Banneker Weekly
October 16, 2016

Calendar Items

  • October 17-21– A Week
  • Oct. 17-21– Bus Driver Appreciation Week
  • Oct. 21(Friday) – No School, Professional Development Day for SMCPS staff
  • Oct. 18, 6PM– PTA General Meeting
  • Oct. 19– Unity Day – wear Orange(more information below)
  • Oct. 20– Deadline for Impact Aid forms – We need one returned for each student(see below for details)
  • Oct 24-28–Red Ribbon Week– “SayBooto Drugs”(more information below)
  • Oct. 28– Character Stroll(information was sent home with students)
  • Oct. 26– PTA Coat Drive begins
  • Nov. 1,4-8 PM– PTA Spirit Night at Ledos
  • Nov. 2– Early Dismissal
  • Nov. 8– No School, Election Day
  • Nov. 11– No School,Veteran’s Day
    Many of our events are scheduled and posted online. For school and calendar information, you can access our Banneker website at

School Announcements and Reminders

Impact Aid Forms
Each family will need to complete an Impact Aid Form and return it to BBES byOctober 20th.
A yellow Impact Aid form has been sent home for each of our Banneker students. Please help us by taking a few minutes to complete the back of the form for your student(s) no later than October 20th.If the student has a guardian who works on federal property, please complete the entire form and sign the bottom, before returning it to your student’s teacher. For guardians who are active duty military, please note that a copy of your orders are to be attached to the form. If you do not have a copy of your orders, please note the name and phone number of a supervisor that is able to verify your active duty status.

For students with guardians that do not work on federal property, you will still need to complete the form, however it will very simple! At the top of the form, you will check “no” for “does the student reside on federal property” and “no” towards the bottom of the form under “Was either parent/guardian with whom the student resides employed on federal property…” Then just sign and date the bottom and return the form to your student’s teacher.
The class that is the first to collect all of their Impact Aid forms will win a Popsicle party!
We thank you for your help with this year’s Impact Aid forms!

Safety & Security Department Message Regarding Clown Incidents
St. Mary’s County Public Schools is maintaining constant communication with law enforcement authorities pertaining to social media threats related to the “Creepy Clown” incidents. To date, all of the incidents have been unsubstantiated or found to be a hoax. We are respectfully requesting your assistance and ask that you please monitor your children’s online activity. Most social media sites are unfiltered and can be used as platforms for bullying, harassment, and the posting of threat and violent images. We ask that you please speak with your student about wearing unauthorized headgear or masks at school as this could cause a significant disruption and result in student discipline. Your assistance is appreciate as we all work together to protect our children.
Character Stroll– I do ask that parents help us in being mindful of frightening Character Stroll costume choices. Children ages 3 and up will be participating and we want it to be a pleasant event for all. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Thanks!

Emergency Bus Changes
When families have emergencies, we understand the request for a student to ride another bus in the afternoon. If this does occur, please send in a note to your child’s teacher and remember to include the destinationaddressfor your child as well as the different bus number.

Taking Pictures of BBES Students at School
Our Student Handbook can be found at
Please note (pg. 13): “As part of our overall educational program, students are occasionally asked to be photographed or videotaped or have their work displayed. Unless indicated to the contrary, the school will assume that your child may be photographed or videotaped by the news media or by St. Mary’s County Public Schools’ staff, and also that the student’s likeness, name, performance, artwork, or written work may be used in print or broadcast media and/or on the Internet. It is the responsibility of the parent(s)/legal guardian(s) to complete the Parental “Opt Out” Form (Appendix 3) and return it to school.”

Unity Day –Oct 19
What are your true colors when it comes to bullying? SMCPS believes in safe and supportive schools, so make your colorORANGEonUnity Day. That’s the day everyone can come together to send one largeORANGEmessage of support, hope, and unity to show that SMCPS is united against bullying and united for kindness, acceptance and inclusion.

Workshop: “Bullying and Harassment: More than Sticks and Stones
The SMPCS Partners for Success Resource Center for Families and Schools will be presenting this workshop onWednesday, Nov 2, 2016 from 6:30-8:30at the Board of Education Meeting Room, 23160 Moakley St., Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Want to share something wonderful about Banneker ES or SMCPS?
Capturing Commitments in Action- Please use the form on the SMCPS or BBES websites (blue button on the left) to record noteworthy examples of our Banneker commitments. The data collected will help us focus on areas of growth and improvement while also celebrating areas of excellence.

Red Robbin Week,Oct 24-28

Next week we celebrateRed Ribbon Weekwhen we take a stand for healthy choices and a drug-free life. Our theme this year is“Say Boo to Drugs.” During the week ofOctober 24thwe will show our support by participating in these theme days:
~ Monday — “Red”-Y to Live a Drug-Free Life (Wear Red Clothing)
~Tuesday— Follow Your Dreams. Don’t Do Drugs (Wear Pajamas)
~Wednesday— Don’t Let Drugs Mix You Up (Wear Mismatched Clothes)
~Thursday— Sock It to Drugs (Wear Crazy Socks)
~Friday— Say Boo to Drugs (Character Stroll)

Have a wonderful week!

Mrs. Audrey D. Ellis
Principal of Benjamin Banneker ES
BBES website:
SMCPS Mission: Know the learner and the learning, expecting excellence in both.
Accept no excuses, educating ALL with rigor, relevance, respect, and positive relationships.