VES Newsletter EAGLE EXPRESS
APRIL 9, 2022 - Vol.15 Issue #31
NO WALK-IN VISITORS DURING THIS TIME
Robert Bruce, Principal - robert_bruce@hcpss.org
Alexcia Redd, Assistant Principal - alexcia_redd@hcpss.org
Pamm West, Administrator - pamela_west@hcpss.org
SCHOOL HOURS IN-SESSION
9:25 A.M. - 3:55 P.M.
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
Hello Veterans Community,
We hope everyone has a restful and rejuvenating Spring Break!
One of the wonderful opportunities that was paused when COVID 19 came upon us was the ability of parents to eat lunch with their children if they wished. As of April 19th, parents may again come in to eat lunch with their child(ren). Siblings are not allowed to visit for lunch. Parents will need to come into the school and sign in using Lobbyguard. Driver's license is needed to sign into the Lobbyguard. Parents may then go to the cafeteria to join their child for lunch. Parents will have to leave after lunch, please sign out on the Lobbyguard and then report back to the office to let them know you are departing. For safety reasons, recess is not included. The only individuals we want on the playground are our duty staff and our students. I am listing the regular day lunch schedules:
Kindergarten- 10:35-11:05
Grade One- 11:05-11:35
Grade Two- 11:35-12:05
Grade Three- 12:45-1:15
Grade Four- 12:05-12:35
Grade Five- 1:15-1:45
NOTE: Siblings are not allowed to visit for lunch.
This is a significant return to normalcy and we hope that it lasts. Please continue home health checks and make use of the COVID Test Kit that was sent home this week if needed.
When we return there will be a number of year ending activities that occur in a normal year. The following is summary of some of those activities.
Tues. April 26th- Strings Concert 7:00 pm Cafeteria In-Person
Thurs.April 28th- Band Concert 7:00 pm Cafeteria In-Person
Weds. May 4th- Field Day -All Grades During School
Thurs. May 12th- STEM Night 6:30 pm School In-person
Friday May 13th- Sim. Cong. Hearing Virtual In-School
Weds. May 26th- Choral Concert 7:00 pm Cafeteria In-Person
Weds. June 15th- Gr. 5 Closing Virtual and Drive Up Event.
More details will come later on these events. We are also continuing to plan our grade level end of year picnics for the last weeks of school.
Please have an enjoyable Spring Break !
Robert C Bruce
Principal- Veterans Elementary School
410-313-1700
Every Day Counts!
Connectedness Strategic Responsibility Arranger Intellection
HCPSS Test Kit Distribution to Students & Staff for Return from Spring Break
Use of at-home tests prior to returning from spring break is encouraged.
Reminder that all students and staff are to remain home if they are experiencing symptom(s) associated with any communicable disease, including COVID-19. Details on daily health checks are available online. If your child is exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms, please use your test kit as an additional mitigation effort to keep our schools and offices healthy, and/or access one of many available public testing sites in your area.
Perform Daily Health Checks
*SEND Rapid and PCR results directly to VES RN: Brenda_Gregor@hcpss.org
RN will provide you with the most current MD-HCPSS guidelines specific to your health status.
*Parents/guardians should keep their children home if they are experiencing symptom(s) associated with any communicable disease, including COVID-19.
Parents/Guardians are to perform daily health checks for COVID-19 symptoms before the student leaves home.
A student should NOT come to school with any of these symptoms:
- fever of 100.4 degrees or higher
- sore throat
- cough
- difficulty breathing
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- new onset of severe headache (especially with fever), or
- new loss of taste or smell
For persons with chronic conditions such as asthma, the symptoms should represent a change from baseline.
* 4/5/22 Update to HCPSS Proof of COVID Testing Requirements
Students or staff who exhibit COVID-like symptoms, may submit any of the following to show proof of a negative test and return to the building: negative PCR test result, negative rapid test result, or a negative at-home test result. Full details are available online.HCPSS APPROVED CALENDAR SY2021-22 - * Updated 2/25/2022 :
Chinese - Month view & Chinese - Date list view
APRIL: Arab American Heritage Month
8 - 3rd Qtr Report Cards viewable in ParentVue after 5:00 p.m.
11 thru 18 - SPRING BREAK: Schools and Offices Closed
19 - HCPSS Pre-K Registration Opens - (see New Student Enrollment section below)
22 - Spirit Day: #EarthDay - Wear green or blue to celebrate Earth Day
22- PTA Virtual Trivia Night 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
27 - Schools Close 3-Hours Early: VES Dismissal 12:55 p.m.
MAY: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
2 - Schools Closed for Students: Professional Learning (PD) Day *updated 3/16/22
3 - SCHOOL OPEN *updated 3/16/22
4 - VES Field Day
10 - PTA Meeting - Virtual 7:00 p.m.
12 - Grade 5: Rising 6th Grade Middle School Visit Day
12 - PTA STEM Fair 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
16 - 20 - PTA Book Fair
18 - Schools Close 3-Hours Early: VES Dismissal 12:55 p.m.
30 - Schools and Offices Closed: Memorial Day (State mandated holiday)
To better align with the Eid al-Fitr holiday, schools now will be closed for students Monday, May 2 and open on Tuesday, May 3.
- Monday, May 2: Schools CLOSED for Students. Professional Learning Day for staff
Offices will remain open. - Tuesday, May 3: Schools OPEN Regular school day.
*Updated 3/16/2022
FRIDAY, JUNE 17
Last Day of School
NEW INFORMATION
Students Observing Ramadan
We are in the holy month of Ramadan, and many students and staff among us are observing this time by fasting. In order to support them, we have set up an alternate space in the cafeteria for students who may be fasting if they choose to use it. If a student is fasting and would like to sit away from all the food and drink to relax, they may choose to sit at the tables on the stage during lunch. As a reminder to all, please be mindful and respectful of the choices all of us make. Ramadan Mubarak!
Policy 1050 – Tobacco-Free Environment
The purpose of this policy is to specify criteria for the HCPSS to maintain a tobacco-free, smoke-free, and nicotine-free environment, to help prevent the use of tobacco and nicotine products by students, employees, and visitors. The HCPSS also supports cessation efforts, and delineates the consequences for violations of this policy. This policy includes the use of ENDS products including but not limited to; e-pens, vaping pens, e-pipes, etc. Please know that any student in violation of this policy shall be subject to the Student Discipline Policy.
2022 Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) for ELA: Grades 3, 4, & 5
Please see the dates and times below for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade testing.
HCPSS Visitors and Volunteers
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 comply with by the HCPSS policies in place by complete the following:
HCPSS Volunteer link Information steps:
1. Confidentiality Training Course
2. Certification of Completion
3. Register to Volunteer
FIELD DAY IS COMING!
It’s BACK! The VES P.E. Department is proud to announce the return of FIELD DAY!!!
It has been a while! We are working very hard to make this the very best Field Day ever!
BUT! In order to make that happen, WE NEED YOU!!
We need energetic, enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers to help us run the stations so that each child can get active and have a fun-filled day. Field Day is going to be held on Wednesday, May 4th with a rain date of the next day, May 5th. If you would like to volunteer, please carefully read the following information that is required of HCPSS and Veterans ES:
Volunteer Responsibilities and Expectations:
Complete the required volunteer information for HCPSS and print/sign/return certificate to front office.
Review the Child Abuse powerpoint and print/sign/return the certificate to the front office
Follow the Rules!
We will provide the rules, expectations and safety considerations for each station. Please make sure that you review these and do your best to hold students to these expectations.
Stick to Your Station!
You are volunteering for a very fun-filled day to support all ~900 students in our school. Although we know that you want to see your child(ren) throughout the day (and you will!), we really need you to be committed to taking care of your station that you are assigned to for the time that you are here. The stations need to be covered appropriately in order to ensure safety and fun for everyone.
Sign up for 1st, 2nd or All day Shift! (and All day is really only 3.5 hours)
1st Shift: 10:30am - 12:10pm
2nd Shift: 12:10pm - 1:55pm
All Day: 10:30am - 1:55pm
Choose your spot at Volunteer Sign Up
We really appreciate you taking the time to complete all requirements thoroughly and look forward to seeing you. May the Fourth Be With You.
Mrs. Viguers, Mrs. Hahn, & Mr. Brant
PreKindergarten Enrollment Information - Opens April 19
PreKindergarten Program Information guidelines
The HCPSS prekindergarten program is a high-quality, half-day prekindergarten program. Students must be four years old by September 1, 2022 to be considered for enrollment in fall 2022. The comprehensive curriculum taught by certified staff supports early learning and school readiness and provides experiences that foster children’s academic, social, emotional and physical development.
Is my child eligible for the program?
Students must be four years old by September 1.
The Maryland State Department of Education requires that the pre-K program be made available first to students who meet first priority criteria: income eligible, homelessness and foster care.
At this time, families that qualify for first priority criteria are placed first into pre-K and second priority applicants are placed on the waitlist. The Office of Early Childhood Programs will monitor countywide enrollment trends and space availability at pre-K sites to determine if the second priority criteria applicants can be considered for placement into pre-K.
Step 1: Complete the fillable application - * Regular PreK Program applications (*available Apr. 19) and upload along with all other required documents including proof of family income (refer to application form) during the online registration process;
Step 2: Register Online starting April 19 - Pre-K Registration Opens on the HCPSS website.
If you have any additional questions, please contact Mary Jens at (410) 313-1700
Mary_Jens@hcpss.org
Fall 2022-2023 New Kindergarten & New Grade 1 Student - Online Registration
Kindergarten registration for families of children who will be 5 by September 1, 2022.
Parents can begin the enrollment process online, after which your child’s school will contact you to complete the registration process.
NOTE: HCPSS Current Pre-Kindergarten students do not need to be re-registered for kindergarten because they are already enrolled as an HCPSS student.
VES REMINDERS: Worth Repeating . . .
*NOTE: HELP US RELEASE YOUR CHILD SAFELY TO AUTHORIZED ADULTS (HCPSS Policy)
HELP US RELEASE YOUR CHILD SAFELY TO AUTHORIZED ADULTS
- * Please be prepared to present your physical, tangible Photo ID
- ** Bring your phone to scan the QR code to sign out student(s) for Early Dismissal.
- Please plan accordingly. Students are dismissed from class upon parents' arrival after they are signed out from the office.
- ***Make sure FamilyFile is updated to indicate non-parent/guardians who VES staff are authorized to release your child to.
- Dismissal requests AFTER 3:30pm will be dismissed at normal 3:55pm time as Car Riders
It is too difficult for staff and students to locate/notify during the school-wide final classroom transitioning at the end of the day.
At this time, we can't allow students to take a different bus other than their assigned bus due to COVID.
EARLY DISMISSAL PICK-UP MUST BE By 3:30PM prior to final class transition time
* CAR LOOP ISSUES:
We still have several parents who insist on pulling their cars into the 2nd or 3rd row of the school parking lot, sometimes blocking traffic from departing. This is an unsafe practice which complicates driver's leaving the car loop lane. Unless you can find an actual parking spot in the 2nd or 3rd row of parking then you must join the car loop lane for parent pick up if you are here to retrieve a child. You may not park or stop in front of parked cars to wait for your child. You also create a dangerous situation for your child and yourself.
Our school is very busy. We are sorry the Parent Pick Up Lane sometimes moves slowly but this is necessary for student safety. Most of our children are bus riders. The pandemic has increased the car ridership at Veterans. Join the Parent Pick Up Lane to retrieve your children. You have someplace to get your child to after school, that is fine, so do many other parents. If this is the case, arrange for an early dismissal before 3:30 pm if you can not wait. Please know that rainy or snowy weather makes this lane move even slower.
* ATTN: PARENTS/GUARDIANS ARE RESTRICTED FROM BOARDING SCHOOL BUSES *
BUS STOPS and Riding Privileges
Please understand that if children experience problems on the bus that the driver has the authority to write a bus referral that can result in the denial of bus riding privileges for a given period of time. Parents also need to understand that sometimes children experience difficulties at the bus stop with other individuals who ride the bus. Parents need to supervise their children at the bus stops. Often there are issues which start out as playing then become more serious. Parents may even wish to discuss having rotating responsibilities of supervising their children at the bus stop.
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!
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.
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
Stay Informed via HCPSS News and Text Alerts
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.
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.
Temporary Employee Positions at Veterans Elementary School
We are looking for caring and compassionate individuals to assist students with disabilities who require direct adult supervision throughout the school day. The position works under the daily supervision of the school administration and the direction of a special education teacher and/or a classroom teacher. Some experience working with children or individuals with disabilities preferred. Below, please are details regarding the position.
· Temporary Employee (TE) position are with Social Service Consultants, Ltd.
· Compensation is $13.00 per hour
· The hours are 9:25 AM – 3:55 PM Monday-Friday
To apply, please email Robert Tencher at Rtencher@gmail.com to request an application packet. Please specify the school you are interested in. You can also apply using this link. Please contact Alexcia Redd at alexcia_redd@hcpss.org or at 410-313-1700 when you have competed all parts of the application
Upcoming PTA Events
April 22 - Virtual Trivia Night*
April 25-29 - Staff Appreciation Week (moved up a week!)*
May 4 - Volunteers help run Field Day (Sign up info in Eagle Express)
May 10 - Virtual PTA Meeting 7:00 p.m.
May 11-18 - Book Fair
May 12 - STEM Fair* (sign up deadline April 1 or asap)
June 9 - Picnic & Popsicles End of Year Party/ PTA Elections*
*Additional information below
Staff Appreciation Week - 4/25-29th!
More information to be sent after spring break, as well as, a signup to help make this successful and special for all staff!
NOMINATION TIME - seeking new officers for next year's board. Without officers we cannot run the PTA. We need new volunteers. We will train you. Moms, Dads, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles are all welcome to volunteer. Contact Kim if you have questions at Kimberlydavis410@gmail.com
PTA OFFICERS NEEDED: What is the time commitment needed?
Secretary - 1 hour per month (takes notes at monthly meeting)
Treasurer - 3 hrs per month time commitment (bookkeeping)
Delegate - 2 hours per month (attends 2 meetings per month)
Parent Volunteer Training
We are about to launch parent volunteers back into the school! This is so much fun! Sign up sheet to come out soon. You must complete 2 trainings (child abuse & confidentiality), print the completion certificates and turn them into your child's teacher or the front office.
Trainings on this webpage (at bottom): https://ves.hcpss.org/support
TRIVIA NIGHT - VIRTUAL - April 22
Join us for one last virtual event this year! So excited to say that!
Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F094AA5AF23A2F85-ptafamily5
Prizes awarded for each round winner!
VES Night of Innovation STEM Fair Thursday, May 12, 7:00-8:00pm.
SIGN UP NOW. DEADLINE was April 1, exceptions will be made, but do it quick! Your child, alone or with friends, can present a science, technology, engineering, or math project at the fair. Please remember that even if your child is working in a group, each child must register individually.
Registration is available online: https://forms.gle/DkdFD4UwdEsjQRps5
You can check out details on our website. veterans.memberhub.com
Questions? Email Cara at doctorcia@gmail.com
JOIN US FOR A PTA MEETING (Virtual) - Tues, May 10 - 7pm
Please join us at our meeting and we will allow time at the end of the meeting for any questions you may have. Or email Cara at doctorcia@gmail.com if you want more info. (meetings are usually 1hr long)
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://discovery.zoom.us/j/98093284149?pwd=QWptQXUxN2xxMWhrRXh2T0c5ZTJtZz09
Meeting ID: 980 9328 4149
Passcode: 094353
SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER FOR AN EVENT COMMITTEE!
Email Kim at Kimberlydavis410@gmail.com for more info.
Use this link to see your other volunteer options.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0549A5A62EA4FE3-ptacommittee
More News | Event | Reminders
Report Cards Available April 8
Quarter 3 report cards will be accessible via HCPSS Connect Synergy after
5 p.m., Friday, April 8. Instructions for accessing report cards are available online.
Update to HCPSS Proof of COVID Testing Requirements
Students or staff who exhibit COVID-like symptoms, may submit any of the following to show proof of a negative test and return to the building: negative PCR test result, negative rapid test result, or a negative at-home test result. Full details are available online.
At-Home COVID Tests
Prior to April 8, one COVID-19 test kit will be distributed to each HCPSS student and staff member. HCPSS encourages the use of at-home tests prior to students and staff returning from spring break, in addition to conducting daily health checks.
HCPSS Connect Outage, April 15
HCPSS Connect will be unavailable Friday, April 15 from 5-9 p.m. while system updates are made. During this time, parents/guardians will not be able to access Connect, including Canvas and Synergy. Students will be able to access Canvas. Once the update is complete, users may continue to log in as usual.
Health & Safety Reminders
Families are reminded to follow all HCPSS health and safety protocols and conduct daily at-home health checks. Answers to health and safety frequently asked questions are available online.
Parent Survey: Special Education MSDE
Each year the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) surveys parents of children receiving special education services in the state. The purpose of the survey – The Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey – is to hear from parents about how well they think their child’s school is partnering with them and promoting parent involvement in their child’s education. More information can be found in this flier and on the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey site.
Survey: Educational Equity
We encourage our school community to complete the Educational Equity Survey distributed by the school system. We take all input seriously as we plan our program for the following year.
IEES Survey Links:
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.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY POSTS & LOCAL COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Essay Contest to Celebrate Ellicott City’s 250th Anniversary!
In honor of the 250th Anniversary of Ellicott City, students are invited to participate in an essay contest.
There will be three divisions:
· High School- students in grades 9-12
· Middle School- students in grades 6-8
· Elementary School- in grades PreK-5
· Entries must be submitted by Tuesday, April 19th.
· Entries should be submitted at: https://tinyurl.com/250-essay
To learn more about Ellicott City’s 250th Anniversary celebration, visit: https://ec250.com. For additional questions, please contact Kim Eggborn at KimEggborn@gmail.com with any questions you may have.
After our past two COVID-canceled summers, we're back in action!
Our MHHS Summer Camp registration website is open!
Questions? Call: 443 574 8999 or Email: info@okinawankaratedojo.com.
EE ARCHIVE - Previous Issues SY2021-22
Issue #30 - April 2, 2022
Issue #29 - March 26, 2022
Issue #28 - March 19, 2022
Issue #24 - February 19, 2022
Issue #23 - February 12, 2022
Issue #22 - February 5, 2022
Access complete archive on the main school website: VES.hcpss.org