October Update
Principal’s Monthly Letter and Family Update
Happy Fall!
It is hard to believe that we are already in the month of October!
We have settled into a comfortable rhythm. By now, most of our Kindergarten-5th grade scholars (whether they are new to BLES or not) can tell you their teacher's name and room number. They know where the cafeteria, main office and other important areas of the school are and they are familiar with class and school-wide routines.
Thank you families for bringing in the items on the schools supplies list, for ensuring that your children wear their school uniform and that they complete their homework assignments every day. Your ongoing support is needed and appreciated!
We are making great strides with the administration of Beginning of Year assessments. Many teachers are already using this data to create groups, differentiate homework and identify scholars for tiered interventions. Teachers will share this and other data with you very soon in a Progress Report.
I would like to remind you all that the school day begins at 8:00 am. Doors open at 7:30 am for breakfast. Many scholars are arriving at school after 8:10 am which means that they are missing out on morning meetings and other important lessons and activities. I understand that some school buses are dropping the scholars off to school after 8:00 am. Our dedicated staff are seeking assistance on your behalf and they will keep you updated. For all other families, please plan how you will get your child to school on time every day. Reach out to your child's Attendance Success Mentor if you have any questions or concerns about your child's attendance/lateness. The Success Mentors are:
3K/PreK- Dakota Watson- dwatson@brooklynlandmark.org
Kindergarten - Destiny Delva- destinyd@brooklynlandmark.org
First Grade- Joyce Beckles-Knights- joycek@brooklynlandmark.org
Second Grade- Gina Dawson- ginad@brooklynlandmark.org
Third Grade- Evelyn Vazquez- evelynv@brooklynlandmark.org
Fourth Grade- Leanna Henry & Terrence Ashwood- leeannah@brooklynlandmark.org/ terrencea@brooklynlandmark.org
Fifth Grade- Janelle Miller- janellem@brooklynlandmark.org
Don't forget that the goal is 90-100% attendance. Our overall school attendance rate is 93%. Keep up the great work! Here is the current ATTENDANCE DATA for our school BY GRADE:
3K & PreK- 92%
Kindergarten- 96%
First Grade- 93%
Second Grade- 89%
Third Grade- 94%
Fourth Grade- 93%
Fifth Grade- 95%
This month, some of the teachers will begin to take their classes on educational Field Trips. Please check your child's homework folder every night for permission slips and other important notices. Also, please let the teachers know if you are interested in being a chaperone for an upcoming field trip.
Here are some important updates and reminders for the month of October:
- October 3rd- Studio in A School Art Classes begin for scholars in grades 1-5
- October 9th- Indigenous People's Day/Italian Heritage Day- SCHOOL CLOSED
- October 11th- Dads Take Your Child To School Day- 8:00-9:30
- October 13th- Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration- All Day (Families are invited)
- October 17th- Third Street Music School Instruction begins for scholars in grades 3K-Kindergarten
- October 18th- Principal's Coffee Chat and Annual Title 1 Presentation to Parents
- October 19th- PTA Meeting at 5:30 PM
- October 20th- Our first K-2 Community Circle
- October 24th- School Leadership Team Meeting- 4:30 PM
- October 27th- Parents & Pancakes Workshop- 9:00 am/ Our first 3-5 Community Circle
- October 31st- Annual Character Day Gallery Walk and PARADE
I hope to see you at these and other upcoming events. As always, feel free to reach out with questions. suggestions, shout outs or concerns to joycek@brooklynlandmark.org.
In Partnership,
Joyce Beckles-Knights
Principal
K599