Veterans Elementary Eagle Express
December 12, 2019 - Volume 13, Issue 14
Soar to Excellence!
School Mission
Veterans Elementary School promotes life-long learning by embracing its diversity, providing students with dynamic classroom experiences and exposing them to the cultural arts in a climate that is rigorous, safe, nurturing and respectful.
Veterans Elementary School
Amy Green, Assistant Principal
Derek Lewis, Administrator
School Start and Dismissal Times: 9:25 a.m. - 3:55 p.m.
Email: robert_bruce@hcpss.org
Website: ves.hcpss.org
Location: 4355 Montgomery Road, Ellicott City, MD, USA
Phone: 410-313-1700
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Last week the Maryland State Department of Education released the 2019 ESSA Report Cards for all schools in Maryland. Last year, Veterans Elementary scored a “5 out of 5 Stars”. Our score was just over the 75 points needed to score a 5. This year, Veterans Elementary School scored 74.5 % and is just under last year’s rating and we scored 4 out 5 stars. While our academic data showed slight improvement over last year, this year the State of Maryland added in the results of our Climate Survey Data which was not included in last year’s report. The score on the Climate Data comes in two parts. All fifth graders from last year took the survey and our school scored 5.6 out of 7 possible points. The staff also took the survey and our school scored 2 out of 3 points.
All of the data combined resulted in a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. The school is in the process of reviewing the data for possible program adjustments. We value the work of our students and staff and we want our school to reflect the 5 Star efforts that we know we are capable of receiving. Keeping students focused on their academic efforts is a number one priority. As we wrap up 2019, this is a great time to focus our children & staff on meaningful goals as we head into 2020.
Important Upcoming Dates and Events
DECEMBER
12 - PTA Holiday Shop: Gym, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- 13 - Q2 Interim Reports Issued
- 16 - SPIRIT DAY: WackyTacky Day
- 17 - SPIRIT DAY: Twin Day
- 17 - Winter Band Concert: Cafeteria, 7:00 p.m.
- 18 - SPIRIT DAY: Hat and Scarf Day
- 18 - Winter Strings Concert: Cafeteria, 7:00 p.m.
- 19 - SPIRIT DAY: Sport Theme Day
- 20 - SPIRIT DAY: Pajama Day
- 23 - Schools and Offices Closed: Winter Break Dec. 23 thru Dec. 31
JANUARY
- 1 - Schools and Offices Closed: New Year's Day 2020
- 2 - Schools and Offices Resume
2019-20 HCPSS Calendar - Monthly Format
Click to download and print the HCPSS calendar in a monthly format. The calendar will no longer be distributed in first day folders. The 2019-2020 School Calendar is available to be printed online: https://www.hcpss.org/calendar/
CURRENT EVENTS
Please go to UNO’s and help out VES!
AFTERSCHOOL SPONSORED ACTIVITIES
RETRO VIDEO GAME NIGHT...Kid's Nights Out! Friday, Dec 13
Register NOW for Kid's Night Out! hosted by our business partner, The Okinawan Karate Dojo.
Retro Video Game Night on Dec 13th, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. will be a night of fun, old-school video games! Leave yours at home! The dojo will have plenty of gaming stations and consoles (Nintendo Classic, SNES Classics, Nintendo 64, XBox 360, Nintendo Wii, etc.)! Prizes and Contests for individual and team high scores! For Questions or Registration into either/both events, visit www.okdkarate.com and click on "Camps and PNOs", or call 443 574 8999. Ages 6-13.
PTA HOLIDAY SHOP - Thursday, December 12
The Holiday Shop helps your child learn how to:
• Be an independent shopper.
• Stay within a budget.
• Purchase gifts that others would like – not just a gift they like.
• Handle cash and pay a cashier in a safe environment.
HOLIDAY SHOP - HELP NEEDED
Please help us by volunteering some time to make sure this event runs smoothly: https://signup.com/go/hmrHDsd
Thank you!! Without you this could not be possible!
PTA CHAIRPERSONS NEEDED - Please consider donating your time
The following PTA positions are still open and in need of being filled. We need volunteers to help keep amazing events happening at VES.
Chairpersons need to be members of the PTA and committed to seeing their responsibilities through from beginning to end, but you don’t have to do it alone! Our current officers are here to help and guide, and we have many resources available. In addition it’s possible to co-chair most programs and events - you get to work with friends and share some of the load.
Cultural Celebration -
Evening event where students and parents showcase their cultures through costume, performance, presentations and more. Chair(s) are responsible for organizing, advertising, and running the event. Don’t worry, you’ll get help!
Time Commitment - MEDIUM: 2-3 hours a week in month leading up to this spring event, 4-5 hours night of event, and attendance at monthly PTA meetings
Membership - Still need someone to step into this position for next year
Chair(s) are tasked with collecting and processing membership forms, helping to staff PTA Booths at PTA events, and developing ideas to help grow membership. This drive is mostly over for this year, but we are seeking to fill the position for next year.
Time Commitment - LOW: 2 hours a week during membership drive in fall, can primarily be done at home, and attendance at monthly PTA meetings
Webmaster -
Help to update website and post current information about PTA events and initiatives.
Time Commitment - LOW: 1-2 hours a month year long, done at home, and attendance at monthly PTA meetings.
If you’d like to know more, please contact PTA president Heidi Potter (heidi@shmoo.com) or plan to attend the next PTA Board Meeting on December 10, 7:00 p.m. in Media Center.
HCPSS SCHOOL GUIDE RULES
New HCPSS Website and System for Emergency Closings:
Effective December 1, HCPSS is launching a color-coding notification system for emergency and other non-scheduled school closings, including for inclement weather. The new system standardizes the school system’s operational status to five possibilities to enhance consistency while promoting the safety of HCPSS students and staff, and adhering to negotiated agreements on staff availability.
If Howard County public schools open two hours late, there is no morning Pre-Kindergarten/RECC.
The HCPSS operating status will be identified on a new website: https://status.hcpss.org/. The HCPSS operational color code options are:
- Code Green – Normal Operations (in accordance with the HCPSS calendar)
- Code Red – Schools and Offices Closed
- Code Orange – Schools Closed; Offices Open with Liberal Leave in Effect
- Code Blue – Schools Open Two Hours Late
- Code Yellow – Schools Dismiss Early
All notifications regarding emergency closings will include both the code and operating status.
The emergency notification sources are:
- HCPSS status website
- HCPSS homepage
- Email/text alerts
- HCPSS Information Hotline (410-313-6666)
Please note: HCPSS cable TV is no longer a source for inclement weather closings.
Volunteer Information
This is an annual requirement and only takes 5 minutes per training.
Food Services
https://hcpss.nutrislice.com/menu/veterans?mode=browse
Please keep your child’s lunch/breakfast accounts up to date:
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/login/getmain?requestAction=home
For information related to setting up your child’s lunch account and how to apply for Free or Reduced Priced Meals, please go to:
https://www.hcpss.org/food-services/