VES Eagle Express Newletter
May 1, 2020 - Volume 13, Issue #34
- May 1, 2020-
National Principal's Day!
The VES Staff would like to say Thank You for all your hard work and dedication to our school!
Veterans Elementary
The building is closed due to the State Superintendent's decision regarding the COVID-19 virus. We can still be reached by contacting our principal at robert_bruce@hcpss.org
Email: robert_bruce@hcpss.org
Website: ves.hcpss.org
Location: 4355 Montgomery Road, Ellicott City, MD, USA
Phone: 443-864-6808
FOOD SERVICE: HCPSS Grab-N-Go Meal Information Link
DISTANCE LEARNING: Continuity of Learning Resources - Information Link
DEVICES: Details on technology requirements, requesting student or staff technology, support...
FAQS: Answers to frequently asked questions
SPECIAL EDUCATION: Continuity of Learning
COVID-19: Coronavirus COVID-19 - Information Link
Mr. Bruce and Spirit say Hello!
From the Principal
My teaching staff has been working hard to get the hang of distance learning. They have been collaborating and planning for these days of instruction from their homes. I am deeply appreciative of everything they have done to prepare online learning for our students. This coming week is Teacher Appreciation Week, normally we would recognize our teachers this week. Our PTA has always recognized the staff while at school, this year that is difficult to do. As a parent or family, you can recognize their efforts with a note of thanks or recognition. Please send an email to a teacher you wish to recognize. Teachers appreciate these notes of thanks and appreciation.
Join me in thanking them for their efforts.
Important Calendar Dates:
27 - 4th Quarter Begins
MAY
1 - National Principal's Day
4 thru 8 Staff Appreciation Week
5 - Report Cards will be viewable in your HCPSS Connect Login
May is Mental Health Awareness month
Hello VES families!
May is Mental Health Awareness month! Please consider joining us in completing the
A Message from the VES Student Services Team
Hello VES!
May is Mental Health Awareness month! Please consider joining us in completing the VES 31 Day Mental Health Awareness Challenge.
We hope you’ve been doing well and look forward to reconnecting with you!
VES School Counselors are available for virtual student check-ins by appointment daily from 9:30am - 11:30am and from 12:00pm - 1:00pm. Please email us at the addresses below to request an appointment with us.
Julie Wentz (Grades 1, 2, 3, & 5) - julie_wentz@hcpss.org
Jessica Wilson (Grades K & 4) - jessica_wilson@hcpss.org
Tabitha Brown (Counseling Intern) - tabitha_brown_intern@hcpss.org
*please note that Mrs. Wentz will be joining Ms. Brown’s chats.
School Psychologists are also available during the times listed below:
Ms. Moniodis (School Psychologist RECC and I&T): Monday - Friday 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Ms. Boyars (School Psychologist Intern RECC): Monday - Friday 1:00pm- 2:00pm
Dr. Burkhouse (School Psychologist K-5) and Ms. Gosnell (School Psychologist Intern K-5): Monday - Friday 1:00pm - 2:00pm for staff, student, and parent appointments.
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.
It’s Staff Appreciation Week!
My teaching staff has been working hard to get the hang of distance learning. They have been collaborating and planning for these days of instruction from their homes. I am deeply appreciative of everything they have done to prepare online learning for our students. This coming week is Teacher Appreciation Week, normally we would recognize our teachers this week. Our PTA has always recognized the staff while at school, this year that is difficult to do. As a parent or family, you can recognize their efforts with a note of thanks or recognition. Please send an email to a teacher you wish to recognize. Teachers appreciate these notes of thanks and appreciation.
Join me in thanking them for their efforts.
Report Cards for 3rd Quarter:
3rd Quarter Report Cards will be posted online on May 5, 2020. Report Cards will be viewable in your HCPSS Connect Login.
Grading for 4th Quarter:
The last grading period began on Monday April 27, 2020. Teachers are encouraging student participation in virtual learning. The elementary grading guidelines for the fourth quarter are listed below:
Language Arts and Mathematics
For mathematics, students will be graded as P for passing if they complete 263 minutes of Dreambox in Quarter 4. For language arts, students will be graded as “P” for passing if they complete 263 minutes of Lexia Core 5 in Quarter 4. This is 50% of 75 minutes of Dreambox or Lexia for the weeks of April 27th - June 8th (7 weeks). Seventy-five minutes was selected as the marker for Pass because it reflects the messages shared about students working 15 minutes per day. Teachers should indicate Pass or Incomplete based on the cumulative number of minutes for the quarter. Teachers will still review LexiaCore or Dreambox to monitor student progress.
Science, Social Studies, and Health
Related Arts
Summary
If you have any questions regarding these guidelines, please contact Mr. Bruce.
Retention and Acceleration:
Parents who wish their child to be considered for retention or acceleration should carefully consider their request and then submit a letter via email to the school principal by May 15th. At that time, Mr. Bruce will schedule virtual or in-person meetings depending on whether schools are reopened. Meetings shall occur before May 30th this year. If you have already sent a letter to Mr. Bruce, you do not need to do an additional letter. Please note that parents should use the academic work completed prior to March 13th to determine if this is a consideration you would like to request for your child.
worth repeating...
Google Classroom Sessions
We are excited about beginning Google Check In sessions. Please make sure your child signs into their sessions through their teacher's Canvas page. Teachers have been advised not to allow anyone to enter the Check In Session from a private email address, this is for everyone's safety and security. My expectation is that students will be on their best behavior during screen time with their classmates and teacher(s). Please be advised that if any student does anything inappropriate during a class session, then the teacher may eliminate the student from instruction. Further violations will result in a phone call to parents from an administrator.
We are hopeful that everyone will take advantage of this learning time.
A Word About Attendance:
Beginning Monday April 27th, staff will take student attendance via student participation in Virtual Check-Ins, Work in Dreambox, or work in Lexia.
Elementary school students are expected to participate in three different measurable types of Continuity of Learning activities every week: virtual check-ins, work in Dreambox, and work in Lexia. Students should also engage in activities posted in Canvas. Each of the following activities will earn students a point (1 pt):
- Participate in virtual check-in with teacher through hcpss.me
- Engages in Dreambox
- Engages in Lexia
Every student who earns at least one point during the week (participates in one of the above three activities), will be marked “Present” for the entire week. Any student who does not earn at least one point during the week (participate in none of the above activities), will be marked “Absent” for the entire week.
Students who do not meet these criteria will not receive credit for attendance. The Maryland Department of Education has approved these measures of attendance for distance learning in Howard County. Of course we want students to complete every assignment given on their teacher's Canvas page and to check in with the teacher weekly.
Veterans Yearbook
Great News from Mrs. Webb - There will still be a Veterans yearbook this year.
Place your order by going to the following link:
https://www.treering.com/validate?PassCode=1015071348503280
This will get you to the Veterans page. You will need to create an account if you do not already have one, but it opens to the page where you can login with an existing account or sign up.Then feel free to order your yearbook.
Families Who Need to Request Device:
Student Technology Request: To better enforce social distancing and safeguard the health of staff, students, and families, HCPSS will be shipping all technology devices through FedEx directly to the students who need them. All HCPSS students, grades K-12 who requested a device will receive one.
The following steps will be followed:
1. Parent logs into HCPSS Connect (https://www.hcpss.org/connect/)
2. From the left menu, last choice, click on “Student Technology”, then choose “Student Technology” near the top center of the screen
3. On the HCPSS Student Technology screen, use the drop down arrows to indicate the Technology Requested for each student. Changes are saved immediately.
4. If a device has already been issued, it will appear in the inventory list.
5. The request list will be synced with the distribution team by 8:00 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and devices will be shipped shortly thereafter. If a student already has a device issued, the request will not be processed.
Message from Strings Program:
Hi everyone,
Hope this email finds you well! Thank you so much for your patience during this time; I know many students are eager to get back to playing their instruments. I would like to give you the latest updates regarding strings for the foreseeable future.
Lessons
Strings instruction will continue in our new distance learning environment. Every strings student is currently enrolled in a strings Canvas course, and will be able to access strings instruction directly from that page.
Every Monday at 9am beginning April 27th, new videos will be posted on our Canvas page every week with activities I have created and personalized for students. These are not graded nor is anything being collected. Any participation is completely voluntary but highly encouraged.
At this time, I will not be able to host Google meet sessions with students. If this changes, I will be sure to update you.
Concert
Due to the extended school closure, our April 30th concert has been postponed. Until we are able to return to school, we are unable to provide a new date for the concert at this time. Thank you for your understanding.
Tuning/Repairs
Students’ instruments at this point are most likely out of tune and may need attention. I will be sending instruction on "how to tune" in videos coming out on May 4th.
- 5th grade advanced students may continue to tune their instruments themselves, as I have taught them how to do so and have supervised their tuning during previous classes.
- 4th grade advanced students and 5th grade beginner students after watching my videos coming out on May 4th may attempt to tune their own instruments. I would suggest that adults may want to oversee this process.
- All 3rd grade students and 4th grade beginners will require adult supervision to tune their instruments. I would suggest students work together with an adult at home, but that ultimately the adult is handling the tuning of the instrument.
Please note that string repair shops are not open at this time and that I will not be able to personally repair any damaged instruments. If anything breaks or if students report that “something doesn’t look/sound right”, please let me know and I will provide guidance on how to make the instrument playable. I’m happy to answer any and all tuning/repair questions!
I truly hope everyone is safe and healthy during this uncertain time. Please let students know that I sincerely miss them and hope we can get back to music-making together soon.
Best,
Catina McLagan
Veterans Elementary School Strings Director
School Supplies
Limited quantities of pens, pencils and notebooks will be available at the Hammond, Long Reach and Oakland Mills high school Technology Distribution sites, which students/families may pick up if supplies are needed for continuity of learning at home. Prepare for Success has donated its inventory of school supplies, which will soon be available at meal distribution sites. Please stay tuned as we gather this inventory this week and prepare for a wider distribution beginning next week.
2020-21 School Enrollment
Registration of all new students for next school year Grades PK - Grade 5, should be started online. Please use the following link:
Message from the Media Center
Do you have VES Media Books that are currently checked out that are with you at home?
Please take good care of the books and return them to VES as soon as school reopens.
Thank You!
community news
COMCAST Internet
2020 Census
Several HCPSS programs rely on funding based on accurate census information. For this and several other reasons, all families are encouraged to participate in the 2020 census, which may be completed online. Learn more.