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March 2018

Office 410-437-0464 www.aacps.org Health Room 410-437-1418

Rachel Amstutz Sandra Nee-Jackson Principal Assistant Principal

Dear Bodkin families,

Back in September, during the first week of school Mrs. Nee-Jackson and I visited all the classrooms to connect with students and set expectations for the school year. In this conversation, we mentioned three priorities—safety, learning, and fun. We noted that students cannot learn if they do not feel safe at school. We also shared that everyone is responsible for school safety—that we must always think before we act, make sure that our decisions are safe for ourselves and others, and that we are being kind in all interactions. Once these safety criteria are met, we know that students are emotionally ready for the learning experiences their teachers have crafted. Then we told students that if we focus hard on safety and learning, we should also be allowed to have fun in school.

In recent weeks and months, national and local attention has turned to school security. Like all other schools in our county and country, we are carefully examining our established security measures and ensuring that they are fully and consistently implemented. We are also reexamining all school events and our safety measures in place for each. New security criteria have been established in our county and will impact our events. We are currently working through these and will keep you updated as we know the impacts and changes needed.

These security issues must remain on the forefront of the minds of everyone in our school community. I urge you to talk with your child about the importance of following all safety expectations and of not joking about anything involving weapons or threats. We have seen a slight uptick in this language with our students and we are addressing each instance individually. As spring approaches, this is a great time for each family to review the AACPS Code of Student Conduct with your children. Every student is responsible for adhering to the Code of Conduct expectations at all times.

While this article is quite serious and heavy, I’d like to take a moment to celebrate the incredible professionals in our building who routinely put safety first and who constantly think about the safety of our students and school. Our front office staff work tirelessly daily to kindly answer the numerous phone calls and door buzz requests not only with grace and efficiency but with safety protocols as their top priority and they ensure that every child checking out of our school leaves only with those listed on the emergency card. Our custodians monitor our building and grounds constantly and stand at the ready to support as needed. Our teachers and faculty are constantly counting heads, watching doors, worrying about individual needs, and attending to student interactions and concerns. All of the adults in the building are constantly thinking about the safety of our students and our school. I encourage you to take a moment to thank them for their diligence and concern. Teaching is not an easy job and it’s no longer just about reading, writing, and mathematics.

At Bodkin we place a heavy emphasis on social emotional learning and character education in addition to a rigorous academic foundation. Our daily practice of Morning Meeting strives to ensure that all students build strong connections to students and adults in the building, feel safe and accepted, and have the opportunity to share about themselves and their experiences. In order to be successful in these efforts, every student, adult, and family must share these priorities and continue the conversation throughout the year about treating others with kindness and abiding by the established rules. By doing so, we ensure that Bodkin remains an amazing school and a safe place to be.

It’s hard to believe that Spring Break is just a few short weeks away. We appreciate your continued partnership. As always, if I can be of assistance to your family please contact me at ramstutz@aacps.org or call me at school at (410) 437-0464.

Respectfully,

Rachel Amstutz, Principal

Bodkin’s Mission is to

create a warm, safe environment that

nurtures each child’s academic and social

potential while promoting responsibility and citizenship within a

collaborative

community.

Bodkin Banner

Kindergarten Registration

starts April 4

Please tell your family, friends, &

neighbors.

Spread the word!

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Bodkin Elementary School March 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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Weekly Events

Mon/Wed – GOTR (4pm-5:15pm) Tuesday - Gr 4 Chorus (8:35 – 9:15) Wednesday – Dance Club (4 – 5:15)

Thursday - Gr 5 Chorus (8:35 – 9:15) Thursday – Spanish Club ( 8:20 – 9:15)

Thursday – SeaPerch (4:15 – 5:30) Friday – Striders (8:45 – 9:15)

Life Touch Spring Class/

Individual Photos

School closed for students

Parent Teacher conferences

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Read

Across

America!

6:30 – 8:30 PTA Mathnasium

Night

9:35 Primary School Mtg – Mrs. Palermo

9:35

Intermediate School Mtg- Mr. Taylor

Interims go Home

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Daylight Savings

Time begins

9:55 Gr 5 MISA Testing

Gr 2 New Moon Theater (café)

7PM PTA mtg

9:55 Gr 5 MISA Testing

6PM – 8:30PM

PTA Daddy Daughter Dance

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

5th Gr. Reading

Assessment 11:00 am 4th Gr. Reading

Assessment 1:40 pm

McBodkin Night 4:30-6:30 pm

Not My Child Event @ Lake Shore Elem

7 pm

School Spirit – College Wear

3rd Gr. Reading

Assessment 10:00 am

6-7PM

Mt Road Library Artist Reception

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

4th Gr. Science

Assessment 2:30 pm

2nd Gr. Reading

Assessment 10:00 am

Fitness is Fun Day!

Wear our exercise clothes

Grandparents Day

Times: TBD

School reopens on Tues, April 3

Spring/Easter Break – School Closed

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~ Bodkin Events ~

Parent/Teacher Conferences Mark your calendar for Friday,

March 2. School will be closed to

students on this day. If you have any

questions, please contact your child’s

teacher. We are looking forward to

connecting with you!

Read Across America Day On Monday, March 5, students and staff will celebrate

Dr. Suess’ birthday by dressing like a Dr. Suess character, their favorite book character, or red and

white to celebrate this special day. There will also be guest readers in each classroom.

PARCC Testing Days

Please mark your calendar and strive to

have your child in school on these

testing days. Please make

doctor/dentist appointments on days

that won’t interfere with testing. It is

important that students are present and

punctual on testing days. If a student is

absent, he/she will take the assessments

in make-up sessions. However, it is best

for students to be in school on testing

days and to take the assessment with

their peers. Thank you for your support!

Spirit Wear Days Check out “College Wear” on Thursday, March 22! This means you can wear clothes

from your favorite college or their colors. Then on Tuesday, March 27, it is “Fitness Is Fun” Day! You know what

that means! We are wearing our fitness clothes to celebrate putting fitness first! Exercise is important for both

our brains and our bodies! As always, spirit days are days of instruction, and the AACPS dress code still applies.

PICTURE Days LifeTouch Photography will be out to take spring individual and class pictures on

Thursday, March 1, 2018. During Spring Picture Day LifeTouch Photography will only be taking individual

portraits of those students who purchase an individual product on picture day. Order forms have been sent home,

are on the Bodkin website, and are available in the office if needed. You can also visit Lifetouch online at

mylifetouch.com, Picture Day ID: MJ627199Q0. If you place your order online, please complete the order form

and check the box “Paid Online” and have your student turn this in first thing in the morning to their teacher. If

you have any questions please contact LifeTouch at 800-445-1189 or answers@lifetouch.com.

School Meeting Families who come to see their child’s class’ school meeting must bring a state ID and

check in at the office prior to viewing the school meeting. Thank you for your continued support.

2017 – 2018 PARCC Schedule Grade Subject Date

3rd Grade English Language Arts April 25, 26, & 27

3rd Grade Mathematics May 8 & 9,

4th Grade English Language Arts May 3, 4, & 7

4th Grade Mathematics May 10 & 11

5th Grade MISA – Science Assessment March 12 & March 15

5th Grade English Language Arts April 30, May 1, & May 2

5th Grade Mathematics May 14 & May 15

SCHOOL CLOSING School will be CLOSED

to ALL students: Friday, March 2 for Parent/Teacher Conferences

Easter/Spring Break School will closed for ALL students: March 29, March 30, and April 2. We will reopen on Tuesday, April 3.

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McBodkin Night, yes indeed! You heard correctly! We are having another McBodkin Night

on March 20 between 4:30 and 6:30 pm at Lake Shore McDonalds. What a great opportunity to pick up some

dinner before heading off to the NOT MY CHILD community event at Lake Shore Elementary School. I’m

lovin’ it!

Please plan to attend a special presentation for Elementary School Parents

“NOT MY CHILD”

at Lake Shore Elementary School

March 20, 2018 at 7 pm

Addiction is preventable; please consider being part of this greater Chesapeake area discussion. Together we can promote solutions for our

families and our Pasadena communities.

This is a special age-appropriate information night for elementary parents. The information shared is geared toward the parents of elementary-aged students, not the

students themselves, so we encourage students NOT to attend. If you would like to attend but have no child care options available to you, please contact Lisa Neubert

(LakeShorePTAS@gmail.com) to find out what child care options may be available.

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Kindergarten Registration Kindergarten

registration for the 2018-2019 school year will be held in all

Anne Arundel County Schools beginning April 4. To register

your child, please see below for the complete list of things to

bring. Registration times at Bodkin Elementary School will be

between the hours of 10 am and 3:30 pm. Bodkin will also have

one evening registration on Thursday, April 5 from 5:30–7:00

pm.

The Maryland Immunization Regulation requires that the

immunization record list all immunizations with the dates of each vaccination, it

must be signed by a physician or health department official, and it must be approved by the

admitting school. Immunizations must be completed before students attend school.

Children who live in Maryland and are 5 years old on or before September 1, 2018 are required to

attend public school, unless they are educated in a private school or other alternative educational

setting recognized by Maryland education bylaws. Parents selecting an alternative educational program

for kindergarten that is not recognized by the Maryland State Department of Education, such as a full-

time licensed daycare center, a full-time registered family daycare home, or a Head Start program for 5

year olds, must file their intent to enroll their 5-year-old child in an alternative program setting with

the local school system before the opening of school.

Parents who believe that their child is not developmentally ready for kindergarten may request a

waiver to delay kindergarten for one year by writing a letter to the Superintendent of Schools before

the opening of school in the year in which the child becomes 5 years old. A waiver request should include

the child’s full name and date of birth and must be filed prior to the beginning of the school year.

All students entering kindergarten must be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2018.

What to bring for Kindergarten Registration (REQUIRED!): 1. Birth Certificate –or- Birth Registration Card -or- Passport 2. Immunization Record 3. Two (2) Proofs of Residence Must have ONE of the following: Must have ONE of the following: -Mortgage Papers or -W-2 form or -Lease Papers or -Utility Bill or -Tenant Verification* -Social Security Check or (tenant verification must -Commercial Driver’s License or also have two proofs of -Bank Statement or residency from property owners.) -Pay Stub [*MD Driver’s License is not proof of residence and may not be used.] 4. If Custody is an issue, please bring custody papers so that we may have them on file in the office. We are only able to implement custody orders if we have official copies on file

Bodkin offers one evening

Kindergarten registration time: Thursday, April 5, 5:30 to 7:00 pm

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~ PTA News ~

Hello Bodkin Families!

Hopefully spring will be here soon! Hold onto your bunny ears because March is packed with

tons of PTA activities for everyone! Don’t forget our next meeting will be Tuesday, March 13

at 7 pm in the media center. This month, the PTA is unveiling a brand new event called

Mathnasium Night! More information can be found below. If you missed our February meeting,

our meeting minutes are posted on the BodkinPTA.com website.

~Mark your calendars~

Pot Luck Lunch - March 2 is teacher conference day and the

PTA is bringing lunch! Our Hot Chocolate Bar was such a hit that

we would like to provide lunch for our teachers. Please look at the signup genius to see if there

is anything that you could donate!

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b094aafa62da2f49-potluck

Mathnasium Night - The PTA is going to have a free family fun night! On March 6 from 6:30-

8:30 pm, Mathnasium from Severna Park will be coming to Bodkin and bringing games for our

students. The PTA will provide the ice cream and spirit sticks! This event is free and we hope

that everyone will join us for a really special night of math fun!

Daddy/Daughter Dance - On March 16 prepare to go Under the Sea with the PTA! Daughters, line up a special date for the evening!

Not My Child - The PTAs of the Chesapeake Cluster are working

together to have a special presentation of Not My Child that is

designed for elementary school parents. The opioid epidemic takes

lives every day. Prevention is the best way to combat this serious issue.

80% of new addicts have started their addiction using legally

prescribed pain medication. Please join us to learn about addiction

in our county and how to prevent it.

Environmental Fair - Save the Date! Bodkin's 11th Annual

Environmental and Local Culture Fair is May 5. We hope you will join us!

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~Fundraisers~

Restaurant Night - We will have a family fun restaurant

night at Marco’s Pizza from March 5 to March 8. Save the

dates now, we hope to see everyone there!

Amazon Smiles – This is one of our easiest fundraisers! When you shop at Amazon, make sure

to go to https://smile.amazon.com/. Go into your account, and select your charity - Bodkin

Elementary Parent Teacher Association PTA. Since we started this program last year, Bodkin

has received $298.32 just from shopping!

Box Tops - Have you heard that Bodkin is not only collecting Box Tops and Tysons A+ Rewards

but new this year is Coke Rewards! The Box Tops you have been clipping throughout the year

have helped raise money for our school. This year the class with the highest collection for the

month will win our Box Top trophy to display in their classroom! Talk about bragging rights! We

are trying to come up with something fun for the end of the year prize which will be given to

the classroom that collects the most throughout the year!!! Please reach out to Leah

McCullough at Boxtopsforbodkin@gmail.com with any questions or ideas! Keep on Clipping!

Harris Teeter - Don’t forget that Bodkin is signed up for the ‘Together in Education’

program! If you have not already signed up, the next time you shop, please ask to be entered

into our program!

~Other News~

Bodkin Community - The PTA would like to give a

heartfelt ‘Thank You!’ To the owners of Mix & Marble in

Severna Park for their generous donation to our Mommy/Son

Bingo! One of the owners is a Bodkin parent and immediately reached out to the PTA to offer

support. Mix & Marble is a fantastic place to meet with friends and create beautiful, wearable

works of art. We sincerely appreciate the businesses in our Community that have been so

generous to our students, school, and PTA!

The PTA would love to work with our Bodkin Business Families and are now offering sponsorships

in our newsletter. If you own a business, and would like more information, please contact me

at Corine.BodkinPTA@outlook.com

Yearbook - Our yearbook could always use more photos! Please upload them to the website if

you have any photos and remember to include the grade! Or you can email Tina at

tbhasin424@yahoo.com

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Website - Don’t forget, many of our events can be found on our website www.BodkinPTA.com;

we also have a handy calendar! We have added Math Superstars worksheets and Box Top copies

to our website! Please take a look at our website to take advantage of all of the information we

offer.

Facebook - Starting this year, we are required to ask everyone for their child’s and teacher’s

name before they are approved for the Facebook Group. Once I receive this information, I

have to contact the school to make sure that the person requesting access to the group is the

custodial parent or guardian. I apologize for the inconvenience and the delay in approving new

members, but we want our children to be safe! If you have made a request, but have not been

approved, you may not have seen that it has requested a question from you, please look in your

messages.

~President’s Message~ The beginning of the year, Ms. Amstutz spoke about Hope at Back-to-School Night. The last 2 months,

since the winter break, I have highlighted Resilience as an equally important part of growing up. While

these two ideas may not seem to have much in common at first glance, I think they are both really great

parts of the same theme.

The ups and downs of life produces endurance, endurance produces character, character produces Hope

and Hope does not disappoint us. Our children may face hardships even at young ages and while we wish

to shield them from these experiences, we know, it is not always possible. The best we can do is Hope

that they learn to be Resilient, become stronger, and that their experiences, in turn, creates Hope

within them. One tool recommended by Dr. Ginsberg, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, is to help

develop character.

We can do that by –

Character Children need to develop a solid set of morals and values to determine right from wrong

and to demonstrate a caring attitude toward others. To strengthen your child’s character,

start by:

Demonstrating how behaviors affect others

Helping your child recognize himself or herself as a caring person

Demonstrating the importance of community

Encouraging the development of spirituality

Avoiding racist or hateful statements or stereotypes

Let them know that “I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become.” And give them the

tools to empower themselves!

Sincerely,

Corine Frank,

PTA President