
Bristow
Run Elementary School
“A Fully Accredited School and
School of
Excellence”
From The
Panther’s Pen
Our School
Vision Statement "A Team on Track for the
Future Bristow Run Pledge “I will remember to be
respectful, kind, trustworthy and a good citizen. I will be responsible for
my actions, work hard and try my best. I will seek to make a positive
difference at school today.”

Andrew Buchheit,
Principal
Jo Linda
Toth - Assistant Principal
April 2005
Hello Panthers!
Can
you believe that we are already heading into the last 9 weeks of school? Where
has the time gone? It seems as if it was only a few months ago that we were busy
getting our classrooms ready and setting up the school for the first day. It
has been an Awesome year so far.
As you know, our school
motto is: “A Team on Track for the
Future”. At Bristow Run we recognize
that it takes all of us (Teachers, Staff, Students & Parents) working
together to ensure the success of each student. We truly believe that by
working together all children will learn to their fullest potential. That is why this year has once again been so
successful and productive.
It has also been great to see so many of you
at our Family Fun Nights, the FUN FAIR (how often does one get to kiss a real
pig?), our Spirit Nights and at assemblies. Many of these events were organized and
sponsored by our PTA. Our PTA does so many wonderful things for our school and
students. I want to especially thank Mrs. Gay and Mrs. Harvey for their
leadership and tireless efforts on behalf of our entire school community.
Teacher Appreciation week is coming
up shortly. I know you will want to take a moment to say thank you to your
child’s teacher for all she has done to make it such a wonderful school year.
We are lucky to have such outstanding teachers. I know each child is in good
hands. This was confirmed once again, when we were recognized as a
Please help us
remind our students to give 100 percent effort and attention to school and
learning for the last quarter of the school year. An extra reminder from you
may help them remember to continue to show their Panther Pride each day and to
work hard, do their best and be kind.
I want to ensure
you that as we move into the last 9 weeks of school; we remain committed to our
school vision which states our belief: that all children will
learn to their fullest potential in a safe, respectful and motivating
environment of high expectations and continuous improvement in partnership with
our parents and community. Thank
you again for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Andrew Buchheit,
Principal
UPCOMING
CALENDARDuring the
next 9 weeks, we get a number of opportunities to show our appreciation for the
important people at our school.
·
The
week of April 24 is designated as Administrative Professionals (secretary)
Appreciation Week. Please take a moment to thank our office staff for all they
do to keep our building running and for supporting our students and school.
We are beginning to look at student
placement for the 2005-2006 school year. At
If you have information that you
feel is significant for us to be aware of, please feel free to share it with us
by talking with your child’s classroom teacher or writing a letter to Mr.
Buchheit. It is very important to
note, however, that we cannot accept any specific teacher requests. As
I am sure you already recognize, all our teachers are excellent and are
dedicated to doing the best for all their students. If you wish to write a
letter, please address the following points:
In May and June,
our students take the SOL (Standards of Learning) tests, which have been
developed to evaluate our students’ understanding of the curriculum. If you
would like to review previous SOL released items, you may want to look at this
website: http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Assessment/releasedtests.html(1) I CAN DAY
will be on Wednesday, April 27. This is our yearly event where we remind
students that they can do whatever they put their minds to. This year, the I
Can Man will be here to motivate our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade tests.
(2) 3rd grade SOL NIGHT. On Monday, May 2nd,
our Third Grade teachers are preparing an SOL night for 3rd grade parents and
students. Students will play games and learn some fun strategies to prepare and
review for the SOL test takers.
Third Graders will take 5 SOL
(Standards of Learning) tests; Math - May 18, Social Studies - May 19,
Fourth Grades
will take two SOL tests this year. As usual they will take the History
June 2. This year our students are participating in a pilot of the
http://education.jlab.org/solquiz
Our students
are on the road to success this testing season all they need is a positive
attitude and confidence. All the
encouragement you can provide will make a difference. Remember to have them get
a good night’s sleep the evening before the test, eat a good breakfast the
morning of the test and arrive to school on time.
If you have
any testing questions please feel free to contact Jo Linda Toth – Assistant
Principal 703-753-7741 or tothjl@pwcs.edu.
DRESS CODE –As the
weather gets warmer, please remember to still follow our dress code:
All students are expected to dress appropriately and maintain a reasonable appearance Students are required to dress modestly and meet the standards of health, safety, cleanliness and decency. Their attire shall not be disruptive to the learning environment. We are requesting that students not wear the following articles of clothing to school: articles of clothing that advertise and/or promote the use of drugs or alcohol, or that display vulgar and/or inappropriate language or images, outside jackets worn inside the building, pants worn below the waistline, hats, scarves, headbands, or any other type of head covering unless related to one’s religious beliefs or practices; sunglasses, beachwear, sleeping apparel, undergarments worn as outer garments, white undershirts worn alone, halter tops, half-shirts, t-shirts and sweatshirts with waist-length arm holes, clothing that is too short or tight, see-through garments, bare midriff, long dresses, strapless dresses, spaghetti straps, tube or tank tops, bedroom slippers, flip-flops, high heels, shoes with cleats, shoes with wheels, socks only, jewelry or other items which could be regarded or used as a weapon. Shorts may be worn but must be longer than the end of the student’s fingertips when arms are extended downward. Students must wear shoes. If sandals or clogs are worn, they should have a strap around the heel. We encourage children to wear sneakers or rubber soled shoes since they will be going outside for P.E. and recess. Students will be asked to remove these items or we will try to find a suitable change of clothes for them. If we are unable to do so, a parent will be called to bring appropriate clothing. Additional information is contained in the Code of Behavior.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Each school in SCHOOL WEB SITE - http://www.pwcs.edu/pwc/schools/brun/bristowrun.htm.
Did you know that Bristow Run has a
website on the Internet? It is being updated continually. Read the latest
Panther Press, see Advisory Council minutes and PTA news, look at teacher
pages, check the lunch menu for Monday, read our school song, look at student
picks for the top 100 children’s books, and see what the weather is for our
area at the News 4 weather Station at Bristow Run. After checking it out email
us with any comments or questions
We are proud and happy to recognize our students for their Outstanding Panther Pride. Students must meet the following criteria:
1.
Conduct:
S or S+ on the report card and no checks in the descriptors.
2. Work Habits: S or S+ on the report card and no checks in the descriptors.
3. Effort: No X for any area for the grading period.
1. Discipline Plan: Follows Discipline plan. No suspension from school/bus and no detentions.
ACADEMIC
RECOGNITION 3rd
-5th grade Students at
It
is very important that all students attend school on a regular basis and on
time. Children, who are not in school
each day, arrive late or leave early miss important educational opportunities
and learning experiences. At Bristow Run, we recognize, and I’m sure you
will agree, that regularly being at school and being on time is very important
for a child’s academic success. This may become a very serious issue.
It is important to note that
Please continue to call in to let us
know if your child is going to be absent and to send in notes to the teacher
when he or she returns to school. As you already know, all our procedures and
regulations are in place to help ensure the safety, security and continued
success of all our students and not to inconvenience you. By working together,
we truly can do everything better.
Every
9 weeks, we will recognize students for “Perfect Attendance” - meaning they have attended school each day
and have no more than 2 tardies in a 9 week period
or “Excellent Attendance” –
meaning they have missed no more than 1 day of school and have no more than 2 tardies in a 9 week period.
Did
you know that we collect used Ink Jet cartridges to recycle? For each cartridge
we recycle our school earns money. Money from this recycling program is often
designated for our technology needs. Put it in a small bag so that your child
does not get messy and have him or her drop it off in our big recycling
container in the front lobby.
. Going Home - Walkers and Bus Riders
It is important for everyone’s safety
to remember the following when walking or riding the bus home. Walkers need to plan their trip so they don’t
arrive at school before
If you pick up your child each day,
remember to get a number from our guidance counselors. In the morning, please
have your child unload on the right side of your car. They have to walk in front of or behind cars
if they exit on the left side of your vehicle.
Please remember to walk on the sidewalk at all times. If you park in the
spaces in front of the school please walk around to the sidewalk instead of
walking in the street. This serves as a good model for our students. Safety is our number one priority!!
Mrs. Ciampaglione’s 3rd-5th
grade class
-Happy Spring! Mrs. Ciampaglione’s is looking forward
to warmer weather, spring and summer! We
continue to work at supplying the school with popcorn on Popcorn Day (one time
per month) and we have had some wonderful volunteers from Mrs. Hollins class to
help us out! We also continue to run the
recycling program for paper here at Bristow Run, mainly with the wonderful
assistance of Mrs. Mirabel. The children
are excited to participate in both activities and really work hard at it! Over the last few months, we spent a great
deal of time learning about animals with backbones, and Presidents
Kindergarten Kindergarteners continue to learn and work each day
to prepare themselves for first-grade.
During this last quarter of Kindergarten, we will be working on
beginning addition and subtraction facts as well as telling time to the hour
and fractions, such as one half. In
Social Studies, we will focus on Memorial and Independence Day as we learn
about the
1st grade –– Only one more quarter to get ready for second grade! We know Spring is in
the air but let’s really stay focused and work to our potential during this
time. Make this your best quarter yet! Here
is a preview of the upcoming units of study in the fourth quarter: Math:
Adding/Subtracting to 18, Adding/ Subtracting 2-digit numbers, adding 3 numbers Social
Studies/Science: Ecology, Plants, Animals, Summer.
Dates to Note:
Tuesday,
May 24: Field Trip to the Reston Zoo for Mrs. Goode/Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Gregory and Mrs. Kasky’s
classes
Wednesday,
May 25th: Field Trip to the Reston Zoo for Mrs.
Starnes, Mrs. Heltibridle, and Mrs. Reillo-Jones’
classes
Tuesday,
May 31st: Field Trip to
Monday,
June 13: First grade picnic and awards (Times to be
announced)
2nd Grade – Second grade will be very busy during this
last quarter of the year! Here’s a list
of the units we will cover: Math: geometry, measurement, fractions and
probability and statistics; Science: life cycles, ecosystems and scientific
reasoning. Social Studies: Ancient
Language Arts: a research project after
our outdoor field trip, we’ll turn our classrooms into indoor Museums of
Personal History where we’ll display artifacts from our histories and then
welcome visitors! We’ll also introduce cursive writing – the one objective all
second graders are eager to begin! We’ll continue to work on reading
comprehension, making connections while reading and polishing our editing
skills as far as spelling, capitalization and punctuation. Thank you for
continuing to encourage your child to read for at least 15 minutes each night
and thanks for continuing to drill addition and subtraction facts as well.
Third Grade - It is a busy spring in 3rd grade. In math we will be studying measurement and
continuing multiplication and division.
We will be practicing our proofreading and editing skills to take the Cueing
and Writing CMS tests. This nine weeks we will be focusing on SOL review. Our SOL game night will be held on Monday,
May 2nd at
Fourth Grade - It is so hard to believe that we only have one nine weeks left of
this year. Our 4th graders have really
been working hard to stay focused to get the entire curriculum completed. During the last nine weeks, we will be
looking forward to a visit from General Robert E. Lee on May 18 and our May 25
Field Trip to the
Fifth Grade - Spring has Sprung!!!
Fifth
grade completed their DARE graduation before Spring break!! Congratulations
everyone. We are busy preparing for our four Sol tests: Math,
We
are excited for our
We
are busy with new units in Sound, Civil War, Guided
Math and Science
News
from Mrs.Cowne
Thank
you so much for all the volunteers that help each week in the Science Lab and
all the donations you have sent. I couldn’t
do all the wonderful “hands-on” activities with out you. The last nine weeks will be filled with first
grade learning Life Science topics including plants, animals, and seasonal
changes. Second grade will study life
cycles and ecosystems. Third grade will
be doing experiments on energy. Fourth
grade will be learning about electricity.
Fifth grade will be doing sound and light. All grades will be doing applications using
the scientific process. Third and fifth
grade will be reviewing for the SOLs as well. As you can see, the last nine weeks are very
busy ones in the Science Lab. As always
if you have any questions, please call me.
Denise Cowne
The
An
important part of children’s reading progress and enjoyment in reading is to
understand what they read. Here are some
activities to help increase comprehension: BEFORE
you read: Look for words in the story that are new to your child. Talk about the meanings of these words.
Look
carefully at the illustrations in the story.
Ask your child to predict what will happen in the story based on the
pictures. This is especially useful when
reading non-fiction books. Look at the
captions under the pictures. Talk about
the picture.
Try
to connect facts that your child already knows to what is going to be
read. Prior knowledge is very important
to comprehension. AFTER you read: Help extend your child’s reading
experience with these post-reading activities: Ask your child to think about
why the author chose this particular title.
Then ask your child to create a new title. Have your child draw a
picture of a favorite character; the setting; a favorite part; a feeling the
story made him/her feel. Talk about the
drawing.
Ask
your child to retell the story in his/her own words from beginning to end.
Encourage your child to
ask questions about the story. What
questions would you ask the author?
Write a letter to the author about the book. Happy reading!! Mrs. Segovia
BOOK
SUGGESTIONS – Reading Connection
Ms. Frizzle’s
Adventures: Ancient Egypt
Ms.
Frizzle is at it again – in ancient
Author
Mary Pope Osborne brings the tall tale of Mose
Humphreys, legendary
Dr.
In
this tale by William Steig, the famous mouse dentist
travels to
Jobs People Do
“What
do you want to be when you grow up?”
Your kids will find lots of great answers inside this book. Christopher Maynard describes 50 jobs, from
veterinarian to pilot.
Youth Art Month and Music in the Schools Month
Art teacher, Mrs. White, and music
teachers Mrs. Maletick, and Mr. Maletick officially celebrated Youth
Art Month and Music in the Schools Month at Bristow Run during March
2005. The purpose of highlighting these programs during March is to bring
awareness to the importance of and generate support for continual growth toward
strong art and music programs in the schools. Research shows that children in
strong art and music programs out perform academically their peers who are not.
In addition, the arts provide students a better cross-cultural understanding
through knowledge of civilizations and cultures past and present, thus
developing appreciation and acceptance of diversity. Rich art and music
programs help students develop self-esteem, improve student attendance, and
enhance basic literacy, analytical, and communication skills; as well as
stressing creativity and problem solving abilities. We believe art and music
are not a luxury or frill; but that the creation of art and music is
fundamental and necessary. This year the art and music programs at Bristow Run
integrated educational celebrations throughout March. For example, Mrs.
White and Mrs. Maletick introduced and coordinated an idea with
PWCPS Media Production producer and writer Mollie Watts Rosenberg to create the
first-time televised art and music promotional “snippets” to air on Comcast
Channel 21 during March to celebrate Youth Art Month and Music in the
Schools Month on TV. Mrs. White was also featured on the “School
Focus” TV show on Channel 21, where she discussed the highlights of the art
program at Bristow Run and the importance of integration with other core
curriculums. Mrs. Maletick will be featured on the “School Focus” TV program
during the month of May, where she will be discussing the music program as
well.
The second note worthy activity that was
held in Celebration of Music in the Schools Month and Youth Art Month 2005
was the “Evening for the Arts” on March 31 at
COUNSELORS’ CORNER - The School Counseling
Program motto,
“Keeping students on track
for the long run”, is accomplished through individual and small group
counseling, classroom lessons, and consultations with parents and staff.
The Bristow Run school
counselors are: Mary Pat McCartney, Robin Vaneman, and Christine Marshall
Classroom Guidance Lessons
-The
“WORK” unit we taught to each class (K-5) focused on the grade level objectives
pertaining to career exploration and school work habits. All students learned
about how to be a good worker. (Career Day in January was a huge success!) We
are ending the year with lessons on how to do your “B.E.S.T” at taking tests,
preparing for next year, and getting along with others. The 5th
graders will receive valuable information for transitioning to Middle School.
April is Child Abuse
Prevention Month - Child abuse is any mistreatment of a child by a parent or
caregiver that results in mental or physical harm or injury. Child abuse
includes physical abuse, physical neglect, sexual abuse and emotional abuse.
Approximately 3 million children are reported abused or neglected every year in
the
Parent Tea Topic: SOL
Testing -Our
next parent tea will be held April 20 at
Speakers Needed for Cultural Carousel -On June 9 all classes will participate in our second annual Cultural Carousel. The activities planned for that day include videos, a museum, student sharing, diversity assignments, and more. We will highlight respect for various cultures around the world. If you have artifacts, costumes, or photos from another country and would be willing to speak to one or two classes, please contact your child’s teacher. Volunteers can make this an extra special day of learning for our students.