Dear RBES Families and School Community,
As we progress into the school year and see the signs of spring emerging, we want to share a few important reminders to ensure we maintain a positive and productive learning environment for all our students.
- Toys and Recess Equipment: Personal toys should remain at home. Recess equipment is for school use only. If you would like to donate recess equipment for indoor or outdoors we would appreciate it! Please drop any donations to the front office and specify if you would like it to go to a specific grade level.
- Bags/Purses: Small bags and purses should remain in backpacks and cubbies during the school day. Toys, cellphones, and other unnecessary school items are being taken back and forth to recess and lunch and used inappropriately during classes. Please contact your child's classroom teacher if you have any questions or reasons why your child needs to carry a bag or purse.
- Let's Keep Our Classrooms Clean and Focused! We're seeing an increase in candy and gum in classrooms and hallways. To help maintain a clean and distraction-free learning environment, please adhere to the following guidelines:
- Candy Time: If included in lunches, candy is for lunchtime only. We encourage healthy snacks and treats!
- Please, no Gum: Gum is distracting, unsafe during physical activity, and difficult to clean.
- Food Sharing: Following HCPSS Policy 9090, students may not share food or candy with peers.
Your cooperation in reinforcing these expectations with your children is invaluable. Thank you for your support!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Spivey
New Student Device Expectations
New expectations on student personal technology device use in schools went into effect on March 3rd. Parents/guardians are encouraged to discuss these changes with their children so students are prepared to follow the policy changes and avoid facing consequences.
2024-2025 School Year Calendar Updates
Monday, March 31 is now a full day for students. (Schools had previously been slated to be closed for students that day.) The end of the third marking period has been moved to April 4 and report cards will be issued on April 25. Barring any additional inclement weather days, the last day of school will be Wednesday, June 18.
Expectations on March 31st , Eid al Fitr
Schools will be open for students on March 31, 2025, as a makeup day for inclement weather. That date coincides with Eid al Fitr. The following expectations are in place to ensure that holiday can be observed without concern of having an unexcused absence and missing important instruction at school:
- All student absences for religious purposes are considered lawful absences and are excused.
- Tests and quizzes will not be given on that date, and no graded assignments will be due.
- Students will be excused from any scheduled extracurricular activities.
Girls on the Run
Registration for Girls on the Run's Season 2025 Season is open! Girls on the Run® inspires participants in grades 3-5 to be joyful, healthy, and confident by using running to teach valuable life skills. Volunteer coaches facilitate lessons that blend physical activity with life skill development, including managing emotions, fostering friendships, and expressing empathy. At the end of the season, the team completes a Community Impact Project and a 5K together, which provides a tangible sense of accomplishment and sets a confident mindset into motion. Running Brook's team will meet on Tuesday and Thursdays from 4:00 - 5:15. The season runs from March 18th - June 3rd. The season-ending 5K for Howard County will be on Saturday, May 31 at 8:00 a.m. The program registration fee is $185, which includes lessons, all program materials, 5K and program shirts, a water bottle, and more. Financial assistance is available! Visit www.gotrcentralmd.org for a list of program sites and to register. Questions? Call 443-864-8593.
Executive Function 101
This year, BrainFutures is partnering with HCPSS to support mental health and well-being by improving students’ executive function skills.
While much of our work has focused on Title 1 schools, we are excited to offer a free webinar, Executive Function 101, for all HCPSS families and staff. This webinar will cover what executive function skills are, how they develop, why they matter, and steps families can take to support their student's development. We will offer two sessions: Wednesday, March 19th and Tuesday, March 25th , 7:00pm-8:00pm.
The webinar information and registration links are also available on the HCPSS Community News and Programs page.
STEM Fair
SIGN-UP Now - https://forms.gle/575MxqCeVAVZk8sa6
Date: April 4th, 2024
Time: 5 pm - 8 pm
Location: Howard High School (8700 Old Annapolis Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21043)
Who? 3rd to 8th graders in Howard County (parents will need to stay at the event)
There will be certificates for all those who compete
About the Fair
This STEM fair is a platform designed to inspire and showcase the creativity and talent of young students from grades 3 - 8. This event invites participants to present their projects across various STEM categories, with the opportunity to win exciting prizes! The purpose of this event is to encourage a passion for learning and exploration, allowing children to express their unique ideas. Judges will score each project, provide constructive feedback, and give out medals at the end of the event but all participants will nevertheless receive certificates. Sign-up here - https://forms.gle/575MxqCeVAVZk8sa6
We will also have many workshops hosted by student STEM experts for students to explore while their projects are not being judged. If your child would not like to create a project but would still like to attend, we would really love for them to attend these fun & information STEM Workshops. No Sign-Up needed. Just mark the date in your calendar :)
Please read all fair guideline here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mlbzNFQOPIateiW2pUyp_b4gA6IbhJkxpPGcDULSxfk/edit?usp=sharing
Contact Information:
Email - hohs.stemroots@gmail.com
Sign-up: https://forms.gle/575MxqCeVAVZk8sa6
Parents, is your child interested in STEM and leadership?
This summer, we’re offering two exciting sessions:
Session 1 (July 7–11, 2025):
Dive into the world of simple machines and rockets! Campers will build catapults, design bottle rockets, and work on group STEM pitches. They’ll also boost their confidence with interactive presentations and public speaking activities.
Session 2 (July 28–August 1, 2025):
Get creative with problem-solving challenges, including egg drops, bridge-building competitions, and teamwork exercises. This session focuses on collaboration, innovation, and leadership in group settings.
Early bird pricing is just $350 per week if registered by February 28, 2025!
Don’t miss out on a summer full of STEM fun and leadership development—sign up now!
For more details and to register, visit tinyurl.com/stemvillage25 Spaces are limited!
Young Panthers Training Session is here! This session is for students wanting to work on their fundamental skills in basketball. Each session is filled with fun ways to work on passing, dribbling, shooting, & and of course defense skills. Register your child to be the first to know when we will have our sessions!
LIFE Elite Athletics is an organization that caters to the youth and young adults. We foster the development of leadership qualities through a commitment to education and community involvement. We aim to provide our constituents with versatile experiences through scholastic empowerment, athletic conditioning, and cultural exposure. We believe in guiding our youth to Seeing Obstacles as Lessons Understanding Trials Induce Opportunities for Next Steps (SOLUTIONS) mentality.
We create opportunities for youth and young adults to achieve their dreams by providing them with resources, instilling work ethic, and building the confidence needed to be successful adults.
Teaching the game of basketball is an avenue used to achieve said goals. We believe in using basketball as a tool to prepare the players for real life; by instilling discipline, dedication, teamwork, leadership to name a few. In addition, we work on the fundamentals of basketball and enhance the basketball IQ of each player. Lastly, we aim to win, to build confidence in our kids, and learn from losses.
The Wilde Lake High School Athletic Department and Boosters Club are proud to offer Summer Sports Camps each year! We encourage participation by anyone with interest, regardless of skill-level or experience. Camps are led by WLHS Coaches and associates with extensive youth coaching experience at all levels. This years camps include Basketball, Football, Soccer, Field Hockey, Softball, Baseball, and a running camp and more. Please visit the included link for further information and to register. We look forward to seeing you at The Lake this summer!
ReIMAGINE the Rainbow
All students, staff, parents, and community members are invited to an evening of advocacy on April 25 at 5 p.m. at Centennial High School. Featuring author/founder of We Need Diverse Books Ellen Oh and author Phil Bilder, the event will provide participants with the opportunity to select from different sessions to attend. Childcare will be offered for students in grades K-5. The event is free but registration is required.
Free Parenting/Grandparenting Classes
Free! On Zoom and open to parents, guardians and grandparents residing in HoCo or with school-age children/grandchildren residing in HoCo. This evidence-based, interactive prevention program provides families with the skills and knowledge to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs including alcohol or engage in other dangerous behaviors. The curriculum was written for families with children 9-14 years olds, but we believe it is appropriate for K-12 families. Class dates: March 21, 25, 28 and April 1 from Noon to 1:30 p.m. on Zoom.
Visit HC DrugFree’s website for more information and register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Spring2025GGC
March 28th - Big & Small Ball
The RBES PTA is looking for volunteers to help with the Big and Small Ball. Please sign up to help make this night a fun and special events for our students!
Spring Fair
The RBES PTA is seeking a lead volunteer for the Spring Fair. If you would like to lead, please rbesptavicepresident@runningbrookpta.org
Birthday Celebrations
Cupcakes are not permitted in classrooms for birthday celebrations. If please review the list of approved food items for In-School Celebrations. Please be sure to check with your student's teacher about in school celebrations
Arrival & Dismissal Reminders
- Please follow the directions of staff in the car loop.
- Please refrain from walking through the parking lot during arrival and dismissal. Use the sidewalks and crosswalks.
- Please refrain from parking/backing in the parking lot and walking your student. It has caused major delays when vehicles attempt to get out of the parking lot during arrival and dismissal.
- For the safety of our staff and students, family members are not permitted in the building (classrooms, restrooms, band room, etc.) during arrival and dismissal.
- To ensure efficient arrival and dismissal procedures, please make appointments with your child’s teacher to conference so that our teachers can give our parents the quality time deserved, rather than holding quick conversations during arrival and dismissal in the car loop.
Family File - Must be Completed Each School Year!
HCPSS utilizes Family File for parents/guardians to complete emergency information. All parents/guardians must verify and/or update information for each child each school year. Parents/guardians can complete Family File by logging in to HCPSS Connect selecting the "More Options" tab on the left and then selecting "Family File" in the center column.
Once logged in, parents/guardians will be asked to update or provide the following information:
Student Information
Parent/Guardian Contact
Emergency Contacts
Medical Information
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures and Transportation Options
Photo Approval
Data Confidentiality
Student Creative Work Approval
PTA/PTSA Directory
Changes of address may not be made through Family File. If you have recently moved, please contact your child’s 2023-2024 school as soon as possible.
Resources on how to use Family File may be found online, including instructions on how to reset passwords. Written directions can be accessed here on how to complete the HCPSS Family file. If you need additional assistance, please contact your child’s school or complete this Connect Help Form.