Bel Pre Elementary is a premier primary school embracing the Baldrige Philosophy. Bel Pre School exemplifies all that is proposed in the MCPS Policy on Early Childhood Education. Classrooms are developmental in nature, allowing students to manipulate, construct and experiment with instructional materials for the development of physical, cognitive and social domains. Development of positive self esteem is essential and directly affects student learning. At Bel Pre, we nurture student self-esteem by providing experiences of success and promoting a climate of trust and affection.
Bel Pre has a student enrollment of approximately 500 students. There are four sections of PreK for four year old students; eight sections of full-day kindergarten; seven sections of first grade; and eight sections of second grade.
Bel Pre is an Academic Support School. Instructional assistants, under the direction of teachers, work with students to improve the students' reading/language arts and mathematics skills. The Ruth Rales-Comcast Kids Reading Network supports students through reading intervention. The program focuses on making all students successful readers, with special emphasis on providing appropriate instruction to meet the varied needs of emergent readers. Our reading program has received recognition at the local, state and national level. In mathematics, our Panda Math program supports at risk students, through one-on-one concept development. With the help of our instructional assistants, this program has proved to be highly successful.
One of our instructional objectives this year in our Local School Improvement Plan is to develop emerging literacy skills and encourage students to respond to reading through writing across all curriculum areas. We are making a concerted effort to teach spelling in an integrated and consistent fashion across all curriculum areas. We have a Bel Pre Postal System with a large mail box in the foyer and mailboxes at each classroom door.
Technology is an important area of focus for Bel Pre. In 2007, computer technology was updated through the Technology Modernization Project. Funds from this program were used for the purchase of 110 Dell PCs and additional computer hardware and software. Our media center has a research/learning hub where 7 computer workstations are available to students for research and other academic purposes. We currently have 2 to 4 computers in every classroom. Additionally, there is a computer lab for student and staff use with 18 computer workstations. The Internet is available on all of these computers. Every effort is made to infuse technology into all instructional settings in our school.
Another instructional objective in the Local School Improvement Plan for 2005-2006 is in the area of math. Our staff is committed to teaching students pre-algebra skills. We want our students to become confident and competent in their math ability, using many hands-on, active problem-solving strategies to enhance understanding and acquisition of skills.
Our teachers employ Howard Gardiner's theory of multiple intelligence's, as they encourage children to become problem solvers. Bel Pre teachers plan interdisciplinary units of instruction taking care to present information in all of the eight areas of intelligence and offering students vehicles for presenting mastery of objectives in all eight areas.
Teaching young children strategies for resolving conflict has been an area we have worked with. The DeBug Program, which began at another Montgomery County Public School, has proved to be a very effective way to help our students resolve conflicts with peers.
Character education at Bel Pre emphasizes four bi-monthly themes: responsibility, caring and sharing, honesty and courtesy. Each year Panda Pennies are collected to help sick children who stay at the inn at N.I.H.
We are very proud of our parent volunteer program and what parents and staff accomplish together for our students. The Nature Trail, completed by parents, community members and staff is a marvelous outdoor classroom for environmental study. The trail is a mile in length and winds through MCPS and adjoining park property. Parent and community volunteers support us in the classrooms, on field trips and in many other ways. Parents and community members have helped us beautify our courtyard and the surrounding school grounds. We have received Outstanding Volunteer Awards from the state for many years.
We have an active mentoring program at Bel Pre. Kennedy High School students (Ken Pals) come to Bel Pre to help second grade students with their homework and to further their academic achievement. They will continue working with these students throughout the year.
We are very proud of our school. We feel we provide a climate which is highly conducive to learning. We have a highly skilled group of very hard working persons who value each child and provide opportunities to make each student successful.
