VES Eagle Express Newletter
SY2019-2020 June 18, 2020 - Volume 13, Final Issue #41
Veterans Elementary
The building is closed due to the State Superintendent's decision regarding the COVID-19 virus. We can still be reached by contacting our principal at robert_bruce@hcpss.org
Email: robert_bruce@hcpss.org
Website: ves.hcpss.org
Location: 4355 Montgomery Road, Ellicott City, MD, USA
Phone: 443-864-6808
CLASS OF 2020: Archived videos available for viewing online
FOOD SERVICE THRU JUNE30: Detrails on HCPSS' free meal service program for all HCPSS students
FOOD SERVICE JULY 1 - AUGUST 14: Details on HCPSS' free meals service program ->
CONTINUITY OF LEARNING: Information on distance learning schedules, resources, and more
SPECIAL EDUCATION: Overview, timeline, and resources for families receiving special education services
COVID-19: Full information, resources, and HCPSS updates and contact information
INTERNATIONAL AND FAMILY SERVICE LINKS:
Para información y apoyo adicionales, por favor, llame al 410-313-1591.
欲知详情或想获得更多支持,请电 410-313-5920.
보다 자세한 문의와 지원을 원하시면, 410-313-1592 로 연락 주시기 바랍니다.
For all other language needs please contact Monica Ranta at 410-313-7102.
IMPORTANT CALENDAR DATES
JUNE
23 - Last Student School Day
AUGUST
25 - First Day of School for Students
From the Principal
Our last Eagle Express for the 2019-2020 School Year:
I don't expect this will be my last communication with you but this is the last official
Eagle Express for the 2019-2020 school year.
Last School Day is Tuesday June 23rd
The last day of school for students will be Tuesday June 23, 2020. Veterans will hold its last class for the 2019-2020 school year by 12:15 pm on that day. It has been a long year with so many distractions for our students. The good news for any student that receives an "Incomplete" for any subject including related arts and even health, students have until September 15th to complete the required assignments for that content area. It is crucial that a student hit the work complete or submit assignment otherwise a student will not receive credit and may have to complete the assignment a second time.
To our Departing Redistricted Students....We will miss you !!!
Grading for Fourth Quarter:
Elementary School Level: During quarter 4, there will be two potential grades - Pass (P) or Incomplete (I). If a student participates in 50% or more of the assignments in Dreambox and Lexia Core5, they will receive a Pass in mathematics and language arts. Other courses will be graded by Canvas participation. If a student does not participate, they will receive an Incomplete. If the missing work is completed by September 15, 2020, it will convert to a pass. Otherwise it automatically will become a Non-Applicable (N/A).
- Mathematics (every grade under math): Pass - student completed 263 minutes or more of Dreambox
- Language Arts (every grade under LA): Pass - student completed 263 minutes or more of Lexia
- Science & Social Studies: Pass - student completed 3 of 6 weekly assignments
- Related Arts & Health: Pass - student completed 2 of 5 weekly assignments
For PreK-2, Incompletes will be recorded as ICL for Incomplete during continuity of learning to minimize confusion with “Independent” which also appears on these report cards. Learning Behaviors will be populated for teachers with N/As.
Now, students still have until Tuesday June 23rd to complete the assignments for this report card.
June 19, June 22 and June 23, 2020:
The last three days of school for children will be half days on June 19, 22, and 23. On Friday June 19th, our fifth graders will have their Farewell Assembly at 9:00 am. Move Up Day for students in PreK-Grade 2 will occur from 10:30-11:15- Grades PK-K, K-Gr.1, and Gr. 1 to Gr. 2 and Gr. 2 to Gr. 3. Move Up Day for students in Grades 3 & 4 will occur from 11:15-12:00- Grade 3 to Grade 4 and Grade 4 to Grade 5. On Monday June 22nd, the staff will hold Eagle Clubs from 10:15-11:15 am, teachers will share with homerooms what clubs will be offered. Tuesday will be a teacher directed day with the exception of our Veterans Farewell Video which will be presented at the conclusion of the student day. Be prepared on these three half days for students that teachers may schedule special Google Meet sessions for your children. Teachers are free to schedule Google Meet sessions for anytime between 9:00-12:15 on June 19th ,22nd, and 23rd if there is not another school planned activity . Codes for these meetings will be sent by the teacher.
Our Resilient Fifth Graders
Now while the last day of school is Tuesday June 23rd, we did post our Fifth Grade Farewell Video this morning at 9:00 am. Our wonderful PTA wanted our students to have a keepsake of this year and proudly had a Congratulatory sign made for the front of the school and also had a sign made for our students' yards. Our fifth graders were looking forward to this year and Co-Vid 19 actually denied them opportunities to participate in a variety of activities. Our PTA knows that signs will not make up for the loss of these of activities. It does recognize that our fifth grade has been on our minds throughout the pandemic. We wish our students much success as they continue on to middle school. Completion certificates and other award recognitions will be mailed in the near future.
Personally, as principal, I am going to miss this group of students. They are full of personality and promise. Every parent should be proud of their accomplishments but also realize that this journey is still in progress. We want our students to come back and visit, and please come when a vaccine is in place and the virus news diminishes so we can give you a hearty handshake or a big hug. You are awesome and special.
Best wishes!
We wish our Departing Staff Well in their New Endeavors!
We want to wish our departing staff best wishes for a wonderful future. We want to thank
Mr. Adam Raabe, Mrs. Barbara Bowers, Ms. Elizabeth Watson, Mrs. Kelly Shealer, Mrs. Linda Isberg, Dr. Nicole Gosnell, Mrs. Krishna Kumari and of course Dr. Derek Lewis well as they begin a new chapter in their careers. Of course our Special Education Team Leader Ms. Kelly Ryan will be departing that position and replacing Dr. Lewis as our Administrative Intern.
Next School Year
The county has made no decisions about next school year. They are conducting student, parent, and staff surveys about what worked and what did not work. They are also asking about parent preferences as we gear up for the school year not quite knowing how CoVid-19 will steer the conversation. The Board of Education will submit its plan to the Maryland State Department of Education by July 15th. In light of the number of stakeholders, I do not expect a plan much before that date. There are several plans being discussed so please do not consider the discussion complete until the Superintendent submits his plan to the state board. The Superintendent knows full well the importance of students being in school but he also knows that he would not send students back to a full "brick and mortar" situation until it is safe for students and staff.
2020-21 School Enrollment:
THE REGISTRATION PROCESS for the SY2020-2021 BEGINS ONLINE for all new students Grades PK - Grade 5. Please use the following link: https://www.hcpss.org/enroll
ADDRESS CHANGE: FILLABLE_Change_of_Address.pdf
It is crucial that if you know anyone moving into our school district that they register as quickly as possible. Please direct them to the HCPSS main website or enrollment link for guidance.
Central Office reviews our enrollment throughout the summer to ascertain whether we need additional staff. It is better to be counted earlier than later in the summer.
When positions run out then the school will have to determine classes in the best way possible. If you have further questions about the enrollment process that are not provided on the HCPSS website, please contact a teacher's secretary:
Jane Pak- jane_pak@hcpss.org
Maria Martinez- maria_martinez@hcpss.org
Dulce Boyer- dulce_boyer@hcpss.org
If you do not get a response from them within a day, please email robert_bruce@hcpss.org
Effective July 1, 2020, Mrs. Youmi Jun will be our new Principal's Secretary. She can be reached at youmi_jun@hcpss.org
worth repeating...
If you missed Veterans Elementary School's Virtual Student Visit Days...
If your student was not able to make the
Virtual Student Visit Days
(May 18 & 19) , here's your chance to take a virtual tour!
Order a SY2019-2020 Veterans Yearbook!
Place your order by going to the following link:
https://www.treering.com/validate?PassCode=1015071348503280
This will get you to the Veterans Elementary account page. You will need to create an account if you do not already have one, but it opens to the page where you can login with an existing account or sign up.Then feel free to order your yearbook.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Summer Camp?? You BET!!
Every summer, our business partner - The Okinawan Karate Dojo - hosts their very popular Fitness Ninja Camps. THIS summer will be no different--Fitness Ninja Summer Camps 2020 are happening (currently set to operate outdoors)! These weekly camps are a great way for your kids, ages 5 to 13, to stay active, entertained and educated on health, wellness, fitness, and karate this summer. The Okinawan Karate Dojo is dedicated to meet AND exceed current state, local and CDC recommendations related to COVID-19, so you can be confident that OKD is a fun AND safe/healthy place for you and your kids.
Dates: June 29th to August 21st, from 9am to 3pm each day. Before care available from 8 - 9 am. The camp (until further notice) will be fully outdoors, with fun weekly themes, and plenty of small-group, socially-distanced games, team challenges, crafts, karate lessons, health/fitness discussions, and MORE! Additional updated information about the camp, online camp registration, and their safety information is available at OKDkarate.com. Space is Limited. Questions? Call: 443 574 8999 or Email: info@okinawankaratedojo.com.
A Very Special Thank You!
Some of our VES families have been experiencing hardships with the Co-VID crisis. We want to take time to thank some groups and individuals who have helped our families with generous food donations:
1. First Lutheran Evangelical Church in Ellicott City
2. St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Ellicott City
3. Saurabh & Neha Gupta- Parents of one of our wonderful Kindergarten students; Shiven Gupta- Ms. Bents' Class
Their donations have helped many families and we appreciate their partnerships with the school community.
COMCAST Internet
2020 Census
Several HCPSS programs rely on funding based on accurate census information. For this and several other reasons, all families are encouraged to participate in the 2020 census, which may be completed online. Learn more.
Meals & Nutrition Assistance Program
- The Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) recently expanded its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It is possible that families may qualify now for SNAP benefits, based on the economic downturn due to COVID-19. Visit the DHS website to learn more. All children in households already receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can get free meals regardless of income, and students from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals.
- All Maryland students who qualify for FARMs are eligible for the new P-EBT program, or Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer, which provides benefits on a debit-style EBT card to help families with children purchase healthy food during the school closure. Families can apply for the Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FARMs) program until June 1, 2020. Visit the HCPSS web site to learn more about the opportunities and how to apply.
Message from the Media Center
Do you have VES Media Books that are currently checked out that are with you at home?
Please take good care of the books and return them to VES as soon as school reopens.
Thank You!
Howard County Library Resources
- Created While Isolated: Students ages 13 and up and adults are invited to share photographs, art, music, creative writing, and personal stories from this unprecedented time in acollaborative creativity journal.
- TumbleMath is a fun and engaging way to learn math concepts through stories. Students can access this and many other learning resources with their A+ student accounts throughhcpss.me by selecting HC Library.
HCPSS COUNSELING SERVICES for Students, Families, and Staff
The COVID-19 pandemic has made this an especially stressful time for many, especially those already impacted by mental health concerns. Find information about local and online resources for counseling and mental health supports for you and your family on our website.