The Sunday Scoop- November 9, 2025

Happy Sunday Bushy Park Families!

This time of year reminds us how powerful gratitude can be, and how meaningful it is when we make it part of our everyday lives. Whether it’s saying thank you, lending a hand, or celebrating small wins, taking time to appreciate what we have makes our Bushy Park community shine even brighter.

To help spread that spirit, our take-home project this quarter is a Gratitude Chain for our new bulletin board! Students are encouraged to write or draw what they’re thankful for on each strip and return them flat to school—we’ll connect them all to create one big display of Bushy Bear gratitude. 💛 Feel free to make your own and return as many as you want, parents and siblings are welcome too!

We also rolled out our Buddy Bear Cares Fund. If your student could use a little help covering optional costs, our Buddy Bear Cares Fund is here for you. It’s completely confidential—only Mrs. Rutledge and Mrs. Schwartzbauer will see the form. You can also reach out to your student's teacher or the front office if you would prefer. When we lift each other up, we all shine brighter!

What's Coming Up?

🇺🇸 Veterans Day – Tuesday, Nov. 11

Students are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue as we honor those who have served our country.

🦃 Thanksgiving Basket Drive – Wednesday, Nov. 12

It’s an early dismissal day! Our 5th Grade Committee will be assembling their Thanksgiving baskets, so if you haven’t yet sent in your items, please do so as soon as possible—thank you for your support!

🐾 Bushy Bear Dash Packet Pickup & Chick-fil-A Spirit Day – Wednesday, Nov. 12

Grab your Dash packet and fuel up at Chick-fil-A Spirit Day! Use code BPES25 when ordering, and a portion of sales will go back to Bushy Park.

📸 Fall Photo Retakes – Thursday, Nov. 13

We’re looking for two parent volunteers to help walk students to and from photo sessions—please reach out to Michelle Bennett if you have questions!

🐻 Bushy Bear Dash RACE DAY – Saturday, Nov. 15

The Bushy Bear Dash is less than a week away! Can we rally together and reach 125% of our goal before race day? Let’s finish strong, Bushy Bears! 💪💙

📚 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

Get ready to paint, create, and get BEARY CREATIVE with our favorite art teachers, Mr. Van Meter and Mr. Hopkins! This special night is just for our Kindergarten–2nd grade Bears to enjoy a guided art activity and take home their own masterpiece. This is not a drop off event, and parents will not only get the chance to help their artists, but to really experience what it's like to be in a class with one of our fan favorites! Get your tickets today, only a few spots remaining.

🌈 Reflections Art Contest

Reflections is open! Encourage your student to express themselves through art, writing, dance, or film.

📅 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. We are also sponsoring a dinner for teachers and are looking for community help to make this successful, check here for details.

🎤 Get Ready to Shine, Bushy Bears!

Our Bushy Park Talent Show is coming January 23, and sign-ups for talent acts are open now! Sing, dance, play an instrument, tell jokes—whatever your talent, we can’t wait to see it on stage! 🌟

Each year at this time, our community comes together in various ways to support those in need. With the holiday season approaching, we would like to extend an offer to any family in need of food, clothing, and/or gifts for children. If you would like to request assistance for your immediate family, please complete the Google form . Although we cannot make any guarantees, we will do our best to utilize resources in a way that best supports our families. If you have any questions, please contact our School Counselor at Elizabeth_Bengermino@hcpss.org or call the front office.

✨ Thank you for all the ways you show up for our students and staff. Together, we shine every day, in every way!