Fifth graders turned their pinch pots into creatures. Artists had to score or scratch and add liquid clay called slip to seal the pieces together.
Second grade artists focused on the elements of art form and texture as they created their clay pinch pots today.
BCES artists created some beautiful pottery today. These clay pinch pots are ready to be fired in the kiln.
Slabs, coils, and pinch pots. BCES artists are practicing for clay day with play dough.
All E-learning students will need to make arrangements to MAP test at BCES on Jan. 4th and 5th. See attachment for details.
As I walk the vacant halls of our campus today, I can’t help but reflect on how thankful I am to work in Bryan County and at BCES. This is the season for Thanksgiving, and I have many reasons to be thankful, some of which I have taken for granted in the past.
As I walk into classrooms, I see student desks. Parents, thank you for trusting us with your children during a pandemic. This is not something we take lightly. Countless measures are in place to keep your child safe this year while at school. Thank you for trusting us with your child’s education and safety.
As I walk around the building, I see extra masks, gallons of hand sanitizer, and boxes of cleaning solution in the storage room. Thank you, central office staff and board members for making sure we have the supplies to keep our students and staff safe this year. Thank you also for having the courage to trust your administrators knowing we could provide a safe atmosphere for students despite the unknowns you were faced with earlier this year when having to decide if school would take place this year.
I pass rooms with Chrome carts. I am thankful for our teachers and their flexibility. You guys have had to change the way you taught with very little notice. Some have had to start the year as E-learning teachers and then move to a face to face teacher as over half of our E-learners have returned to the building. You guys amaze me with your creativity and flexibility. You work countless hours to prepare fun lessons for students. You share ideas and strategies as a team. You pour your hearts into your students with the goal of seeing them grow and learn. You celebrate their successes and struggle emotionally when students hurt. Thank you for taking on dozens of children each year as if they were your own child.
As I walk down halls, I see walls filled with fun activities that students have done in class this year. I see drawings, art projects, and writing activities where students have shared what they are thankful for. Many are thankful to be back in school, to get to see their friends, and to get to see their teachers. I’m thankful for the learning that takes place in classrooms daily. I’m thankful for the feeling of family that teachers work hard to create in their classrooms, so all children feel safe and successful.
As I near the 5th grade hall I hear music playing and see custodians scurrying about. I am thankful for our hard-working custodians. They have done a phenomenal job of keeping our building clean and sanitary this year. They have worked hard to make sure that Covid does not spread on our campus. I am happy to report that we have zero spread at BCES this year. We have had a few people contract Covid outside of school but there has been no spread within the building. Thank you for all you do to keep us safe and clean.
I come upon the lunchroom next and see boxes stacked in the corners. I am thankful for our lunchroom crew. They have risen to the occasion this year and at the end last year. They not only serve meals to almost 500 students daily, they box up hundreds of meals to go that are delivered to students in the community each week. On top of that, our lunchroom manager Mistie is passionate about taking care of our babies and makes sure a hot breakfast is served every day. Thank you for going the extra mile.
Next, I walk outside, and I see maintenance trucks pull up to repair things to ensure that our building and grounds are in top shape for students upon their return. I see the vacant spot where buses are usually parked and am reminded that those people are saints 😊. I’m thankful they are willing to be bus drivers. I don’t think I could handle the responsibility of safely delivering dozens of students to and from school each day. Thank you all for what you do to support our students.
Finally, I return to the front office area to work on scheduling and pass the empty desks of my front office staff. I have an amazing front office staff. They interact with dozens of parents and students daily. They mend boo boos when children get hurt and come see the nurse. They track down student records from other schools, they order items for teachers and students so they can be successful. Thank you for working so well together as a team.
As I sit in my office reflecting on how thankful I am, I would be remis if I didn’t acknowledge by fellow administrator Alison Holcombe. I am thankful that I get to work with her daily. She has a heart for people. She truly wants what is best for students and parents. I have watched her call and coordinate with our counselor and community members to make sure students and staff are taken care of that are in need. I have seen her drive to people’s houses to drop off Chromebooks or help with a technical issue during the pandemic. I have seen her encourage parents to push their children harder because they are capable of great things. I’ve seen her cry because she knew students were going through tough times and she couldn’t do more to help. Thank you for sharing this journey with me. We will do everything we can to make sure our students have the best opportunity they can to be successful in life.
I don’t take time to reflect and share the things that I am thankful for nearly as often as I should. I could write many more pages about the awesome things our staff has done that goes on in the background (our Intervention teacher waiting on the sidewalk to help e-learners who drive up for help, our Lead Teacher who has spent hundreds of hours working with staff to perfect our curriculum, our technology teacher that works non-stop to make sure our devices are working and our teachers are supported). I hope all our students, parents, and staff have a restful Thanksgiving break. I encourage you to take the time to tell the ones you love how thankful you are for them. Happy Thanksgiving.
BCES loves our veterans!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cQIJDNQ0287NiSC5DF3oJ5FJZsKIPg-J/view?usp=drivesdk
Fifth grade students are learning how to create woven bracelets in art.
The BCES Character Chase that was scheduled for March 21st has been rescheduled for Saturday, October 31, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Students can dress as one of their favorite characters, or they can wear their Halloween costume. Immediately following the 5K, there will be festival type activities at the school and local businesses will be handing out candy to all runners. This event is open to everyone, not just BCES students. The cost is $20, and all money raised will help support connections classes and after school clubs. There is still time to sign up. Click on the link to register today!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/88667646317
Progress Reports (report cards) were printed and sent home with all face to face students today and mailed to E-learners. Your child's MAP scores and parent/teacher conference info will also be coming home today.
School pictures are coming home today with students. Retakes will be during the school day on Wednesday October 21. Please write the word "retake" on the proof and send it back to school on Wednesday for a retake.
Picture day for E-Learners will be Wednesday Oct. 21 from 3:30-6:00.
The BCES Character Chase to the Finish Line 5K is only two weeks away! Sign up today and help BCES connections classes! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bces-character-chase-to-the-finish-line-tickets-88667646317?ref=estw
Students in Mrs. Lee’s class created volcanos in class while learning about destructive processes.
Please help our PTO raise money by sending in your change (or cash) for a coin war. There are only 4 days to participate so start collecting now.
Free and reduced lunch application due soon.
Fifth grade students are learning how to weave on a loom.
Please check out our Facebook page for a new video about the info below. https://www.facebook.com/BryanCountyES
Check our social media pages on Sept. 29th to see a video that answers the following questions about BCES:
-What do my kids learn at school?
-How do they grade things?
-What kind of tests do they take?
-How do they reward students for good behavior?
-How does the school communicate with parents?
Child Safety Matters: Students at BCES will have the opportunity to receive two Child Safety Matters lessons at school in the upcoming weeks. Attached is a list of topics that will be discussed with your child. A letter and opt-out form was sent home with your child on Monday, September 21, 2020. If you have any questions about the Child Safety Meeting lesson, please call us at 912-626-5033.
