VES Newsletter EAGLE EXPRESS
OCTOBER 30, 2021 - Vol.15 Issue #11
Perform Daily Health Checks
Parents/guardians should keep their children home if they are experiencing symptom(s) associated with any communicable disease. In addition, parents/guardians are to perform daily health checks for COVID-19 symptoms before the student leaves home.
NO WALK-IN VISITORS DURING THIS TIME
Robert Bruce, Principal - robert_bruce@hcpss.org
Alexcia Redd, Assistant Principal - alexcia_redd@hcpss.org
Jaime Gittleson, Administrative Intern - jaime_gittleson@hcpss.org
OFFICE HOURS 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Please call ahead 410-313-1700
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
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.
Weekly Message from our Principal
Dear Parents,
Please make sure you saw the latest communication about another positive CO-VID case. Thank you for your attention to student health checks. Many schools around the county are dealing with similar issues and we want to make sure if students feel ill, that they are not sent to school. It is hard to concentrate on academics if you are feeling sick.
Just a reminder, on rainy days such as today, outdoor seating is not possible. All students eat in the cafeteria and are assigned a seat at a partitioned table. We encourage as much mask wearing as possible. As the weather turns colder, please know that when there is indoor recess there will be no outdoor dining option. If it is outdoor dining and it is too cold for your child, they are welcome to eat at their spot in the cafeteria.
A student has asked me to remind everyone that personal fidgets and pop-it toys are not allowed to be brought to school. Actually, children should not bring any toy to the school.
The student reminded me that there are a few students who have not remembered this policy.
If you are celebrating, we wish everyone a safe Halloween weekend!
Robert C. Bruce
Principal- Veterans Elementary School
410-313-1700
Every Day Counts !
Connectedness Strategic Responsibility Arranger Intellection
* ATTN: PARENTS/GUARDIANS ARE RESTRICTED FROM BOARDING SCHOOL BUSES *
For the safety and security of the children - parents/guardians are not allowed to board and pull their child/children from a school bus at any time, especially during our dismissal.
PARENTS/GUARDIANS, YOU DO NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO BOARD SCHOOL BUSES.
See an Administrator or Front Office Secretary for assistance!
Early Dismissals must be prior to 3:30 pm
* Please bring your phone to scan the QR code to sign out student(s) for Early Dismissal.
** Please also be prepared to present your Photo ID
At this time, we can't allow students to take a different bus other than their assigned bus due to COVID.
After 3:30pm, students will be dismissed at VES normal 3:55pm dismissal with the Car Riders.
No Transportation Changes can be accommodated During Dismissal
*Please reserve any last minute requests for
EMERGENCIES ONLY*
~Help us keep your children safe ~
Making these requests causes confusion and leaves a lot of room for errors during the mass exodus!
Any transportation changes made after 3:30pm is disruptive to the VES dismissal process.
Please do not call or enter the school building requesting a staff member to pull your child from their normal dismissal plan.
OCTOBER:
25 - PTA Read-A-Thon Fundraiser Begins
NOVEMBER:
3 - End of 1st Marking Period
4 - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS - PD Day (Prof. Work Day)
10 - Report Cards Issued via posting in HCPSSConnect Synergy
22 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early Dismissal at 12:55 p.m.: Parent-Teacher Conferences
23 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early Dismissal at 12:55 p.m.: Parent-Teacher Conferences
24 -NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS: Parent-Teacher Conferences
24 - Schools and Offices Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday (State mandated)
25 - Schools and Offices Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday (State mandated)
Accessing Quarter 1 Report Cards
Report cards will be issued Wednesday, Nov. 10 and accessible via HCPSS Connect Synergy. Parents/guardians may access them following the instructions for accessing report cards online. Answers to frequently asked questions on grades and testing can be found online.
Below are the SY2021-22 standardized testing window dates:
Grade specific dates and testing details are communicated in advance of each assessment. Dates subject to change.
Grades 1-8 MAP Reading/Math: Oct. 18 - Nov. 5
Grades 3 & 5 CogAT: Jan 18 - Feb. 4
Grades K-5 Access for ELLS: Jan. 10 - Feb. 18
Grade 5 MISA: March 14 - 25
Grades 1-8 MAP Reading/Math: April 4 - April 29
Grades 3-5 MCAP ELA/Math: May 4 - June 3
ELEMENTARY READING SCREENINGS
SCREENING FOR STUDENTS WITH READING DIFFICULTIES:
Parent notification - Spanish
In accordance with Maryland’s Ready to Read Act (2019), COMAR(2021), and the request from the Howard County Board of Education, all Howard County Public School System students in grades kindergarten to 5th grade will participate in a screener for identifying potential reading difficulties.
School Rainbow Representatives
Safe Space Posters
Around our school, you will see some "Safe Space" posters. Sometimes, for a variety of reasons, a person, or certain group of people, might feel unsafe to show their true colors for fear that others might treat them differently, or refer to them in an unkind way.At HCPSS, it is our priority to make sure every student not only is safe, but also feels safe to be their authentic and true selves. We hope our Safe Space posters serve as a reminder that there is a trusted adult you can go to who is an ally to the LGBTQ+ community, who will affirm a student's chosen name and pronouns, and who will not disclose information to others about identity and orientation if a student shares that information. Teachers who have this poster in their classrooms have declared their space a safe space for ALL students.
A Message from the Counseling Office
Holiday gift card drive and raffle
We are going to be doing a holiday gift card drive and raffle this year at VES. We are looking for donations of Amazon, Target, or Walmart gift cards in a suggested amount of $25.
Gift cards that we collect will be given to families in our community who are in need this holiday season. If your family is interested in donating a gift card and have any questions, please contact Julie Wentz (julie_wentz@hcpss.org) or Jessica Wilson-Carr (jessica_wilson@hcpss.org). Please send any gift cards to Youmi Jun in the front office by Monday, December 6, 2021.
If your family is interested in entering the raffle to receive gift cards (to either Target, Amazon, or Walmart), please let us know HERE. While we cannot guarantee that we will be able to support every family who enters the raffle, our goal is to support as many families as we can.
FALL CLOTHES GIVEAWAY
Doors will not open til 9:00 a.m.
Masks must be worn inside at all times.
Saturday, Oct 30, 2021, 09:00 AM
Long Reach High School, Old Dobbin Lane, Columbia, MD, USA
Hey, VES Family!
MOVIE NIGHT THANK YOU!
Thank you to everyone who attended our first in person event of the year, Toy Story 4 Movie Night. We had over 350 people attend and the night was a huge success! Special thanks to Rebecca Li, Danyette Young, Heidi & Bruce Potter, and Cara Adornetto and to our amazing custodial staff, our PE staff, and of course Mr. Bruce and the administrative team and all the parents who jumped in to help at the event. If you haven't already be sure to join the PTA and be on the look out for more fun family events all year long.
READ-A-THON IS ON!
This week Ms. Kleinow and Ms. Grady-Johnson's classes are in the lead for fundraising! Can you help your class catch them!
Join us for our annual Read-A-Thon and fundraiser through Read-A-Fun (formerly Whooo's Reading). Log in information came home in folders last week! Reach out to us if you didn't receive one.
Get ready to read, connect with your friends, and decorate your owl!
Read-A-Thon runs October 25 - November 14
Contact Nelly if you have any questions at Nellyaw@yahoo.com
SPIRITWEAR SALE ENDS Sunday, Oct 31
Show your VES pride with new spiritwear!
https://veterans.memberhub.com/store
Paper order forms went home last week. Online ordering link is live now.
Consider buying a sweatshirt to donate to a VES staff raffle or give to a grandparent for a special occasion! Orders may arrive before Thanksgiving or by early December at the latest.
Click below to view order form in color (may print and send in with child).
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12kgkzflqQ3ZyVjATRE_4nwumJJk0xWDD/view?usp=sharing
Email Amie if your purchase is a donation or if you have any questions amiekhouse@hotmail.com
STAFF WISH LIST - Help us check off the last few items!
Take a peek at the link and see if your teacher needs any supplies for the kids.
A drop off bin is available in the school lobby or send supplies in with your kids. Please put donations in a bag labeled with the teachers/staff name. You may also directly ship supplies to the staff at school.
Our community is so generous! Thank you in advance for being so dedicated to our school.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QhMIVuFgMNzBcAUZonvHwliMREk78RXap9wqkDxnM2I/edit?usp=sharing
Contact Cara Adornetto at doctorcia@gmail.com if you have any questions.
COMING SOON....BOOK FAIR
The PTA Scholastic Book Fair will kick off on Nov. 8 and run through Nov. 21. This will be an online fair this fall - stay tuned for more details!
REFLECTIONS NATIONAL ART CONTEST
"I Will Change the World By"... is the 2021-2022 Contest Theme
Veterans Elementary will participate in this year's "Art Reflections Contest led by the National PTA. All students are encouraged to explore and express themselves using the theme "I Will Change The World By...
Categories include: Dance Choreography, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts.
Submission deadline will be November 22
Submission forms were sent home last week or can be printed from here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wx6eT9iFTuDJhffi31XPc94wBeoREO7x/view?usp=sharing
If you would like to participate, but art supplies are a financial burden please reach out to the PTA at reflectionsves@gmail.com.
If you would like to join the Reflections Committee, we will need 2-3 more parents to help us judge the artwork and send it into the county level. Email reflectionsves@gmail.com if interested.
SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER!
We have committee openings to help plan events for the kids!
Use this link to see your options.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0549A5A62EA4FE3-ptacommittee
JOIN THE PTA! Our Goal is 300 families! veterans.memberhub.com/store
Parents, please join the PTA using the website above or the yellow form sent home with your child. Membership dues allow us to fund all the activities we run! You do not have to volunteer when you join.
Questions: Email Kim Davis at kimberlydavis410@gmail.com
Follow us on Facebook
LOCAL COMMUNITY RESOURCES & EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY POSTS
Okinawan Karate
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
Elementary Reading Screenings
All HCPSS students in grades K-5 will be screened for reading disabilities. Students will be screened three times during the school year, with the first screening taking place between October 25 and November 5. Screening results will be used to help determine whether students would benefit from additional reading support.
Volunteer/Observer Vaccine Requirements
All volunteers and chaperones who interact with students, as well as current HCPSS students who attend a field trip or volunteer at a different school during the school day, are required to use the PinPoint platform to show proof of full vaccination at least five school days in advance. This requirement does not apply to HCPSS students who are going to another school as part of their academic schedule. Vaccination and testing requirements for other community stakeholders are outlined online.
COVID-19 Self-Screenings
All parents/guardians are to perform a COVID-19 health check every day before your student leaves home. Students are not to come to school if they are experiencing any symptom(s) associated with COVID-19 or other communicable disease.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Please visit the HCPSS website Community News and Programs site for upcoming events and programs sponsored by non-profit organizations.
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.
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.
Stay Informed:
HCPSS electronic School Messenger
Once you have created an HCPSS Login Account/ ParentVue upon completing the student registration, you will automatically be part of our email communication, School Messenger.
We are “green” and do not send hard copies of newsletters and other notices, so your electronic connection to the school is important even over the summer.
Email & Text Alerts
HCPSS News emails and text alerts keep families up-to-date on news and events, and deliver real-time notices of emergency closings and information. All HCPSS News subscriptions are generated from the information provided in Family File. Parents/guardians of previously enrolled HCPSS students do not need to sign up for, or manage an HCPSS News account. Parents/guardians who are new to the system are automatically enrolled for email notification and must opt in to text alerts.
Emergency Notifications
In times of emergency situations, information will be shared with the community through our website, social media, text, email and weather hotline. All parents automatically receive email messaging and new parents need to opt in to text messaging (see above). Unsubscribing from any school or district email or text will unsubscribe a user from all messaging, including emergency notifications.
ARRIVAL DOORS OPEN AT 9:15AM
Late Arrivals by car-riders:
Beginning at 9:25 a.m., Parent/guardian must sign-in the student(s) "TARDY".
* Notify by 2:00PM
** At this time, we can't allow students to take a different bus other than their assigned bus due to COVID.
Please send any dismissal changes for the day no later than 2:00 p.m. to VEStransportation@hcpss.org.
Include
student's name, date(s), and the details of the changes
(ex: will be a car rider instead of the bus, early pick-up, etc).
* cc the homeroom teacher on the email.
VESabsence@hcpss.org
Send Student Attendance-related notifications directly to: VESabsence@hcpss.org
when student will be absent due to illness, appointments, religious, or travel obligations.
Submit copies of doctor/appointment excuse note here as well.
HCPSS EXTENDED or DISCRETIONARY STUDENT ABSENCE FORM
EE ARCHIVE - Previous Issues SY2021-22
Issue #10 - October 24, 2021
Issue #9 - October 16, 2021
Issue #8 - October 9, 2021
Issue #7 - October 2, 2021
Access complete archive on the main school website: VES.hcpss.org