May 2026

Rooted in Relationships. Driven by Learning. Focused on the Future.

At BPES, we show up for each other. Students and staff feel seen, supported, and ready to learn. We work together to create a safe, welcoming environment. Through strong relationships, open communication, and partnerships with families, we continue to build a thriving community where everyone belongs.

Dear Families,

As you read this message, we are down to 6 weeks remaining in the school year. It is hard to believe how quickly the time has gone.

May is always a busy and exciting time in our building. Classrooms are filled with meaningful learning experiences, end-of-year projects, and opportunities for students to showcase all they have learned. Our teachers continue to provide engaging instruction while preparing students for a strong and successful finish to the school year.

Over the next several weeks, we will celebrate many important milestones and events, from field trips and school-wide activities to grade-level celebrations. In addition, students in grades 3–5 will begin Math MCAP testing, and we are confident they will demonstrate their growth and hard work.

We ask for your continued partnership during this final stretch:

• Encourage daily attendance so students do not miss important instruction and activities.
• Maintain routines at home to help students stay focused and energized.
• Stay connected by checking communication from your child’s teacher and the school.

We are incredibly proud of our students and grateful for the ongoing support of our families. Let’s make these final days meaningful, joyful, and memorable for every child.

Hello Families,

I am excited to announce that our Pre-K Registration for the 26-27 school year opens up on May 5th! If you, or anybody you know, are enrolling for the first time, and would like some help registering online in our portal, please sign up with the QR code below for a time slot to meet with our school registrar, Ms. Arias. We will meet in person to upload documents together and go over the expectations for our preschool classes. This sign up is not limited to just Pre-K but also to any Kindergarten student enrolling at our school for the first time.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact the registrar via EMAIL at aaarias@aacps.org or on our SCHOOL PHONE at 410-222-6590.

We are looking forward to all the new smiling faces we will receive this year!

Happy spring! We have had a year of learning and now it is time to shine! Our 3-5th graders will have Math MCAP testing the week of May 11th. Please check your calendars for appointments or conflicts. We will recognize classes with the best attendance during testing!

Please make sure all students have a change of clothes in their locker. We only have a small amount of extra clothes available for students. There is always a possibility of slipping in the mud, ripping your pants, or having an accident. Please try to have extra clothes in your students' lockers.

Thank you!

Pre-K 4

We cannot believe we are already heading into May. This year has really flown by! Our pre-k team is beyond impressed with how much our students have grown this year! We truly appreciate how supportive you are in helping them navigate their first year at school and constantly supporting us. By the end of May, we will have introduced all 26 letters. We will be reviewing and focusing on letter sounds, building words, and handwriting. In math, we will be focusing on subtracting and reviewing past math topics. We will finish up our unit on Gardens. Please be on the lookout for information about our Garden Party! As we close out the year, please be sure to sign up for an end of the year conference on May 21st or 22nd. Thank you!

- Pre-K Team

Kindergarten

AVID

We are reaching for the stars in AVID with Kindergarten! This month, our focus is to be incredible Note-Takers! We have introduced Cornell Notes, Frayer Models, and One-Pagers as a way to illustrate and write important information in our CKLA Literacy and Reveal Math curriculum!

Literacy

Based on our CKLA Curriculum, your child is able to identify all 26/26 initial letter-sounds, 26/26 uppercase letters, and 26/26 lowercase letters in the alphabet. Your child is able to use learned skills to "tap out" and orally "blend" CVC, CCVC, and CVCC words. Your child has developed skills of phonemic awareness and tricky word spellings to read age-appropriate texts (picture readers/decodables), independently.

In May, we transition into both Unit 9 and Unit 10 of CKLA Skills! Your child will continue daily review of initial letter-sounds, oral blending, and tricky words. Your child will also be introduced to Uppercase Letters of the alphabet and additional Tricky Words. We will begin a decodable-reader "Zack and Ann", where students will read stories and complete comprehension questions or activities in connection to these stories!

Writing

Based on our CKLA Curriculum, your child is able to use appropriate letter-formation to write 26/26 uppercase and 26/26 lowercase letters of the alphabet. Your child continues to use these initial letter-sounds, tricky words, and age-appropriate spellings to write simple words or phrases. Your child is also able to use drawings and illustrations to express their understandings of age-appropriate content.

In May, we continue to focus on labeling pictures and writing sentences! We will continue to learn and practice writing complete sentences with an understanding of using a Capitol Letter at the beginning, finger spacing between words, and ending punctuation. We will continue to use CKLA Skills & Knowledge to help develop writing and drawing skills!

Mathematics

Based on our Reveal Math Curriculum, your child is able to identify, represent, and decompose numerals 0-20. Your child is also able to solve addition and subtraction within 0-10 with the use of manipulatives and equations. Your child has developed strategies and critical-thinking skills to solve Word Problems and explain their Mathematical Thinking!

In May, we introduced Eric (a Video-Game Designer) in Reveal Math! We will be learning how to analyze, compare, and compose 2-Dimensional and 3-Dimensional shapes! Your child will learn how to tell whether both 2-D and 3-D Shapes are alike or different. Also, your child will learn to represent shapes in the world by drawing and building!

Science & Social Studies

In Science, we will continue to explore and experience the environment as the days are warmer! We will utilize Nature Walks and our Outdoor Classroom to identify human needs to survive and how the earth meets our needs! We will also observe and participate in scientific experiments to study weather patterns, plant cycles, and the life of animals.

Within our CKLA Knowledge, we will also focus on "Taking Care of the Earth"! Your child will learn that the best way to conserve Earth's natural resources is to follow the 3 R's, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! We will study conservation and become familiar with the earth's natural resources and how people's interactions affect the environment we live in! Specifically, we will learn as Kindergarteners what we can do to help our Earth!

In Social Studies, we will continue to study geography in both the state of Maryland and our own Brooklyn Park community! We will utilize tools and technology, including maps, globes, GPS, and Google Earth to be able to explain how location makes our community special by natural and human-made features.

- Kindergarten Team

1st Grade

Hello, First Grade Families!

Spring is in bloom and so are our First Graders! We have made so much growth and we’re ready to finish the year strong. We are wrapping up our Fairy Tale Unit in Knowledge but after that we will be venturing to the past and learning about the Frontier explorers! Our reading skills are getting better and better as we continue learning about spelling alternatives and ending with more vowel teams. In Science and Social studies, we will be learning about goods and services, needs and wants, and different resources we use every day. Our final unit will be all about inventors and inventions that have helped make life easier. We have lots of fun activities planned for the end of the year, so please keep checking your child’s folder for any announcements!

- 1st Grade Team

2nd Grade

Reading

Domain 11 will introduce students to several ordinary people who stood up for what they believed in and who fought for a cause, even when faced with immeasurable odds. Students will learn how members of very powerful groups have often excluded members of other groups from exercising certain rights. They will learn about some key historical figures who fought for various causes such as the abolition of slavery, the right for women to vote, and the welfare of migrant workers. Each of these individuals struggled for a cause, their struggles later helped change many laws, and they all practiced nonviolence. These historical figures also had an impact on the ability of others in our nation to exercise their individual rights. Students will understand the connection between ideas and actions, and how ordinary people can do extraordinary things, changing people’s awareness throughout an entire country. Students will also learn the terms civil rights and human rights, and what these terms mean.

The Fighting for a Cause domain will introduce students to seven historical leaders:

Susan B. Anthony

Eleanor Roosevelt

Mary McLeod Bethune

Jackie Robinson

Rosa Parks

Martin Luther King Jr

Cesar Chavez

Students will learn about the dedication and sacrifice of these historical leaders, as well as the significant impact they had on the fight for civil rights and human rights. This domain will also lay the foundation for review and extended learning of equal rights in later grades.

Writing

In Domain 11, students will write free verse poetry in which they express their opinions in Lessons 2–8. They will then revise, edit, and publish one of the free verse poems in Lesson 9.

Skills Unit 6 is devoted to introducing several new spelling alternatives for vowel and consonant sounds.In Unit 6, students will be introduced to the following:

Spelling Alternatives for Vowel Sounds

/er/ > ‘ar’ (dollar)

/er/ > ‘or’ (work)

Tricky Spellings for Vowel Sounds

‘ea’ > /e/ (head)

‘i’ > /ee/ (ski)

‘a’ > /o/ (lava)

Spelling Alternatives for Consonant Sounds

/f/ > ‘ph’ (phone)

/k/ > ‘ch’ (school)

Tricky Spellings

The tricky spellings ‘ea,’ ‘ar,’ ‘or,’ ‘i,’ and ‘a’ are explicitly addressed in this unit. Remember that as more and more tricky spellings are introduced, it increases the challenge that students face when reading. Remind them to use their puzzling skills, such as chunking words into syllables or trying alternative sounds for specific spellings.

Mathematics

For our Math focus, students will be finishing 3-digit subtraction and will be working on data and graphs. Please don’t forget to practice homework from our practice book. It is a great reinforcement.

Science and Social Studies

This month students will begin a new unit, We are Researchers. Students learn about ways that researchers gather information, conduct experiments, analyze data, and make conclusions to learn something new to create something new.

- 2nd Grade Team

3rd Grade

Reading

Unit 11 focuses on ecology. This unit will build upon what students have learned in earlier grades about animal habitats and taking care of the earth. Students will learn about food chains, the balance of nature, changes to the environment, and protecting the environment. Students will also read a biography of John Muir.

Spelling

During this unit’s spelling exercises, students will review words with /aw/ spelled ‘au,’ ‘aw,’ ‘al,’ ‘ough,’ and ‘augh’ for Lessons 1–5. For Lessons 6–10, students will review words with /oi/, /ou/, and /aw/. Challenge Words and Content Words will continue. Students will also write two dictated sentences on the assessment.

Dictionary

Students will also continue to practice dictionary skills. During the course of the year, students should have become proficient in interpreting the different pieces of information found in a dictionary entry, such as pronunciation, part of speech, and various meanings. In this unit, students will apply what they already know about finding words in the dictionary. Additionally, students will focus on word meanings and parts of speech found in dictionary entries.

Grammar

In grammar, students will practice subject and object pronouns and comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs.

Morphology

During the morphology portion of the lessons, students will review the prefixes uni–, bi–, tri–, multi–, over–, mid–, and under–. Students will review how prefixes change the meaning of root words and how adding prefixes can change the part of speech of that word. Students will have opportunities for application of the changed meaning of words during Activity Book practice.

Mathematics

This month is a big month for our Mathematicians. They will be showing what they have learned this year when they take the MCAP test. Prepare your Mathematicians by making sure that they get a good night's rest and a healthy breakfast. Attendance is so important! Please make sure your child is present each day. Students test best when they test with their classmates and not during a make-up test. Math MCAP Testing dates are scheduled for May 11-May 14. Once students complete MCAP testing we will continue our unit on measurement and data including how to calculate the perimeter of a figure. Students will be measuring to the nearest half and quarter inch followed by creating and analyzing line plots. Students should be fluent with the 0s, 1s, 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, and 10s facts. This is such an important skill. Please ensure they are practicing daily and can recall the fact within 3-5 seconds. Thank you for your support.

Science

In Science, we will begin to investigate and classify fossils and the fossilization process. As part of our investigations, we'll talk about both living and extinct organisms and ways to identify them in fossils. Later, we will begin exploring the effects environmental change has on animals. By the end of the unit, your student should be able to identify changes in environments and discuss how those changes impact the lives of the animals in that environment.

Social Studies

It's time for our Environmental Action Project! In this Environmental Action Project, students apply the 21st Century skills they have acquired throughout the year (Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Creativity) to investigate and take action on an environmental issue. Here are a few questions we will use to guide our planning:

• How do citizens participate in their community?
• How do citizens identify and solve community problems?
• What resources and information help us to be informed?
• What environmental issues affect my community?

As we progress through this final unit, discuss these topics with your student at home and consider ways your family can cultivate a "civic-minded" mindset.

- 3rd Grade Team

4th Grade

Math - In unit 13, students will learn about measurement and data. Students will learn how to convert larger units of measure to smaller units. Students will learn how to interpret data on line plots as well as create line plots.

Science - Students will dive into what resources there are for people to use. Students will analyze renewable and non-renewable resources to understand which resources are wise to use. Students will begin by examining the distribution of US energy consumption and then analyze data to determine the world's largest producers and consumers.

Social Studies - Students will continue to learn about the American Revolutionary war. They will dig into many important battles as well as the battles that were on Maryland land.

Arlington Echo:

The time is finally here!! Our 4th grade field trip to the Arlington Echo Outdoor Learning Education Center is coming up! Information about the trip:

• Overview: Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center field trip is to develop their environmental literacy. In this OVERNIGHT students will participate in hands-on activities—such as canoeing, seining, and studying stormwater. Students are supervised by trained staff and approved chaperones. Meals are provided, and students are encouraged to reduce food waste. Overnight students stay in climate-controlled cabins.
• Date: May 18th & May 19th
• Cost: Free & Reduced students: $5.50 Non-Free and reduced; $11, Volunteers: $19.50
• Due Date: Monday May 11th forms AND money are due.
• **NIGHTTIME Medication**- If your child receives nighttime medication please reach out to me so I can send home a SEPERATE form for you to fill out so that way we can administer the medication to them.
• Volunteering: If you are interested in volunteering for this trip, we need 20 adults!!!) please notify me or send the permission slip back to school AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! The school will provide you with a voucher to get fingerprinted for free. You MUST be fingerprinted to go on this trip.
• Forms: Your child was sent home with a packet of information regarding the trip this week. ONLY the PINK and PURPLE form need to be returned to school

• Pink form- Emergency contact information

• Purple form- Permission to attend the trip

- 4th Grade Team

5th Grade

Math - In unit 12, students will learn about measurement and data. Students will learn how to convert between customary units of measure and also between metric units of measure, and how to create line plots and solve problems involving measurement data on line plots.

Science - Students are working on building water filtration systems and being engineers. Students are understanding how important it is to be aware of our resources and how we use them.

Social Studies - Students will continue to learn about what life was like after the Civil War. Students will explore what rights people have as civilians in America.

As we begin preparing our students for the transition to middle school, we want to share some important information about reading expectations. Middle school brings exciting opportunities for growth, but it also requires students to become more independent, thoughtful, and strategic readers.

In middle school, students will be expected to:

• Read more complex texts: Students will encounter a wider range of materials, including novels, informational texts, primary sources, and articles with more advanced vocabulary and ideas.
• Analyze and think critically: Rather than just understanding what they read, students will be asked to explain why events happen, identify themes, and support their thinking with evidence from the text.
• Use text evidence regularly: Written and verbal responses will require students to refer directly to the text to support their answers.
• Build vocabulary independently: Students will be expected to use context clues, word parts, and resources to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words.
• Read across subjects: Reading is no longer limited to ELA—students will read and interpret texts in science, social studies, and other classes.
• Manage reading assignments independently: Students will need to keep track of longer assignments, pace their reading, and meet deadlines with less direct guidance.
• Participate in discussions: Students will engage in meaningful conversations about texts, sharing ideas and responding to others thoughtfully.

To help your child prepare, you can support them by encouraging daily reading, asking them to talk about what they read, and practicing finding evidence in texts to support their ideas.

We are confident that with continued practice and support, your child will be well-prepared for the challenges and successes of middle school reading.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or would like additional resources to support your child at home.

Field Trips:

5/6- Maryland Science Center 4th grade ONLY

5/13- Special group of 8 students selected to release the terp.

5/18-5/19 Arlington Echo 4th grade ONLY

5/26- Baltimore Zoo 4th and 5th grade

Promotion:

Where: Chesapeake Art Center 194 Hammonds Lane, Brooklyn Park

When: June 10th

Time: Program will begin at 5:30 promptly and end at 6:30.

Students must be at the center between 5:00-5:15. Students will enter on the left side of the center and come in the glass door hallway.

Doors will open to the families at 5:15 for seating.

Clothing: Sunday best

We ask ladies to be mindful of heels as there is some walking and stairs. NO CAP or GOWNS are required or needed for promotion.

Practices: Every Friday during school hours in the month of May.

Number of people allowed to attend: There is no limit to numbers but there is only so much parking.

Do NOT bring food, drinks, noise makers or balloons in the center. You will be asked to leave with those items and return without them.

Promotion pictures must be emailed to arichmond@aacps.org by MAY 1st.

- 5th Grade Team

ELD

Hello Families,

We are so proud of the progress students have made this school year! The skills and strategies we have been practicing all year have really begun to show fruition.

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.

Although we are coming to the end of the school year, we ask that families continue to provide opportunities for students to practice their learning over the summer. Please do not stop the supports you have put in place over the school year. Oftentimes when students are not practicing their schoolwork during summer break, they regress with the progress they have made. This could result in students who are reading at grade level falling behind expectation by fall.

Thank you again for all the support you provide your students! Every little effort that is made communicates the importance of academic learning and makes an impact on student learning.

The ELD Team

Ms. Karyli Cedillos

Mrs. Laura Dembeck

Ms. Vanessa Gonzalez

Ms. Brynita Lacey

Title I

"Please be sure if you have not done so already to fill out our lunch forms for the 25-26 school year! Even if your child does not buy lunch, or you do not plan on having your child buy lunch, this is extremely important and helpful for our school. When the lunch forms are filled out, we are able to keep our Title 1 funding and get amazing resources and host events for our school such as Math and Literacy night, extra staff members to support students learning, and materials to help students learn hands on. Please reach out with any questions to Laura Roussey, our Title 1 Math Resource Teacher! Please use this link to fill out your form today: https://www.aacps.org/page/apply-for-free-or-reduced-price-meals"

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.)

The Art Department is excited to announce the final exhibit of the year! Student artwork from all elementary schools will be on display at the Annapolis Mall, from May 1st to May 18th. The opening reception will be held on May 14, 2026, (6:00 - 7:00 PM). We hope to see you there!

Hello Music Families!

Please be sure your calendars have MONDAY JUNE 1st blocked out for our annual Spring Concert! The Spring Concert will once again be held at the Chesapeake Arts Center and will start promptly at 6:00 p.m. Concerts are mandatory performance events for Band/String/Chorus students. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Israel or Mr. Henning via email (risrael@aacps.org, mhenning@aacps.org).

WARNING! DO try this at home…

As the summer months approach, here are some online resources for families. In the links below you will find printable activities and coloring pages. As well as hands-on activities that use common household items. Try one of these isead to keep the kids busy on summer break.

STEM activities to try at home

STEM resources for families

NASA education STEM activities for families

The Scholastic Book Fair was a great success! Over $8000 worth of books were sold and over $2000 worth of books were purchased for students and for the Brooklyn Park Elementary School Media Center. The Media Center team thanks parents, staff, and students enough for their flexibility, communication, and enthusiasm! There are plans in place for the next book fair (arriving in December 2026!) that will include browsing days, an evening visit for parents and families, and a full week of the book fair! More information will be released during the first term of SY 26-27!

The yearbooks should arrive by the beginning of June! There is still time to send in $18 with your student to buy a yearbook in person! 🙂

ALL LIBRARY BOOKS ARE DUE THE WEEK OF MAY 11!

The final week of Book Checkout is the week of May 4 and all books will be due the following week. If your child has an overdue or missing book, please send in cash with your child to cover the cost of the book before the end of the school year. This allows me time to order a replacement for the following school year. If I give your child a piece of paper with the price of the missing book and the book is found, the fee will be waived! Fees are only paid for books that cannot be found.

We only have a few weeks left but there are plenty of good stories to read!

Yours in all things Dewey,

Ms. Williams, Ms. Cico, and Ms. Velazquez

The PTA hopes everyone has enjoyed the many events offered throughout this school year! As we begin to wind down, we want to sincerely thank our families and staff for your continued support—it truly makes a difference.

We’re excited to finish the year strong with a few more upcoming events:

Upcoming Events:

• May 1st – Family Carnival/Dance- Students must be accompanied by an adult

  Flyer sent home the week of April 15th – Information here

• May 4th – Chick-fil-A Night (Glen Burnie), 4:00–8:00 PM- Must Mention BPES
• May 4th–8th – Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week

Please be sure to check your student’s folder for flyers and additional information.

Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week Donations:

Appreciation Week Ideas:

Staff Wishes

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Game Night on May 13th from 5:30-7:00! Please come join us to learn some great strategies to use at home and in school. We will be playing a few different games and will have some fun things for you to take home as well! All ages are welcome to join in on the fun! Dinner will be served; we hope to see you there! Interpreters will be available!

Kindergarten Transition Day! If you have a Pre-K student or know of any families who have a child who will be starting Kindergarten at BPES next year, please join us on May 27th from 7:40-10:00AM. We will have a quick overview of what Kindergarten has to offer and time for you to visit the classrooms and take a peek at the learning that happens. Stay after a treat with your student and take-home lots of goodies to help you prepare over the summer! Interpreters will be available!

Pre-K Garden Day! Please join us on May 15th from 10:15-11:15 if you have a Pre-K student for a very fun garden party! We would love to see you there and have you join in on the fun activities! Interpreters will be available!

Join us for a Taste of Brooklyn Park, our Multicultural Night as we celebrate the rich diversity of our school community! This special event is an opportunity for families and staff to come together, share their cultural traditions, and learn from one another’s experiences. By participating, you help create a more inclusive and respectful environment where everyone feels valued. We invite you to showcase your heritage through food, music, clothing, or displays and help us build stronger connections across our community. Please scan the QR code to sign up.

Hello Brooklyn Park ES Families and Friends,

As the Brooklyn Park Community Schools Program Manager, I want to thank you and all our community partners for supporting our program this school year. It’s hard to believe that we have less than six weeks before the end of the 2025-2026 school year. It’s been amazing to meet many of you and your children. In my daily interactions with parents, it’s evident to me that you care deeply about your children’s education and wellbeing. The Community Schools Program wants to continue to partner with you and your children to bring meaningful and engaging events to our school. During the last few months of this school year, the Community Schools Grant will help to fund several activities that are educational, entertaining and enriching. There are in school assemblies- the Planetarium and PreK STEM Science; field trips to the Baltimore Zoo and Ft. McHenry; the Brooklyn Park ES Carnival, Game Night, A Taste of Brooklyn Park and many more. As the Community Schools Program continues to grow and expand, it’s my hope the resources, programming and enrichment activities will always align with our school’s core mission statement- Rooted in Relationships, Driven by Learning, Focused on the Future.

Thank you,

Kevin Randolph

krandolph@aacps.org

Here is a website for anyone in need of some community resources: www.aacps.org/community

Change of Clothes!

We kindly ask that all students in PreK through 5th grade keep an extra change of clothes at school. Spills, playground accidents, and unexpected mishaps can happen at any age, and having a clean set of clothing on hand helps your child feel comfortable and ready to continue learning without interruption. Please include a shirt, pants, underwear, and socks in a labeled bag, and be sure to update the clothing as the seasons change and your child grows. Thank you for your support in helping us keep students comfortable throughout the school day!

Leading by Feeding

We are excited to announce that this month’s Leading by Feeding Food Giveaway will take place on Thursday, October 9th, beginning at 4:00 PM in the back parking lot. Families are invited to come and receive free food items to help support their household needs. This monthly event is part of our commitment to serving and caring for our community, and we welcome everyone to join us. Supplies are limited, so we encourage you to arrive early.

Background Checks for Volunteers at Brooklyn Park Elementary School

Anne Arundel County Public Schools is committed to providing safe and secure learning environments for all students and employees. Successful completion of a background check is required before any person has access to students, either on or off school property. The Office of Investigations has continued to work closely with the Office of School Security to review AACPS protocols for conducting background checks.

Background investigations are divided into two categories: fingerprint-supported background checks and commercial background checks. Once a fingerprint-supported background check is performed, applicants no longer need to submit an electronic background check. Anyone applying to be a chaperone or volunteer must be at least 18 years of age.

Fingerprint-supported background checks must be scheduled through the Fingerprinting Office at 410-222-5045. The Fingerprinting Office is located at the AACPS Central Office on Riva Road and is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, during the school year. The cost of fingerprinting is $63.00 and it includes the commercial background check. Fingerprint-supported background checks for chaperones should be completed at least 3 weeks prior to the scheduled field trip.

Each applicant requiring a fingerprint-supported background check is provided with a pink Fingerprint Verification Card. This card should be kept with the applicant while on school grounds and should be displayed to an administrator upon request. Each school should keep a running list of chaperones and volunteers that have been fingerprinted.

All questions regarding this process, or to confirm the results of a fingerprint-supported background check should be directed to the Office of Investigations at 410-222-5287.

Commercial Background Check

All chaperones and volunteers without one-on-one unsupervised or unrestricted access to students must complete the online request for a commercial background check. This group is inclusive of PTA and PTO officers, CAC officers, Booster Club officers, and chaperones or volunteers who work with children in the presence of an approved AACPS representative (e.g. daytime field trip to the zoo). These background checks are at no cost to the applicant and are valid for 2 years. All applications should be submitted electronically at least 3 weeks prior to the intended school event.

*Persons without personal computer access may access this process on a school computer or use computers in a public library.

https://onboard.screenid.net/gen/inquiries/

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.