4th - Schools Close 3 Hours Early - 3rd Marking Period Ends

11th - Muffins with Mom & Dad 8 - 8:30 am

14th - 21st - Schools Closed - Spring Break

23rd - PTA Meeting 5:45 pm

24th - Report Cards Distributed

25th - Coffee Talk with Principal Goldbloom

25th - Pre-K and Kindergarten Conference Day - No School for PS 3, PK4, and Kindergarten Students

28th - Pre-K Conference Day - No School for PS 3 or PK 4 Students

Hello BHES Families,

Please remember that the safety of our students is our top priority. All visitors should be prepared to state their name, child's name, and purpose or visiting before being buzzed into the office. Please do not pass the door to the person behind you. Each person must be individually buzzed into our school.

Spring Break will begin at the end of the school day on Friday, April 11th. Schools will be closed from Monday, April 14th through Monday, April 21st. We will return to school on Tuesday, April 22nd for a full day schedule. I hope that everyone has a safe and happy Spring Break!

Thank you,

Mrs. Goldbloom

Join us for our Pre-K and Kindergarten registration at Baltimore Highlands Elementary and give your little one a strong start in their educational journey!

Date: May 8, 2025

Time: 9 am - 2 pm and 4:30 - 6 pm

Please call the school office at 443-809-0919 for an appointment to come in on May 8th to register.

Who can register?

• Children who will be 4 years old by September 1, 2025 for Pre-k
• Children who will be 5 years old by September 1, 2025 for Kindergarten

What to bring?

• Birth Certificate
• Proof of Residency (Lease or proof of home ownership, 3 pieces of mail dated within the past 60 days, Photo ID)
• Immunization Records

Why enroll in Pre-K?

• Early learning in a fun, nurturing environment
• Social and academic development
• Experienced and caring teachers

We can't wait to welcome our newest Bulldogs!

Pre-K

This is an exciting month for Pre-K! We are starting to learn all about gardening and how to become a gardener. We are also learning about people in our community and how we can help in many ways. We are continuing to learn about expressing our emotions and new emotions that we have read about in our stories. We will be wrapping up our letters this month by learning about the letters Yy, Ww, and Zz and the sound they make. We will continue to work on segmenting sounds in words and start to blend those sounds together. We are also working on producing rhyming words. In Math, we are continuing to count to 20, write our numbers, our 2D and 3D shapes and making sets. We are looking forward to a great Spring Break and hope to see many pictures of our kiddos playing outside in this amazing weather.

Kindergarten

This month in Kindergarten ELA we will be moving into module 7 - Zoom It! In this module students will be determining what else we can learn about things by looking closely. We will be using our senses to explore and connect with the world around us. In Math, we will be in Unit 8. In this unit we will be diving deeper into place value to build, count, and compare numbers. We will also begin to explore measuring and estimating. Content this month will be Science. In science we will be learning about animal habitats. Specifically, that of a squirrel.

Helpful tips for Phonics: Please practice reviewing sight words with your child nightly. This will help them to become more fluent readers. Thank you!!

1st Grade

Happy April! Hope everyone is doing fantastic! In Math, we are working on addition and subtraction within 20. Students are learning place value and how to use place value to count to 120 using 1s, 5s, and 10s. We are starting a new Science unit called "Making Waves". Students will explore the ways to design and build a communication device to include in each classroom emergency bag. The device must use light and/or sound to communicate. In Phonics, we will continue to learn letter sounds and spellings. We will continue to work on long vowels and their many spellings as well as sound such as oo, oi, and aw. Continue to work with your child to recognize and spell words with these letters. In Reading, we have started our eighth module called "Tell Me a Story" and will be learning classic tales and contemporary stories as they get to know storytellers from long ago and from the present. Students will deepen their understanding of the lessons stories can teach, such as the importance of resilience in the face of challenges. In Writing, we will be writing another personal narrative. This time students will write about how people have helped them solve a problem. Hope you have an amazing month and let us know if you have any questions!

2nd Grade

Reading- In ELA over the next three weeks, our class will be learning about what plants need to grow, thrive, and survive. We will read about a plant's basic needs, how those needs are met, and what happens if they are not met. Students will also write a procedural text that describes chronological steps to follow in order to complete an activity.

Math- In Math this unit, your child will estimate, measure, and compare the lengths of objects in centimeters and meters; split whole shapes into 2, 3, 4, or 8 equal parts called halves, thirds, fourths/quarters, or eighths and solve, pose, and write addition, subtraction, and money story problems involving 2 and 3 digit numbers.

3rd Grade

Reading- This month we will be finishing Unit 7, our invention unit. Throughout this unit we have been learning about different inventors and how we use their inventions today. We will be culminating this unit with a research project on an invention we use every day. At the end of the month, we will be starting Unit 8, where we will explore how our food gets to our grocery stores and homes.

Math- In the month of April, we will be finishing Unit 6, our geometry unit and moving into Unit 7. In Unit 7, we will take our multiplication and fraction concepts further by learning how to multiply two by one-digit numbers, dissecting fractions, and using fractions in real world scenarios.

4th Grade

ELA - Module 10 "Communication" Module 9 - In April, our 4th graders will listen to, read, and view a variety of texts that will provide them with the skills and knowledge about communication. We will read a variety of informational texts that will give us an opportunity to identify text and graphic features, central ideas, and media techniques. These strategies will develop our ability to understand unfamiliar texts. Students will also encounter narrative nonfiction and realistic fiction which builds their knowledge of both genres. This module will allow students to synthesize topic knowledge in order to learn that throughout history. We transition into Module 9, we will learn about conservation. Students will dive into persuasive texts that will provide students with opportunities to identify ideas and support, text and graphic features, and author's craft to better understand unfamiliar texts. We will read graphic novels, realistic fiction, and a biography. Students will have a better understanding of working together to preserve our planet and it's natural resources.

Math - Unit 7 "Reviewing & Extending Fractions, Decimals, and Multi-Digit" - This month in Math, our 4th graders will review and extend skills and concepts in several foundational skills. These standards are major standards for our students. Students will refine their skills at recognizing and generating equivalent fractions. They will compare fractions that have unlike denominators. The focus will be benchmark fractions such as halves. We will continue to module and transition into reviewing some strategies they have developed for multi-digit multiplication. We will also explore standard multiplication algorithm.

5th Grade

Reading- In 5th grade, we will be making connections in science by turning our attention to unsolved mysteries. Students will get a chance to listen, read, and view a variety of texts and media that present them with information about mysteries. Our genre focuses on mystery to provide students with opportunities to make inferences, to make and confirm predictions, and to identify literary elements and figurative language in order to better understand unfamiliar texts. Students will also encounter informational text to build knowledge across genres. To better help your child, try discussing different types of intriguing mysteries from their culture or famous mysteries around the world and the different methods people use to try to solve them.

Math- In this unit, students will continue focusing on division, including its relationship to multiplication. In previous units, students work with problem strings to find partial quotients as they divide 3 and 4 digit dividends by 2 digit divisors. They have also investigated scenarios involving rates such as cups of fruit per pizza and minutes it takes to run a mile and they focused on sharing and grouping interpretations of division. During this module, students also solve and discuss a wide variety of division story problems, including problems that require decisions about how to handle the remainders. They will also review and extend their thinking about the effects of multiplying and dividing by powers of 10. Be sure to practice division word problems at home and have students explain their reasonings on how they found their answers.

SPRING is in the air and so is the spirit of GROWTH. This month we will focus on Positive Thinking and the power of Affirmations. Sometimes, our students stay stuck in a negative thought or feeling. It is important to teach kids how to change these thoughts and feelings into positive and more uplifting ones. When we learn new skills, it does require practice. Check out this video link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Om6-wakQ4CU

Practice saying these positive affirmations with your students. A positive attitude truly can change everything. Doggyland has a variety of videos on YouTube that the students really enjoy singing to and repeating the words and sentences. It is a great way to start or end the day. The character strengths that we will be highlighting in our daily morning meetings during April are fairness, self-discipline, good judgement, and optimism. The students will learn more about each strength through a variety of activities, videos and games. Ms. Phipps and Mrs. Bradham will be teaching classroom guidance lessons on coping skills. In PK-2nd grades, the students will identify big feelings, learn and practice positive ways to handle the feelings, and learn calming strategies. In grades 3-5, the students will examine multiple stress management strategies to develop healthy coping skills that include talking to a trusted adult. They will also learn healthy and unhealthy friendship attributes in order to analyze their own personal friendships. They will also learn ways to cope with and resolve conflict. If you need to contact the counselors, please email or call Ms. Phipps (PK-2nd Grades) pphipps@bcps.org 443-809-2473 or Mrs. Bradham (grades 3-5) bbradham@bcps.org 443-809-1053.

We have been having competitions between grade levels and classrooms to help encourage our students to come to school every day. Regular school attendance is essential for our children's success. When students attend school consistently, they build strong learning habits, stay engaged with their peers, and develop the skills they need for future academic achievement. Thank you for your continued partnership in making school attendance a priority.

Did you know? On average, children ages 8-12 in the United States spend 4-6 hours a day watching or using screens, and teens spend up to 9 hours. While screens can entertain, teach, and keep children occupied, too much use may lead to problems. What's important is the quality of kids' content, how your kids engage with it, and balancing their time with and without screens in ways that are healthy and support their development.

Phones and devices are a major part of a kid's daily routine and that extends to nighttime as well. In fact, over half of preteens and teens surveyed by Common Sense reported using their phones overnight. Not getting enough sleep can affect children's physical and mental health.Staying up too late can even impact their attention, behavior, and development. When it comes to screens and sleep, there are a few things to remember:

• Blue light at night interrupts natural sleep rhythms. It's best to avoid it before bed. (Blue light from the sun keeps us alert during the day. The highly concentrated blue light from screens does the same thing.)
• Just using a device is stimulating. Using screens before bed makes it harder to fall asleep, because they keep your brain alert when it should be winding down.

Screens and ever-evolving technology are here to stay and can offer many positives as well. It's never too early to develop a screen-time plan with your family. Let your children share their ideas and concerns. Some additional tips to keep in mind are included below and helpful guidelines for limiting screen time for young kids. Pay attention to how your kids act during and after watching TV, playing video games, or hanging out online. There's no need to worry as long as:

• They're using high-quality and age-appropriate content.
• Their behavior is positive.
• Screen time is balanced with other parts of life like sleep, connecting with family and friends, and time outdoors. If you're worried about too much time on devices, consider creating a schedule that works for your family.
• Include limits on how long kids can use devices, the kinds of devices they can use, and the types of activities or programs they can choose.
• Get kids' input so the plan teaches critical thinking skills and self-regulation.
• Find out what they like to watch, introduce new shows and apps for them to try, or plan a family movie night.
• Create screen time free zones like at dinner time, while studying, or before bed.
• Consider using content filtering, privacy settings, and time limits offered by the apps and platforms your family uses to help manage access and exposure to media.

Please see the links below for help setting limits on Apple and Android devices.

Please call our health office with any questions at 443-809-6063 or email our school nurse, Mrs. Grisley, at lgrisley@bcps.org.

Spring Break is only two weeks away! Whew! After Spring Break, the school year picks up speed and the calendar grows with more opportunities for students and families! Look at all the exciting offerings!

Tuesday, April 8th, 3:45 pm

Fresh Produce Distribution - Pick up boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables after dismissal from the side parking lot while supplies last!

Wednesday, April 9th, 5:30-7:30 pm

The Lansdowne Collaborative Career Fair at Lansdowne High School - Come meet business and employment resource representatives to learn more about job opportunities and work development opportunities in our area! There will be a shuttle bus from the event throughout the evening for families without transportation.

Wednesday, April 23rd, 3:45-5 pm

Shared Decision Making Team - Come and make sure your opinions and ideas are heard as we look at school data and make decisions about our school!

Tuesday, May 6th, 5:30- 7 pm

Baltimore Highlands Elementary 3rd Annual Health Fair! - Come meet representatives from different Health and Wellness organizations to learn about great resources to help your family stay happy and healthy!

As always, if you have questions, other concerns, or would like to know more, call or text Jill Savage at 443-885-0792 or email at jsavage@bcps.org.