FES Parent News
2.27.22
Together We SOAR
FES Updates
REMINDER: SCHOOL will be dismissing at 1 pm. for students on Friday, March 4.
SAVE THE DATE: March 10 for Family Engagement Night at FES!
MASK UPDATE
Dear Caroline Family,
Beginning Monday, February 28, masks will be optional in all CCPS buildings.
This change comes as a result Maryland State Board of Education rescinding its emergency regulation mandating face masks in schools. This decision was upheld today by the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review (AELR).
Locally, we are supported by the Caroline County Health Department (CCHD), who cite our improving local metrics and our continuation of other layered prevention strategies such as regular cleaning protocols, distancing to the extent possible, and quarantining positive cases.
Other important details:
Updated: Face masks are no longer required on school buses.
Students testing positive for COVID-19 will be required to isolate for seven (7) days as per CCHD guidance. No additional changes have been made to current contact tracing protocols.
In accordance with direction from the Bayside Conference, the vaccination-or-test program that has been in place in the winter season will not be required for spring high school student-athletes. Testing for winter student-athletes will continue through the end of the winter season.
I appreciate the State Board returning this decision to school districts, and continue to be thankful for our partnership with Health Officer Robin Cahall and the CCHD. Their expertise has been invaluable with decisions such as this, and enables us to act in the best interest of our students and staff. We will continue to work closely with CCHD, as well as follow Maryland Department of Health guidance on communicable diseases including COVID-19. Staff and students are reminded that it is vitally important to remain at home when exhibiting symptoms of COVID or other illness.
I’m also grateful for the patience and support of the CCPS staff, students and families as we have navigated these challenging times together. COVID is not over and we will no doubt continue to face difficult decisions, but today we can appreciate taking one more step towards normalcy.
Derek L. Simmons, Ed.D.
Interim Superintendent
Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)
MSDE has asked that we survey some students (5th grade - HS) and families about the language used on Individual Score Reports (ISRs) for State testing. I will be working with STCs to have groups of students take this short (5-10min) survey.
Please add the below information to your weekly Family updates.
Info. For your weekly Newsletters:
Here is a folder with the Parent letter in English, French and Spanish.
Lost and Found items
School Based Health Centers Awareness Month
February is School Based Health Centers Awareness Month, a time to say thank you to our good partners at Choptank Community Health and the experts that take care of our students and staff in the Federalsburg’s health center!
In partnership with Choptank Community Health System (CCHS), CCPS offers health services to students during the school day through School Based Health Centers (SBHC). These centers, currently offered at all CCPS schools, are staffed by CCHS nurse practitioners and physicians’ assistant. Dental services are also offered at each school once a year.
Parents/legal guardians may enroll their children in these programs by completing the SBHC enrollment form found on the Caroline website.Choptank Health's School Based Centers
February is National School-Based Health Care Awareness Month, an annual effort to increase awareness about how school-based health centers (SBHCs) transform children’s access to and delivery of comprehensive health services. Every child needs healthcare to thrive and SBHCs can help them get there. Did you know that Caroline County, is the only public school system in the entire state to offer school based health center services in each of their schools?
Choptank Health’s School Based Health Centers Are OPEN and IN THE OFFICE!
Appointments can be made through the school nurse’s office by sending a note to school with your child or by calling the school based health center directly.
Common medical concerns and illnesses can be addressed during visits. Visit reasons could include:
· Well Child Checks and Sports Participation Physicals
· Medication refills
· COVID-19 symptoms/testing
· Cold and allergy symptoms
· Asthma and breathing problems
· Stomachaches
· Headaches
· Rashes and other skin complaints
· UTIs
· Minor injuries
· Other common complaints
CALLING ALL FAMILIES! Family Engagement Activities
Plea complete the activities on the February family engagement page. Don't forget to write your name, teacher, grade level on the back along with your favorite activity!
Here are the general instructions:
1. Complete 5 or more activities with at least one member of your family or household
2. Color in the completed activities
4. Complete the family activity response journal on the back of your activity page (don’t forget to have an adult sign!)
5. Turn it into your teacher by the last day of the month for a small treat
6. Calendars with 5 or more completed activities and a parent signature will be entered in a monthly drawing for a family prize!
February activity sheet was sent home with each student and is due February 28th Please let us know if your child needs a new one!
Changes to COVID Communication Protocols
Beginning this week, CCPS will now limit contact tracing notifications to siblings and household members of positive cases and students participating in school athletics. General email notifications will continue to be sent from the school when a positive case is reported, and the CCPS website dashboard will continue to be updated weekly.
CCPS continues to follow health and safety precautions as outlined in our Reopening Plan, and in consultation with the Caroline County Health Department. As always, it is vitally important to follow safety precautions and self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. If your student develops COVID-like symptoms or any symptoms of illness, please do not send them to school. Contact a doctor so that your student can be evaluated and tested immediately. Continue to notify the school if your child has tested positive or needs to quarantine due to a community exposure.
Health Department & Choptank Health COVID-19 Testing Opportunities for CCPS Students and Staff
In partnership with the Caroline County Health Department, your school-based health center will be offering screening COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic staff. There is no pre-registration required. Testing will be available at SBHCs each week on the following days and times:
Mondays
LMS 7:30 - 8am
PES 8:15 - 8:45m
RES 8:15 - 8:45am
GES 8:15 - 8:45am
Tuesdays
DES 8:15 - 8:45am
FES 8:15 - 8:45am
NCHS 7:30 - 8am
CRMS/CRHS 7:30 - 8am
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call the health department at 410-479-5880 or contact your School-Based Health Center. No on-site walk-up appointments will be accepted; appointments for CCPS staff and students only.
Learning Opportunity! EDMENTUM - EXACT PATH
We have partnered with Edmentum again this year utilizing Exact Path and their Academic Coaches to monitor, guide and support your students in closing learning gaps and increasing their growth in Math, Reading and/or Language Arts. Parents of students who were recommended for the program have received an email and phone call from Exact Path (Edmentum) Academic Coaches and are asked to complete an info session in order for your student to start using the program. You can schedule this session by emailing the Academic Coaches ExactPathTutoring@CCPS.org.
Nos hemos asociado con Edmentum nuevamente este año utilizando Exact Path y sus Entrenadores Académicos para monitorear, guiar y apoyar a nuestros estudiantes para atender y cerrar la deficiencias académicas o brechas de aprendizaje y aumentar su crecimiento académico en Matemáticas, Lectura y Artes del Lenguaje. Los padres de alumnos recomendados para el programa han recibido un correo electrónico y una llamada telefónica de los Entrenadores Académicos de Exact Path (Edmentum) y se les pide que completen una sesión de informativa para que los estudiantes puedan comenzar a utilizar el programa de Exact Path (Edmentum). Puede programar esta sesión con los Entrenadores Académicos, enviando un correo electrónico a ExactPathTutoring@CCPS.org.
Trauma/Mental Health and Fitness Tidbit
- Did you know that every 35 days, your skin replaces itself and your body makes new cells based on the foods you eat. This is why it is important to choose foods that are filled with nutrients.
- Breathing deeply can improve circulation, decrease anxiety and reduce blood pressure.
English Language Learners helpful activities
How high can your child count? Can he/she count by 2’s, 5’s, and 10’s? Get out all of your coins, place them on the table, and have your child count how many coins you have. For our older students who know the value of money, they can add up how much money they have. These activities are skills your child will need and will use daily.
Upcoming Dates of Importance
March 4: Early dismissal for students @ 1p.m.
March 4th-11th: Book fair!
March 10th: Family Engagement Night at FES (more information to come), grades 3-5 Interim reports for Q3,
March 13: Daylight Savings Begins - Spring ahead 1 hour.
March 14: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
March 17: Wear green spirit day
CCPS Calendar Changes
The 2021-2022 school year calendar has been amended as detailed below. Changes impacting student days are bolded
March 4, April 13, and May 27, 2022, have been changed to half-days for students, with April 13 and May 27, 2022, early dismissal for all staff.
For complete details of these changes, please see the news release (Board Amends 2021-22 School Year Calendar) on the CCPS website.
All school calendars can for the 2021-2022 school year be found here, at the CCPS website in English and Spanish.
Promoting a healthy and safe environment for ALL students and staff
CCPS is committed to providing a safe, respectful, nurturing educational environment where the worth and dignity of individuals are valued and their safety and rights are protected. Behaviors that compromise this environment, interfere with school operations or are otherwise contrary to the basic mission of our public schools will not be tolerated. Bullying, hazing, harassment or other discrimination affecting a student or a staff member should be reported by a victim, parent/guardian, witness, staff member or other person having knowledge.
Staff members with knowledge of such conduct are required to promptly report it to the building principal.
FES Parent Title I Information
Parents should have received a letter form school with this information as well.
Parents Right to Know
The Federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) contains several provisions that promote a parent/school partnership through communication. One such provision gives parents the right to ask for and receive information about the professional qualifications of their child’s classroom teachers. A parent may request the following information:
Any college or university degree, major or certification held by the teacher
Whether the teacher is certified by the State of Maryland to teach a particular grade level or subject area
Whether the teacher holds a conditional teaching certificate
The qualifications of the paraprofessionals serving the student
If you would like to request the professional qualifications of your child’s classroom teachers or paraprofessionals, please submit a written request to the principal. The principal will provide the information to you within 30 business days of the date of your request.
Parents may also request information on the level of achievement and academic growth of their child, if applicable and available, on each of the State academic assessments.
Parents will receive timely notice if the student has been assigned, or has been taught for four or more consecutive weeks by a teacher who does not meet applicable State certification or licensure requirements at the grade level and subject area in which the teacher has been assigned.
Parents May Request Teacher Information
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015 provides parents of students attending Title 1 schools the opportunity to request information about the professional qualifications of their child's teachers. Parents of elementary students may request in writing to the school principal information about their child's teacher including college/university degrees of certification held, subject area of the teacher's degree or certification, and Maryland certification status. Additionally, if your child is served by paraprofessionals, parents may request their professional qualifications.
Parent Information Resource Center
Parents are encouraged to visit our Parent Information Resource Center (PIRC) located in the lobby outside of the front office. The PIRC has a variety of parenting resources and informational brochures and flyers. These materials are all free. Parents can find booklets from The Parent Institute on topics such as “Seven Habits of Highly Responsible Students; Help Your Child Balance School and Extracurricular Activities, and Helping Children Learn to Resolve Conflicts.” Parents can also find information about Adult Education, GED English as a Second Language, Parenting skills, and the Program and Activities Guide from Caroline County Recreation and Parks. Please be sure to check out our Parent Information Resource Center next time you come to the school.
If you have any questions please reach out to me via email (alfaro.lisa@ccpsstaff.org) or by calling the school directly. Please check out our website and facebook page for information.
Non Discrimination Statement
FES is a Title I School
The FES Family will promote our S.O.A.R. core values by engaging in a supportive and collaborative learning community that nurtures and builds a foundation for lifelong success. To SOAR means to Stay safe and ready, Own our responsibilities, Achieve our goals, and Respect self and others.
Federalsburg Elementary School
Principal: Lisa Alfaro
Assistant Principal: Briana Walker
Email: alfaro.lisa@ccpsstaff.org
Website: http://federalsburges.org
Location: 302 S University Ave, Federalsburg, MD, USA
Phone: 410-479-2761
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FederaslsburgFalcons