Mustang Express

8/31- All PK/K students attend school

9/7-No School-Labor Day

9/16- Two-hour Early Dismissal

9/16- Pre-K- 2nd Grade Open House

9/17- 3rd-5th Grade Open House

9/18-Individual Student Pictures/Picture Day

9/29- Quarter 1 Interims available in HAC for grades 1-5

10/12- Two-hour Early Dismissal; Parent Conferences

10/16- School Closed

10/29- End of Quarter 1

10/30- Two-Hour Early Dismissal

Stay tuned! There is more to come.

Our second-grade teachers recently celebrated students who completed their summer reading packets. To recognize their dedication and hard work, the team joined these students at Rita's for a special celebration. It was a wonderful opportunity to honor their commitment to reading and celebrate the strong start they are making to the school year.

We are thrilled to celebrate Ms. Kelly Cannon, who has been selected to participate in the prestigious White House Teacher Institute. This highly competitive program attracts educators from across the nation, making the selection process exceptionally rigorous. Even more impressive, Ms. Cannon earned a spot on her very first application!

This incredible opportunity will allow Ms. Cannon to engage in unique learning experiences and deepen her knowledge of our nation's history, government, and civic institutions. We are proud to have such a dedicated educator representing Mt. Harmony Elementary School.

Ms. Cannon's achievement also highlights an exciting connection for our students. Last year, several MHES students had the opportunity to visit The People's House, where they explored the history and stories of those who have lived and worked in the White House. This year, our fourth and fifth grade students will have their turn to experience this remarkable educational opportunity as they study the important contributions of women in the White House throughout history.

Congratulations, Ms. Cannon, on this well-deserved honor! Your passion for learning continues to inspire both students and staff, and we look forward to seeing how this experience enriches our Mustang community.

💙💛 Creating Mustang Magic Together! 💙💛

Welcome back to school! All CCPS students in grades 4 and 5 have the opportunity to participate in band or strings. If your student is interested in joining, please scan the QR code below and complete the online sign-up form as soon as possible. Once you have completed it, you will receive an email from me with information regarding instrument rentals and supplies, method books, and the class schedule.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me!

Mrs. Thompson

thompsonal@calvertnet.k12.md.us

Mustang Magic Welcome to Ms. Rawlings

This year we are pleased to announce that Ms. Taylor Rawlings will be joining our staff teaching General Music to Ms. di Stefano’s and Mrs. Connor’s classes on B Days. Ms. Rawlings is the full-time Choral/General Music teacher at Calvert Elementary School. She is excited to support the MHES Music program by teaching two of our classes of Mustangs. Ms. Rawlings earned a bachelor’s degree in vocal music performance from Belmont University and a master’s degree from Temple University. If you wish to contact Ms. Rawlings her email is: rawlingst@calvertnet.k12.md.us

Please give a warm welcome to Ms. Rawlings when you see her at MHES!

Mrs. Callis is pleased to continue teaching General Music to all other MHES classes and directing the 3rd, 4th & 5th Grade MHES Choruses. The MHES Chorus Sign-up QR code is below, and paper copies were sent home with students. The deadline for Chorus Sign-ups is FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2026. If you have any questions regarding MHES Chorus or General Music, please email Mrs. Callis: callisb@calvertnet.k12.md.us

We are looking forward to a magical year of working with our Mustang Musicians.

Important Transportation Information for the Start of School

To ensure a smooth start to the school year, it is essential that students who will be riding the bus regularly ride the bus on the first day of school. This helps bus drivers begin to associate each student’s face with their name and address, and ensures that no student is accidentally missed in the days that follow.

Transportation details, including bus number, stop location, and approximate stop times, will be available in your student’s Home Access Center (HAC). This information is based on the guardian’s home address unless a different pick-up or drop-off location has been provided to Mt Harmony Elementary School. If you need to make changes, please contact MHES before the routing software is updated.

Stay Informed with “Here Comes the Bus”
Click the button below to sign up for Here Comes the Bus, a tool that shows the real-time location of your child’s bus, provides schedules, and sends notifications when the bus is near your stop.

Additional Resources:

• Click the button below to learn more about CCPS transportation services.
• See the attached document for transportation rules and regulations.

Please remember that each student may only have one pick-up and one drop-off location.

While we will continue to accommodate car riders, we encourage families to consider using CCPS Bus Transportation whenever possible.

DAILY DISMISSAL:

• If you are picking up your child at the end of the school day, we ask that you send us an email by 2:00 pm each day letting us know. This email should be sent to MHESForms@calvertnet.k12.md.us. If we do not receive email, your child will most likely get on the bus. We do not call students from the classrooms for dismissal at the end of the school day.
• Note: If you plan to pick up your child every day at dismissal – send an email to MHESforms@calvertnet.k12.md.us letting us know, and you will not need to send an email each day by 2 p.m.

CAR RIDERS - Drop Off – Arrival begins at 8:35. If you drop your child off at school, the Kiss N Go line is open from 8:35 – 8:45. The line closes promptly at 8:45 (cones will block the entrance to the Kiss N Go area at 8:45) After 8:45, you will need to park in the lower parking lot and walk your child to the front door of the school, please do not pull into our bus lane. If your child arrives after 8:45, you will need to sign them in at the kiosk located in the front office. Students who arrive after 8:45 will be marked tardy. Students will only be permitted to exit from the driver’s side of the vehicle. This will ensure students and staff do not walk between vehicles. If your child cannot get out on the driver’s side, you will need to park in the lower parking lot and walk them to the front door of the school. Be sure your child is ready to get out of the vehicle i.e. shoes on, backpack readily accessible, jacket on etc.

Car Riders Pick-Up – PLEASE BE PREPARED TO SHOW IDENTIFICATION. There are 2 ways to pick up your child at the end of the day – A Mustang rider placard or as a Daily Surprise Car Rider.

· Mustang Riders – starts Monday, August 31 - limited to 50 placards.

·A Mustang Rider placard is for parents who will be picking up their child from school every day.

• We do allow carpooling with another family if you do not get a placard. Your child would ride home every day with the family who received a placard.

·Mustang Rider and Daily Surprise car rider pickup time is 3:30 – 3:45

Surprise Car Riders- Parents must send an email to MHESforms@calvertnet.k12.md.us by 2 p.m. if they plan to pick up their child.

Note: If you plan to pick up your child every day as a Surprise Daily Car Rider – send an email to MHESforms@calvertnet.k12.md.us and let us know, you will not need to send an email every day by 2 p.m.

· Photo ID is required to pick up your child

· If someone other than you will be picking up your child, include that information in your daily email to MHESforms@calvertnet.k12.md.us by 2 p.m.

· No ID, No student pickup, no exceptions

· Pick up location is in the Art hallway (see location below)

Menus, nutrition information, payment methods and information, and photos of food served are accessible online on the CCPS Website on the Child Nutrition page.

This year, student breakfast is $1.85 and lunch is $3.00. Students may purchase milk or water and funds will be deducted from a computerized account. You can deposit money online using your child’s 5-digit student ID number or you can send in cash or checks ranging from $10 on up made payable to MHES Cafeteria. Students will eat in the cafeteria. ID numbers are in HAC, but if you can't find or access it, please call the school for help.

As a reminder, students will have opportunities to purchase snacks in the cafeteria using their lunch funds. You may want to have a discussion as a family about what you will permit them to purchase, how often, and how much they can spend.

Click HERE for information about LINQ, where you can manage payments, view menus, and more!

All students are expected to enter their lunch numbers independently. Please see the sample keypad below to assist with practicing at home.

School Security measures have been put into place for the safety of all students and staff. All outside doors will always be locked. Visitors and parents coming into the building will need to bring ID and ring the doorbell outside the main entrance of the school. The office staff will grant them access into the building by “buzzing” them into the school where they can sign in at the office once they have stated the purpose for their visit. Please do not allow anyone else into the building should they arrive at the same time as you.

This application allows you to view student grades, assignments, and attendance in a real-time environment. Grades will typically be visible in HAC within one week of the assignment due date. Additional time should be provided in the case of assignments that may take longer to grade (e.g., projects, research papers, etc). Parents/Guardians who have never logged into HAC must self-register to create a HAC account. If you have an existing HAC account and can’t remember your HAC credentials, please use the “Forgot my Username or Password” link. If this does not work for you for some reason, please contact the main office.

There are many military families who live in our community and who have children who attend our school. If you are a military family, please click the link below to let us know. We will be working on helping military families connect with each other this year and of course, we will support any military families who experience a deployment.

Connecting with Military Families at MHES – Fill out form

Military Child Education Coalition: Homepage - Military Child Education Coalition® (MCEC®)

Volunteer with us! CCPS uses the Raptor system for volunteers and visitors to sign in and out of schools. All volunteers (anyone interacting with children for activities such as field day, field trips, VIP Day, etc.) will need to review the volunteer handbook, watch the volunteer training video, and apply to be an approved volunteer each year before volunteering in any school. Click HERE to become a volunteer!

It would be very helpful if you applied to be a volunteer as soon as possible, even now when you might have a little extra time in the summer. The application and approval process takes a little time and we have experienced issues where volunteers were not approved in time to chaperone field trips. Don't let that happen to you!

Medications occasionally must be administered to students by our school nurse, Nurse Hill, RN. According to Maryland state guidelines, any medications – including over the counter medications – must have a “Physician’s Authorization Form” on file in the health room before they can be administered at school. They must be in the original container and have the child’s name on the bottle. Medications must be brought to school by the parent or guardian. Cough drops are also to be given to Nurse Hill who can provide them to your child as necessary. Nurse Hill will be glad to answer any questions you may have concerning this policy. You may bring medications to school during “Greet your Seat” or New Student Orientation.

Requirement from the Maryland Department of Health: Kindergarten through 5th Grade students need proof of two Varicella (Chickenpox) vaccines. A parent/guardian must confirm that an appointment has been made for any school-required vaccine by the first day of school in Sept. 2025. If the child has not received the vaccine by the 20th day after school begins, the child will not be allowed to attend until proof of vaccination has been received by our school nurse.

Illness Information:

If your child should become sick or injured at school, he/she will be sent to the school nurse. Nurse Hill will call home to share any injuries from the neck up. Nurse Hill will assess and address minor injuries, headaches, stomach aches, etc. and send students back to class unless she determines that a phone call home is appropriate and necessary. In the event your child needs to leave school, he/she will be made as comfortable as possible until you arrive. Please notify the school of any changes to contact or emergency phone numbers

RETURNING TO SCHOOL AFTER AN ILLNESS

A student may return to school:

• 24 hours after a fever breaks (without the need/use of fever reducers)

• 24 hours after vomiting or diarrhea has ceased.

• 24 hours after starting an antibiotic (i.e., for Pink Eye, impetigo, and strep)

• Following head lice clearance by school nurse

• Following ringworm when exposed area is covered, and the nurse is notified of medication follow-up.

MEDICAL CONCERNS

In the event your child develops new medical concerns or experiences an injury that results in crutches, a wheelchair, or activity restrictions, please contact the school nurse. A doctor’s order clarifying the restrictions should also be shared with the school office.

ILLNESS SCREENING GUIDANCE

Screening is the responsibility of all families and staff members to self-assess for symptoms of an infectious illness such as COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and gastrointestinal infections before entering a school bus or CCPS facility.

• Please click here to visit the CCPS School Health Program page.
• Please click here for the CCPS Health Services Handbook for Families
• Please click here for the latest guidance for COVID.

Spirit Days are every Friday! Students, family members, and staff are encouraged to participate and proudly wear our MHES blue and gold or other MHES attire!

There will be opportunities to purchase spirit. Stay tuned for details!

The Mount Harmony PTA is excited to kick off our fall fundraisers and end the online back to school supply drive with a strong finish!

🍂Fall Mum Fundraiser🪷

We are excited to kick off the annual Mum Fundraiser! This year, we are partnering with local favorite Horsmon Farm to sell beautiful, vibrant garden mums to brighten up your porches and yards for Fall. Every single plant sold directly benefits Mount Harmony Elementary, helping us fund student activities, and school events.

• Mums available for Purchase: NOW - September 18, 2026

• Cost: $13/each

• Available Colors: Red, White, Yellow, and Orange (view colors on website)

Ready to purchase your mums? Visit our online store to make your purchase ➡️ PURCHASE MUMS

Pickup & Distribution Info

Because these are fresh, live plants, they will be picked up directly from the farm in bulk. You can pick up your ordered mums right here at the school September 25th. All plants MUST be picked up by Friday, September 25, 2026.

If you have questions about the mum fundraiser please reach out to Aeriall Hopson, VP Fundraising at vpfundraising@mhespta.com.

Final Call: Online Back to School Supply Drive

Thanks to your donations, our School Supply Drive has been a massive success. Your support ensures our mustang students and staff have the tools they need to succeed this school year.

• 🖋️Dry erase markers

• 🌈 Color copy paper & cardstock

• ✏️Pencils & markers

• 🤧Tissues

• 🧼Hand sanitizer

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

• 🛒Pick an item (or two!) from our Amazon Wish List

• 📦Have it shipped directly to the school

• 📢Share this post with family & friends!

Help us finish STRONG! Every item makes a difference. Every donation matters. 🎯 SHOP OUR AMAZON LIST

Thanks so much for your continued support of our Mustangs!

Sincerely,

Shanell Nero Stewart

VP Communications, Mount Harmony Elementary PTA

For information about family events and youth activities taking place in our community, click the Community Events button, below. Please note: These events and activities are not sponsored by the Calvert County Board of Education or Calvert County Public Schools. We provide equal opportunities to outside agencies to distribute materials that offer opportunities to students and/or their parents, but that permission should not be considered a recommendation or endorsement by the school district.

Mt. Harmony Elementary School's mission is to educate children academically, socially, emotionally and physically in order to achieve their fullest potential. By providing a child-centered environment created by parent involvement, community support, high academic expectations and nurturing of each individual's self-concept, children will ultimately be well prepared to contribute to society.

Philosophy

The Mt. Harmony Elementary School supports the Calvert County Public School's beliefs and values. We believe that all children can learn through:

• Strong instructional leadership provided by teachers and administration.
• Clearly stated, realistic, high expectations based on students' individual needs.
• Continued monitoring and assessing of school progress and performance.
• A cooperative partnership between school and community.
• Professional development endeavors for staff and administration.
• A clear understanding of mastery teaching and learning.
• A school climate conducive to learning.

Please do not enter the bus lot while students are entering or exiting the buses at arrival and dismissal.

Surprise car rider requests should be emailed to MHESForms@calvertnet.k12.md.us NO later than 2PM

For early dismissals from the main office, please ensure to arrive before 2:45 PM to avoid conflicts with bus arrival and dismissal procedures. Thank you for your attention to this request

Calvert County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability, or any other characteristic protected by law in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth programs.

Calvert County Public Schools does not refuse enrollment of a prospective student, expel a current student, or withhold privileges from a current student, or prospective student, or the parent or guardian of a current or prospective student because of an individual’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, age, national original, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

Calvert County Public Schools does not discipline, invoke a penalty against, or take any other retaliatory action against a student or parent or guardian of a student who files a complaint alleging that the program or school discriminated against the student, regardless of the outcome of the complaint.

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

• Director of Student Services
• Director of Human Resources
  443-550-8000

For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.

900 West Mt. Harmony Road

Owings, Maryland 20736

Phone 443-550-9620

Fax 410-286-4017

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