Bedford Elementary School in Pikesville: Builder Bees!

Even the air was all a-buzz at Bedford Elementary in Pikesville, MD, led by mascot Buzzy Bee!  A new Ben Carson THINK BIG Reading Room is opening today!

Several years back, when Bedford Elementary had only about 300 students, they added a cozy little reading room. But as the building got older and the student population kept climbing—eventually hitting around 600—the district decided to build a brand‑new school to handle the growth. As a result, Bedford Elementary is the first school to have had 2 reading rooms installed.

Their slogan is “to bee builders…brick by brick”

The Program 

After Principal Kristen Loscomb’s opening remarks about “the new space that represents opportunity for unlocking limitless potential through the power of reading” the program continued with student leaders!

Several students. handpicked by their teachers, were chosen to introduce the presenters during the program.  The first offering involved 2nd & 3rd-grade Students who shared their personal writings on the “Joy of Reading”.  Next, there were 5th graders who one-by-one ascended to the stage and read the meaning of the letters in the THINK BIG acrostic.

A musical charge to “Read, Read, Read” (by John Reggie) was then sung by the school choir led by music teacher Dr. Melissa Goetschius.

Liz Simon-Higgs, representing the Comprehensive Housing Assistance Inc (CHAI), a Bedford Elementary School partner, started with summarizing the organization’s endeavors: “You may know CHAI as an organization that provides affordable housing, programs for our elders and home counseling and loans. But CHAI also brings together community members and partners to turn community priorities into action.”  She continued with how CHAI brought together an educator from Bedford, Carson Scholars, and Visionary donors Phyllis & Louis Friedman to effectuate the new reading room as a resource to help children grow and thrive, and thanked all involved.

Candy Carson gave her usual remarks about the power of the brain and how that power enables each student to accomplish anything they put their efforts into. And Dr. Carson’s video followed, which ended with, “You’ll be surprised by how far books can take you!”

The Room:

The theme of the reading room is Fairytale land…where imaginations can run wild, or travel more sedately, taking in more details!  The very realistic wallpaper murals of forests with welcoming paths encourage taking steps to wherever your imagination wants you to go!  Lifelike trees and bushes are strategically placed for that full forest effect! The message “Think Big” in bright alternating colors on the wall near the ceiling is framed by hexagonal honeycomb decor! Buzzy Bee has indeed been busy!

Of course, “reading buddies” include a fuzzy, hug-able black and gold bee!

There’s a reindeer in Christmas colors, an ever-so-proper gentleman penguin sporting a bright red bowtie, and other stuffed storybook characters for students to read to!

At the top of the entry gate’s wrought-iron arch hangs a golden bell. And of course, the “bell pull” is a bee!  Lifelike trees and bushes are strategically placed for that full forest effect!

Wooden benches with colorful cushions and storage underneath for books and more seat cushions, hexagonal stuffed stools, wavy green upholstered benches, green “rocking shell” seats, soft tree-stump-stools, all provide relaxing perches!  And there’s plenty of book shelving displaying all books imaginable!

The location of the “room” is actually a hallway nook that invites the students to visit as they travel to and from classes!!  And the tent in the central corner is a perfect hide-away…to go on a secret adventure!!

Also present for the special occasion were several members of the Book Worm Group: Adults from the community who volunteer to read to students!

Many thanks to all who made this special room a reality!!

• Mrs. Shirley Morton, Care Liaison
• Mrs. Tonia Roberts, Reading Specialist
• Mrs. Terrell Lucas, Community School Facilitator
• Mrs. Loren Hines, Staff Development Teacher
• Mr. Clarence Brunt, Building Operations Supervisor
• Ms. Trish Turnbull, Math Resource Teacher
• Ms. Michelle Campbell, Educator

View photos here