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Oct 13 Staff Development Day: No School
Oct 20 Holiday: No School - Diwali
Oct 24 Book Character Dress Up Day
Oct 24 BINGOween, 6:30 p.m.
Oct 29 3 Hour Early Release: School Ends at 1:00 p.m.
Oct 31 2 Hour Early Release: School Ends at 2:00 p.m. - No Childcare
 Grade 4 students experience Bren Mar Park grounds as the authentic science experience about watersheds.
Hi BMP families! Ms. Kinsella and Ms. Walker have loved getting to know your students over the past two months. The 4th and 5th grade Chorus have begun rehearsals to prepare for our winter concert. Students have been studying new artists to celebrate Disability Awareness Month. In music class, we learn about the artists' life and how they got their start in music (often when they were the same age as our students!). We then dive into examples of their music and listen for dynamics, tempo, and instruments. It's a great way for students to celebrate and connect with musicians that have various backgrounds. We also have been focusing on songs and activities regarding the fall season. We are looking forward to two grade-level performances in the next month: the 5th Grade Orff Ensemble Assembly on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 3 PM and the 4th Grade Veteran's Day Assembly on Friday, November 7, 2025, at 10 AM.
Take Me Outside Day is on October 22nd and helps to raise awareness about outdoor learning by encouraging educators to take their learners outside. This FREE virtual event is an entire week full of activities, speakers, and prizes to encourage folks to head beyond the four walls of a classroom! Learn more about Take Me Outside Day and register.
FCPS is continuing to explore options for adjusting school start times, with the primary goal of beginning the middle school day at 8 a.m. or later. In order to minimize any costs associated with this change, elementary and high school start times would need to shift as well.
Providing feedback opportunities for the community is a critical part of this effort. Since 2024, FCPS’ consultant has hosted five community forums and administered two surveys. A new School Start Times Survey is open and includes two options that are designed to support student well-being, align with research, balance transportation logistics, and minimize costs.
The building and renovation of schools are not financed through the FCPS’ operating funds, but through bonds. Similar to an individual or a family obtaining a mortgage on a residence to spread the cost of home buying over several years, bonds spread the cost of major capital improvements over a number of years. This ensures that current and future residents and users share in the payment.
This approach is good for our taxes, too. If capital construction were financed out of current tax revenues on a pay-as-you-go basis, projects would need to be paid for in a much shorter time frame, likely reducing other county services or necessitating tax increases. Fortunately, the county’s bonded debt is not likely to be a contributing factor to any increase in local taxes.
A bond referendum to benefit FCPS will be on the ballot this Election Day, Tuesday, November 4. It represents an investment by the community into the facilities everyone uses — whether for school or to gather as a community.
Read more about the FCPS 2025 Bond Referendum. Learn more about registering to vote. Make a voting plan and vote on Tuesday, November 4.
Attendance is an important life skill that will help your child later in life. It’s a good habit to build now to help them graduate from college on time and routinely report to work on time once they have a career.
Please take a look at the FCPS Calendar. Try to schedule any trips or family events on weekends and school holidays. Every day of learning is a day toward success. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students who are absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered “chronically absent.”
When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or appointment, you must report the absence to our school.
Benchmark Unit 2 in Language Arts is coming to a close! Over the last several weeks, our students have learned, read, and written about different characters in stories and their own personal sense of character.
Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:
- Question: How does the way you act change the way you think about yourself?
- Activity: Draw a new cover for a favorite book featuring the main character in a key moment.
At the end of the unit, your child will take their unit magazine home. The magazine includes an activity calendar with fun ways to help students build on what they’re learning at each grade level. You can also find information on how to support your child’s reading at home on the Benchmark Families website.
Staff and students are welcome to dress up as their favorite book character at school.
 No Cost Meals to Children on Monday, October 13, 2025
Location: Bren Mar Park, in the kindergarten pod
Date: Monday, October 13, 2025
Service Window: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Meals Provided: One lunch and one snack at no cost to each child (18 and under)
Meal Requirements: Meals must be eaten on site at participating schools
Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! At FCPS, parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school and in life.
A series of Community Conversations are being held across the school division to discuss current challenges and future opportunities. These events are also a chance for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events are planned for the following dates from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.:
Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all.
 Meet BMP Mental Wellness Team
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