VES Eagle Express Newletter
FEBRUARY 6, 2021 - Vol.14, Issue #23
SY2020-2021: Saturday Weekly Circular
VETERANS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Robert Bruce, Principal - robert_bruce@hcpss.org
Amy Green, Assistant Principal - amy_green@hcpss.org
Kelly Ryan, Administrative Intern - kelly_ryan@hcpss.org
THE BUILDING IS CLOSED TO STUDENTS DURING THIS TIME.
The office has coverage from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on
days when school is in session.
Please call ahead 410-313-1700
SCHOOL SECRETARIES ARE WORKING REMOTELY
They are available to assist you during this time:
Youmi Jun, Principal Secretary - youmi_jun@hcpss.org
Jane Pak, Teacher Secretary - jane_pak@hcpss.org
Maria Martinez, Teacher Secretary - maria_martinez@hcpss.org
Dulce Boyer, Teacher Secretary .5 - dulce_boyer@hcpss.org
Send Student Attendance-related notifications directly to: VESabsence@hcpss.org
(i.e. student will be absent due to illness, appointments, religious, or travel obligations)
Email: robert_bruce@hcpss.org
Website: ves.hcpss.org
Location: 4355 Montgomery Road, Ellicott City, MD, USA
Phone: 443-864-6808
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
This month has been set aside as an opportunity to recognize the contributions of African-Americans to American History. This month teachers will take some time to recognize the efforts of African American citizens who have helped shape America. This is an opportunity to shine a light on the fact that for so long these efforts and contributions were overshadowed by others. To build a strong and equitable future we must truly understand our experiences of the past. We salute all the trailblazers who helped move America towards its future.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Make sure you know important dates on the 2020-2021 Academic Calendar. There are no printed calendars; you may view the online calendar and/or download printable calendar PDFs on our website. The calendar is subject to change.
SY2020-21 HCPSS Calendar list view of Event Dates
Board Approves 2021-2022 Academic Calendar
The next school year will begin on August 30, 2021, for students and on August 19, 2021, for school staff. Winter break will be December 23-31, 2021, with schools reopening on Monday, January 3, 2022. Spring Break will run from April 11-18, 2022. The last day of school is scheduled for June 14, 2022.
Black History Month
FEBRUARY:
3 - MAP ELA Testing: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
5 - Parent-Teacher Conference Scheduling Window CLOSES 10:00 p.m.
5 - Q2 Report Cards Issued via HCPSS Connect ParentVue
10 - MAP Math Testing: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
10 - Parent-Teacher Conferences
11 - Half Day Schedule: Parent-Teacher Conferences
12 - Schools Closed to Students: Professional Work Day
15 - Schools and Offices Closed: President's Day (State Mandated Holiday)
20 - PTA Virtual Trivia Night - 7:00 p.m.
MARCH:
1 - Group E Students Begin In-School Hybrid
8 thru 12 - Begin SY2021-22 K&1st Grade Online Registration
15 - Grades PK, K, 1, 2 Students Begin In-School Hybrid
29 - Grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 9,12, and ARL Students Begin In-School Hybrid
MARCH Phase-In Model (see below)
APRIL:
2 thru 6 - SPRING BREAK Schools and Offices Closed
12 - Grades 7, 8, 10, 11 Students Begin In-School Hybrid
14 - 3-Hour Early Dismissal for Students: End of Q3 Marking Period
VES CURRENT NEWS AND UPDATES
March 1st Reopening:
On March 1st we will welcome back many students with academic needs for a five day a week program. These students primarily are IEP students. They will spend 4 1/2 days in the building and be off on Wednesday afternoon.
These students had a choice to remain virtual or attend 4 1/2 days a week.
On March 15th we will welcome back students in Grades Prekgn through Grade Two to a 1-2 day program. These students had a choice to remain virtual or to return to a 1-2 day program.
On March 29th we will welcome back students in Grades 3-5 to a 1-2 day program. These students also had a choice to remain virtual or to return to a 1-2 day program.
We will be able to ascertain whether our program will run 1-2 days once we receive all the results from the survey back from parents. The deadline is February 10th. Staff will begin to call on Monday to ensure all students have made their choice. If we can not reach a parent due to changes in information or they are unreachable, their choice will default to remain virtual for the rest of the year. Please keep in mind that individuals will only be allowed to become hybrid if space exists in our classrooms.
Staff have been presented various options. Once we know what staff are returning we will inform our parents.
In some cases, if staff are given an ADA accomodation to remain teaching virtually then the class will be assigned a classroom monitor while the teacher continues to teach virtually to all of his/her students.
CONGRATULATIONS to TWO Veterans Elementary School Students
who placed at the county level for
Young Author's Contest!
Kheamraj Rambharat
1st Place in the Grade 5 Short Story category
title: Hu(gh)Bris(s)
Janani Devi Rambharat
2nd Place in the Grade 2 Short Story category
title: Clinging to Home
Click on images to view complete list of winners on the website
2020-2021 Howard County Young Authors' Contest Winners
We would like to make our community aware of several temporary positions that will be available.
CLASSROOM MONITOR- If a teacher is unable to return to teaching in person due to health issues, a monitor would be hired to supervise the classroom of 6-7 students while the teacher continues teaching virtually.
LUNCH/RECESS MONITOR- These individuals supervise students at lunch and/or recess, under the supervision of VES staff.
These are temporary employment positions with no benefits except for Sick and Safe Leave. The normal rate is $11.75 but this will be increased during this hybrid period to $14.25 per hour for LRM's and Classroom Monitors.
If interested please file an application at the Human Resources, https://www.hcpss.org/employment/
Application Process. Individuals applying for positions must complete all sections of the online employment application and submit a completed application before the closing date (if applicable) in order to be considered for the position.
While an application must be on file, please email Mr. Bruce if you are interested or have any questions. robert_bruce@hcpss.org
HCPSS COMMUNITY NEWS
Please visit the HCPSS website Community News and Programs page for upcoming events and programs sponsored by non-profit organizations.
Hybrid Learning Resource Document
Comprehensive Hybrid Learning Document As families review learning options for the remainder of the school year, the Bridge to Normalized Instruction: Hybrid Instructional Model resource document summarizes all major aspects of the school system's planned transition to hybrid in-person and concurrent virtual instruction that begins on March 1, as the first stage of a gradual return to normalized instruction. The document serves as a reference for families and staff on all aspects of HCPSS' preparations, including: As a reminder, families now have until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 to complete the commitment survey.
HCPSS REFERENCES
VES PTA NEWS AND UPDATES
WHOOO’S READING READ-A-THON UPDATE
The goal was 150,000 reading minutes and our VES students logged in 199,455 minutes.
This is awesome!
Whooo's Reading Read-A-Thon Update
Our Whooo's Reading Read-A-Thon, ended this past Friday.
Collectively, our students logged an IMPRESSIVE 199,455 minutes over the two-week period, surpassing our goal of 150,000 minutes and read more than 2,550 books! Our students also raised a WHOPPING $6,298, ~110% over our goal of $3,000. Way to go VES! The PTA is looking forward to planning assemblies and celebrations when we can all gather again.
Leaderboard:
· Top Fundraiser: Brielle Sai-Palm (1st grade) - $1,185
· Top Readers: Big Tie! Lots of kids logged 8 hours per day.
Below is the leaderboard for our classes.
Way to go Ms. Nguyen, Ms. Graves, and Ms. Menne's classes for raising the most funds! Congrats to Ms. Aytona, Ms. Chan, and Ms. Chong's classes for logging the most minutes.
Special thanks to Nelly & Heidi for running this great event and to all the teachers and staff for helping the PTA get the info out to the kids.
PTA Virtual Trivia Night - February 20th at 7pm
Mark your calendars! We will be using Zoom to play some fun Kahoot Trivia!
How well do you know the Related Arts teachers? See you on the 20th to find out!
Gather the Fam and grab some snacks! Let the games begin!
Sign Up Here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F094AA5AF23A2F85-ptafamily
Seeking Volunteers for the Virtual County Wide School Events:
Links are coordinated by the Bushy Park PTA
International Night (April 2021)
https://www.bushyparkpta.org/international-night-2021
Career Fair (May 2021)
https://www.bushyparkpta.org/career-night-2021
Questions? Email Cara Adornetto at doctorcia@gmail.com
https://veterans.memberhub.store
Follow us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/PTAatVES
LOCAL COMMUNITY RESOURCES & EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY POSTS
FLYER with COUPON
Click on image to access printouts
BOOKS and "BUNDTS" Reading Program 1/15/2021 thru 3/31/2021
READING TRACKER SHEET
BOOKS and "BUNDTS" Reading Program 1/15 thru 3/31/2021
Who: Pre-K thru Elementary School Students
What: Students will receive a FREE Bundtlet for each month that they read for 400+ minutes.
When: January 15, 2021 - to - March 31, 2021
Why: Reading at an early age enriches children's brains, increases vocabulary and test scores, introduces readers to the world around them, and helps develop their imaginations.
A Youth Reading Program by Nothing Bundt Cakes
Columbia, MD Location
10730 Little Patuxent Pkwy
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 587-0670
Message from Media Center:
CONTACTLESS CHECKOUT BEGINS DECEMBER 2!
Your child will be able to check out from our Media Center with no contact.
Wednesdays 11AM - 3PM.
All the information about the procedures, how to set up your child's account, how to request books, and how to see if books are ready for pick up are in your child's Canvas Media Course in the module named Check Out.
If you have any questions, please email your media specialist, Carolee_Kinloch@hpcss.org.
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.
Winter 20/21 - Abrakadoodle
Girl Scouts
For more information, contact Lauren Oviatt at VeteransGS@gmail.com
Cub Scout Pack#305
For information, please contact Heidi Potter at heidi@shmoo.com.
FOOD ACCESS
FEBRUARY 2021 Meal Service Adjustments
February 2, 2021
Howard County public schools will not be in session Friday, February 12 for a professional work day and Monday, February 15 for Presidents Day. There will be no meal service either of these days and additional meals may be picked up in advance of the closures.
The following adjustments will be made to meal services:
- There is no meal service Friday, February 12.
- Meals that were pre-ordered for pickup Thursday, February 11 will include meals for Thursday-Monday.
- Meals that will be picked up via walk-up service on Thursday, February 11 will include meals for Thursday-Monday. Pre-ordering is not required.
- Lunch for Monday, February 15 can be pre-ordered for pick-up on Thursday, February 11.
- There is no meal service Monday, February 15.
Meals are provided at no cost to any HCPSS student or any child under age 18. More information about 2020-2021 meal services is provided online.
Grab-and-Go meals are served every day school is in session, Monday through Friday from 8-9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m., and are free of charge for all students and any child under age 18. All meals include breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner. Find details about pre-ordering, weekend meals and more information online.
COMCAST Internet
vesabsence@hcpss.org
Send all attendance notes directly to: vesabsence@hcpss.org
During Virtual Learning, attendance will be taken daily by teachers for
Homeroom/ELA (.5 day) and Homeroom/Math (.5 day)
to account for a full school day.
Each HCPSS school now has an attendance email for parents to send notes pertaining to their child missing any time out from school, even during virtual learning
(ie. sick, appointment, travel, etc.)
Please take the time to review: HCPSS ATTENDANCE POLICY
ADDRESS CHANGE FORM: FILLABLE_Change_of_Address.pdf
MOVING into VES: FILLABLE_VES RequestforRecords.pdf
We can assist you to obtain student records from their prior school by filling out the
Request for Records form and emailing it back to the registrar.
MOVING AWAY/ Withdraw from VES: FILLABE_Withdrawal form
Please initiate the process by filling out the HCPSS Withdrawal Form and email it back to the registrar.
REMINDERS:
Technology Support Centers
HCPSS is currently operating two Technology Support Centers for device exchanges, returns and support: Old Bushy Park Elementary School, Room E2 and Applications Research Laboratory (ARL), Room B37. Hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday from 2-5 p.m. The Technology Support Centers are closed any day that HCPSS offices are closed. The HCPSS Logistics Center and Ascend One facility are no longer available for technology.
Online Safety
While HCPSS continues to invest in information security efforts, upgrade equipment and ensure that the network is secure, it is critical that all students, staff and parents/guardians do their part to maintain a safe virtual learning environment. View safety guidelines and additional resources.
HCPSS News Subscriptions: HCPSS News emails and text alerts keep families up-to-date on news and events, and delivers real-time notices of emergency closings and information. All HCPSS News subscriptions are generated from the information provided in Family File and have been automatically updated for the 2020-2021 school year.
Parents/guardians new to the system are automatically enrolled for email notification, however must opt in to receive text alerts.
NEED VES TECH ASSISTANCE? Fill out this VES Student Device and Tech Support Request Form
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 School Psychologists
We are here to help you!
Debra Moniodis (School Psychologist, Infants and Toddlers): debra_moniodis@hcpss.org
Michal Boyars (School Psychologist, RECC): michal_boyars@hcpss.org
Katie Burkhouse (School Psychologist, K-5): katie_burkhouse@hcpss.org
Kristen Marsico (School Psychologist Intern, K-5): kristen_marsico@hcpss.org
School psychologists are available for parent and staff consultation by level. Please reach out via email to schedule an appointment!
VES School Counseling Department
School Counselors:
Ms. Wilson (K and 4th): jessica_wilson@hcpss.org
Ms. Wentz (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th): Julie_Wentz@hcpss.org
We are available to support the school community.
Please reach out to schedule consultation time.
If you have an immediate need for help with depression, suicidal thoughts, or other serious
mental health issues, please contact:
Grassroots Crisis Intervention at 410-531-6677
The Maryland Crisis Hotline: Dial 211 and then choose option 1
The Crisis Text Line: Text 741741 and a trained counselor will respond.
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255
SY2020-21: EAGLE EXPRESS NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
[Go to VES webiste, for complete archive]
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