February 10, 2020
What you need to know this week:
  • Save the Date: Bluegrass and BBQ on April 24.
  • Read the announcement about fundraising plans.
  • Building a Bright Future Capital Campaign update: Reading is fun!
  • Bright Family Breakfast is tomorrow!
  • Winter Break begins Thursday at 11:30 a.m. Sign up for Bright Afternoons.
  • Order a Bright Fit T-Shirt and send us your questions.
  • Check the lost and found before Thursday.
  • Sign up for soccer skills clinic.
  • Registration for Bright Days summer camp is open.
  • Reminder: Treats for Valentine's Day must be nut-free.
  • Watch for the first issue of Bright Tech Talk from Mrs. Kropff.
Save the Date: Bluegrass & BBQ
Get ready for a good time to support the Bright School Parents' Association at Bluegrass & BBQ on Friday, April 24, from 6-9 p.m. There will be live music by "Handpicked,” delicious barbecue and a silent auction with grade-level art projects. Tickets will be $50 per person. More details are coming soon!  
Why Are We Having This Fundraiser?

In response to parent feedback and the ongoing Building a Bright Future Capital Campaign, we have rearranged our fundraising calendar of events.
 
Bluegrass & BBQ will now be an event to benefit the Parents' Association, and it will replace the Charleston Wrap sale, which took place in the fall. Charleston Wrap funds supported the Parents' Association budget, and proceeds were used for events including Teacher Appreciation, Grandparents' Day and for funding special school needs like classroom furniture for first and fourth grades. Mark your calendars now to support the PA at the fun Bluegrass & BBQ event!
 
We will have the Green Tie Gala in September to support the Building a Bright Future Capital Campaign, and you will receive more information about that at a later date. Bonanza, which is not a fundraiser but planned by the Parents' Association, will not take place this fall and may be moved to spring. 
Building a Bright Future
The classroom environment impacts morale and academic success. Our new rooms are brighter, have softer flooring, and have more flexible and updated furniture. If you’ve visited our first, second and third grade classrooms, you will notice the rooms are full of bright colors from the decorations on the walls and boards to the carpet squares, desks and chairs. 
One new piece of furniture in each classroom is the “ripple bench,” and you will often find children sitting or lying across it while reading or working quietly. These classrooms have spaces for different kinds of learning. Research shows that children learn better when they are comfortable and can move around.

Our fourth and fifth grade classrooms are awaiting these changes. We plan to renovate these rooms this summer. Will you help us ensure our rising fourth and fifth graders will benefit from these improvements next year? A gift of $25,000 would sponsor all new furniture in one classroom. Join our Building a Bright Future Capital Campaign today!
Bright Family Breakfast Tomorrow
Join us in the dining hall, 7-7:45 a.m. Cost is $3 a person.

Biscuits and Pepper Gravy
Scrambled Eggs
Bacon
Breakfast Tater Tots
White Cheddar Grits
Fruit and Yogurt
Very Cherry Muffins
Cereal
Orange Juice
Winter Break Begins Thursday
Winter Break begins with an early dismissal at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday. Classes resume on Tuesday, February 18. Sign up now if you need childcare on February 13. Use this link to register online.

Scooter Races on Thursday will begin at 10 a.m. and will be broadcast live on Facebook. Grades K-5 participate in scooter races with winners from each grade competing in several events against other grades.
Order a Bright Fit Shirt
Bright Fit is coming this spring! Bright Fit is a week-long celebration of healthy living and physical activity that culminates with Bright Fit Night on April 17.

Students will be able to wear the shirts to school with uniform bottoms on March 20, March 27, April 3 and April 17. These shirts also can be worn for any Bright T-Shirt day. Shirts are $8 (or $9 for adult XXL). Orders are due February 26. Watch for an order form coming home or use the online form.
The Bright Fit co-chairs, Sara Mingus and Amanda Carmichael, would like to hear from you! Please send them questions they can address in upcoming newsletters. Email them at [email protected].
Lost and Found
Our lost and found bin is overflowing with coats, sweatshirts, hats and more. Items will be placed on the concourse on Wednesday and Thursday. Please claim any items by Thursday at dismissal. Items not claimed will be donated.
Spring Sports
Soccer Skills Clinic (Boys and Girls Grades 2-5)
Get ready for next season with Coach Linehart and Coach Eric. All skill levels are welcome. Clinic sessions begin on March 25 and will be on Wednesdays through April 29, 3-5 p.m. See the registration form for more information. Registration and payment are due March 1.

Check our athletics page for more information about track and lacrosse. Registration for girls volleyball is now closed.
Register Now for Bright Days!
Start planning a fun summer for your child at Bright! Registration is now open for our summer program.

Bright Days is open to ages 3 (by August 1) to 8 (or rising third grader). Weekly sessions last the first week of June to the last week of July (school is closed the week of July 4). Visit our website to learn more and to register.
Bright Is a Nut-Free Zone
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Remember all treats brought into school for Valentine's Day, birthdays or other parties must be free of nuts. We have several children at school with severe food allergies. Please be courteous and make sure these goodies are safe for all children. If you have questions about what treats are OK, please contact your child's teacher or Nurse Kelly.
Bright Tech Talk is Coming
Look for the first issue of Bright Tech Talk from Renee' Kropff coming to your inbox this week. Mrs. Kropff is our director of technology, and she will be sharing tips for parents on how to navigate the digital world.
February 11
Bright Family Breakfast
7-7:45 a.m.

February 12-13
First Grade Play
8:30 a.m.
February 13
Scooter Races
10 a.m.

Early Dismissal: Winter Break
11:30 a.m.

February 18
Classes Resume
February 25
First Grade Field Trip

March 5-6
Third Grade Play

March 6
Bright T-Shirt Day
What's for Lunch? Click here for the menu.
Bright Scene
Second grade teacher Denise Hurlbut is the recipient of the 2020 O.J. Morgan Summer Travel Grant. Teachers apply for the grant, which is used to travel overseas in the summer. Mrs. Hurlbut was one of several teachers who applied, and Mr. Morgan drew her name from the entries. She is planning a trip to Budapest, Hungary, to visit an international school, and then she will travel to other nearby European cities. Congratulations!
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