VES Newsletter EAGLE EXPRESS

Nov. 12, 2022 - Vol.15, Issue #13

(click on image) Come Along to Visit VES Virtually!

For security reasons, individuals must log onto their child's Canvas page to access virtual tour.

VETERANS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Robert Bruce, Principal - robert_bruce@hcpss.org

Alexcia Redd, Assistant Principal - alexcia_redd@hcpss.org

Meaghan Liwosz, Administrative Intern - meaghan_liwosz@hcpss.org


Please call ahead 410-313-1700


***PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK FOR A VOICE MESSAGE PRIOR TO CALLING SCHOOL FOR A MISSED CALL.***


Youmi Jun, Principal Secretary - youmi_jun@hcpss.org
Jane Pak, Teacher Secretary - jane_pak@hcpss.org
Maria Martinez, Teacher Secretary - maria_martinez@hcpss.org
Ruth Macdonald, Teacher Secretary .5 - ruth_macdonald@hcpss.org

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.

From the Principal

Dear Parents,


Thank you for your support of our school's veterans. Our Veterans Day Assembly occurred on Friday and was a big success. We thank everyone for their support and particularly wanted to thank the organizer and planner for this event; Mrs. Redd.


Next week is American Education Week, which runs from November 14th-18th. This is a great opportunity to show your support for your child's school. The theme this year is Together for Safe, Just & Equitable Schools. We will kick off the week with our scheduled annual visit day on Monday November 14th. No need to make an appointment, just come to school, sign in, put on a visitor's pass and observe in your child's classroom (s).


Keep in mind the following guidelines about your visit;


a.) No siblings are allowed to visit, just parents and guardians.

b.) A valid government identification is required for a visit.

c.) Sign in to visit your child's homeroom , mathematics, content and/or related arts classes. Due to safety and space, this week is not a good time to have lunch with your child. Recess visits are not allowed to ensure staff can monitor student activities. Please time your visit appropriately.

d.) Once you have finished your visit, go back to Lobbyguard and sign out before leaving the building.

e.) This is NOT a time to have a conference with your child's teacher, that is November 21st and 22nd. Staff will be actively engaging students during your time here and planning for instruction. We need to respect their time.

f.) Please note that if you require the use of your cell phone, only use the lobby area for this use. It can disturb instruction. Best idea would be to turn it off or have on mute while you are visiting.

g.) Photographs and videos may not be taken by any device in order to ensure the confidentiality of all students. This is even true for your own child.

h.) If you wish to sign out your student for any reason, please go to the office and request that they be called down for dismissal. Students may not leave the classroom with you.


On Monday November 14th from 9:45-10:40 am , the Veterans Elementary School Administrative Team will have a Coffee Chat in the cafeteria. There is no defined topic if you just want to stop in and say hello, that is fine. We will be able to answer general questions.



Sincerely,


Robert C Bruce- Principal

Getting to Class On Time

The schedule says that class begins at 9:25 am. This means that every student should come into the school, stop and pick up breakfast, if buying, and then go directly to class. Monday is October 10th, every student should know their way to class. It is not necessary for any students to walk siblings to class. If an adult is needed for this, staff will assist. It is important for everyone to be in their class and ready to go at 9:25 am. Now, if a bus is late, that is understandable but all children should enter and be in homeroom by 9:25 am.

Lost & Found

The picture above was updated as of Thurs. 10/27/22 .We kindly ask all parents to please label the belongings of your children, regardless of age. We were able to track down two students due to labeling. This is especially true for jackets and coats as we get to the unpredictable temperature season. These are the current items on our Lost & Found stand. If something looks familiar, please claim it. Any items not claimed by Thanksgiving Break, Spring Break, and the end of the year will be donated to an area charity.

VES CURRENT NEWSFLASH!

Big picture

Multi-Lingual Parent Leadership Program

Multilingual Parent Leadership Program (MPLP)

The Multilingual Parent Leadership Program (MPLP) is designed to increase leadership capacity of Multilingual parents to step into leadership roles in schools and communities as advocates on behalf of the system’s Multilingual students. The six-week program helps Multilingual parents understand the framework of the US educational system and the structure and functions of the Howard County Public School System.


The inaugural class began during spring of 2006. Since that time the system has hosted 20 cohorts. The 21st cohort will start in the fall of 2022. In each session the participants receive information about the school system.Information about the MPLP program is disseminated through the HCPSS website, HCPSS news, and word of mouth. Many past participants have recommended the program to friends. It has in the past been advertised at Chinese language schools, CAPA (Chinese American Parent Association), PTA Council, Korean churches, CONEXIONES, Muslim Council, and the Kaur Foundation.


This program has opened a venue for Multilingual parents to visit the Board of Education’s Central Office building as well as their own children’s school. Information shared during the sessions assists parents in making informed decisions about the schooling of their children and serves to increase the participation of parents from Multilingual communities in the life of schools and the school system.


The graduates of the program are serving on their respective PTA advisory committees as well as curriculum advisories in county and state level.


Application:


https://hcpss-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/r/personal/rbruce_hcpss_org/_layouts/15/Doc.aspx?sourcedoc=%7B4D499B61-CA55-4878-B0C0-2A9C0A6489D1%7D&file=MPLP%20Application%202022%20fall.doc&action=default&mobileredirect=true

HAVING LUNCH WITH YOUR CHILD

We ask that parents make a reservation at least 24 hrs in advance with the school office. Upon arrival, you will be asked to show your identification. Please do not arrive at the school without identification and a reservation, you will be asked to return another day. This reservation is for lunch only and not for recess. You are asked to exit through the office when you depart after lunch.
SY2022-2023 HCPSS APPROVED CALENDAR

2022-2023 Academic Calendar Monthly Format English Calendar (PDF) Updated 6/27/22 学年行事历 (PDF) 학년도 달력 (PDF) Calendario Año Escolar

Important Dates for 2022-2023:

November 2, 2022 Schools close 3 hours early. No half-day Pre-K/RECC. End of 1st marking period.



November 7, 2022 - Conference Scheduling opens at 8 am and closes November 17, 2022 at 4 pm.

Conference Scheduling Directions



November 8, 2022 Election Day – Schools and offices closed.


November 21, 2022 VES Turkey Trot 2022


November 21, 2022 Schools close 3 hours early. No half-day Pre-K/RECC. ES/MS Parent/Teacher Conferences; HS Professional Learning


November 22, 2022 Schools close 3 hours early. No half-day Pre-K/RECC. Parent/Teacher Conferences


November 23, 2022 Schools closed for students. Parent/Teacher Conferences


November 24–25, 2022 Thanksgiving Holiday – Schools and offices closed***

Temporary Employee Positions at Veterans Elementary School

We are looking for caring and compassionate individuals to assist students with disabilities who require direct adult supervision throughout the school day. The position works under the daily supervision of the school administration and under the direction of a special education teacher and/or a classroom teacher. Some experience working with children is preferred. Below are details regarding the position.

  • Temporary Employee (TE) positions are with Social Service Consultants, Ltd.

  • Compensation is $15.00 per hour

  • The hours are 9:25 AM – 3:55 PM Monday-Friday


To apply, please email Robert Tencher at rtencher@gmail.com to request an application packet. Please specify that you are interested in working at Veterans Elementary School. Contact Alexcia Redd at alexcia_redd@hcpss.org when you have completed all parts of the application.

SCHOOL DAY FOR VES STUDENTS: 9:25a.m. to 3:55 p.m.

VES welcomes students to enter the school building beginning at 9:15 a.m. and must be present in their classroom seats by 9:25 a.m. for teacher's daily attendance.


Note regarding Late Arrivals by car-riders:
Beginning at 9:25 a.m., Parent/guardian must sign-in the student(s) "TARDY".

** NOTICE: supervision by HCPSS Staff NOT available before school **

Parent-Guardian is responsible for their child's supervision until the VES school doors open 9:15 a.m. in the morning.

Do not leave your child unattended prior to 9:15 a.m.

*NOTE: HELP US RELEASE YOUR CHILD SAFELY TO AUTHORIZED ADULTS (HCPSS Policy)

HELP US RELEASE YOUR CHILD SAFELY TO AUTHORIZED ADULTS

  1. * Please be prepared to present your physical, tangible Photo ID
  2. ** Bring your phone to scan the QR code to sign out student(s) for Early Dismissal.
  3. Please plan accordingly. Students are dismissed from class upon parents' arrival after they are signed out from the office.
  4. ***Make sure FamilyFile is updated to indicate non-parent/guardians who VES staff are authorized to release your child to.
  5. Dismissal requests AFTER 3:30pm will be dismissed at normal 3:55pm time as Car Riders
    It is too difficult for staff and students to locate/notify during the school-wide final classroom transitioning at the end of the day.


At this time, we can't allow students to take a different bus other than their assigned bus due to COVID.

***DO NOT LEAVE YOUR VEHICLES UNATTENDED IN THE CAR LOOP AND PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR***

No Transportation Changes can be accommodated During Dismissal

*Please reserve any last minute requests for
EMERGENCIES ONLY*

~Help us keep your children safe ~

Making these requests causes confusion and leaves a lot of room for errors during the mass exodus!

Any transportation changes made after 3:30pm is disruptive to the VES dismissal process.

Please do not call or enter the school building requesting a staff member to pull your child from their normal dismissal plan.

* ATTN: PARENTS/GUARDIANS ARE RESTRICTED FROM BOARDING SCHOOL BUSES *

For the safety and security of the children - parents/guardians are not allowed to board and pull their child/children from a school bus at any time, especially during our dismissal.

REPEAT...
PARENTS/GUARDIANS, YOU DO NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO BOARD SCHOOL BUSES.

See an Administrator or Front Office Secretary for assistance!


Stay Informed:

Transportation :


Intent for Transportation for 2022-2023 School Year

HCPSS posted online and emailed all families a request that they indicate their transportation intentions for the 2022-2023 school year. This information will help guide transportation initiatives, hiring of drivers, planning routes and more.


HCPSS electronic School Messenger

Once you have created an HCPSS Login Account/ ParentVue upon completing the student registration, you will automatically be part of our email communication, School Messenger.

We are “green” and do not send hard copies of newsletters and other notices, so your electronic connection to the school is important even over the summer.


Email & Text Alerts

HCPSS News emails and text alerts keep families up-to-date on news and events, and deliver real-time notices of emergency closings and information. All HCPSS News subscriptions are generated from the information provided in Family File. Parents/guardians of previously enrolled HCPSS students do not need to sign up for, or manage an HCPSS News account. Parents/guardians who are new to the system are automatically enrolled for email notification and must opt in to text alerts.


Emergency Notifications

In times of emergency situations, information will be shared with the community through our website, social media, text, email and weather hotline. All parents automatically receive email messaging and new parents need to opt in to text messaging (see above).

Unsubscribing from any school or district email or text will unsubscribe a user from all messaging, including emergency notifications.

Additional Enrollment Questions


Frequently Asked Questions about Enrollment and Registration

See Policy 9000, Student Residency, Eligibility, Enrollment and Assignment

For additional information or questions, please contact your anticipated school of enrollment.


PREPARE FOR THE FIRST DAY:

Helping Your Child Get Ready for Kindergarten

Kindergarten teachers are prepared for children to enter school with varying abilities, strengths and needs. Each child is taught at their appropriate level through differentiated instruction. Learn more what your child will learn in kindergarten.

Review the 2021 Road to Kindergarten slideshow for information about kindergarten readiness, the kindergarten program, and registering your child for school. Prior to kindergarten there are many things parents can do to support their child’s transition to school. From making sure appropriate documentation is gathered, to playing with, reading with and listening to their child, the year before kindergarten is a great opportunity to develop school readiness!

VES PTA NEWS AND UPDATES

PTA News


Upcoming Fall Events:

Reflections Art Contest

Whooo's Reading Read-A-Thon - 11/1-11/15th

Scholastic Book Fair

Sponsor a Staff Dinner during student conferences - More Info to come


The VES Fall 2022 ReadaFun Read-a-thon (formerly, Whooo’s Reading), Starts Next Tuesday

Get those reading skills ready! We are about to jump into our favorite read-a-thon and fundraiser for the school. It will run from November 1st through the 15th.

Parents: Teachers will email log in information so you can help your child set up his/her account. Please help them do this by November 1st.

Fundraising is not necessary to participate. We want everyone reading!

Students will be able to see what their friends are reading, how much they are reading, and be able to communicate with their friends through the Readafun website. This is a great way to stay connected and bond over an interest in reading.

If you have any questions about the read-a-thon fundraiser, please do not hesitate to reach out to Nelly Sai-Palm, our ReadaFun Read-a-thon Committee Chair at 732-266-0640 or nellyaw@yahoo.com.


Sponsor a staff dinner for $10! More info to come!


Join the PTA!

We have 175 members so far! We are over 1/2 of our way to our goal of 300!

Your membership helps fund events for the kids and staff like the back to school party!

https://veterans.memberhub.store

Paper membership forms already came home. Turn those into your child's teacher if you want to pay by cash or check.


Join a PTA Committee!

Lend a hand!

Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E45ABA72DA4F5C43-ptacommittee


Follow us on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/PTAatVES


Support us on Amazon Smile:

Search Veterans Elementary School PTA to assign us as your charity

Smile.Amazon.com

Select "your account". Select "change charity"

Search for our name.

BUS TRANSPORTATION

Please note: Bus routes for the 2022-2023 school year will not be published until mid-August.


Parents of students who will be riding the bus are invited to check the Bus Locator tool on the HCPSS website. To use the tool, type in your home address. The cross on the map represents your child’s bus stop. On the left-hand side of your screen, you will see the bus stop location, contractor information, bus number, and morning arrival/afternoon drop-off times for your child’s bus. This tool will also tell you if your address falls in our walk zone.


Families of students who receive specialized transportation will receive information about your child’s bus schedule directly from the bus contractors.

Find Answers to Questions Online

HCPSS’ Help site provides answers to hundreds of questions about hybrid learning, health and safety, transportation, and more.

LOCAL COMMUNITY RESOURCES & EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY POSTS

FOOD ACCESS

2022-2023 HCPSS Meal Service


Families are reminded that the federal government has not extended waivers allowing free meals for all students. Consequently, for the 2022-2023 school year, students whose families do not qualify for free or reduced lunch will be required to pay the daily meal price.

Many HCPSS families are eligible to participate in the Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) program, which provides children with a wide range of benefits including free or discounted college tuition, testing and application fees, academic and athletic program fees and many others in addition to free or discounted meals.

Families are urged to check their eligibility and complete a FARMs application as soon as possible. Families must submit a new application every school year.

Details on the Free and Reduced Meals program, including a link to apply, are available online.

FARMS Applications: Applications for the Free and Reduced Meals program for the school year 2022-2023 are available online in multiple languages and paper copies are available at all meal sites, effective 9/8/20. Please use this document for strategies for increasing FARMs awareness and participation.

Hello VES Families! Welcome back to school! One of our community partners provides weekly food for students whose families request it. Food would be delivered to your child's classroom each Thursday in a bag that your child can bring home in their backpack. Please let us know if you are interested in this opportunity HERE. Thank you!


Julie Wentz and Jessica Wilson-Carr

School Counselors

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.

COMCAST Internet

To help connect more families to the internet at home, Comcast is offering two months of free internet to new Internet Essential customers. more information

ADDRESS CHANGE FORM: https://www.hcpss.org/f/schools/change-of-address-form.pdf


MOVING AWAY/ Withdraw from VES: https://www.hcpss.org/f/aboutus/withdrawal-request-form.pdf

Please initiate the process by filling out the HCPSS Withdrawal Form and email it back to the registrar.

Three Years Old Learning Together Program Peers


Will your child be 3 years old by September 1, 2022?

Do they want to go to Veterans Elementary School, just like their siblings and neighbors?



Learning Together Program – Prekindergarten

The Veterans Elementary Regional Early Childhood Center (RECC) prekindergarten programs are making preparations for classes for the upcoming 2022-23 school year. These classes include children with and without disabilities. The program’s focus is helping all children develop communication, literacy, math, problem solving, motor, and social skills. Parents of children who will be 3 by September 1st( born between 9/2/18– 9/1/19 ) may learn more about the program by reviewing the Learning Together Program (LTP) Flyer (English).

HCPSS is committed to providing instruction based on the statewide Early Learning Standards which are in alignment with Kindergarten Readiness. The fees listed in the application will be collected monthly regardless of the learning model determined by HCPSS throughout the upcoming school year (virtual, hybrid, or in person). If you have any additional questions, please email Mary Jens at mary_jens@hcpss.org

Perform Daily Health Checks

Parents/guardians should keep their children home if they are experiencing symptom(s) associated with any communicable disease. In addition, parents/guardians are to perform daily health checks for COVID-19 symptoms before the student leaves home.