the berkshire bulletin august 2021

The Berkshire Bulletin August 2021

08/05/2021

Follow us on Twitter: @Berkshire_BCPS Follow us on Facebook: Berkshire Elementary Check out our website http://berkshirees.bcps.org

We hope that you are enjoying this summer with your family. We appreciate some relative normalcy this summer and are

truly excited about inviting ALL our students and families back to school in our amazing new building for the 2021-2022

school year! Please be aware that our school hours have changed to 8:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. for students in grades K-5.

We have many opening events for families to become acclimated with our school. All event dates and formats are subject

to change based on CDC and BCPS Office of Health Services COVID Mitigation Guidelines. Please see the mini calendar

below to view upcoming dates.

It is essential that we have your most up-to-date telephone number, address, and email address. It is our job to work

together as a team for the betterment of your children. We are sending home the following forms: student emergency

contact form, bullying and harassment form, and dismissal form. It is imperative that parents complete and return the

emergency contact form and the dismissal form on the first day of school. The dismissal form allows us to determine how

your child should be dismissed each day and if you need a placard for your car. Every student will have a bookbag tag to

help remind teachers and staff how your child is dismissed each day. The bullying form is for your information and should

not be submitted unless a bullying incident occurs in school. Your child’s homeroom teacher will be identified on the label

on page 6 of this newsletter.

The safety of all students and staff in Baltimore County Public Schools is of the utmost importance to all of us. If you are

picking up your child(ren) for early dismissal, you must have your ID with you and sign them out. If someone else is picking

up your child(ren) from school, they must be listed on the student emergency contact form and have identification with

them. Your assistance in keeping our students and school safe is appreciated.

School attendance is crucial for our students. We will carefully be monitoring student attendance. We want your child to

stay on track with his/her academic career and it is critical that he/she participate regularly in assigned classes and come

to school each day on time.

The teachers, support staff, and administration are here to support you the best that we can. Please feel free to reach out

to us by phone or email. Our phone number is (443)809-7008 and our fax number is (443)809-7009. I am your Principal,

Ms. Brooks and my email address is [email protected]. Mrs. Wrightson is the Assistant Principal, and her email is

[email protected]. We will return your email during the weekdays within 24 hours. Our secretaries are Mrs. Cook

[email protected] and Mrs. Thompson [email protected]. They handle school registrations and can be reached at

(443)809-7008 or by email.

All event dates are subject to change based on CDC and BCPS Office of Health Services

COVID Mitigation Guidelines.

Berkshire New School Hours

Our school hours are from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. All BCPS schools have extended the school

day by 15 minutes. The dismissal process will begin at 3:30 p.m. and will be completed by

3:45 p.m.

Lunch Times

K 11:00-11:30

1 10:30-11:00

2 12:10-12:40

3 11:40-12:10

4 12:45-1:15

5 1:15-1:45

http://berkshirees.bcps.org/

mailto:[email protected]





08/05/2021


Berkshire New School Hours:

K-5- 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

AM PreK- 8:40 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

PM PreK- 12:50-3:30 p.m.

School Meals:

All Berkshire students will receive free breakfast and lunch meals every day.

Schoology for Parents:

• Parents must create an account on a computer, tablet, or smart phone.

• All parents need access to Schoology. This is where all student work, communication, grades, report cards, and

curriculum content are located. To access Schoology, parents must have an email address and inform school of

your email account for access to your child’s account. This will provide you with access to Schoology.

Berkshire Sneak-A-Peek August 26th @ 3:45pm-5:00pm

We know that students and parents are eager to visit our new building. Berkshire will host a Sneak-A-Peek for students

and parents on August 26th for families between 3:45 and 5:00 p.m. This will provide families an opportunity to walk

through the school and see their child’s classroom and say hello to the teacher. This is different from Back-To-School Night,

where families receive a presentation about curriculum, have time to ask questions, and learn more about the classroom

procedures and expectations.

Berkshire First Grade Orientation 8:30am-12:30pm

On August 27th, 2021, Students in first grade may return to school for a half day to meet their teacher, learn about the

school and classroom expectations and routines. Transportation will be provided for those who are eligible throughout

the school year. More information will be forthcoming by phone call and email.

Berkshire’s Title I Back-To-School Night September 14, 2021!

In the interest of school safety and COVID mitigation, we have opted for a staggered back to school night schedule to avoid

a large crowd of parents attending at one time.

Classroom Visit Time Grade Level

4:30-5:15 p.m. 3rd & 5th

5:15-6:00 p.m. 2nd & 4th

6:00-6:45 p.m. PreK , K, 1st



08/05/2021


All event dates are subject to change based on CDC and BCPS Office of Health Services COVID

Mitigation Guidelines.

Berkshire Staff Roster

Grade Level Grade Level Teams

Prekindergarten Mr. Wilkins Mrs. McGee Mrs. Woods

Kindergarten Ms. Bonsignore Mrs. Lazur Mrs. Sturm Ms. Decint

Grade 1 Ms. Bailey Mrs. Flynn Ms. Wittman

Grade 2 Ms. Heddinger Mrs. Karanikolis Ms. Steinberg

Grade 3 Ms. Uhland Mrs. Flack Ms. Steck

Grade 4 Mrs. Cellitto Ms. Chapline Mrs. Wellman

Grade 5 Mrs. Luckart Mr. Matamoros Mr. Shapiro

Special Areas

Ms. Doyle, Music

Ms. Roberts, Art

Mr. Sabiston Physical Education

Mrs. Spence, Music

Mrs. Nowakowski, Library Media

Roles Support Staff/Resource Staff/ Special Educators

Front Office Staff Mrs. Cook, Records Secretary

Mrs. Henry, Team Secretary

Mrs. Thompson, Admin. Secretary

Special Educators Mrs. Grondalski Mrs. Jenkins Mr. Nance

Paraeducators Mrs. Conway Mrs. Goddard-Hickman

Mrs. McGee Mrs. Long

Service Providers Ms. Foss Speech & Language Pathologist

Ms. Fuhrman, School Psychologist

Mrs. Hafez, Occupational Therapist

KeyPoint Therapist

Cafeteria Staff Mr. Cadle, Person-In-Charge

Mrs. Jones Vacancy

Support Staff Ms. Amoruso, MTSS

Mrs. Brown, School Counselor

Mr. Stengel, Social Worker

Mrs. Stiltner, Nurse Ms. Rodgers, Assistant

ESOL Mrs. Khoury Mrs. Williams

Passport Teachers Ms. Kreft Mrs. Burchill

Resource Mrs. Cooper, Staff Development

Mr. Denton, Math Resource

Ms. Duffek, Reading Specialist

Mrs. Jones, Reading Resource

Family/Community Liaisons

Vacant Vacancy

Custodial Staff

Ms. Blevins,

Custodian

Ms. Ehinger,

Custodian

Ms. Hovermill, Custodian

Mr. Jones, Custodian

Mr. Sherman, Building Operations Supervisor

PreK/K Assistants Mrs. Woods, Prekindergarten

Kindergarten Assistants Mrs. Henry, Mrs. Byers, Ms. Webb,



08/05/2021


Additional Adult Assistants

Mrs. Anderson

Mrs. Gindlesperger Mrs. Buzgierski Mrs. Sullivan

Mrs. Myers Mrs. Whitt Mrs. Munguia

We are still in the process of hiring and confirming assistant positions for when the building re-opens.

Berkshire PTA

The Berkshire PTA Board Members hope that you will participate in future activities. If you have any questions about

meetings or seek information, their email addresses are as follows:

Courtney Katzenberger, President: [email protected]

Keith Katzenberger, VP: [email protected]

Angela Heinerichs, Treasurer: [email protected]

Mary Weinreich-Ritchie, Secretary: [email protected]

Arrival and Dismissal Process

Arrival Procedures

• Students in Prekindergarten will enter through the front doors of the school. • Kindergarten students may enter through the front door or rear walker doors. • Students who are CAR RIDERS will wait in their cars in the drop-off loop until directed into the front doors of the

building between 8:30 and 8:45. • Walkers should wait in a socially distanced manner until the building doors open at 8:30am. There are cones in

front of the school labeled with grade levels for them to line up and wait behind until the doors open at 8:30am. • Bus riders will be dropped off in the bus loop and walk in through the front entry doors. • Students who are WALKERS enter through the rear walker door or the front door into the main lobby.

Dismissal Procedures

• WALKERS in Prekindergarten and Kindergarten will exit through the classroom door on the back side of the building.

• WALKERS in grades 1 and 2 will exit through the rear walker doors of the building. (If students walk alone, we must have a letter to provide approval of this.)

• WALKERS in grade 3 will exit through the rear walker doors at the back of the building. • WALKERS in grades 4 and 5 will exit through the middle front stairwell (Stairwell E) unless they walk through the

rear campus walkway to exit. • Car riders will all be assigned numbers and parents will receive a corresponding placard for their car. Parents will

wait in their cars in the pick-up loop for their child to be escorted to the car. Please pull forward to allow space for all parents.

• If you change the way your child will go home one day, please contact the school to make us aware. • BUS RIDERS & DAYCARE CENTER students will exit through the front door and will be escorted to the bus or

van by an adult. These procedures are subject to change.







08/05/2021


Transportation • If your child is a bus rider, we will call your home prior to the start of school with bus stop location and times.

School Arrival Dismissal Diagram

Parent Tips • Be sure your child knows where to meet you during dismissal. • Understand new traffic patterns. • Remain in car if you are driving for pick-up with your placard. • Let the school know early if there is a change in dismissal for the day. • Pick your child up on time from school and have photo ID with you. • Review COVID safety measures frequently with your child. • Send your child with a water bottle and mask. • Fill out the google form for dismissal or notify the school if you need a car rider placard.

Title I

Berkshire Elementary is a Title I school. All Title I schools engage families in the shared decision-making process. Schools

also provide families with information to understand and support student academic achievement standards. The local

educational agency (LEA) receives funds from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) based on the census

count of low-income families residing in the LEA. Eligible students in the attendance area generate funds. The students

receiving services may or may not be economically disadvantaged. Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) has the



08/05/2021


responsibility of ensuring that all eligible students receive services. Currently, BCPS serves elementary schools with

poverty rates at or above 56% and middle schools at or above 61%, as determined by free and reduced meals status.

Berkshire Book Fair

The Fall Book Fair will be held November 15-19, 2021. A flyer will be sent home closer to the dates of the Book Fair.

Late Arrival Early Dismissal • Buzz the buzzer at the door for your child to be

admitted. • Please state your child’s name, teacher and

reason for tardiness. • Be prepared to show ID upon entering the

building at any time. • Your child will be marked present to school,

but late in FOCUS.

• Please state your child’s name, teacher, and reason for pick-up.

• You must show identification to the staff member upon receipt of the child, if requested.

• You must sign the early dismissal log before leaving the building.

These procedures are subject to change pending COVID mitigation guidelines for school visitors.

Your Child’s Homeroom Teacher is:



08/05/2021


Berkshire Beginning of Year Events Calendar

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday August 23

August 24

Berkshire Parent

Information Session

6:00 P.M.

Google Meet Code:

BerkshireParentInfo

August 25 August 26

3:45-5:00

Sneak-A-Peek

(Stop in to see your

child’s classroom.)

Evening Registration

in the Front Office

August 27

1st Grade Orientation

8:30am-12:30pm

August 30

Kindergarten

Conferences

August 31

Prekindergarten

Conferences &

Student Screening

Kindergarten

Half of the students

attending the A.M.

Other half of the

students attend in

the P.M.

September 1

Prekindergarten

Conferences & Screening

First Full Day of

Kindergarten

September 2

Prekindergarten

Half of the Class

Attends for 1st hour

with the parent.

Half of the Class

attends the 2nd hour

with parent.

September 3

Prekindergarten

Half of the Class

Attends for 1st hour

without the parent.

Half of the Class

attends the 2nd hour

without parent.

September 6

LABOR DAY

NO SCHOOL

September 7

Systemwide

Professional

Development Day-

Schools closed for

students.

September 8

Prekindergarten

First Full Day of School

September 9

September 10

September 13

September 14

September 15

September 16

Yom Kippur

September 17



08/05/2021


2020-2021

All event dates are subject to change based on CDC and BCPS Office of Health Services COVID

Mitigation Guidelines.

Back-To-School

Night

4:30-5:15 3rd & 5th

5:15-6:00 2nd & 4th

6:00-6:45 PK, K, 1st

Schools Closed for

Students

Systemwide PD Day



08/05/2021




08/05/2021


Berkshire Elementary Dismissal 2021-2022 School Year

Dear Parents:

Below you will find information on our dismissal procedures. Once you have read the procedures, please fill

out the attached form and return to the school as soon as possible. You may list brothers and sisters on the

same form who attend Berkshire. Every student will receive a backpack tag indicating if they are a walker, car

rider or bus rider.

Car Riders- Berkshire will continue to use a number system for any student being picked up as a car rider at

the end of the day. Your family will receive a number to be hung from your rearview mirror. If more than one

person is picking up your child, please list them on the form, and we will send home an additional tag for that

car. Children will be only allowed to leave with those names listed on the form and with the appropriate

number posted in the car. If someone new is picking up your child and your number is not displayed in the

car, they will be required to provide identification to sign your child out. If your child is picked up by a daycare,

please place the name of the daycare in the appropriate blank on the form. Daycare vehicles will receive their

own number.

How does the rider car system work?

As you drive around the car rider loop, children will be called by the number that you have hanging in your car.

When the car tag number is called, each student will walk to the car loop. Students will be dismissed only into

the care of individuals that have their matching dismissal number tag.

Walkers- Students who are walkers will exit the building at the designated area for their grade level. Pre-K and

K walkers will be picked up at their classroom doors in the back of the building. Grades 1-5 will dismiss from

the walker exit at the back of the building. Students in grades 3-5 may walk home without an adult. Please do

not ask your child to meet you in the bus or car loop as a walker.

Bus Riders- Bus riders will gather at a pre-determined spot and escorted on to the bus by designated staff

members.

Changes to pick up routines- Should you need to change the way your student is going home, please call our

front office as early as possible to alert us of the change. This way we can notify the teacher and have your

student in the correct location for pickup.

Thank you for patience and flexibility as we work to keep everyone safe!



08/05/2021


Berkshire Elementary

Dismissal Information 2021-2022

This year, my child(ren) will be…

Walker(s) Car Rider(s) Bus Rider(s) PLEASE PRINT INFORMATION

1) Student Name: ________________________________ Current Teacher: _______________



Parent/Guardian Name: __________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature: _______________________________________________________

Please list below the name of any additional person(s) who may pick up your child from school. If your child is a car rider, we can give up to 1 additional tag for another car that may pick up your child. This person must have your number posted in their windshield.

NAME RELATIONSHIP

1) ____________________________________ _____________________

2) ____________________________________ _____________________

NAME OF DAY CARE (if applicable): ________________________________________

Car Riders Only

____ Yes, I have my car rider placard for my car that I was given last year.

____ No, I do not have my car rider placard and will need a replacement.

Please check one of the following:

( ) My child will be a car rider always.

( ) My child will be a car rider most of the school year.

( ) My child will be a car rider sometimes.

Office Use Only!

Car Number _________


the berkshire bulletin august 2021

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