Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary

IMPORTANT PARENT ANNOUNCEMENT: SCHOOL REZONING UPDATE

The School Board is nearing a final decision regarding the proposed rezoning that affects Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, Lincoln, Washington, and West Riviera Elementary Schools. Please review the following information regarding the upcoming meeting and student enrollment options.

🗓️ FINAL ADOPTION MEETING

The School Board will hold a final meeting to approve the proposed rezoning:

• Date: March 11, 2026

• Time: 5:00 p.m.

• Location: School Boardroom (Regular Board Meeting)

Stay Informed: The Communications Team will send ParentLink notifications to affected PK-4th grade families. You can access the Board agenda item and the rezoning study on the Student Enrollment & Demographics website.

🏫 OPTIONS TO REMAIN AT YOUR CURRENT SCHOOL

If the rezoning is approved, the following options are available for students currently attending Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary who live in the zone proposed to shift to Washington Elementary:

• Current 4th Graders (Rising 5th Graders): Students currently in 4th grade at Bethune have the option to remain at Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune ES for their 5th-grade year.

• Current Siblings: Siblings of these 4th graders currently attending Bethune may choose to stay within the partner school model (West Riviera ES for PK-2 or Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune ES for 3-5), depending on their current grade level.

• Incoming Kindergarten Siblings (SY 2026/27): New Kindergarten students who have a sibling currently in 4th grade will also have the option to attend West Riviera ES / Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune ES for the remainder of their elementary years.

📝 NEXT STEPS FOR FAMILIES

Please Note: Sibling options are not automatic. They will be reviewed and processed as reassignments through the Choice and Career Options Department.

Our school is currently compiling a list of these specific students to submit to the Choice Department for processing. If you believe your child qualifies for one of the options above, please ensure your contact information is up to date in the front office

Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School Family,

"Grow through what you go through." — Unknown

As we continue to spring into action and press toward the finish line we are more committed than ever to our goal of student growth and achievement in academics, social-emotional learning, and family engagement. FAST PM3 state wide testing is underway. Please make sure that you pay attention to our testing schedule and ensure your child is present as we continue the push to Rise Up to Achieve. We can not do this work alone.

🚀 Rise Up to Achieve

This year’s theme remains "Rise up to Achieve," and we are ready to take our educational journey higher. We ask our scholars to continue being:

• Ready to Learn
• Ignore Distractions
• Stay in Assigned Areas
• Engage in the Assignment

Please be patient with arrivals and dismissal. Please stay in your car do not walk up to the door. Car tags will be given to write student(s) name to be called. Meet your walkers out at the bike rack or flagpole gate. Remember we are a cell free zone in the car loop.

Here's how you can be a part of the success:

• Join us! Be an active participant in our School Advisory Council or volunteer at the school for at least 20 minutes a week.
• Stay informed! We'll continue to "Believe, Build, and Bloom" in a more strategic way, and you'll be kept informed about all aspects of our school.

Great news for our scholars!

Our scholar incentive store is coming soon!

Stay connected!

• SIS Parent Gateway: Contact Ms. Crummell for access.
• School Weekly Newsletter
• Class Dojo
• YouTube Page: Follow us for updates and school events: https://youtube.com/@dr.marymcleodbethuneelem.2034?si=hnEDKEZq7iHt5Kap

School Start Times:

• Kindergarten through 5th grade: 7:30 AM
• VPK: 7:45 AM

We're here to support you!

If you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher or the school directly at (561) 882-7601.

Please be sure to do a back pack check and read/sign the documents.

Much Love & Blessings,

Mrs. Katrina W. Granger

Principal

Believe. Build. Bloom.

Homebuyer Match Pilot Program

A great opportunity for first our young professionals or any resident(s) to purchase a home through a dollar for dollar match up to $50,000

The Details: Palm Beach County Department of Housing and Economic Development hereby announces the availability of $2,000,000 for Phase I of the Homebuyer Match Pilot Program. Funding provides up to $50,000 as a dollar-for-dollar match to homebuyers' cash contribution. Funds will assist income eligible homebuyers with down payment assistance, points buy-down, minor repairs and closing costs. Approved homebuyers will be required to contribute a minimum of $10,000 to purchase a single-family home that does not exceed a purchase price of $700,000, or a townhome/condominium that does not exceed a purchase price of $325,000.

Income: Residents can make up to 140% of Area Median Income. Link for Income limits https://discover.pbc.gov/pzb/planning/PDF/Projects/Housing/WHP-Sale-Prices-Incomes-2025.pdf

Important Dates: These funds will be offered via a lottery which will open on March 30 and stay open until April 20, 2026.

PRE-APPLICATION ORIENTATION: Before applying, applicants are encouraged to attend one of the Virtual Pre-Application Orientations listed below:

• Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 2:00pm
• Thursday, March 19, 2026 at 8:00am
• Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 3:30pm

To find out more information to the HED website:

https://discover.pbcgov.org/HED/Pages/Homebuyer-Match-Pilot-Program-.aspx

The Florida Department of Education is proud to provide parent resources for student success in Mathematics, English Language Arts, and Resiliency to help families support learning at home. Each guide outlines key concepts and skills taught by grade level, defines important terms, and offers practical activities and questions to encourage learning beyond the classroom; all aligned to the B.E.S.T. Standards. Parent resources include:

• https://flmath4all.org/Home/Index
• https://www.fldoe.org/academics/standards/subject-areas/mathscience/mathematics/parent-resources.stml
• https://www.fldoe.org/academics/standards/just-read-fl/parent-guides-for-english-language-arts.stml
• https://www.buildresiliency.org/parentresources

Hello Parents,

Water safety is so important for everyone raising children in South Florida, that’s why we are sharing the “Be Water Smart” booklets produced by the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Palm Beach County and its partners. Inside the booklet, you will find great safety tips as well as locations where you can access swim lessons. Here are the links for versions of the booklets in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.

http://l.sdpbc.net/j6vvb - Haitian Creole Booklet http://l.sdpbc.net/7chn5 - Spanish Booklet http://l.sdpbc.net/pfgt0 - English Booklet

A new Florida law now requires schools to share information on the early detection of Type 1 diabetes for families in pre-k, kindergarten, and 1st grades. The Florida Department of Health has created resources to help families recognize the signs and symptoms of this condition.

Email: Katrina.Granger@palmbeachschools.org
Website: https://mmbe.palmbeachschools.org/
Location: Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elem., Avenue U, West Palm Beach, FL, USA
Phone: 561-882-7600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-Mary-Mcleod-Bethune-Elementary/319756661565714
Twitter: @PrinGranger