine, filled with learning, celebration, and community. Here is what’s happening this month:
PBIS Focus for February: Encouragement
This month, we are focusing on the power of encouragement. Students will explore how supportive words and positive actions can build confidence, strengthen relationships, and create a more uplifting school environment.
Counselor Appreciation Week: February 2-6
We are grateful for the exceptional work of Ms. Lundy and Ms. McDevitt, who support our students’ academic, social, and emotional well‑being each day. We invite families to join us in expressing appreciation for all they do.
Kindness Week: February 9th-13
Students will participate in a variety of activities designed to promote kindness, empathy, and compassion. This is a wonderful opportunity for our school community to focus on small acts that make a big impact.
Q & U Wedding – A Kindergarten Tradition February 12
Our kindergarten students will partake in the annual Q & U Wedding, a joyful event that teaches that these two letters always stick together in words.
Long Weekend – Early Release February 13th, No school for students February 16-17
We hope your family enjoys a restful break. Students return on Wednesday, February 18.
Staff Development: February 17
Teachers will engage in professional learning to continue strengthening instruction and supporting student success.
Read All Day: February 27
A full day devoted to reading. Students will enjoy guest readers, special stories, and plenty of cozy reading time as we celebrate the joy of literacy.
Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program: Application Opened January 15
Our Dual Language Immersion program continues to be one of Brandywine’s most dynamic and enriching opportunities for students. As we prepare for the next school year, we are excited to welcome new families to learn more about this growing program.
What Makes DLI Special?
Bilingualism and Biliteracy
Students learn academic content in English and Spanish from their earliest school years. By participating in DLI, children develop strong communication skills in both languages, an advantage that extends far beyond elementary school.
Academic Growth and Cognitive Benefits
Recent studies continue to show that students in Dual Language Immersion programs experience measurable academic gains. Many DLI students meet or exceed grade‑level expectations in both languages as they progress through the program.
Global Competence
DLI aligns closely with the Forsyth County Schools Learner Profile by helping students become culturally aware, adaptable, and globally minded. Being able to navigate more than one language opens doors to deeper cultural understanding and future academic and career opportunities.
What DLI Looks Like at Brandywine
- Students spend approximately half of their instructional day in English and half in Spanish.
- Literacy, math, science, and social studies are taught across both languages.
- Native English speakers and native Spanish speakers learn side by side, supporting one another and strengthening language development for all students.
- Students develop confidence communicating, problem‑solving, and thinking in two languages.
Learn More or Apply
If you believe DLI might be the right fit for your rising kindergartener, or if you simply want to learn more about this unique and transformative learning opportunity, we encourage you to explore the program further.
DLI Information Night at Brandywine is March 19th at 5:30pm. We hope to see you there!
Forsyth County Schools Dual Language Immersion
News and Updates from Our PTO
Daughter Date Night: February 21
Students and their special guests are invited to an evening of fun and memory‑making. We look forward to a wonderful night of togetherness and celebration.
February BWE Newsletter (2026)
Hi there, Badgers! February is finally here, and it’s packed. We are working through our safety lessons and our kindness lessons. Speaking of kindness…we have our Kindness Week February 9-13th. For our Kindness Week, we will be playing Kindness Bingo; each class is responsible for completing as many kindness tasks as they can. Classes who complete all tasks will be entered in a raffle for a chance to win a classroom treat. During Kindness Week, we always like to remind students that kindness should be year-round, not just during these four days. Finding something kind to do every day can have a huge positive impact on our life.
Earlier this month, we celebrated National School Counseling Week. National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success. Ms. Lundy and I absolutely love what we do as school counselors and love having the opportunity to work with amazing students and families. We are so fortunate to be at Brandywine. We recognize that we wouldn’t be successful without having the support from our teachers, staff, and families. Thank YOU for your continued support to our counseling program. We are truly grateful.
Attending our Coffee & Conversations is a fabulous chance to connect with our counseling and admin department and discuss popular topics going on in school and at home. This year we’ve covered PBIS and strategies for challenging behaviors at home. If you haven’t been able to attend one yet, no worries! We will have one more planned for the spring so please be on the lookout for more information.
Lastly, if you have any 3-5 grade girl interested in joining Girls on the Run, there are a few more spots left! This is an amazing program and Coach Kaylie, Coach Michelle, and Coach Lizzie would love to have your student participate. Please look at the flyer attached and don’t wait to register.
We hope you have a fantastic February, Badgers!
Brandywine Families,
Our book fair is here!
Want to look through the books together as a family? You can do an online preview at this link under the "Preview the Fair" section (as a note, the prices listed here do not include the 7% tax). Feel free to send a note with a book title and the heading (ex. Bluey Swim School, Easy Readers) so that I can help your student find the book(s).
Interested in volunteering? You can sign up here. If you are struggling to edit the document, please feel free to email me at dsteele@forsyth.k12.ga.us and I can update it for you.
Want to add money online instead of sending cash? You can create an eWallet on our school's Scholastic page. You can also use this page to order books online.
Below is a list of the important dates. If you need to know your student's day/time of visiting, you can ask your teacher or email me.
Monday, February 2nd- Friday, February 6th- Class Preview Times
Classes will come to preview the book fair.
Monday, February 9th- Friday, February 13th - Class Shopping Times
Classes will return to shop the book fair.
Tuesday, February 10th 2:40-5:15- Book Fair Family Night!
The book fair will be open after school for families to come and shop together.
*Also, I do want to share that with the shortage of pennies, I may be unable to give penny change. In addition to cash, we also accept Scholastic eWallet, credit cards, and checks. We cannot give change for checks, so they must be for the exact amount and need to include your phone number and be made out to Brandywine Elementary.
Thanks and happy browsing!
Mrs. Steele
Sick? Stay at home!
Please do not send your child to school and/or school activities if they are exhibiting symptoms of common illnesses such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, strep throat, stomach virus or other contagious viruses and/or infections.
Symptoms of common illnesses may include fever (100.4 or greater), persistent cough/wheeze, fatigue, loss of appetite, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, congestion/runny nose, eye drainage, rash, abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Children with an unknown rash need to be seen by a healthcare provider to ensure it is not contagious to others. Children with a persistent cough should stay home until symptoms improve.
Please note your child must meet the following criteria before returning to school and/or school activities:
- Your child must be fever free for a full 24-hour period without the use of fever-reducing medications.
- Your child must be free of vomiting and/or diarrhea for a full 24-hour period.
- Your child should also have an overall improvement in their symptoms and be able to tolerate their school day.
- If an antibiotic has been prescribed, then the antibiotic must be administered for a full 24-hour period.
Community Outreach
Community Outreach
