Virtual Bingo Night & Class Basket Raffle

Deadline to order tickets extended to Friday, April 9!

Class Baskets are on display now in the Bowman cafeteria, and online here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/163jCatdo4UffXSfyGqS9NvqvHvF3_T6iWVOGbCpNg9w/edit?usp=sharing

Purchase raffle tickets online NOW

FINAL Ticket Order Deadline: Order by 4/9 end of the day – get tickets on 4/12 – In-person students will receive tickets in their classrooms. RLA families must pick up tickets at the Bowman office before April 14th, and drop them in the ticket bins.

Adults at home: Please write your child’s name, grade, and teacher on the back of each ticket and drop them into the ticket bins at school. All tickets must be in the bins by the end of the day on Wednesday, April 14th.

Hybrid: Students will receive their tickets in the class and will have the opportunity to drop their tickets in the raffle ticket boxes with their class

RLA: On RLA materials pickup day, pick up your raffle tickets and drop them off in the raffle ticket boxes in the foyer

When? Winning raffle tickets will be drawn on Virtual Bingo Night on April 15th.

Questions? Email [email protected]

 

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Passport to the World Series – “We All Belong”

Thursday, April 8 at 7:00pm on Zoom

Session Three: Featuring China, India, Jordan, Armenia

We will travel (virtually!) to the homes of Bowman families to showcase unique performances and presentations. Join our final virtual journey this year celebrating Bowman’s diversity and cultures.

China – Audrey and Ethan Yang will present how to make Chinese knots. Similar to Bagua mirrors, Chinese knots are supposed to ward off evil spirits, hence are a symbol of longevity and eternity. Knots act as good-luck charms given during Chinese New Year celebrations. Sometimes coins are attached to the knotting.

India – The Venkatesh family will tell you a story that showcases Warli art, tribal art from India. Have a paper and pencil handy, so you can learn Warli art.

Jordan – Do you want to visit one of the new 7 wonders of the world (Petra)? Do you want to swim 420 meters below sea level? Come and visit Jordan for an amazing journey to many historical and modern places with Bashar and Ahmad Fares.

Armenia – Together the Gleeson and Dulgarian families will present about Armenian life and culture, including an Armenian egg-tapping game called “Havgitakhaghe”. The Bowman families can play along if they have at least two hard-boiled eggs ready (or one hard-boiled egg per player).

Please check your email for the Zoom link.

 

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Bowman 5th Grade Cookbook!

Pandemic✔️
Hybrid learning ✔️
Still at home ✔️
Masks ✔️
Vaccinations ✔️
Spring ✔️
Spaghetti Dinner 2021 ❌

Unfortunately for Bowman 5th graders this year, we’ve had to think outside the box of spaghetti and into a recipe book instead.

Each fifth grader will contribute their favorite recipe and the $$$ raised will help pay for their ‘Moving on Ceremony’, yearbooks, and class t-shirts.

Please join us in this fundraiser, get some new dinner inspiration, gift all your friends and family!

Pre-order this fantastic Bowman recipe book from April 7-18th for a bargain price of $10: https://bowmanpta.membershiptoolkit.com/packet/3107.

Cookbooks will be distributed at school in early May or with materials pick up for RLA students. Thank you!

 

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Bowman Food Drive to support the Lexington Interfaith Food Pantry

What: The Lexington Food Pantry has been serving the families of Lexington since 1990. Help us support their increasing needs by donating items through this Food Drive

How: See list below and bring items according to the grade of student/s

When: Collecting from Monday, April 5th – Friday, April 16th

Where: Collection bins will be located in the Bowman lobby

• K – Mac & Cheese
• 1st – Oatmeal (boxes of instant oatmeal or 18 oz canisters)
• 2nd – Canned Vegetables (corn, peas, carrots, green beans)
• 3rd – Baked Beans
• 4th – Canned Fruit (peaches, pears, pineapple, fruit cocktail)
• 5th – Canned Beans (black, garbanzo, kidney)

 

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Bowman Virtual Variety Show Coffeehouse

Friday, May 14 at 3:30 PM – on Zoom!

Bowman has talents!! Showcase yours as a solo or sibling group act in 2 minutes! Sports skills… dancing… magic…   gymnastics… comedy… hula-hooping… comedy… juggling… martial arts… playing instruments… acting… etc.

Registration begins on Monday, April 5th.

Students in grades K-4 sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdPVrEaSrn5x09R7UZAwV0JUd052fLJlPVQe2qMX_Pr-NlEzw/viewform?usp=sf_link

Calling all 5th Graders! We could use your help! Sign up to assist our team and Mrs. Glick, by being an MC or a Performance Leader for the evening. 5th graders sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMUBEFbjoKww4ICEzT2P5NBSl3q9XRthRVElbPcKdzTDXd6A/viewform?usp=sf_link

***Please note that each act will only have 2 minutes to perform in order to accommodate all of the participants, and due to limited space siblings are encouraged to perform together.***

 

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Volunteer Opportunities for 2021-22

The Bowman PTO is looking for parents volunteers! Below is a list of current open positions for the 2021-2022 school year. Please contact the Co-Presidents at [email protected] if you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities.

Bowman PTO Board Positions for 2021-2022 School Year

The following are open Bowman PTO board positions. Board members should be able to attend most monthly PTA meetings (usually on one Wednesday evening per month). Board members make and approve motions in PTA meetings where there is budget or process approval necessary. We will likely continue Zoom meetings for the 2021-2022 school year. All of these positions are generally for a two-year term.

2 Co-Treasurers: This is a very important position that needs to be filled for the 2021-2022 school year.  Responsibilities are split between two people, and you have the opportunity to know a lot about what is going on with the Bowman school community through managing the Bowman PTO’s funds and budget. This is a flexible role that can be done in your own time, and tasks throughout the year include: Managing all PTA funds – deposits, paying vendors, and reimbursing volunteers and staff as necessary. Keep up-to-date, detailed, and accurate financial reports using Quickbooks software. Develop and track the annual budget. Generate reports for various committees and for the accountant. Certain annual duties, such as applying for raffle permits, renewing insurance and charitable status, filing IRS forms, etc. This is a great role to share with a friend!

VP Membership: This role is responsible for our Bowman PTO membership drive and ensuring we meet our membership dues targets. The majority of the activity surrounding membership is at the beginning of the year – choosing and purchasing our membership swag options, attending events (virtual for 2021-2022) to encourage membership purchases, and reporting on membership progress. This is very fun for anyone who likes to put together creative swag packages related to membership!

VP Events, Community: This role is responsible for overseeing community events at Bowman, and supporting event organizers when needed. Help with planning and other general PTA Board responsibilities. It’s a great way to get involved with the PTA at an executive board level!

2021-2022 Programs and Events

Room Parent Coordinator – Shadow needed for 2021-2022: We are looking for one parent volunteer to shadow the Room Parent Coordinator role for 2021 and take over the position for 2022. This is a great opportunity for a volunteer who would like to help from home. It is best if the new volunteer has already been a room parent. The role includes training new room parents in the Fall, acting as a liaison and guide to all volunteers, and communicating with room parents throughout the year.

Bowman Book Swap and Stories Under the Stars 2021-2022: We need one or two additional volunteers to help organize one of the most beloved events at Bowman. This role will require organization and planning as well as coordination during the event.

Bowman Broadside 2021-2022: The Broadside is published monthly on our website. You should be familiar with WordPress, and you will coordinate with the event organizers and communications team to gather content. This is a good position for one volunteer who can take charge and will require just a few hours each month.

The Insider’s Guide to Bowman 2021-2022: We are in search of a volunteer to help with updates to the Insider’s Guide. The guide is updated once a year in the Fall. Work in coordination with Bowman School administrators to make the updates. Our current organizer for this will be able to guide you through the process for the first year.

Bowman Welcoming Committee 2021-2022: Help welcome new families to Bowman. One volunteer is needed for this role, which involves making welcome packets for new families and coordinating with Bowman front office staff for delivery when needed.

Disco Bingo Event Coordinator for 2021-2022: Are you a party planner? Bingo Night is a fun-filled night for the whole family with teacher and student Bingo callers, a DJ, and prizes! Organizers focus on publicizing the annual event (Early April), obtaining prizes, and recruiting Bingo callers. Work in conjunction with the Class Basket Raffle organizers, for this fun-filled fundraiser evening. This is a good position for one or two volunteers. Our current organizer will be graduating soon and we’d love to pass this event on to a new team of volunteers.

Class Basket Raffle Coordinator for 2021-2022: We are in need of one or two parent volunteers to help with the Class Basket Raffle for the 2021-2022 school year and beyond. Raffle Baskets are usually on display in the school for two weeks, and the Raffle is held during Disco Bingo Night. Organizers communicate with room parents, create a signup for baskets, promote and sell raffle tickets before and during the event, and coordinate with Disco Bingo organizers on the evening of the event. This is an important fundraiser for the PTA, and is ideal for a team of 2-4 volunteers.

Big Backyard Volunteer Coordinators Needed at Bowman for 2021-2022: The BBY group is looking for two more coordinators to help ensure this amazing program runs easily next year. The coordinator would assist in training other parents during the school day periodically throughout the year, and helping to schedule walks, which takes place anytime online.

Community Service Volunteers for 2021-22: Bowman PTO is looking for volunteers to support our Community Service efforts for the 2021-22 school year. Our goal is to link community service projects by grade to their respective social studies curricula. (for example, 1st-grade curriculum revolves around a theme of Unity & Diversity so we would have 1-2 service activities for 1st graders that connect to that theme). To make this successful, we are looking for one Community Service Liaison per grade to work alongside our VP of Community Service to coordinate and execute activities by grade. Please reach out to us with the grade you are interested in helping with. Thank you in advance for volunteering!

Safe Routes to School Coordinator: We need one or two parents to help coordinate the Safe Routes to School program at Bowman, and help get the word out about Walk-to-School-Wednesdays. Coordinate with the Lexington transportation department, and help come up with activities that students can participate in at least once a month to promote walking.

Please contact the Co-Presidents at [email protected] if you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities. Sign up now!

 

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Math Team News

The Bowman Math Teams meet weekly before school, with 15-20 students from each of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. The students participate in the Continental Math League. The fourth of five competitions for 4th and 5th graders and the second of three competitions for 3rd graders was in February.

3rd grade: There are 142 teams participating in this year’s CML Grade 3 Math. Bowman’s team scored 35/36 for a total score across two tests of 67/72 which put them in the top 12% in the country and #1 in New England. Congratulations to Mikayla N., Olivia I., Sanav B., Sriman D., and Yonis G. who each had a perfect score on their test.

4th grade: There are 75 teams participating in this year’s CML Grade 4 Math at the Pythagorean level. Bowman’s team scored 27/36 for a total score across four tests of 116/144, which put them in the top 22% in the country and #2 in New England. Congratulations to Akshay R., Joey W., and Kevin Y. who each had a perfect score on their test.

5th grade: There are 80 teams participating in this year’s CML Grade 5 Math at the Pythagorean level. Bowman’s team scored 28/36 for a total score across four tests of 126/144, which put them in the top 12% in the country and #1 in New England. Congratulations to Aditya I., Alice Y., Jerry C., and Vivek A. who each scored 5/6 on their test.

Excellent job to all three teams! The final competitions for each team will take place in March.

 

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Thank You!

Bowman Science Fair

Congratulations and thanks to all of our student scientists and families who participated in the Bowman Virtual Science Fair this year! A huge thank you to the parent volunteers and visiting scientists who helped make this event a great success. The 2021 Science Fair would not have happened without the amazing efforts and determination of our parent/caregiver volunteers who figured out how to we could still make experience possible – THANK YOU to Belle Chang, Megan Haggerty, Tania Kouprach-Rolandi, Jo Sun & Karla Bushmer!

Thank you for our outstanding “Visiting Scientists” who provided feedback to our students: Sonia Iyer, Monika Manocha, Ganesh Mugundu, Huw Nash, Chris Norman, Lisa Premerlani, Pablo Rolandi, Majid Shafiq, Daniel Stonier & Emmanuel Tzanakakis

Family Math Night – Grades 2-3

Thank you to all the parents and students who participated in our Grades K-1 Family Math Night. Huge thanks to Lauren Avery, Stephanie Ryan, and Taleen Gleeson, our Family Math Night organizers, for reinventing this event in a virtual format and creating three amazing math nights for Bowman this year. We really appreciate all the work you’ve put into this and your commitment to making it happen.

Passport to the World

Thank you to everyone who participated in our second session of Bowman’s Virtual Passport to the World and to all the Bowman families, students, and teachers who attended. We are so grateful to the Strelchenko family, Behroze Shafiq, and family,  the Karkra family, and Derek Yu and family for taking us on a journey around the world! Our 5th-grade leaders did a fantastic job as MCs. Thank you to our organizers Jackie Anderson, Nayera Thabet, Natasha Zeb, Radha Badani, Anne Norman, and Rebecca Fagan Gorospe, for all your hard work and dedication to making this event happen. And a huge thank you to Beth Glick for leading the group. We look forward to our next session on Thursday, April 8th.