Hello Mustang Families,
Please see below our upcoming events and other information that may be helpful to you. Thank you for being part of the village and helping to build up our community!
PTA "Fall for Our Mustangs" Fall Fundraiser
"Fall for Our Mustangs" November Fundraising Kicks off this Thursday, November 6
Ø You can now create your individual student fundraising page (English and Spanish available)! It's easy, and free, and your child will win prizes just by having a profile and receiving an initial donation of any amount. Follow the steps below for each of your students at BMP:
1. Click on the link here to create your student's individual page.
2. Select your student's classroom teacher
3. Add a fundraising goal - we recommend $200 to be eligible for all prizes
4. Add your CHILD's name
5. Add the best email address to reach you
6. [Optional] Upload a photo of your child or family
7. Share the link with your friends and family and encourage them to support your student and the school!
Ø You can volunteer at the kickoff on November 6th! Sign up for a slot here to talk to students and teachers and promote the wonderful prize table.
Ø Did you know our Principal’s discretionary budget was cut by more than 30% this year? That’s why our PTA fundraising efforts are more important than ever. Thanks to your generosity so far, we’ve already been able to donate $3,000 toward field trips, purchase a new high-capacity paper cutter for our amazing art teacher, Ms. Springfield, and provide pumpkins for all our Pre-K and Head Start students to use in their fall STEM project! Your continued support helps us fill the gaps and ensure our students and staff have the tools and experiences they need to thrive. Please join us in upcoming fundraisers so we can keep making a difference—together!
Nominate our teachers and staff for FCPS awards by Nov. 7 (Email Principal Williams by this Friday, November 7)
Ø Do you have a teacher or staff member you love at BMP? If so, nominate them for an FCPS award this year! You can see the different categories here. We have so many amazing teachers and staff, let's help them get recognized for their devotion to our community.
Ø Last year, Mr. Clock was recognized as an "Outstanding Elementary New Teacher" recipient, and Principal Williams was recognized as an FCPS Outstanding Principal Finalist, and Outstanding Principal for Region 6.
Volunteer needs at the school
Ø Crossing Guard support needed - Our longtime crossing guard retired last year, and we’re currently seeking volunteers to help ensure student safety during morning drop-off and afternoon pickup. If you're regularly available—or know someone who might be—we’d love to hear from you! We’re looking for support at two key locations: Across Beryll Street and the school parking lot entrance. Your help would make a meaningful difference in keeping our community safe. If you're interested in being the paid long term crossing guard, please let us know as well.
Ø Escorting late students to class (Level 3 Volunteer) - The school is looking for Level 3 Volunteers who are available on weekdays between 9:15 and 9:45 AM to help escort late-arriving students to their classrooms. This small act of support goes a long way—it allows our staff to stay focused on teaching while ensuring students get settled quickly and safely. If you’re available during this time window, we’d be grateful for your help!
Ø 3rd grader student escorts (Level 3 Volunteer) - Due to this year’s construction project, our 3rd grade classrooms are temporarily located in trailers behind the school. To ensure student safety—especially since that area is accessible to the public—we need volunteers to escort students to and from the bathroom during the school day. Currently, staff members (including our principal!) are stepping away from meetings and important tasks to fill this need. Your help during the 10 AM to noon window would make a huge difference. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to support our school, get your steps in, and be a friendly face to our students, this is the perfect opportunity!
PTA Other News and Information
SOL Standards Survey (Complete here by Nov. 6 at noon).
Ø Virginia is considering raising the minimum passing scores for SOL tests starting THIS school year — a move that could have serious consequences for our school community. Implementing higher benchmarks after the school year has already begun, and during a time of budget cuts for the school, places undue strain on our teachers and staff. This change would disproportionately impact schools like ours, which serve large immigrant and multilingual populations, and could unfairly affect teacher and school evaluations. Both of the proposed plans from Virginia DOE (the 4 year and the 5 year plan) still implement score changes this school year. If you find this concerning, please consider filling out the survey and voicing your concerns.
Poe Middle School AAP Center Feedback (Complete here by Dec. 1).
Ø Bren Mar students in 6th grade currently go to Holmes MS (Base school), but full time AAP students may choose to go to Glasgow MS as the AAP center School
Ø There is a proposal to open a new center school at Poe MS for our pyramid, meaning that Bren Mar students in full-time AAP would go to Poe MS, rather than Glasgow. If approved, the center school would open starting 2026-2027 for 6th graders, and will expand to include 7th and 8th graders in the following years thereafter.
Ø If you have opinions on the change to Poe Middle School for AAP, please submit feedback at the above link by December 1. You can review the draft proposal which outlines the impacted feeder elementary schools and the proposed changes to the Middle School AAP Center boundaries for the Annandale Pyramid.
Ø We (the BMP PTA) do not have a position on this change.
Support our Kindergarten Transition
Ø We want to share that due to county-wide budget cuts and severe staffing needs at another FCPS school, Ms. Bishop and her instructional assistant, Ms. Roberts, were assigned to a new school in our region effective this week. Ms. Bishop’s current students will be warmly welcomed into our other Kindergarten classrooms. Please join us in showing extra appreciation for our incredible Kindergarten team and our resilient Kindergarteners this week. Your support means the world to them during this time of transition.
Upcoming BMP PTA Events
Ø 11/13 - Save the Date - Thanksgiving Lunch At School
Save the date for the thanksgiving lunch! Families are encouraged to come have lunch alongside their child during their regularly scheduled lunch time. Families may purchase a school lunch for cash or bring their own. The School will provide more details. Our PTA will also be selling spirit wear during the event. Did you know that families are now permitted to have lunch with your child? All you have to do is check in at the front office prior to your student's lunch time. Please check with the school or email us for the current lunch schedule.
Ø 11/14 - PTA General Body Meeting
Ø 11/20- Save the Date - Panera Restaurant Night Fundraiser
Picture of the week
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).
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 $1,059.80 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!
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