Cheetah Chat October Newsletter
9-28-22
Be Bellows Best!
Email: julie_schruefer@hcpss.org
Website: bses.hcpss.org
Location: 8125 Old Stockbridge Dr, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Phone: 410-313-5057
Twitter: @hcpss_bses
Updates from Administration
Our staff is working tirelessly to teach and reinforce the expected expectations and behaviors throughout our school building. They are also rewarding our students with positive praise and PAW Bucks. It is amazing to see your children working hard each day to learn their routines and expectations in each classroom and throughout our building. Also, the empathy and care the students show to help and support classmates and their peers.
We are appreciative for all of our families who took time to attend our back to school nights the week of Sept. 12th. We sent the powerpoint presentation to all of the families through the grade level messaging and the emails we have on file. If you did not receive it, please check your spam mail.
Please remember that if you plan to visit for lunch or volunteer in any capacity throughout the year you must complete the following trainings and return your forms to your child's teacher. You need the forms completed for each child in our school. All parent volunteers/visitors for lunch must complete the Confidentiality and Child Abuse and Neglect Training. Please print and sign the certificate of completion for both trainings.
All visitors must check in at the front office upon arrival and have identification. Stay tuned for volunteer opportunities.
Throughout the school year we will practice emergency preparedness drills. This past Friday we practiced the Duck Cover Hold On drill. This drill is used in the event of an explosion (bomb, mechanical malfunction), severe winds (tornado, extreme weather), earthquake, or other situations that might cause significant structural damage to the school. Students and staff did an excellent job practicing the drill on Friday.
We thank you for your support and partnership!
Julie Schruefer-Principal
Melanie Krablin-Assistant Principal
Student Picture Day at BSES
October 3rd-BSES Picture Day
Today you will receive a picture envelope in your child’s backpack. Each student will have their picture taken on October 3rd. Please complete the envelope and bring it in on picture day, if you would like to order your child’s pictures. You also can order online ahead of time with our BSES order code. Please preview this information for picture day: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Yiqq2OKJ-QOpxZXqJ-Dumm-_xzJXSf5C/view?usp=sharingMonday, Oct 3, 2022, 09:00 AM
Bellows Spring Elementary School, Old Stockbridge Drive, Ellicott City, MD, USA
Family File and HCPSS Connect
We have 67% of our families complete with updating their Family File.
Please remember to update your child’s Family File information today in HCPSS Connect!
Every year HCPSS parents must complete a Family File for each child. HCPSS utilizes Family File for parents/guardians to complete emergency information. Parents/guardians must verify and/or update information for each child, and can do so by logging in to HCPSS Connect PARENT ACCOUNT and selecting the MORE OPTIONS tab on the left and then clicking on Family File.
Once logged in, you will be asked to update or provide the following information:
Student Information
Parent/Guardian Contact
Emergency Contacts
Medical Information
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures
Photo Approval Data Confidentiality
PTA/PTSA Directory
Again, it is imperative that you complete the Family File in order to receive the name of your child's teacher for the upcoming school year.
FAMILY FILE USER GUIDE (KOREAN)Important Information From Our Health Room
Please remember to be monitoring your child for symptoms each day before sending them to school.
Symptom Checker
https://www.hcpss.org/health/covid-19-self-screening/
COVID Testing Resources in Howard County
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/covid-19-testing
Vaccine Resources
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/health/covid-19-vaccine
https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/vaccine
1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829
Flu Clinic at BSES on 10-13-22
The clinic at your child’s school will be held on October 13, 2022. We will send a notice home the day he/she has been vaccinated. If you want your child to receive a flu vaccination, fill out an online consent form or the hard copy consent (attached below). Do NOT fill out both.
ONLINE CONSENT FORM INSTRUCTIONS:
Fill out the online consent form at Bellows Spring Flu Vaccine Clinic 2022 *This is a secure, private site.*
OR (Do NOT fill out both)
PAPER CONSENT FORM INSTRUCTIONS
- Read the Vaccine Information Statement, which can be found at Flu Vaccine information or in your school nurse’s office.
- Fill out and return the form that is on the back of this letter.
Be sure to:
- Fill out every section. Write neatly and use ink.
- Use your insurance card to fill out your insurance information. Your insurance company will be billed. There is no co-pay or deductible. You will NOT be charged by us or your insurance company.
Return the consent form by October 7,2022.
Howard Co ENGLISH SLIV Consent Form - 2022.pdf
Howard Co SPANISH SLIV Consent Form - 2022.pdf
We hope you will join our fight against the flu. Vaccinating your child will help keep him/her healthy and prevent the spread of flu to others. It also will cut down on missed time from work and school.
We look forward to preventing the flu with you!
Important BSES Information (Please click all the buttons below)
Family Fitness Night 2022!
Wednesday October 19th 6:15-8:00pm
Family Fitness Night forms will be emailed out on Monday October 3rd. Space is limited, so please register via the online link for your family as soon as possible. We have a bunch of fun, family-friendly activities for everyone: karate, whittle, yoga, fitness, bean bag golf, and bowling! We also have a some healthy snack stations throughout the event. We hope you and your family are able to join us!
Hispanic Heritage Month and Resource Fair
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th to October 15th each year in the United States. This celebration honors numerous people from Spanish-speaking backgrounds who have come to the United States. We celebrate their cultures and traditions during this month. September 15th was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of the independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Also, Mexico celebrates its independence day on September 16th and Chile celebrates its independence day on September 18th.
Hispanic Heritage Resource Fair, Oct. 6, 2022
Thursday, October 6, 6-8 p.m., Deep Run ES, 6925 Old Waterloo Rd., Elkridge
In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, HCPSS' Hispanic Achievement Program will host a countywide Resource Fair Thursday, Oct. 6 at Deep Run Elementary School.
Open to all students, families and community members, the event will be fully in Spanish. Representatives from the consulates of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador will be on-site with resources and information. Local Howard County agencies and non-profit organizations also will be available and will provide additional resources.
For more information, contact the HCPSS Hispanic Achievement Program at 410-313-6667.
The HCPSS Black Student Achievement Program Saturday Math Academy Fall Session
This year, the BSAP Saturday Math Academy will offer an in-person enrichment program for Howard County Public School System students in all levels of math for grades 3-12 based on course availability. Registration will take place online until capacity is reached. Class space is limited. Families can register by accessing the HCPSS Connect Website.
For more information, please visit: BSAP Saturday Math Academy HCPSS News Post
Free and Reduced Meals Program
We want to uplift and remind you all that HCPSS participates in the Free and Reduced-price Meals (FARMs) program. Qualification is based on family size and income, and enrollment is confidential.
Participation in FARMs qualifies students for a wide range of opportunities and resources beyond breakfast and lunch, including free college applications, free or reduced JumpStart tuition, discounted internet through the Comcast Internet Essentials program, and more.
Families must submit a new application every school year. During the first 30 school days, students with FARMs eligibility from the prior school year will be carried over. Any student who has not filled out an application up to the 30th school day will have their prior year status changed to full pay status until a new application is received.
Parents/guardians are highly encouraged to fill out the applications as soon as possible. It is very important that applications are filled out correctly.
Apply by mail: Paper applications are available at your child’s school and may also be picked up in the Food and Nutrition Service Office (5451 Beaverkill Rd, Columbia, MD 21044). Applications can be returned to your child’s school or mailed to the Food and Nutrition Service Office: HCPSS Food & Nutrition Service Office, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042.
More information and Different Language Versions
If you have questions regarding the program, please visit www.hcpss.org/farms or call Food and Nutrition Services at 410-313-7134.
Multilingual Parent Leadership Program
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. Please click here for additional information and the application.
BSES Important Dates Coming Up
- Sept 30th Walking School Bus
- Sept. 30th-Oct. 20th Whittle Equipment in PE
- October 3rd Student Picture Day
- October 6th Hispanic Heritage Fair at Deep Run 6:00 pm
- October 10th 6:30 pm PTA Meeting
- October 12th Walk to School Day
- October 13th BSES Flu Clinic
- October 14th PTA Fall Fest/Pumpkin Auction
- October 19th Unity Spirit Day
- October 19th 6:15 pm Family Fitness Night at BSES (Sign up required)