The Fulton Flier

Dear Falcon Families,

Thank you so much to all of the families who were able to come out and join us for Back to School Night.

If you were unable to make it, information was sent out from the teachers.

Changes on the Playground

You may have heard from your child/children that there are some changes coming to the playground. This week, HCPSS Grounds were out removing some of the trees so that a fence can be extended down the path. This is being done for additional security, and due to the fact that some of the trees are dying.

We are here to help!

We have so many people who are here to help and support the students and the Fulton community.

When you have a minute, take a peek at the Fulton ES website. This link will take you to our staff list and emails. If you find yourself with a question, start with your child's teacher. If you are in need of additional support, reach out to administration or any member of the Student Services Team.

We appreciate your partnership!

Debbie Holmes, Principal

Meaghan Liwosz, Assistant Principal

Erin Coleman, Assistant Principal

September 15

PTA Meeting- 7:00 p.m. in the Media Center

September 21

Schools & Offices Closed

September 30

Early Dismissal: School will close at 12:55 pm

October 1

Picture Day!

October 16

School closed for students: Staff Workday

October 28

School closed for students: Staff Professional Learning/Workday

October 30

Fall Fest- During the school day! More information to come!

November 3

Schools and Offices Closed- Election Day

November 16 - 20

American Education Week- More Information to come!

November 23 & 24

Parent/Teacher Conferences- More Information to come!

November 25 - 27

Schools & Offices Closed for Thanksgiving

CLICKHEREfortheHCPSS26-27AcademicCalendar(DatesOnly)

Morgan State University is hosting a STEM Expo on Saturday, September 26, from 10:00am–3:00pm. Students and families will have opportunities to participate in hands-on STEM activities, games, demonstrations, and workshops while learning about STEM careers and pathways. The event will also feature industry engagement, giveaways, and guided campus tours.

This is a wonderful opportunity for students to explore STEM beyond the classroom, engage with STEM professionals and organizations, and make connections to future STEM careers and pathways.

Thursday, October 1, 2026 6:00PM-7:30PM

HYBRID

Families and Community are invited to join HCPSS in partnership with the LGBTQIA+ Commission of Howard County and CARY to bring you this hybrid FAMILY Read the Rainbow and LGBTeaQi&A on Thursday, October 1, 2026 @ 6:00PM. The first 50 families with children in grades 5 and under who register and attend the program will receive a free copy of the book, Rainbow Cookies by Lesléa Newman. FAMILY Read the Rainbow is a 30-45 minute virtual program in which participants get to meet an LGBTQIA+ inclusive author to hear them read their book aloud, and have a discussion with the author and our LGBTeaQi&A is an activity to bring together families and community who are looking to connect and learn together. This special combination program will provide attendees with the opportunity and option to join us in person at the Miller Branch Library. Registration is required as space is limited.

Thursday, October 1, 2026 @ 6:00PM

HYBRID - in person at Miller Branch Library or virtual (select when registering)

Registration is required.

Here is the link to the downloadable flyer.

Join families, educators, and community partners in this district-wide evening of learning, connection, and access to resources that support student success. Location: Hammond High School, Wednesday, September 16, from 6:00-8:30 pm. Interactive workshops will focus on academic achievement, well-being, and family engagement and include topics such as MTSS, curriculum updates, and more. Interpretation services and dinner will be available. Please save the date and plan to attend. Registration information is coming soon!

Families should plan to have their children who walk to school or arrive by car to be on campus starting at 9:10. Staff members are not present prior to 9:10 to supervise children. There has been a group of students who arrive at school before 9:10 and gather near the picnic tables outside of the portables. Students should not walk down the path towards the portables until the bell rings. Thank you for helping our students follow the arrival procedures and come to school between 9:10-9:25.

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for all students. Preventing bullying is an important part of this goal. HCPSS Policy 9460 prohibits bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, including hate/bias incidents, and intimidation.

HCPSS recently launched a new Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, or Intimidation (BCHI) Reporting Form that allows students, staff, and families to easily and confidentially report concerns. The BCHI Reporting Form should be used to report known or suspected incidents of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, intimidation, and hate/bias incidents. These may include physical aggression, threats, retaliation, teasing or name-calling, rumors, exclusion, threatening gestures, online/social media behavior, or conduct related to a student's identity or characteristics.

What happens after you report?

The school will address any immediate safety concerns. The targeted student's parent/guardian will be notified as soon as possible and an administrator will begin the investigation within two school days. Both families will receive written notice of the outcome within 15 calendar days, excluding extenuating circumstances.

A Note About Cyberbullying

In today's digital world, bullying can extend beyond the school day. Cyberbullying can occur through social media, text messages, group chats, gaming platforms, apps, and other digital spaces. Online behavior that occurs outside of school may still require school intervention when it has a connection to the school setting and impacts a student's safety or educational environment. Families are encouraged to talk regularly with their children about responsible online behavior and to save screenshots, messages, posts, or other evidence when concerns arise.

Not sure if it's bullying? Please still tell us. Peer conflict or other concerning behavior may not meet the definition of bullying but may still require school support and follow-up. Students and families do not need to decide whether something “counts” as bullying before asking for help.

For additional information or to submit a report, visit the HCPSS Stop Bullying website or review HCPSS Policy 9460.

This fall, HCPSS again will offer a Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) Program a no-cost, evidenced-based training program to assist parents/guardians in helping their children manage anxiety. HCPSS will offer five SPACE groups, each of which will be facilitated by two licensed HCPSS mental health staff members. Parents/guardians interested in participating should complete an online registration form by Sept. 23.

Please visit the Fulton PTA website for more information: https://www.fespta.org/

Become a Member
Please consider joining the PTA! Joining is a tax-deductible donation (that requires zero commitment or time) but will help make an impact on our school, our students, and our teachers. Every little bit helps! https://fulton.givebacks.com/shop

Back-to-School Night

We hope everyone had a chance to stop by the PTA table at Back-to-School Night! If you didn’t get a 2026–2027 school year calendar magnet, you can pick one up at the front office. A huge thank you to the Beth Viscarra team for creating these magnets for our school!

Upcoming Dates

PTA Meeting

9/15 • 7 - 8 PM • Fulton Elementary

Join us for our first PTA meeting of the school year! We’d love to see you Tuesday from 7–8 PM in the media center! We’re excited to welcome FES Administration as our special speakers for an evening of connection, a budget review, and updates on upcoming events. All are welcome!

Student Reading Improvement Plans

In alignment with the State’s Comprehensive PreK-3 Literacy Policy, HCPSS students in Kindergarten through Grade 3 who demonstrate difficulties in reading will receive a Student Reading Improvement Plan (SRIP), a personalized plan that includes assessment information, reading goals, targeted instruction, and progress monitoring to support a student’s continued literacy growth. If an SRIP is implemented for a stu

Universal Screener Notification

In accordance with Maryland’s Ready to Read Act (2019), COMAR (2021) and the direction from the Howard County Board of Education, all Howard County Public School System students in kindergarten to grade 5 will participate in the 2026 - 2027 administration of the Amplify mClass with DIBELS 8th Edition universal screener to identify potential reading difficulties during set windows throughout the school year. Please review the details at this link.

Emergency Information

HCPSS utilizes Family File for families to complete emergency information. Parents/guardians can now access and complete Family File by logging in to HCPSS Connect, selecting the Online Registration/Family File at the top right of the page and then selecting Family File Verification. Parents/guardians must verify and/or update information for each child, each school year