BPS FAMILY RESOURCES

If learning slows down over the summer break, kids can lose some of the academic gains they made during the school year — what educators call the “summer slide.” This can be especially true for kids who are already struggling academically. Reading, writing, and learning over the summer can help keep your child’s skills sharp and be sure they are ready for the new school year in the fall.

📚 Make Reading a Habit

• Daily Reading: Aim for at least 15–20 minutes a day.

• Visit the Library: Check out their summer movie nights, maker labs, and scavenger hunts.

• Family Reading Time: Let them see you reading for pleasure, too!

• Talk About Books: Ask open-ended questions about their favorite characters to spark critical thinking.

✍️ Get Creative

• Writing Exercises: Encourage everything from poetry to persuasive letters. Check out Writing Ideas for Kids for inspiration.

• Hands-on Projects: Connect books to real life with paper crafts, science experiments, or cooking. Explore topics at Start with a Book.

• Educational Play: Incorporate puzzles, word games, or audiobooks into your daily routine.

🌎 Explore & Connect

• Field Trips: Match their reading to local spots—visit a nature center for books about animals or a planetarium for space stories.

• Start a Book Club: Host a small, kid-centered group to help them build social-emotional skills through sharing stories.

• Community Programs: If possible, look into local summer camps that blend fun with academic enrichment.

Pro-Tip: Creating a dedicated "reading nook" or a temporary indoor tent can make reading feel like a special event rather than a chore!

The BPS PTO is actively seeking dedicated individuals to join the PTO for the 2025-2026 school year. We are looking for family members, business representatives, and BPS teachers and staff with fresh perspectives and enthusiasm to help lead our school community towards excellence.

You can send questions to pto.bps@gmail.com or contact Amber Barnes the Parent Engagement Coordinator at 706-861-5778.

Take a look ahead on the Parent Engagement Program for next year. I would love to hear from you, please click the link below and let me know what you think about this year's Parent Engagement and what you'd like to see added or changed for the 2026-2027 school year.

Plan of Action 2026-2027

Note: dates and events are subject to change.

🔄 Ongoing & Recurring Initiatives

Daily & Weekly Engagement

Daily: BPS Family Facebook Page, Class Dojo Engagement, Morning/Afternoon Transition Periods.

Daily: Family Resource Library & Resource Room Access.

Weekly: Student Snack Initiative.

Seasonal: Family Engagement Activity (Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring).

Monthly Highlights

Programs: Accelerated Reader Collaboration, PBIS Collaboration.

Communication: BPS Newsletter (Parent Engagement Section), Monthly Parent Newsletter Title, BPS Title I Website, Parent Engagement Calendar.

School Culture: Cub Club Celebrations, Leadership Meetings, AR Rewards Program, Yearbook Committee

Events: Egg Hunt, Food Drive, Picture Day, Trick or Treat

Capacity Building: Parent Cafe(TBD), Parent Workshops, Grade Level Lunch and Learns

Continuous Support (On-Going)

Support Service Consultations: Communities in School, School Counselor, School Social Worker.

Collaboration: PTO Board Liaison, LSGT, Business Partnerships, Catoosa Collaborative. Academic Coach Collaboration (Once a Semester).

School Volunteer Program: Clerical and Academic, Room Parent Coordination, Students

📋 Planning & Administration (TBD)

Conferences: Parent-Teacher Conferences (Once a Semester).

Compliance: Distribution of Academic and Title I Literacy to families

As Needed: Debrief with Admin. Facilitate Fundraisers for Academic Funding.

To Be Determined: CART (Catoosa Attendance Review Team)

📅 Event Calendar

July 2026