OMES News
Owings Mills Elementary - A Community School -
FEBRUARY 2024 LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE!
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Important Dates to Remember
February:
5 (M) 2024 BCPS Climate Survey - Starts February 5 - Ends March 8. TAKE THE SURVEY NOW!
5 (M) Report Cards Distributed
- 6 (T). Virtual Listening and Conversation session from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Join with the link:
9 (F) Systemwide Professional Development Day – Schools Closed for Students – Teachers on Duty – Lunar New Year Observed*
19 (M) Presidents’ Day, Washington’s Birthday - Schools and Offices Closed
28 (W) Food Distribution at OMES
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
February is Black History Month, a time to reflect on and honor the significant contributions that African Americans have made to our country's history and culture. This year's theme, "African Americans and the Arts," highlights the many ways in which Black Americans have influenced and enriched the world of visual arts, music, cultural movements, and beyond.
If you're interested in celebrating Black History Month at BCPS, be sure to check out the opportunities available by clicking on the picture. There are a wide range of events and activities to participate in, and it's a great way to learn more about this important cultural observance.
Look how we are celebrating BHM at our school, Owings Mills Elementary.
At our school, we commemorate Black History Month by delving into the lives of significant African Americans and their impactful contributions to our shared history. We celebrate their legacies by doing research about them, sharing their contributions and lives in our morning announcements, and decorating our school doors, fostering an environment where everyone can learn from each other's knowledge and experiences.
2024 BCPS Climate Survey - Starts February 5 - Ends March 8
Your voice is important to us! The 2024 BCPS Climate Survey is available at HERE from February 5 through March 8, takes five minutes or less, is anonymous, and is available in 20 languages for students, parents/caregivers, and community members. The survey can be taken from anywhere using a phone, tablet, or computer. Students, parents/caregivers, and staff will be given opportunities to take the survey at school. If you are a BCPS parent/caregiver and employee, or if you have children in more than one school, you are encouraged to take the survey more than once to reflect these experiences.
Click HERE for 20 different languages.
Virtue of the Month
The February's virtue of the month is:
Inclusion is the act of including; state of being included -Made a part of something or a group no matter a person’s background or identity.
At OMES our differences are what make us special and should be celebrated. It's important that we all feel included and valued. Together, we create a wonderful community!
Look at Our Student Ambassadors for February
Serenity Robinson from Ms. McCallister’s 1st grade class
Luis Salazar from Ms. Clark’s 4th grade class
Luis demonstrates inclusion every day, he is always caring for others making sure that everyone feels included in our class family. He offers words of encouragement to students when they are feeling sad and will go over to help or sometimes just give them a hug. He always makes sure everyone is happy with a smile on his and their face.
How to View Your Student’s Report Card
Check the FOCUS portal for your student's grades. Once you are logged into the FOCUS parent portal, select the reports tab and then select the report card for the corresponding quarter.
From the Community School Corner
Virtual Listening Sessions For February!
Dear OMES Family,
Join us VIRTUALLY for a special community school listening sessions!
We highly value your voice and want to hear more about the needs of our community. This listening session provide an opportunity for you to share thoughts and ideas that play a crucial role in shaping the future of our Community School Strategy.
We will offer a the virtual session on February 6th at 6:00 PM, we will meet with the Google Meet link below. Just add the link below on your google search.
https://meet.google.com/skh-mevw-zgy
Your input is invaluable. Let's work together for a better future for our school and community. We can't wait to "see you" there!
OMES “The Football Attendance Initiative”
Which Class Will Advance More Yards at the End of the Week???
We will continue our Football Attendance Incentive until Friday, February 9th!
Send your student to school every day to help your class earn yards! Classes with 100% attendance will earn 10 yards. Classes with 94% attendance will earn 5 yards. The class with the most yards at the end of the week will earn EXTRA RECESS the following Monday. Students can check their class’s progress on the scoreboard in the cafeteria!
The football attendance incentive has had a great impact in getting students to see the importance of showing up regularly. It's encouraged more students to attend school consistently, knowing they can earn rewards through their attendance the followings week. This initiative has effectively drawn attention to the significance of regular attendance by linking it to something exciting like the football season.
Let's continue to have fun. Be sure to send your student to school EVERY DAY and ON TIME!
Attendance matters so much in elementary years!
Regular attendance in the early years of schooling is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, consistent attendance lays down a strong foundation for academic success by ensuring that children do not miss out on key learning experiences. Daily interaction with teachers and peers promotes social and emotional development, helping children build essential skills like communication and collaboration. Additionally, being present every day establishes positive routines and habits that carry over into later years, fostering a lifelong commitment to education. Overall, regular attendance in early years sets the stage for future academic achievement and personal growth.
Monthly Parent Curriculum Newsletters
Language Arts and Mathematics
Language Arts:
Greetings parents! Please view the English Language Arts parent letters for the current month. We will soon move into a new reading module/unit. Students are working on building background knowledge and vocabulary related to the module's theme. The suggested ways for parents to support their children include checking out relevant books from the local library, finding child-friendly videos, and sharing their own knowledge about the topics. The goal is to enhance students' understanding of the theme and improve their engagement with the reading lessons. Have a great time exploring, reading and connecting with your child!
Click here for February Family Letters for Reading!
Mathematics:
In Mathematics, most grade levels are still hard at work on Unit 5! Families can continue to use the resources for Unit 5 to support students at home as they work through place value, operations, fractions, measurement, and word problems. Students can also continue to practice their basic facts at home. Ask your child if they know their multiplication songs and can sing them to you!
BCPS Parent University - Upcoming Parent University Events
BCPS Mobile ESOL Welcome Center
From the Nurse Corner -
Hearing and Vision Screening & Dental Health
Hearing and Vision Screening Letters
Last month, letters were sent home with those students in PK, Kindergarten, 1st and 4th grades that had hearing and/or vision concerns when screened by the health department. The letter indicated to follow-up with your child's health care provider or eye professional. Please return the completed form or contact the school nurse to update on the doctor's evaluation. Ms. Rosenfeld can be reached at Lrosenfeld@bcps.org or 443-809-1607.
Dental Health
The American Dental Association proclaims February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. Daily care of your teeth and gums is important for keeping teeth healthy and preventing tooth decay. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states poor oral health can affect school attendance. They provide the following tips for parents:
· Brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
· Help your child brush their teeth until they have good brushing skills. If your child is younger than 6, watch them brush. Make sure they use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and always spit it out rather than swallow.
· Ask your child’s dentist to apply dental sealants when appropriate.
· Drink tap water that contains fluoride.
More information can be found at Children's Oral Health | Basics | Children's Oral Health | Division of Oral Health | CDC
From the Physical Education Corner -
Tumbling/Gymnastics Unit Starting Feb 12th 2024
Students in grades K-5 will be participating in a Tumbling/Gymnastics Unit starting Feb 12,2024. Students will need to wear tennis shoes/sneakers to participate safely in this unit.
Girls: Please wear shorts under a skirt or dress and please leave bracelets in the classroom.
Please tie long hair back with a ponytail holder.
Please do not wear hoop earrings, post earrings are safe to wear.
All students please do not wear large necklaces to the gym during this unit.
All students please wear comfortable clothing for this unit.
The students are very excited for this unit!! Thank you for your support of the Physical Education Program!!
Food Distribution at OMES
February:
The distribution of food at the OMES school will be on:
February 28 (W) Food Distribution at OMES from 4:15PM to 5:00PM
Community Resources
BCPS BusWhere Locator App for Families
BCPS is pleased to announce the countywide implementation of BusWhere, a location-tracking software that allows subscribers to see bus locations in real time on a mobile phone or computer. Via the BusWhere app, subscribers may receive notifications as the bus approaches a designated bus stop or if there are significant delays.
BCPS families can expect to receive an email invitation from BusWhere to create an account the week of October 1, 2023. Watch this informational video to learn more about BusWhere!
For more information, please get in touch with the BCPS Office of Transportation at 443-809-4321.
Baltimore County Public Schools
Community Support Hotlines
- Baltimore County DSS: 410-887-TIME(8463)
- Baltimore County Crisis Response: 410-931-2214
- United Way: 211 https://211md.org/
- Crisis text line: Text the word "HOME" to 741741 for free 24-hour support
- Crisis Clinic at Sheppard Pratt: https://www.sheppardpratt.org/care-finder/virtual-crisis-walk-in-clinic
- Maryland Food Bank: 410-737-8282
- Maryland Suicide and Crisis Hotline: 1.800.422.0009
- Mental Health Support: 988
- Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Call and Text: 988
- Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat: 988lifeline.org/chat
- The Trevor Project: 1.866.488.7386 or text START to 678678
Contact us
To opt-in to text messages, text the word “Yes” to 67587
Our office hours: 8:45 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Website: https://owingsmillses.bcps.org/
Location: 10824 Reisterstown Road, Owings Mills, MD, USA
Phone: 443-809-1710
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063797192689
Twitter: @OwingsMillsES