February 8, 2021
What you need to know this week:
  • Review events calendar for the rest of the year.
  • Winter Break is February 11-15. Classes resume Tuesday, February 16.
  • Thank you to families who purchased lunch for faculty and staff on Wednesday.
  • Good news! ERB results were great.
  • Order a "Choose Kind" spirit shirt to support the bookstore. Deadline is Wednesday.
  • Plan ahead for Valentine's cards exchanges on Wednesday.
  • Volunteers needed for the Happy Cart.
  • Registration for Bright Days summer program will open in March.
  • Sign up for track and lacrosse by Wednesday.
  • Check the calendar for the next school year, 2021-22.
Changes to the Calendar for This Year
Dear Parents,

Thank you again for your help during this extraordinary year as we continue to remain in-person. There are many wonderful events and traditions that are part of Bright School that we have tried to maintain during the pandemic, but there are some we are not able to have or need to alter. For the remainder of the school year, we have made decisions about most of our large events. We are disappointed, as likely you are as well, to know some of these events will not happen, but we feel changes must be made to create safe and healthy environments for all of us. Please review the list below and mark your calendars.

Grade-level plays, including the PK Luau: There will be no plays or the luau except for a similar event for fifth grade which is still being developed.

Spring class photos: Lifetouch will take the traditional class photos outdoors on April 14. Students in grades JPK-4 wear their normal school attire, and fifth grade wears dress-up clothes for the photos that will hang on the Wall of Graduates. More details will be provided closer to the photo day.

Special P.E. events: The annual volleyball and basketball games and scooter races will not take place this year. The high jump, a tradition of more than 40 years, will take place on the track outdoors. More details will be provided.

Track meets: Bright School will host track meets this spring with a limited number of participating teams and visitors.

Open House on May 6: This event will be held virtually, not in person. More details will follow.

Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day on May 7: This event will not take place, and May 7 will be a full school day. We are planning to film a performance that will be distributed to all families.

Bright School Picnic on May 21: This event will not take place as usual, and May 21 will be a full school day. Picnic activities will be held on campus during the regular day.

Last Week of School: The last day of school will be Wednesday, May 26, and it will be a full day with regular dismissal. There will be no school for students on May 27, and it will be an in-service day for teachers.

Graduation on May 28: Graduation will be held at 10 a.m. outdoors on the GMAC track and field on campus. Fifth grade families will receive more details.
Winter Break
Winter Break is almost here! In a change from years past, there is no half day leading into the break. Thursday, February 11, is a full day off. Classes resume on Tuesday, February 16. Enjoy the break and be safe!
Good News about ERBs
Our 2020-2021 ERB scores in 2nd-5th grades showed students made academic gains in mathematics, reading and writing that were either at or close to the gains a year ago. This shows us that despite being in a pandemic, our teachers and students are excelling in the Bright School environment! Individual student test results were shared with parents during their conferences with teachers.
Thank You for Lunch
Through the Pajama Party Auction in the fall, families purchased "Feed the Team" lunches for faculty and staff. Faculty and staff will be treated to a special lunch on Wednesday. We would like to thank the following families for their kindness: Lunn, Kueter, Adams, Conroy, Perry, howard, Ladebauche, Oehmig, Anderson and Waller.
Volunteers Needed for Happy Cart
Please consider helping with the Happy Cart these last few months of school! Volunteers are needed to stock the cart and then drop off the treats and snacks at the front desk. For those who are new, or haven't signed up for the Happy Cart before, it is a snack and treat area for our amazing faculty and staff. They truly appreciate this small gesture of appreciation and always look forward to a little 'pick me up' from the Happy Cart. A more complete description (as well as item suggestions) is available when you sign up.

Click here for the sign up link. Please call/text/email Missy McKenna with any questions:
423.645.9134 or [email protected]
Shirt Orders Due Wednesday
Order your "Choose Kind" winter spirit shirt to support the bookstore. This is a fundraiser for the PA. There are a wide range of sizes for children and adults. The cost is $30 per shirt. Payment made be made through FACTS, Venmo or credit card. Complete the online order form by clicking the button below.
New Policy: Now every Friday for the rest of the school year is Bright School T-shirt Day! Students may wear any Bright shirt with uniform bottoms on Fridays.
Valentine's Day Celebrated on Wednesday
Teachers have included instructions in their weekly blasts for the Valentine's Day card exchanges. Please remember that goodies may not include nuts and must be packaged. Cards should be given to every child in the class, and students are encouraged to decorate boxes for their collections or however your child's teacher has determined.

Students may wear Valentine's shirts and accessories with uniform bottoms on Wednesday.
Last Week to Sign Up for Track & Lacrosse
Track season begins in March for grades 3-5. There will be meets at Bright later this spring. If you are interested in track for your child, please use this form. If you signed up last year and paid, please check the appropriate box on the form. Forms and payment are due Wednesday.

Lacrosse season begins in February for boys in grades 4-5. Please use this form to register. Form and payment are due Wednesday.
Coming in March: Registration for Bright Days
We are planning for Bright Days to return this summer. Bright Days is our summer program for early learners, ages 3 through rising third graders. Registration will open on March 8. Make plans for your summer to be full of Bright Days!
Calendar for Next Year
Plan ahead now for next school year! We have released the 2021-22 calendar with the first day of school, breaks and more! Click here to view or download.
Order Items from the Bookstore
Please use the order form available on the bookstore website. Forms should be sent to school with payment. Orders will be filled and send home on Fridays. The bookstore is not open for in-person shopping. Check Instagram @1913brightbookstore for more items like this new sweatshirt!
Email the bookstore at [email protected] for all questions.
February 10
Wear Valentine's shirts and accessories with uniform bottoms.
February 11-15
Winter Break
(full day on February 10)
February 16
Classes Resume

February 19
Bright School T-shirt Day
Bright Scene
Fifth graders Molly Boyd, Helen Kates and Nina Lail work on a mural with the guidance of art teacher Thankful Davis. Students created murals as part of a study on how art is used to be a voice. One of the examples Mrs. Davis gave students was Stevie Wonder's Happy Birthday Song that was used to garner support for the creation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Not on social media? Follow what's happening on our news webpage. Click here.