Schools of the Week: Bethesda Elementary, Fairview Middle

The Schools of the Week spotlight is shining on Bethesda Elementary and Fairview Middle. We asked the principals of both schools to share a few things that make their schools special.

Bethesda Elementary

• Bethesda Elementary has split four times to form four new schools since 1992: Oak View Elementary in 1994, Heritage Elementary in 1999, Chapman's Retreat Elementary in 2003 and Thompson's Station Elementary in 2018.
• Over the past few years, more than 125 students have been added to BES each school year.
• Bethesda Elementary's mascot is the Dragons.

Students in BES fourth grade teacher Suzanne Rolen's class are finding a sweet way to learn about measurements.

Using a roll of Smarties and a ruler, students estimated the length of a piece of candy and then decided how many pieces it would take to reach a foot in length. Then students made a paper yardstick to measure various items around the classroom.

"We're just beginning our measurement unit, and this is a good way to help familiarize students with the different units of measurement," Rolen said. "They enjoy using real-life items to help them understand, and it allows them to see examples of things that are an inch, a foot and a yard in length."

Fairview Middle

• All the Fairview Middle students and teachers are committed to putting FMS on the map.
• FMS is part of the last pure feeder pattern in the district, which gives the school an unmatched community feel.
• The Fairview Middle campus is called Falcon Hill, and the view reminds students and faculty that all things are possible when you keep your focus on the horizon.

A popular clay art project is making its return to Fairview Middle.

FMS sixth grade students in art teacher Michelle Vinci's class are making clay trees or snowmen to decorate as they wish. Students used a straw to put holes in their sculpture and, once decorated, will put a tea light inside so it glows.

"The project came out of wanting to still do a clay project last year without having to use shared materials," Vinci said. "We had so much fun with it that I did it again with sixth grade this year. Before they take the sculptures home, we test them all out, see the creations together and have a 'glow party.'"