Cheetah Chat November Newsletter
11-6-22
Be Bellows Best!
Email: julie_schruefer@hcpss.org
Website: bses.hcpss.org
Location: 8125 Old Stockbridge Dr, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Phone: 410-313-5057
Twitter: @hcpss_bses
Updates from Administration
Hello BSES families. We have had a very productive first quarter getting to know all of our learners and enjoyed watching our students grow academically. Students and staff worked hard this quarter and there is a lot to celebrate. Last week, teachers had time to collaborate on grading for the first quarter. You will be able to view your child’s report card on November 11th inside your HCPSS Connect account. We will send information out when these are ready to be viewed. We encourage you to take time and talk about the report card with your child. Celebrate what they think went well and set realistic goals of areas they want to grow in for the upcoming 2nd quarter.
We have a lot of events and opportunities for families to visit in the month of November. Please read through the newsletter and mark your calendars for the events coming up this month. Also, please ask your child to look for their missing clothing items in our Lost and Found by the cafe and hanging on the racks inside the front door.
Thank you for your continued support,
Mrs. Schruefer and Mrs. Krablin
American Education Week at BSES
Please read about American Education Week and when you can visit your child at BSES.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JDxcEa2-zEYPudn4vijvuSk3cYJPGSw7RveKEjTIsu4/edit?usp=sharing
Monday, Nov 14, 2022, 09:00 AM
Bellows Spring Elementary School, Old Stockbridge Drive, Ellicott City, MD, USA
Attendance Matters! (Please Report Your Absences)
Student attendance is a major point of focus for the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Starting in school year 2022 -2023, MSDE lowered the chronic absenteeism rate from 20% to 10% which means that at 10% a student should be receiving support and interventions to improve their absenteeism.
To report a student absence: Please email all student attendance notes bsesabsence@hcpss.org to ensure that your student's lawful absence is marked as excused and they will have the opportunity to make up work. In your email, please include your child's name and grade. Please remember that you have up to 5 days after your child's return to school to submit an absence note. When emailing a note, you will receive an automated message to verify that your email was received. You do not need to send an additional note to your child's teachers. If you have any questions about your child's attendance, please email bsesabsence@hcpss.org.
Extended Absences: In order for you to take your child from school on an extended leave, please follow this link to the Extended Absence Form:
Updates from our Health Room
Tis the season! As we are approaching flu season and seeing many different illnesses on the rise, please do your part by keeping your sick child home and make sure they are fever free for 24 hours (without any fever reducing medication) before they return to school. Children who have taken medication to reduce their fever may still be contagious. Also, with the change of weather, please be sure that your child has a spare change of clothing that is weather appropriate to keep in school. We appreciate your effort to help us keep everyone healthy!
Symptom Checker
https://www.hcpss.org/health/covid-19-self-screening/
COVID Testing Resources in Howard County
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/covid-19-testing
Vaccine Resources
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/health/covid-19-vaccine
https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/vaccine
1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829)
SchoolStore Fundraiser to Support BSES
Thank you to all the families who have already participated in our SchoolStore fundraiser!
If your family has not participated, there's still time!
This safe and easy fundraiser is 100% online so there is no face-to-face selling, collecting money, or delivering products. Your child will receive a prize just for participating, and more prizes will be awarded when goals are reached.
Go to https://www.schoolstore.net/sid.t?0000349458 to show our valued teachers your support.
Important BSES Information (Please click all the buttons below)
Planet Aid Fundraiser for BSES
Let's get ready to clean our closets, help the community, and the planet!
Planet Aid is hosting a national clothing drive. The drive begins on Monday October 31 and runs through November 18, in honor of America Recycles Day (November 15).
Look for the yellow PlanetAid Bins located in each parking lot at BSES
Who: Bellows Spring Elementary School and your community.
What: The “America Recycles Clothing Drive .”
When: Monday, October 31st through Friday, November 18th.Young Authors Contest
The Howard County Literacy Association is launching the annual Young Authors' Contest again this year. We would like to thank you in advance for your help in this contest. The Elementary Young Authors' Contest is for students in grades 1-5. Below is the flier and contest instructions:
Young Authors' Contest Flyer 2022-2023
The cover sheet that MUST accompany each entry.
There are directions to help families complete the Cover Sheet electronically.
Submit the poem or short story to the school contest by December 10-or sooner,
Your child can submit a poem and a short story.
GOOD NEWS: This year, the Young Authors’ Contest winners from the county level will advance to the state level contest!
If you have any questions, please contact Tracy Williams at Tracy_Williams@hcpss.org
Happy Writing!
National Native American Heritage Month
Every year during the month of November, Native American Heritage Month is celebrated to honor Native Americans. This month is also referred to as the American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. It is a time to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Indigenous people.
Saturday, November 5th, there will be a Native American Heritage Month Celebration at East Columbia library.
Outdoor Recess, PE, and Dismissal Weather Reminders
With chilly temperatures heading our way soon, please remember the guidelines we follow for going out for recess, PE classes, and students waiting outside for arrival and dismissal.
The decision to go outside or stay inside for recess, outdoor eating, physical education, or any other outdoor activity is the decision of the administrator at individual schools. The following criteria are to be considered in the decision:
• Temperature and humidity
• Wind chill
• Heat index and air quality
• Age of students
• Length of time outdoors
• Adequacy of the children’s clothing
• Condition of the playground
• Falling precipitation (more than a sprinkle or mist)
• Thunder and lightning
Generally, it is assumed that students will be outside for recess, outdoor eating, physical education, or any other outdoor activity when the temperature combined with the wind chill is not less than 20 degrees Fahrenheit or the heat index reading is less than 95. Please dress your child with layers and consider hats and gloves. Please also place your child’s name on all items brought into school.
You can view HCPSS Policy 9090 for more information.
BSES Important Dates Coming Up
-November 7:
Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up Opens 8:00 am
PTA Restaurant Day @ Coal Fire Pizza - 11:30 am - 9:00 pm
-November 11: Quarter 1 Report Cards Issued in Synergy
-November 14: November 18 – American Education Week
-November 17:
- Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up Closes
- PTA Restaurant Day @ Jersey Mike’s-All Day
- Turkey Trot
- Spirit Day: Crazy Sock Day
-November 22: 3 Hour Early Dismissal & Parent Teacher Conferences
-November 23: Schools Closed & Parent Teacher Conferences
-November 24-25: Schools and Offices Closed-Thanksgiving Holiday