WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DOG HOUSE?
LABS LEAD THE WAY
FALL 2017 NEWSLETTER
DATES TO REMEMBER
OCTOBER
27 - Trunk or Treat - 4:30 - 6:30
30 - Kindergarten Field Trip to Maryland Agriculture Center
31 - Shake It For Shadydale!
NOVEMBER
2 - Grade 5 Field Trip to Genesee Valley
3 - Crazy Hair Day!
3 - First Marking Period Ends - Elementary and Middle Schools Close 3 Hours Early for Students
13 - 17 - American Education Week
16 - Pre-K Conference Day - No Prek Sessions
16 - Grade 5 Wax Museum - MCES Cafeteria - 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
16 - Report Cards Distributed
17 - Elementary Conference Day - Schools Closed for Elementary Students
23-24 - Thanksgiving Holiday - Schools and Offices Closed
30 - Picture Retakes
DECEMBER
1 - Dress Like a Twin/Triplet/Quadruplet Day!
14 - Winter Concert - 7:00 p.m.
22 - Christmas Holiday-Winter Break Begins at the End of School Day
JANUARY
2 - School Reopens
5 - PJ Day! (Dress appropriately and wear sneakers)
15 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday - Schools and Offices Closed
19 - Second Marking Period Ends; 3 Hours Early Release for Students in All Schools
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
It’s hard to believe but the first quarter officially ends Friday, November 3rd. The first quarter has been quite exciting as our students and staff remain intensely focused on learning. It’s my privilege daily to work in an environment that fosters learning for everyone. The partnership between home and school is the foundation that creates success for our students. Our entire staff is grateful for the partnership that supports dynamic and rigorous learning. This combination of commitment provides an opportunity for our students to thrive in a place where students are the center of everything we do.
Our staff works diligently to get to know your child’s strengths and needs so that we may use that information to plan and implement meaningful and engaging instruction. As your child’s first teacher, your partnership in helping your child be his/her best is a critical part of the educational process. The end of any reporting period is another great opportunity to celebrate achievement and refine goals with your child and his/her teacher(s).
The remaining portion of October and November promises to be a time to strengthen our bonds and highlight student achievement. Please check the “looking ahead” calendar in this edition. Report cards will be distributed on Thursday, November 16th to all students grades K-5. Pre-K will hold conferences to discuss first quarter progress. There are several updates this year to grading and reporting that we shared earlier this fall. Updates are also included on the BCPS web site. There you may find a complete parent guide to report cards as well as translations into seven languages! On-line access can be found at www.bcps.org/parents/reportcard/default.html. Hard copies are available upon request.
As a reminder, Friday, November 17th is set aside as a conference day for elementary students Pre-K-5. Schools are closed for all students on this day. Pre-K conferences are also scheduled for Thursday, November 16th. Schools are closed for Pre-K students only on Thursday, 11/16. Please take this opportunity to schedule a conference with your child’s teacher.
This year, American Education Week (AEW) takes place November 16th through 20th. AEW is another exciting opportunity to take part in your child’s educational experience. Because conference day takes place the last day of AEW and schools are closed for students that day we are taking a new approach to scheduling visitation! For the first time, we will hold an open house visitation. That means, please take an opportunity to select a window of time and day that suites your schedule, Monday through Thursday between 9:30-11:30 or 1:30-3:30. To help us anticipate our visitors, please RSVP so that we can accommodate you comfortably. This is a time to create a unique experience between you and your child. Should your child have younger siblings we ask that you secure childcare during your visitation.
Finally, I’d like to thank all the volunteers who help enrich the school experience for our students. Our Lab Luau, restaurant nights, and individual grade level events in progress this year have been a huge success because of our PTO and the coordination of volunteers. Don’t miss our next event, the PTO sponsored Trunk or Treat Friday, Oct 27th from 4:30-6:30pm. Be sure to follow all our school happenings through our school and PTO websites and Twitter feeds.
Thank you for your continued partnership. We look forward to seeing you soon!
AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK
We are encouraging you and any family members to register your ID in advance of AEW. You can do this by stopping at the office any day between 9:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. or completing and returning the American Education Week flyer that your child will be bringing home soon. If you are registered in advance, and we know you will be visiting during American Education Week, your visitor’s pass will be prepared and waiting for you on your visitation day(s). All family members, including grandparents, will need to be registered before proceeding through the building. We are hopeful that most parents, grandparents, and other guests will be able to register prior to November 8th so that your visit can be “line-free.”
We look forward to seeing you during American Education Week!
SLIME-FREE SCHOOL!
READING ROUNDUP WITH MRS. GUANTI AND MRS. HANKOFF
ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL
2017-2018 YOUNG AUTHORS' CONTEST GUIDELINES
Eligibility:
Students in Grades 2 through 12 are eligible to enter a previously unsubmitted short story and/or poem written within the 2017-2018 school year. Each entry may have only one author and only one entry per author may be submitted for each category.
CONTEST GUIDELINES:
Entries must be the student’s original work. Peers or adults may provide editing assistance (spelling, punctuation, etc.), but revisions should be student-generated and the final product must be the student’s own work.
All entries must be submitted in a word processing file with no less than 12 point font using either Times New Roman or Comic Sans font.
Each short story entry may range from 300 to 800 words for elementary submissions, 600 to 1,600 words for middle school submissions, and 800 to 2,000 for high school submissions.
Each poem entry will consist of a single poem, which may be any style and range from 25 to 150 words for elementary submissions and 25 – 300 words for middle and high school submissions.
All entries must include a completed cover sheet signed by the student author and sponsoring teacher.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
1. Entry meets all of the above guidelines.
2. Story reflects creativity and appropriate use of language and short story structure.
3. Poem reflects creative and appropriate use of language and imagery.
4. Entries of a violent nature will be deemed inappropriate.
5. Any violation(s) of these guidelines or criteria will disqualify the entry. The decisions of the state judge panel are final.
DEADLINE:
Entries must be received by Mrs. Guanti by December 1, 2017 Entries may be submitted as word document to jguanti@bcps.org.
WINNERS:
Each local State of Maryland International Reading Association Council will select one short story and one poem per grade level to submit to the state contest. The State Young Authors Program Committee will then select a first and second place winner per category at each grade level. All winning entries will be published in an anthology and each student author and his/her teacher will receive a copy. A reception honoring all Young Authors first and second place state winners, their parents, families, teachers, chairpersons and judges will be held at the SoMIRAC Conference, from April 11, 2018 at the Hunt Valley Inn in Baltimore, MD.
Trait
Writing Content
Ideas and Development
Clear message, intriguing details, relevant details to support the main idea
Organization
Beginning catches the reader, logically organized, appropriate transitions, closing ties ideas together
Voice
Appropriate use of tone for the purpose, reflects the writer’s style , writing style keeps the readers’ attention
Word Choice
Interesting, specific , vivid words or phrases, appropriate words to convey meaning, vocabulary suits the topic and audience
Sentence Fluency
Sentences flow together well, begin in different ways, vary in length and type
Presentation
Appropriate form, neatly presented, visually appealing
Conventions
Correct grammar, punctuation, conventional spelling, and sentence structure
STAT IN ACTION
Attention 5th Grade Parents – ONLY:
Mays Chapel 5th grade students will once again be participating in a device take home program this year. Students will gradually begin taking their devices towards the end of the 1st marking period. 5th grade teachers will provide information about the device roll out and training process to students and families throughout this process. This is an exciting opportunity for us to provide equitable access to resources, content, and instruction to all students, as well as to continue to strengthen the home-school connection!
In order for 5th grade students to participate in this program, each child must have a parent complete the mandatory parent take home training. Face to face training options were offered on Back to School Night this year. If you attended the training at Back to School Night, and returned the signed forms, you have already completed your requirements. If you were unable to attend the training sessions offered at Back to School Night, we have developed an online training option this year in order to make this process as convenient for you as possible.
5th Grade Take Home Parent Online Training Process:
- Please use the link below to access the training.
5th Grade Take Home Parent Online Training: https://mix.office.com/watch/l7phvg9f3c1m
- View the entire training. It is very important that you view the entire training, as there is a link to a form at the end that must be completed in order for your child to participate.
Complete the electronic form. There is a link to an Excel form at the end of the training. You must click the link to access the form in order to verify that you have completed the training. This link will not be distributed. It is only accessible from the training. This form will serve as our record of completion so that we know when to send the necessary paperwork home.
Sign and return the student device contract. Once you have completed the online training, we will be able to pull your record of attendance from the information you provided at the end of the session. We will then send you home the device contact for you to sign and return. Your child will not be eligible to participate unless this form is returned.
If you are unable to complete the training online at home, we can make a few computer stations available in the library during arrival (9:00-9:30) for you to stop in and complete your training. Please contact your child’s teacher if this is something you need.
Please feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher if you have any additional questions about our take home program.
NOTES FROM THE NURSE
Please be sure to provide a complete change of clothes for your child to be stored in his or her locker. Accidents and spills happen in all grade levels! This way your child is ensured a clean pair of clothes that fit properly. Thank you for your cooperation!
Mays Chapel is a FOOD-FREE SCHOOL for parties and celebrations. In order to keep everyone safe from potentially life-threatening food allergens, food will not be permitted for birthdays, holidays, or other parties. However, this doesn’t mean that we won’t celebrate! Here are some great ideas instead of food:
-pencils for the class
-donating books in your child’s name to the classroom library
-providing balls, jump ropes, or other activities
-bubbles, sidewalk chalk, or board games
As always, look for information from your child’s teacher concerning how the class plans to celebrate an event. Please contact your child’s teacher if you wish to do something special for a birthday.
A nut-free table is available in the cafeteria for any parent who wishes his or her child to sit at the table for allergy reasons. We also abide by a strict no-sharing policy for food. Help us by reminding your child that while something that another student has may look tasty, it is important to only eat the food that the child brought from home or purchased for themselves.
Yellow Discretionary Medication Forms went home the first day of school. Thank you to so many parents for promptly returning them! If you have misplaced the form for your child, please contact Mrs. Lanier for a new copy. BE SURE to contact the school to update your phone number if it has changed, as that is our primary way of contacting you in the event of an illness or injury while at school. Check your child’s folder daily for any other information from the Health Suite!
Mrs. Lanier, our school nurse, can be reached at 443-809-7954.
FROM THE SCHOOL COUNSELORS
The virtue for the month of November is Gratitude. We have a lot to be grateful for at Mays Chapel! Let’s show our gratitude for the wonderful people and things in our life.
We are very grateful for our volunteers! If anyone is interested in applying to volunteer, they will find the application and training at the following link:
FAX UPDATE
BCPS CENTRAL AREA EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMUNITY MEETING
Join BCPS Superintendent on Informal Learning and Listening Tour
WHAT? Verletta White, interim superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools, will host a Learning and Listening Tour throughout November 2017, in order to meet directly with Team BCPS students, families, staff, and community members. She will be visiting the central area November 16th and we encourage you to join Superintendent White for conversation.
WHEN? Thursday, November 16th, 2017
6pm - 7pm
WHERE? George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, 938 North York Rd, Baltimore 21204
WHO? All BCPS stakeholders are invited to attend.
This includes parents, teachers, students, staff, and community members.
QUESTIONS? Contact Aimee Freeman
Email: contactcaeac@gmail.com
DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
Early Dismissals
If it is necessary for you to pick up your child before the end of the day, a note should be sent that day to the classroom teacher who will forward the note to the office. If you forget to do so, you may send an email to the teacher and include Jackie Hurtt (jhurtt@bcps.org), Patsy Jacobs (pjacobs3@bcps.org), and Mary Eccleston (meccleston@bcps.org). Your child will then be called to the office upon your arrival. Students leaving early must be picked up in the office and signed out.
Additionally, dismissals after 3:30 pm will need to occur through our regular car rider dismissal procedures which occur from the gymnasium at 3:50 pm. Students may not be dismissed from the office after 3:30 pm. This will ensure safety, accuracy, and appropriate accountability in our dismissal process.
Please do not call in dismissal changes after 3:30 pm except in the event of emergencies. Last minute notification should be directed to the main office by phone call; not email.
Non-routine Dismissals
If your child usually rides the bus and you plan to pick him/her up at the end of the day, please send a note to your child’s teacher indicating a change in dismissal. Your child will meet you at the car rider pick up at dismissal time. Without the note your child will follow his/her normal dismissal procedure. Children may not ride another bus. If your child is a walker/car rider, he or she may not ride the bus home with another child. Each of these situations may cause safety or accountability issue on our busses.
Emergency Closings (System wide or Mays Chapel only)
When there is an unplanned system wide early dismissal your child will follow the dismissal procedures on the Student Contact Emergency Sheet. If your child attends Hot Spots they will follow the dismissal procedures you documented with Hot Spots. It is best to review emergency closing procedures throughout the year with your child. Whenever possible please refrain from changing these procedures as it creates confusion for your child.
Leaving School with Others
Students may only be released to those adults you indicated on the emergency contact sheet. For your child’s safety, if you wish your child to leave school with someone other than you (or other adults noted on the student’s emergency card), you are required to write a note stating the name(s) of the person(s) who will be picking up your child. Even if the person is a relative (older sibling, grandparent, aunt, etc.) we cannot release any child without your permission and the clearest way for us to have that permission is in writing. If you wish that someone be added to your child’s emergency contact form please contact the office for an update.
As always, anyone picking up a child from school should be prepared to show photo identification.
TRANSPORTATION
Students receiving transportation services have the responsibility to follow all bus rules. For the safety of all, please review the following rules with your child(ren):
At the bus stop, wait in an orderly manner, out of the way of all traffic, until the bus stops and the driver opens the door.
Stand at least five (5) feet back from the stopping position of the bus.
Wait until the bus stops completely before moving forward to board it.
The aisle of the bus must be kept clear, so that the rear emergency exit is accessible at all times. Large objects such as musical instruments, athletic equipment, and school projects are prohibited, unless the student can carry the object themselves, hold the object on his/her lap, or place the object on the floor between his/her legs.
Cell phone use is prohibited on the bus.
Once on board the bus, follow the BUS RULES as posted:
Follow directions the first time they are given.
Stay seated, facing forward at all times.
Keep all body parts inside the bus.
Keep hands, feet, legs, arms, personal property, and your voice to yourself.
No eating, smoking, drinking, or vulgar language at any time on the bus.
Wait until the bus stops moving before getting out of the seat and moving forward to get off of the bus.
Always board the assigned bus, and get on and off at the regularly assigned bus stop.
Once off the bus, proceed immediately away from the bus.
Our school bus drivers are tasked with the responsibility of getting our students to and from school safely each day. With so many demands on the school bus driver’s attention, it is very important that students obey the safe riding rules.
MONEY MATTERS
In order to streamline our office accounting procedures, we have the following requirement. Submit cash only in the exact amount required (no checks) when paying for field trips, instrumental music supplies, lost books, or other classroom/school activities. Insure that any money sent with your child is in a sealed envelope with all relevant information written on the front so that we are able to credit payments to the correct student.
BCPS has partnered with Online School Payments to offer families the convenience of paying for school field trips online with a credit/debit card. Visit Online School Payments at https://osp.osmsinc.com/BaltimoreCountyMD. Please note that OSP charges a small fee for this service.
CURRENT INFORMATION
It is critical that we have current information on file so that we may reach you when necessary. Should you have any changes in your address, home, work, or cell phone numbers, or wish to update your emergency contacts, please notify the school office in writing immediately. In accordance with Policy and Rule 5150, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to report a change in residence and provide all required residency documents to the school within fifteen (15) business days of the date of the change in residence.
VISITING OUR SCHOOL: RAPTOR ID SYSTEM
The safety of all students and staff in Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) is of utmost importance to all of us. Our school, as well as all Baltimore County Schools, utilizes a visitor check-in system. The system is known as Raptor. The information collected will not be shared outside of the school, and is stored on a secure server. When you visit our school for the first time, you will be asked to present government issued photo identification (ID) or a driver’s license to a staff member in our main office. The ID will be scanned, and your photo, name, and date of birth will be extracted. This information will be utilized to log you in and compare your information against sexual offender databases throughout the country. Once your ID is scanned and you are cleared, a visitor pass will be printed for you. You will only need to show your ID on future visits. You will be asked to log out with the office staff upon completion of your business, so that we know you are no longer in the building. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.
All visitors in our building need to wear this dated identification tag.
CLASSROOM VISITORS
We welcome you to visit your child’s classroom. Any visitor must be listed on the child’s emergency contact form. If you’d like to visit, please do your best to provide the teacher a minimum of 24 hours’ notice. We will certainly look to accommodate you if we can on shorter notice; however, there are some instructional situations that are not conducive to visitors, including assessment times. Additionally, for more information about how you can support your child’s classroom, please see our parent volunteer opportunities and protocol on our website and in the newsletter.
Mays Chapel Elementary School
Stephen J. Coco, Principal
Twitter@CocoBCPS
Katie Murray, AP
Twitter@KMurrayBCPS
Magan Chyko-Leigh, AP
Twitter@MChykoLeighBCPS
Website: http://mayschapeles.bcps.org
Location: 12250 Roundwood Road, Timonium, Maryland 21093
Phone: 443-809-4134
Twitter: @Team_MCES