The Sunday Scoop- November 16, 2025

Happy Sunday Bushy Park Families!

I don't know whether it's the time change, the cooler temps, or that I'm still recovering from the Bear Dash extra fun run, but I'm sleepy enough that I'm going to need at least one more cup of coffee to finish out today. However I couldn't let this Sunday go by without thanking our AMAZING Bear Dash team for planning and executing such a wonderful event. To Sarah M. and Lindsay C who have been working on this event since July, you both embraced this challenge with excitement and optimism. To Kim C and Nicci C who came in with resourcefulness and tenacity. The grace, commitment, and community spirit you all brought to this event is remarkable. The four of you embody the Bushy Bear Spirit and we all shine brighter because of you.

Thanks to our wonderful community of sponsors, to families and businesses who donated or registered to run, our PTA raised over $15,000 to fund our programs for the rest of the year. We will let Mrs. Davis announce the class and grade winners on the announcements and plan to draw raffle winners tomorrow. We welcome your feedback on how the event went so we can continue to improve for next year.

Looking Ahead

📚 American Education Week – November 17–20

Our American Education Week schedule is set, and we’d love a few volunteers to check in visitors certain days. Here’s when each grade will welcome families:

RECC: Thursday, Nov. 20 – 10:00–11:00

Kindergarten: Tuesday, Nov. 18 – 9:35–10:35

1st Grade: Tuesday, Nov. 18 – 9:30–10:30

2nd Grade: Wednesday, Nov. 19 – 9:25–10:40

3rd Grade: Tuesday, Nov. 18 – 12:45–1:45

4th Grade: Tuesday, Nov. 18 – 11:45–12:40

5th Grade: Monday, Nov. 17 – 2:45–3:45

🎨 Beary Creative K-2 art night -- November 20 6:30-7:30

Tickets are sold out and we have reached capacity for this event. A second session for older grades is scheduled for the spring.

📅 November 24-25

Teacher conference sign-ups are open—grab a time slot that works best for your family. Remember that our book fair will be open both half days during conferences and just in time for holiday shopping, and we are looking for Volunteers to help run it. We are also sponsoring a dinner for teachers and are looking for community help to make this successful, check here for details. This is also the last day for submissions to the Reflections art contest.

Last and certainly not least, as we approach the holidays, I want to remind everyone that there are resources if anyone is struggling. The PTA Buddy Bear Cares Fund can be accessed confidentially if your student cannot participate in an optional event due to cost. Anyone who needs assistance with food, clothing, or gifts should fill out this form, reach out to Elizabeth_Bengermino@hcpss.org or call the front office. Being part of a community means we are all linked, just like the gratitude chain our children have created for the school. We are all here to lift each other up, because together we all shine.