Shaping young minds into the leaders of tomorrow by focusing on Bravery, Empathy, Activity, and Responsibility.
Welcome to School Year 2026-2027!
Dear Brent Bear Families,
One year ago, we started our two-year swing space adventure. During that time, we have seen students make the building their own, families embracing new routines with flexibility, and faculty approaching new challenges with creativity and care.
Year One taught us a great deal! We built and refined our transportation systems, honed communication with families, and began new traditions that brought our community together—from our Brent Bus Depot community and New Families Pizza Playdate to spring Talent Shows and a (first ever!) Science Concert. These experiences have made us stronger and reinforced our belief that people make the school.
Meanwhile, exciting progress continues at the 301 N Carolina Ave site. Each week, our new building rises a little higher, bringing us one step closer to returning to a beautiful, state-of-the-art campus that will serve students and families for generations to come.
This year, we will begin the process of transitioning to our new school name – Gardner Bishop Elementary. With the new building and new name on the horizon, we remain fully committed to making this year at Brent@Meyer our best yet. The Summer Mailing is a launch point intended to orient our families to the school year. The Summer Mailing is published in several forms: through email, on our website, and in hard copy mailed to your home. In addition to this letter, the Summer Mailing includes:
Component
The steps to take if your child has an allergy that may require treatment or food restrictions at school.
The DC Health Department document describing immunization requirements, health forms, and dental forms.
A DCPS-wide policy related to the use of cell phones and other communication-enabled devices that applies to both our school campus at Meyer and buses.
Capitol Language Services (CLS) Out of School Time Provider Information
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The Brent uniform policy and resources for purchasing uniforms. Brent swag sales have closed for the summer but will again be offered at the Fall Picnic.
The most efficient paths to follow and people to contact when you have a question, idea or need.
The names and roles of our faculty members. In general, DCPS emails are first.last@k12.dc.gov.
The key system-wide dates for the year, particularly helpful for identifying the days students are not in school. CLS offers day camps on all professional development and record keeping days, but not holidays. Bus transportation will not be offered on CLS camp days.
The First Term Brent Calendar is designed as a quick reference and accompanies the google calendar and monthly calendar that will be published each week in Tues News. Moving forward, printed term calendars for the remaining three terms will be sent home with report cards.
Equity and Inclusion Dialogue Group
The group that works to advance Brent’s commitment to cultivating an equitable and inclusive community, where everyone feels a strong sense of belonging and ways to participate.
A description of curricular approaches and materials in use during the 26-27 school year.
The activity fee that allows us to purchase school supplies at scale and to the needs of classrooms (no school supply shopping necessary!), to go on field trips, host assemblies, and welcome visiting artists throughout the year. Families who qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch are excused from these fees. Families with other financial considerations should contact norah.lycknell@k12.dc.gov or brentelementary@k12.dc.gov. Students will not be excluded from supply, field trip, assembly, or visiting artist access under any circumstances.
Local School Advisory Team (LSAT) Welcome Letter
The LSAT’s elected members and mission as an advisory group to the Brent administration, particularly in the areas of strategic planning, budget and policy.
Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Welcome Letter and Volunteer Information
The PTA’s mission of connection and community, the PTA Board, and opportunities to get involved.
The group that is made up of faculty, caregivers, and community representatives, engaging with DCPS to plan our modernization process.
An overview of swing space transportation and a description of upcoming dates on which additional transportation information will be shared.
A description of CLS programs, which include Before Care, After Care, and Enrichment. Enrollment is closed for the start of the school year and while students can be added to the Before Care and After Care rosters after the start of the school year or into open Enrichment Class spaces, bus schedules cannot be changed until Term 2.
A policy document that describes our attendance goals, policy, how to report absences, and the timelines for early pick up.
Swing Space Bus Transportation Update
In addition to this summer mailing, you can expect the following communications/events prior to students’ start on August 24 (K-5) and August 27 (ECE - PK3 and PK4):
I am grateful to work alongside such an incredible community of returning and new students, faculty, and families. Because, after all, the people make the school!
Sincerely,
Norah Lycknell
Principal
