VES Eagle Express Newletter
OCTOBER 24, 2020 - Volume 14, Issue #11
SY2020-2021: Saturday Weekly Circular
Veterans Elementary
Robert Bruce, Principal - robert_bruce@hcpss.org
Amy Green, Assistant Principal - amy_green@hcpss.org
Kelly Ryan, Administrative Intern - kelly_ryan@hcpss.org
THE BUILDING IS CLOSED TO STUDENTS DURING THIS TIME.
The office has coverage from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. on
days when school is in session.
Please call ahead 410-313-1700
SCHOOL SECRETARIES ARE WORKING REMOTELY
They are available to assist you during this time:
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
Send Student Attendance-related notifications directly to: VESabsence@hcpss.org
(i.e. student will be absent due to illness, appointments, religious, or travel obligations)
Email: robert_bruce@hcpss.org
Website: ves.hcpss.org
Location: 4355 Montgomery Road, Ellicott City, MD, USA
Phone: 443-864-6808
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.
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Report Cards will be distributed on Monday November 16th.
School System Hybrid Survey
This was not a final definitive survey. Please understand once the Board of Education decides on its plan, you will be able to make a more binding decision at that time. For now, know that the school system is working on what that plan will look like. Once the plan is in place, you will have another opportunity to make some decisions based on the plan.
Be Safe this Halloween
Veterans Not Participating in School Based Learning Centers for Now
Recently we announced that Veterans Elementary School is considering the potential for offering in-person support programs for small groups of selected students. Unfortunately, we will not be able to offer an in-person support program at our school at this time, because our ability to offer this program is dependent on staff availability, which is currently not sufficient to meet the level of student interest. We are looking into other options for serving additional children in small groups.
As a reminder, any child may meet their teacher individually or in small groups during the synchronous support times built into the daily school schedule. You and/or your child may also meet virtually with a member of the school support team. Please contact your child’s teacher, school counselor, school psychologist to request a virtual meeting, or with questions or concerns, and encourage your child to do so as well.
Please know that we are fully committed to supporting your child. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me, Amy Green, Kelly Ryan or any other staff member if there is anything else that we can to to help support your child.
School Calendar
Make sure you know important dates on the 2020-2021 Academic Calendar. There are no printed calendars; you may view the online calendar and/or download printable calendar PDFs on our website. The calendar is subject to change.
OCTOBER:
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Bullying Prevention Month
27 - VES Pink Shirt Day: In honor of Bully Prevention Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month
NOVEMBER:
National Native American Heritage Month
1 - End of Daylight Savings Time
3 - Schools and Offices Closed: ELECTION DAY (State Mandated Holiday)
6- End of HCPSS 1st Quarter Marking Period
6 - 3-Hour Early Dismissal for Students: Professional Development Day
16 - Q1 Report Cards Issued
23 - 3-Hour Early Dismissal for Students: Parent/Teacher Conferences
24 - 3-Hour Early Dismissal for Students: Parent/Teacher Conferences
25 - School Closed to Students: Parent/Teacher Conferences
26& 27 - Schools and Offices Closed: THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY (State Mandated Holiday)
Important Current Events
From the VES Counseling Department:
We are currently in the process of updating our database for families in need.
Please let us know if you are interested in receiving food by filling out the google form below. We will try our best to honor your request, however it is not guaranteed. The food pickup location is at St.Peter’s Church in Ellicott City.
Please fill out the Pete’s Packs Sign Up form to receive more information.
Please fill out the google form below if you are in need of gift cards for the holidays. We will put all names in a raffle and you will be notified if you are selected.
Please fill out the Holiday Gift Card Raffle form to be entered.
In honor of Bully Prevention Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are going to be celebrating Pink Shirt Day on Tuesday, October 27th!! In case you haven’t heard yet, Pink Shirt Day is an anti-bullying initiative that began a few years back in Nova Scotia when a 9th grade boy was bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school. Two other boys who witnessed the bullying organized the first Pink Shirt Day in support of the bullied student. Everyone they knew came to school wearing pink to show that they take a stand against bullying. We will also be wearing pink in support of breast cancer awareness!
Please dig out your favorite pink shirt to wear to school on Tuesday, 10/27!!
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If you have an immediate need for help with depression, suicidal thoughts, or other serious
mental health issues, please contact:
Grassroots Crisis Intervention at 410-531-6677
The Maryland Crisis Hotline: Dial 211 and then choose option 1
The Crisis Text Line: Text 741741 and a trained counselor will respond.
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255
HCPSS News Subscriptions
Parents/guardians new to the system are automatically enrolled for email notification, however must opt in to receive text alerts.
Community News
Please visit the HCPSS website Community News and Programs page for upcoming events and programs sponsored by non-profit organizations.
Important Countywide Information
Fall Reopening Updates
Find updated information about the 2020-2021 school year on the HCPSS website. Answers to frequently-asked questions are provided on the HCPSS Help site, including a recently added FAQ on how to access your child’s MAP test results.
EVENT:
Project SEARCH Information Session
Tuesday, November 10, 6:30 p.m., Virtual session
Families of youth with disabilities are invited to learn about Project SEARCH, an internship program that prepares young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their last year of high school for competitive employment.
Virtual Public Hearing: Policy 8090 Non-School-Hour Curricular Programs
Thursday, November 5, 7 p.m.; register to testify by Monday, November 2, 4:30 p.m
Board meetings are currently held virtually, live on the HCPSS website and on Comcast 95/Verizon 42. Learn about pre-registration and testimony. Register online to testify by Monday, November 2. Specific instructions on testifying virtually will be emailed to each registrant prior to the public hearing.
REMINDERS
Students’ Rights and Responsibilities Policy Advisory Committee
County residents interested in participating on the Advisory Committee for Policy 9020 Students’ Rights and Responsibilities may submit a statement of interest by October 26.
Update Emergency Contact Information with Family File
Parents/guardians: if you haven’t already done so, please update your Family File to provide emergency contact and other information for each child. To complete Family File, log in to HCPSS Connect, select the More Options tab on the left and then select Family File in the center column. Find details and resources online.
Family File Instructions- ENGLISH
VES COMMUNITY NEWS
Join the PTA
Good Morning Veterans Families !
If you haven't already, please join the PTA! We are brainstorming lots of opportunities to help make this year fun for the kids. Your membership helps to fund these activities and helps our school ratings by showing high parental involvement in our school. Our goal is 300 members. We are 1/3 of the way there! Keep those memberships coming!
This fall we plan to run the very popular Whooo's Reading Challenge and Fundraiser! Look for notifications coming soon to start logging your minutes and donations!
You will be able to get your Veterans's Spiritwear online this year! We plan to put the products right on memberhub where you purchased your membership. Look for links in future PTA blasts.
We are also talking about Virtual dance parties, Spirit Days, Family Game Nights, and Chalk the Walk options for the kids.
We would love your help with the following events. If you would like to simply pitch in an hour or so, we would appreciate your help. Email Cara Adornetto at doctorcia@gmail.com if interested.
Staff Appreciation Committee - Chairperson: Heidi Potter. Team members would help brainstorm ideas and assemble supplies for distribution as needed.
Email Heidi at Heidi@shmoo.com if interested.
Spiritwear Committee - Run by Amie House. Help with organizing incoming orders of spiritwear and/or help distribute in a driveby event at the school.
Email Cara at Doctorcia@gmail.com if interested.
PTA LINKS and INFO
Become a PTA Member: https://veterans.memberhub.store
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PTAatVES
COMCAST Internet
Parent Support- Canvas Parent App
Parent Support:
Download the Parent App - “Canvas Parent”
This app will provide an easier way to view assignments and announcements. Download at the App Store or Blue Circle Canvas Icon.
-Course icon, calendar icon, assignments - points awarded
-Filters view by student - not intermingled like web view of canvas
-Can customize alerts - different course grades and assignments (i.e. notification if assignment is marked missing)
Greetings from your VES School Psychologists!
Welcome back for the 2020-2021 school year. Our school psychologist team at VES has grown this school year. We are here to help you!
Debra Moniodis (School Psychologist, Infants and Toddlers): debra_moniodis@hcpss.org
Michal Boyars (School Psychologist, RECC): michal_boyars@hcpss.org
Katie Burkhouse (School Psychologist, K-5): katie_burkhouse@hcpss.org
Kristen Marsico (School Psychologist Intern, K-5): kristen_marsico@hcpss.org
School psychologists are available for parent and staff consultation by level. Please reach out via email to schedule an appointment!
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 EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY POSTS
GIRL SCOUTS at VES!
For more information, contact Lauren Oviatt at VeteransGS@gmail.com
Please Continue to Return Media Books
A bin is located right inside the front door of our school for book drop off. You don't need to go inside the school, just drop the books off in the bin. We would like for all media books to be returned by November 1st, so we can clear our student accounts and make plans for a possible contactless media book check out later on this year. If you have books from another school, you may drop those off in the bin as well and we will send them to your old school.
If you have any questions, please email your media specialist, Robin_Lauren@hcpss.org or Carolee_Kinloch@hpcss.org.
Howard County Library Resources
- Created While Isolated: Students ages 13 and up and adults are invited to share photographs, art, music, creative writing, and personal stories from this unprecedented time in acollaborative creativity journal.
- TumbleMath is a fun and engaging way to learn math concepts through stories. Students can access this and many other learning resources with their A+ student accounts throughhcpss.me by selecting HC Library.
Send all attendance notes directly to: vesabsence@hcpss.org
During Virtual Learning, attendance will be taken daily by teachers for
Homeroom (.5 day) and Math (.5 day) to account for a full school day.
Each HCPSS school now has an attendance email for parents to send notes pertaining to their child missing any time out from school, even during virtual learning
(ie. sick, appointment, travel, etc.)
Please take the time to review: HCPSS ATTENDANCE POLICY
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.
Privacy Guidelines for Parents/Guardians
To maintain a positive, productive learning environment and assure confidentiality for students and teachers during distance learning, all parents/guardians are asked to follow the following privacy guidelines.
- Google Meet virtual instruction is designed for students. To prevent disruptions to the learning environment, parents/guardians should not actively participate in check-in sessions, although parents/guardians may assist their child with technology and/or remain nearby.
- Do not video record, audio record, photograph, live stream, or transmit in any other way any part of a Google Meet, including not posting on any social media platform.
- Any confidential or personally identifiable information related to students participating during Google Meets should not be collected, discussed or shared.
- Parents/guardians should not engage with students during Google Meets. If you need to speak with your child during a check-in session, first mute your child’s microphone.
- If a parent/guardian has a question, please email your child’s teacher.
Parents/guardians should email your child’s principal with any questions or concerns regarding privacy or virtual classroom expectations.
Thank you for your support and cooperation in ensuring that distance learning is a positive, productive and enjoyable experience for all participants
SY2020-21: EAGLE EXPRESS NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
[Go to VES webiste, for complete archive]
Click to review information presented in previous Issues:
Issue #10 - October 17, 2020