Shipley's Choice Elementary School
Family Newsletter
Dr. Burke's Message
As I am starting my fifth year at Shipley's Choice, I am excited by the energy in the building! Students and teachers are getting into routines and deep into learning. There atmosphere in the building truly reflects our theme-Better Together! From students who are jumping in to help or be kind to friends to staff who are embracing their new teammates and students, it has been amazing to be a part of.
Recently, PARCC data was released by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and families of students in grades 4 and 5 received score reports. Our students performed very well; our scores were at the top of the county and state. These scores tell only a small part of our school's story. High achievement is only part of what makes this school amazing. We have committed families who advocate for their children and dedicated teachers who go above and beyond to help students succeed. If you want more information about our PARCC scores, click here. For our Maryland School Report Card, click here.
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 even video clips of amazing things that are happening each day at school on Twitter. Follow us to check it out: @ShipChoiceAACPS.
Federal Impact Survey Cards
On Tuesday, October 1, 2019, your child will bring home a Federal Impact Aid Survey form. Please assist us by filling out the information requested on the form and return it to Shipley's Choice Elementary School.
The U.S. Department of Education allows a multiple child form. AACPS has designed a form that will allow two children’s names for your convenience. Should you have more than two children, please utilize a second form that you can either obtain from the school or download from the AACPS website at www.aacps.org. Also, please note that the complete address of the Parent/Guardian’s Employer if they work on Federal Property, the complete address of the Federal Property on which they work, and each survey form must be signed and dated by the Parent/Guardian. The Federal Impact Aid Survey form for 2019-2020 will be available to download on October 1, 2019. We will also be using our Connect-Ed Automated Telephone Notification System to remind everyone about the significance of completing and returning this survey. The school system receives approximately $2 million in funding from the Federal government in support of our children after the forms are processed.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Halloween Parade & Other Fun
In lieu of class Halloween parties this year, there will be two parties later--a Winter Snow Ball before Winter Break and a Spring Fling around Spring Break. Dates will be published on the school calendar as soon as they are finalized.
Playground Update
Online Payments
My Payments Plus
Bring IDs!
Change in Dismissal
Don't forget these if you need to change your child's dismissal arrangements!
- Send a note when changing dismissal arrangements.
- 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.
October Events
2 Smoothie King Day for PTA
2 Custodian Appreciation Day
2 Walk to School Day
3, 5, 7 5th Grade goes to Drownproofing
7 PTA meeting @ 6:30PM
7 interims go home in grades 1-5
9 Yom Kippur schools are closed
14 Columbus Day/ Indigenous Peoples Day; schools are open
14-18 National School Lunch Week
15, 16 Parent-Teacher Conferences; school closed for students
19 Fall Festival!
21 Reading Incentive Kick-off; author Kevin O'Malley visits
21-25 National School Bus Safety Week
27 Diwali; schools are open
31 Halloween Parade @ 2:00PM
November--looking ahead!
3 Daylight Savings Time Ends
7, 8 2 hour early dismissals; end of marking period
8 Special Friends Day @ 10:00AM
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.
Executive Committee Message
SCES PTA welcomes you to the 2019-2020 school year! Thanks to our amazing volunteers and fabulous committees, we have some very exciting events planned for this year. If you missed the President’s message and budget presentation last night, and would like to watch this short, informative slideshow, visit the PTA Website. We hope you join SCES PTA and participate in the creative ways we’re striving to enrich our children’s lives!
Feel free to reach out to us at any time with questions or concerns. We are here to serve our parents, teachers, students and community.
Thank you,
Toni Hochard, President; Pam Waters, Vice President; April Patty, Treasurer; Angela Miller, Secretary.
Contact us at shipleyspta@gmail.com
Retail Rewards
Retail Rewards
The PTA is sponsoring some fun spirit events this school year in our community. Please join us for the following events coming up this fall. More details to come. Be sure to mark your calendar!
Next Ledo Fundraiser Night: Tuesday, October 15, 4-9am
Eat in or carry out at the Millersville Ledo's on the 3rd Tuesday of Every Month, from 4 PM - 9 PM. A percentage of our sales comes back to SCES.
http://www.ledopizza.com/in/millersville You can also order online! 410-729-3333.
Yearbook
Shipley's Choice Elementary School uses SmugMug to store all parent uploaded pictures for the Yearbook staff to use when designing pages. We cannot produce our wonderful yearbook without your uploads. After all events, please upload any pictures you may have taken to our SmugMug site (Password is shipleys). Most events have their own folder and links will be posted in the Shark Bytes for easier reference.
Click here to UPLOAD your First day of School Photos for the Yearbook!
**Please refrain from posting pictures of NON-SCES Students.**
Shark Shop (School Store)
Out of pencils? Need a sharpener? Low on paper? Need a new pen or highlighter?
The Shark Shop will be open for business on Tuesday, October 1st! Shark Shop will be open on Tuesday's from 8:45am-9:00am until the end of May.
Fall Festival
Fall Festival Saturday October 19, 2019 12-4pm (rain date Sunday October 20)
This event only comes every two years so don't miss out! Buy your wristbands here https://shipleyschoicepta.membershiptoolkit.com/packet/2389
Wristbands include moonbounce and other inflatables, craft, face painting, glitter tattoos, carnival games, fun activities presented by local businesses and live entertainment! Don't forget to bring some cash for bake sale, food trucks, cotton candy, cake walk and fun with 5th graders.
The date is set, and the planning is almost through, now all we need is help from YOU!
DONATE BAKE GOODS
Even if you can't be there the day of, please support this school spirit event by donating a baked good for the cake walk and/or bake sale. The class that donates the most baked goods will win a popsicle party!!!! So don't forget to include your child's homeroom class on each donation sign up.
SIGN UP HERE! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0f4ca4a722a1fe3-fall
VOLUNTEER THE DAY OF THE EVENT
In order to make this event a safe and fun time we need parent volunteers. All we need is one hour of your time. You can set up, clean up or help us during the event.
SIGN UP HERE! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c054ea9aa2ba0fc1-shipleys
Beautification Committee
Beautification Committee Members Wanted! We are currently looking for volunteers to help maintain our flower beds around the school grounds. This is a great opportunity to make an impact and volunteer on your own schedule. To join or get more information, please contact Courtney Capece at cmcapece@gmail.com. Thank you!
Helping Hands
First Event: Artwork for SPAN, Monday, October 14, 4:30-5:30pm, SCES room 61
Join us in making artwork to be hung in the SPAN (Serving People Across Neighborhoods) offices in Severna Park. To participate, please complete this form and return to your child’s teacher by October 11, 2019.
PTA Website
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.
Coming Soon.....Website FAQHelpful 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