Ilchester Cheetah Chatter

LaShonne Wright, Assistant Principal

Website: ies.hcpss.org

Location: Ilchester Elementary School, 4981 Ilchester Road, Ellicott City, Maryland 21045
Phone: 410-313-2524

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دوسری زبانوں کے لئے ، نیوزلیٹر کا ترجمہ کریں پر کلک کریں اور اپنی پسند کی زبان کا انتخاب کریں۔

Video games, online games, streaming services, television, social media, and artificial intelligence are just a few examples of how technology has changed the ways we connect, learn, and entertain ourselves.

As we approach the end of daylight saving time and head into the colder months, with shorter days and more time spent indoors, it’s a great opportunity to be intentional about family time. Simple activities can bring families together, spark creativity, and help children develop important problem-solving skills.

Here are some fun, engaging ways to spend time together as a family, strengthen relationships, and encourage children to think, create, collaborate, and learn — all while having fun!

Mr. Cosentino, Principal

For a complete list of dates and events visit https://ies.hcpss.org/events.

October

• 28 - Schools Closed for Students
• 29 - 2nd grade field trip - Toby's Dinner Theater, 9:30 a.m.
• 29 -4th grade field trip - Londontown & Gardens, 9:45 a.m.

November

• Native American History Heritage Month
• 1 - Daylight Savings Time Ends
• 2-6 - National School Psychologist Week
• 5 - 1st grade field trip to Howard County Conservancy
• 6 - Parent-Teacher Conference Scheduling opens
• 3 - Election Day - Schools and Office Closed
• 11 - Veterans Day (school is OPEN)
• 11 - Talent Show, 6:30 p.m.
• 12 - Talent Show, 6:30 p.m.
• 16 - American Education Week
• 19 - Parent Teacher Conference Scheduling Closes
• 20 - Picture retakes
• 23 - School close 3 hours early - Parent/Teacher Conferences, 12:55 p.m.
• 24 - School close 3 hours early - Parent/Teacher Conferences, 12:55 p.m.
• 25 - Schools closed for students - Parent/Teacher Conferences
• 26 - Schools and offices closed - Thanksgiving Holiday
• 27 - Schools and offices closed - Thanksgiving Holiday

To subscribe to the IES calendar on your smartphone, electronic device, or email system, go to the bottom of the IES calendar page and subscribe to the calendars of your choice.

HCPSS Academic Calendar

What is it Native American Heritage Month

In 1976, President Gerald Ford proclaimed October 10-16 “Native American Awareness Week”. A

decade later, Congress passed a resolution petitioning the president to call November 23-30

“American Indian Week.” In subsequent years, Congress continued this practice, declaring one

week during the autumn months “Native American Indian Heritage Week.” In 1990, President

George H. W. Bush signed into law a joint resolution designating the month of November as the

first National American Indian Heritage Month (also known as Native American Indian Month).

Native American Heritage Month is a period in November where the United States celebrates

and recognizes the history, culture, and contributions of Native Americans and Alaska Natives,

honoring the traditions, languages, and stories of the first inhabitants of this land.

Why November?

Congress ultimately chose November as the month to honor Native Americans since the month

concludes their traditional harvest season and generally is a time of celebration and giving thanks. Source: United States Senate

American Indian, Indian, Native American, Indigenous, or Native?

All of these terms are acceptable. The consensus, however, is that whenever possible,

Native people prefer to be called by their specific tribal name. In the United States,

Native American has been widely used but is falling out of favor with some groups, and

the terms American Indian or Indigenous American are preferred by many Native people.

Native peoples often have individual preferences on how they would like to be

addressed. When talking about Native groups or people, use the terminology the

members of the community use to describe themselves collectively.

Source: National Museum of the American Indian

While we love our furry friends, HCPSS policy prohibits animals on school property, with the exception of guide dogs. This includes arrival, dismissal, recess, and other school-sponsored outdoor activities.

For everyone’s safety, animals can pose risks related to bites, allergies, and fear, especially for younger children. Please share this policy with family members who may walk students to and from school to help avoid misunderstandings.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and welcoming environment for everyone!

Bullying prevention starts at home, too. Families can make a difference by keeping the lines of communication open and regularly talking with children about friendships, school experiences, group chats, social media, and how they and their peers treat one another.

Encourage your child to identify trusted adults they can turn to when something doesn't feel right. Talk about what they can safely do if they witness someone being mistreated—such as getting an adult, refusing to join in or laugh, checking on the student afterward, or reporting what they saw.

Being an upstander applies online, too. Remind children that liking, sharing, forwarding, commenting on, or reposting hurtful content can increase its impact. Instead, encourage them to avoid participating, save evidence when appropriate, support the person being targeted, and tell a trusted adult.

Children also learn from what they see. Modeling kindness, empathy, inclusion, and respect for others helps reinforce the behaviors we want to see in our schools and communities.

Talk. Notice. Include. Speak Up. Together, we can help create communities where every student feels safe, supported, and valued.

More bullying prevention information and resources can be found on the HCPSS Stop Bullying website.

We have seen an increase in incident reports from our bus drivers regarding students not following bus expectations. Please review these important safety rules with your child:

1. Follow the driver's directions the first time.

2. Remain seated while the bus is moving.

3. Keep all body parts inside the bus.

4. Keep hands, feet, and belongings to yourself.

5. Use respectful language. No eating or drinking on the bus.

Thank you for reinforcing these expectations and helping keep all students safe!

American Education Week

American Education Week is November 16-20. Each year, we look forward to honoring public education and the many individuals who help ensure every student receives a quality education.

American Education Week is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen our collaboration and partnership with families. We invite parents and guardians to visit the Ilchester during this special week. Grade-level teams will share additional information about their schedules and a recommended time to visit for spotlight activities.

Due to school security, student confidentiality, and limited space, we ask our parents/guardians to follow these guidelines:

• Only parents/guardians are allowed to visit.
• All parents/guardians sign in at the front office with Lobby Guard or the Raptor System.

• Visitors must bring a scannable driver’s license to access Lobby Guard or Raptor System.

• Visitor stickers are always worn in a visible location.

• Be mindful of confidentiality while visiting. Visitors are responsible for maintaining confidentiality of all private, sensitive, and personally identifiable information they may see or hear while visiting HCPSS schools. Please click here for more information.
• No photos/videos, please.
• Please silence your phone throughout your visit.
• There is no visitation during lunch and recess.

Parking Reminders:

• Parking will be limited, so please consider carpooling or alternative parking options!
• No cars can be parked in the bus loop before 9:25 AM
• All cars must leave the bus loop no later than 2:45 PM (because of middle school dismissal).
• Please do not park in the fire lane at any time.

We look forward to welcoming you to our school to see the outstanding teaching and learning!

HCPSS is no longer offering the in-school flu vaccine clinics.

Please use this link to see a schedule of free flu vaccine clinics in the area if you're interested.

https://www.howardcountymd.gov/health/flu-respiratory-illness

Parent-Teacher Conference time is quickly approaching. Conferences with Homeroom/Language Arts teachers will take place on November 23-November 25. For your planning purposes, please note the schedule below:

• In- person conferences will be held on Monday, November 23rd only.
• Virtual conferences will be held on Tuesday, November 24th or Wednesday, November 25th only.

Families will sign up for conferences using Synergy beginning November 6th. The sign up window will close on November 19th. After November 19th, families must call the front office secretaries directly to schedule a conference. More information will be shared in a separate email as the date approaches. We look forward to seeing you.

The Howard County Literacy Association invites students in grades 1-5 to submit their original poems and/or short stories to the annual writing contest called The Young Authors' Contest. Please see the attached Young Authors’ Contest Guidelines for information about the rules and guidelines. Stories and poems must be typed and saved as a Word Doc or Google Doc. All entries must have a completed YAC Cover Sheet sent as a PDF. Submissions may be emailed to Laura_Cohn@hcpss.org by January 13, 2027. Contact Laura Cohn with any questions. All Young Authors’ Contest information can be found on the HCLA website.

Howard County Literacy Association welcomes parents as members. Visit the HCLA Welcome Page for information about joining.

Mabel’s Labels makes personalized labels for clothing, shoes, water bottles, lunch containers, school supplies, and more.

When you shop through our school’s fundraising link, a portion of eligible purchases is donated back to our school. It’s an easy way to support our students while getting labels your family can use all year long!

Why labels?

✔️ Help prevent lost belongings ✔️ Great for school, camp, sports, and daycare ✔️ Dishwasher- and laundry-safe options available ✔️ Personalized with your child’s name ✔️ A simple way to support our school!

Parents can email IESabsence@hcpss.org to report a student’s absence. Please include your child(ren)’s full name, parent’s/guardian’s full name and phone number, the date your child(ren) was absent and the reason. Parents may instead choose to send in a paper excuse note to their child’s teacher with the same information when the student returns to school.

For families requesting local discretionary absences, please complete a Local Discretionary Absence Request Form and submit it to the front office at least one week in advance.