Welcome to the BRES PTA News! Get your latest news from the PTA on upcoming events and timely topics. You can also check out this information and more at our website: brespta.org

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Enjoy our March issue! Reach out if you’d like to join our PTA newsletter team: communications@brespta.org.

A Note from the BRES PTA President

Welcome Spring!

March 20 marks the first day of Spring. We’re looking forward to warmer days. More sun. And with that, more outdoor family activities. We also have a lot to look forward to for the rest of the school year at BRES!

In March, we will:

-celebrate the announcement of the permanent BRES Principal with an ice cream social

-encourage future kindergarten students to start registering for next school year

-recognize the important contributions of Bayard Rustin 

-thank teachers and staff with “Snacks for Staff” weeks

-dine out at Wendy’s and raise PTA funds

-continue planning for spring after school programs (take our survey now!)

-engage with science, technology, engineering and math activities during STEM Day in-school

-continue sharing information about overcrowding at BRES

-begin the nomination process for the future BRES PTA Board.

Please plan to get involved with one more of these activities. It takes the participation of all parents and guardians to keep our school great!

Warm wishes,

Jen Strohm, BRES PTA President

Here is a checklist so you don’t miss anything:

• Attend the BRES PTA meeting online on Tuesday, March 1 at 6:30 p.m. and learn more about overcrowding, provide your input, and get involved

• Sign-up to donate snacks for “Snacks for Staff” week

• Know a family with a future kindergartener? Encourage them to plan now to register for 2022-2023

• Consider running for the next BRES PTA Board or being on the nominating committee

Upcoming Events

• March 1: PTA General Body Meeting: Focus on Advocacy

• March 7: Snacks for Staff Hosted by Kindergarten and First Grade Families

• March 11: Early release day

• March 16: Free After-School Family Ice Cream Social

• March 17: Bayard Rustin Day (in-school activities)

• March 19: Third Grade Playdate 3 p.m. Falls Road Park

• March 21: Snacks for Staff Hosted by Second and Third Grade Families

• March 24: Dine Out Night at Wendy’s

• March 25: STEM Day (in-school activities)

• April 4: Snacks for Staff Hosted by Fourth and Fifth Grade Families

• April 5: April PTA Meeting

School and PTA News

BRES PTA Meeting - Tuesday, March 1: Focus on Overcrowding Advocacy

BRES continues to welcome new families to our community and has now exceeded 790 students, which is the capacity number MCPS stated in this year’s Capital Improvements Program (CIP). As you may recall from previous emails, BRES was originally built to hold 740 students and exceeded that number in November. And with new development and new families moving into existing homes, that number likely will continue to increase.

Please plan to join the BRES PTA Meeting on Tuesday, March 1 at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom to hear the latest from Mrs. West as well as plans from our PTA Advocacy committee of parents. This is the meeting to get more information, have your questions answered, and provide your input on a PTA workplan of proposed future ideas to raise awareness and ultimately address overcrowding. 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86800838892?pwd=ajVJamJpTUNBTTdlY3piRXVjM0NnZz09

Meeting ID: 868 0083 8892

Passcode: BRES

We Need YOU: BRES PTA Nominating Committee

It's that time of year to help us fill the slate for our 2022-2023 PTA Board. If you are interested in learning more about the Board roles available or would like to volunteer to be on the nominating committee please email info@brespta.org. The slate of new officers will be voted on in either the May or June PTA meeting.

Share Your Feedback: After School Programs at BRES

In an effort to bring our students the best options for after school programs we would like to better understand your family’s needs. Participation and inclusion for all interests is our goal!  Please complete this brief, five- question survey asap but no later than Monday, March 21. 

As volunteers and parents in the school, we really appreciate everyone's feedback! 

English- https://forms.gle/ojG57nzwgDjkazWc9

Spanish- https://forms.gle/x261KWX3SFc3ebq29

Support Snacks for Staff in March and April!

We all know how hard the teachers and staff at our school work. In order to save them time and bring extra cheer to their day, let’s stock the staff lounge with drinks and individually packed snacks! Each grade will sponsor a week. Sign-up today! 

March 7- Kindergarten and First Grades

March 21 - Second and Third Grades

April 4 - Fourth and Fifth Grades

Signup Genius:

K/1: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094faca82ea2f94-snacks

2/3: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094faca82ea2f94-snacks1

4/5: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094faca82ea2f94-snacks2

Free After School Ice Cream Social - Wednesday, March 16

Help us celebrate the announcement of the permanent BRES Principal. Join the PTA for a free ice cream social on the playground directly after school.

March 24 Dine Out Night: Wendy’s

Show your support for Bayard Rustin Elementary PTA

by bringing the family out to the Wendy's® at

808 Rockville Pike

Thursday, March 24th

Drive Thru: 6:30a.m.-9:00p.m./Dining Room: 10:30a.m.-7:00p.m.

20% donation is applied on any breakfast, lunch or dinner order when this

flyer is presented digitally or on paper at the register

Spring Playdates for Third Graders - March 19

Third grade families are organizing a spring playdate at Fall Road Park from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, March 19. This is a casual opportunity for third-grade students and parents to reconnect. All students attending must be supervised by an adult.

If other grades wish to host similar playdates this spring, please contact info@brespta.org for support in getting the word out.

Keep Our BRES Community Healthy and Safe with Free COVID-19 Vaccines and Boosters

If you have not yet vaccinated your child, we HIGHLY recommend everyone (5+) get vaccinated. MCPS is partnering with the county’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Care For Your Health to offer a number of free vaccination clinics for children at schools and county sites. To see available sites and to register, visit this website: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/Coronavirus/Vaccinations/

Maryland State Board Decision on Statewide Mask Mandate

On February 22, the Maryland State Board of Education voted to rescind the statewide mask mandate in schools. The decision was then approved by the General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review. Decisions about face masking requirements will now be made by local school districts.

Montgomery County Board of Education to Address Mask Mandate on March 8

The Montgomery County Board of Education will address the mask mandate at its March 8 business meeting. Stay tuned for more information here.

Anti-Racist Audit

Montgomery County Public Schools’ anti-racist audit is a district-wide review to inform MCPS on its ongoing work and commitment to address racial and systemic barriers in the school district. All students in Grade 4 through Grade 12 will take an age-appropriate, anonymous survey in school between March 1 and March 31 related to the audit. Each school will decide on the date to administer the survey. You can read more here.

Enrichment Update

Montgomery County Council of PTAs (MCCPTA) Gifted Ed Committee (GEC) shared Montgomery County Public Schools’ recognition for the need and commitment to expand the Enriched Literacy Curriculum (ELC) to more elementary schools. To learn more and advocate for MCPS rollout to all schools, check out GEC’s slides and BoE testimony here.

Save-the-date: Board of Education Candidates’ Forum April 25th 

This virtual forum will be hosted by the League of Women Voters of Montgomery County and co-sponsored by MCCPTA and other non-profits. Be an informed voter and listen to how candidates running for the BoE respond to issues that matter to you. More information forthcoming. 

Sports at BRES: Winter and Spring!

There are still spots available for our fantastic after school programs! These sports offerings are taking place now, and again in the spring. Learn more here, and see more after school activities here.

Updates to the School Calendar 

In case you missed it, MCPS shared their plan to make up instructional days missed as a result of inclement weather. The updates to the school calendar are as follows:

• Friday, April 1, 2022, originally scheduled as a professional day will be an early release day for all students.

• The 2021–2022 school year will be extended at least two more days to include: Thursday, June 16th and Friday, June 17th.

• June 15th, previously scheduled as an early release day will be a full instructional day.

• June 17th will now be the last instructional day for students, and will be an early release day.

Spring Concert Bake Sale Table 

Patti Westenberg is looking for volunteers to lead the Spring Concert Bake Sale table on Wednesday, May 18 in the evening. Email Programs@brespta.org for more information about this one time event.

Spring Book Fair Family Night

Patti Westenberg is looking for volunteers to help with the planning of the Spring Book Fair Family Night Thursday, May 19 from 4-7 p.m. Email Programs@brespta.org for more information about this one time event.

End of Year Picnic

Patti Westenberg is looking for organizers and ideas for Thursday, June 16  End of Year Picnic 4:30-7 p.m. Food trucks? DJ? Llamas?! Email Programs@brespta.org

Kindergarten Registration

Interested in volunteering for kindergarten registration? Or have any great ideas that you would like to share? Please contact Mindy (membership@brespta) to get involved. Volunteer efforts could include hanging up flyers, posting online, and more.

BRES Yearbook

Interested in helping support a great BRES Yearbook? Email info@brespta.org to get involved.