FES Parent News
3.13.22
Together We SOAR
FES Updates
REMINDER: There is NO SCHOOL for students on Monday, March 14th due to teacher professional development.
Thank you for coming out to our Family Engagement Math & Reading Night! It was great to see families back in school!
- 64 students attended
- 47 Families
Some of the feedback from the family survey:
- It was fun!
- Me and my children are happy.
- Awesome!
- Would like all activities to be in classrooms.
- More activities for PreK and K and hands on activities for K.
- Would love to see more games- very fun!
- Thank you for doing this!
- It was amazing! Good job!
- More hands on activities for all age groups.
- Thanks!
Interim Report Cards to be Issued in Printed and Digital Formats
This year, 3rd quarter interim report cards will be delivered to parents in two ways:
Printed paper report card given to students to take home and
Digital report card delivered via email. (The parent/guardian that is listed as a student’s first contact in PowerSchool will receive the email.)
Both delivery methods will continue with the interim and final report cards for the reminder of the school year. For the 2022-2023 school year, we hope to be able to offer parents the ability to opt-out of a printed paper copy.
Families needing to update their contact information in PowerSchool may do so on the CCPS website.
Comfortable Cafeteria is coming soon!
The Comfortable Cafeteria is one of several model programs developed as a part of the Every Moment Counts. The focus is on embedding strategies to help all children and youth participate and enjoy eating lunch and socializing with friends and adults.
Time spent in the cafeteria is an important part of the school day for students to enjoy their meal, take a break from classroom work and enjoy conversations with friends. When the cafeteria environment is pleasant, students eat more of their lunch, do better in their academic work, have fewer behavioral problems, and feel more connected to their school.
The purpose of this program is to create a positive cafeteria environment by providing the cafeteria staff and students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and resources needed to sustain a comfortable cafeteria throughout the school year.
Download and share a copy of the Comfortable Cafeteria Information Brief.
Refresh Recess is coming soon!
Refreshing Recess is one of several model programs developed as a part of the Every Moment Counts. The focus is on embedding strategies to help all children and youth participate in and enjoy playing and socializing with friends and adults.
Time spent during recess is an important part of the school day for all students to take a break from classroom work, engage in active play, make friends, and have fun. When the recess environment promotes enjoyable participation, students return to their classrooms ready to learn, have fewer behavioral problems, and feel more connected to their school.
The purpose of this 6-week program is to create a positive experience for all students (with and without disabilities) by providing the recess supervisors and students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and resources needed to sustain a positive recess environment. Specifically, Refreshing Recess was designed to support school personnel during recess and to give them strategies for fostering play and friendships, resolving conflicts, and promoting positive behavior.
Download and share a copy of the Refreshing Recess Information Brief.
BASE Lessons
- First grade: Emotions
- Second grade: Anger
- Third grade: Boundaries
- Fourth grade: Who am I?
- Fifth grade: Worries
Community Conversation
Join Us! The Human Services Council is sponsoring a Community Conversation. Be a part of building a community plan that creates opportunities for Caroline students & families.
Opportunities on March 16, 6-7:30 at the Federalsburg Town Council Building,
March 22, 1-2:30 virtually, or March 22, 6-7:30 at the Greensboro Town Council Meeting Room.
Reserve your seat today by registering at bit.ly/2022CCCI
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
COVID-19 Testing Availability
The COVID-19 screening testing program through 20/20 GeneSystems has been discontinued at this time. Should the need arise to resume this program in the future, sign up information will be shared with staff and families.
For information about testing and vaccine availability in Caroline County, please visit the Caroline COVID-19 website.
Lost and Found items
Choptank Health's School Based Centers
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 March 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 March 31st Please let us know if your child needs a new one!
After School Online Tutoring Available for Students
Caroline County Public Schools partners with an online provider to offer after school tutoring to students. Students receive tutoring in Math, Reading and Language Arts using an online program called Exact Path, which is offered through Edmentum.
Trauma/Mental Health and Fitness Tidbit
Click to see 5 incredibly fun games to teach self-regulation (self-control) Social Emotional Learning.
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.
SAVE THE DATE
Upcoming Dates of Importance
March 13: Daylight Savings Begins - Spring ahead 1 hour.
March 14: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
March 15: MISA for 5th grade
March !6: MISA for 5th grade
March 17: Wear green spirit day
March 29: Spring picture day
CCPS Calendar Changes
The 2021-2022 school year calendar has been amended as detailed below. Changes impacting student days are bolded
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