VES Eagle Express Newletter
June 11, 2020 - Volume 13, Issue #40
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
HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS: Information on schedules, last day of school, virtual graduations ->
CONTINUITY OF LEARNING: Information on distance learning schedules, resources, and more
FOOD SERVICE: Detrails on HCPSS' free meal service program for all HCPSS students
DEVICES: Details on technology requirements, requesting student or staff technology, support...
SPECIAL EDUCATION: Overview, timeline, and resources for families receiving special education services
COVID-19: Full information, resources, and HCPSS updates and contact information
International Student and Family Services link
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.
From the Principal
As we wind down the school year, the last few weeks will look a little different for virtual learning. June 15-18 will be spent wrapping up the learning for the year. Please understand that all students have an opportunity to complete expectations for the year throughout the summer. If your child receives an "Incomplete" , they will have until September 15th to change that grade to a "Pass". It will remain an "Incomplete" until the student has completed the expectations for the graded area. Now what will the last few weeks look like:
June 15 – June 18, 2020:
Each HCPSS student will interact with structured lessons intended to invoke their academic and social emotional development. Students will be tasked to reflect upon their learning since the school closure. From this reflection, students will anchor their thoughts in sound social emotional and self-care practices. Through activities, discussions and reflection, students will be equipped with language, tools and strategies. The goal is to equip students with meaningful insight so they are better positioned to maintain their whole self, spirit and positive energy during these uncertain times. Elementary classroom teachers will continue their regular schedule for the week of June 15. There will be opening videos, a mid-week SEL lesson and a closing video so the schedule will not be adjusted to any great degree this week. If you have a virtual check in scheduled for Friday June 19th this week, that one may be adjusted.
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.
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.
Promotions - Veterans Elementary School
We proudly congratulate Dr. Derek Lewis who was promoted from Administrative Intern to the position of Assistant Principal. Unfortunately this means that Dr. Lewis will be reassigned to Talbott Springs Elementary School. We wish him well in his new endeavor.
We also proudly congratulate Ms. Kelly Ryan who was promoted from Special Education Team Leader to the position of Administrative Intern, right here at Veterans Elementary School.
We wish Ms. Ryan well in her new role at our school. Ms. Ryan will assume many of Dr. Lewis' former responsibilities.
Of course we announced earlier in the month the appointment of Mrs. Youmi Jun to the position of Principal's Secretary at Veterans Elementary School. Mrs. Jun will assume her new role on July 1st and can be reached at youmi_jun@hcpss.org.
Signs for 5th Graders
IMPORTANT CALENDAR DATES
JUNE
23 - Last Student School Day
AUGUST
25 - First Day of School for Students
worth repeating...
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.
VES Student Services Team (SST)
VES School Counselors are available for virtual student check-ins by appointment daily from 9:30am - 11:30am and from 12:00pm - 1:00pm. Please email us at the addresses below to request an appointment with us.
Julie Wentz (Grades 1, 2, 3, & 5) - julie_wentz@hcpss.org
Jessica Wilson (Grades K & 4) - jessica_wilson@hcpss.org
Tabitha Brown (Counseling Intern) - tabitha_brown_intern@hcpss.org
* Please note that Mrs. Wentz will be joining Ms. Brown’s chats.
School Psychologists are also available during the times listed below:
Ms. Moniodis (School Psychologist RECC and I&T): Monday - Friday 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Ms. Boyars (School Psychologist Intern RECC): Monday - Friday 1:00pm- 2:00pm
Dr. Burkhouse (School Psychologist K-5) and Ms. Gosnell (School Psychologist Intern K-5): Monday - Friday 1:00pm - 2:00pm for staff, student, and parent appointments.
Student Reminders
- Attendance: Teachers at all levels will document student attendance during Continuity of Learning using a point system based on student participation in learning activities each week. More information, including specific indicators that will be used for each level is provided online.
- New Continuity of Learning Website and Help Function: The HCPSS Continuity of Learning website has been restructured to provide an even more user-friendly and easily navigated information resource, including pages with schedules and information dedicated to high school seniors and students at each level. The new HCPSS Help site is grouped by subject to allow quicker and easier navigation, and includes a convenient new keyword search function, making it easier to quickly find answers to their most frequently-asked questions.
2020-21 School Enrollment
REGISTRATION of all new students for next school year Grades PK - Grade 5, should be started online. Please use the following link: https://www.hcpss.org/enroll/
ADDRESS CHANGE: FILLABLE_Change_of_Address.pdf
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
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.