Veterans Elementary Eagle Express
March 12 , 2020 - Volume 13, Issue 25
Soar to Excellence!
School Mission
Veterans Elementary School promotes life-long learning by embracing its diversity, providing students with dynamic classroom experiences and exposing them to the cultural arts in a climate that is rigorous, safe, nurturing and respectful.
Veterans Elementary School
Amy Green, Assistant Principal
Derek Lewis, Administrator
School Start and Dismissal Times: 9:25 a.m. - 3:55 p.m.
Email: robert_bruce@hcpss.org
Website: ves.hcpss.org
Location: 4355 Montgomery Road, Ellicott City, MD, USA
Phone: 410-313-1700
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
We have been stressing to our students good hygiene habits in regard to handwashing. Certainly we acknowledge that our current schedule which places recess before lunch inhibits students from effectively washing their hands before lunch. We have hand sanitizer available in the cafeteria. The CDC lists effective handwashing as one possible way to help combat the virus spread. Therefore, effective Monday March 16th, we have rearranged our schedules to allow handwashing in homerooms before students go to lunch. On Monday the new lunch and recess schedule will be as follows;
Kindergarten lunch will start at 10:45 am & recess will begin at 11:15 and end at 11:45 am.
Grade One lunch will start at 11:15 am & recess will begin at 11:45 and end at 12:15 pm.
Grade Three lunch will start at 11:45 am & recess will begin at 12:15 pm and end at 12:45 pm.
Grade Two lunch will start at 12:15 pm & recess will begin at 12:45 pm and end at 1:15 pm.
Grade Five lunch will start at 12:45 pm & recess will begin at 1:15 pm and end at 1:45 pm.
Grade Four lunch will start at 1:15 pm & recess will begin at 1:45 pm and end at 2:15 pm.
Students have been advised to wash hands before meals, after using the bathroom, and after coughing or sneezing. We hope the same happens at home.
The Howard County School System has done a great job of supplying our school with soap and hand sanitizer for our daily needs. The good news is that student use has increased for many supplies. These supplies include tissue, hand soap, hand sanitizer, and other supplies that teachers find helpful. Your child’s teacher has been given permission to ask for donations if you have found any extra supplies. Again, I feel we have our base needs covered but it never hurts to have extra supplies on hand if they can be acquired. If you wish to donate supplies, please send them directly to your child's teacher or to the office and we will distribute them as needed to our staff.
We have stressed business as usual but the virus is affecting how we operate. Out of state field trips have been cancelled.In-State Field Trips will occur as scheduled unless you are otherwise notified. As the days and weeks continue there may be more restrictions placed on the operation of public schools. We have been fortunate that there have been no direct cases cited in Howard County. If this happens, the local health department and the school system will coordinate their response based on the needs of the county. We will keep you updated as changes happen. This week the school system placed a restriction on all out of state field trips.
Attendance:
Please be aware that as of today school is in session. This means that any parent who decides to keep their child home due to concern about the coronavirus, this absence is unexcused. If you have confirmation that your child has a coronavirus diagnosis, that is a different story and you should contact the school and the Health Room. As of this date, no student or staff member at Veterans Elementary School has been diagnosed with the coronavirus therefore school is in session as normal.
Behavior Issues Relative to Teasing about the Coronavirus:
Several students have hurt their classmates by teasing them about the coronavirus. In some cases this teasing and joking has been directed toward a certain population. The fact of the matter is that this virus and many others start in animals and then is spread to humans. The virus could have started anywhere including our own backyard. Please very directly tell your children that joking about the coronavirus is wrong. Thank you for your help.
Student Residency:
Please understand that if for any reason your residency is questioned, you should produce the requested information and/or documents. The Pupil Services Office investigates claims that a student may or may not live in the school district. Once an investigation is completed and it is suspected that the student does not live at the established address, a withdrawal process begins. This includes receiving a letter with an expected withdrawal date and your appeal date. The student may remain enrolled until the appeal process is complete. If it is found that the student does not live at the established address then tuition is charged for students who move out of county. Please keep in mind that in most cases students who move within county can receive permission to attend this school if the parent provides transportation. If you have any question about your residency, please contact the principal.
Important Upcoming Dates
MARCH
- 12 - PTA Meeting: Media Center, 7:00 p.m.
- 9 thru 13 - Kindergarten and In-coming New Gr.1 Registration Week: VES Lobby 10am-2pm
APRIL
- 3 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early, 12:55 p.m.: Professional Work Day
- 3 - End of 3rd Quarter
- 4 thru 13 - Schools and Offices Closed: SPRING BREAK
- 14 - School Reopens
- 23 - National Take Your Child to Work Day Observance
- 28 - Schools and Offices Closed: Primary Election Day
2019-20 HCPSS Calendar - Monthly Format
Click to download and print the HCPSS calendar in a monthly format. The calendar will no longer be distributed in first day folders. The 2019-2020 School Calendar is available to be printed online: https://www.hcpss.org/calendar/
CURRENT NEWS
VES New Kindergarten and New First Grade Student Registration
ONLINE Registration is NOW OPEN! This will FAST PASS your registration process.
You can follow steps 1-4 Online at home before coming into Veterans to finalize step 5.
* BY APPOINTMENT ONLY - Please call the school to schedule an appointment before coming to complete the registration process.
Children who will be five years old as of September 1, 2020 must enroll in Kindergarten for the 2020-2021 school year.
* You will need to bring the following documents (if you did not upload during online registration):
- Birth certificate, birth registration or passport
- Current immunization record - must be from the pediatrician and signed
- Deed or lease to your home
- Current utility bill
- Photo ID of registering parent/guardian - this MUST be shown at time of registration.
Please visit the Howard County Public School System website for complete information about enrollment and registration.
Reminder: HCPSS 5th Grade Students moving up to HCPSS 6th Grade - Middle School SY2020-2021
[HCPSS school locator link]
The VES Staff Social/Wellness Committee invites students to join in a few activities
Wellness Wednesdays
We invite students to join their teachers in wearing athletic clothing on Wednesdays to help promote movement into our school day.
On Thursdays in February, please send your child wearing shirts with positive sayings on them. Please join us in spreading encouraging words and good vibes all around our school!
School Spirit Fridays
We will have school spirit days on the final Friday of the month. Please send your kids wearing red/white/blue or in any spirit wear you have purchased.
Mark your calendars for March 27th, April 24th, and May 29th.
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
Mt. Hebron Viking Backers Summer Sports Camps
Mt. Hebron Viking Backers Summer Sports Camps are now taking registrations online at www.vikingbackers.org
Co-ed Soccer, Girls and Boys Basketball, Girls and Boys Lacrosse, Football, Baseball, Volleyball are all available!! Free t-shirt and water bottle for each camp participant. Space is limited so sign up now.RANKER SPORTS CAMP SUMMER 2020
Come out to sports camp the week of July 13th and/or August 3rd at Reservoir High School with certified Howard county teachers Phil Ranker (PE), Tom Dougherty (Math) and Hannah Closson (PE). The camp is open to current K-8th graders and features many different sports and activities every day (A.M., P.M., and Full Day Sessions available). If your child likes PE, they will love camp. Campers are split into age and ability groups to ensure that everyone has a fun and productive time. For more information, please visit http://rankerssportscamp.weebly.com or email phillip_ranker@hcpss.org for questions!
Monday, Jul 13, 2020, 09:00 AM
Reservoir High School, Scaggsville Road, Fulton, MD, USA
HCPSS SCHOOL GUIDE RULES
Volunteer Information
This is an annual requirement and only takes 5 minutes per training.
Food Services
https://hcpss.nutrislice.com/menu/veterans?mode=browse
Please keep your child’s lunch/breakfast accounts up to date:
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/login/getmain?requestAction=home
For information related to setting up your child’s lunch account and how to apply for Free or Reduced Priced Meals, please go to:
https://www.hcpss.org/food-services/