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We are a family.
We are capable.
We are caring.
We all belong!
 Kindergarten students showing their holiday spirit
Dec. 23 - Jan. 03 No School - Winter Break
Jan. 06 School back in session, doors open at 9:00 a.m.
Jan. 09 Family Market, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Jan. 20 No School - MLK, Jr. Holiday
Jan. 29 No School - Teacher Workday
Jan. 30 Title 1 Family Night: Celebrating Cultural Stories, 6:00 p.m.
We are thrilled to announce the selected Outstanding BMP Staff of the Year for the 2024-25 school year!
Outstanding Principal: Elizabeth Williams, principal
Outstanding Leader: LaTonya Floyd, assistant principal
Outstanding Teacher (3+ year): Kim Robinson, grade 1 teacher
Outstanding New Year (3 or less years): Ben Clock, grade 3 teacher
Outstanding Professional: Mona Chweikani, sped ed instructional assistant
Outstanding Operational: Nora Joy, social worker
Many thanks to the families and staff who nominated # staff members for this special recognition:
Mo Abughaliah, student monitor Jose Fonseca, custodian
Amna Al Jaad, gr 2 teacher Heather Hale, gr 4 teacher
Stacy Birkenstock, k teacher Brandon Harding, gr 3 teacher
Scarlett Bishop, k teacher Monica Holmes, IDS teacher
Ariel Brathewaite, counselor Tia Jenkins, gr 5 teacher
Jackie Camargo, registrar Anne Jennings, gr 4 teacher
Shawreika Carter, school health aide Alice Lim, instructional assistant
Megan Chu, gr 1 teacher Karlina Molina Lozano, ID teacher
Michelle Domingo, PE teacher Diana McGeough, PreK teacher
Tonya Edlow, Preschool Autism teacher Mogy Pazoki, instructional assistant
Leanne Entz, gr 2 teacher Caroline Shampang, gr 3 teacher
Denise Fields, Spec Ed Dept Chair Mayra Velasco, front office
As we approach winter break, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the important work we’ve been doing in school counseling to support your child’s growth. This year, we've focused on helping students understand their emotions and behaviors using strategies like the Zones of Regulation. This tool helps students identify and manage their feelings by categorizing them into different "zones" based on their emotional state, allowing them to better understand and cope with their emotions. In addition to emotional awareness, we’ve also reinforced key school expectations like respect, responsibility, and safety to create a positive and productive learning environment. We've emphasized the importance of regular attendance, as consistent participation plays a crucial role in a student’s success.
As we head into winter break, we encourage you to continue supporting your child’s social and emotional development at home. Here are a few tips for fostering emotional well-being during the break:
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Talk About Emotions: Regularly check in with your child about how they’re feeling. Helping them name their emotions is an important step in developing emotional awareness.
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Calming Strategies: Teach and practice calming techniques like deep breathing, counting to ten, or taking a quiet break when they feel overwhelmed.
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Encourage Kindness and Empathy: Remind your child of the importance of using kind words with others and themselves and encourage them to practice empathy in their interactions.
By continuing to reinforce these concepts at home, you’re helping your child build the emotional tools they need to thrive both in school and in life. We wish you and your family a peaceful and enjoyable winter break!
We’ll soon begin preparation for phase 1 construction, to include the 2-story addition to our current building. Interested in learning more? Please join us on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. to learn more! Details about in-person and virtual participation will come soon.
Bren Mar Park is hosting its annual Celebrating Cultural Stories Night in January 2025. This is an evening event that encourages students to experience new cultures by listening to stories in different languages. We welcome all community members to volunteer to read to the students in their home language. If you are interested in volunteering to read aloud for Celebrating Cultural Stories Night, please contact our Family Liaison, Belle Arze, at bbarze@fcps.edu for more details.
The FCPS winter break is from December 23, 2024 - January 3, 2025. There is no school for students during winter break. School is back in session for students starting Monday, January 6, 2025. Doors open at 9:00 a.m.
During winter break, the office is open the public for these dates and times:
Monday, December 23 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 24 - 30 Closed to the Public
Tuesday, December 31- Wednesday, January 1 Closed to the Public
Thursday, January 2 - 3 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Bren Mar Park partners with Capitol Area Food Bank and Trader Joe's to host this event each month to ensure that food insecurities within our BMP community are addressed. Many BMP staff volunteer, and we welcome all community members to volunteer, including high school students who are seeking to complete community service hours. This wonderful event is from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. Volunteer opportunities and contacts are below:
- 8:15 - 9:00 a.m. - We need 2 people with a van or truck who can drive to the new Trader Joe's in Springfield to pick up and deliver to Bren Mar Park the donations they provide (2 needed); contact Nora Joy at nljoy@fcps.edu
- 3:15 - 4:00 p.m. We need 2-3 people to help set up the donated food items for the Family Market in the cafeteria; contact Belle Arze at bbarze@fcps.edu
- 4:15 - 6:00 p.m. We need people to distribute food items or help with other tasks during the Family Market; contact Belle Arze at bbarze@fcps.edu
Jackie Laurell, SPED teacher
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I am so excited for my first year at Bren Mar Park! This is my 5th year teaching.
I grew up in Toledo, Ohio and graduated from Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan with degrees in Elementary and Special Education.
In my free time I like to travel, cook, read, and spend time with my fiancé, family, friends, and my dog Casey.
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