Bren Mar Park PTA Newsletter Week 17 - Boundary Review URGENT update, Fall Fundraiser Results, and upcoming events

Hello Mustang Families,

I hope you enjoyed the Thanksgiving weekend! Please check out the below, including a time-sensitive opportunity for us to —once again— speak out against a proposed boundary change for BMP's middle and high school!

1. Possible Change to Bren Mar Park's MS/HS Boundary

Last week, we learned about a possible new boundary change that was not yet publicly announced, with the changes as follows:

- Change our Middle School to Key Middle School (6402 Franconia Rd)

- Change our High School to Lewis High School (6540 Franconia Rd)

- Change Bren Mar Park to K-6

Despite lacking key details (including for example what the AAP center would be or official announcements as to why they are making this change), I was also informed that the last day to submit written feedback is this Friday, 12/5, and that there will be one last meeting of boundary committee representatives next week.

In summary, if you have a strong opinion on this, the most impactful thing you can do is send one or more emails (and encourage fellow families to send emails) to all of the following people (Superintendent, School Board, Boundary Committee Representatives) with your opinion by the end of day on Friday, December 5th. Substance aside, the lack of transparency or opportunity to comment publicly on this is something I think we can all agree is not acceptable for our community. You can send one email to Dr. Reid and cc everyone, or you can send multiple emails, that is up to you!

Dr. Reid - mcreid@fcps.edu

Dr. Boyd - mboyd@fcps.edu

Distric	School Board Member	Email
At-Large	Ryan McElveen	rlmcelveen@fcps.edu
At-Large	Ilryong Moon	IMoon@fcps.edu
At-Large	Kyle McDaniel	rkmcdaniel@fcps.edu
Braddock	Rachna Sizemore Heizer	rsizemorehei@fcps.edu
Dranesville	Robyn Lady	ralady1@fcps.edu
Franconia	Marcia St. John-Cunning	mstjohncunni@fcps.edu
Hunter Mill	Melanie Meren	mkmeren@fcps.edu
Mason	Dr. Ricardy Anderson	rjanderson@fcps.edu
Mt. Vernon	Mateo Dunne	mdunne@fcps.edu
Providence	Karl Frisch	kvfrisch@fcps.edu
Springfield	Sandy Anderson	sbanderson@fcps.edu
Sully	Seema Dixit	sdixit@fcps.edu

Region	Pyramid	BRAC Member	Email
2	Falls Church	Stephanie Felton Downor	fcpsboundaryfallschurch3@gmail.com
		Charla Ouertatani	FallsChurchBRACRep1@gmail.com
2	Justice	Bruce Allison	FCPSBoundaryJustice1@gmail.com
		Ann-Marie Ward	fcpsboundaryjustice2@gmail.com
2	McLean	Bo Du	FCPSBoundaryMcLean1@gmail.com
		Bingyi Xiang	FCPSBoundaryMcLean2@gmail.com
6	Annandale	Lucas Castanos	fcpsboundaryannandale1@gmail.com
		Jacqueline Chevalier Mosely	annandalepyramidbracrep@gmail.com
6	Hayfield	Lynesha Brown	fcpsboundaryhayfield1@gmail.com
		Shaneika Rice	FCPSBoundaryHayfield3@gmail.com
6	Lewis	Jenni L. House	FCPSBoundaryLewis2@gmail.com
		Adam Polite	FCPSBoundaryLewis1@gmail.com

We will still review your feedback at our survey here, but again, the best thing to do now is to email all of the relevant people multiple times.

Please see below a draft email that you could use as the basis for the email, if you would like:

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Subject: Comment on new proposed Bren Mar Park ES redistricting to Key MS/Lewis HS

Dear Dr. Reid and FCPS Leadership,

My name is [NAME] and I am a [parent/guardian/staff/community member] at Bren Mar Park Elementary School. I recently became aware of a new boundary proposal that would redistrict our community from Holmes MS/Edison HS to Key MS/Lewis HS. This option was not previously presented as a possible scenario for community consideration. I am writing to oppose this change and urge you to not adopt a last-minute proposal without offering meaningful opportunities for public community feedback and a clear explanation of the rationale behind it.

In 2011, Bren Mar Park was already moved once to address overcrowding. Although our school is located in region 6, we were redistricted to Edison HS to help alleviate crowding at Annandale HS. Now, because Edison HS is projected to be at borderline moderate capacity deficit (106% in 2030), Bren Mar Park is again being targeted for redistricting—this time into a different region entirely, requiring travel across the 395/495 interchange. It is not fair for our community to be treated as the one "on call" to absorb boundary shifts whenever another school faces enrollment pressure.

This concern is heightened by the lack of transparency in the process and the absence of public discussion about this specific proposal. Capacity data also raises questions about whether this redistricting is truly the most reasonable or equitable option. Edison HS's projected capacity deficit (107% currently, 106% by 2030) is significantly lower than West Springfield HS, which borders the Lewis HS attendance area and is expected to exceed 120% capacity by 2030. (See https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/pdf/Adopted-Capital-Improvement-Program-FY-2026%E2%80%9330.pdf at slide 72)

It is unclear why communities feeding West Springfield HS—some of which are adjacent to the Lewis HS boundary—are not being considered for redistricting instead, given the more urgent capacity concerns at that school. For these reasons, I respectfully urge you to reconsider this proposal or, at a minimum, delay any vote until additional details are shared and our community has the chance to engage in a meaningful public comment process.

Sincerely,

[INSERT NAME]

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2.Family Survey for PTA funds (due December 4th at 11:59pm)

Ø The survey is still open! Please fill out the survey here. Based on the feedback we receive, we will prepare a proposed updated budget by our December 9th PTA meeting for approval and voting. Our tentative proposal would include funding for at least five free before and after-school programs, significantly increased field trip support, and improvements to the school's post-construction electronic marquee.

3. Fall for Our Mustangs Fall Fundraiser Conclusion and prizes

Ø Thanks to your generosity and enthusiasm, we are pleased to announce that we raised a record $22,374.67 for our school PTA! Thank you to the BMP staff and volunteers who all helped make this happen, including Principal Williams (and her blue hair) and Ms. Domingo for helping make our kickoff special. Special shoutout to our top fundraiser, Aria N., and our runner-up Richie K., for a truly spectacular fundraising effort. The teacher lunch bunches and donut parties are currently being planned and are expected to happen over the next few weeks.

Ø Save the Date: December 16, 2025 at 5:00pm in front of the school - We will hold our grand prize raffle in front of the school, recognize our top winners and grades, and then have our bubble party, magician, and light up BMP dance show. If you have not yet picked up your prizes, this will be an opportunity for you to do so.

Ø Please see below the final rankings and make sure to recognize our superstar little Mustangs. Please note that we are giving Mr. Clock and Ms. Meade's class a tie for first place for most funds raised, so both classes will receive the pizza party and bragging rights. (Mr. Clock's class technically won as they had the highest amount at the 11:59pm deadline on Dec. 1. However, Ms. Meade's class received donations after midnight on Dec. 2, before we turned the fundraiser off. In light of this, both classes will receive the top prize).

4. Upcoming Events

Ø December 9 - PTA Meeting at 4:30pm with pizza/dinner provided, followed by BMP Family Science Night

Ø December 12 - Family Coffee

Ø December 15 - Deadline for AAP applications to Ms. Yetta Williams

Ø December 16 - Light Up BMP fundraiser celebration, followed by School Winter Celebration

Ø December 18 - Restaurant Fundraiser Night at Taste of Asia

Ø December 19 - Pajama Day and last day of school before break!

5. Picture of the Week

Thanks to Becky, Maria, and our other volunteers who are stepping up to help at school!

6. Gifts for your Teachers

It's the holiday season! Don't forget to show appreciation to your teachers and staff (including Special teachers!). Whether it's a kind word or note, a drawing from a student, a special treat, or a generous gift, all are appreciated during the holiday season. We surveyed our teachers to determine favorites (and allergies) so if you want some ideas please check out the survey results here. If you don't see a teacher listed, send them a reminder to fill out the survey! It's in their email inboxes.

If you're looking for gift card ideas, please note that Target is having its annual 10% discount on Target gift cards this Saturday and Sunday 12/5-12/6!

PTA Member-only perks

Ø Staff Directory [Available here]

Ø Parent Guide [Available here]

Ø Teacher Appreciation Survey [Available here]

Ø School curriculum summary [Coming Soon]

Follow the relevant socials!

Ø The Bren Mar Park School Facebook and Instagram have the cutest photos and videos of learning happening at our school

Ø Follow our BMP PTA Facebook Page

Ø Join the Bren Mar Park Parents Facebook Group

Ø Join the Bren Mar Community Group

Become a Level 3 FCPS volunteer

Ø Register with FCPS to become a school volunteer here (You must be a Level 3 volunteer to become a field trip chaperone).

Ø Our PTA has created a step-by-step guide to completing the application here. Please note the process is changing so there may be updates not currently reflected in the PTA guide.

Become a member of the BMP PTA

Ø Renew your 2025-2026 PTA membership here if you have not done so already

Download Boxtops and scan your receipts

Ø We have raised $1,076.00 so far for our school! Thank you to all who have downloaded the app and scanned receipts. You can still download the app here and scan receipts!

Ø Don't want the app? Drop your receipts off in the receipt collection box available in the library and at the front office. Please reach out to our boxtop coordinator, Laurel, if you have any questions!

Have a great day, and please email us at pta@bmppta.org if you have any questions or concerns!

Best,

The Bren Mar Park Elementary School

Parent Teacher Association

EIN 54-1516298

6344 Beryl Road

Alexandria, VA 22312

bmppta.org

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