The Beach Elementary Weekly Wave
Back to School Edition August 2023
Attention! School Begins 8/29 for Students in Grades 1-5 at Beach Elementary!
BES students are starting one day later than the rest of CCPS so that our staff have adequate time to prepare for students in the new building.
Dates to Remember
8/21-Teacher Assignments go live in HAC
8/28-Orientation and Meet, Greet, and Find Your Seat
- 1:00-1:20 New Student Orientation for Grades 1-5 in the Cafeteria
- 1:20-1:45 New Students "Meet, greet, & find your seat" for grades 1-5
- 2:15-3:15 Returning Students "Meet, greet, & find your seat" for grades 1-5
8/29- First day of School for BES Students in Grades 1-5
- PK/K Individual Conferences (teachers will provide 1st day schedule)
8/30-PK/K Individual Conferences (teachers will provide 1st day schedule)
8/31- 1st Half of PK/K Students attend school
9/1- 2nd Half of PK/K Students attend school
9/4-No School-Labor Day
9/5-All PK/K students attend school
Meet, greet, and find your seat is a drop in window to:
- drop off school supplies
- see your child's classroom
- meet your child's teacher
- encourage your child to see their classmates and friends
This is NOT a time to:
- hold teacher conferences
- ask teachers who else is in your child's class
- visit past teachers which takes time and attention away from incoming students
Thank you for your cooperation!
Welcome!
Dear Beach Elementary Students and Families,
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! I hope you are having an enjoyable and restful summer. I am excited for the students to return and I can’t wait to hear about your adventures and experiences when school begins on Tuesday, August 29th!
It has been a super busy summer! We have been working so hard, getting our new BES ready for the return of staff and students. In addition, Ms. Ravenel and I have been planning and organizing and getting ready for the return of staff and students. Ms. Parker, Ms. Jones, Mr. Holland, Ms. Brooks, and Mr. Gray have been busily working to shine every corner of our new beautiful building. Many of our staff members have been engaged in professional development throughout the summer as they continue to perfect their practice of preparing lessons and teaching students. There have been several new families registering here at BES this summer too! It’s been very busy here, but we are gearing up for your return!
I hope all students have read and enjoyed a variety of books and have practiced their reading and math skills over the summer. If not, it’s not too late to brush up! Maybe you can make a trip or two or four to one of our beautiful county libraries before school starts. Dreambox is available for students all year long. Remember, it is adaptive and gives kids just what they need in math. They can sign in using Clever…they know how if they are in grades 1-5.
Below is all the information that you will need to get the school year started.
I hope you enjoy the next few days with your family. Please call me at 443-550-9523 or email me at fultonb@calvertnet.k12.md.us if you have any questions or concerns. Go Seagulls!
Staggered Start for Pre-K and Kindergarten
Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students in Calvert County are having a “Staggered Start” again this year. This means that during August 29th and 30th, individual families will conference with the teacher. This is a great way to reduce anxiety for students and a provide time for families to talk with the teacher. Families will be asked to sign up for a time slot. Be on the lookout for an email from your child’s teacher. Then, about half of the class will attend school on Thursday, August 31st (students whose last name begins with A-M) and the other half will attend on Friday, September 1st (students whose last name begins with N-Z). Teachers will share the assigned day at the conference. All Kindergarteners and Pre-Kindergartners will attend school on Tuesday, September 5th. Click HERE for the staggered start calendar for BES.
Teacher Assignments
Heterogeneous class lists have been developed for this year. Homeroom teachers for students in grades 1-5 can be seen in HAC (Home Access Center) online beginning August 21st. DISCLAIMER: As staffing changes for BES, homeroom assignments may also change. Changes could be made at any time, even after the school year has begun. Kindergarten students will be notified of their homeroom teacher via e-mail, and students new to Calvert County should call the school to obtain the student ID number and then follow the directions for accessing HAC.
School Supplies & Spirit Wear
Our School Day
Our school day is from 8:45 to 3:30. Car riders and buses begin arriving at 8:35 and all buses will be here by 8:45 am. Parents should park where it is legal and safe to do so and walk the student(s) to the sidewalk area where the last buses are at "old" BES and release the students to BES Staff on the sidewalk. Announcements will begin on WBES at 8:45. Students who arrive after 8:45 are considered tardy and MUST be signed in by the parent/guardian in the school office. Afternoon car riders will be dismissed from the library beginning at 3:25. Parents/Guardians will park wherever it is safe and legal to do so and walk to the side of the building where the library is. Please do not impede traffic, block intersections, or private driveways. Please remember to bring ID to show staff. Please note that students will not be released from the office after 3:20 PM and will need to be signed out at our dismissal area in the library. Dismissal announcements will begin at 3:25 daily. We are begging BES families to utilize the school bus during our construction period. We hope to be able to accommodate our community better by January 2024. Thank you in advance!
Bus Information
As you know, Beach Elementary School grounds are under construction and so now, more than ever, students are strongly encouraged to ride the school bus. Our parking lot will be used for construction vehicles and equipment, so car riders will need to park where it is safe and legal to do so. Be sure that you do not impede traffic, block intersections or private driveways. Also, it is very important that students ride the bus so that bus drivers can begin to associate a face to an address and name and so that students are not “missed” by the driver on the days that follow.
After August 10, 2023, Transportation information may be found in your student’s Home Access Center (HAC) data; bus #, bus stop location and approximate bus stop times. Bus stop information is based on guardian’s home address unless you provide a different pick-up and drop-off location to Beach Elementary School. Please contact BES to make any corrections to the student database. That must take place, before routing software is updated.
Please sign up for the “Here Comes the Bus” (HCTB) website and app to find the most current bus stop information for your student. Here is how to get started:
- a. Download “Here Comes the Bus” by Synovia Solutions, LLC from your app store or visit www.herecomesthebus.com. (Free)
- b. Follow the steps to set up your account. (You will need to know your child’s Student ID#.)
- c. Our district code is 87557
Click HERE to find out more about CCPS transportation. Click the attachment below for transportation rules and regulations.
As students arrive by bus, we will greet them and tag their backpack with their bus number to make sure they know which bus to ride home at the end of the day. As a reminder, there will be no “guest riders” permitted this year and there can only be one pick-up and one drop-off location per student due to current guidelines and restrictions.
Lunch Information
Menus, nutrition information, payment methods and information, and photos of food served are accessible online on the CCPS Website on the Child Nutrition page.
This year, student breakfast is $1.65 and lunch is $2.65. Students may purchase milk or water and funds will be deducted from a computerized account. You can deposit money online using your child’s 5-digit student ID number or you can send in cash or checks ranging from $10 on up made payable to BES Cafeteria. Students will eat in the cafeteria. ID numbers are in HAC, but if you can't find or access it, please call the school for help.
Click HERE for menu information.
Click HERE for information from the Child Nutrition Department
Click HERE for information about LINQ, where you can manage payments, view menus, and more!
School Security Measures
School Security measures have been put into place for the safety of all students and staff. All outside doors will always be locked. Visitors and parents coming into the building will need to bring ID and ring the doorbell outside the main entrance of the school. The office staff will grant them access into the building by “buzzing” them into the school where they can sign in at the office once they have stated the purpose for their visit. Please do not allow anyone else into the building should they arrive at the same time as you.
Health and Wellness
Medications occasionally must be administered to students by our school nurse, Nurse Bogaczyk, RN. According to Maryland state guidelines, any medications – including over the counter medications – must have a “Physician’s Authorization Form” on file in the health room before they can be administered at school. They must be in the original container and have the child’s name on the bottle. Medications must be brought to school by the parent or guardian. Cough drops are also to be given to Nurse Julie who can provide them to your child as necessary. Nurse Bogaczyk will be glad to answer any questions you may have concerning this policy. You may bring medications to school for the 2023-2024 school year during “Meet, Greet, and Find your Seat” or New Student Orientation.
Requirement from the Maryland Department of Health: Kindergarten through 5th Grade students need proof of two Varicella (Chickenpox) vaccines. A parent/guardian must confirm that an appointment has been made for any school-required vaccine by the first day of school in Sept. 2023. If the child has not received the vaccine by the 20th day after school begins, the child will not be allowed to attend until proof of vaccination has been received by our school nurse.
If your child should become sick or injured at school, he/she will be sent to the school nurse. Nurse Julie will call home to share any injuries from the neck up. Nurse Julie will assess and address minor injuries, headaches, stomach aches, etc. and send students back to class unless she determines that a phone call home is appropriate and necessary. In the event your child needs to leave school, he/she will be made as comfortable as possible until you arrive. Please notify the school of any changes to contact or emergency phone numbers
RETURNING TO SCHOOL AFTER AN ILLNESS
A student may return to school:
• 24 hours after a fever breaks (without the need/use of fever reducers)
• 24 hours after vomiting or diarrhea has ceased.
• 24 hours after starting an antibiotic (i.e., for Pink Eye, impetigo, and strep)
• Following head lice clearance by school nurse
• Following ringworm when exposed area is covered, and the nurse is notified of medication follow-up.
MEDICAL CONCERNS
In the event your child develops new medical concerns or experiences an injury that results in crutches, a wheelchair, or activity restrictions, please contact the school nurse. A doctor’s order clarifying the restrictions should also be shared with the school office.
ILLNESS SCREENING GUIDANCE
Screening is the responsibility of all families and staff members to self-assess for symptoms of an infectious illness such as COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and gastrointestinal infections before entering a school bus or CCPS facility.
- Staff and families should follow testing recommendations for anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
- Staff and families should notify the school when diagnosed with a suspected or confirmed communicable illness including a positive test for COVID-19.
- Any staff member or student who has been exposed to COVID-19 should follow testing recommendations at day 3-5 following an exposure.
- Any individual with symptoms of illness are encouraged to consult a health care provider when needed.
- If unsure if it is safe for an individual to report for work or school, consult with school administration for staff or the school nurse for students.
- If a student becomes ill with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 while at school, the student must be sent home as soon as possible. Testing is recommended and they can return to school when symptoms have improved with no fever for at least 24 hours without medication. Masking is recommended upon returning from positive COVID test for 10 days from positive test or start of symptoms.
- If a staff person becomes ill with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 while at school or during the school day, they must stop immediately, notify the building administrator, and the staff person is to leave the building immediately. Testing is recommended.
- Please click here to visit the CCPS School Health Program page.
- Please click here for the latest guidance for COVID.
Open House-Mark your Calendar
- Grades PK-2 5pm to 6pm
- 5:00-Welcome from Administration
- 5:05-5:30 Session 1
- 5:35-6:00 Session 2
Tuesday, September 26th
- Grades 3-5, 5pm to 6pm
- 5:00-Welcome from Administration
- 5:05-5:30 Session 1
- 5:35-6:00 Session 2
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
Here at Beach Elementary, we implement Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) on a daily basis to support students’ behavioral, academic, social, emotional and mental health. One of our biggest positive behavior supports is our school currency: Beach Bravos. Students can earn Bravos from any staff member in the building by following our school motto/rules: S.O.A.R (safety, ownership, acceptance and respect). After they have accumulated enough Bravos, they can spend them at the Woot Woot Cart. Here's where you come in! We are in need of parent/guardian/family volunteers to come in on the last in-school Wednesday of every month from 11 am to 2:30 pm to run our Woot Woot Cart where students can purchase toys and services with their Bravos. You can find the dates on the this survey. We require 2-3 volunteers for each date. Thank you so much for your consideration!
Volunteer at Beach Elementary
Visit & Volunteer with us! CCPS uses the Raptor system for volunteers and visitors to sign in and out of schools. All volunteers will need to review the volunteer handbook, watch the volunteer training video, and apply to be an approved volunteer each year before volunteering in any school. Click HERE to become a volunteer! FYI…chaperoning a field trip counts as volunteering, so apply today!
Painless but profitable ways to help BES
Weis Market
Please select the Weis Market file below for a NEW way to help us raise funds for BES! SO EASY! You basically just scan a bar code!
Box Tops for Education
No need to send in Box Tops any longer!!! You simply need to download the Box Tops for Education app and follow the directions!
Harris Teeter VIC
BES will earn 5% of your Harris Teeter brand purchases when you give our account number (6760) to the cashier at check out and ask them to link the number to your Harris Teeter VIC card. You only need to do this one time this school year. You may also link your VIC card online at www.harristeeter.com. You may link up to 5 schools, with funds being divided equally between your chosen schools. You will need to re-link your card at the beginning of next school year.
Information from CCPS Central Office
Family Life Committee
Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) is establishing a joint Family Life Committee of educators who work in CCPS and community representatives who reside in Calvert County for the purpose of reviewing and commenting on, and where appropriate, recommending instructional materials. Members will serve a one-year term.
The Family Life Committee will meet the 2nd Monday of each month, January through May at 6PM. At the initial meeting, the purpose, expectations, and full health curriculum will be reviewed. Following full group sessions, the committee will divide into an elementary and a secondary committee where specific family life curricula will be reviewed and discussed.
CCPS is asking for any community member or parent residing in Calvert County to consider serving on this committee. Eight community members and parents representing elementary and secondary schools will be randomly selected. An official notification will be sent to those who are selected by September 15.
If you are interested in serving on the Family Life Committee, please complete the survey on this form: https://forms.office.com/r/Yu5z4EAwJu by August 28.
Library Reconsideration Committees
Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) is establishing Library Reconsideration Committees for Elementary, Middle, and High School. Members will serve a one-year term.
CCPS is asking for any community member or parent residing in Calvert County to consider serving on these committees. Each committee will consist of administrators, teachers, librarians, students, community members and parents. These committees will meet based on need.
One (1) community member and two (2) parents will be randomly selected to serve on each committee. An official notification will be sent to those who are selected by September 15. If additional committees are needed, members will be selected at random from the original list.
If you are interested in serving on a Library Reconsideration Committee, please complete the survey on this form: https://forms.office.com/r/jZX1u49Lmu by August 28.
Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC)
The Board of Education is seeking applicants for the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) for the 2023-2024 school year.
The CAC will be composed of a cross-section of the population of Calvert County. The Board will consider a variety of criteria when appointing members. These criteria will include, but will not be limited to, the high school district in which the prospective member resides, achieving geographic, demographic, ethnic, and racial diversity, the order in which applications were received, and the attendance record of individuals who previously served on the committee.
Members must be legal residents of Calvert County during the period of his/her term. The term of service for CAC members is one (1) year. No more than twenty-five (25) applicants will be selected.
If you are interested in serving on CAC, please complete the survey on this form by September 5, 2023:
Special Education Citizens' Advisory Committee
As you may be aware our Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC) hosts meetings and events throughout the year. The Committee has updated their yearly flier to include this year’s meeting dates. All are welcome to each meeting. The first meeting is to be held via Microsoft Teams on September 19, 2023. See the attachments below.
Nondiscrimination Statement
Calvert County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry or national origin, familial status, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or genetic information in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
- Director of Student Services
- Director of Human Resources
443-550-8000
For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.
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Anti-sexual, Anti-racial and Anti-disability Harassment Statement
Discrimination can manifest itself in behaviors such as bullying, harassment, or intimidation of individuals.
Calvert County Public Schools does not tolerate any form of harassment including, but not limited to, sexual, racial, or disability. Any individual (student, employee, or community member) who believes that he or she has been subjected to any form of harassment is encouraged to report the allegation of harassment. Students, parents, and community members may report allegations of harassment to: Ms. Cecelia Lewis, Director of Student Services, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Employees may report allegations of harassment to: Mr. Zachary Seawell, Director of Human Resources, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678.
Calvert County Public Schools is committed to conducting a prompt investigation for any allegation of harassment. If harassment has occurred, the individual will be disciplined promptly. Disciplinary actions for students found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or expulsion. Disciplinary actions for employees found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or termination.
Calvert County Public Schools encourages all students, parents, employees, and community members to work together to prevent any form of harassment.
For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.
Calvert County Public Schools Antiracism Statement
Calvert County Public Schools explicitly denounces racism, bullying, discrimination, white supremacy, hate, and racial inequity in any form within our school community. Furthermore, CCPS will not tolerate the values, structures, and behaviors that perpetuate systemic racism.
Each member of the district, individually and collectively, is responsible for creating and nurturing a safe, antiracist learning environment where each student, staff member, and community partner is a respected and valued member of the CCPS community.
7900 Old Bayside Road
Chesapeake Beach, Maryland 20732
Phone 443-550-9520
Fax 410-286-4014