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THE BRIDGE
Week at a Glance - February 18, 2025
Why we SOAR?
Mission
Our mission is to ensure that all students acquire knowledge, develop skills, and improve work habits to enable them to become productive members of society. We will maintain high expectations for all students, to sustain a positive school climate, ensure a safe and orderly school environment, monitor students' progress on a frequent basis, adjust instruction, and promote effective home-school communication.
Vision
High Bridge Elementary School is a community of diverse learners, where all students can develop their talents and gifts to be prepared for college and careers. Through real world experiences, 21st century instruction and the integration of all cultures, students will achieve academic success and become lifelong learners.
From Principal Christian's Desk
Dear High Bridge Elementary School Community,
As we reach the midpoint of the third quarter, I encourage all parents to monitor their children's assignment completion and motivate them to put forth their best effort. You can track your child's progress in ParentVue. At High Bridge, we are committed to partnering with parents to ensure student achievement and safety, which are our top priorities. By working together, we can help students reach their highest potential. If you have any questions regarding your child's progress, please don't hesitate to contact their teacher. Together, we can support our students' success.
Warm regards,
Principal Christian
Celebrating Black History!
We must never forget that Black History is American History. The achievements of African Americans have and continue to contribute to our nation's greatness.
Social Emotional Learning Tip (January/February)
February 18 - Tell stories about people who have struggled in your family.
February 19 - Discuss other cultures, holidays, and special dates.
February 20 - Role-play what to do and say when someone isn’t treated fairly.
February 21 - Visit neighborhoods, cities, states, countries that are different from yours.
February 22 - Identity racism, bigotry, and discrimination when it happens in real life or on media.
February 23 - Teach your child about being a “bystander” vs. an “upstander.”
February 24 - Discuss these topics with your child on a regular basis, not just in February.
February 25 - Talk to your child about a time when you were treated unfairly and how it felt.
February 26 - Spend time thinking about what you can learn about your own bias.
February 27 - Listen to or watch a documentary about someone who stood up for the rights of others.
PGCPS PUBLICITY RELEASE FORM
To remain in compliance with Administrative Procedure 5134. Please RETURN the attached form (completed) to your student's teacher with your requested statement. This Publicity Release Form will remain in effect through September 2025.
Thanks in advance!
ATTENTION ALL PARENTS!!!!
According to PGCPS Administrative Procedure 6130 - GUIDELINES FOR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AND PLAYGROUND AND RECESS SUPERVISION - All students are prohibited to participate in the following during recess; dodge ball, football or any tackle activities or games.
Primary TAG (Talented and Gifted) program!
We are excited to share the latest happenings in the Primary TAG (Talented and Gifted) program! Our students have been diving into an engaging study of the history of skyscrapers, and we can’t wait to see the creativity and learning that will unfold over the next few months.
Upcoming Art and Engineering Projects:
In Quarter 3, our students will combine art and engineering in an exciting project: designing their own city skyline! They will explore the historical significance of skyscrapers and gain hands-on experience in architecture and structural design. As part of this interdisciplinary unit, students will also conduct a fun and educational experiment, using geometry and cross-bracing to build stable structures. Through this experiment, they will better understand how engineers work to ensure buildings are both functional and safe.
Field Trip to the National Building Museum:
To bring this study to life, students will take on the role of civil engineers during a field trip to the National Building Museum this April. This field trip will provide a deeper understanding of architecture and city planning, and will allow students to explore the museum’s exhibits related to building design and structural integrity.
We are looking forward to seeing the students' creativity shine and how they apply their learning to real-world engineering challenges.
Thank you for your continued support of our TAG students. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about these upcoming projects, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Practicing Math at Home (Dream Box)
We strongly encourage children to use Dreambox Math for additional practice for 30 minutes every week. Students may log in to Clever from any device to access Dreambox. Parents may also use the directions below to set-up a family account for the app.
Logging in to Your Student's Math Account
Parents may set up a Math Family account directly from the DreamBox Math student environment. To do this, the student needs to log into their school DreamBox Math account in Clever on a laptop, Chromebook, or desktop computer.
VIDEO DIRECTIONS ENGLISH: https://youtu.be/5pDeE4M2Pgs
SPANISH VIDEO: https://youtu.be/xFMACe57WSg
What is Dreambox?
DreamBox Math is an engaging and adaptive math program that integrates curriculum and continuous formative assessment to personalize instruction, develop conceptual understanding, build critical skills, and improve achievement for every student, regardless of where they are in their learning journey.
Math Test Prep Tips for Parents
As our students gear up for MCAP this Spring , there are several ways you, as parents, can help support their learning and confidence. Here are some simple, effective tips:
Use IREADY Math IReady Math provides practice that mirrors the types of problems students will encounter on assessments. This makes it a great way to prepare for tests and build test-taking strategies, while also strengthening key skills.
Review Key Concepts Together
Take time to review the main topics that will be on the test. For example, if the test will cover multiplication or fractions, go over problems related to those areas. You can use flashcards or online resources to reinforce these concepts.Practice with Real-Life Scenarios
Encourage your child to apply math in real-world contexts. For example, ask them to help with cooking measurements, counting change, or calculating time. These practical applications reinforce their math skills.Practice Time Management
When practicing with sample tests or homework, encourage your child to manage their time. Set a timer for 20 minutes and see how many problems they can complete, focusing on both accuracy and speed.
By staying supportive and reinforcing these habits, your child will feel more prepared and confident for MCAP .
Refillable Thermos are WELCOMED!
Effective immediately, we are encouraging students to bring a refillable thermos to school. They are welcomed to refill them at our water station dispensaries (which were replaced by the PGCPS provided water bottles) throughout the school. This will avoid water spillage in the hallways and lessen (or prevent) injuries. Your support is appreciate. (Originally Posted 9/30/2024)
HIGH BRIDGE is a TITLE ONE SCHOOL
What does this mean?
The purpose of this title is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education, and to close educational achievement gaps.
El propósito de este título es brindar a todos los niños oportunidades significativas de recibir una educación justa, equitativa y de alta calidad, y cerrar las brechas de rendimiento educativo.
L’objectif de ce titre est d’offrir à tous les enfants une opportunité significative de recevoir une éducation juste, équitable et de haute qualité, et de combler les écarts de réussite scolaire.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G6qJzaJNLhT5hcqVtJlIQ8PhaANuz-F9/view?usp=drive_link
School Visitors
If you need assistance with anything please call the office or email the appropriate staff member. We will work to answer all of your questions and/or concerns.
Office hours 7:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Student Arrival will begin at 7:30 a.m. (NEW SY 24-25 SCHOOL TIME!)
Dismissal will begin at 1:40 p.m. (NEW SY 24-25 SCHOOL TIME!)
(Please be advised, Early Dismissal ends at 12:40 p.m.)
School Phone number 301-805-2690
Registration Secretary: Ms. Adams- celestial.adams@pgcps.org
Principal's Secretary: Mrs. Barboza- nancy.barboza@pgcps.org
Assistant Principal: Mrs. Harris- natasha.harris@pgcps.org
How Does High Bridge Move......
Arrival
Bus Riders - Students who arrive on the bus will be dropped off in the back of the school and supported by staff to transition to their classroom.
Parent drop-off (See below for more detail)
Under the direction of the staff, parents are to pull up all the way forward, in one lane only. Parents please do not get out of your car. Students should exit from the right passenger door, only.Make sure students have everything they need (book bag, lunch box, etc.) in order to keep the line moving and not hold up traffic.
Dismissal
Bus Riders - Students assigned to a bus will ride the bus each day. Students cannot switch buses unless approved by transportation. Please check the StopFinder mobile app for information about your child's bus stop.
Parent Pick-Up - If you are picking up your child at the end of the school day. Please go to the rear of the school. You will be able to sign your child out from a staff member. The person picking must be the parent/guardian or listed on the emergency contact/pick-up form.
Birthday Celebrations
Due to a significant number of students with allergies, no food items should be provided during birthday celebrations. Instead of bringing food, parents may consider providing school supplies to the class on the birthday of a student.
We appreciate your patience and understanding of this new policy. We want to ensure a safe environment for all of our students.
Thank you.
Parent Drop Off Procedures
Please follow the procedure listed below to maintain a safe and efficient parent drop-off procedure. Thank you for working to ensure this process is safe for our students.
Enter the parking lot through the driveway to the left of the school entrance
Students will exit their cars from the right lane only (Single line for cars only)
Pull your vehicle to the end of the walkway as directed by school staff before taking your child out of the car
Please be sure to make a right turn onto High Bridge Road. (This will ensure that traffic does not back up on High Bridge Road - During the hours of 7:30-7:45 AM.)
Follow directions from the school staff on duty to exit the parking lot
Students will eat breakfast from 7:30-7:45
Class begins promptly at 7:45.
WHAT TO EXPECT HIGH BRIDGE FAMILY!
Scheduled Events
Third Quarter - Progress Report Cards Available as of 3/11/2025
(This will be reported to parents thru ParentVUE.)
February 18-21 - Black History Spirit Week
February 21 - Intermediate Read Aloud (Students in grades 3-5 will read books aloud to the primary students.) - POSTPONED!!!!
February 21 - Second Quarter Awards (with 5th Grade CRI)
February 22 - George Washington's Birthday
February 24 - Second Quarter Awards (CRI Kindergarten through 4th grade only)
February 24 - Parent/Community Read Aloud (Parents and community members will conduct read alouds to our students.)
February 25 - African-American Read-In (Students will listen to and/or read books written by African American authors and illustrators or about famous African American leaders.
February 26 - Black History Exhibit (Students will select notable historical or present-day African Americans and perform research on their lives and important accomplishments.
February 28 - Ramadan (Begins at Sundown)
February 28 - Intermediate Read Aloud (Students in grades 3-5 will read books aloud to the primary students.)
WHEN TO STAY HOME FROM SCHOOL??
Please access the link below:
Feel free to reach out to Nurse Weinstein (sandra.weinstein@pgcps.org) if you have any further questions or concerns.
Parent Resources
Strawbridge Access Information
Please access the attached Code Look up for further information regarding school pictures. If you have questions about the Code Lookup or are having difficulty navigating the site, feel free to reach out to Strawbridge Customer Service team via the Live Chat on our website, www.strawbridge.net
Transportation Information (Parent)
Parents must enroll in the ParentVUE portal to receive an invitation to activate the app once downloaded from the App Store or Google Play. Families must have an up-to-date email address in ParentVUE (new for 2024-25 school year) to activate the subscription. If a family's email address in ParentVUE is not current, the app will not work as the student schedule will not populate.
Track in the App: https://www.pgcps.org/offices/transportation/track-bus
Parent Teacher Organization
Greetings from the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO),
We are happy to announce the PTO has a full board and is extending an invite to become a member when a membership form is completed. The cost is $15 per family/teacher for the 2024-2025 school year which goes towards programs and events for the students, teacher appreciation, and much more! Members can vote on important issues and events at our school that affect your children. Anyone that has an interest in enhancing your child's school experience and education can join the PTO such as parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles, etc.
Date reminders will be sent out via our member email distribution list and in the school's newsletters.
We'd love for you to join and hope to see you at our meetings!
Thank you for your support! Email us at highbridgeespto@gmail.com with any questions.
ParentVUE (Synergy) - NOW THERE'S A LINK ON THE PGCPS HOME PAGE
Prince George's County Public Schools provides a student information system access portal that allows authorized caretakers to log into ParentVUE from any computer with an Internet connection and view the child's student information, including current attendance records and assignment scores.
What is ParentVUE?
Beginning with the 2024-25 school year, Synergy will replace SchoolMAX as the student information system for Prince George's County Public Schools. Families will now use ParentVUE, in place of Family Portal, to access important information about their students.
ParentVUE is the portal that allows parents and guardians to view information about their student, including classroom assignments and scores, attendance, transcripts, graduation status and more. In ParentVUE, families can also update their phone numbers and emergency contact information and access the Online Registration (OLR) Application.
Stay Connected!
Attendance continues to be important this school year and every school year. Please ensure your child is present and on time for school every day. If your child is sick or is presenting with any symptoms and therefore is unable to attend school, please notify your child's teacher immediately, and upon his/her return to school please write them a note to give to the teacher.
For all absences, the parent/guardian must submit a letter of explanation with dates of absences to the school upon your child’s return to school to be categorized as “lawful” or “unlawful.”
Pursuant to ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND, Education Article, Sections 7-301, 7-302, and 8-403 and Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 13A.08.01.01, 13A.08.01.02, 13A. 08.01.03, and 13A.08.01.04 each child who is five (5) years of age or under eighteen (18) years of age must attend school regularly during the entire school year.
Unlawful absence or truancy is defined as the act of a pupil being absent from school for a day or any portion of a class for any reason construed as unlawful or unexplained as defined by the above statutes.
Fingerprinting and Background Checks for Applicants, School Visitors, Volunteers and One-time Volunteers
From the Cafeteria.......
Update!!!
We will be resuming our normal cafeteria procedures effective immediately. As part of this process, students’ breakfasts will be delivered directly to their classrooms.
Please follow this procedure closely. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Principal Christian and/or Assistant Principal Harris
School Messanger
Stay connected with PGCPS by signing up for email alerts and text messages. Help setting up an account can be found here.
High Bridge Elementary School
Website: https://www.pgcps.org/schools/high-bridge-elementary
Location: 7011 High Bridge Road, Bowie MD
Phone: 301-805-2690