Panther Press
November 6, 2026
Message from the Administrators
Dear Running Brook Elementary Families,
This week was National School Psychology Week which celebrates the contributions of school psychologists and the important role they play in schools and communities. This year's theme, "Inspire Connection," highlights how school psychologists build meaningful relationships that support students, strengthen collaboration, and transform school communities. We are incredibly grateful for Dr. Sicotte at RBES! Next time you see him be sure to thank him for her contribution to our entire school community.
Thank you for your continued partnership.
Katie Carter, Principal
Dale Allen, Assistant Principal
Jaime Gittleson, Assistant Principal
RBES Open Feedback From
Please use this open feedback form to pose questions, give kudos, or leave comments for the Running Brook Administrative Team. Your response can remain anonymous, or you can provide your name for a follow-up phone call.
House Heroes of the Month
Once a month, one student in each homeroom class will be recognized on the morning announcements based on them exemplifying the value focus of that quarter. Students receive a medal and sticker. For quarter 1 we are focusing on kindness. Congratulations to the following Panthers who were recognized as this month’s House Heroes:
ESCE- Amiri E., Yosuf R.
Kindergarten- Kristin C., Liam I
1st Grade - Bond M., Valeria R.F,
2nd Grade - Peyton S., Alex B. Alain G.
3rd Grade - Marvin J., Aislynn W., Hailey B.
4th Grade - Josie M., Ever B.
5th Grade - Kyla F., Zylia W.
Q1 Report Cards Available TODAY
Quarter 1 Report Cards are available at/after 4 p.m., today, 11/6. All RBES students will receive a paper copy of their Report Card on 11/13 in their Friday Folder.
Parents/guardians may view/download report cards online by taking the following steps:
Log in to HCPSS Connect Synergy using parent/guardian credentials
Select More Options from the left panel
Select Report Cards from the middle
Select the report card you wish to access
Screencast for How to Access Your Child’s Report Card in Synergy
Standards-Based Instruction and Reporting (SBIR) PK-5th grade - SBIR provides information about how a student is progressing with grade-level standards. Evidence gathered over time helps articulate a student's relative strengths and growth areas compared to the grade-level standards.
Elementary Standards-Based Instruction and Reporting for Families - Canvas
The updated www.hcpss.org/report-cards site is now LIVE.
Intermediate SBIR slides for parents
Grades PreK-2:
Grade 3-5:
Understanding Your Child's Report Card (Grades 3-5) - English
Understanding Your Child's Report Card (Grades 3-5) - Spanish
504/ML/IEP accommodations and instructional supports ensure access to grade-level instruction but do not reduce, change, or lower grade-level learning or performance expectations.
Academic Performance Codes represent what has been learned and where the student is relative 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, which 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.
Picture Retake Day is November 7th
The photographers will be back on Tuesday, November 10th for picture retakes. If your child was absent on the original picture day (September 22nd), they will automatically be sent down to have their photo taken for the yearbook. Order Forms were sent home with students that were not present for the original picture day today. Additional copies are available in the front office.
If your child was photographed but you are unhappy with the photo and would like to have your child's picture retaken, please send your child to school with the original photo package, including envelope and all picture products, to turn into the photographer when he/she sits for a new picture.
The Scholastic Book Fair is Coming Soon!
Get Ready! The Scholastic Book Fair is coming our way (YAY!). Choosing their own books empowers kids and inspires them to become Bolder, Prouder, and Stronger Readers. AND—as always—every book they buy earns rewards for our school.
Here’s what you need to know about the Fair, which will take place from Monday, November 16th through Monday, November 23rd in the Media Center. Students will be able to make purchases during assigned times throughout the school day and the Book Fair will be open on Monday, 11/23, from the end of the school day until 7:30pm.
Date
FAMILY SHOPPING Time
Students are able to shop at identified times throughout the school day on their own, but below are times parents and families can come shop together!
- 11/16 Monday
- 8:30am - 9:05am, 4pm-4:30pm
- 11/17 Tuesday
- 8:30am - 9:05am, 4pm-4:30pm
- 11/18 Wednesday
- 8:30am - 9:05am, 4pm-4:30pm
- 11/19 Thursday
- 4pm-4:30pm
- 11/20 Friday
- 8:30am - 9:05am
- 11/23 Monday
- 8:30am - 9:05am, 1pm - 7:30pm
This year, say goodbye to cash and hello to eWallet—your child’s digital payment account.
Before the Fair, set up eWallet for worry-free, cash-free purchases. You are still able to purchase with cash and/or credit card. IMPORTANT UPDATES this year: there is no TAX. The cost of the book is the total. Also, we are rounding totals to the nearest nickel because there are no more pennies being minted. The rounded amount will go straight to SHARE THE FAIR. An example: If the book is $12.97, the total will be $13. If the book is $12.23, the total will be $12.25.
If you can’t make it to the Fair, then shop at our school’s Online Book Fair. All orders ship directly to your home, and shipping is free for book orders over $25. Your online orders will also benefit our school. Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with eWallet and online shopping: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/runningbrookelemschool
CAREapp Howard County
Howard County is full of wonderful resources for families. Sometimes it can be hard to know where to start looking. There’s a helpful website that brings all these resources together in one place. You can search by topic and zip code. You can visit the website using the link below or download the CAREapp Howard County on your phone for easy access. We hope this tool makes it easier to find services for food, health, housing, transportation, education, employment assistance, and more https://findhcresources.org/
Coffee & Conversations at RBES
Join RBES Administration and Staff for Coffee and Conversations! Coffee and Conversations are informal opportunities for families to connect with RBES administration and staff, learn more about our school, and stay informed about quarterly school-wide topics. Each gathering will include time for families to ask questions, share feedback and ideas, and connect with other members of our school community. We look forward to listening, learning, and building strong partnerships with our RBES families!
Mark you calendars for this year’s dates:
November 17th, 4:30 pm (In-person)
January 27th, 7 pm (virtual)
April 21st, 9:30 am (In-person)
Friendly Reminder:Toys & Fidgets Stay Home
Families, we kindly ask that students leave toys, fidgets, and other personal play items at home. These items can become distractions during the school day and take away from valuable learning time. We recognize that some students may need fidgets as part of their learning supports, and those accommodations will continue to be honored.
Thank you for helping us keep our classrooms focused on teaching and learning!
Nominate Running Brook Elementary School’s 2027 Teacher of the Year!
Who is a teacher who makes a difference? Who encourages students to reach their full potential, creates a welcoming and supportive classroom, builds strong relationships, and helps make RBES a special place to learn and grow?
Please take a moment to use the nomination form to recognize an exceptional educator whose dedication and commitment make a positive difference in the lives of our students and school community.
Nomination Deadline: November 9, 2026
Who Can Nominate: Current students, staff members, and families
RBES Holiday Help for Families
Could your family use extra support during Thanksgiving and/or the winter holidays? Would you like to help another RBES family? Please complete the survey below to let our Student Support Team (SST) know! SST will review requests and available donations to support as many families as possible. Assistance is based on available resources and is not guaranteed; financial need and prior support may be considered when determining eligibility.
Please complete the survey below. Thank you for helping us care for our RBES community!
The Dentist is Coming to School
The dentist will be at RBES on December 3rd and 4th, 2026.
Services: Exams, cleaning, X-rays, and more.
Cost: Usually free with Medicaid/CHIP. Private insurance and self-pay accepted.
No Insurance? Ask us for a grant form!
Note: Skip this if your child already sees a private dentist.
Also: After you sign up, permission is granted for 1 year!
Sign up now:
👉 Enroll Online Here: https://www.myschooldentist.com/RBHCMD_schsrm
Or return the paper form from your child's backpack. Questions? Call 888-833-8441
Many HCPSS families may be eligible to receive benefits through the Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) program.
Qualifying families can take advantage of a wide range of additional resources and discounts, including free college applications, free or reduced JumpStart dual enrollment 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 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. Apply online
📸 We're on Instagram!
Stay connected and see all the amazing things happening at Running Brook Elementary! Follow our new official Instagram account @hcpss_rbes for updates, event highlights, and a peek inside our wonderful school community.
Let's share our school spirit -- follow, like, and tag us to join the fun! 💜✨
School Wide Title I Program
Running Brook is a Title I School wide Program school. Title I is a federally funded program designed to close achievement gaps and ensure all children have an opportunity to access a high-quality education by providing funding for supplemental academic services and supports.
Jodi Aikens | Title I Teacher | Jodi_Aikens@hcpss.org
Chelsea Berube| Title I Teacher | Chelsea_Berube@hcpss.org
Lisa Goldberg | Title I Teacher | Lisa_Goldberg@hcpss.org
Shayla Bright| Community School Coordinator| Shayla_Bright@hcpss.org
Jane Hartlove | Family and Community Liaison | Jane_Hartlove@hcpss.org
