“Bedtime Stories” Debut at Bowman in January – Mark Your Calendars!

Thursday, January 17th, 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm
Bowman Gym

“Bedtime Stories,” which evolved from our former Book Swap event, is a celebration of stories–our own and others’. Come in your cozy PJ’s, bring a picnic blanket and “camp out” with your family as we celebrate all things literacy – reading, writing, storytelling, singing, listening.

Bring up to 5 books to swap; read by the “campfire”; share your stories, poems and songs; make your own bookmarks and reading lanterns*; and join our Bowman family in a singalong lantern parade. *If you’d like to make a lantern, bring a mason jar or other empty, label-free jar with you to the event. We will have a limited supply of recycled jars available for those unable to bring their own jar.

If you – student, parent, or staff – would like to share one of your short stories, poems or songs, please sign up for an “Open Mic” slot.

We need volunteers to help make the event a success. Please sign up for volunteer slots.

SCHEDULE

6:30 pm – 6:50 pm: Drop off up to 5 books; sort your books by grade level/genre

6:50 pm – 7:20 pm: Select the number of books you’ve dropped off (honor system)

6:30 pm – 7:20 pm: Make a bookmark and/or reading lantern; cozy up to a “campfire” and read

7:20 pm – 7:40 pm: Open Mic (Sign up in advance for a slot)

7:40 pm: “This Little Light of Mine” singalong lantern parade

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]

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Family Math Nights Return to Bowman This Winter

Mark your calendars for the return of Family Math Nights! Family Math Nights are a great way for parents and students of all ability levels to experience the fun of math together. We’ll have games, puzzles, brain teasers, and lots of hands-on activities. Challenge your student to a logic game, build a symmetrical pattern, or investigate the volume of 3-D shapes. It’s your choice at Family Math Night!

Plan to attend a Family Math Night with your student this winter. Save the date for an upcoming Family Math Nights:

January 29th – Grades 4-5

February 12th – Grades 2-3

March 12th – Grades K-1

We kick off with Grade 4-5 Family Math Night on Tuesday, January 29th from 6:30–8:00pm in the Bowman cafeteria. Look for more grade level specific details on the Bowman PTO website, listserv, and through your room parents in the new year. Questions? Contact [email protected].

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Bowman Science Fair

Attention young Bowman scientists! Mark your calendars for the annual Bowman Science Fair on Thursday, February 7th from 7pm to 8pm. Bowman students from all grades are welcome to participate. This is a fun opportunity for students to further explore and share a science topic.

Science Fair registration opened on Friday, December 14th. Registration is limited and students are encouraged work in a group, if possible.

Please visit the PTA Science Fair website for important information which includes:

• Registration link
• Detailed outline to help students design their projects using scientific methods
• Helpful list of resources for students to reference for project ideas

Everyone is welcome to attend the fair even if they are not presenting a project. Please plan to come and support your fellow students!

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PTA Survey

The PTA is taking stock of what programs we bring to Bowman and your feedback is needed. Please take less than 5 minutes to complete the following survey about PTA programs. Feel free to send additional feedback to [email protected]

Survey Link

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Volunteering and CORI Checks

Please remember that it is district policy that anyone who volunteers (Big Back Yard, field trips, library, PTA events, etc) school must have a CORI check that has been processed by Lexington Public Schools. CORIs are valid for 3 years. If you’ve had one previously and aren’t sure if it is still valid OR you need to have one done; Mrs. Ashness ([email protected]) or Mrs. Barnes ([email protected]) in our Main Office are happy to assist you. Please do not wait, it can take up to a month for a “check” to come back which may prevent you from joining in the fun.

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Volunteers Needed!

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Auction Volunteers Needed

A small group of volunteers are needed to head up this year’s Adult Evening Out & Auction. This event is an important fundraiser that the PTA puts on every other year to keep us financially on track. Two people have already stepped up to help with the planning and Principal Corduck has volunteered to be on the committee as well.

We are in need of volunteers to help 1) plan the party, 2) market the event to Bowman families, 3) manage auction items, and 4) secure corporate sponsorships.

Principal Corduck has already offered an exciting Auction Item: Principal for the Day! Your child could get a taste of what it means to be in charge of Bowman!

We need two or three more volunteers to make this event a reality. Please contact [email protected] with any questions or to learn more about how you can help. If you are interested in volunteering in a particular area let us know in your email.

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PTA Open Positions

Please consider volunteering for one of the open PTA positions this school year.

VP Events, Fundraising

Support existing fundraising initiatives such as our Spring Auction, Spirit Wear, Shopping Days, and Class Raffles, while seeking new fundraising opportunities in conjunction with PTA Board. This is a great position for returning or new Bowman parents who are interested in getting involved and who can attend monthly PTA meetings.

Lost & Found Shadow

The Lost & Found is located next to the door leading out to the back playground area. Labeled items are returned to students; unclaimed items are donated to area charities, such as Cradles to Crayons.

Bowman Adventure Run – Next Year

As most of the Adventure Run organizers are ‘graduating’ this year, the PTA is looking for a few lovers of running and the outdoors to make sure the fun continues next year. Details on past what’s needed will be provided, or put your own spin on this great community event.

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Thank You – Helping Those in Need

Thank you to all of the Bowman families who donated gifts for the PTA’s Holiday Gift Drive supporting The Second Step, a non-profit organization in Newton, MA (www.thesecondstep.org). Everyone at Second Step shares their sincere gratitude for the continued generosity of the Bowman community during the holiday season. This year, Bowman families fulfilled over 100 “wishes” for women and children survivors of domestic violence. Wishes fulfilled included clothes, household items, books, and toys. Thank you for making the holidays a little brighter for these women and children!

The PTA would also like to thank Karla Nash and Carrie Rose for their wonderful work to organize the Families In Need Gift Drive

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Bowman Geography Bee

The results are in, congratulations to Champion, William Jung, 2nd place winner, Joshua Venkitachalam, and 3rd place winner, Ankit Gupta! We are proud of ALL the students who participated in Bowman’s first Geography Bee and hope they will continue next year. Special thanks to Alex Kuschel, our district Social Studies Coordinator (and past Bowman teacher), for running a fantastic Bee and to Principal Corduck for her support and assistance!

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Math Team News

The 4th and 5th grade before school math teams at Bowman recently participated in the first Continental Math League competition of the year. There are 2 levels of competitions of the 4th and 5th grades, and the groups from Bowman are registered with the Pythagorean level, the higher of the two levels. Students had to solve 6 problems in 30 minutes. Problems were designed to test students’ reading comprehension, problem solving skills, and the ability to set up and solve complex and challenging problems.

4th grade: There were 107 teams from around the United States, 5 of them from New England. The median score for the country was 25/36. The Bowman 4th grade team had 36/36 points, among top 6 teams in the country and #1 in New England.

5th grade: There were 124 teams from around the United States, 6 of them from New England. The median score for the country was 24/36. The Bowman 5th grade team had 31/36 points, among the top 16% of teams in the country and #1 in New England.

Congratulations to everybody on the excellent performance. Every member of each team worked hard, and can take pride in the accomplishment. The second competition for the 4th and 5th grade teams is in mid December.

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