VES Newsletter EAGLE EXPRESS
JUNE 4, 2022 - Vol.15 Issue #38
NO WALK-IN VISITORS DURING THIS TIME
Robert Bruce, Principal - robert_bruce@hcpss.org
Alexcia Redd, Assistant Principal - alexcia_redd@hcpss.org
Lauren Slattery, Administrator - lauren_slattery@hcpss.org
SCHOOL HOURS IN-SESSION
9:25 A.M. - 3:55 P.M.
OFFICE HOURS
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Please call ahead 410-313-1700
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
Email: robert_bruce@hcpss.org
Website: ves.hcpss.org
Location: 4355 Montgomery Road, Ellicott City, MD, USA
Phone: 443-864-6808
**Perform Daily Health Checks
*SEND Rapid and PCR results directly to VES RN: Brenda_Gregor@hcpss.org
RN will provide you with the most current MD-HCPSS guidelines specific to your health status.
*Parents/guardians should keep their children home if they are experiencing symptom(s) associated with any communicable disease, including COVID-19.
Parents/Guardians are to perform daily health checks for COVID-19 symptoms before the student leaves home.
A student should NOT come to school with any of these symptoms:
- fever of 100.4 degrees or higher
- sore throat
- cough
- difficulty breathing
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- new onset of severe headache (especially with fever), or
- new loss of taste or smell
For persons with chronic conditions such as asthma, the symptoms should represent a change from baseline.
** NOTICE: supervision by HCPSS Staff NOT available before school **
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.
*NOTE: HELP US RELEASE YOUR CHILD SAFELY TO AUTHORIZED ADULTS (HCPSS Policy)
HELP US RELEASE YOUR CHILD SAFELY TO AUTHORIZED ADULTS
- * Please be prepared to present your physical, tangible Photo ID
- ** Bring your phone to scan the QR code to sign out student(s) for Early Dismissal.
- Please plan accordingly. Students are dismissed from class upon parents' arrival after they are signed out from the office.
- ***Make sure FamilyFile is updated to indicate non-parent/guardians who VES staff are authorized to release your child to.
- Dismissal requests AFTER 3:30pm will be dismissed at normal 3:55pm time as Car Riders
It is too difficult for staff and students to locate/notify during the school-wide final classroom transitioning at the end of the day.
At this time, we can't allow students to take a different bus other than their assigned bus due to COVID.
Weekly Message from our Principal
Dear Parents,
This year all of our students were offered free breakfast and lunch. As of June 30, 2022, the waivers that allowed Howard County to do this will expire. Therefore it is crucial that if you qualify for Free or Reduced Priced Meals that you file a new annual application to determine your family's eligibility. Prices will be established at the next board meeting and everyone will pay full price unless a pre-approved application has been processed for the 2022-23 school year. Everyone should fill out the application and see if you qualify, the school system may ask for proof of income for federal verification.
In light of recent news events, eating lunch with your children is not as easy as simply coming in to eat. Now, we ask that parents make a reservation at least 24 hrs in advance with the school office. Upon arrival, you will be asked to show your identification. Please do not arrive at the school without identification, you will be asked to return another day. This reservation is for lunch only and not for recess. You are asked to exit through the office when you depart after lunch.
Please know that any after school activities are responsible for their program security.
The school doors will be locked once dismissal of our students is complete. The after school activity will provide staff to let students into the building. Please follow their directions. It is crucial that IF you must pick up your child early, you make arrangements with the activity staff, doors to the school will be locked. In most cases an after school activity may choose to walk their entire group to the door for dismissal. Please check with the activity leader for their procedures.
We are constantly reviewing security issues. Please know that parents should not show up to the school, for any reason, without proper identification.
Robert C Bruce
Principal- Veterans Elementary School
410-313-1700
Every Day Counts!
Connectedness Strategic Responsibility Arranger Intellection
HCPSS APPROVED CALENDAR SY2021-22 - * Updated 2/25/2022 :
Chinese - Month view & Chinese - Date list view
JUNE:
6 - PTA Meeting: Virtual 7:00 p.m.
8 - Schools Close 3-Hours Early: VES Dismissal 12:55 p.m.
9 - PTA sponsored End of Year Picnic & Popsicles Party/ PTA Elections
10 - Spirit Day: Pride Week! Rainbow Kindness Day - Wear rainbows, colorful & Kind messages
14 - Last FULL DAY of School/ Last Day for PK-RECC Students
14 - 5th Grade Picnic - 2:15 p.m. to 3:55 p.m.
15 - 5th Grade Closing Ceremony - VIRTUAL 9:45 a.m.
15 - 5th Grade Extravaganza - Blacktop 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
15 - Schools Close 3-Hours Early: Dismissal 12:55 p.m.
16 - Schools Close 3-Hours Early: Dismissal 12:55 p.m.
17 - Spirit Day: Summer Vacation Fun! Wear sunglasses, Hawaiian shirt, lei or fav vacation shirt
17 - Schools Close 3-Hours Early: Dismissal 12:55 p.m. LAST DAY OF SCHOOL SY2021-22
20 - Schools and Offices Closed - Juneteenth National Independence Day (observed)
JULY:
4 - Independence Day: HCPSS buildings and Offices Closed
19- Primary Election Day
2022 - 2023 SCHOOL YEAR
AUGUST:
24- Class Assignments will be available in Canvas/Synergy
26- Kindergarten & New Student Orientation
26- Open House
29 - First Day of School for Full Day Programs
SEPTEMBER:
5 - Labor Day: Schools and Offices Closed
FRIDAY, JUNE 17
Last Day of School
MONDAY, AUGUST 29
First Day of School
NEW INFORMATION
June 9 End of Year Picnic 7:00p.m.-8:30p.m.
Please sign up here to help out for 30 min or so. https://signup.com/go/aNDgAmL
On Thursday June 9th, our wonderful PTA will host our schoolwide End of Year Picnic.
Join us on the playground for our annual end of year party on June 9 at 7:00p.m.-8:30p.m.
We will have popsicles, games, prizes, a DJ and lots of fun! This will be an outdoor event.
(RAIN DATE: June 13) . Please bring a picnic dinner and enjoy on school grounds.
DreamBox Access Ends June 30, 2022
DreamBox Access Ends June 30, 2022
Students will not have access to DreamBox this summer. Access will be turned off on June 30, 2022.
Mathematics Resources for Rising Grade 6 Students
HCPSS has developed online acceleration courses in Canvas to help supplement some of the mathematics content that may be missed when a student skips a course(s). Students can log into Canvas and join the acceleration course by visiting the associated link(s). Students should begin with module 1 of the course they are joining. The expectation is for students to complete each of the modules in the appropriate acceleration course before the start of the 2022-23 school year.
The Mathematics 7 acceleration course is designed for rising 6th grade students who are skipping Mathematics 6. The course contains self-paced Mathematics 6 content. Students can join/access this course by visiting: https://hcpss.instructure.com/enroll/9WYLTP
Rising 6th grade students who are skipping Mathematics 6 and Mathematics 7 to take Pre-Algebra GT should enroll in the Mathematics 7 acceleration course (https://hcpss.instructure.com/enroll/9WYLTP) and then the Mathematics 8 acceleration course ( https://hcpss.instructure.com/enroll/H47PRL).
Additional student and family middle school mathematics course support is available online at the HCPSS Family Math Support Center: http://hcpssfamilymath.weebly.com.
Closing Events for 5th Grade
The Fifth Grade Planning Committee has scheduled closing events for our 5th Graders.
This is not a graduation; in Howard County we only recognize one graduation and that is from high school.
This year's 5th Grade Closing Assembly will be on Wednesday, June 15th.
The ceremony will be a video presentation shared with parents and families via Canvas at 9:45 a.m. The students will watch the video with their classmates in school. The video will remain available for further viewing and for downloading.
In addition, there will be an after-school 5th Grade Outdoor Extravaganza organized by the 5th Grade Parent Committee from 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. on the playground. There will be an opportunity for photos with teachers and friends, a small gift from the PTA and some light refreshments.
The 5th Grade End of Year in-School Picnic for students will be on Tuesday June 14th from 2:15 pm until the end of the day.
New Kindergarten SY2022-2023 Important Dates
Upcoming PTA Events
Upcoming PTA Events
June 6 - PTA Meeting - virtual*
June 9 - Picnic & Popsicles End of Year Party/ PTA Elections*
June - 5th grade events (dates vary) reach out to 5th grade committee for details
Variable dates: Media center volunteers*
*Additional information below
Picnic & Popsicles End of Year Party
Join us on the playground for our annual end of year party on June 9 at 7pm-8:30pm. We will have popsicles, games, prizes, a DJ and lots of fun! This will be an outdoor event. (RAIN DATE: June 13)
Please sign up here to help out for 30 min or so. https://signup.com/go/aNDgAmL
Thank you to our outgoing PTA board!
They helped organize so much over the past 2 crazy years! Cara Adornetto, Heidi Potter, Kim Davis, Tomi Adebo, Nicole Tsang, Ajoy Karikkineth, Jamie Fessler, Amie Price, Marche’ Templeton, Tina David, Ana Maldonado, Danyette Young, Mr. Bruce and Mrs. Redd. And thank you to our incredible teachers, paras, front office staff, and custodians for all their help this year!
Cheers to all the fun the PTA organized this year!
Outdoor Movie Night, Board Game Drive, Teacher wish list, Staff appreciation events, Virtual Game Nights, Spiritwear sales, Restaurant nights at Chipotle and Yama Sushi, Reflections art contest, STEM Fair, Book Fairs, Whooo's Reading Read-a-Thon, Calm down kits for classrooms, Eagle Cart prizes, classroom supplies reimbursement, kindergarten summer playdates, and 5th grade SCH, and end of year activities,
Please join the PTA next year to help us fund all this and more!
Parent Volunteers in School
Volunteer in the Media Center: Sign up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F094AA5AF23A2F85-inschool
You must complete 2 trainings (child abuse & confidentiality), print the completion certificates and turn them into your child's teacher or the front office.
Trainings on this webpage (at bottom): https://ves.hcpss.org/support
VES PTA Nomination Slate for 2022-2023 School Year
Presenting the slate of nominations for our PTA board for next year! We will vote at the end of year picnic. Nominations can be taken from the floor. We will also be looking for lots of help with committees for next year too!
President: Baulraj Vanamamalai
VP 1: Cara Adornetto
VP 2: Namoneh Kande
Recording Secretary: Kim Davis
Corresponding Sec: Tina David
Treasurer: Julie Simmons
Delegates: Marche Templeton & Tomi Adebo
JOIN US FOR A PTA MEETING (Virtual) - Mon, June 6- 7pm
Please join us at our meeting and we will allow time at the end of the meeting for any questions you may have. Or email Cara at doctorcia@gmail.com if you want more info. (meetings are usually 1hr long)
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://discovery.zoom.us/j/98093284149?pwd=QWptQXUxN2xxMWhrRXh2T0c5ZTJtZz09
Meeting ID: 980 9328 4149
Passcode: 094353
Follow us on Facebook:
Noon-8 p.m. June 7
Use code on ShackApp for 25% donation toward HCPSS Pride
6 p.m. on June 9
Ellicott Mills Middle School Welcomes Future PTA Members
Dear Future EMMS Parents:
The PTA is still looking for members to fill spots on the PTA Executive Board for SY 2022-2023. We have the following spots open:
1) President
2) Treasurer
3) Delegate 1 (PTA of Howard Co, PTAHC)
4) Delegate 2 (PTA of Howard Co, PTAHC)
I'd emphasize that the time commitment is manageable. This is a productive way to be a part of the fun activities for the children and also to work with some of the school's staff.
Please e-mail me (Ricky Rambharat, rrambharat@gmail.com) if you have interest as we are trying to fill these spots for the next school year. Again, please consider joining the Board and getting to know our very special EMMS community.
Kind regards,
Ricky Rambharat
More News | Event | Reminders
Health & Safety Reminders
Families are reminded to follow all HCPSS health and safety protocols and conduct daily at-home health checks. Answers to health and safety frequently asked questions are available online.
At-Home COVID Test Kits
HCPSS received additional at-home COVID-19 test kits, which are being deployed to schools. If an asymptomatic student is identified as part of an outbreak and is not up to date on their vaccines, a kit will be sent home with that student. Students identified as part of an outbreak who are exhibiting symptoms may be tested, with parent/guardian consent, at school and further guidance will be provided. Details and additional information on outbreak contact protocols can be found online.
Free Summer Meals
HCPSS will continue providing free meals to all HCPSS students and any children aged 18 and under, weekdays from June 27-Aug. 12, with the exception of July 4 and 19. Full details, including site locations, can be found online.
HCPSS Pride Week
June 6-12, 2022
HCPSS is hosting its first-ever Pride Week featuring a host of voluntary activities outside the school day, including author book readings, movie nights, fundraisers, and a family hike. Registration links and additional information are available online.
LOCAL COMMUNITY POSTINGS & EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY
June 19: HoCo Family Wellness Day
Lions’ Pride Booster Club Summer Camps
The Lions' Pride Booster Club is proud to announce their summer camp lineup for the summer of 2022. We have boys' and girls' basketball, lacrosse, track and field, cross country, and soccer. We also have boys' baseball, girls' softball, and girls field hockey. New this year we have boys and girls Intro to Programming through Scratch and Robotics.
Registration and details of each camp can be found here:http://www.howardlionspride.org/sports-camps.html
Come out and learn about your favorite sports from the Howard H.S. athletic coaches. We look forward to working with you!
After our past two COVID-canceled summers, we're back in action!
Our MHHS Summer Camp registration website is open!
Troop and Pack 305
For our rising 6th graders, Scout Troop 305 is accepting new members, boys and girls! We meet on Wednesdays at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Frederick road. Camping and hiking are only some of the fun activities we do, join us today! Please e-mail or call Dave Maas (davidleemaas@gmail.com, 443-867-7714) for more information.
If any rising kindergartners through rising 5th graders are interested, our Cub Scout Pack is also accepting members. Please email Kristine Moreno (kristine.quinto@gmail.com) for info.
VES REMINDERS: Worth Repeating . . .
ARRIVAL DOORS OPEN AT 9:15AM
Late Arrivals by car-riders:
Beginning at 9:25 a.m., Parent/guardian must sign-in the student(s) "TARDY".
* Notify by 2:00PM
** At this time, we can't allow students to take a different bus other than their assigned bus due to COVID.
Please send any dismissal changes for the day no later than 2:00 p.m. to VEStransportation@hcpss.org.
Include
student's name, date(s), and the details of the changes
(ex: will be a car rider instead of the bus, early pick-up, etc).
* cc the homeroom teacher on the email.
VESabsence @hcpss.org
Send Student Attendance-related notifications directly to: VESabsence@hcpss.org
when student will be absent due to illness, appointments, religious, or travel obligations.
Submit copies of doctor/appointment excuse note here as well.
HCPSS EXTENDED or DISCRETIONARY STUDENT ABSENCE FORM
EARLY DISMISSAL PICK-UP MUST BE By 3:30PM prior to final class transition time
No Transportation Changes can be accommodated During Dismissal
*Please reserve any last minute requests for
EMERGENCIES ONLY*
~Help us keep your children safe ~
Making these requests causes confusion and leaves a lot of room for errors during the mass exodus!
Any transportation changes made after 3:30pm is disruptive to the VES dismissal process.
Please do not call or enter the school building requesting a staff member to pull your child from their normal dismissal plan.
* ATTN: PARENTS/GUARDIANS ARE RESTRICTED FROM BOARDING SCHOOL BUSES *
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.
PARENTS/GUARDIANS, YOU DO NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO BOARD SCHOOL BUSES.
See an Administrator or Front Office Secretary for assistance!
BUS STOPS and Riding Privileges
Please understand that if children experience problems on the bus that the driver has the authority to write a bus referral that can result in the denial of bus riding privileges for a given period of time. Parents also need to understand that sometimes children experience difficulties at the bus stop with other individuals who ride the bus. Parents need to supervise their children at the bus stops. Often there are issues which start out as playing then become more serious. Parents may even wish to discuss having rotating responsibilities of supervising their children at the bus stop.
* CAR LOOP ISSUES:
We still have several parents who insist on pulling their cars into the 2nd or 3rd row of the school parking lot, sometimes blocking traffic from departing. This is an unsafe practice which complicates driver's leaving the car loop lane. Unless you can find an actual parking spot in the 2nd or 3rd row of parking then you must join the car loop lane for parent pick up if you are here to retrieve a child. You may not park or stop in front of parked cars to wait for your child. You also create a dangerous situation for your child and yourself.
Our school is very busy. We are sorry the Parent Pick Up Lane sometimes moves slowly but this is necessary for student safety. Most of our children are bus riders. The pandemic has increased the car ridership at Veterans. Join the Parent Pick Up Lane to retrieve your children. You have someplace to get your child to after school, that is fine, so do many other parents. If this is the case, arrange for an early dismissal before 3:30 pm if you can not wait. Please know that rainy or snowy weather makes this lane move even slower.
Policy 1050 – Tobacco-Free Environment
The purpose of this policy is to specify criteria for the HCPSS to maintain a tobacco-free, smoke-free, and nicotine-free environment, to help prevent the use of tobacco and nicotine products by students, employees, and visitors. The HCPSS also supports cessation efforts, and delineates the consequences for violations of this policy. This policy includes the use of ENDS products including but not limited to; e-pens, vaping pens, e-pipes, etc. Please know that any student in violation of this policy shall be subject to the Student Discipline 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.
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.
Fall 2022-2023 New Kindergarten & New Grade 1 Student - Online Registration
Kindergarten registration for families of children who will be 5yo by September 1, 2022.
Parents can begin the enrollment process online, after which your child’s school will contact you to complete the registration process.
NOTE: HCPSS Current Pre-Kindergarten students do not need to be re-registered for kindergarten because they are already enrolled as an HCPSS student.
PreKindergarten Enrollment Information
PreKindergarten Program Information guidelines
The HCPSS prekindergarten program is a high-quality, half-day prekindergarten program. Students must be four years old by September 1, 2022 to be considered for enrollment in fall 2022. The comprehensive curriculum taught by certified staff supports early learning and school readiness and provides experiences that foster children’s academic, social, emotional and physical development.
Is my child eligible for the program?
Students must be four years old by September 1.
The Maryland State Department of Education requires that the pre-K program be made available first to students who meet first priority criteria: income eligible, homelessness and foster care.
At this time, families that qualify for first priority criteria are placed first into pre-K and second priority applicants are placed on the waitlist. The Office of Early Childhood Programs will monitor countywide enrollment trends and space availability at pre-K sites to determine if the second priority criteria applicants can be considered for placement into pre-K.
Step 1: Complete the fillable application - * Regular PreK Program applications (*available Apr. 19) and upload along with all other required documents including proof of family income (refer to application form) during the online registration process;
Step 2: Register Online starting April 19 - Pre-K Registration Opens on the HCPSS website.
If you have any additional questions, please contact Mary Jens at (410) 313-1700
Mary_Jens@hcpss.org
HCPSS News and Text Alerts - Stay Informed
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.
HCPSS Visitors and Volunteers
All volunteers and chaperones who interact with students, as well as current HCPSS students who attend a field trip or volunteer at a different school during the school day are required to comply with by the HCPSS policies in place by complete the following:
HCPSS Volunteer link Information steps:
1. Confidentiality Training Course
2. Certification of Completion
3. Register to Volunteer
EE ARCHIVE - Previous Issues SY2021-22
Issue #37 - May 28, 2022
Issue #36 - May 21, 2022
Issue #35 - May 14, 2022
Access complete archive on the main school website: VES.hcpss.org
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