June 2025

Dear Families,

As we step into June and the close of an incredible school year, I want to express my deepest gratitude for the trust, support, and partnership you’ve extended throughout my first year as principal at Brooklyn Park. It has been an honor to grow alongside your children, witness their achievements, and collaborate with such a dedicated school community.

This year has been filled with learning, joy, and meaningful connections. From the first day of school to the final assemblies and celebrations, your children have demonstrated resilience, creativity, and kindness that make our school truly special.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to share that next year we will be introducing Campus Conversations, a monthly event designed to keep families informed and engaged. These gatherings will alternate between in-person and virtual formats to ensure accessibility for all. Each session will provide space for families to hear updates about what’s happening at school and to share questions, ideas, or concerns in a welcoming, collaborative environment.

Your voice is a vital part of our school community, and Campus Conversations are one of the many ways we aim to strengthen the connection between home and school.

Thank you once again for welcoming me so warmly into this role. I’m truly grateful and look forward to continuing our journey together in the year ahead.

Wishing you a restful and joyful summer break!

MCAP is over. We are working on collecting End of Year data from iReady, Dibels, and LAS links.

Tanya Montgomery, Principal

Karyn Chisholm, Assistant Principal

Pre-K 3

Hello Parents/Guardians,

We will soon begin Theme 9, Animals- Animales. Your child will learn about zoo animals- animales del zoologico, farm animals- animales de la granja, ocean animals- animales del oceano, circus animals- animales del circo. They will read Zoo Day, Who's Who at the Zoo, Grandpa's Farm, Little Red Hen, In the Deep Blue Sea, Five Dancing Dolphins, The Circus, Circus Fun. In math, your child will learn numeration zero and subtraction, numeration 6-9, and addition. Letters for the month are E, e, T, t, Z, z, L, l M, m, H, h, C, c, D, d, G, g, P, p, W, w, F, f, S, s, B, b. Please have your child practice writing their name and continue reading each night with them. Thank you for your continued support!

We have made it to June! A huge thank you to all families that were able to join us for conferences. We enjoy being able to share how much your child has grown and we are so proud of the progress they have made in Pre-K this year! As we wrap up the end of the year, we will be reviewing the letters/letter sounds, writing a simple sentence and focusing on handwriting. In math, we will focus on subtraction within 5, while reviewing addition. In social studies and science, we will discuss how we have grown and changed and review what scientists do. Thank you for your continued support throughout the entire school year and have a great summer!

Kindergarten

Happy June! Congratulations to you and your child for just about making it through their kindergarten year! It is such a big deal and definitely something worth celebrating. With that being said, the school year is not over yet so here is what we will be doing as the school year winds down…

• In literacy…

We will be learning our last tricky words of kindergarten, bringing the total to 42 tricky words this year! We are also going to continue exploring long vowel sounds and how they show up in words. In Knowledge, our focus is on Presidents and American Symbols. During this time, we are really putting all of our literacy skills to work, building words and combining them into sentences.

• In math…

We are exploring the world of measurement! Discussing things like length, height, weight, and capacity, students will be able to use real world objects as they measure. Towards the very end of the year, we will be reviewing all of the important math skills that we learned throughout the year, as they will come back in first grade!

• In science and social studies…

We are looking at the impact that our decisions have on the environment. By discussing fictional characters, like the Lorax, we will be able to see the effects of everyday actions. We will also be talking about how we will change and grow over the summer and into first grade.

This month we will also be having our annual field day on June 9th, as well as an end of the year Kindergarten picnic on June 6th! We are looking forward to the fun that these activities will bring!

The end of the year is truly a bittersweet time, but your child’s teacher will always be there to support you and your family! Thanks for an amazing 2024-2025 school year!

1st Grade

Hello families!

It’s the final countdown!! With less than 2 weeks of school left, we are hard at work wrapping up our final units. We are learning about the founding of our nation and frontier explorers for our final Knowledge units. In math we are learning about equal shares, halves, and fourths. We will also take our final iReady diagnostic next week. DIBELS assessments are wrapping up and everyone made great progress in their phonics and reading skills. Our final Skills unit has us reviewing nouns, verbs and parts of speech/sentences. We also are learning more vowel teams and alternative spellings. Social studies and Science units are finishing with learning about inventors and inventions. It has been a wonderful year full of fun and learning! Have a great summer!

Thanks!

The First Grade Team

2nd Grade

It’s finally here! We are We did it! We made it to the end of an amazing school year with lots to celebrate about! This year would not have happened without the love and support of our ~2nd Grade parents/guardians! WE truly appreciate and THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts. Our field trips to the Baltimore Museum of Industry, Chesapeake Arts Center and our school wide trip to the Baysox were so much fun! As we know, summer is right around the corner. Keep in mind that the new school year will approach quickly, so please don’t hesitate to practice any math strategies in your Additional Practice book along with reading, writing and phonics activities in our Skills and Knowledge activity books! This is just a positive way to reinforce all the learning that took place, in preparation for your 3rd grade experience in the fall! It’s been a pleasure taking this educational journey with you. We hope you’ve learned so much and have memories that will last a long time. We look forward to watching you grow and hear all the wonderful things that are in store for you! Have a FANTASTIC SUMMER! We will miss you!

~Your 2nd Grade Educators

3rd Grade

Reading

The Reader for Unit 10, Living in Colonial America, is a collection of stories and informational texts about different colonies in early America. The story selections are historical fiction, and each is told from a child’s point of view, just as the selections were in Native American Stories. How each colony was started and what life was like when people first arrived are described in the chapters, as well as progress made in the few years after the land was initially settled. Students will notice the similarities and differences among the colonies. Colonies in North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania are described. Students will be given opportunities throughout the unit to demonstrate read-aloud fluency.

Spelling

During Lessons 1–5, students will review words with spelling patterns for / e/, / e/ + /l/, /sh/ + / e/ + /n/, /ue/, /oo/, and /f/. For Lessons 6–10, students will review words with spelling patterns of /oi/ spelled ‘oi’ and ‘oy’. Finally, in Lessons 11–15, students will review words with spelling patterns of /ou/ spelled ‘ou’ and ‘ow’.

On the weekly spelling assessment, students will be asked to write the spelling words, Challenge Words, a Content Word, and two dictated sentences. You should explicitly address your expectations with regard to the use of appropriate capitalization and punctuation when students write each dictated sentence.

Students will also practice dictionary skills. Using dictionaries or copies of simulated dictionary pages, students will identify entry words and their definitions, parts of speech, and affixed root words. Then, students will select the correct form of the word to use in a sentence.

Grammar

In grammar, students will practice comparative and superlative adjectives using the suffixes –er and –est as well as more and most and be introduced to comparative and superlative adverbs using the suffixes –er and –est as well as more and most. Students will also be introduced to subject pronouns and their antecedents and object pronouns and their antecedents.

Morphology

Throughout Grade 3, students have studied word parts, such as prefixes, suffixes, and root words, during the morphology portion of the lessons. In this unit, students will learn the common prefixes uni–, bi–, tri–, and multi– as well as the common prefixes over–, mid–, and under–. Students will continue to practice their knowledge of how these affixes change the meaning and part of speech of words. Students have done sufficient word work to be able to apply what they have learned as they encounter unfamiliar words in text and content.

Math

It’s hard to believe but our Mathematicians have made it to the final month as 3rd graders. Our Mathematicians will end this year with our final unit with describing and analyzing two-dimensional shapes. As we move into the summer months, please ensure that your child is continuing to work on fact fluency. They should still be practicing and mastering the basic multiplication and division facts. Knowing their basic facts fluently (within 3 seconds) will set them up for success as 4th grade Mathematicians.

Science

This month, we will work through Engineering and Design Process: ASK a question about the goal, IMAGINE a possible solution, PLAN OUT a design and draw your ideas, CREATE and construct a working model, EXPERIMENT and test, and IMPROVE and try to revise that model. We have used this process as we focused on the shape of a parachute canopy. Next, we will improve our design by testing the materials of the canopy and the length of the suspension lines. I can’t wait to see what variables create the safest landing parachute.

Social Studies

As we work through our Environmental Action Projects, students are preparing to create their action plans. Ask your student what environmental issues they have identified and how they plan to address them. Consider extending the project by finding ways to better your local environment over the summer. You can also record the process in a journal (paper or digital) and by using pictures and videos.

Thank you for your support through this school year!

~Mrs. Bonaparte, Ms. Dacus, Ms. Mason, Ms. Reed

4th Grade

This year has been a fantastic year for 4th graders. We want to commend students on their hard work. With less than 17 days left, here is what we have left for the school year.

Reading: As students are finishing up Treasure Island, students will continue to build on

Writing: Students are working on organizing, drafting, editing and finalizing an adventure story that they have created on their own. Students will have a chance to present this at the end of the year.

Math: Students will build on and formalize their understanding of geometric figures (points, lines, line segments, rays, angles) and shapes. Students will describe key features of 2D figures and using these key features to classify them in more complex ways. Students will use geometric vocabulary to describe lines of symmetry in 2D figures

Science: Students will work in engineering teams to design, build, test, and revise a structure that can withstand the damaging effects of tsunami waves. Students will learn about the damage caused by tsunamis and some of the design solutions engineers have proposed. Students will then work in groups to design a blueprint for a tsunami proof house. They will optimize their design and then build a prototype. Students will test their prototype in a simulated tsunami wave in the classroom and then revise their design based on the test results.

Social Studies: Students shall inquire about significant events, ideas, beliefs, and themes to identify patterns and trends and to analyze how individuals and societies have changed over time to make connections to the present in their communities, Maryland, the United States, and the world.

Testing: June 2nd and 3rd are our last I-ready testing days.

5th Grade

Hi families! It's been a great year in 5th grade. We will have some exciting events in June!

June 4th: sneaker ball (tickets are $2)

June 6th: promotion practice

June 9th: field day!

June 10th: promotion practice

June 11th: family picnic at school 12:15-2:00

June 12th: 5TH PROMOTION at the Chesapeake Arts Center

June 13th: last day of school!

Thank you all for a great year!

PTA

It's hard to believe the end of the school year is already here! We hope everyone has enjoyed the various PTA events this school year. The PTA would like to thank everyone for their support throughout the year. Our last event of the school year will be Chick-Fil-A Night on June 2nd. Stop by for dinner before you attend the Spring Concert. We look forward to seeing you there! We hope everyone has a safe and wonderful summer, see you in August!

Chorus and Band

Hello BPES Music Families!

Thank you for a wonderful year of support for our young musicians. Mr. Henning and I are so thankful for your enthusiasm at our concerts and shows. Please remember that all instruments and materials needed for next year's continuing and new music students must be returned to the music room by June 5th.

Thanks again for an amazing year, we hope you enjoy the Spring Concert on June 2nd at the Chesapeake Arts Center!

Media

Library News!

Book Check-out is finished for this school year. Please make sure your student reads and returns their book(s) by May 30th. You can pay for lost books with cash or check made out to BPES. Remember to check out the Public Library over the Summer. The students can check out books using their 6-digit SIF#. Happy Reading!

ELD

Hello Families,

We are proud of the progress students have made this school year! Our students are being challenged by a rigorous curriculum and we have seen many students make excellent growth.

Please keep a lookout for WIDA ACCESS scores. Later in May students will be sent home with their assessment scores in the form of a letter. These scores are a snapshot in time of student performance in English from January. Students are tested on their English ability in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Keep doing your best work! We have one more quarter left!

Math

We have an exciting new site for parents to check out to gain a better understanding of our math strategies! Take a peek into grades 1-5 and watch some amazing videos created by our talented teachers. They will show you at each grade level how to tackle some of the math problems your students are learning in school. If you have any suggestions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our math resource teacher, Ms. Roussey!

https://sites.google.com/aacps.org/bpesmathvidoes/homehogar

CSI

Our school has been designated as a Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) School by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), based on schoolwide performance and other criteria. In partnership with MSDE, Anne Arundel County Public Schools has provided a dedicated team to address the unique needs of CSI schools. This team works to support students and teachers through targeted interventions, data-driven individualized plans, professional development for teachers, and family and community engagement initiatives.

These efforts aim to create a supportive and effective learning environment that accelerates student achievement and enhances overall school performance. If you have questions about the resources and supports available at our school, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can ensure the success of every student.

Counselor

What does a School Counselor DO?

I work alongside teachers and parents to help students develop

socially and emotionally, and to help remove any barriers to learning!

I Provide:

•Classroom lessons teaching social skills, how to take care of strong feelings, study skills, etc.

•Small group counseling

•Short-term individual counseling

•Consultation with parents and teachers

•Parent workshops

•Community resource referrals (including longer term therapy services)

•Schoolwide programming (Kindness Week, Harvest for the Hungry etc.)

Last year we introduced our Appreciation Station Snack Cart to our staff! The cart will be filled every Wednesday full of sweet and salty snacks and drinks to show our BPES staff just how much we appreciate them. This school year we are looking for families to sponsor a week by either purchasing snacks or making a $40 donation so the snacks can be purchased. We ask that donations are dropped off to the school by Monday of the sponsored week. Please consider signing up below! Thank you for helping our staff know how much we appreciate them!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080D4BABAA2CA0FB6-appreciation

Five Star Parent

1. Builds a positive relationship with all staff members.

2. Dedicated to the BPES community.

3. Builds a partnership with their child's teacher. This partnership is based on trust, communication, and student growth.

4. Dedicated to preventing chronic absenteeism and chronic tardiness.

5. Respects and honors our community of diverse learners.

Emergency card verification emails have been sent. Please make sure you check and update your emergency contact information. The links are only active for 10 days. If you need assistance, please contact the main office at 410 222 6590.

Doors open at 7:40.

Students are dismissed at 2:25.

Late arrival/Early Dismissal

If your child arrives at school after 8:00, they are considered late. Please make sure they are at school prior to this time. Students need to be in their classrooms by 8:00 in order to be marked on time. If your child is late to school, or is getting picked up early, an adult MUST come into the building to sign them in or out.

Early dismissals must take place before 2:00 pm. The office is busy after 2:00, preparing for dismissal procedures, and will not be able to call any kids for dismissal after that time.

Below is the link for Before/After Care for families who need childcare.

School start times:

The doors will open at 7:40am for breakfast and community building. Instruction will begin at 8:00am. It is EXTREMELY important that all kids arrive on time ready to learn!

Walkers

Walkers will be dismissed at 2:25

Bus-Riders

To access BPES bus schedules, please click HERE

Car-Riders

We will dismiss car riders car by car. Please have your child's name on the hang tag so we can quickly call them to your car. Please do not park on 13th Ave during dismissal or arrival. It can make it challenging for people to enter and leave the lot.

Arrival

When students arrive they will pick up their breakfast and report to their homeroom. Teachers will greet students as they arrive.

Dismissal

At dismissal, walkers will be released. Following the release of walkers, car riders will be escorted to the cafeteria. Bus riders will be called as buses arrive.

Visitors

We will be planning several events this year where we will be inviting parents into the building. Unfortunately, we will not be able to allow parents to have lunch with their children in the cafeteria.

Student Birthday Celebrations

• Each student will receive a Birthday pencil and be acknowledged by the whole school on the morning announcements.
• We will celebrate all students' birthdays each month.
• It is very important to understand that food cannot be shared to celebrate. Please do not bring food to share with the class for your child's birthday. We have students with allergies and food sensitive health conditions.

Families can pay for their student’s meals online by going to www.mypaymentsplus.com.

At schools this year, breakfast will be free, and lunches will cost $2.75 for full price students.

Students will need to log in with their student ID in order to get their lunch. Please work with your student at home to help them memorize their ID.

Apply for Free or Reduced-Price Meals: Online Meal Benefit Application (MBA) (English and Spanish) - Link to online MBA – www.aacps.org/mealapplication. Applications must be filled out each school year, even if you qualified the previous year.