August 11, 2025
Greetings Barnaby Manor Elementary School Family,
It brings me great joy to welcome you to a new school year filled with promise, potential, and purpose. Whether you're returning or joining us for the first time, I’m excited to begin this journey with you as I proudly enter my fourth year as principal of this amazing school community. Together, we will continue building a strong, supportive school community rooted in academic excellence and care for the whole child.
Our school theme, "Climbing to Higher Heights," remains a powerful reminder of our shared commitment to growth. With the mighty bear as our mascot, we’ll keep pushing forward—embracing curiosity, tackling challenges, and celebrating every milestone along the way.
This summer, our staff has been thoughtfully preparing for the year ahead. From updates to our curriculum to engaging activities planned across grade levels, we are focused on providing a safe, inclusive, and enriching environment where all of our mighty bear scholars can thrive.
Strong communication will remain a top priority. Please stay connected through our school website, Synergy (our new student information and grading system), and ClassDojo. We’ll also continue to focus on strong attendance habits—with your partnership, we know we can ensure every student is present, engaged, and ready to learn. As a reminder, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) considers students chronically absent if they miss more than 17 days in a school year, regardless of the reason. Every day matters, and consistent attendance is a key factor in your child’s academic success.
To our new families—welcome! And to our returning families—it’s wonderful to have you back. Let’s work together to support our scholars in reaching new academic heights, developing a lifelong love of learning, and making this year truly memorable.
Please take a moment to read through this letter carefully, as it contains key information to help us all start the year off strong.
The first day of school begins on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at 7:30am (Students may enter at 7:25am)
Sincerely,
Ashley Conwell
Principal
Here is some important information to help you prepare for the 2025-2026 School Year:
Important Dates To Remember
Orientations for grades PreK, Kindergarten, and new students to BMES will be held on Monday, August 25, 2025 from 10:30 am- 12:30 pm. Students will have an opportunity to visit the school and their classrooms for a brief tour after orientation.
All students will return to school on Tuesday, August 26, 2025! Students should arrive at school between 7:25 am - 7:45 am. Setting the right tone is extremely important.
Labor Day: No School Monday, September 1, 2025. However, we begin the week before, and it is important that all students attend the first week of school.
All Grade Levels students and parents will have a chance to visit the classrooms to get a better understanding of teacher expectations and an overview of this year on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.
First Day of School Procedures
Doors open at 7:25, Parents will be allowed to walk students to class only for week 1
All visitors must exit by 8:00AM on day 1
All visitors must exit by 7:45AM the remainder of the week
School day ends at 1:40PM
School Supplies
The school supplies lists are available on https://www.pgcps.org/schools/barnaby-manor-elementary/parents/school-supplies. They have also been attached to this letter for your review.
Technology
Last school year, BMES transitioned to an in-school, cart-based technology system, and we will continue with this model for the 2025–2026 school year. This approach ensures that we have enough devices available for all students each day to support both instruction and testing. If a device needs to be sent home for any reason, a contractual agreement will be sent home and must be signed by the parent or guardian to assume responsibility for the device.
Arrival
Dismissal
Bus Riders
Walkers/Car Riders
Transportation
In light of the continued shortage of bus drivers regionally and nationally, we ask for your patience during the first weeks of school. Please update phone numbers, emails, and emergency contact info in Synergy.Please visit the PGCPS Transportation https://www.infofinderi.com/ifi/?cid=PGCPS5UR2GLJ6U to view your bus stop information.
School Hours
Our school hours are 7:30 am to 1:40 pm. Children should arrive at school between 7:20 am and 7:30 am. Children who arrive after 7:30 am will be considered late and marked as such. Breakfast will be available for students in the classroom from 7:25 am-7:45 am. No child should be left at school before 7:25 am. The school does not provide supervision of children until 7:25 am.
Uniforms:
School Meals
Breakfast and lunch will be offered in all schools. Information on meal prices can be found here along with making payments online to your child’s lunch account. BMES has been identified as a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) School. Breakfast and lunch will be FREE for all students. If needed funds can be deposited in the student lunch account to purchase a la carte items at www.myschoolbucks.com. Student Lunch Accounts Students will receive 6-digit PIN numbers which will remain with them until they graduate
No Shots? No School
Need shots for school? Head to a free immunization clinic in school wellness centers to get up-to-date with vaccinations. Appointments are required. View clinic dates and visit www.marylandvax.org to make an appointment. All students must be in compliance with current immunization requirements. All preschoolers, kindergartners, and first graders through tenth graders must have proof of the varicella (chicken pox) vaccine or month and year of the illness and 3 doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine. All first time students enrolled in Pre-K, kindergarten, and first grade must have a lead certificate completed by a parent or physician where applicable.
