BPD3 Newsletter - November 2025

Dear Beach Park Families,

Earlier this week, you should have received your child’s first report card of the year. This is an important moment to pause, celebrate progress, and look ahead together.

Report cards and conferences give us the opportunity to partner closely in supporting your child’s learning. Please be sure to schedule your parent conference with your child’s teacher(s). These conversations help ensure every family feels informed, supported, and empowered.

We know that children grow at different rates. That’s why connecting personally with you is so valuable — it allows us to share insights, answer questions, and collaborate on your child’s unique learning journey.

Thank you for your partnership. We look forward to seeing you soon for these important conversations.

Your Partner in Education,
Dr. D

(Dr. Denise Wilcox)
Superintendent

Band offers far more than musical skills. Students learn to multitask, collaborate, and think critically as they read music, coordinate movement, listen to others, and keep a steady beat. “Playing an instrument engages both sides of the brain at once,” Bennett said. “It teaches teamwork, focus, and creativity in ways no other class does.”

Whether performing with the ZBTHS Marching Band on Band Night, celebrating at Cedar Point after their Music in the Parks competition, or preparing for their next concert at BPMS, Beach Park’s young musicians are finding their voice and lifting one another up along the way.

For those who don’t watch, here are some of the highlights:

• Childhood has changed dramatically in just one generation. Haidt introduces the idea that kids today are growing up with far less free, unstructured play and far more time on phones and digital devices.
  
  

• 2012 marked a turning point. Higher rates of anxiety, depression, and loneliness began rising sharply around the same time smartphones and social media became widely used by tweens and teens.
  
  

• Play matters for healthy development. Haidt explains that real-world play helps children build confidence, independence, problem-solving skills, and emotional resilience — skills that are harder to develop in online environments.
  
  

• Phone-based childhood brings new pressures. The shift toward digital communication has changed the way kids interact, form friendships, and see themselves, often increasing social comparison and reducing face-to-face connection.
  
  

• This chapter sets the stage. Haidt doesn’t offer solutions yet, but he lays out the trends and patterns the rest of the book will explore more deeply and why it’s so important for families and schools to pay attention.

• Read Chapter 2 - I will have a video update in the December newsletter.

Our district-wide journey toward Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence continues this fall, and we’ll share progress along the way. Join us on December 8 for our annual State of the Schools, where we’ll celebrate milestones and outline next steps for our students’ success.

• Katie has jumped in to support her team! Hooray Katie! This dedication ensures that all students have positive and lasting memories at school.

• “Lynn is an active and valued leader. In the classroom, Lynn goes above and beyond to ensure her students are supported and inspired to learn. She has shown incredible perseverance in implementing our new reading program, embracing challenges with a positive attitude.”

• “Rebecca approaches challenges with a solution-based mindset and an open-minded attitude, with an eye on strategies that best support student growth. Her commitment to helping kids improve is evident in every interaction.”

• “Connie proactively supports students in need by reaching out to their families, providing a calming presence for them. Connie excels at helping students with time management and anxiety. Her positive attitude is highly valued, embodying the belief that ‘tomorrow is another day.’”

• “Matthew Russell shows strong leadership skills and supports staff. We appreciate his help with Unique Curriculum and technology!”

November 25 - Parent Conferences, No School

November 26-28 - Thanksgiving Break, No School

December 2 - School Improvement Day, 2-Hour Early Release

December 2 - State of the Schools

December 22 - Winter Break Begins

January 5, 2026 - Teacher Institute Day, No School

January 6 - Students Return, 2-Hour Early Release

January 19 - MLK Jr. Birthday, No School

January 23 - Progress Reports Sent Home

February 3 - School Improvement Day, 2-Hour Early Release

February 13 - End of 2nd Trimester

February 16 - President's Day, No School

February 20 - Report Cards Sent Home

Full Calendar Online