The Elkster

Hello EES Families and Community,

We are excited to celebrate our students' growth as Quarter 2 report cards are now available to view through HCPSS Connect. We encourage you to log in and review your child’s hard work and achievements from the past quarter.

While our formally scheduled conference window has concluded, we continue to highly value the partnership between home and school. Parents and guardians are always welcome to contact their child’s teacher directly to schedule a meeting at a mutually agreed-upon time to discuss academic progress or any questions you may have.

How to View Report Cards:

• Log In: Visit the HCPSS Connect Login.

• Select Student: If you have multiple children, select the student's name from the top banner.

• Navigate: Select "More Options" from the left panel.

• Select "Report Cards" from the middle section and choose the report card you wish to access.

Learn More: For additional details regarding report cards and standards-based grading, please visit HCPSS Report Cards.

Update Your Contact Information: While you are logged in, please take a moment to verify that your phone number and email address are correct in the Family File portal. Accurate information ensures you receive all TalkingPoints messages and school-wide School Messenger alerts without delay.

Sincerely,

Danielle Shanks, Principal

Jonathan Swann, Assistant Principal

Lashonne Wright, Assistant Principal

In the 2024-2025 school year, the EES PreK4 program earned Accreditation status from Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). This recognition is given to public school Pre-K programs and licensed child care centers that meet MSDE standards aligned with high-quality early childhood programming. As part of our ongoing efforts to maintain these standards, families complete a mid-year survey to share their experience with our program.

We are proud to share that this year we have received a 4.7 out of 5 rating from our families for overall satisfaction with our Family Engagement efforts! We would like to thank our families for taking the time to complete this survey and for their collaborative efforts throughout the year to help make our PreK4 program a great place to be!

Greetings, Friends and Family! The students at Elkridge Elementary School are proud to present a night of excellence. Please come and enjoy a showcase of performances, a wax museum tour, and light refreshments. The event will take place on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 6:00PM to 7:30PM.

The students would be honored to share this special presentation with you! We hope you can join us for an inspiring evening.

Attention all 3rd, 4th, and 5th Graders! Do you have a special talent you’d like to share with the EES Community? Auditions for the Talent Showcase are being held on February 23 and February 25 from 4:00-6:00 in the Media Center! (PLEASE NOTE THE AUDITION DATES ARE CHANGED DUE TO THE SNOW WEEK!)

If you’d like to audition, you MUST return a permission slip by February 18 to Ms. Loughry; students will not be allowed to stay without a signed permission slip. Permission slips can be picked up outside of the Front Office, by going to your music Canvas Page Announcements, or by clicking here: Talent Show Permission Form

EES is excited to announce that our Jo Corbi’s Fundraiser kicks off today! This is a wonderful opportunity to support Elkridge Elementary while stocking up on delicious treats.

The funds raised through this program go directly toward enhancing the student experience at EES. Your contributions help fund:

• Student Activities and school-wide events.

• Field Trip opportunities for all grade levels.

• Recess Equipment to keep our students active and engaged.

• And so much more!

We frequently receive inquiries from families asking how they can show their appreciation and gratitude to our dedicated teachers and staff members throughout the year. We are fortunate to have such a supportive community!

To help guide your thoughtful gestures, we have compiled a "Staff Favorite Things" list. This Google Form contains specific preferences submitted by our EES staff, which you can use for ideas if you choose to show your thanks! EES Staff Favorite Things List

Please note: Staff members are continuing to submit their information, so check back occasionally for updates!

Take a look below at the upcomming events!

👉The PTA is all about connection—parents, teachers, and staff coming together to make our school a place where every child thrives. Even 30 minutes or an hour of your time can make a big difference!

👉 Join the PTA: Becoming a member helps strengthen our community and gives you a voice. Link to Join the PTA: https://elkridgepta.givebacks.com/shop/items/1205656

👉 Get involved in events: Want to help with planning or volunteering? Send us a quick email at info@eespta.com, and we’ll add you to our event planning list.

Earlier today, you should have received an introductory text from Ms. Shanks, principal of EES via TalkingPoints, inviting you to share a little something about your child. We are thrilled by the enthusiastic responses we’ve already received—it is wonderful to learn more about our students through your eyes!

What’s Happening Next:

• Teacher Training: Our staff will be training on the TalkingPoints platform these next two weeks. You can expect to hear directly from your child’s teacher next month as we fully integrate this into our classrooms.

• Download the Family App: While you can certainly use the web version, we highly encourage you to download the TalkingPoints for Families app for the best experience. It offers a very user-friendly interface and makes keeping track of messages simple (see directions here)

📢 A Note on School Messenger Some families have reported receiving TalkingPoints texts but not our standard School Messenger notifications. This usually happens if the service is blocked or if you haven't opted in. Because School Messenger is our primary tool for school-wide announcements and emergency notifications, please ensure you are signed up to receive these alerts.

We are incredibly excited about how TalkingPoints will enhance our partnership with you. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Ms. Shanks at danielle_shanks@hcpss.org.

Do you have a little one getting ready to start school? It is already time to begin the Road to Kindergarten! While registration for the upcoming school year officially begins on March 2, 2026, there are several steps you can take now during the winter months to prepare.

Key Eligibility & Details:

• Age Requirement: Children must be five years old on or before September 1, 2026, to enroll in kindergarten for the upcoming fall.

• Full-Day Program: Please remember that HCPSS kindergarten is a comprehensive, full-day program.

• Mandatory Enrollment: Every eligible child must be enrolled in a kindergarten program this fall or have an approved waiver form.

Steps You Can Take Now:

• Locate Your School: Use the HCPSS School Locator to confirm the school that serves your neighborhood.

• Attend an Info Session: We highly encourage you to attend a Road to Kindergarten parent information session to learn about readiness, the program, and registration.

• Gather Documents: Start collecting the required registration documents now to ensure a smooth process in March.

• Support Readiness: Visit your local Howard County Library System branch for book recommendations and classes, or work through the Early Learning Adventures booklet to help your child prepare.

Link to Flyers: CLICK HERE

As part of our School Wide Student Incentive Program, we are bringing the School Store to students who have Elk Bucks and would like to spend them at the store! We are seeking volunteers to help support our School Store so that each grade level can spend their rewards. The times students would have to shop the store is from 9:10 - 9:40 AM. If you would like additional information and would like to volunteer, please reach out to Mr. Swann at jonathan_swann@hcpss.org.

Great news about Brainfuse hours of operation for online learning! Brainfuse HelpNow is now available 24/7 for all library users. Previously, live tutoring was only available from 2 p.m. to midnight. This expanded access means that students and caregivers can connect with live online tutoring and academic support anytime—whether they’re working late, studying early, or fitting learning into a busy schedule.

Brainfuse HelpNow can be found on the HCLS website under Digital Library > Homework & Test Prep. First-time users must register by creating a username and password. Video and written instructions on how to use Brainfuse HelpNow are available here.

We thoroughly enjoy when parents come in to share lunch with their child. To ensure a safe, organized, and private environment for all 750+ students and to ensure adequate space at student tables, we must remind all visiting parents of the following guidelines:

• Seating Requirement: If you choose to dine with your child, you must sit at a separate, dedicated table (one that is empty or has ample space). Do not sit at your child's regular student table so that there is enough room for all students and to maintain student privacy.

• Privacy and Interaction: Please refrain from interacting with any other children during your visit. If you need assistance, please request to speak with an administrator before you attend lunch.

• Outside Food: Food brought in from outside sources (like fast food or treats) may only be shared with the child you are visiting. This is critical as food cannot be guaranteed to be allergen-free, and we must protect all students.

• No Food Deliveries: Elkridge Elementary does not accept student lunches from delivery services such as Door Dash or Uber Eats. If you are bringing outside lunch for your child, please bring it to them around their scheduled lunch time.

• Allergy Table Clarification: A vital reminder for our allergy-safe table: Only the same designated students with allergies should sit at this table every day. If a friend wishes to join them, that friend must have a cafeteria lunch, as it is guaranteed to be allergy-safe.

We appreciate your cooperation in keeping our cafeteria a safe and inclusive place for all our students.

We understand that families want to celebrate their children's birthdays and participate in class

festivities. However, it's important to note that HCPSS Policy 9090: Wellness Through Nutrition

and Physical Activity prohibits parents from bringing in food for these occasions. You are

allowed to bring in a special treat for your own child, but food items cannot be shared with other

students.

If there are class celebrations during the year that involve food, the community will be

informed about the items provided for the students. These food items will adhere to HCPSS Policy 9090 and meet the required nutritional guidelines. If you prefer that your child not partake in what is being offered, you have the option to send in an alternative item. Please reach out to one of your school administrators if you have any questions. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Families can now join us for our daily school morning announcements—anchored and produced by our amazing 5th graders! Each broadcast features birthdays, classroom shout-outs, daily highlights, and much more. Announcements run from 9:20–9:25 a.m. on Google Meet using the code eesnews. It’s a fun way to start the day with school spirit and celebrate our community together—don’t miss it!

• Canvas Check: Now is the perfect time to log in and check Canvas for your child's current grades and any missing assignments. If you have questions about specific grades or assignments, please reach out directly to the teacher.

• Standards & Learning Resources: To better understand what your child is learning and how to support them at home, we encourage you to explore the grade-specific Family and Community Resources on Canvas. These links provide overviews, how-to videos, learning goals, worksheets, games and resources for all academic areas:

• Pre-Khttps://hcpss.instructure.com/courses/34453
• Kindergartenhttps://hcpss.instructure.com/courses/34447
• Grade 1https://hcpss.instructure.com/courses/32029
• Grade 2https://hcpss.instructure.com/courses/34428
• Grade 3https://hcpss.instructure.com/courses/34429
• Grade 4https://hcpss.instructure.com/courses/34430
• Grade 5https://hcpss.instructure.com/courses/34431

• Homework & Grading: Homework (assigned to all grades except PK/K) reinforces classroom skills. If you notice your child struggling to complete homework in a reasonable time, please contact their teacher. For an in-depth look at how we assess learning, visit our resource on Standards-Based Grading: https://hcpss.instructure.com/courses/208494.

Open, effective communication is vital for student success. You can find all staff email addresses on our website. To ensure our teachers can provide thoughtful and thorough responses while focusing primarily on instruction during the school day, please keep this guideline in mind: Teachers have 24–48 hours to reply to emails during business hours.

We appreciate your understanding. This dedicated time allows our staff to focus fully on teaching during school hours and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Thank you for your continued partnership!

Families can enjoy a light dinner, a community resource fair, interactive workshops focused on academic achievement and well-being, and free childcare. Workshops will include topics such as college and career readiness, special education supports, curriculum updates, and hands-on learning strategies for use at home. Interpretation services will be available. For additional information, please contact BSAP Supervisor, Nicole Brown.

• Register online: English, Español, 中文, 한국어
  
• Flyers are available in English, Español, 中文, 한국어

The Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks is hosting a wonderful variety of activities and celebrations throughout the month of February to commemorate Black History Month.

From educational workshops to community celebrations, there are many ways for our EES families to get involved and honor the rich history and contributions of the Black community. You can find the tentative schedule of events and more information by visiting their website here:

🔗 Howard County Black History Month Events

• February 9: Report Cards Issued (Updated Date)
• February 9: Class Pictures
• February 11: 100th Day of School! (as of 2/6)
• February 16: Schools & Offices Closed - Presidents Day
• February 17: Schools & Offices Closed - Lunar New Year
• February 20: EES Black History Month Program
• March 1-7: National School Social Work Week
• March 2-6: National School Breakfast Week
• March 2: Read Across America Day
• March 2: International SEL Day
• March 3: Schools Close 3 Hours Early @ 12:55 pm (No half-day pre-K/RECC) - Professional Learning/Work & Wellness Day