Veterans Elementary

Dear Veteran Families,

What a wonderful first week we’ve had together! Our students are settling into their classrooms and are already building strong routines. It has been such a joy to see their excitement as they reconnect with friends and form new relationships with their teachers and classmates.

This week, teachers have also introduced our updated SOAR expectations, Self-Control, On Task, Accountable, and Respectful. Students are learning what it means to SOAR at Veterans, and we’re already seeing them practice these positive behaviors throughout the school day.

We want to sincerely thank you for your patience and cooperation with arrival, dismissal, and transportation. We know these first weeks can bring a few bumps, and we appreciate your understanding as we continue to partner with HCPSS transportation to ensure things run smoothly.

In this newsletter, you’ll find reminders and updates about important HCPSS policies. Please take a few moments to review them, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. As a reminder, schools will be closed on Monday September 1, 2025 in observance of Labor Day. We hope you enjoy a safe and restful long weekend with your families. Thank you for your continued support and partnership. We’re excited for all that this school year will bring!

Sincerely,

Alexcia Redd, Keri Golibart and Jessica Legambi

Arrival & Dismissal

Student arrival is from 9:10am- 9:25am. Students should not be dropped off or left unattended before 9:10 am. Parent/Guardian is responsible for their child’s supervision until the VES school doors open at 9:00am in the morning.

If your child has a change in their dismissal plans, please provide VES office staff AND the classroom teacher with this information by sending us an email to vestransportation@hcpss.org. We ask that you make your request no later than 2:00 pm. We will not honor a change in dismissal plans without parental approval. Please indicate the student's name, the date of the transportation change and the details of the transportation change in the email. (ie. will be a car rider instead of bus rider)

Early dismissals require you to sign your child/ren out by scanning the QR Code located on the table and near the door bell. Complete the Google Document and be ready to present your ID/License to the secretary. Early dismissals should be requested prior to 3:15pm.

• Please bring your cell phone to scan the QR code.

• Please be prepared to present your Photo ID.

• Please plan accordingly. Students will be dismissed from class upon their parents’ arrival and after they have signed the student out from the front office. We cannot have the student dismissed ahead of parent arrival.

Student Absences

Send absent notes to vesabsence@hcpss.org including the child's full name, teacher name and explaining why your child will or was absent. If your child is ill for 5 days or more, you must provide a doctor’s note.

Lunch with your child

You must complete the Confidentiality Training Course and Child Abuse and Neglect Training. Return the 2 signed certificates to school. Once completed, sign-up to have lunch with your child using the Reservation Form. No siblings are allowed.

Reminders for P.E.

Sneakers for PE!

The PE department is asking that families pay super close attention to what shoes you are sending your children into school every day. As part of HCPSS safety policy for Physical Education class, all students must wear sneakers in order to participate in PE. Since students have recess daily, we recommend that they wear sneakers every day in order to play safely on the playground, however it is especially important for PE class. We have had an alarming number of students wearing crocs to PE class, which even in "sport mode", are unsafe for dynamic physical activity.

Safe shoes include sneakers, running shoes and tennis shoes. Unsafe shoes include boots, sandals, crocs (or any croc like shoe), flip flops and anything with a heel. If your child wears other shoes on PE days, please make sure to send a pair of sneakers in their backpack for PE class. Please check your child's PE canvas page to find out what days they have PE class. Since HCPSS uses a color calendar for related arts, the days can be a tad confusing. If you need to reference it, the color calendar is linked here

• Mon. Sept. 1st Labor Day - Schools and Offices Closed

• Mon. Sept 8th BTSN ELD @ 5:00pm and RECC & Kindergarten @ 5:30pm

• Mon. Sept. 9th BTSN Grades 1-2 @ 5:30pm

• Tues. Sept. 10th BTSN GT @ 5:00pm and Grades 3-5 @ 5:30pm

• Tuesday Sept. 16th PTA Meeting 7:00 pm

• Wed,. Sept 17th School Close 3 hours early

• Tues. Sept. 23rd School and Offices Closed

• Fri. Sept. 26 Coffee & Conversation with Administrators @10:30am

We have over 400 families that have not completed the Family File. You must complete the family file for each of your children. Parents who have forgotten their login credentials for Family File may click the “Forgot Password” link on the sign-in page. If you need additional assistance, please call Veterans Elementary at 410-313-1700.

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 states that bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation are prohibited in HCPSS. Our administration and staff have been trained and made aware of this policy, as well as preventative and responsive measures.

We know how important your role is in not only supporting your children but also reporting possible incidents as you become aware of them. The Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, and Intimidation (BCHI Reporting Form should be used to report all alleged incidents of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation that occur at school or have a connection back to the school setting that create a risk of harm to other students while they are at school, or interfere with the educational environment. An online version is available and can easily and confidentially be used by students, staff, and family members. Hard copies of this form are available in the main office, staff workroom, school counseling office, media center, and health services office. If you believe your child has been bullied, please complete and submit this form as soon as possible and/or assist your child in doing so.

Once the form is submitted, school administrators will ensure the parent/guardian of both the alleged target and alleged offender are aware of the report and will begin an investigation within two school days of receiving the report. Parents/guardians can expect a school administrator to reach out to them during the investigation. Once the investigation is completed, parents/guardians will be provided written notice of the outcome of the investigation within fifteen days of receiving the complaint, excluding extenuating circumstances.

There are times when incidents of peer conflict or code of conduct offenses may occur that may not be bullying, but may need follow-up action. If you become aware of something that falls under conflict and/or a code of conduct offense, please notify a school administrator via email or phone call so that they can become aware and follow up as needed.

Lastly, I want to take a moment to lift up cyberbullying specifically. Cyberbullying is bullying using electronic media like computers, cell phones, and game systems. Our digital interconnectedness makes bullying different and more damaging than it’s ever been before. It allows hatred and publicly humiliating gossip or photos to be instantly far-reaching and inescapable, as electronic media is everywhere. It can NOT simply be ignored. In October 2013, the State of Maryland enacted Grace’s Law, making misuse of interactive computer services a criminal offense. Its purpose is to prohibit anyone from using electronic media (computers, tablets, phones, etc.) to maliciously engage in conduct that inflicts severe emotional distress on a minor and/or places that minor in reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury. A person who is found guilty of violating this law is subject to imprisonment and/or fines.

While all of this information will be reviewed with students at school, we are asking you to do the same at home. Thank you for your partnership in ensuring all of our students feel a sense of safety and belonging in their school communities! More information can be found on the HCPSS Stop Bullying website. If you have any questions regarding this policy or its implementation, please contact Alexcia Redd, Principal at Alexcia_Redd@hcpss.org, Keri Golibart, Assistant Principal at Keri_Golibart@hcpss.org, or Jesscia Legambi, Leadership Intern at Jessica_Legambi@hcpss.org.

The safety and well-being of our students are our top priorities. Therefore, I want to remind you that weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited on school grounds. Students found in possession of a weapon, or any object used as a weapon, will face serious disciplinary action in accordance with our policies.

We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all students. Any reports of weapons or threats to bring a weapon to school will be thoroughly investigated to ensure the safety of our community. It is essential for our students to feel safe in order to learn and thrive. I encourage you to speak with your children about the importance of fostering a secure school environment. Please review HCPSS Weapons policy here

HCPSS Code of Conduct

The HCPSS Student Code of Conduct provides a framework to support behavioral goals and disciplinary policies. All students are expected to be aware of and abide by this Student Code of Conduct. They are designed to foster a sense of belonging and affirm positive behaviors. At Veterans, we implement programs such as social-emotional learning, Positive Behaviors Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and restorative conversations to help teach and reinforce school-appropriate behaviors and build community amongst our students and staff. We encourage you to read the Student Code of Conduct carefully and discuss the information with your children. Click here to learn more about the HCPSS Student Code of Conduct.

Veterans will hold 3 Back to School Nights this year. Back to School Night is for parents to meet their child’s teachers and to receive relevant information about the grade levels. Students do not need to attend.

September 8, 2025

• 5:30 PM: Back to School Night for Pre-K, MINC and Kindergarten families

• 5:00 PM: ELD Parent Information Session (updated date change)

September 9, 2025

• 5:30 PM: Back to School Night for 1st and 2nd grade families

September 10, 2025

• 5:00 PM: GT Parent Information Session (for parents of students participating in the Gifted and Talented Math program)

• 5:30 PM: Back to School Night for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade families