Shipley's Choice Elementary School
Family Newsletter
Dr. Burke's Message
Reading Resolution, Part 2
Last month, I challenged families to make reading a priority New Year's Resolution. I included a chart that shows the impact of reading just twenty minutes a day. I offered a couple of ideas to encourage reading. A few parents had questions about how they can sustain this with their reluctant reader.
Let interest be the guide. In school, we often use an instructional level to guide which books students should read. At home, the goal should be enjoyment. You would be amazed at how hard a student will work to read a book that is on a high-interest topic. A child who loves snakes can often read and comprehend books well beyond their instructional level because of that interest. Once we hook children into reading about a particular topic, we can build on that interest and expand on it.
Good readers reread the same texts. To build skills in any area, repetitive practice is key. This also applies to reading. Good readers get that way by reading and rereading familiar books to the point of automaticity. Remember reading Goodnight, Moon so many times you could read it with your eyes shut? You were teaching your child about the connections between words and pictures, vocabulary, story structure, fluency, and more. Rereading familiar texts builds confidence, sight vocabulary, and fluency. If your child doesn't want to simply reread, suggest s/he read to your pet or a younger sibling. Another idea is for them to use the recorder app on a phone and record their reading.
Boost comprehension through discussing movies and TV. Have you heard from your child's teacher that s/he is struggling with comprehending? Have you noticed that your child can name all the words in the books, but can't answer questions about the book? Try building comprehension skills by talking about a movie or TV show you just saw. Ask your child to summarize what happened. Who were the characters? What was the problem? How was the problem solved? This teaches children not to be passive absorbers of media but also is a connection to comprehending texts.
Read Across America Day.
Join in the fun as we celebrate
Read Across America Day!
Spirit Days
Mon., March 2 –The Cat in the Hat – Wear red and white or dress up as a
Dr. Seuss character!
Tues., March 3 – Dr. Seuss’ Sleep Book – Wear pajamas!
Wed., March 4 – Wacky Wednesday – Wear mismatched clothes!
Thurs., March 5 – 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins – Wear a crazy hat!
Fri., March 6 –Oh, the Places You’ll Go! – Wear a college or career shirt!
For the latest information about Shipley’s Choice, bookmark the school website (www.shipleyschoiceschool.org), which houses lots of information about the school, including the Family Handbook, schedules, a school-wide calendar, and more. Also, our school frequently shares pictures and video clips of amazing things that are happening each day at school on Twitter. Follow us to check it out: @ShipChoiceAACPS.
Where are the chromebooks?
We have increased the numbers of chromebooks in the school significantly over the past five years, but we still do not have enough for 1:1 devices (one device for each student). Over the past five years, we have gradually increased numbers to allow each grade level to have a cart with at least a class set. Currently, there is a total of 236 devices in the building. Luckily, the devices are part of the AACPS technology refresh program and are now replaced every few years so we do not have to worry about replacing devices.
The chart shows the breakdown of where all the chromebooks are. There are more in intermediate grades because they have more writing and more computer-based assessments. All state assessments are completed on chromebooks or computers. On a day to day basis, students must share the devices across the grade level and may only have 10-15 minutes to use them in a particular class.
What do students do with chromebooks? Take assessments in all subject areas, complete final drafts of writing, typing practice, participate in discussions in Google Classroom, prepare presentations in PowerPoint or Google Slides, research, read, First In Math, watch videos to gather information, coding computers, complete exit tickets, AND SO MUCH MORE! Ask your child what s/he did on a Chromebook today!
As we move forward, we will continue to add to our chromebook numbers and carts. For every 32 devices, we must have a charging cart that costs about $1,000. Eventually, the best scenario is that each classroom teacher has a cart with enough chromebooks for the class.
We are continuing toward 1:1! We thank PTA and all for your continued efforts to support our technology!
Cell Phones at School
Please talk to your children to remind them that any Personal Communication Devices they have at school may not be used during the entire school day. This includes cell phones or watches. Students may not use devices to make phone calls, text, email, or access the internet at any time while at school. Students may never use their devices to record or photograph at any time during the school day.
AACPS policy allows elementary schools to determine rules for the use of Personal Communication Devices within their schools, on their school’s property, and while students are attending that school’s sponsored activities during regular school hours. In elementary schools, use of cell phones can be very disruptive to the students' day.
Anne Arundel County Public Schools is not responsible for the loss, theft, damage, misuse, unauthorized use, destruction, or data fees of any Personal Electronic Communication Devices brought to school by a student.
March Events
2-6 Read Across America Day!
8 Daylight savings begins
9 Interims go home.
10 School closed for Parent/ Teacher conferences
19 First day of Spring
24 2 hour early dismissal
Class Parties
Change in Dismissal
Don't forget these if you need to change your child's dismissal arrangements!
- Send a note when changing dismissal arrangements. This includes a different person picking up your child, even if the person is on the emergency card!
- To make a change during the student day, call by 2:30 PM and follow up with an email. (The call ensures we get the message and the email puts it in writing for liability purposes.)
Car Loop
Thank you to all who follow these guidelines to ensure that the cars move along! To make the car loop move quickly and safely, please follow these guidelines:
- Pull up as far as you can.
- Stay in your car!
- Do not leave your car unattended or running in the car loop!
- Wait until all students have been lined up--don't pull them out of line before they get to the car loop.
Dogs on School Property
You may have noticed this sign on school property. We love dogs, but many, many students have allergies or strong fear/anxiety from dogs. Please do not bring dogs on school property.
Please note that laws in Anne Arundel County require that dogs be leashed in public and owners must clean up after their dogs.
Students may not be unattended on school property before 8:45 AM!
Arrival & Dismissal
Thank you for your help in keeping our students safe during arrival and dismissal!
ARRIVAL
- The doors open at 8:45 AM and instruction begins for students at 9:00 AM.
- Students may not arrive before 8:45AM. There is no supervision prior to that time.
- Only bus riders enter through the lobby.
- All other students enter through the doors by the kindergarten entrance.
- Walkers assemble on the blacktop behind school and enter when directed by the teacher on duty.
- Car riders exit their cars and may enter the building directly.
DISMISSAL
- Keep dismissal changes to a minimum. They are confusing!
- Students who are walkers must leave school property at dismissal. Do not arrange to meet your child anywhere on school property except the WALKER door.
- We STRONGLY DISCOURAGE meeting your children at an off-school location, like a path to a neighborhood. If you are delayed, your child will not know and no one at school will know that they possibly needs assistance.
- Students may never walk in the parking lot alone. Do not tell your child to meet you in the parking lot.
- Pick students up in the designated location. If you are walking, the pick up is on the blacktop at the back of the school, not near the car loop.
Online Payments
My Payments Plus
Bring IDs!
Confidentiality
School Information
School Website: ShipleysChoiceSchool.org
Twitter: @ShipChoiceAACPS
Blackboard Connect: phone calls, emails, & text messages
Google Sites: grade or teacher-created Google Sites linked on school website
Note that Facebook or Instagram are not official communication tools of Shipley's Choice Elementary School. If you find information on these sites, please verify on the school website or by calling the office.
Video & Security
Shipley's Choice Elementary is equipped with a video camera system. It covers selected interior and exterior public portions of the building and grounds. lt is NOT monitored constantly, but it is monitored during emergency situations. During certain events, when the safety or security of students may be in question, authorized personnel from local, state, or federal police or fire emergency units may be given access to view images projected on the camera system. lf you have any questions, you should call the Supervisor of School Security at 4tO-222-5083.
Volunteer Information
In addition, volunteers must have either a Background Check or Fingerprinting. Visit https://www.aacps.org/Page/2179 for more details.
While volunteering at school, remember that all information that you observe during school is confidential. This includes information about students, teachers, and school.
Yearbook
Please continue to upload pictures for the yearbook: https://shipleyschoiceyearbook.smugmug.com. Password is shipleys
Silver Knights
Winter/Spring Chess begins February 4th. Register here. Winter Robotics and Coding are underway. Email Holly Willis if you have any questions or concerns.
Retail Rewards
Thank you for supporting our school’s fundraisers this year so far. Every little bit helps!
Our next Ledo’s fundraiser is on February 18, 2020 at the Millersville location. Fundraiser runs all day and includes both dine-in and carry-out orders.
Please remember our school’s Amazon link. When you use the Shipley’s Amazon link, we earn cash. Just bookmark it to use anytime you shop at Amazon. We don’t see your purchases, only the total amounts earned each month. Please visit: Smile.Amazon.Com and select “Shipley’s Choice Elementary School PTA” as your charity of choice.
Please contact shipleyschoiceretailrewards@gmail.com with any questions.
Adult Social/Silent Auction: Shipley’s Speakeasy Tickets on Sale Now
Please visit our Auction page on the PTA Website and “Like” the Shipley’s Speakeasy Facebook page for more details and updates.
Silent Auction Basket Donations Needed
We are in need of swanky stuff for the basket raffle for the Shipley's Swanky Soiree on March 14th. Sign up to donate to one of our themed baskets and drop off in the spiffy bin located near the school office. Thank you very much! More information can be found on the Soiree donation page.
PTA Website
The SCES PTA Website is our primary source of communication. Join the PTA for full access and visit often to stay informed!
Did you know Membership Toolkit has a new app with fantastic features, such as access to Calendars, Parent Directory, Messages and more. It’s available in both the Apple Store and Google Play.
Have website questions? Contact Us at scesptaweb@gmail.com.
Helpful Information
Lonergan's Bus Service
- 410-923-4185
Transportation Office
- 410-222-2910
Crossing Guards
- 410-222-6866
Health Room
Patty Bellotte, Nurse
Rachael Penner, Health Asst.
- 410-222-3809
Board of Education
- 410-222-5000
Shipley's Choice Elementary School
Student Hours 9:00 AM-3:25 PM
Doors open 8:45 AM
To contact your child's teacher, find their email address on our website: http://shipleyschoiceschool.org/facultystaff/
Email: admin@shipleyschoiceschool.org
Website: ShipleysChoiceSchool.org
Location: 310 Governor Stone Parkway, Millersville, MD, USA
Phone: 410-222-3851
Twitter: @ShipChoiceAACPS