March 3rd, 2010

Coming Up

Wednesday 3/3: Math Night for 3^rd – 5^th grade parents and students, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday 3/3: Brent Bears News staff meeting, 8:10 a.m.

Friday 3/5: Joe Corbi extended deadline

Tuesday 3/9: Gala Committee meeting, 6:30 p.m.

604 South Carolina Ave., SE

Thursday 3/11: Brent International Night, 6-8 p.m.

 Friday 3/19: IMPORTANT: There will be school on 3/19 to make up for the missed days from the snowstorm.

Pizza and Math Night: Parents and students in grades 3 -5 are invited to Pizza and Math Night on Wednesday March 3 at 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. This special night features math games and conversation about how you can work with your child to develop a regular habit of math practice at home, led by our math coach, Mike Mangiaracina, and Sidwell Friends math teacher, Nina Koltnow, along with our 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th grade teachers. Game instructions and goodie bags will be provided for every participant, and each family will get a personalized math plan showing what their student needs to master for the DC CAS exam in April. For more information, please contact Mr. Mangiaracina.

Snowstorm Changes DCPS Calendar: Last Friday, DCPS announced several changes to the school calendar to make up for the days missed because of the snowstorm. Students will have school on Friday March 19, which had originally been scheduled as a professional development day. May 17 had originally been a parent-teacher conference day, but now is a regular day of instruction. June 18 has been converted from a half day to a full day of school. The school year was originally scheduled to end on June 18, but it is now extended to include June 21 and June 22. See the school calendar at www.dcps.dc.gov for details.

International Night: Please join us for Brent’s annual International Night celebration on Thursday March 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. Students who are interested in participating in the international fashion show should attend the rehearsals on Monday March 8 and Wednesday March 10 at 4 p.m. We hope all families can bring food from your cultural heritage for our international feast! Please bring enough food for at least eight people, plus paper goods and drinks, and drop it off at school by 4:30 p.m. on March 11. We’re looking for families to help with set-up at 5 p.m. and hope that parents of aftercare students can pick up your children by 6 p.m. on March 11, if possible, so you can join in the festivities!  Any questions, contact Ms. Homayoun at all4wski@yahoo.com.

Brent Friends Spotlight: Who’s afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? We’re not! Ms. Pierce and Ms. Pressman’s classes will be holding a publishing party on March 12 at 9:30 a.m. in room 110. Ms. Pressman’s class will be sharing their writing and Ms. Pierce’s class will debut their feature film Little Pigs. Feel free to knock on our door, but will you blow our classroom down? Not by the hair on our chinny chin chins. Ms. Pierce’s class is also starting a pen-pal program with a first-grade class in Chicago (taught by the mom of one of Ms. Pierce’s grad school colleagues). They’ll be writing letters back and forth for the rest of the school year and will be sending videos her way.

Professional Development: Ms. Amjad, Ms. Dinkes and Ms. Hill are back from their professional development at Teachers College! During their study with the Reading and Writing Project, they focused on how students can extend and transfer their reading and writing skills into the content areas. They studied topics ranging from experiential learning, vocabulary development, writing in response to learning, to interdisciplinary nonfiction units of study. They are excited to be back and many Brent students are benefiting from this incredible learning opportunity.

Good Food: Jocelyn Linde and Karen Neal met with the director of operations for DCPS to discuss plans to enhance our snack program for aftercare. They talked about adding healthy alternatives to the current offerings, such as low fat milk, fresh fruit, a SunButter/cracker or carrot combo and fruit cup, as well providing additional training to the kitchen staff to improve the speed of the cafeteria line. Brent is also in consideration for a fully funded pilot “supper” program, which would be great for the kids who stay late at school in aftercare.

Gala News: We will be distributing Brent Gala raffle tickets next week to all families and are asking every family to sell at least 10 tickets. Tickets will be 1 for $10 or 3 for $25. Prizes include a $200 Restaurant Group gift certificate, $100 Harris Teeter gift certificate, Nationals Tickets, and a $60 iTunes gift certificate. Please contact Denise Diggs at denise.diggs@verizon.net if you have any additional items to donate to the auction or the raffle. Also, buy your Gala tickets now! Tickets are available at www.buybrent.org, and you’ll also be receiving additional information and an order form soon. The next Gala Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 9 at 6:30 p.m. at 604 South Carolina Ave., SE. There will be food and you can bring your kids.

Middle School Update: The Middle School working committee will meet on Monday March 8 and March 15 at 6:30 p.m. to continue to discuss the Brent middle school concept. And the entire Brent community is invited to meet with Chancellor Rhee when she returns to Brent on March 17 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. to have a community conversation about a Brent Middle School for grades 6 through 8.

Quality Family Time: Women’s History Month Family Day, National Portrait Gallery, Saturday March 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy music and dance performances and workshops, hands-on art and stamp-collecting activities, and fun for all ages at this festival devoted to women in the arts. See www.npg.si.edu for details. Flights of Fancy, Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, Saturday March 6 at 11 a.m. Museum staff read “Hare and Tortoise Race to the Moon” followed by a hands-on activity. See www.nasm.si.edu/events. Alexandria St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Saturday March 6, includes a classic car show, fun dog show, and parade through Old Town Alexandria. See www.ballyshaners.org for details. Great Butterfly Exhibit, Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. See www.butterflies.si.edu.

Several Short Notes: Joe Corbi Deadline Extended: The Joe Corbi deadline has been extended to Friday March 5. Please put your envelope and one check payable to Brent PTA in the Joe Corbi box in the school office. All proceeds will help support the school’s continued outdoor greening efforts. Cash donations also accepted. Brent Bears News: The deadline for the next issue of the Brent Bears News is this Wednesday. If your child would like to include any articles, photos or drawings in the next issue, please hand them in to Ms. Homayoun or stop by the BBN staff meeting on Wednesday March 3 at 8:10 a.m. Box Tops Results: Ms. Copeland’s class was the winner of the Box Tops competition and will be receiving a popcorn party. Thanks to all who participated! The contest will be repeated in the Fall, since it helped us double our Box Tops submissions. Stuck On You Labels:  Reduce your family’s lost items and earn money for Brent by buying colorful personalized name labels through Stuck On You Labels. Order online at www.stuckonyou.biz and put Brent Elementary in the line at check out, or call 888-236-2800, mention Brent Elementary in Washington, DC, and our school will receive a commission for each packet of labels ordered.

February 25th, 2010

Tuesday 2/23: Gala Committee Meeting, 6 p.m.  604 South Carolina Ave., SE

Thursday 2/25: Box Tops due

Friday 2/26: Joe Corbi orders due

Monday 3/1: No school – parent/teacher conferences

Wednesday 3/3: Math Night for 3^rd – 5^th grade parents and students, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday 3/11: Brent International Night

Friday 3/19: IMPORTANT: There will be school on 3/19 to make up for the missed days from the snowstorm.

Bionic Principal Coming to Brent: From Dr. Wilhoyte: It seems as if February is health month for me. I cannot begin to thank you for your care and many kindnesses last year this time. My annual “pink ribbon check up” was 100% and I sincerely attribute the healing and recovery to your kind gifts and all the daily joy your children and the families of Brent share. On March 1, I will undergo hip replacement surgery. As I shared with the Chancellor, I intend to be off crutches when she returns to Brent for a meeting on March 17 and be ready to try out for Dancing with the Stars by the end of next month. During my absence, Karen Neal, our special education and after care director, will be acting principal. I will be in touch via e-mail, phone, and Skype after the first few days and in between PT sessions.

Raising the Bar and Closing the Gap: DC CAS Success for All Star Bears: Students working below grade level in reading have been going to school five additional hours every week since December, working hard to be sure to be reading and thinking on grade level for this year’s DC CAS performance in April. During these last few weeks, we also will be working with personalized success plans in mathematics as well. Parents of students in grades 3, 4 and 5 will be receiving personalized practice protocols to make sure we have all done our best to prepare our students to perform at the top of their game!

Parking in Bus-Only Area: Chancellor Rhee and D.C. Council member Tommy Wells worked with Assistant Chief Groomes and asked that the police not ticket cars that are temporarily parked for pick-up and drop-off. However, drivers may never double park on either side of the street and block curbside cars or traffic on North Carolina Avenue.

Math Night for Upper Grade Parents and Students: Parents and students in grades 3 – 5 are invited to Math Night on Wednesday March 3 starting at 6:30 p.m. Come to school for a program of math games and strategies to help you and your students practice math together at home. Please see the attached flyer for more information.

Joe Corbi Deadline: It’s the last week for the Joe Corbi pizza and cookie dough fundraiser. All orders are due by Friday Feb. 26. Please turn in your order form and one check made payable to “Brent PTA” to the Joe Corbi box in the office. (Unfortunately, online ordering does not seem to be working with the company.) Also, please encourage out-of-state relatives and friends to donate pizza through your student to the Capitol Area FoodBank. Thanks for supporting this important fundraiser, which will help fund our continued schoolyard greening efforts.

Music News: The Brent Glee Club has resumed rehearsals on Friday afternoons, from 3:30 – 4:15 p.m. We will be offering beginning guitar on Fridays from 4:30 – 5 p.m. and beginning piano on Fridays from 5:15 – 5:45 p.m. There is a maximum of 10 students per class. Please sign up with Ms. McDowell.

Teacher Appreciation: The Brent PTA is showing its appreciation to our wonderful teachers and staff with a special dinner on Thursday night at the home of Brent parents Ana and Jason Townsend. The staff will enjoy a pot luck feast prepared by parent volunteers plus a chocolate fountain for dessert. The event also includes contests for the staff, who can win prizes including a weekend in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Thank you to all of the parents who are helping, and a giant thank you to Brent’s amazing staff!                                                                                                                                                  

Nurse Freeman Says Goodbye: From Nurse Freeman: After eleven years of nurturing and providing nursing services to your precious children, I must say goodbye to you and your families. I look back on this time with sheer joy and pleasure as I think about all of the skinned knees that I have bandaged, temperatures I have taken and tears I have calmed. I can say that these past eleven years have been some of the best of my nursing career, and I will always think of Brent and its families with fond memories. Thank you for letting me into your lives and allowing me to do the work that I am passionate about – loving and caring for children. With Love and Gratitude, Garnett Freeman, School Nurse

Nurse James Says Hello: Please welcome Nurse James to Brent. Nurse James grew up in Trinidad and New York City, then spent more than 10 years as a private duty pediatric nurse, helping children with special needs in their homes and school after they returned from the hospital. “I love children and this is such a good experience interacting with them,” she says. “They’re very good at diagnosing themselves.” Nurse James also enjoys all kinds of music – gospel, R&B, calypso, French music and Zouk, a fast-paced French music with a Caribbean beat. Please stop by the nurse’s office and say hello to Nurse James!

Box Tops Deadline: The extended deadline for submitting Box Tops is Thursday Feb. 25. Please put your box tops in an envelope or Ziploc bag clearly marked with your classroom teacher’s name then drop them off in the treasure chest in the front office. The class with the most box tops wins a popcorn party. At the moment, Ms. Zydney’s class is in the lead, but not by much. Ms. Homayoun, McGonagle, Dinkes and Sgroi’s classes are not far behind!

Spring Gala News: The Brent Spring Gala, “Taste of the Hill” is on! Mark your calendars for April 17 starting at 6 p.m. Buy your tickets and raffle tickets now! Contact Daniel Holt at Daniel.holt@mail.house.gov or Julie Santoboni at jsantoboni@gmail.com for tickets. We’re still looking for more auction and raffle items, such as art, vacation home rentals, sport and theater tickets, services, back rubs – anything you don’t need any more but that others might enjoy. Give now – it’s for your school and is tax-deductible. Please contact Bessie Thibodeaux-Belcher (besthib@aol.com) about raffle prize donations or Denise Diggs (denise.diggs@verizon.net) for auction item donations. The next gala committee meeting will be held on Tuesday February 23 at 6 p.m. at 604 South Carolina Ave., SE. Also, you should be hearing from your class’s room parent about contributing to a class basket for the auction. Each class usually picks theme for its basket (such as arts & crafts, children’s books, cooking) and coordinates donations from families in the class. Themes are due by March 3 and completed baskets are due by April 9. Donation forms will be available in the main office. Thank you to everyone for your help!

Letter of Intent Forms: Please return all Letter of Intent Forms by March 1 (instead of the March 19 date listed on the form). We already have one class – Ms. Pierce’s – that has turned in all of its enrollment forms. Copies of the form are in the main office. Please stop by and fill out the form to let the school and DCPS know whether or not your child plans to attend Brent again next year, which will help with our enrollment planning.

Quality Family Time: Intersections American Arts Festival, Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St., NE), Feb. 19 – March 7. Enjoy three weekends of multi-disciplinary arts that celebrate differences and discover commonalities among artists and audiences of diverse races, ages and cultures. See http://intersectionsdc.org for a schedule and list of performers. African American History Program Family Day, Koshland Science Museum (6^th and E Sts., NW), Saturday Feb. 27 from 12 – 5 p.m. (rescheduled from the snow). Come to the Koshland for an exciting day of activities to explore the role of math and statistics in the census and everyday life, how racial and cultural perceptions have influenced census results, and the importance of how people define each other and themselves. See www.koshland-science-museum.org. Polar Exploration Family Day, National Archives, Saturday Feb. 27 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Celebrate the opening of the Polar Exploration exhibit with hands-on activities designed for children and their families. See www.archives.gov/dc-metro/events for details. Winter Tree Identification, Rock Creek Park Nature Center (5200 Glover Rd. NW), Sunday Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. Stroll with a ranger along the Woodland Trail and learn the secrets of identifying trees by looking only at the bark. Ages 4 and older. See www.nps.gov/rocr/planyourvisit/ranger-led-programs.htm.

February 17th, 2010

Wednesday 2/17: International Night Organizational Meeting, Ms. Levin’s Room, 6:30 p.m.

Monday 2/22: Middle School Update from Meeting with Chancellor Rhee, 6:30 p.m.

DCPS Out of Boundary Middle School Application Process and Recommendation Support Workshop for 5^th Grade Students and Parents, 6:30 p.m.

Brent Night at La Plaza: 629 Pennsylvania Ave., SE

 Friday 2/26: Joe Corbi orders are due

 Welcome Back: Welcome back! After a crazy snowbound week, everybody seemed excited to finally return to school. We’d like to show our special appreciation to Brent’s facilities crew, who braved the snow throughout the week to come in and clear the sidewalks and walkways so kids could make it in to class safely this morning (see photos). Thanks from everyone!

Brent Gala News: The Spring Gala Committee is excited to announce that the 3^rd annual Brent Spring Gala, “Taste of the Hill,” will be held at St. Mark’s Church (3^rd and A Sts. SE) on Saturday April 17 at 6 p.m. We’re looking forward to another wonderful evening and hope that you’ll be able to support the Gala, either by purchasing a ticket, helping to organize the event, volunteering, procuring auction items, or purchasing raffle tickets. The money raised supports many programs at Brent. Tickets this year will remain $75 per person and can be purchased through the Brent Web site (www.brentelementary.org) or through Daniel Holt (Daniel.holt@mail.house.gov) or Julie Santoboni (jsantoboni@gmail.com). Also, please donate items for the auction and raffle! We haven’t received many donations yet, and your support is what makes this gala a success. Please contact Bessie Thibodeaux-Belcher (besthib@aol.com) for raffle prize donations (sporting tickets are of particular interest) and Denise Diggs (denise.diggs@verizon.net) for auction item donations. See the attached letter for more information.

 Joe Corbi Fundraiser: Our Joe Corbi fundraiser is in full swing. Support Brent by ordering the delicious pizzas and cookie dough (order forms went out in kids’ backpacks two weeks ago). Order forms are due in the school office by Feb. 26 and will be delivered by March 17. You’ll also be able to donate pizza to the Capital Area Foodbank again, too (and proceeds from these sales will also go to Brent). Please contact Heidi Johnson at Heidi.j.johnson@gmail.com with questions.

Unique Professional Development Opportunity for Three Brent Teachers: This four-day week, Ms. Amjad, Ms. Dinkes and Ms. Hill are at Columbia University Teachers’ College in New York, where they are participating in a once-a-year advanced training opportunity in Readers’ Workshop. We continue to press toward our unmet goal of every student reading on or above grade level everyday in every class at Brent!

Middle School Update: A group of parents had a great meeting with Chancellor Rhee on Feb. 4 to discuss middle school options for Brent students. Come to the Middle School Working Group Meeting on Monday, Feb. 22 at 6:30 p.m. to find out more and help plan for Chancellor Rhee’s next visit to meet with the whole Brent community. Ms Vaugeois and Ms. Ewbank will also be holding a workshop that evening to help 5^th grade students and their parents with the DCPS out of boundary middle school application process and provide recommendation support.

Thanks for Helping Haiti: Thank you to everyone who donated supplies and cash to help rebuild the lives of so many children and families in Haiti. This country will continue to need supplies, support and your prayers. Brent’s donations will help families in Haiti through the Haiti Micah Project, a local-based nonprofit organization established in 2005 in Alexandria, Va. If you would like to find out more about the Haiti Micah Project, please see www.haiti-micah.org.

 International Night: Brent’s annual International Night celebration will be held on Thursday, March 11, and we’re looking for help preparing for the big event. We’ll be holding an organizational meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 6:30 p.m. for any parents who are interested in helping out. We’re looking for volunteers to help organize a variety show/fashion show, assist with set up or clean up, contact a country’s embassy for information to display, donate international food, or help in other ways. Please come to the meeting or contact Ms. Homayoun at all4wski@yahoo.com with questions.

 Brent Gallery Walk Celebration of Black History Month: We will have a Gallery Walk celebration of Black History Month from March 8 to 12. Each classroom is using their monthly museum studies/social studies’ theme to focus on recognized Black leaders and their contributions through group and individual interdisciplinary projects. Each class will organize and display their presentations for a Brent Gallery Walk, which parents will be able to view at International Night on March 11.

Quality Family Time: Mardi Gras Day: Veracruz Carnaval, Anacostia Community Museum (1901 Fort Place, SE), Saturday Feb. 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year’s Mardi Gras celebration includes the traditions of Mexico and New Orleans, with a day of storytelling, arts-and-crafts workshops, live music and dance demonstrations (this event had been postponed from Feb. 6). RSVP at (202) 633-4844. For more information, see www.si.edu/events/calendar.htm. One World, One Sky, National Air and Space Museum Planetarium, Saturday, Feb. 20, 10:30 a.m. Follow Sesame Street’s Big Bird and Elmo as they explore the night sky with Hu Hu Zhu, a Muppet from Zhima Jie, the Chinese co-production of Sesame Street. See www.nasm.si.edu/visit/theaters. Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration, Chinatown (H & I Sts. between 6^th and 8^th Sts.), Sunday Feb. 21 from 2 to 5 p.m. Celebrate the Year of the Tiger with a festival that includes folk dances, musical bands, cultural exhibitions, a parade, and the popular lion and dragon dances, as well as a five-story high firecracker (which will be lit at 3:45 p.m.) For more information, see www.chinatownchamber.us.

Several Short Notes: More Mad Science: Due to popular demand, the PTA after-school enrichment program is adding a second Mad Science class on Wednesdays from 4-5 p.m. The first class will be Wednesday Feb. 17. Enrollment is on a first-come first-served basis. Please complete the enrollment form in the office, along with the $200 payment. Class size is limited to 20. Tax Info: If you’re looking for Brent’s tax ID numbers for your taxes (aftercare can qualify for the child-care credit), the Out of School Time (DCPS aftercare) number is 53-600-1131 and the Brent PTA is 16-1713470. The Brent PTA tax ID number should be used for aftercare for August through November, PTA adventure days and beforecare. Box Tops: The Box Tops competition is heating up! At the moment, Ms. Zydney’s and Ms. Dinkes’ classes are among the leaders, followed close behind by Ms. Homayoun’s and Ms. Sgroi’s classes. But it’s not too late for your class to come out on top. The class with the most Box Tops turned in by Feb. 22 will win a popcorn party. Please keep clipping Box Tops and sending them to the school in an envelope/baggie marked with your child’s classroom teacher’s name. For a list of products that include the Box Tops logo, see www.boxtops4education.com. Enrollment Letter: Please return the Letter of Intent for School Year 2010-2011 to the Brent office as soon as possible. It’s very important to fill out this form to let the school and DCPS know whether or not your child plans to attend Brent again next year, so we’ll know how many seats will be available for new students. Brent Night at La Plaza: Are you excited to leave your house after being snowbound for so long? Enjoy dinner (and margaritas) with Brent friends at La Plaza Restaurant, 629 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, next It’s a great way to have a fun night out and help support Brent!

February 3rd, 2010

Wednesday 2/3: Brent Bears News Meeting, 8:10 a.m. in Ms. Homayoun’s room. All kids are welcome 

Wednesday 2/3: Chinese for Grownups, 5:30-7 p.m. in the Chinese classroom

Wednesday 2/3: Open House for Prospective Parents, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday 2/3: LSRT and PTA Executive Board review of SY11 budget, 7:30 p.m. in the Brent library

Friday 2/5: No uniform day!

Wednesday 2/10: Meeting of 5^th grade students and parents – preparing applications for middle school, 6:30 p.m. in the library

Friday 2/12: No School – Professional Development Day

Monday 2/15: No School – President’s Day

A Great Day at the Bird Count: A note from Mr. Mangiaracina: A great time was had by all at the first annual New Year’s Bird Count for Kids on Saturday. We had at least 60 students and their parents in attendance, with three teams braving the surprise snowstorm to go out into the field to survey birds. A total of 20 species of birds were seen through snowflakes. Back at school we were treated to a demonstration of live hawks, owls and falcons, birdy craft projects and hands-on bird learning. I’d like to thank all of our parent volunteers who made this day possible and for all the support that got this new event off the ground. The most special thanks of all, though, goes to my wife Alisa Glassman. Not only did she do 100 different things to keep the day flowing, she provided the energy and inspiration to keep me going. We all owe her a big thanks for making the bird count possible!

Free Chinese Classes for Grownups: Parents and other Brent grownups have an amazing opportunity to take free Chinese classes again this semester. Join Brent’s fabulous Chinese for Grownups class on Wednesday nights from 5:30-7 p.m. in the Chinese classroom. It’s a great way to learn a new skill and to keep up with your kids’ Chinese. All parents and other Brent grownups are welcome, even if you didn’t take the class last semester, and all materials are provided free of charge. Special thanks to the Confucius Institute at George Mason University for making this opportunity possible. Contact Tobie Meyer-Fong at tmeyerf@mindspring.com with any questions.

Afterschool Chinese:  Just a reminder to all participants in the kids’ afterschool Chinese program, there will be no Chinese classes on Tuesday or Wednesday Feb. 9-10. This was indicated on the enrollment form and is not a change to the schedule, but we wanted to send out a reminder to make sure you all have this on your calendars. Thanks!

No Uniforms on Friday: In honor of the 100^th day of school, Dr. Wilhoyte has announced that students will not have to wear their uniforms on Friday Feb. 5. Thanks to Jack Johnson and Saul Meyer-Fong in Ms. Homayoun’s class for writing letters to Dr. Wilhoyte requesting the non-uniform day!

Join the Destination Imagination Team: Destination Imagination, a PTA afterschool enrichment program led by Ms. Basralian and Ms. Dinkes, kicked off last Thursday. Students completed their first challenge – conceiving and developing a product and then creating an assembly line to produce it. There is still room for more students in the program, which is open to kids in grades 1 through 5. If your child is interested in using creativity and imagination to work collaboratively to compete in challenges, please see Jocelyn Linde in the office to sign up. The program costs $125 for the semester.

Spring Gala Auction Items: We’re looking for donations of auction and raffle items for Brent’s Spring Gala. If you have something to donate or know a business that would like to make a donation, please contact Denise Diggs at denise.diggs@verizon.net or Bessie Thibodeaux-Belcher at besthib@aol.com. Items of interest include: vacation rentals, wine, jewelry, theater tickets, babysitting, weekend getaways, sports memorabilia, tickets to sports events, professional services, dining gift certificates, artwork, birthday party packages, spa services, and books by local authors. This is the Brent PTA’s #1 fundraising source. Please be creative and generous!

Joe Corbi Fundraiser: We’re selling Joe Corbi’s delicious pizzas and cookie dough again this year as a fundraiser for Brent. Order forms will be going home in kids’ backpacks soon, orders are due by Feb. 26 and will be delivered to the school on March 17. Please get involved and help Brent!

Thanks Green Team: Lisa Perry and Heidi Johnson put a package of school ID badges together for each teacher to use when they go out of the building on field trips. The badges (which can be clipped on the students’ shirts or hung by a new cool “Brent ES” lanyard) have the school name, address and phone number, as well as a contact number for the teacher. The total cost was $400, paid from the Schoolyard Greening Funds.

 Brent International Night: Brent’s annual International Night celebration will be on Thursday March 11. Last year’s event was a huge success, with amazing food, cultural artifacts, international performances, and a fashion show where students wore clothes from throughout the world. Please let Ms. Homayoun know if you can help with this year’s program – by donating international food, helping with a variety show/fashion show, helping with set up or clean up, or by contacting a country’s embassy for information to display that evening. Please fill in the sign-up sheet that went home last week or e-mail Ms. Homayoun at all4wski@yahoo.com

Extra Brent Open House: In response to a tremendous number of recent requests, Brent will be holding an additional Open House for prospective Brent families on Wednesday Feb. 3 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Spread the word if you have friends or neighbors who are interested in learning more about our wonderful school. RSVPs appreciated but not required to ldatella@yahoo.com.

Quality Family Time: Valentines for Veterans at the National Children’s Museum (112 Waterfront St., National Harbor, Md.) on Saturday Feb. 6 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Make Valentine’s Day cards to be distributed to veterans during the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans. See www.ncm.museum/launch_zone/events for details. Heart to Heart in the ImaginAsia classroom at the Sackler Gallery (1050 Independence Ave., SW), Saturday Feb. 6 from 1-3 p.m. Listen to traditional love songs from Asia and create origami hearts to give to family and special friends on Valentine’s Day. See www.asia.si.edu/events. Black History Month Family Day Celebration at the Smithsonian American History Museum, Saturday  Feb. 6 from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Create a cut-out genealogy book, see “Join the Student Sit-Ins,” an award-winning interactive theatrical presentation, listen to “Sing for Freedom,” a musical program that celebrates the role of freedom songs in the Civil Rights movement, watch the “Can You Spell Harlem?” puppet show, and meet children’s book authors Ann Ingalls and Maryann Macdonald. See www.si.edu/events/nmah.htm for the full schedule. Counting America: African American History Program Free Family Day at the Koshland Science Museum (6^th and E Sts., NW) Saturday Feb. 6 from 12-5 p.m. Explore the role of math and statistics in the census and in everyday life and the importance of how people define each other and themselves. See www.koshland-science-museum.org/events.

Several Short Notes

Keep Collecting Box Tops: The Box Tops competition is still on! Please keep clipping Box Tops and sending them to the school in an envelope of baggie marked with your child’s classroom teacher’s name. The class with the most Box Tops turned in by Feb. 22 will win a popcorn party. For a list of products that include the Box Tops logo, see www.boxtops4education.com  Enrollment Letter: Please return the Letter of Intent for School Year 2010-2011 to the Brent office as soon as possible. It’s very important to fill out this form to let the school and DCPS know whether or not your child plans to attend Brent again next year, so we’ll know how many seats will be available for new students.