Take a moment to #ThankATeacher during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 3-7.

Teachers change the lives of millions of children every day—and in a year where instruction has been virtual and in-person, their immense work and impact have provided a much-needed sense of community and connection.

Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, our educators have been working hard to ensure every Running Brook student has the tools they need to reach their full potential.

It’s easy to #ThankATeacher! Use a virtual thank-you card and send your teachers a message of appreciation.

Click one of the links below and send a smile to the teachers in your and/or your child's life!

CLICK HERE to send digital Thank-You Card

HAGA CLIC AQUÍ para enviar una tarjeta de agradecimiento digital

Looking for the email address of your student's teacher? Find it HERE.

The Running Brook Elem & Northfield Elementary Step Into Spring Virtual 5k & Fun Run Event is Here!

We are excited for the opportunity to get outside, get in some steps, and unite our school communities.

The Virtual 5k and Fun Run will commence on Sunday, May 16 and end on Monday, May 31 at midnight.

This event is free, and sign-up includes:

• A chance for raffle prizes for completing routes, miles, and/or total time spent moving

• A printable, optional scavenger hunt to complete during your run/walk

• Turn-by-turn directions for five different routes (1 mile near each school, 5k near each school, and a longer 7-mile challenge route connecting the schools). Participants can also complete miles on their own where they’d like.

• Access to a google form to submit your miles and times to be eligible for raffle prizes

• Optional printable race bib to wear during your runs/walks

You can preview the routes that will be marked here:

• Roadrunner Route (1 mile)

• Panther Path (1 mile)

• NES 5k (3.1 miles)

• RBES 5k (3.1 miles)

• 7-Mile Connection Challenge (7.3 miles)

Register for the event HERE

We’re so excited to get stepping together!

RBES & NES PTAs

There is truly a “Running Brook Way” that is distinct from that of other schools, and we are proud to have a school community that believes in the motto, “We Are Running Brook”!

- Anthony Esposito - Principal Running Brook Elementary School

So much growth in 50 YEARS and our motto shines through it all!

The Running Brook PTA is preparing a time capsule to recognize 50 years of RBES Excellence. We are looking for student contributions.

There are two ways to participate:

1. Submit a handwritten letter to a student in your grade 50 years from now. Include a description of what life is like as an RBES student today. Drawings are welcome and encouraged.

2. Submit a printed photograph of yourself during virtual schooling or out and about in Columbia this past year. Label the back of the photo with your name, grade and homeroom teacher. If students from more than one family are in the photo, please include parental permission from all parents and guardians.

Place your contributions in an envelope with your name and grade and drop off in the box labeled “Time Capsule Donations” located in-between the two sets of front doors to the school.

Contributions accepted through May 21st.

Questions? Contact your PTA at rbesptatreasurer@runningbrookpta.org.

The Time Capsule Ceremony will be LIVE STREAMED on June 2nd at 6pm.

We can't wait to celebrate the positive impact Running Brook has had on our community and its families. If Running Brook has played a part in your life directly or indirectly, won't you help us continue the tradition of fun, thoughtful education for the new generation?

Follow the Below Link For More Ways You Can Join in on the Celebration!

Happy 50th Running Brook!

The RBES PTA is asking for help in keeping our in-person students hydrated.

Between packing school books, Chromebooks, lunch bags and chargers there is bound to be something left behind. One of those things is a water bottle. With COVID safety restrictions, students are not able to simply go use the hall water fountains and with the temperatures rising, we want to make sure our students remain healthy and hydrated.

We are asking for donations of cases of water, bottle sizes between 8oz. and 16oz. that will be provided to students during the school day as needed.

Our total goal is to be able to provide the school with a minimum of 30 cases of water.

If you are able to help by donating a case of water, please drop it in the front vestibule of the school lobby or email us at rbesptapresident@runningbrookpta.org to arrange a donation pick up.

You can also donate funds for the water bottle drive using the link below.

April 2021

4/30 - GLOWCRAZY DANCE PARTY with the PTA via Zoom

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May 2021

5/3 to 5/7 - National Teacher Appreciation Week!

5/10 - PTA Meeting 7pm via Zoom

5/13 - Professional Learning Day. Schools closed.

5/16 to 5/31 - RBES & NES PTAs present: Step into Spring! A Virtual 5K & Fun Run Event.

5/31 - Memorial Day. Schools closed.

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June 2021

6/2 - RBES 50th Birthday Time capsule ceremony

6/7 - Final PTA Meeting of the Year 7pm via Zoom

6/8 - Last day for half-day Pre-K/RECC students

6/10 - Schools close 3 hours early

6/11 - Schools close 3 hours early

6/14 - Schools close 3 hours early

6/15 - Professional Work Day. Schools close 3 hours early. Last Day of School for Students.

Hello RBES!

As spring greets us with beautiful blooms and warm weather, the pollen is in overdrive and we are all bracing for the cicada apocalypse -- or at least I am.

But with all things in bloom we have the finish line for the school year in our sights and I am proud of all of us for making it through a historical year.

As the year draws to a close, a few housekeeping items:

• At the end of March, the National PTA revoked its affiliation with the state of Maryland over issues at the state level. This left the local PTAs like ourselves in the position to choose to become a PTO or stay aligned with National PTA as they worked to create a new state entity.
• We took a vote at the PTA last meeting that resulted in a yes vote to remain prepared and working directly with National PTA in the interim as they establish a new state entity.
• For our purposes and plans, everything will remain the same for the rest of the school year and for the foreseeable upcoming school year.
• We are in need of PTA board nominations for next year -- in particular, a PTA recording secretary and membership chair. The time commitment and duties are minimal. Please reach out if you have any interest in getting more involved and the current PTA would be happy to chat with you to discuss the positions.

Your continued support of initiatives for the students has been unmatched.

I hope through the programming we have led to date this school year the RBES PTA has found a way to reach out and help your student still feel connected to their teachers, classmates and school. We want to continue being that bridge and membership dues help us do that.

Thank you for continuing to partner with us and caring so abundantly about our students.

Stephanie Martin

RBES PTA President

We Are Running Brook - A collective of parents, grandparents, teachers, school staff, former students and the local community working together to enhance the lives of RBES students.

The RBES PTA was formed with the goal of helping enrich the learning experience and community at Running Brook Elementary School. We want to engage and connect parents and educators alike to build a better, stronger school community through student advocacy, programs, events, and fundraising.

Email: rbesptainfo@runningbrookpta.org
Website: www.runningbrookpta.org
Location: 5215 West Running Brook Road, Columbia, MD, USA
Phone: (410) 313-6893
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RunningBrookPTA/