April Newsletter
Bowley Purpose Statement
The Bowley school community will educate and enrich the children of our nation's heroes to become successful lifelong learners.
April is Month of the Military Child (MOMC). Bowley Elementary enthusiastically recognizes our military-connected students. In addition, Bowley Elementary scheduled a variety of events and activities in support of this special month. Month of the Military Child (MOMC) also allows Bowley staff to align our recognition of activities to DoDEA’s Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework. The MTSS program focuses on the whole child, specifically achievement, well-being, and resilience. Through a variety of programs at the school-level, Bowley Elementary is committed to supporting and strengthening our military-connected students’ academic, well-being, and resilience.
Bowley’s COGNIA accreditation visit is scheduled for April 29, 2025. The visit supports our school’s continuous improvement journey. Bowley Elementary staff and students have been preparing for this opportunity to showcase the excellent educational program enriching the lives of our students each day. In addition, Bowley Elementary families will have an opportunity to participate in a panel discussion with the accreditation team on April 30, 2025, at Albritton Middle School, beginning at 3:45 PM. Please contact the school with questions.
Bowley Elementary welcomes input and feedback from our school community. Information we receive from our learning community members is referenced as we develop school-level plans. Beginning April 1, our Communication & Engagement Feedback will be open to Bowley parents. The link to the feedback form was provided to all families in our March 28 Parent Update. We ask all families to take a few minutes to complete the feedback form. Please contact the school with questions or assistance accessing the form.
We appreciate all the support from our military-connected families. Bowley Elementary students and staff will continue to remain focused on our journey to excellence because, “Bobcats Believe, Bobcats Achieve!”
Through their exploration of trees and weather, the kindergarten students at Bowley Elementary School are developing a lifelong love of science and nature.
At Bowley Elementary School, the kindergarten students in Ms. Culbreth's class are embarking on a journey of discovery through the FOSS Curriculum in Science. These young explorers are using their keen observational skills to learn about the natural world—specifically, trees and weather. Through hands-on activities and high-quality instructional practices, these curious minds are gaining a deeper understanding of the changing seasons and the cyclic nature of our environment.
The students began their observations in the fall, when leaves were changing colors, and the air started to cool. Armed with magnifying glasses, science journals, and the school's outdoor garden, the kindergarteners set out to document their findings. They observed the transformation of trees as they prepared for winter, noting the different shapes, sizes, and colors of leaves. They also tracked weather patterns, learning to identify cloudy, sunny, rainy, and windy days.
As the year progressed, the students continued their investigation. They watched in awe as trees shed their leaves and stood bare during the winter months. They felt the chill of winter air and observed how some trees seemed to be "sleeping." As spring approaches, they excitedly document the budding leaves and blooming flowers, marveling at the renewal of life around them.
Ms. Culbreth employs various instructional practices to ensure her students are actively engaged and learning effectively. By incorporating hands-on activities, like using magnifying glasses and exploring the outdoor garden, she helps students make tangible connections to the concepts they are studying. Science journals encourage students to document their observations and reflect on their findings, fostering critical thinking skills and scientific inquiry.
The students participate in fun activities like leaf rubbings, weather charting, and nature walks. They sing songs about the seasons, create art projects inspired by their observations, and even dress up as different weather elements for themed days. These activities not only make learning enjoyable but also help reinforce the scientific concepts they are exploring.
Through their exploration of trees and weather, the kindergarten students at Bowley Elementary School are developing a lifelong love of science and nature. They are learning to observe, question, and think critically about the world around them. Thanks to the dedication and creativity of Ms. Culbreth, these young scientists are well on their way to making their own discoveries and contributions to the world of science. 🌳🌦️📚
Our young scientists at Bowley Elementary School on Fort Bragg are diving into the wonders of gravity and motion with the FOSS Science Curriculum! This innovative program is designed to engage students in scientific exploration through hands-on activities and experiments, fostering a love for learning and discovery.
This week, students embarked on an exciting journey to explore the fascinating concepts of motion, trajectory, and speed using two different balls. They meticulously observed how each ball moved, discovering the effects of gravity and how different forces impact their paths. By rolling, bouncing, and throwing the balls, students were able to see firsthand how gravity pulls objects towards the Earth and how varying forces can alter their motion.
Through these hands-on experiments, our curious learners are developing a deeper understanding of the world around them. They are learning to ask questions, make predictions, and test their hypotheses, which are essential skills for budding scientists. The classroom buzzed with excitement as students shared their observations and discussed the outcomes of their experiments.
In addition to exploring gravity and motion, students also delved into the principles of trajectory and speed. They learned how the angle at which a ball is thrown can affect its path and how different surfaces can influence the speed at which a ball travels. These experiments not only enhance their scientific knowledge but also encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
We're so proud of their enthusiasm and dedication to learning! The Bowley Bobcats are truly shining as they embrace the wonders of science. Their eagerness to explore and understand complex concepts is a testament to their hard work and the supportive learning environment at Bowley Elementary School.
Keep up the great work, Bowley Bobcats! Your passion for science and discovery is inspiring, and we can't wait to see what you explore next.
A young bobcat explores an object in motion.
Second graders explored the folktale "Why the Sky is So Far Away". To deepen their engagement, each student wrote a fictional diary entry from the perspective of one of the characters in the tale using Adobe Animations.
Fort Bragg, NC – The 2nd-grade students at Bowley Elementary have been diving into the enchanting world of folktales and fables, learning to identify key events and central messages. This week, Ms. Skinner's class took their understanding to a new level with an exciting and creative project.
The students explored the folktale "Why the Sky is So Far Away". To deepen their engagement, each student wrote a fictional diary entry from the perspective of one of the characters in the tale. This exercise honed their writing skills and encouraged them to empathize with the characters and understand their motivations.
But the creativity didn't stop there. The young storytellers then used Adobe Animate to bring their diary entries to life. Through this digital medium, they were able to add visual elements and animations, making their stories even more vivid and engaging. The combination of traditional storytelling and modern technology provided a unique and enriching learning experience.
Ms. Skinner expressed her pride in her students' work, stating, "It's incredible to see how the students have embraced both the literary and technological aspects of this project. They've shown great creativity and understanding of the folktale's themes."
Parents and staff were invited to view the animated diary entries, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. The project not only showcased the students' talents but also highlighted the innovative teaching methods at Bowley Elementary.
This activity is part of a broader curriculum aimed at developing critical thinking, creativity, and digital literacy among students. By integrating traditional literature with modern technology, Bowley Elementary continues to foster a dynamic and engaging learning environment.
Click this link to view their creations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e3Ge-7bjzU
March was a month of excitement and literary adventures at Bowley Elementary as students and staff celebrated Read Across America Week with a series of engaging and creative events. The school community came together to foster a love for reading, all while having a blast!
One of the highlights of the month was the Masked Readers event, inspired by the popular show The Masked Singer. Teachers and staff donned elaborate costumes and read stories to the students, who then had to guess the identity of the masked readers. The students' enthusiasm and detective skills were put to the test as they eagerly tried to uncover who was behind each mask.
In addition to the Masked Readers, students participated in a bookmark decorating contest. The creativity on display was astounding, with each student designing a unique bookmark. These beautiful creations were then compiled into a school book, showcasing the artistic talents of Bowley Elementary's young readers.
The excitement didn't stop there! Bowley Elementary faced off against Dever Elementary in the "March Madness" reading challenge. Using online books, students from both schools competed to see who could read the most. The friendly competition motivated students to dive into their favorite stories and discover new ones while fostering camaraderie and school spirit.
Throughout the month, Bowley Elementary also celebrated multiple theme days, adding an extra layer of fun to the festivities. From Crazy Hat Day to Dress as Your Favorite Storybook Character Day, students and staff alike enjoyed dressing up and showing off their school pride.
Dr. Raymond Burk expressed his pride in the students' participation and enthusiasm, saying, "Bobcats Believe, Bobcats Achieve." This motto truly encapsulated the spirit of the month, as students demonstrated their love for reading and their commitment to achieving their best.
Read Across America Week at Bowley Elementary was a resounding success, leaving students with cherished memories and a renewed passion for reading. Here's to many more literary adventures in the future!
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DoDEA School Dress Code
Students MUST wear:
- Tops with sleeves (sleeveless tops/dresses are permitted for school sponsored formal events such as prom)
- Solid clothing (not transparent or translucent) that fully covers the top and bottom from armpit to mid-thigh
- Shoes (shoes must be safe for the school environment)
- Bedroom slippers shall not be worn, except for school activities approved by the principal
- Open toe shoes with a strap across the heel are allowed
Students CANNOT wear clothing with:
- Language or images promoting violence
- Language or images that depict, promote, or advocate the illegal use or sale of drugs, alcohol or tobacco products; violent conduct; curse words; pornography; that contain threats or expressions which are violent, discriminatory, lewd or obscene; or that advocate or promote any other illegal item or activity or the use of same
- Derogatory speech/imagery targeting groups based on race/color, ethnicity/national origin, sex, disability, religion, or any other characteristic protected by law
- Headgear that obscures the face (except as a religious observance or health purpose); clothing items with hoods attached can be worn but must not cover the head
* Teachers/courses can require certain attire as part of the curriculum (for example: physical education, culinary) that may include specific dress
* DoDEA issued athletic uniforms and athletic practice attire outside of the DoDEA school dress code is permitted when worn by participants during athletic practices and sports events
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Student Hours
| Grade | Regular Hours | Wednesday Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PK - 5 | 8:20 a.m. - 2:50 p.m. | 8:20 a.m. - 1:50 p.m. |
| Office Hours | 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. | 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. |
| Teachers | 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. | 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.. |
First Bell: 8:20 a.m.
| Cafeteria Hours | Start | End |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | 7:45 am | 8:15 am |
| Lunch | 10:30 am | 1:00 pm |
