Over the past four and half years, we have experienced many events that have had the potential to create divisive conversations or experiences. In an effort to build a more inclusive environment at Beall ES, we will not be hosting Halloween activities during the school day. Instead, each grade level will host a fall festival in the next couple of weeks. Historically, nearly 10 percent of our student body has been absent, left school early, or left their classroom during Halloween parties and parades due to religious or personal beliefs. As we reflect on our school mission and focus on improving our equitable practices, meeting the needs of all students, and removing barriers that negatively impact learning, we must continue to address routines and traditions that have proven to create an environment that excludes students. Classroom teachers will provide additional information regarding fall celebratory activities that will be planned for all students. These activities are likely to include group activities and games, snacks, and other opportunities for fun. However, we will avoid the usual Halloween decorations, costumes, and symbolism. We appreciate our staff and community support in creating a more inclusive school environment for all.

We are excited to share that the PTA will be hosting a Trunk or Treat Halloween activity on Saturday, October 26. The event is scheduled from 4:30-6:00 pm in the Beall parking lot. All families are invited to participate.

Beall is participating in global Walk to School day on Wednesday, October 9. Join children and adults around the world to celebrate the benefits of walking and biking.

Walk to School Day is an annual event to encourage families to walk or bike ride safely to school. Many families enjoy their mornings together as they walk daily. This is a great opportunity for students to see alternatives that are healthy for the family and environment. It is also an excellent way to model appropriate pedestrian behaviors including using crosswalks, staying on the sidewalk, obeying the rules of the road, and being aware of your surroundings.

The PTA will be supporting group walks to school from 3 different starting points. This should be an enjoyable walk. Please feel free to make signs and a lot of noise for the walk. Students usually begin gathering at the designated locations by 8:30 and plan to begin their walk by 8:40 am. We hope parents can join their children for this special day to make it a festive event.

We invite all students (and families) to join in community walks (or rolls). We often have visitors such as the Mayor, Council Members, Firefighters, Police Officers and other community figures join the walk. We encourage excitement, signs celebrating the event, and lots of noise to attract attention! Beall PTA Parents will be facilitating walks from several locations.

Join other Dragons for a fun walk to school!

• October 9- Walk to School Day
• October 9- Back to School Night for Kindergarten Parents
• October 10- PTA sponsored Parents Night Out
• October 17- PTA sponsored Movie Night
• October 18- No School for Students
• October 25- Open House/Dragon Dash
• October 26- PTA sponsored Trunk or Treat
• November 4- No School for Students (Professional Day)
• November 5- No School for Students (Election Day)
• November 7- PTA sponsored Beall Talent Show

Save the date...

We are excited to announce our annual Open House scheduled for Friday, October 25. Based on last year's, re-imagined model, we are enhancing this event to make it more accommodating to families and incorporate additional opportunities for parents beyond a classroom visit. Similar to last year, we will have multiple workshops that parents and caregivers can attend throughout the Open House event. This is a great opportunity to learn about our new reading curriculum, Eureka math, the School Improvement Plan (SIP), or simply enjoy conversation with other parents. Additional information will be shared later this month.

The event will be scheduled from 9:30 am-1:30 pm. However, parents and caregivers should plan on limiting their classroom visits to the traditional 30-45 minutes. This will give you time to attend a workshop or two, while providing enough space in classrooms throughout the day for other parents to visit. Guests are invited to join students outside for recess and/or outdoor dining. Unfortunately, due to limited space, we are unable to welcome guests in the cafeteria or classrooms if we must have indoor recess or dining. The Open House will come to an end at 1:30 pm. Following this event, parents and caregivers are invited to join us outside for the the PTA sponsored Dragon Dash (fun run) beginning at 2:00 pm. Help us cheer on all of our students as they run, walk, jog, hop, skip or simply stroll around the outside course. We are looking forward to a great day with our community!

In an effort to maintain a safe environment, we are requesting that parents planning to participate in our Open House pre-register and print out tickets for this event. (You will not need a ticket for the Dragon Dash, but will be expected to remain outside of the building.) This will also help us in reducing the sign-in lines and assist teachers preparing for your visit. We hope you will be able to join us! Additional information about pre-registering will be sent in a separate email.

The Heat is on...

Beginning the week of October 15, MCPS Maintenance will officially begin transitioning our system from air conditioning to heat. Once this happens, we will no longer have air conditioning in the building until the spring. Please help your child plan accordingly by dressing in layers. It is also important to label your child’s clothing. We recognize that it may be cool at the bus stop in the morning, but warm by recess.

Reminder: Label, Label, Label!

As the weather begins to turn cooler, students often shed their warm jackets, gloves, and sweatshirts during recess. As a result, our Lost & Found grows throughout the winter months. We encourage you to label jackets and sweatshirts. This will help us get your child’s belongings back to you. Please feel free to visit the lost and found if you are here for Parent Conferences next month.

This feedback represents one component of the development process incorporating feedback from our school community, including students, staff, and families. We will consider educational interests, operational needs, mandated school closures by state law, compliance with minimum instructional days and credit hour requirements, contingencies for inclement weather and other emergencies, staff professional days and early release days, alignment with assessment schedules, etc.

MCPS provides a school year calendar that allows for effective use of time for teaching and learning, for professional growth opportunities, and planning instructional strategies focused on improving student achievement, while maintaining our lens of equity for all students and commitment to community engagement.

Please limit to one response per person.

Please see the Policy IDA, School Year Calendar for more information about the School Year Calendar for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).

Click here to for survey.

Please join your neighbors in supporting the City of Rockville’s annual Holiday Drive. In what has become an annual tradition, businesses, individuals, civic groups, schools, foundations and the faith community all contribute time and resources to make the holidays special for the less fortunate in our area. Last year, we served 700 Rockville households, including senior citizens, for Thanksgiving and we served 1,200 children and teens in December. We would not be able to serve the needs of these families without the help that we receive from local businesses like yours! This year, we will be giving canned goods, produce, baked goods, and a gift card for Thanksgiving and toys, books, and gift card for children and teens for December.

As we approach this time of giving, I ask that you consider making a donation in one of the following ways:

• Send a contribution – Tax-deductible monetary contributions will be used to purchase gift cards for Thanksgiving and books and gift cards in December. Donations can be made online at www.rockvillemd.gov/holidaydrive. Checks can be made payable to the City of Rockville (please add Rockville Holiday Drive Fund in the memo line) and mailed to our Community Services Division office in Rockville’s City Hall, 111 Maryland Avenue, 1st Floor, Rockville, MD 20850.
• Donate gift cards: $25 Target for teens or $15 Giant Food for families for Thanksgiving. Gift cards can be dropped off at the same address as above.
• Volunteering – sort and bag produce and canned goods and/or books and toys for December; deliver. Go to City volunteer website to sign up (https://cityofrockville.galaxydigital.com/need).
• Donate goods: bring canned goods and/or books and toys to any city building.
  
  

Every gift, large or small, is used to support families in our community. Donations over $500 will be honored by the Rockville Mayor and Council through Rockville Reports. For more information about the Holiday Drive, please visit the website or call us at 240-314-8300. And, if you prefer to receive this letter via email going forward, please let us know by sending an email to hd@rockvillemd.gov. Thank you for helping to make the holidays special for everyone in Rockville!

It is not too late to join the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). The PTA supports Beall students in a variety of ways, including after -school programs, cultural arts programs, social activities, fundraising and parent workshops. The PTA also supports student learning by funding programs, technology and staff support. See their website for more information or registration forms.

http://www.beallpta.org/