Alabama Broadband Connectivity

 Starting this month, MPS students who qualify for free and reduce lunch will receive wifi vouchers to assist with internet connectivity for distance learning. 

The program, Alabama Broadband Connectivity (ABC), will provide the wifi vouchers. The vouchers will help cover equipment and service costs for high-speed internet service from the fall through December 31, 2020. Families who qualify will receive a letter via mail to their home address. Please make sure all contact information for your student is correct. For more information, please visit https://abcstudents.org. 

Discount Card Time!

Ahoy Mateys! It’s Discount Card time! 

Orders open today, August 20 and run through September 17. 

 

Discounts cards are our main fundraiser for Bear PTA. We ask each student to sell 5 cards or “Just Give” $50. This is how we are able to put thousands of dollars back into our AMAZING school!  These cards sell themselves with discounts from so many fabulous, local businesses. 

 

Like everything else, this will look a bit different. Here are your options for selling and buying: 

 

1) Pre-order Discount Cards through Bear PTA Memberhub Store to be mailed* directly to you for $11 each. 

 

2) Pre-order Discount Cards through BearPTA Memberhub Store and choose a designated pickup date** for $10 each. 

 

3) On Site Purchasing with Cash/Check at any Pickup Day and receive your cards immediately.  

 

4) Just Give to the Bear PTA through the Bear PTA Memberhub Store in any amount if selling cards isn’t something you’d like to do. 

 

*Pre-ordered cards will be mailed each Tuesday beginning August 25th. 

**all pickups will be in the Bear Carpool circle on Churchill Drive. 

 

Pickup Dates and Times:

Wednesday, August 26th 5:30pm-6:30pm

Saturday, August 29th 8am-9am 

Sunday, September 13th 3pm-4pm

Wednesday, September 16th 5:30pm-6:30pm

 

Pre Order Discount Cards at the Bear PTAMemberhub Store today! 

 

https://bearexploration.memberhub.store

There are great PRIZES to motivate students to sell even more. 

The top seller will win a Nintendo Switch Lite.

Every Student that sells 25 or more cards will be entered into a drawing for a $200 Visa Gift Card.

For every 10 cards sold, the student will get his or her name entered in a drawing for a $100 Visa Gift Card.  (If you sell 30 cards, your student's name will be entered in the drawing three times). 

Bear PTA Newsletter-May 2020

This school year started as an Adventure, but who knew then what an adventure it would be! We are excited to be finishing strong even in the strangest of circumstances. There are a few important PTA items we would like to highlight as we conclude this school year.

Summer Packets
You can print off optional Summer Packets for rising 1st-5th graders on the Bear PTA Blog.  Students who complete their upcoming grade level packet and return it to their new teacher by August 14th will receive a prize from the PTA.

Click here for Summer Packets

Alabama PTA

The Bear PTA placed 1st in the Alabama PTA Family-Partnerships Awards in the Sharing Power Elementary Division! We were also recognized for 22 consecutive years of 100% PTA participation!

PTA Executive Board Slate
The following slate of names for the 2020-2021 Bear PTA Executive Officers was submitted in our April newsletter. No other nominations were submitted to the Nominating Chair, Mindy Craymer; so the 2020-2021 Slate stands as is:

Anna Wamsted-President
Traci Schell - 1st Vice President Membership
Kelly Stanton -2nd Vice President Fundraising
Whittington Black-Secretary
Lee Johnson-Treasurer
Jill Sexton-Communications

A huge thank you to Mollye Gunnells who has served as the Treasurer for the past two years.  She has spent many hours volunteering and will be greatly missed on the Executive Board. Thank you Mollye for all of your hard work!

Uniform Drop Off and Resale
The Uniform Resale is tentatively set for July 23-24. We will most likely have uniform donation drop-off days prior to that. More information on this will be posted to our PTA Facebook page.

2020-2021 Bear’s Prepaid School Supplies
The deadline for the prepaid school supplies was May 7th. For anyone that has not paid, please go to https://bearexploration.memberhub.store/ and pay online.

2020-2021 Floyd Middle Magnet’s (Rising 6th Graders) Prepaid Classroom Supplies   
Fifth graders attending Floyd Middle Magnet School next year can pay the mandatory classroom supply fee online at https://fmms.memberhub.store/  or mail checks or money orders (no cash) made payable to FMMS PTSA to P.O. Box 11185, Montgomery, AL 36111.

The fee is $25 per student, due by June 16th. This $25 classroom supply fee includes Clorox wipes, tissue, hand sanitizer, paper towels, and a Floyd Planner.

Students will receive a classroom supply list from their individual teacher prior to the start of school, e.g. notebooks, calculators, composition notebooks etc. This information will also be listed on the Floyd Middle Magnet School page, as well as, the PTSA page. Stay tuned…and Welcome to FMMS!

Virtual Teacher Appreciation Week
Thank you to everyone that virtually loved on our teachers last week with notes, videos, pictures, and gifts!  The PTA recognized how much we appreciate our teachers by delivering Awesome Teacher yard signs to their homes. Every teacher, administrator, and staff member also received a gift card from the PTA.  Thank you all for loving our teachers so well!

Congratulations 
Congratulations to one of our wonderful 5th grade teacher Mrs. Geesey on her retirement.  Bear has been blessed to have her as teacher.  Thank you for teaching so many of our students. You will be missed!

Congratulations to all of our 5th graders that are leaving Bear this year.  We know Bear has set a solid foundation for your continued success.

We hope that everyone has a safe summer, and we look forward to seeing so many of you in August!

Always there has been an adventure just around the corner—and the world is still full of corners. –Roy Chapman Andrews

Virtual Teacher Appreciation Week: May 4-8^th

Our teachers have gone above and beyond for us this year. We are so thankful for their dedication and hard work! Let’s flood their inboxes with love from our students. We’ll also have posts up each day on the Bear Exploration PTA Facebook page where you can comment and share your pictures and videos. Here are some suggestions of ways you can show your appreciation:

Monday, May 4th: Classroom Teachers

Draw your teacher a flower, take a picture & email it to him/her.

Tuesday, May 5th: Specialists

Draw a flower, send a digital gift card to their favorite place or write a note & email it to one of our amazing Specialists.

            Tamara Bibbins             Mary Bonikowski           Carlos Booker               Gina Eagerton

            Sarah Fell                     Loretta Harrison            Claudia Hoit                  Laurie Houlditch

            Mary Lanier                   Amy Marshall                Jessica Myers               Sueanne Reynolds

           

Wednesday, May 6th: Classroom Teachers

Have students write a note or make a video for their teacher and email it to them.

Thursday, May 7th: Lunchroom*, Environmental* and Office Staff

Draw a flower or write a note & email it to our amazing lunchroom staff, environmental staff, or front office staff.

           

            Principal, Elizabeth Hill                                      Vice Principal, Brandi Moody

            Secretary, Carol Lasater                                    Bookkeeper, Amy Robinson

            Office Assistant, Janie Hodgson

Lunchroom Staff*: Olivia, Mr. Tony, Alecia, Callie, Linda

Environmental Workers*: Tony Green, Wanda, Courtney         

Friday, May 8^th: Classroom Teachers

Send your teacher a digital gift card to one of their favorite places listed on their favorite’s sheets.

All “Favorites” are linked on our Facebook page in the files section or on our blog.

All emails are firstname.lastname@mps.k12.al.us  ( example: elizabeth.hill@mps.k12.al.us )

*If you are wanting to send something to the lunchroom staff or environmental workers please email it to bearexploration.pta@gmail.com

Bear PTA Announcements -April 2020

Hello Bear PTA Family! 

We hope everyone is doing well and staying safe. The COVID-19 pandemic has altered our students’ ways of learning and socializing.  Who would have thought we would not return to school after Spring Break?  Thank you to our wonderful school administration and teachers who have worked tirelessly to develop new ways to teach and engage our students.   Parents, thank you for doing a wonderful job of taking on the new task of facilitating your children’s learning at home while still juggling a multitude of other tasks.

A HUGE thank you is given to our parents who are serving on the front line during this pandemic. We are so appreciative of the work you do! 

Here are some items of interest as we work to close out the 2019-2020 school year and prepare for the upcoming school year. 😊

PTA Executive Board Slate

On behalf of the nominating committee, I, Mindy Craymer, submit the following slate of names for the 2020-2021 Bear PTA Officers:

Anna Wamsted-President

Traci Schell - 1^st Vice President Membership

Kelly Stanton -2^nd Vice President Fundraising

Whittington Black-Secretary 

Lee Johnson-Treasurer 

Jill Sexton-Communication 

If there are any other nominations, please verify with the nominee and submit the recommendation to me, Mindy Craymer, at mac9-6@juno.com by Friday, April 17, no later than 11:59 p.m

Fun Run

We were so excited for our first annual Bear PTA Fun Run.  Unfortunately, we will have to reschedule for the next school year. All donations will be refunded, and all pledges made will be cancelled.  If you have any questions just let us know and thank you so much for your continued support. 

School Supplies

Although this year has been less than ordinary for our students, they will still need school supplies for next year. Information should be available by the end of April.  If you are experiencing an economic challenge, we will work with you to create a payment plan.  We are in this together!

Teacher Appreciation 

We still plan to recognize our wonderful teachers, administration, lunchroom staff, and environmental staff during the week of May 4^th -8^th.  More details will be coming in the next two weeks. 

Spirit Nights 

Our April Spirit Night was scheduled for La Zona Rosa. Unfortunately, we are unable to dine in at restaurants at this time. If you are comfortable with take-out service, we encourage you support La Zona Rosa https://www.zonarosa.net/ and other businesses on our Bear Discount Card. We feel it is important we support our local businesses, especially our Bear family owned businesses, during this unprecedent time. 

Bear Wear

If you placed a Bear Wear order in February, you will be contacted regarding pick-up times after the stay at home order has been lifted. Thank you for your patience! 

Bear Facebook Page

Thank you for your informative posts about what your child is doing while sheltering in place. 

In an effort to make sure posts are seen, the page has been reorganized to highlight two areas Fun and Educational Activities and Educational Resources.

Please post your pictures and/or activities in the comment section in the appropriate thread each week. This is a great way for the Bear Family to stay connected.

As always, we thank you for your support of the Bear PTA.

Bear PTA Newsletter- March 2020

Book Fair

Our annual Bear Book Fair will be from 8am-4pm on March 2-6. Tuesday, March 3, is Pastry for Parents in the Bear Media Center.  This is a time set apart for you as a parent to come with your child for a morning snack and shopping. The hours are from 7:30 to 8:40. Your child will go to class when the bell rings at 8:30 to be marked present, so come early.  

Spirit Night!

Our next spirit night at Chuck-E-Cheese is March 6^th!!!  More information will be coming home this week!

PTA Reflections

Congratulations to Amelia Johnson and Brayden D. White who placed in the State PTA Reflections Contest. 

PTA Meeting

In an effort to showcase many of our amazing activities at Bear, we've moved our March PTA meeting to April 14th at 6pm. Honor Chorus, Jump Rope Team, Bear Twirlers & Spanish Club will perform. Hotdog dinner will be provided. More info and a form to make your hotdog reservation will be sent home closer to the date.

Specialist Spotlight for March

Senora Hoit our amazing Spanish teacher is the specialist for March.  Please bring her an item off her wish list and sign the sheet to be entered to win some Bear Bucks!

·         Clorox Wipes

·         Erasers

·         Crayons

·         Pencils

·         Prizes for treasure box

·         Lysol spray

·         Color paper

Thank you to these students for bringing items in February to Mrs. Marshall, those students will be recognized, and the drawing will be held soon.

Fun Run

Parents and Families—we are so excited for the BEAR FUN RUN! It’s a two-week program that kicks off with a Pep Rally on Monday, March 23^rd! Families will then gather pledges for every lap your student runs (30-35 laps) at the BEAR FUN RUN, which will happen on April 3rd. This year our goal is to raise $20,000 for Interactive Boards and Techonolgy Updates, and we need your help! We’ve asked the experts at Booster to power our fundraiser to make it easier, more profitable, and more fun.

Students will also experience an amazing character theme, MINDSPARK: WILD WEST! Booster’s most exciting theme yet combines S.T.E.A.M. skills (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) with character-building. While they're teaming up with the MindSpark Kids to save Dr. Shock, our students will learn five character traits (Honesty, Gratitude, Generosity, Kindness, and Humility) that will help strengthen themselves and our world.

Donations will go toward Interactive Boards and Technology Updates and the entire two-week experience. So please help our school by getting pledges from family and friends and entering them on FUNRUN.COM. Also, all families are invited to come out and cheer on our students at the Bear Fun Run on April 3rd. Thanks so much for your support! 

Art Show

Our annual Bear Art Show will be April 22^nd.  Please consider volunteering to help with this awesome show! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080D44A9A62FA7FC1-artshow1

Personalized Bricks

Now is a great time to order your Brick and help support the Bear Garden! Order form is below. Send in your form & payment to your homeroom teacher so it can be added to the garden before the end of the year!

Order Form

Discount Cards

Thank you for all of those that participated in the survey.  We greatly value your feedback! 

Upcoming Events

Book Fair-March 2-6

Spirit Night at Chuck E Cheese-March 6^th

Fun Run-March 23-April 3^rd

PTA Meeting-April 14^th @ 6:00

Art Show-April 22nd

Bear PTA Newsletter- February 2020

Bear Family Dance

The annual Bear Family Dance is THIS FRIDAY, & we need YOUR help to make it amazing! We still need some more volunteers, so please click the signup link & find a place that works for you!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0f4ea9a828a2fd0-bear2

Make sure to return your Family Dance Pre-Order Wristband form by 9am 2/6 or you can conveniently pay for wristbands online here: https://bearexploration.memberhub.store/           

Spirit Night!

Thank you to all of you who enjoyed spirit night at Pizza Perfect.  We were able to receive $128!!! Mark your calendars for March 6^th for our next spirit night at Chuck-E-Cheese!!!  More information will be coming home closer to the date!

PTA Reflections

Bear had many students who placed in the PTA Reflections Art Contest on the County level! Way to go Bear!

Photography: Primary

1st-Avery Grace Stanton

2nd-Benjamin Noah Moore

Photography: Intermediate

1st-Tanner Hoit

2nd Makayla Chatman & Jackson Sexton

Visual Arts: Primary

1st-Avery Grace Stanton

Visual Arts: Intermediate

1st-Mille DeLoach

2nd-Audrey Kim

HM-Henry Manderville

Literature: Primary

1st-Banks Davenport

Literature: Intermediate

1st-Sarah Cate Gulsby

2nd-Jackson Sexton & Faith Lynn Nguyen

Musical Composition: Primary

1st-Amelia Johnson

Musical Composition: Intermediate

1st- Brayden D. White

Dance Composition: Intermediate

1st-Mary Grace Parsons

The winners will be receiving an invitation in the mail from Montgomery County PTA to attend a reception to receive their awards. The reception is in the Spring.

Specialist Spotlight for February

Let’s show Mrs. Marshall some love this month by brining her items off her wish-list! Items requested are:  

• gift cards to pet stores, Walmart and Amazon
• AA batteries
• 3 volt batteries (look like quarters)
• snack size ziplocs
• sandwich size ziplocs
• yarn (any color or type)
• glue sticks
• sharpie
• q-tips
• card stock
• hand santizer

Thank you to these students for brining items in January to Mrs. Houlditch: Ezra LaBier, Banks Davenport, Emme Kaplan, Jordan McGhee, Destiny Cobb, Maddi Kirk and Arraya Buathet.  Ezra LaBier was the winner this month and will receive $3 in Bear Bucks!

Valentines Parties

Parties for each grade will be held February 14^th from 2:45-3:30. Only room parents can attend this party.

Science Night

Join us February 20^th for Science Night! More information will be sent home with your child in the next week.

Book Fair

Our annual Bear Book Fair will be from 8am-4pm on March 2-6. Pastries with Parents will be from 8:00am-8:40am on Tuesday, March 3rd. Come have a pastry & shop the Book Fair with your child. More information to come in the next few weeks.

Fun Run

We’re excited about this opportunity to come together as a school & focus on health & character & support our school in the process.

It will span March 23 to April 3 with the run being the last day. There will be fun incentives given to students each day who meet specific goals. It’s a great opportunity to get grandparents & out of town friends & family involved in our school. There will be more info coming home closer to the event.

Personalized Bricks

Now is a great time to order your Brick and help support the Bear Garden! Order form is below. Send in your form & payment to your homeroom teacher so it can be added to the garden before the end of the year!

Order Form

Upcoming Events

Bear Family Dance-February 7^th

Class Valentines Party-February 14^th

Science Night-February 20^th

Book Fair-March 2-6

Fun Run-March 23-April 3^rd