Words to the Wise

Dear Westowne Families,

We have entered my favorite time of year; no more jackets, shorts and T-shirts, and Spring sports. Plus, there are several May and June holidays/celebrations that we may all look forward to:

• National Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4th – 8th)
• National Nurse’s Day (May 6th)
• National Clean Your Room Day (May 10th)
• Mother's Day (May 10th)
• Do Something Nice for your Neighbor Day (May 17th)
• Memorial Day (May 25th)
• National Mental Health Awareness Month
• Peanut Butter Cookie Day (June 12th)
• Father’s Day (June 21th)
• National Onion Ring Day (June 22nd)
• National Safety Month

Most importantly for our students, Field Day (June 5th / Rain date June 8th), Grade 5 Farewell (June 15th at 9:30 AM), and June 16th, the last day of school!

At Westowne, we believe that every day counts in a child's education, and consistent attendance lays the foundation for future achievements. Research consistently shows that good attendance is directly linked to academic performance. When students attend school regularly, they are more likely to succeed academically, develop crucial social skills, and build a strong work ethic that will benefit them throughout their lives. Consistency in instruction is key to your child’s academic success. As partners in your child's education, we appreciate your support in promoting good attendance habits. By working together to prioritize attendance, we can help ensure that every child at Westowne Elementary School has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

As we near the end of the school year, it's crucial for students to continue following directions attentively, both in the classroom and during recess/lunch. This helps ensure a smooth transition into summer break and sets a positive tone for finishing the academic year strong. Remember, listening and following instructions are valuable skills that serve students well in all aspects of life. Let's finish the year on a high note by practicing excellent direction-following habits!

Also, we want to emphasize the importance of staying connected and informed. Please make it a priority to listen to all School Messenger emails/texts and read all school-related Talking Points/paper messages sent home. Over the next six weeks, we'll be sharing critical end-of-year information to ensure a smooth transition for your child. Your attention to these communications is invaluable in supporting your child's success. Thank you for your partnership in making this end-of-year period as smooth and successful as possible!

As always, thank you for your continued support. Let's make May/June a time of unity, celebration, and learning.

Warm regards,

Principal Palmer

• Tuesday, May 19- Spring Concert at 6:00 for 5th grade Band and Orchestra, 3rd and 4th grade Chorus, and Step Team **see below for more details
• Monday, May 25- Schools Closed for Memorial Day
• Thursday, May 28- Schools Closed for Eid al-Adha

• Friday, June 5- Field Day *see below for more details
• Wednesday, June 10- PreK 3 and PreK 4 End of Year Celebration (Rain Date- June 11)
• Friday, June 12- Last Day for PreK 3 and PreK 4
• Monday, June 15- 3 Hour Early Dismissal (dismissal starts at 12:55)
• Monday, June 15- 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony 9:30-10:30 *more details to follow
• Tuesday, June 16- 3 Hour Early Dismissal (dismissal starts at 12:55) **last day of school

Order your yearbook today! A portion of the proceeds help the PTA put on a memorable celebration for 5th grade. Many thanks to the 5th grade committee for everything they've done to ensure a nice experience for all.

**IMPORTANT: ALL 5th Grade Students will receive a FREE yearbook thank to our PTA and 5th Grade PTA Committee. You do not need to order a yearbook if you are only ordering for a 5th grade student**

Please see information below regarding 2025-2026 Westowne Yearbook orders!

To order yearbooks, go to https://web.treering.com/validate and enter our school code: 1016142946021347 Each yearbook is being sold for $20. The deadline to order is May 15th, so order yours today!

Yearbook Flyer PDF.pdf

Westowne Elementary is proud to present its Spring Concert on Tuesday, May 19th at 6:00 pm. At the Spring Concert the 5th Grade Band and Orchestra, the 3rd Grade and 4th Grade Chorus, and the Step Team students will perform. For questions contact Ms. Johnson-Fennell, Chorus teacher at mjohnsonfennell@bcps.org, Ms. Sweeney, Band and Orchestra teacher bsweeney@bcps.org, or Ms. Stebbins, Step Club leader at rstebbins@bcps.org. See flyer for more details.

Students should report for the concert at 5:30. Chorus students should wear blue jeans and a solid color pastel top.

Westowne Spring Concert 2026.pdf

What: Westowne Field Day

When: Friday, June 5th from 9:15 am -3:45 pm (rain date Monday, June 8th)

Why: To promote physical activity and sportsmanship

Who: Westowne students and any parents or guardians who would like to volunteer to help. (must have had BCPS volunteer training)

How: Bring a water bottle, wear tennis hoes, and wear clothing you can move in

See flyer for how you can sign-up to volunteer. All volunteers must have complete the BCPS volunteer application and online volunteer training. Volunteer paperwork can be submitted to Rachel Mills at rmills@bcps.org. For questions about Field Day contact Mr. Nowicki at enowicki@bcps.org.

Volunteer information- https://www.bcps.org/cos/communications/face/b_c_p_s_volunteers

2026 Field Day Volunteer .pdf

Is your 5th grade student going to attend Arbutus Middle School next year? If so, on Wednesday, May 13th from 5:00 to 6:30 pm Arbutus Middle will host a student and parent orientation. Parents will learn about what to expect for middle school, while their incoming 6th grade students are engaged in a student discussion panel, tour, and team building activities in the gym. Program will begin promptly at 5pm. Arbutus Middle School is located at 5525 Shelbourne Road, Baltimore, MD 21227. See flyer for more details.

*Students must be accompanied by guardian/adult to attend. No siblings due to capacity limitations*

Arbutus Middle School 6th Grade Parent Student Orientation Night 2026.pdf

The Catonsville Presbyterian Church is collecting food for Westowne families from May 1- June 5. Food can be dropped off at the church which is located at 1400 Frederick Road on Fridays from 4:00 – 6:00 pm and on Saturdays (May 2 & 16) from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. See flyer for more details and the food items being requested.

Food Drive Flyer.pdf

See the June calendar below for the different fun ways that Westowne will Countdown to Summer!

Do you live in the Westowne School zone? Do you have a child that will be 3, 4, or 5 years old on September 1st, 2026? If you answered yes, then please call the front office at 443-809-0854 to receive a registration packet. All completed registration documents that are provided to the school by 4/15/26 will be scheduled to attend the screening appointment either on 5/7 for PreK 3 and PreK 4 or 5/14 for Kindergarten. As a reminder, students registering for PreK 3 or PreK4 must meet the Federal guidelines to attend. See flyer for more details.

**If you have a student currently enrolled in the PreK3 program you will need to submit the income verification form by 5/15 to prove eligibility for the PreK 4 program.

WES PreK and Kindergarten Registration.pdf

Documentation required to register your child for a BCPS school:

• Proof of residency, three documents/pieces of official mail dated within 60 days with parents name and address)
• Photo identification of parent
• Birth certificate of student to be registered
• Proof of immunizations for student to be registered
• Completed school registration forms (pick up from main office after you call to schedule your appointment)
• Health history form
• Prior care form (Kindergarten only)
• Proof of income (PreK only).

Click here for more details- https://www.bcps.org/registration_and_enrollment

May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month and Children's Mental Health Awareness Month, dedicated to reducing stigma, raising awareness of mental illness, and promoting social-emotional development. The month focuses on the necessity of positive mental health for children's healthy development, with special events, such as National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day, highlighting the need for support, early intervention, and resources for youth.

Key 2026 Mental Health Awareness Events:

• Mental Health Awareness Month: Focuses on community connection, fighting stigma, and sharing personal stories, led by organizations like NAMI and Mental Health America.
• Children's Mental Health Action Week (May 3–9, 2026): Led by the National Federation of Families, focusing on technology's impact on youth, with themes like "Beyond the Screen".
• SAMHSA National Prevention Week (May 10–16, 2026): Dedicated to promoting mental health and preventing substance misuse, featuring daily themes in the SAMHSA 2026 Toolkit.

How to Get Involved:

• Sign Up to participate in the Mind Over Matters Mental Health Mile
• Participate in Action Weeks: Engage with the Children's Mental Health Matters campaign by becoming a champion or attending webinars.
• Use Resources:
• Utilize the MHA 2026 Mental Health Month Toolkit for posters, social media tools, and educational materials.
• View Mental Health America’s 2026 Mental Health Month Action Guide that includes online activities, articles, printable tools, and practical resources.
• Light Up Green: Join the nationwide initiative to turn buildings and homes green to raise awareness.

Help Needed

CALL FOR 4th GRADE PARENTS!!! We need your help during the 5th Grade Farewell Ceremony. Help will be needed to set up snacks, photo booths, etc., on the morning of Monday, June 15th. Please complete the following form if you are interested and able to help.

https://forms.gle/2jBipxJjw1pnvtiN7

Thank you,

PTA 5th Grade Committee

Join the PTA

Joining the PTA helps fund different activities for you child such as field trip sponsorships and teacher classroom grants. Last year there were 118 members. Our goal this year is 150 memberships! Join the WES PTA today!

Link to join the PTA- https://westowne.givebacks.com/shop

Link to PTA website- https://westownepta.org/

May PTA Meeting

Please join use virtually for the May PTA meeting on May 20. You can access the link here- https://meet.google.com/igb-pozi-ouh

Open PTA Board Positions

The Westowne Elementary PTA is looking for new board members to serve starting in the 2026-2027 school year! Serving on the PTA is a great way to support our school community, connect with other families, and make a positive impact on our students and teachers—no prior experience required. Please email westownepta@gmail.com to express interest or for more details.

Board Positions

President: Leads the PTA by coordinating meetings, guiding goals, and serving as the main liaison between families, school staff, and the PTA.

Vice President: Supports the president and helps coordinate events and committees while stepping in as needed to keep things running smoothly.

Treasurer: Manages the PTA’s finances by tracking income and expenses, preparing reports, and ensuring funds are used responsibly.

Secretary: Keeps the PTA organized by taking meeting minutes, managing correspondence, and maintaining important records.

Download the Talking Points app to stay connected with your child's teacher. This is a great way to keep an open line of communication between you and your child's teacher. After you download the app, sign-in using the email address on file. You should be automatically connected to your child's teacher. For support with Talking Points, please contact the main office. See Talking Points Overview for more information- Talking Points Overview.pdf

If you need to change the language of the messages follow these steps:

1. Download the Talking Points App

2. Click on Settings

3. Click Personal Information

4. Select the language you would like

Arrival

Arrival time for students is 9:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. To help make arrival a smooth process, please follow the car loop around the building. Do not stop in the parking lot by the front doors to drop your child off. Students arriving after 9:15 a.m. are marked late. If your student arrives after 9:15, an adult will need to park in the parking lot and walk your student to the Front Office to sign them in. Please do not park in the service lane.

Dismissal

To support a safe and orderly dismissal, there are no early dismissals or changes to student dismissal after 3:30 p.m. If there is a change to your child's regular dismissal procedure, it should be communicated in writing to your child's teacher and the front office as early in the school day as possible. Please do your best to limit changes.

BCPS is pleased to announce the countywide implementation of BusWhere, a location-tracking software that allows subscribers to see bus locations in real time on a mobile phone or computer. Via the BusWhere app, subscribers may receive notifications as the bus approaches a designated bus stop or if there are significant delays.

For more information, check out the BusWhere information sheet- BusWhere information.pdf. If you have additional questions please get in touch with the BCPS Office of Transportation at 443-809-4321 or utilize the BusWhere Assistance Request Form- https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=3cPDSRs_g0GOdLONSDpa_bVjgy6GIuVGmGJmus4Mp_NUNllMSjRYWExBNVlQSEUwRFZFNlcyWExBRyQlQCN0PWcu

Research shows that attendance is one of the leading predictors of academic achievement and adult success. Our school attendance goal for students this year is to maintain an attendance rate of at least 94%. Check out this flyer for more information about the importance of having good attendance at school.

Parent Attendance Tips-Elementary.pdf

Parent Attendance Tips-Elementary (SPANISH).pdf

Data from April:

Attendance Rate for all students- 94.77%

PreK- 90.62%

Kindergarten- 94.17%

1st grade- 93.55%

2nd grade- 97.01%

3rd grade- 95.32%

4th grade- 94.92%

5th grade- 94.20%

Did You Know?

Bringing your child to school late or taking your child out before the end of the school day counts as time missed from school per the Maryland State Department of Education. All students participate in learning from bell to bell. When they arrive late or leave early, they miss opportunities for learning, small group instruction, and application of newly learned skills. Minutes add quickly to hours and days! Arriving late and leaving early from school should not be a regularly occurring practice. Help your student SOAR to 94 with bell-to-bell instruction! If there is a barrier to regular and timely attendance, contact an administrator or our Community School Facilitator, Rachel Mills, at rmills@bcps.org.

How can you help your child SOAR to 94?

• Establish a bedtime routine that includes a bedtime (students in elementary school need 9-11 hours of sleep a day)
• Pick out clothes the night before
• Pack backpack with homework the night before
• Establish a morning routine
• Schedule appointments around school hours
• Use the attendance tracker to help you track days absent from school

Attendance Tracker-Elementary.jpg

Attendance Tracker-Secondary Spanish.jpg

Absences

We need your help. If you child is absent from school, please send in a note and/or doctor's note explaining the absence. Notes should be dated and signed by a parent or guardian. Please see below for a note template that you can use. These note templates are also located in the front office if you would prefer to get a copy from there. Thank you for helping us with this matter.

English-Attendance Note- English.pdf

Spanish-Attendance Note- Spanish.pdf

WES Hits a Home Run with Attendance

Our WES Hits a Home Run with Attendance started on Monday, April 13th. Classes are looking to score 30 home runs to earn a prize. Classes can score one home run by having 94% or better attendance and two home runs by having 100% attendance. How many home runs can your class score during quarter 4?

Congratulations to 2nd grade for having the best attendance percentage during April. Each class earned recess games.

Congratulations to Ms. Brady's AM prek class for having the best attendance rate in prek during April. Her class earned bubbles.

Math Matters!

Spring is here, and so is a big moment in math! Our students have been working hard all year, and now it’s time to show what they know!

What’s Happening in Math?

All students are diving into Unit 7, a special time when they apply and extend everything they’ve learned so far. It’s amazing to see their growth as they solve more complex problems and tackle challenges with confidence!

Math MCAP Testing (Grades 3–5)

This month, students in grades 3 through 5 will be taking the Math MCAP assessment. This is a great opportunity for them to shine and show off their math skills.

Let’s work together to make sure students are ready to do their best:

• Get a good night’s sleep

• Eat a hearty, healthy breakfast at home or at school

• Arrive to school on time and ready to go!

Math at Home – Tips for Parents and Guardians

Want to support math learning at home? Here are a few easy ways to get involved:

• Play math games like Yahtzee, Monopoly, or card games to practice number skills.

• Ask your child to help with cooking! Measuring ingredients is a fun way to use math.

• Involve your child in grocery shopping – have them estimate totals or compare prices.

• Use real-world math! Talk about time, money, or distance in everyday conversations.

Thank you for being a partner in your child’s math journey. Together, we’re building strong problem-solvers and confident mathematicians!

CLICK THIS LINK FOR GRADE LEVEL SPECIFIC MATH NEWSLETTERS- May

At WES we use the story problem solving routine to solve math problems:

Step 1- Imagine- picture the story in your mind.

Step 2- Think- What do we notice? What do we wonder? What are we trying to figure out?

Step 3- Plan- Write and label a number sentence that represents the situation.

Step 4- Solve- Use manipulatives, pictures, and mental math to find your unknown.

Step 5- Share Your Strategies- Does your answer make sense? Share your strategy for solving the problem with the class.

ELA News

This month, students in grades 1-4 will be working with Module 9 and 10, while Kindergarten students will be working through Modules 8 and 9. For more detailed information about what your child will be reading and writing, the skills they will be developing, and the themes that will guide their writing, please refer to the grade-level newsletters.

We encourage you to have conversations with your child about the topics they are exploring in reading. These discussions help build background knowledge and foster meaningful connections to their own experiences. Please check Schoology on a weekly basis to review your child's assignments and stay informed about their academic progress.

Students in grades K-5 will be involved with End of Year assessments. To help your child do their best on the upcoming assessments, we encourage the following:

• Ensure they get a good night's sleep.
• Eat breakfast (at home or at school) to fuel your body.
• Arrive to school on time, as a calm and punctual start helps set a positive tone for the day.
• Offer words of encouragement to help them feel confident and ready to show what they've learned.

Remind your child that assessments are just one way for us to understand how they're growing as learners, and their best effort is what matters most.

CLICK THIS LINK FOR GRADE LEVEL SPECIFIC ELA NEWSLETTERS- May

Amira is a reading system that supports your child at their instructional level. She provides early literacy as well as more advanced literacy skills across a variety of areas. Students in grades 1-3 can use Amira at home. This is option for kindergarten students. See flyer for directions for how to log your child into Amira.

Amira At Home Directions.pdf

The Race to Zero will return soon! In May, students will stop checking out school library books and the Race to Zero will begin. This schoolwide challenge counts down how many books each K-5 homeroom needs to return before the school year ends. The hope is that every homeroom will return all their school library books and cross the finish line!

WHY DO WE NEED THE BOOKS IN SCHOOL FOR THE SUMMER?

During the summer, the school library collection will be reviewed & inventoried, and the shelves will be adjusted to accommodate new books. All of that is easier to do if the books are IN the library.

Parents & Guardians – please help your student(s) remember to bring in their school library books EACH week on their library day. If your student brings home an overdue book notice, please help locate and return the book as quickly as you can.

Here is the schedule for Library Media classes this year:

If you have any questions about Library Media class, our work and lessons, school library books and/or book check out, please contact Miss Johnson, the school librarian. The best ways to reach her are via email at cjohnson13@bcps.org or via phone through the school office (443) 809-0854.

P.E. reminders from Mr. Malecki and Mr. Nowicki:

• Wear tennis shoes/sneakers that tie or have velcro straps. Crocs, flip flops, slippers, water shoes, boots, and open toe sandals are not safe for active participation in P.E. class. Safe activities will be provided if students forget safe shoes. Students must also wear tennis shoes/sneakers that tie or have velcro straps for playing at recess. Helpful Hint: Students can leave an extra pair of tennis shoes in their locker or cubby.
• Girls should wear shorts under a skirt or dress. Comfortable play clothes are recommended for all students for class. Post earrings are safe for P.E. class. Large hoop earrings or earrings that hang below the ear lobe are not safe for P.E. class.
• Please send in a note to your child's homeroom teacher if your child will need to be excused from P.E. for a medical reason. The note will be copied for the P.E. teachers and the school nurse.
• See the schedule below for when your child has P.E. class.

Career Day will take place at Westowne on Tuesday, June 2nd. We are looking for all types of careers and trades. Presenters would rotate through different classes every 15 minutes to share about their career. If you are interested, please submit the form below.

https://forms.gle/zczYyz62u18GXNjf7

Greetings from the Health Suite!

ALLEGRY SEASON:

Allergy season is here! Please remember to give your child allergy medicine/eye drops at home in the morning before school. The nurse does not have allergy medications or eye drops at school. Please remind your child to wash their hands with soap and water and wipe their face with wet paper towels after outdoor recess.

5th GRADE FAMILIES:

Students in 5th grade will need a physical before going to 6th grade. Nurse Martin will be sending home information and the physical form in the next couple of weeks.

SICKNESS:

Here are a few reminders about when to keep your child home from school: Fever above 100 degrees, vomiting/diarrhea within the last 24 hours, a red eye with drainage from the eye, generalized unknown rash. Students may be safely sent to school once vomiting/diarrhea/fever are gone for 24 hours without medication. Please, do not give your child Tylenol/Motrin for fever and then send them to school. Thank you!

BCPS When to Stay Home (English): When to Stay Home - Baltimore County Public Schools (bcps.org)

BCPS When to Stay Home (Spanish): HERE IS A GUIDE TO HELP YOU DECIDE WHEN TO KEEP A CHILD HOME FROM SCHOOL_Spanish.pdf (sharpschool.com)

CLOTHING:

Please send a full change of weather-appropriate clothing to school for your child in case of emergency .... this is for ALL grades. A full change of clothing includes: underwear, pants, socks, shirt. Your child will keep his/her clothing in his/her locker or cubbie. Accidents happen... a change of clothing on hand prevents you from having to come to school during your work day. Thank you!

MEDICATION:

If your child needs to take medication at school, please notify Nurse Martin (jmartin13@bcps.org) so the doctor's order can be obtained. Any prescribed medication requires a doctor's order for school. Over-the-counter medications that are not listed on the pink Discretionary Medication Form also require a doctor's order.

INJURIES:

If your child has an orthopedic injury, please bring a note from the doctor stating accommodations required at school, i.e., no PE/recess, use of elevator, etc. Students must provide a doctor's note for accommodations.

RECESS SAFETY:

Students must wear tennis shoes/sneakers that tie or have velcro straps for playing at recess. Crocs, flip flops, slippers, water shoes, boots, and open toe sandals are not safe for active participation in recess. Helpful Hint: Students can leave an extra pair of tennis shoes in their locker or cubby.

Please reach out to me with any questions or concerns. 443-809-0023 or jmartin13@bcps.org.

Creating a parent Schoology account is a great way to see what your child is doing in school. Follow the directions to create your account today!

English- Creating a Parent Account in Schoology.pdf

Spanish- Creating a Parent Account in Schoology- Spanish.pdf

Creating a parent FOCUS account is a great way to stay connected to what your child is doing in school. You can monitor your child's grades and attendance throughout the year. Click the link to create your account- https://baltimore.focusschoolsoftware.com/focus/auth/

During March and April we had lots of authors visit Westowne!

Thank you to a partner of the Westowne community for brining author Jennifer Keats Curtis to Westowne. During library students got to here about her journey to become an author and explore the many different books that she has written.

Thank you to UMBC for brining author Andrea Wang to Westowne. Students got to hear about how she grew up in China and how her stories recognize her Chinese heritage.

Thank you to Sierra Coleman, a parent of one of our 1st grade students, for coming to Westowne to share about writing a book and creating an activity book about autism. Students in first grade got to complete a page from the activity book.

If you would like to volunteer or attend a field trip, you must complete the BCPS Volunteer Training.

Step 1: Complete a BCPS Volunteer Application- https://cdnsm5-ss3.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_9046799/File/Updated%20Documents/Application%20for%20Volunteer%20Services%20ADA.pdf or get a paper copy from the school.

Step 2: Complete the Online Volunteer Orientation- https://bcpsvolunteers-md.safeschools.com/register/0c626573

Step 3: All Volunteer Applications and Certificate from the online training must be given to Rachel Mills or emailed to rmills@bcps.org.

For more information- https://www.bcps.org/cos/communications/FACE/b_c_p_s_volunteers

BCPS Parent University- https://www.bcps.org/cos/communications/face/parent_university

Resource website from Towson University for teachers and families of Multilingual Learners- https://wp.towson.edu/tesol/

BGE Customer Relief Fun- BGE Customer Relief Fund.pdf

Catonsville Emergency Assistance- CEA's mission is to provide neighbors in need in the Greater Catonsville area with emergency food, eviction prevention, utility assistance and service referrals. For more information click here- https://catonsvillehelp.org/ and/or Catonsville Emergency Assistance.pdf

Women's Center West- Women's Center West offers counseling and medical services to help meet the needs of women who find themselves in a unplanned pregnancy. For more information click here- https://www.womenscenterwest.com/ and/or Women's Center West.pdf

Additional Food Assistance Resources

The Baltimore County Department of Social Services offers programs and services designed to help residents in financial need who meet income-eligibility requirements, as well as resources to provide food assistance for Baltimore County families, including:

• Senior Food Assistance- Seniors experiencing food access needs may call 410-887-2594 or email aginginfo@baltimorecountymd.gov
• Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) Food and Nutrition Services—Learn more about the food assistance programs offered through BCPS.
• SNAP Emergency Allotments—The Maryland Department of Human Services has been approved to issue SNAP emergency allotments to all current SNAP households. Learn more about SNAP to see if you qualify for monthly benefits to help purchase food.
• Pet Food Assistance—Learn how to receive pet food assistance from the Baltimore Humane Society or make donations to their Bmore Kind Pet Food Bank.

The Food Pantry Locator is available here.

Resources: Partners in Promoting Mental Health and Preventing Substance Use

The Department of Health and Human Services offers a wealth of resources for parents, teachers, and students alike:

• Parenting and Caregiver and Youth Mental Health Resources — a collection of resources on parenting and addressing mental health needs of young people.
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Concerns: Signs and Symptoms — a comprehensive guide for symptoms of mental health and substance use disorders in children and youth.
• Back to School Resources for Success — a collection of resources for children, parents, and educators on ensuring a safe return to school by caring for both body and mind.
• "Talk. They Hear You."® Campaign — a national youth substance use prevention campaign that helps parents and caregivers, educators, and community members.
• Early Childhood Mental Health Programs — as a part of its mission to reduce the impact of substance use and mental illness on our communities, SAMHSA funds programs that promote and support the health and wellness of young children and their families.
• StopBullying.Gov — parents, school staff, and other adults in the community can help kids prevent bullying by talking about it, building a safe school environment, and creating a community-wide bullying prevention strategy.
• SchoolSafety.Gov — provides schools and districts with actionable recommendations to create a safe and supportive learning environment where students can thrive and grow.
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline — 1-800-662-HELP (4357) is a confidential, free, 24/7, 365-day-a-year information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
• FindSupport.gov — a user-friendly website, designed for the general public, to help people identify available resources, explore unbiased information about various treatment options, and learn how to reach out to get the support they need for issues related to mental health, drugs, or alcohol.
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — If you or someone you know needs support now, you can contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Simply call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

These materials are neither sponsored by nor endorsed by the Board of Education of Baltimore County, the Superintendent or this school.

Christian Temple is hosting a Community Yard Sale & Treasure Hunt on Saturday, May 30th from 8:00 am- 2:00 pm. Christian Temple is located at 5820 Edmondson Ave. See flyer for more details.

Community Yard Sale & Treasure Hunt.pdf

As part of the Explore Patapsco 2026 recreation series, PHG & Friends of Patapsco Valley State Park are partnering to host a fun-filled morning in the Pickall Area of the park! We'll have a non-competitive run (or walk!) along a 0.75 mile loop with cheering & bubble stations along the way, plus games, crafts, pizza, drinks, and more! The Pickall Area also has a playground and open fields- plenty of space for the whole family!

If you've been looking for a family-friendly and active event in the park, join us from 10am-1pm on Saturday May 16th in the Pickall Area of Patapsco Valley State Park! Register yourself or a group HERE. Any questions can be directed to community@patapsco.org.

Family Fun Run At Patapsco State Park Flyer.pdf

Thrive Behavioral Health is excited to share that they will be hosting their 2nd Annual Children's Mental Health Fair on Thursday, May 28 from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM at our Rosedale office.

This free event is open to the community and is geared toward children in Pre-K through 5th grade and their families. It will be a fun, interactive event that helps children and their grown-ups build tools to support mental health while also connecting families with helpful community resources. See flyer for more details.

Families can register here:
https://thrivebh.jotform.com/team/admin/level-up-your-mental-health-registr

Level Up Rosedale (Thrive).pdf

Thrive Behavioral Health has FREE Summer Social Skills Groups for BCPS K- 2nd and 3rd-5th grade students. See the flyers for more information.

Thrive K-2 Summer Social Skills Flyer.pdf

Thrive 3-5 Summer School Skills Flyer.pdf

Day Off Camps

Irvine Nature Center offers Day Off Camps for children ages 5 to 12 on days when BCPS is closed for students. The camps meet from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. (with aftercare available for an additional fee). Please see the attached flyer and the Irvine website, www.explorenature.org, for more information.

See flyer for more details- Irvine Nature Center Day Off Camp.pdf

Summer Nature Camp

Irvine Nature Center offers week-long Summer Nature Day Camp for children ages 3 to 12 from June 15-August 21. Please see the attached flyer and the Irvine website, www.explorenature.org, for more information.

Summer Nature Camp 26 flyer.pdf

The Therapeutic Recreation Summer Camp offers a structured, inclusive environment where participants with developmental, emotional, or physical challenges can explore new activities, build friendships, and develop important life skills- all while having fun. See flyer for more details.

For more information- https://tinyurl.com/32cv5hbt

Therapeutic Summer Camp.pdf

From June through August, the Baltimore Blast will host their highly anticipated Soccer Camps for youth players ages 6–13 across the Baltimore area. These camps are designed to provide a fun, engaging, and development-focused environment where players of all skill levels can grow. With an emphasis on individual skill development and real-game situations, campers will build confidence while learning the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship.

Led by current and past members of Baltimore Blast teams, participants will receive high-quality instruction from professional players who are passionate about helping young athletes succeed both on and off the field.

What Players Will Gain:

• Improved soccer skills (dribbling, passing, shooting, and game awareness)
• Experience training with professional players
• Growth in teamwork, responsibility, and sportsmanship
• A positive and encouraging camp environment

Each Camper Receives:

• Official Blast Summer Camp T-Shirt
• Soccer Ball (Size 4 for ages 6–10, Size 5 for ages 11+)
• Instruction from Baltimore Blast players
• FREE ticket to a Baltimore Blast game

See flyer for more details.

Camp registration- https://baltimoreblast.com/camps/signup/.

Blast Soccer Camp Dates.pdf

Blast Soccer Camp Registration.pdf

The Baltimore County Public Library has different events throughout the month for all age groups. Check out the offers at the Catonsville Branch during the month of May- Baltimore County Public Library Catonsville May Events.pdf

Are you looking for different programs for your child this spring? This is a guide to programs offered by the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks. Details, registration and any changes or updates are online at https://baltimorecountymd.gov/civicrec

Recreation and nature councils, non-profit and independent volunteer-led organizations, provide information on their offerings, which for convenience are also listed on CivicRec. To locate a program from this guide in CivicRec, scan a QR code, search by the four-digit session code, or search by program title.

Baltimore County Spring Program Guide.pdf

Are you looking for your child to play baseball this spring? The Arbutus Little League is currently registering for spring baseball. See flyer and website for more details.

Arbutus Little League Flyer Spring 2026.pdf

https://leagues.bluesombrero.com/Default.aspx?tabid=967179

Did you know the Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum is located in Catonsville?

The Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum is a 126.6-acre site dedicated to telling the inspiring story of the life and times of Benjamin Banneker, often considered the first African-American man of science. See flyer for different programs that are offered for families.

April Calendar of Events Benjamin Banneker Center.pdf

March-May 2026 program calendar Benjamin Banneker Center.pdf

March-May 2026 program calendar Benjamin Banneker Center- spanish version.pdf

Summer Camp 2026- Updated.pdf

Summer Camp 2026-Spanish.pdf

Museum Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on County holidays, see Main Offices closures.

Location: 300 Oella Ave. Catonsville, MD 21228

Park Hours: Open sunrise to sunset.

Features:

• Exhibitions—In history, art, culture and science, and a permanent exhibit on the life of Benjamin Banneker
• Split log colonial cabin—Furnished with reproduced artifacts like those Banneker could have used
• Gardens—Colonial herbs, vegetables and an orchard
• Restored 19th-century farmhouse
• Onsite trails—Including conservation paths and the historic Number 9 Trolley Line Trail.

Are you looking for a summer camp for your child this summer? Check out the Summer Camp Guide from Baltimore County for different camps that are being offered in Baltimore County this summer. Summer camp and program registration opened on Monday, January 5. View the listings and create a CivicRec account at https://baltcorec.info/camp.

Baltimore County Summer Camp Guide.pdf

Are you looking to join a pool this summer? Hunting Hills Swim Club located at 300 Nottingham Road Baltimore, MD 21229 is accepting new members. Check out the flyer and website for more details.

26 Hunting Hills Swim Club Flier final.pdf

https://huntinghillsswimclub.com/

Do you have a 4th grader? Did you know that all 4th graders can get into National Parks for free? The Every Kid Outdoors program can sign up to get a pass to visit our National Lands and Waters for free. For more information click here- https://everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm.