The Fulton Flier
Week of November 15th
Last week we celebrated our School Psychologist, Ms. Christina Devling and Mr. Evan Gallena as apart of National School Psychology Week (NSPW). If you didn't have the opportunity, please send them an email thanking them for continuously supporting our students, staff, and families.
This week we kick off American Education Week with a FUNdraiser at Nothing Bundt Cake. Be sure to stop by Nothing Bundt Cake in Columbia MD, today and remember to mention FES. We have some fun activities in store for American Education Week, check out the flyer below for our daily activities. In honor of American Education Week, we would love to hear from our parents and guardians about a super school memory you have from when you were a student. Please take a moment to complete this form and share a school memory. We will be sharing your memories throughout the week over our morning announcements.
Warmly,
Dr. Burks
HCPSS Attendance Procedures
Research is clear that showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic and social success starting from kindergarten and continuing through high school. Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school or even facing social challenges.
Missing 10% (or about 18 days of a school year) can drastically affect a student’s academic success.
By the 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that can indicate if a student is at risk for dropping out of high school.
In the 9th grade, regular and high attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.
Student attendance is a major point of focus for the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Starting in 2018-2019, MSDE lowered the chronic absenteeism rate from 20% to 10% which means that at 10% a student should be receiving support and interventions to improve their absenteeism.
Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) believes that attendance is key for student success. Per Policy 9010, HCPSS defines exemplary attendance as a final attendance rate of 96% or more of the student year.
In support of achieving Exemplary Attendance for all students, we are sharing with you a comprehensive approach for attendance supports and interventions.
If a student has missed 2 consecutive days, parents will receive a Care and Concern Phone Call from their child's homeroom teacher.
If a student has missed 10% of their monthly attendance days (this is defined as chronic absenteeism by MSDE), parents will receive a call from a member of our Student Support Team (SST)
If a student has missed 15% of their monthly attendance days, these students may require an attendance support plan. Students may also be referred to the Central Attendance Team.
If a student has missed 20% of their monthly attendance days, parents will receive a 20% Emergency Chronic Absenteeism Letter or Habitual Truancy Letter. Students may be referred to Project Attend and may be referred to the State’s Attorney’s Office for habitual truancy.
With the collaborative effort of HCPSS parents, staff and students, we are confident that all students can have successful attendance. This will improve student success in school and in future life.
Canvas Inbox for Elementary Students
The PTA Perch
Taco Food Truck
11/16 | Harrison Street in Maple Lawn | 4-7pm
We will share the menu on Facebook this week!
Poofy Cotton Candy orders begin
11/15 – 11/29 Place your orders for the delicious, gourmet cotton candy, benefiting FES! Crafted using all natural ingredients and certified organic cane sugar, free of food coloring dyes.
Visit POOFYCOTTONCANDY.COM
Choose pick-up for 12/4 or 12/5 between 12-2pm
Shop Away!
Click Checkout
Apply coupon code: FES
Enter payment and Submit your order
Spirit Wear Sale Going on Now
11/10-11/21
Spirit wear makes the best gift! Take advantage of the pre holiday sale and visit http://www.fultonspiritwear.com to get FES spirit wear for the whole family! See flier for details.
Food Drive
12/6 | 5-7:30PM | Reservoir High School Bus Loop
FES is teaming up with other local schools again for a Food Drive. Please bring non-perishable and canned food items to be donated to low-income older adults living in Howard County.
Book Fair Chair Needed
FES PTA is looking for a bookfair chairperson! We are planning to host the Book Fair at Futon Elementary this spring and we need an AMAZING parent volunteer (or two) in order to do so. The Chair(s) will be responsible for promoting and organizing the Book Fair, coordinating and recruiting volunteers, supervising the book fair set-up/break down, being responsible for the register and available to open and close the book fair on a daily basis during the week of the fair.
Upcoming Dates
Please visit or subscribe to the FES Calendar Webpage to view important upcoming dates:
November 15th: FES Nothing Bundt Cake Fundraiser; PTA Poofy Cotton Candy Orders Begin
November 16th: PTA Taco Food Truck in Maple Lawn
November 18th: Parent Teacher Conference Scheduling Window Closes at 4:00 p.m.
November 22nd: Early Dismissal at 12:50 p.m.; Parent-Teacher Conferences
November 23rd: Early Dismissal at 12:50 p.m.; Parent-Teacher Conferences
November 24th: School Closed for Students; Parent-Teacher Conferences
November 25th-26th: School Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
Happenings around our Fulton Community
Worth Repeating
Quarter 1 Report Cards
As a reminder, you will be able to view your child's report card on Wednesday, November 10th at 5:00pm via HCPSS Connect Synergy. To access your child's report card, please review these directions: accessing report cards online.
Please review some frequently asked questions we are receiving:
What will my child's report card look like? Understanding your child's report card
Why is there a mismatch between what is in Canvas and my child's report card? Grades in Canvas reflect a student’s mastery of instruction taught in that moment of time. Grades will NOT be averaged, rather they reflect a continuum of development and mastery based on instruction provided on the standards. For example, you may see a grade from the earlier part of the quarter where your child was just beginning to learn that standard; however, by the end of the quarter, your child may have a better understanding of that standard. Additionally, our teachers collect and record anecdotal and observational data on a daily basis; which may not be all inputted into Canvas.
What are learning behaviors? Learning Behaviors for Students K-5: Learning behaviors are naturally taught and reinforced throughout the school year. They are developed and reinforced at school and at home. At school, there are lessons or instructional activities to develop students’ understanding of the behaviors and practice them in authentic settings. Teachers also model and reinforce learning behaviors during daily activities. Please click here to learn more about HCPSS learning behaviors.
Why is my child's related arts and health grade grayed out on the report card? As a reminder, Health and Related Arts grades will be noted semesterly on your child's report card. As such, both of these areas will be grayed out on your child's report card for quarter 1.
Answers to frequently asked questions on grades and testing can be found online.
Dressing for Cooler Weather
We are having a beautiful fall and now the temperatures are getting cooler. Generally, it is assumed that students will be outside for recess and physical education, or any other outdoor activity when the temperature combined with the wind chill is not less than 20 degrees Fahrenheit or the heat index reading is less than 95. For outdoor seating, we will continue eating outside until the weather drops below 50degrees.
Please be sure your child is dressed warm enough for outdoor recess and outdoor lunch. Please be sure you label your child's jackets and sweatshirts.
Upcoming Parent/Teacher Conferences
Beginning, TODAY, November 8th, parents/guardians may begin signing up for Parent/Teacher Conferences. Conferences will be held virtually through Google Meet and be held with your child's homeroom teacher. The focus of our fall conferences will be in the area of English/Language Arts.
Directions for How to Register for a Parent Teacher Conference
To schedule a conference with a related arts teacher, please contact that teacher directly via email in order to set up a time during the conference window.
**If you do not see the conference option, you are most likely logged in as your child. Log out and log in again with your parent login.
Parents and guardians will be able to schedule conferences in HCPSS Connect through Thursday, November 18. After that time, any changes to conference schedules will need to be communicated directly with the teacher.
Message from our Counseling Corner
From Our Culture & Belonging Team...
Did you know Native American Heritage Month is a recognition of the significant contributions of Native peoples past and present and the influence they have had on the advancement of the United States. In 1990 President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 “National American Indian Heritage Month.” Similar proclamations, under variants on the name (including “Native American Heritage Month” and “National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month”) have been issued each year since 1994.
Did you know Diwali is known as the “Festival of Lights” and is a Hindu holiday widely celebrated in India and across the Hindu Diaspora. The word Diwali derives from Sanskrit and means “a row of lights.” Festivities include the illumination of lights, candles, firecrackers, and diyas (clay lamps) to symbolize the victory of good over evil, inner light over spiritual darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali is a time for gathering with loved ones, celebrating life, and committing to making the right decisions in life!
Fulton Elementary School
Molly Caroland, Assistant Principal, molly_caroland@hcpss.org
Leslie Brickner, Assistant Principal, leslie_brickner@hcpss.org
Email: tanisha_burks@hcpss.org
Website: fes.hcpss.org/
Location: 11600 Scaggsville Road, Fulton, MD, USA
Phone: 410-880-5957
Twitter: @hcpss_fes