Shipley's Choice Elementary School
Family Newsletter
Dr. Burke's Message
New Year's Resolution: READ!
It is no secret that I am passionate about reading. We know it is a critical life skill necessary for success. Yet many of our students do not read regularly. In a perfect world, I would love our children to select books and read them for pleasure. While many do, we still have many who see reading as a chore and not as a gateway to other worlds or to understanding of how things work.
The infographic below shows how much it benefits students. We know that children who struggle with reading may also struggle in other subjects, so it is vital to get our children reading. Twenty minutes a day increases vocabulary, improves comprehension, increases prior knowledge, and many more benefits.
What if my child doesn't like to read?
Chances are if reading is even slightly challenging for your child, he may say he doesn't like to read. She may protest when you tell her to read. Don't give up, though! The more children read, the better readers they become and the more likely they will read for pleasure. Here are some tips for getting your reluctant reader to read:
- Read to your child. This exposes her to the wide world that is found in books without the struggle. It helps increase her listening vocabulary and comprehension.
- Side by side reading. Take turns reading a favorite book--you read a page and have your child read a page.
- Try different kinds of books. Expose your child to lots of different types of books. Try nonfiction about his favorite sport or hobby, fantasy, or even graphic novels or comic books. Reading is reading!
Have a wonderful New Year!
For the latest information about Shipley’s Choice, bookmark the school website (www.shipleyschoiceschool.org), which houses lots of information about the school, including the Family Handbook, schedules, a school-wide calendar, and more. Also, our school frequently shares pictures and video clips of amazing things that are happening each day at school on Twitter. Follow us to check it out: @ShipChoiceAACPS.
Students may not be unattended on school property before 8:45 AM!
Cell Phones at School
Please talk to your children to remind them that any Personal Communication Devices they have at school may not be used during the entire school day. This includes cell phones or watches. Students may not use devices to make phone calls, text, email, or access the internet at any time while at school. Students may never use their devices to record or photograph at any time during the school day.
AACPS policy allows elementary schools to determine rules for the use of Personal Communication Devices within their schools, on their school’s property, and while students are attending that school’s sponsored activities during regular school hours. In elementary schools, use of cell phones can be very disruptive to the students' day.
Anne Arundel County Public Schools is not responsible for the loss, theft, damage, misuse, unauthorized use, destruction, or data fees of any Personal Electronic Communication Devices brought to school by a student.
January Health Room News
Flu Season is unfortunately upon us.
We have some immune-compromised students and to help keep all our students healthy please notify the Health Room if your child is diagnosed with any communicable diseases. All information remains strictly confidential. Here are some examples:
· Strep infection
· Pneumonia
· Influenza
· Pink Eye
· Fifth Disease
· Hand Foot and Mouth
· Ringworm
· Mononucleosis
Please visit the AA county Health Department website for any assistance with
“How do I know when to keep my child home from school because of illness.”
In addition to the list provided at the website, it is important that if your child has a fever at home or school, they need to be fever free for 24 hours (without fever reducing medications)
Always remember: Handwashing can help prevent illness. It involves five simple and effective steps (Wet, Lather, Scrub, Rinse, Dry) you can take to reduce the spread of diarrheal and respiratory illness so you can stay healthy. Regular handwashing, particularly before and after certain activities, is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others. It’s quick, it’s simple, and it can keep us all from getting sick.
Handwashing is a win for everyone, except the germs.
If you have any questions or to update the health room of any new health concerns/conditions, please call 410-222-3809.
Patty Bellotte, R.N. nurse2432@aacps.org Rachael Penner, H.A.
January Events
2 Schools resume
14 PTA Meeting @ 6:30 PM in Room 84
20 Schools closed/ Martin Luther King Jr. day
23 Mathnasium Night
28 2 hr Early Dismissal/ End of 2nd Marking Period
29 2 hr Early Dismissal
30 Schools Closed
31 Beginning of 3rd Marking Period
Change in Dismissal
Don't forget these if you need to change your child's dismissal arrangements!
- Send a note when changing dismissal arrangements. This includes a different person picking up your child, even if the person is on the emergency card!
- To make a change during the student day, call by 2:30 PM and follow up with an email. (The call ensures we get the message and the email puts it in writing for liability purposes.)
Car Loop
Thank you to all who follow these guidelines to ensure that the cars move along! To make the car loop move quickly and safely, please follow these guidelines:
- Pull up as far as you can.
- Stay in your car!
- Do not leave your car unattended or running in the car loop!
- Wait until all students have been lined up--don't pull them out of line before they get to the car loop.
Dogs on School Property
You may have noticed this sign on school property. We love dogs, but many, many students have allergies or strong fear/anxiety from dogs. Please do not bring dogs on school property.
Please note that laws in Anne Arundel County require that dogs be leashed in public and owners must clean up after their dogs.
Arrival & Dismissal
Thank you for your help in keeping our students safe during arrival and dismissal!
ARRIVAL
- The doors open at 8:45 AM and instruction begins for students at 9:00 AM.
- Students may not arrive before 8:45AM. There is no supervision prior to that time.
- Only bus riders enter through the lobby.
- All other students enter through the doors by the kindergarten entrance.
- Walkers assemble on the blacktop behind school and enter when directed by the teacher on duty.
- Car riders exit their cars and may enter the building directly.
DISMISSAL
- Keep dismissal changes to a minimum. They are confusing!
- Students who are walkers must leave school property at dismissal. Do not arrange to meet your child anywhere on school property except the WALKER door.
- We STRONGLY DISCOURAGE meeting your children at an off-school location, like a path to a neighborhood. If you are delayed, your child will not know and no one at school will know that they possibly needs assistance.
- Students may never walk in the parking lot alone. Do not tell your child to meet you in the parking lot.
- Pick students up in the designated location. If you are walking, the pick up is on the blacktop at the back of the school, not near the car loop.
Online Payments
My Payments Plus
Bring IDs!
Confidentiality
School Information
School Website: ShipleysChoiceSchool.org
Twitter: @ShipChoiceAACPS
Blackboard Connect: phone calls, emails, & text messages
Google Sites: grade or teacher-created Google Sites linked on school website
Note that Facebook or Instagram are not official communication tools of Shipley's Choice Elementary School. If you find information on these sites, please verify on the school website or by calling the office.
Video & Security
Shipley's Choice Elementary is equipped with a video camera system. It covers selected interior and exterior public portions of the building and grounds. lt is NOT monitored constantly, but it is monitored during emergency situations. During certain events, when the safety or security of students may be in question, authorized personnel from local, state, or federal police or fire emergency units may be given access to view images projected on the camera system. lf you have any questions, you should call the Supervisor of School Security at 4tO-222-5083.
Volunteer Information
In addition, volunteers must have either a Background Check or Fingerprinting. Visit https://www.aacps.org/Page/2179 for more details.
While volunteering at school, remember that all information that you observe during school is confidential. This includes information about students, teachers, and school.
Scholastic Book Fair: Save the Date!
February 3 - February 7, 2020
Our Library will transform into a Book Fair Jungle - Elephants, Tigers and Books, OH MY!
Schedule highlights include our 'Shop with a Special Friend Day' and 'Family Fun Night'!
Stay tuned for more information!
Yearbook
Please upload any pictures you have from the first half of the year using the following event links. Password is shipleys
· Winter Band, Strings and Chorus Concert 12/18
Yearbooks will go on sale in January, date TBD. Stay tuned to the PTA Website and Shark Byte for more information.
Silver Knights
Winter 2020 sessions for Coding and Robotics with Silver Knights begins Monday, January 6, 2020. If you are new to clubs, please fill out both the club permission form and school emergency contact form as soon as you have registered. Register here.
Robotics Club: January 6 - March 9
Grades 1 – 5: Club meets every Monday morning (7:45 am - 8:45 am) that school is in session in room 61. Club does not meet on: January 20 and February 17 A make-up day, if necessary, will be on March 16.
Coding Club: January 10 - February 28
Grades 2 & up: Club meets every Friday morning (7:45 am - 8:45 am) that school is in session in room 61.
No skip day with a make-up day on March 6 if needed.
As a reminder, Fall Chess is still ongoing until January 21st. Email Holly Willis if you have any questions, holly.willis@gmail.com.
Retail Rewards
Thank you for supporting our school’s fundraisers this year so far. Every little bit helps!
Coming up: Fundraisers with Ledo’s, Chipotle, Chick-Fil-A, FroYo House, and Rita’s! Stay tuned for dates.
Our next Ledo’s fundraiser is on January 21, 2020. Fundraiser runs all day and includes both dine-in and carry-out orders.
Please remember our school’s Amazon link. When you use the Shipley’s Amazon link, we earn cash. Just bookmark it to use anytime you shop at Amazon. We don’t see your purchases, only the total amounts earned each month. Please visit: Smile.Amazon.Com and select “Shipley’s Choice Elementary School PTA” as your charity of choice.
Please contact shipleyschoiceretailrewards@gmail.com with any questions
Adult Social/Silent Auction: Shipley’s Speakeasy Tickets on Sale Now
Calling all Flappers, Dappers and Bidders! Roar into the 1920’s with the Shipley's Choice Elementary School PTA for our 2nd Annual Adult Social Fundraiser. We’ll be kicking it up for the kids at the Shipley’s Speakeasy: Swanky Auction Soiree on Saturday, March 14th at Kurtz’s Beach from 7pm-11pm.
We are currently seeking Sponsors, as well as Donations for giveaways and the Silent & Live Auction portions of our event. Items such as vacation homes, travel points, sports/event tickets, gift cards, merchandise, services, experiences or anything else your generous heart desires would be welcome and TAX DEDUCTIBLE, as allowable by law. If you or someone you know is interested in donating in any capacity to the Shipley’s Speakeasy, please reach out to Kelly Kohler and Rene Wells at sces2020auction@gmail.com. For Sponsorships only, please contact Natalie Henderson at nataliekhenderson@gmail.com.
Please visit our Auction page on the PTA Website and “Like” the Shipley’s Speakeasy Facebook page for more details and updates.
PTA Website
The SCES PTA Website is our primary source of communication. Join the PTA for full access and visit often to stay informed!
Did you know Membership Toolkit has a new app with fantastic features, such as access to Calendars, Parent Directory, Messages and more. It’s available in both the Apple Store and Google Play.
Have website questions? Contact Us at scesptaweb@gmail.com.
Helpful Information
Lonergan's Bus Service
- 410-923-4185
Transportation Office
- 410-222-2910
Crossing Guards
- 410-222-6866
Health Room
Patty Bellotte, Nurse
Rachael Penner, Health Asst.
- 410-222-3809
Board of Education
- 410-222-5000
Shipley's Choice Elementary School
Student Hours 9:00 AM-3:25 PM
Doors open 8:45 AM
To contact your child's teacher, find their email address on our website: http://shipleyschoiceschool.org/facultystaff/
Email: admin@shipleyschoiceschool.org
Website: ShipleysChoiceSchool.org
Location: 310 Governor Stone Parkway, Millersville, MD, USA
Phone: 410-222-3851
Twitter: @ShipChoiceAACPS