VES Newsletter EAGLE EXPRESS
MAY 14, 2022 - Vol.15 Issue #35
NO WALK-IN VISITORS DURING THIS TIME
Robert Bruce, Principal - robert_bruce@hcpss.org
Alexcia Redd, Assistant Principal - alexcia_redd@hcpss.org
Lauren Slattery, Administrator - lauren_slattery@hcpss.org
SCHOOL HOURS IN-SESSION
9:25 A.M. - 3:55 P.M.
OFFICE HOURS
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Please call ahead 410-313-1700
Youmi Jun, Principal Secretary - youmi_jun@hcpss.org
Jane Pak, Teacher Secretary - jane_pak@hcpss.org
Maria Martinez, Teacher Secretary - maria_martinez@hcpss.org
Dulce Boyer, Teacher Secretary .5 - dulce_boyer@hcpss.org
Email: robert_bruce@hcpss.org
Website: ves.hcpss.org
Location: 4355 Montgomery Road, Ellicott City, MD, USA
Phone: 443-864-6808
ARRIVAL DOORS OPEN AT 9:15AM
Late Arrivals by car-riders:
Beginning at 9:25 a.m., Parent/guardian must sign-in the student(s) "TARDY".
* Notify by 2:00PM
** At this time, we can't allow students to take a different bus other than their assigned bus due to COVID.
Please send any dismissal changes for the day no later than 2:00 p.m. to VEStransportation@hcpss.org.
Include
student's name, date(s), and the details of the changes
(ex: will be a car rider instead of the bus, early pick-up, etc).
* cc the homeroom teacher on the email.
VESabsence @hcpss.org
Send Student Attendance-related notifications directly to: VESabsence@hcpss.org
when student will be absent due to illness, appointments, religious, or travel obligations.
Submit copies of doctor/appointment excuse note here as well.
HCPSS EXTENDED or DISCRETIONARY STUDENT ABSENCE FORM
EARLY DISMISSAL PICK-UP MUST BE By 3:30PM prior to final class transition time
*NOTE: HELP US RELEASE YOUR CHILD SAFELY TO AUTHORIZED ADULTS (HCPSS Policy)
HELP US RELEASE YOUR CHILD SAFELY TO AUTHORIZED ADULTS
- * Please be prepared to present your physical, tangible Photo ID
- ** Bring your phone to scan the QR code to sign out student(s) for Early Dismissal.
- Please plan accordingly. Students are dismissed from class upon parents' arrival after they are signed out from the office.
- ***Make sure FamilyFile is updated to indicate non-parent/guardians who VES staff are authorized to release your child to.
- Dismissal requests AFTER 3:30pm will be dismissed at normal 3:55pm time as Car Riders
It is too difficult for staff and students to locate/notify during the school-wide final classroom transitioning at the end of the day.
At this time, we can't allow students to take a different bus other than their assigned bus due to COVID.
Weekly Message from our Principal
Dear Parents,
Well once again, COVID cases are on the rise and Veterans Elementary is no exception. Please continue to monitor your child's health and if your child(ren) are exhibiting symptoms, please keep them home. This will lessen the severity of an outbreak here at school. Two classes in our school were identified as "outbreak" classrooms. Letters were sent to the parents of children in these classes through Canvas. The Howard County Health Department monitors each of those classrooms and parents may receive a call from the health department. This is routine monitoring conducted to ensure student health and safety. Please remain focused on those morning health checks.
We had a great turnout for our PTA STEM Fair on Thursday evening. The projects were wonderful to review. Whenever there is a schoolwide event, please remember to check the Lost & Found rack in the front lobby. Again, please label your child's jackets, water bottles, and other items which you would like to see return home. Due to the large number of unidentified items, please know that Veterans Elementary periodically donates unclaimed items to a local charity. This generally happens three times a year; Winter Break, Spring Break, and the End of the Year.
On Friday our fifth graders experienced Simulated Congressional Hearings as a culmination of their social studies curriculum. They studied hard to present what they knew about the United States Constitution in front of prominent community judges. We are so proud of their efforts. We thank the judges and our parents who helped make this event successful. We also thank our staff who led the students in their preparation for this event.
Next Weds. May 18, school will close at 12:55 pm as part of the monthly staff development time for our staff. School will also be closed on Monday May 30th in recognition of Memorial Day. The next early closing will be on Weds. June 8th, school will close at 12:55 pm.
The last full day of school will be Tuesday June 14th and this will also be the last day for 1/2 day RECC and PK programs. June 15, 16, and 17 are all three hour early closing days. June 17th is the last day of school for the 2021-2022 school year.
Robert C Bruce
Principal- Veterans Elementary School
410-313-1700
Every Day Counts!
Connectedness Strategic Responsibility Arranger Intellection
**Perform Daily Health Checks
*SEND Rapid and PCR results directly to VES RN: Brenda_Gregor@hcpss.org
RN will provide you with the most current MD-HCPSS guidelines specific to your health status.
*Parents/guardians should keep their children home if they are experiencing symptom(s) associated with any communicable disease, including COVID-19.
Parents/Guardians are to perform daily health checks for COVID-19 symptoms before the student leaves home.
A student should NOT come to school with any of these symptoms:
- fever of 100.4 degrees or higher
- sore throat
- cough
- difficulty breathing
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- new onset of severe headache (especially with fever), or
- new loss of taste or smell
For persons with chronic conditions such as asthma, the symptoms should represent a change from baseline.
* 4/5/22 Update to HCPSS Proof of COVID Testing Requirements
Students or staff who exhibit COVID-like symptoms, may submit any of the following to show proof of a negative test and return to the building: negative PCR test result, negative rapid test result, or a negative at-home test result. Full details are available online.
HCPSS APPROVED CALENDAR SY2021-22 - * Updated 2/25/2022 :
Chinese - Month view & Chinese - Date list view
MAY: Mental Health Awareness Month/Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
17 - PTA Fundraiser: Coal Fire Pizza 11:00 a.m.- 9:00 p.m.
18 - Schools Close 3-Hours Early: VES Dismissal 12:55 p.m.
20 - Spirit Day - Vacay Day: Vacation Vibes - dress for a visit to your favorite vacation spot
25 - Chorus Concert - 7:00 p.m.
27 - Spirit Day - #EaglePride: Wear Red-White-Blue to celebrate Memorial Day +VES Pride
30 - Schools and Offices Closed: Memorial Day (State mandated holiday)
JUNE:
6 - PTA Meeting: Virtual 7:00 p.m.
8 - Schools Close 3-Hours Early: VES Dismissal 12:55 p.m.
9 - PTA sponsored End of Year Picnic & Popsicles Party/ PTA Elections
14 - Last FULL DAY of School/ Last Day for PK-RECC Students
15 - Schools Close 3-Hours Early: Dismissal 12:55 p.m.
16 - Schools Close 3-Hours Early: Dismissal 12:55 p.m.
17 - Schools Close 3-Hours Early: Dismissal 12:55 p.m. LAST DAY OF SCHOOL SY2021-22
20 - Schools and Offices Closed - Juneteenth National Independence Day (observed)
- Monday, May 2: Schools CLOSED for Students. Professional Learning Day for staff.
Offices will remain open. - Tuesday, May 3: Schools OPEN Regular school day.
FRIDAY, JUNE 17
Last Day of School
MONDAY, AUGUST 29
First Day of School
NEW INFORMATION
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
These last few years have amplified the importance of focusing on mental health, increasing awareness, and reducing stigma. Mental health affects how we think, feel, and act. Staying connected and being intentional about taking care of ourselves and each other are more important than ever. We’ve put together a VES Mental Health Awareness Calendar which has a new self care idea for each day in the month of May. We would love to hear how the ideas work out for you! Any student who completes the entire calendar will receive a prize. Simply complete the activity on the calendar each day and check it off. Turn in your completed calendar to the counseling office (with name :-) to redeem for a reward.
We would also like to share Children’s Mental Health Matters’ Self Care for Families. We hope these resources are helpful. As always, we are here for our students when in need of support. Please feel free to reach out to us :-).
Mrs. Julie Wentz, School Counselor
Mrs. Jessica Wilson-Carr, School Counselor
Dr. Kristen Marsico, School Psychologist
HCPSS Visitors and Volunteers
All volunteers and chaperones who interact with students, as well as current HCPSS students who attend a field trip or volunteer at a different school during the school day are required to comply with by the HCPSS policies in place by complete the following:
HCPSS Volunteer link Information steps:
1. Confidentiality Training Course
2. Certification of Completion
3. Register to Volunteer
Survey of Educational Equity Survey
As part of our school improvement process, we are asking families to provide input about their equity priorities for our school. If you have not done so already, please use the link below to complete the Indicators of Educational Equity Survey by Friday May 27th. We will use your input, along with other school data, to refine our school improvement plan for next school year.
The survey is anonymous and available in multiple languages.
If you have children at more than one school, please complete one survey per school:
Temporary Employee Positions at Veterans Elementary School
We are looking for caring and compassionate individuals to assist students with disabilities who require direct adult supervision throughout the school day. The position works under the daily supervision of the school administration and the direction of a special education teacher and/or a classroom teacher. Some experience working with children or individuals with disabilities preferred. Below, please are details regarding the position.
· Temporary Employee (TE) position are with Social Service Consultants, Ltd.
· Compensation is $13.00 per hour
· The hours are 9:25 AM – 3:55 PM Monday-Friday
To apply, please email Robert Tencher at Rtencher@gmail.com to request an application packet. Please specify the school you are interested in. You can also apply using this link. Please contact Alexcia Redd at alexcia_redd@hcpss.org or at 410-313-1700 when you have competed all parts of the application
Upcoming PTA Events
Upcoming PTA Events
May 17 - Restaurant Day/Night at Coal Fire Pizza 11am-9pm*
June 6 - PTA Virtual Meeting 7pm
June 9 - Picnic & Popsicles End of Year Party/ PTA Elections*
Variable dates: Media center volunteers*
*Additional information below
Join us for Restaurant Night Fundraiser at Coal Fire Pizza!
5725 Richards Valley Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Tuesday, May 17th
11:30am - 9:00pm
Parent Volunteers in School
Volunteer in the Media Center: Sign up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F094AA5AF23A2F85-inschool
You must complete 2 trainings (child abuse & confidentiality), print the completion certificates and turn them into your child's teacher or the front office.
Trainings on this webpage (at bottom): https://ves.hcpss.org/support
JOIN US FOR A PTA MEETING (Virtual) - Mon, June 6- 7pm
Please join us at our meeting and we will allow time at the end of the meeting for any questions you may have. Or email Cara at doctorcia@gmail.com if you want more info. (meetings are usually 1hr long)
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://discovery.zoom.us/j/98093284149?pwd=QWptQXUxN2xxMWhrRXh2T0c5ZTJtZz09
Meeting ID: 980 9328 4149
Passcode: 094353
Noon-8 p.m. June 7
Use code on ShackApp for 25% donation toward HCPSS Pride
6 p.m. on June 9
Ellicott Mills Middle School Welcomes Future PTA Members
Dear Future EMMS Parents:
The PTA is still looking for members to fill spots on the PTA Executive Board for SY 2022-2023. We have the following spots open:
1) President
2) Treasurer
3) Delegate 1 (PTA of Howard Co, PTAHC)
4) Delegate 2 (PTA of Howard Co, PTAHC)
I'd emphasize that the time commitment is manageable. This is a productive way to be a part of the fun activities for the children and also to work with some of the school's staff.
Please e-mail me (Ricky Rambharat, rrambharat@gmail.com) if you have interest as we are trying to fill these spots for the next school year. Again, please consider joining the Board and getting to know our very special EMMS community.
Kind regards,
Ricky Rambharat
CORRECTION to Superintendent's Health & Safety Updates, May 13, 2022
Correction to the message below, sent earlier today: Howard County's transmission level recently changed from low to medium. The Howard County Health Department has not yet provided new instructions and we continue to encourage anyone who has been in close contact with somebody who has tested positive for COVID-19 to wear a mask while indoors. As new information is learned, it will be communicated with the community and staff.
More News | Event | Reminders
Health & Safety Reminders
Families are reminded to follow all HCPSS health and safety protocols and conduct daily at-home health checks. Answers to health and safety frequently asked questions are available online.
Call for Volunteers!
HCPSS is seeking volunteers to serve as judges for the fifth-grade Simulated Congressional Hearings in May and June. This year’s program will be a hybrid event, with students performing together in the classroom and judges joining virtually. Details on the Simulated Congressional Hearings, including a link on how to register, are available online.
AAPI Heritage Month Film Festival
In honor of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Heritage Month, HCPSS’ Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and its AAPI Advisory Committee are sponsoring a showing of The Farewell on Saturday, May 21 at 1:30 p.m. at the Centennial High School Auditorium. The film sheds light on the cultural differences between East and West and between generations in philosophy, life, beliefs, tradition and the way to interact with family members.
Free Summer Meals
HCPSS will continue providing free meals to all HCPSS students and any children aged 18 and under, weekdays from June 27-Aug. 12, with the exception of July 4 and 19. Full details, including site locations, can be found online.
Parent Survey: Special Education MSDE
Each year the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) surveys parents of children receiving special education services in the state. The purpose of the survey – The Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey – is to hear from parents about how well they think their child’s school is partnering with them and promoting parent involvement in their child’s education. More information can be found in this flier and on the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey site.
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.
LOCAL COMMUNITY POSTINGS & EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY
Ninja Camp & Annual SPRING CARNIVAL - May 28th
Lions’ Pride Booster Club Summer Camps
The Lions' Pride Booster Club is proud to announce their summer camp lineup for the summer of 2022. We have boys' and girls' basketball, lacrosse, track and field, cross country, and soccer. We also have boys' baseball, girls' softball, and girls field hockey. New this year we have boys and girls Intro to Programming through Scratch and Robotics.
Registration and details of each camp can be found here:http://www.howardlionspride.org/sports-camps.html
Come out and learn about your favorite sports from the Howard H.S. athletic coaches. We look forward to working with you!
After our past two COVID-canceled summers, we're back in action!
Our MHHS Summer Camp registration website is open!
Lauren Oviatt at VeteransGS@gmail.com
VES REMINDERS: Worth Repeating . . .
No Transportation Changes can be accommodated During Dismissal
*Please reserve any last minute requests for
EMERGENCIES ONLY*
~Help us keep your children safe ~
Making these requests causes confusion and leaves a lot of room for errors during the mass exodus!
Any transportation changes made after 3:30pm is disruptive to the VES dismissal process.
Please do not call or enter the school building requesting a staff member to pull your child from their normal dismissal plan.
* ATTN: PARENTS/GUARDIANS ARE RESTRICTED FROM BOARDING SCHOOL BUSES *
For the safety and security of the children - parents/guardians are not allowed to board and pull their child/children from a school bus at any time, especially during our dismissal.
PARENTS/GUARDIANS, YOU DO NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO BOARD SCHOOL BUSES.
See an Administrator or Front Office Secretary for assistance!
BUS STOPS and Riding Privileges
Please understand that if children experience problems on the bus that the driver has the authority to write a bus referral that can result in the denial of bus riding privileges for a given period of time. Parents also need to understand that sometimes children experience difficulties at the bus stop with other individuals who ride the bus. Parents need to supervise their children at the bus stops. Often there are issues which start out as playing then become more serious. Parents may even wish to discuss having rotating responsibilities of supervising their children at the bus stop.
* CAR LOOP ISSUES:
We still have several parents who insist on pulling their cars into the 2nd or 3rd row of the school parking lot, sometimes blocking traffic from departing. This is an unsafe practice which complicates driver's leaving the car loop lane. Unless you can find an actual parking spot in the 2nd or 3rd row of parking then you must join the car loop lane for parent pick up if you are here to retrieve a child. You may not park or stop in front of parked cars to wait for your child. You also create a dangerous situation for your child and yourself.
Our school is very busy. We are sorry the Parent Pick Up Lane sometimes moves slowly but this is necessary for student safety. Most of our children are bus riders. The pandemic has increased the car ridership at Veterans. Join the Parent Pick Up Lane to retrieve your children. You have someplace to get your child to after school, that is fine, so do many other parents. If this is the case, arrange for an early dismissal before 3:30 pm if you can not wait. Please know that rainy or snowy weather makes this lane move even slower.
Policy 1050 – Tobacco-Free Environment
The purpose of this policy is to specify criteria for the HCPSS to maintain a tobacco-free, smoke-free, and nicotine-free environment, to help prevent the use of tobacco and nicotine products by students, employees, and visitors. The HCPSS also supports cessation efforts, and delineates the consequences for violations of this policy. This policy includes the use of ENDS products including but not limited to; e-pens, vaping pens, e-pipes, etc. Please know that any student in violation of this policy shall be subject to the Student Discipline Policy.
HCPSS News and Text Alerts - Stay Informed
HCPSS electronic School Messenger
Once you have created an HCPSS Login Account/ ParentVue upon completing the student registration, you will automatically be part of our email communication, School Messenger.
We are “green” and do not send hard copies of newsletters and other notices, so your electronic connection to the school is important even over the summer.
Email & Text Alerts
HCPSS News emails and text alerts keep families up-to-date on news and events, and deliver real-time notices of emergency closings and information. All HCPSS News subscriptions are generated from the information provided in Family File. Parents/guardians of previously enrolled HCPSS students do not need to sign up for, or manage an HCPSS News account. Parents/guardians who are new to the system are automatically enrolled for email notification and must opt in to text alerts.
Emergency Notifications
In times of emergency situations, information will be shared with the community through our website, social media, text, email and weather hotline. All parents automatically receive email messaging and new parents need to opt in to text messaging (see above). Unsubscribing from any school or district email or text will unsubscribe a user from all messaging, including emergency notifications.
ADDRESS CHANGE FORM: FILLABLE_Change_of_Address.pdf
MOVING into VES: FILLABLE_VES RequestforRecords.pdf
We can assist you to obtain student records from their prior school by filling out the
Request for Records form and emailing it back to the registrar.
MOVING AWAY/ Withdraw from VES: FILLABE_Withdrawal form
Please initiate the process by filling out the HCPSS Withdrawal Form and email it back to the registrar.
Fall 2022-2023 New Kindergarten & New Grade 1 Student - Online Registration
Kindergarten registration for families of children who will be 5yo by September 1, 2022.
Parents can begin the enrollment process online, after which your child’s school will contact you to complete the registration process.
NOTE: HCPSS Current Pre-Kindergarten students do not need to be re-registered for kindergarten because they are already enrolled as an HCPSS student.
PreKindergarten Enrollment Information
PreKindergarten Program Information guidelines
The HCPSS prekindergarten program is a high-quality, half-day prekindergarten program. Students must be four years old by September 1, 2022 to be considered for enrollment in fall 2022. The comprehensive curriculum taught by certified staff supports early learning and school readiness and provides experiences that foster children’s academic, social, emotional and physical development.
Is my child eligible for the program?
Students must be four years old by September 1.
The Maryland State Department of Education requires that the pre-K program be made available first to students who meet first priority criteria: income eligible, homelessness and foster care.
At this time, families that qualify for first priority criteria are placed first into pre-K and second priority applicants are placed on the waitlist. The Office of Early Childhood Programs will monitor countywide enrollment trends and space availability at pre-K sites to determine if the second priority criteria applicants can be considered for placement into pre-K.
Step 1: Complete the fillable application - * Regular PreK Program applications (*available Apr. 19) and upload along with all other required documents including proof of family income (refer to application form) during the online registration process;
Step 2: Register Online starting April 19 - Pre-K Registration Opens on the HCPSS website.
If you have any additional questions, please contact Mary Jens at (410) 313-1700
Mary_Jens@hcpss.org
EE ARCHIVE - Previous Issues SY2021-22
Issue #32 - April 23, 2022
Issue #31 - April 9, 2022 Spring Break
Issue #30 - April 2, 2022
Access complete archive on the main school website: VES.hcpss.org
INTERNATIONAL AND FAMILY SERVICE LINKS:
Para información y apoyo adicionales, por favor, llame al
410-313-1591
欲知详情或想获得更多支持,请电 410-313-5920
보다 자세한 문의와 지원을 원하시면,
410-313-1592 로 연락 주시기 바랍니다.
For all other language needs please contact Monica Ranta at
410-313-7102