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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Importance of Attendance

Research is clear that showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic and social success, starting from kindergarten and continuing through high school. Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school, or even facing social challenges.

• Missing 10% (or about 18 days of a school year) can drastically affect a student’s academic success.

• By the 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that can indicate if a student is at risk for dropping out of high school.

• In the 9th grade, regular and high attendance predicts graduation rates better than 8th grade test scores.

Student attendance is a major point of focus for the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). A few years ago, MSDE lowered the chronic absenteeism rate from 20% to 10%, meaning that at 10%, a student should receive support and interventions to improve their absenteeism.

Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) believes that attendance is key to student success. Maryland's attendance rate represents the average daily attendance rate of students in grades 1-12, including special education students. The state's proficient standard for attendance rate is 94%, and the advanced standard is 96%.

In support of achieving Exemplary Attendance for all students, we are sharing with you a comprehensive approach to attendance supports and interventions.

• If a student has missed 5% of their monthly attendance days (as few as 1-2 days a month), parents/guardians will receive a Care and Concern Phone Call and letter from their school. This step will allow staff members to coordinate with families to determine how the student can be supported for better attendance.

• If a student has missed 10% of their monthly attendance days (this is defined as chronic absenteeism by MSDE), parents/guardians will receive a 10% Chronic Absenteeism Attendance Letter. Parents/guardians and students may be scheduled for an attendance conference. Other interventions and supports may also be used in an effort to assist the student.

• If a student has missed 15% of their monthly attendance days, in addition to the interventions and supports at 5% and 10%, these students may require an attendance support plan. Students may also be referred to the Central Attendance Team.

• If a student has missed 20% of their monthly attendance days, parents/guardians will receive a 20% Emergency Chronic Absenteeism Letter or Habitual Truancy Letter. Students may be referred to Project Attend and/or the State’s Attorney’s Office for habitual truancy.

With the collaborative effort of HCPSS parents/guardians, staff, and students, we are confident that all students can have successful attendance. This will improve student success in school and future life.

Mr. Cosentino, Principal

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

September

• 15 - PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
• 21 - Schools and office closed, Yom Kippur
• 23 - PTA Restaurant Night at Red Robin, 8640 Snowden River Pkwy
• 23 - Virtual Advanced Academic Programs Back to School Night, 6:00 p.m.
• 25 - PTA STARS Program sign-up needed today!
• 30 - Schools close 3 hours early, Staff Professional Learning Day, 12:55 p.m.
• 30 - PTA Spirit Wear orders due

October

• 12 - Fall Picture Day
• 16 - Schools Closed for Students
• 23 - PTA Fall Fest, 6:00 p.m.
• 27 - End of First Quarter
• 28 - Schools Closed for Students

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

Mrs. Bartel will hold a virtual information night for the Advanced Academic Programs, formally GT, on Wednesday, Sept. 23 @ 6:00 PM.

Google Meet Code: https://meet.google.com/unx-ooik-ujv

To join by phone, dial +1 319-449-0316 and enter this PIN: 305 515 332#

We’re so excited to bring the STARS Program back for another year!

Families who sign up will be paired with a staff member to surprise them each month with a small gift valued between $5–$20—just a little something to brighten their day.

Program Details:

• Gift months: October, November, January, February, March, and April (no gifting in December)

• Total: 6 gifts per staff member

• The Twist: The identity of the sponsoring family is kept secret until the big reveal in April!

• Families may sponsor as many staff members as they wish.

• A questionnaire will be sent to staff to share their favorite restaurants, snacks/drinks, hobbies, sports teams, holidays, colors, and more—making it easy to choose thoughtful gifts/gift cards.

If you would like to sponsor a staff member, please sign up below by September 25th. If you have any questions, please email s.huttel13@gmail.com. Thank you in advance for helping continue this great program and spread some joy throughout the school!

Our Ilchester Spirit Wear Store is Open!

Orders are due on September 9, so order now. Use the button link below to place your order.

Deliveries will be made to students in their classroom 3-4 weeks after the due date.

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th to October 15th each year in the United States. This celebration honors numerous people from Spanish-speaking backgrounds who have come to the United States. We celebrate their cultures and traditions during this month. September 15th was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of the independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Also, Mexico celebrates its independence day on September 16th and Chile celebrates its independence day on September 18th.

Check out these websites for more information about Hispanic Heritage Month and how you can celebrate virtually and at home!

• Celebrate Hispanic Heritage
• National Hispanic Heritage Month
• September: Civics: Hispanic Heritage Month
• Hispanic Heritage Month - Teaching Tolerance
• Hispanic Heritage Month - NEA
• A Comprehensive List of the Essential Latin Music Genres
• 23 Books By Latinos That Might Just Change Your Life

I am the Rainbow Representative and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Liaison for Ilchester Elementary School. Part of that responsibility is to help ensure that ALL children, families, staff, and community members feel safe, and welcome in our school building regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, economic status or inclusion under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella. If you are or your family is feeling like you are not feeling safe and welcome, please let me know. I will guide you to the appropriate resources to help, or just provide a listening ear. Ilchester is a school for EVERYONE! I look forward to meeting you and your family!

laura_baker@hcpss.org

Thursday, October 1, 2026 6:00PM-7:30PM

HYBRID

Families and Community are invited to join HCPSS in partnership with the LGBTQIA+ Commission of Howard County and CARY to bring you this hybrid FAMILY Read the Rainbow and LGBTeaQi&A on Thursday, October 1, 2026 @ 6:00PM. The first 50 families with children in grades 5 and under who register and attend the program will receive a free copy of the book, Rainbow Cookies by Lesléa Newman. FAMILY Read the Rainbow is a 30-45 minute virtual program in which participants get to meet an LGBTQIA+ inclusive author to hear them read their book aloud, and have a discussion with the author and our LGBTeaQi&A is an activity to bring together families and community who are looking to connect and learn together. This special combination program will provide attendees with the opportunity and option to join us in person at the Miller Branch Library. Registration is required as space is limited.

Thursday, October 1, 2026 @ 6:00PM

HYBRID - in person at Miller Branch Library or virtual (select when registering)

Registration is required.

Please review Policy 9010: https://policy.hcpss.org/9000/9010/

Reporting Student Absences
If your student is absent or will be absent, please contact us at the following email address to explain the reason: IESabsence@hcpss.org. In the email, please Include the following information:

• Student First and Last Name
• Grade
• Reason for absence (e.g., illness, bereavement, observance of a religious holiday, lack of transportation, etc.)

Discretionary Days
HCPSS students are granted 3 days a year to use at their discretion for a wide variety of reasons.

• Such absences may not occur during exam or state-mandated testing periods unless authorized by the principal/designee.
• A written request for such absences to be lawful/excused should be submitted at least one week in advance to the principal/designee. Please download the PDF fillable Discretionary Absence Form and email it to IESabsence@hcpss.org . The form is also available in Chinese, Korean, and Spanish.

Cub Scout Pack 874 is a co-ed, welcoming scouting community where kids build outdoor skills, leadership, and friendships while having fun through camping, service projects, adventures, and activities like building and racing Pinewood Derby cars. We meet Wednesdays at Glen Mar UMC and Ellicott Mills Middle School, and all families are welcome to join us. Come to our Info Session on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 6:30 p.m. at Glen Mar UMC—kids can enjoy s’mores, playground time, and games with current scouts while parents attend a brief presentation and Q&A. More details about the pack are in the attached flier.

RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf81rej_onjmoX0wQeqLGUoq6yHW1O7yKYEgKzp-exe79rrdA/viewform

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.

To qualify for Free and Reduced Meals, families will need to apply for that benefit.

HCPSS participates in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, which provides families with significant benefits to help save money. Qualification is based on family size and income, and enrollment is confidential. All children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can get free meals regardless of income, and students from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals. Those eligible for reduced-price lunch pay $0.10 and breakfast is free.

Free and Reduced Meals eligibility provides discounts for summer programs, SAT, recreation programs, Maryland Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and internet programs.

Howard County Recreation & Parks offers a variety of before and after school programs at Ilchester Elementary School. Please click the button below to access the Fall 2026 Before & After School Classes at Ilchester ES.