Upcoming Events

Announcements

Newsletter 01/28/2026

1/27/2026 8:26 pm

 

We’re excited to spotlight another PTA member! In upcoming newsletters, PTA board members will share why they got involved and what the PTA has meant to them. With several board positions opening next year, we hope these stories inspire you to get involved. Whether you have a little time or a lot, there’s a place for everyone in our school community.

Meet Marie Westom, President

Hi BCS Community - I'm Marie Westom, mom to two boys in 3rd and 6th grade. I have served on the PTA board in some capacity since my oldest son started kindergarten. While this is my second and final year serving as PTA president, I hope to continue on the board in another role next year. 

It may sound cliché, but it is truly an honor to give back to this community. It is so inspiring to witness the impact our work has on students, staff, and caregivers.
 
I attended Hollyrood K-3 and Fernwood 6-8 before the schools combined into the Beverly Cleary School we know today. My mom volunteered with the PTA, and looking back, it's evident that the volunteers' efforts at the time cultivated a community that supported students, teachers, and families. Their legacy continues in many ways, from our close-knit community to events such as Spookarama and the ice cream social. I am humbled and inspired to pick up their torch and continue carrying it. 
 
Another reason I joined the PTA was to make connections with others in the community. Meeting parents and interacting with staff has helped deepen relationships, broaden perspectives, and break down barriers.
 
If you already participate in the PTA in some way—whether that's through volunteering, attending a general meeting, financial support, or simply being a member—thank you! We appreciate all forms of participation. 
 
We also invite you to consider joining the board next year. In the coming weeks, the nominating committee will begin soliciting interest in next year's board. A diverse range of experiences and interests is necessary to build on the foundation set by past boards and to continue our vital work to make every child's potential a reality. I understand joining a board can sound intimidating, but it's definitely a rewarding, supportive experience. We want board members to feel empowered to bring new ideas and to change if they desire. It truly takes a village — if we don't have positions filled, we can't continue the great programs the community has come to expect. 
 
We hope you will join us for our special gathering next month on February 9th at 6:30 pm at Hi-Top. Instead of our normal general meeting, we are hosting a social hour to meet the current board, learn a little more about what we do, and get to know other community members. Light snacks provided. See you there!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Host a Heritage Night Booth
*LAST CALL!*

On Thursday, February 26, from 6:00-7:30 pm, the PTA will host Heritage Night, a time for families to come together to share their culture with our school community. Sign up to host a booth to share your family’s heritage through pictures, artifacts, music, art, games, and food. Booths are meant to be simple, fun, and easy to put together.

Interested? Complete the form below by January 30th. Contact Dawn Isaacs at dawnmarieisaacs@gmail.com  with any questions.

BOOTH SIGN UP FORM

Middle School Dance | January 30

The Winter Wonderland Dance will be on Friday, January 30th, from 7:00-8:30 pm.

There will be pizza, snacks, and drinks for sale (cash only). Tickets are $5 each (cash only) and will be sold on January 28th, 29th, and 30th before and after school. They must have a signed permission slip to purchase a ticket. Just a reminder: if kids want to leave the dance early, they will not be allowed to re-enter, and a chaperone will need to call the student's parent to confirm it's okay for them to leave before the end of the dance.

As always, none of this could have happened without our amazing parent volunteers! If you are interested in helping, there are still a few open slots - sign up using the link below.

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER

February PTA Mixer

Instead of our February PTA meeting, we’re switching things up with a PTA social! Join us at Hi-Top on February 9 at 6:30 PM for a relaxed evening to connect with other families and PTA members. Appetizers are on us and drinks will be available for purchase. We hope to see you there - RSVP using the link below.

RSVP here

Ecuador Summer Trip 2026

Current 7th and 8th Graders - interested in the gift of travel? We've got openings for an epic nine-day trip to Ecuador this summer. Email Profe Herbage (jherbage@pps.net) or Susan Nelson (sunelson@pps.net) if you're interested in going to the Amazon Rainforest, Andes Mountains, rafting, haggling for handicrafts in an indigenous market, and tasting organic chocolate at a chocolate factory.

Middle School Spookarama Night Needs Lead Volunteers!

Planning for the 2026–2027 Middle School Spookarama Night is beginning, and we need your help to make it happen!

Middle School Night is a beloved part of the two-evening Spookarama tradition, offering a fun, safe, and spooky celebration just for our 6th- to 8th-grade students. To continue hosting this event, we must secure five lead volunteers to partner with the elementary Spookarama team and share planning responsibilities.

We are seeking Leads for the following roles:

  • Head Lead / Event Coordinator – Oversee overall planning, logistics, and volunteer coordination.
  • Food Lead – Coordinate pizza, snacks, and beverages.
  • Games Lead – Oversee the coordination of parents to run activities such as Minute-to-Win-It games and other favorites.
  • Decorations Lead – Oversee décor planning and setup in collaboration with the elementary design team.
  • Treat Trot Lead – Organize the “Musical Scares: Treat Trot.”

Why this matters
To move forward with Middle School Night for 2026–2027, we must have all five lead volunteers confirmed by May 2026. If these positions are not filled, we will not be able to host a middle school Spookarama event next year.

Time Commitment
These roles involve light planning throughout the school year, coordination with the established elementary Spookarama team, and helping recruit/support volunteers as the event gets closer.

Interested? Have questions?
Please reach out to spookarama@beverlyclearyschool.org to volunteer or learn more. Your leadership can help keep this tradition alive! Thank you for supporting our middle school community!

Newsletter Submissions

Do you have anything you'd like included in the newsletter or on socials? Please complete the BCS PTA Communications Request Form (linked below) by Thursday to have your content in the Monday newsletter of the following week. Please note that we will include only information directly related to school- or PTA-sponsored events. We will let you know if your submission does not qualify.

Questions? Email communications@beverlyclearyschool.org.

REQUEST FORM

Upcoming EVENTS

Middle School Dance
Friday, January 30

BCS at the Trailblazers Night
Friday, February 6

PTA Mixer
Monday, February 9

Pizzeria Otto Fundraiser
Tuesday, February 10

Early Release
Wednesday, February 11

View Full Calendar