Greetings EES Families,

As we are coming to the end of quarter 1, we want to remind families that the PreK-2 report cards were updated last year, and the grades 3-5 report cards are new this year. These report card shifts are due to HCPSS implementing the Standards Based Instruction and Reporting (SBIR) process, per Policy 8010 – Grading and Reporting: Pre-Kindergarten Through Grade 5. With the shift to SBIR, grades are based on the student's proficiency with the grade-level curriculum standards.

The Standards Based Instruction and Reporting Family and Community Resources Canvas course provides important information about SBIR. This includes documents to assist in Understanding Your Child's Report Card.

Academic Performance Codes represent what has been learned - where the student is in relation to the expectation of the grade level standard. It is intended to reflect the progress toward meeting the Maryland College and Career Readiness Standards for their current grade level.

For students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), detailed progress toward IEP goals is provided in the Annual Goal(s) Progress Report that is sent at the same time as the HCPSS report card. A student’s IEP goals address the identified skills that support their progress toward meeting grade level standards.

Report Cards:

Report cards will be available in Synergy on Friday, November 8, 2024. As a reminder to parents of 3rd - 5th grade students, the report cards will be based on the updated Standards Based Instructional Reporting (SBIR) format. Below is additional information that will explain what the updated 3rd - 5th Grade report card will look like. Additional information can be found at the Elementary Standards Based Instruction and Reporting parent page.

November Parent / Teacher Conferences:

November conferences are quickly approaching. This year, conferences will be organized a bit differently:

K-2nd Grade - ELA Teacher

3rd - 5th Grade - AM Teacher

3rd & 4th Grade who have one teacher all day - ELA Conference

The conference schedule opens up on November 8, 2024 at 8:00 am. At that time, please log in through your parent portal account to schedule a conference. The conference schedule is open through Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 4:00 PM.

Monday, November 25, 2024: In-Person Conferences only

Tuesday, November 26, 2024: Virtual Conferences only

Wednesday, November 27, 2024: Virtual Conferences only (if applicable)

Car Loop:

Please be sure not to have any cell phones in your hands as you move through the car loop, as this is against the law. Moving through the car loop, it is important to stay alert to the staff members guiding you safely in and out of the school in the morning and afternoon. Please support our staff and students by ensuring that we are refraining from using cell phones while driving on campus. Several staff members have almost been hit by cars with distracted driving on campus. Please be aware of the motion path and movement throughout the school campus.

Recess:

We have observed students attempting to play touch football during recess. While we encourage active play and fun, we kindly ask for your support in reminding your child that football is not allowed during recess for safety reasons. Our goal is to ensure that all students have a safe and enjoyable recess experience. Thank you for partnering with us to reinforce this important safety message. We appreciate your support in keeping recess safe for everyone.

Early Pick-up From School:

Please know that on a full day of school, the end time to pick your child up early is at 3:15 PM. Please make sure to have your ID with you when you come in to pick your child early from school.

As a final reminder, schools are closed for students on Thursday, October 31, 2024.

Have a great week!

Sincerely,

Kelley Powell, Principal

LaShonne Wright, Assistant Principal

Jonathan Swann, Assistant Principal

The EES Math Committee has been working hard to create engaging activities for the EES community. Please mark your calendars for MATH NIGHT on Thursday, November 7th from 6:00- 7:30 pm. MATH NIGHT will begin with a presentation for families to learn about the various resources that are available through the HCPSS site and canvas. You will learn where to find the curriculum as well as where to find supporting resources to use at home. The second part of MATH NIGHT will allow parents and their children to participate in hands on math-based activities focused on primary and intermediate math skills. We hope you will be able to join us for a marvelous math night!

November is American Education Month. To celebrate, the Elkridge Elementary staff is inviting parents to volunteer to read to their child’s class during the month. Each grade level will have 1 guest reader per English Language Arts class on a different day during three weeks in November. We ask that you bring your own favorite children's book to read to your child's class. There are limited slots, but we will be looking for more guest readers in March. If you are interested in being a guest reader in your child’s class, please select your child’s grade level link below to sign-up. Before you come in on your chosen day, please complete the Volunteer training and bring in your training certificate on the day you are guest reading.

• Pre-K: Guest Reader Signup

• Kindergarten: Guest Reader Signup

• 1st Grade: Guest Reader Signup

• 2nd Grade: Guest Reader Signup

• 3rd Grade: Guest Reader Signup

• 4th Grade: Guest Reader Signup

• 5th Grade: Guest Reader Signup

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 by Oct. 31. During the first 30 school days, students with FARMs eligibility from the prior school year will continue to receive benefits. Any student whose family has not filled out an application by the 30th school day will have their status changed to full pay 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 accurately and completely. Families can:

• Apply Online by clicking the link below
• Apply by mail: Paper applications can 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: HCPSS Food & Nutrition Service Office, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042.

If you have questions regarding the program, please visit www.hcpss.org/FARMs or call Food and Nutrition Services at 410-313-6743.

We thoroughly enjoy when parents come in to enjoy lunch with their child. We ask that you remember the following when visiting:

1. Before entering the cafeteria, please sign in at the front office to obtain a visitors pass.
   
   
2. Food may not be shared with other students in the cafeteria. Food that is brought in from outside sources (fast food lunch, cupcakes, etc. etc.) cannot be guaranteed to be allergen free. Therefore, to protect students, any food that is brought into the cafeteria may only be shared with the child you are visiting.
   
   
3. When dining with your child, please sit at a table that is either empty, or that has a few students at it.

As a general reminder for our students who sit at the allergy table, it is important that the same student(s) should sit at this table everyday. If two friends are going to sit at the table with a friend who has a peanut allergy, it should be the same students. If one student brings lunch that day they will not be able to sit at the allergy/peanut table that day.