Lisbon Elementary School
October 6, 2017
Lisbon Elementary School
Mrs. Amy Green, Assistant Principal
15901 Frederick Road
Woodbine, MD 21797
(410) 313-5506
(410) 313-5508 - Fax
les.hcpss.org
Important Dates to Remember
- 12 - Interim progress reports issued
- 13 - Kindergarten Visits Gaver Farm, 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
- 13 - PTA Fall Festival, 6:00 p.m.
- 16 - Raindate for Kindergarten Field Trip to Gaver Farm
- 17 - 1st Grade Visits the Howard County Conservancy, 9:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
- 17 - PBIS Fundraiser at California Tortilla Night, 5:00 p.m.
- 20 - Schools closed for students, Professional Work Day
- 26 - Flu Shot Clinic, 8:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
- 27 - 3rd Grade Visits the Weinberg Center, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
- 31 - Halloween Parade, 2:00 p.m.
From the Desk of the Principal
Congratulations Mrs. Bane
We are incredibly PROUD to announce that our very own Mrs. Bane has received the honor of being named the HCPSS Elementary Counselor of the Year for 2017-2018!
Mrs. Bane places great importance on the development of relationships between colleagues and the Lisbon Elementary School community. She actively works to cultivate new partnerships by communicating with parents and colleagues in the hope of enriching the school climate by improving student learning and fostering emotional well-being. Mrs. Bane is highly respected and valued by staff members and the community for her experience and knowledge. She maintains a positive and professional demeanor. Because of her compassion and empathy, administrators, teachers, and parents seek to work collaboratively with Mrs. Bane, value her opinions, and solicit her advice. The HCPSS and the Lisbon Elementary School Community is a better place because of the work and leadership provided by our most valued school counselor, Liza Bane. Her major contributions to the counseling profession have earned her the privilege of being recognized as the HCPSS Elementary Counselor of the Year.
Practicing an Off-Site Evacuation Drill
During this month, we are planning to conduct an off-site emergency drill in conjunction with our local fire department. This is only a drill to have students and staff practice what we would do in the event that our building is not safe. Throughout the year, we conduct regular drills such as Duck, Cover, Hold; Lock Down; and Shelter in Place so that if an actual emergency were to occur, we are better prepared to face the emergency calmly and safely. An Off-site situation is used when there is a flood, fire, hazardous materials incident or any other situation that may render the site unsafe. Our plan for this scenario is to begin with a typical fire drill. The fire alarm will be activated for students and staff to immediately evacuate the building and use our procedures to account for all students and staff once outside. After we have everyone accounted for, an announcement will be made that we need to move to our off-site location, the Lisbon Volunteer Fire Department, where students and staff will once again be accounted for. We anticipate the drill to last approximately 30 min.
As with all our drills, we appreciate your support and ask the parents to take some time as a family to talk about how you might conduct drills like this in your home so that you are also prepared for emergency situations. Just like we send out a follow up to you in after other emergency drills, we will let you know after we return to the building that this off-site drill has taken place.
We know that this will be a valuable learning experience for all staff and students.
Halloween Celebration - October 31, 2017
Our annual Halloween Costume Parade will take place on Tuesday, October 31, 2017. The parade around the school (outside weather permitting) will begin at 2:00. Please review the following reminders/updates.
· Avoid any costumes that perpetuate violence, have any blood, gore, scary masks, or contain any type of weapons. Props that come with costumes that are “play weapons” are not allowed in school. This includes but is not limited to toy guns, knives, swords, sickles, pitchforks, etc.
· If you prefer that your child does not take part in the parade, please send a note to your child’s teacher or contact Mrs. Anoff atdebra_anoff@hcpss.org.
· Visitors are welcome to watch the parade outside and gather in the front of the building! Staff members will be available to help guide all visitors. However, due to logistical concerns, ONLY room parents and designated volunteers assisting with the parties will be permitted into classrooms. We ask that all other visitors remain outside of the building to enjoy the parade. Thank you for your cooperation.
Setting the Stage for Success
With recent news events involving natural disasters, attacks, and violence, we want to take a moment to remind each of our LES families how very appreciative we are for the loving care and guidance you give your children each day to help them feel heard, valued, nurtured, and safe.
With goals of maximizing learning and having students feel secure, we are pleased that student conversations at LES have NOT been particularly elevated with regard to national/international news involving natural disasters and/or senseless violence. (If this were a concern, we'd be implementing supports with a different lens).
For now, here are some quick reminders from the National Association of School Psychologists:
- Reassure children that they are safe.
- Make time to talk.
- Keep your explanations developmentally appropriate.
- Review safety procedures.
- Observe children's emotional state.
- Limit television (and social media) viewing of these events.
- Maintain a normal routine.
And one last addition from us:
#8. If you have any specific concerns, please don't hesitate to contact your child's teacher or various support staff to talk things through and determine next steps.
If you'd like to read further about the above the recommendations from the National Association of School Psychologist, feel free to click here.
Important Policy Information
A Student/Parent Handbook 2017-2018 was sent home to every family the first day of school with important policies for parents and student to become familiar with. We would like to communicate one of these policies.
Student Discipline (Policy 9200)
Effective July 1, 2014, Policy 9200 has been revised to reflect changes to the Code of Maryland Annotated Regulations as they relate to Student Discipline 13A.08.01.11. Updates to Policy 9200, Student Discipline, will be applied in the implementation of the Student Code of Conduct.
The Board of Education recognizes that student discipline regulations should reflect a continuum of progressive discipline and a rehabilitative discipline philosophy with the goals of fostering, teaching and acknowledging positive behavior, and should be designed to keep students connected to school so that they may graduate college and career ready.
Student behavior is the shared responsibility of the school, the student and the home. The professional staff at a school has the responsibility for taking appropriate action when a student is involved in a situation that is not conducive to a safe, engaging and orderly environment.
Disciplinary consequences should be progressive in nature and designed to change inappropriate behavior, encourage responsible actions and promote the development of self-discipline. The student has the right to due process. The Board of Education has approved the following forms of discipline:
Alternative Educational Setting – A setting outside of the home school designed to accommodate the needs of students who have demonstrated the need for significant academic or behavioral support.
Detention – The placement of a student in a non-standard, supervised setting during the school day, before or after school or on Saturdays.
Restricted Access – Limitation of a student’s presence on school property.
Suspension – The denial of a student’s right to attend regular classes or school for a specified period of time for cause. Suspension includes extended suspension, in school suspension, short-term suspension or long-term suspension.
Student Dress Code (Policy 9210)
Student dress and appearance are the basic responsibility of students and their parents/guardians as long as they are consistent with the school system’s responsibility to ensure that school environments are healthy, safe and conducive to student learning. It is a violation of this policy for any student to wear attire that interferes with the educational mission of the schools, is disruptive to the school environment, or that could endanger the health or safety of that student or others during school hours and school activities. This includes, but is not limited to, attire that:
Unduly exposes or reveals skin or undergarments. This may include: tank tops; halter tops; tops that are strapless, low cut or expose the midriff; pants worn low or loose that expose skin or undergarments.
Causes or is likely to cause a substantial or material disruption to school activities or the orderly operation of the school. This may include buttons, display bands, armbands, flags, decals or other badges of symbolic expression.
Covers the head, including hats, sunglasses, bandanas, hoods and visors, or head coverings of any kind.
School Lunch Menus
Spiritwear is Coming
Wanted: Donations to the Media Center
Mrs. Hastings is looking for some donations for Makerspace centers in the Media Center. If you have any of the following items that you could donate, please send them in with your child.
- · White crew socks
- · Pipe cleaners
- · Legos (don’t have to match anything)
Thank you for your support!
Upcoming School Spirit Days
Below, you will find information about school spirit days through January.
November 10 - Silly Sock Day
December 1 - Tacky Sweater Day
January 12 - Career Day
Safe School Zones Resolution
Celebrate Your Child Through the Media Gift Fund
Walking Wednesday
KidStuff Coupon Books
Box Tops for Education
It's time to start clipping and turning in those Box Tops! Last year we raised $1,070 for our school. This year our goal is $1,200! When our goal is reached we will have a school wide celebration (TBD).
Each Box Top is worth 10 cents. You can find Box Tops on many family products such as frozen, canned or boxed foods, cleaning supplies, paper products and much more. Please visit btfe.com for a complete list of participating brands.
What do YOU need to do? All you need to do is start clipping, saving and sending in your Box Tops. Deadline for our first submission is Monday, October 23rd. Please remember to clip your Box Tops on the dotted line, and check the expiration. Be sure to download the BTFE App for other savings and opportunities to earn more for our school. Thank you for your support. Happy Clipping!
Howard County G/T Program Parent Academy, October 11th
Wednesday, October 11, 7 – 8:30 p.m. – Howard High School, 8700 Old Annapolis Road, Ellicott City, 21043
HCPSS families interested in the Gifted and Talented (G/T) Program are invited to come learn about the advanced-level offerings available through the G/T education program and how their students can become involved.
The evening will begin with an overview of G/T Education Program offerings at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. These overviews will be presented by both G/T staff and Howard County students.
Following the general session, parents and community members will have an opportunity to meet by school level for a question and answer session.
Full Schedule:
7:00 – 8:00, G/T Education Program Overview Presentation – Auditorium
8:05 – 8:30, Question and Answer Sessions:
- Elementary G/T Program Offerings: Auditorium
- Middle G/T Program Offerings: Classroom F124
- High School G/T and AP Courses: Classroom F126
For more information, please email hcpssgtac@gmail.com or alyson_tommins@hcpss.org or call 410-313‐6800.
Fall and Winter Clothing Give Away!
FREE Clothing for All Ages, Infant to Adult
Saturday, October 28th - 9:00-10:30 a.m.
North Laurel Community Center
Parent Volunteer Procedures at LES
"According to HCPSS Board Policy, all parent volunteers must complete a Confidentiality Training Course about protecting the privacy of our students, staff, and schools. Please complete this course before registering to volunteer at your child's school. The course takes about 5 minutes to complete. Please click the following website and follow these 3 steps":
Step One: Training Course - Click through each page of the training course.
Step Two: Certification of Completion - Print and complete the Parent Volunteer Certification Form.
Step Three: Register to Volunteer - Bring the completed and signed Certification Form to school before or on the day you volunteer.
Don't Delay, Join Your PTA!
The 2017-18 membership rates are $20 for a family and $15 for an individual.
Consider all the programs your PTA brings to the school -- Cultural Arts assemblies, after school classes, field trip support, the Science Fair, Talent Show, Fall Festival, etc., etc., etc., and support your PTA!
Community News and Programs
The link below will take you to community notices are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Howard County Public School System.
http://www.hcpss.org/community-news-and-programs/