Dear Parents,

One important component of your child's educational experience is the act of reading to your child or having your child read to you. The more reading material to which a child is exposed, the broader the selection of vocabulary to which they are also exposed. Of course, you always want your child to read a book that they can academically handle. Nothing is more frustrating for the reader or listener than a child reading a book which is too difficult for them to read. Reading with fluency is very important toward addressing more advanced comprehension skills. A print rich environment is so crucial as teachers build their classroom experience for their students. The same can be said for home, build that print rich environment for home. Carve some space and time for your child to read every day. We all dream that our children will grow up to be happy in life and that they will do something productive, now is the time to explore the many avenues for them to travel. Carefully selected books can guide their thinking and discussing that reading can be even more meaningful with your child regardless if that discussion is about something factual or fantasy. We thank you for all you do to support your children.

Sincerely,

Robert C Bruce- Principal

Dear Parents,

Entire policies may be accessed at the following link:

https://policy.hcpss.org/

Policies - HCPSS

Public Input- During the development or revision period, comments and suggestions for changes to the policies under review can be submitted via email to policy@hcpss.org and will be shared with the applicable committee chairs prior to the presentation of the proposed policy report to the Board of Education.

policy.hcpss.org

Multilingual Parent Leadership Program (MPLP)

The Multilingual Parent Leadership Program (MPLP) is designed to increase leadership capacity of Multilingual parents to step into leadership roles in schools and communities as advocates on behalf of the system’s Multilingual students. The six-week program helps Multilingual parents understand the framework of the US educational system and the structure and functions of the Howard County Public School System.

The inaugural class began during spring of 2006. Since that time the system has hosted 20 cohorts. The 21st cohort will start in the fall of 2022. In each session the participants receive information about the school system.Information about the MPLP program is disseminated through the HCPSS website, HCPSS news, and word of mouth. Many past participants have recommended the program to friends. It has in the past been advertised at Chinese language schools, CAPA (Chinese American Parent Association), PTA Council, Korean churches, CONEXIONES, Muslim Council, and the Kaur Foundation.

This program has opened a venue for Multilingual parents to visit the Board of Education’s Central Office building as well as their own children’s school. Information shared during the sessions assists parents in making informed decisions about the schooling of their children and serves to increase the participation of parents from Multilingual communities in the life of schools and the school system.

The graduates of the program are serving on their respective PTA advisory committees as well as curriculum advisories in county and state level.

Application:

https://hcpss-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/r/personal/rbruce_hcpss_org/_layouts/15/Doc.aspx?sourcedoc=%7B4D499B61-CA55-4878-B0C0-2A9C0A6489D1%7D&file=MPLP%20Application%202022%20fall.doc&action=default&mobileredirect=true

PARENT EMPOWERMENT CONFERENCE

Monday, October 10, 2022
Session One 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Session Two 7:45-8:45 p.m.

Virtual Event

The HCPSS Department of Special Education invites you to attend the 4th Annual Parent Empowerment Conference. There will be two sessions with four workshops to choose from at each session. This year’s conference will be held virtually with workshop slide decks posted online for later viewing. The conference will benefit both seasoned parents and those new to special education and will help you advocate for your child and be active and informed members of the IEP/IFSP team. Parents and guardians will leave workshops with tools to support success and reduce stress. Those registered will receive the workshop descriptions, times and meet links by October 4. Register at https://forms.gle/TGBBAnhKybYpbrgWA, the deadline is October 3 at 5:00 p.m. Please email FSRC@hcpss.org with questions. This event is part of the HCPSS’s ongoing sessions about special education for families of students with IEPs and/or IFSPs.

We look forward to collaborating with you!

October is Bullying Prevention Month. This year at VES, we will focus on the topic of bullying prevention using planned activities that promote kind treatment of others. Activities include bullying prevention morning announcements, classroom discussions during SEL (social emotional learning time), spirit days, and students signing an "upstander pledge".

Another activity we will do at VES is a poster contest. Students are invited to create a poster that shows what YOU can do to prevent bullying and to promote kindness and respect. Please see HERE for guidelines.

Winners will receive a special prize!! Posters will be displayed in the school!

Spirit days for the month of October are:

Friday, October 7 - Special Sock Day! Wear your special socks to school to show that you value individuality and to remember that everyone is special.

Friday, October 14 - Hats off to good choices! Wear your favorite hat today!

Wednesday, October 19 - Unity Day - Wear orange!

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 under the direction of a special education teacher and/or a classroom teacher. Some experience working with children is preferred. Below are details regarding the position.

• Temporary Employee (TE) positions are with Social Service Consultants, Ltd.

• Compensation is $15.00 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 that you are interested in working at Veterans Elementary School. Contact Alexcia Redd at alexcia_redd@hcpss.org when you have completed all parts of the application.

Parent-Guardian is responsible for their child's supervision until the VES school doors open 9:15 a.m. in the morning.

Do not leave your child unattended prior to 9:15 a.m.

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.

Transportation :

Intent for Transportation for 2022-2023 School Year

HCPSS posted online and emailed all families a request that they indicate their transportation intentions for the 2022-2023 school year. This information will help guide transportation initiatives, hiring of drivers, planning routes and more.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions about Enrollment and Registration

See Policy 9000, Student Residency, Eligibility, Enrollment and Assignment

For additional information or questions, please contact your anticipated school of enrollment.

PREPARE FOR THE FIRST DAY:

• School Start Times
• Before- & After-school Care Options
• School Meals
• Transportation
• Find out what your child will learn at HCPSS

Join the PTA!

We have 139 members so far! We are over 1/3 of our way to our goal of 300!

Your membership helps fund events for the kids and staff like the back to school party!

https://veterans.memberhub.store

Paper membership forms already came home. Turn those into your child's teacher if you want to pay by cash or check.

Join a PTA Committee!

Lend a hand!

Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E45ABA72DA4F5C43-ptacommittee

Starting a new committee for a Halloween Trunk or Treat. Email Cara if you are interested in running this event for this October at doctorcia@gmail.com

Instructions and layout already set.

Upcoming Fall Events:

Reflections Art Contest

Spiritwear Sale

Whooo's Reading Read-A-Thon

Scholastic Book Fair

Staff Appreciation Dinner during student conferences

Next PTA Meeting (NEW TIME)

Monday October 10th at 7pm (Virtual)

7:00-7:45 - board meeting (all are welcome to join to find out what we are planning & to volunteer to help)

7:45- 8:00 - general membership questions

Google Meet Link: meet.google.com/bdy-fecj-jao

Follow us on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/PTAatVES

Support us on Amazon Smile:

Search Veterans Elementary School PTA to assign us as your charity

Smile.Amazon.com

Select "your account". Select "change charity"

Search for our name.

Please note: Bus routes for the 2022-2023 school year will not be published until mid-August.

Parents of students who will be riding the bus are invited to check the Bus Locator tool on the HCPSS website. To use the tool, type in your home address. The cross on the map represents your child’s bus stop. On the left-hand side of your screen, you will see the bus stop location, contractor information, bus number, and morning arrival/afternoon drop-off times for your child’s bus. This tool will also tell you if your address falls in our walk zone.

Families of students who receive specialized transportation will receive information about your child’s bus schedule directly from the bus contractors.

Website/Newsletter

The HCPSS Educational Partnerships 2021-2022 Annual Report has just been released. Each school’s partners are listed, as well as system wide (at-large), curricular and program office partnerships. The report highlights the vital role partners play to help students achieve success in life, wherever their path may lead.

Social Media

The HCPSS Educational Partnerships 2021-2022 Annual Report has just been released. Check out the report for a complete list of partners and examples of how partners help students achieve success in life, wherever their path may lead.

HCPSS is committed to providing an educational and work environment that is free from discrimination, fosters equitable opportunities, and values diversity and commonality. Policy 1010 Anti-Discrimination prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, immigration status, religion, physical, mental, or educational disability, pregnancy, age, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or socioeconomic status.

HCPSS ensure the safety, comfort, and healthy development of LGBTQIA+ students.

Here at Veterans Elementary School, we celebrate the diversity of our students and are here to support students’ healthy and happy social and emotional well-being.

Any questions or concerns? Please contact your child’s school counselor and/or administrator.

For more information on HCPSS policy and supports, please visit: https://www.hcpss.org/supports/lgbtqia-youth/#supports

Howard Lions' Pride Second Annual Craft Fair: Sunday, November 6th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at Howard High School. Our 100+ vendors will be selling crafts, books, candles, kitchen goods, jewelry, home decor, clothing, accessories, and much more! General Info link: https://tinyurl.com/3tzxuhme.

SNAP BENEFITS

SNAP Benefits-Emergency Allotments Flyer-English

Apply for SNAP Benefits today-Flyer-English

Apply for SNAP Benefits Today-Flyer-Spanish

Grocery Delivery Flyer-English

Grocery Delivery Flyer-Korean

Grocery Delivery Flyer-Spanish

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.

Will your child be 3 years old by September 1, 2022?

Do they want to go to Veterans Elementary School, just like their siblings and neighbors?

Learning Together Program – Prekindergarten

The Veterans Elementary Regional Early Childhood Center (RECC) prekindergarten programs are making preparations for classes for the upcoming 2022-23 school year. These classes include children with and without disabilities. The program’s focus is helping all children develop communication, literacy, math, problem solving, motor, and social skills. Parents of children who will be 3 by September 1st( born between 9/2/18– 9/1/19 ) may learn more about the program by reviewing the Learning Together Program (LTP) Flyer (English).

• Learning Together Program (LTP) Flyer (Chinese)
• Learning Together Program (LTP) Flyer (Korean)
• Learning Together Program (LTP) Flyer (Spanish)
  
  If you need assistance to complete the application, please contact Early Intervention Services at earlyinterventionservcies@hcpss.org or at 410-313-7017.

HCPSS is committed to providing instruction based on the statewide Early Learning Standards which are in alignment with Kindergarten Readiness. The fees listed in the application will be collected monthly regardless of the learning model determined by HCPSS throughout the upcoming school year (virtual, hybrid, or in person). If you have any additional questions, please email Mary Jens at mary_jens@hcpss.org