LINTON'S NEWS & NOTES

Email: LSEAttendance@carrollk12.org
Website: https://lse.carrollk12.org
Address: 375 Ronsdale Road, Sykesville, MD, 21784
Phone: 410-751-3280; Fax: 410-751-3285

September

September 7th: Schools & Offices Closed--Labor Day

September 11th: LSE PTA Ice Cream Social on Playground Blacktop @ 6:00p.m. - 7:30p.m.

September 17th: LSE PTA General Meeting @ 6:00 p.m.

September 18th: Early Dismissal for Students--Dismissal begins at 12:20 p.m.

September 24th: LSE PTA Fun Run Celebration--Rita's Italian Ice for all students *permission slips required*

September 25th: DARE Officers visit with 4th & 5th grade classes

October

October 6th: Carroll County Health Department Flu Clinic @ 3:30 - 6:30 p.m.--more information to come

October 8th: LSE PTA Annual Fun Run

October 9th: *Rain Date* LSE PTA Annual Fun Run

October 12th: Fun Run Reward Tickets distributed during lunch

October 14th: Fun Run Celebration Assembly

October 14th: Parent-Teacher Conference Night #1--Teacher Request Only--@ 3:40 - 6:40 p.m.

October 15th: Early Dismissal for Students--Dismissal begins at 12:20 p.m.

October 16th: No School for Students--Professional Development Day for Teachers

For a complete list of early dismissals, holidays and school closures, please use link below:

CCPS 2026-2027 SCHOOL CALENDAR

Carroll County Public Schools recognizes the relationship between good attendance and academic achievement. All students are expected to maintain a regular, daily attendance rate of at least 96 percent. When students are absent, arrive late, or leave school before the scheduled dismissal time, their parents are requested to provide an explanation to the school via a written note, fax, e-mail, or phone call. A parent/legal guardian must provide an explanation of the absence within 5 school days of the student’s return to school or the absence will be coded as unlawful.

Tardiness is treated in a similar manner as lawful or unlawful absences as it can be a serious disruption to a student’s educational progress. Student attendance requirements are described in the Annotated Code of Maryland and Code of Maryland Regulations. These absences are considered lawful and therefore excused with a parent explanation of the absence:

• Death in the immediate family

• Illness of the child

• Court summons

• Observance of a religious holiday

• Suspension.

If your child is absent, please send an email to the school at LSEattendance@carrollk12.org or send a note with your child upon their return to school. The note/email should contain the dates of the absence, reason for the absence, the student’s name and the teacher’s name. If a reason for the absence is not provided, the absence will remain unverified.

It is strongly recommended that parents plan vacations for times when school is not in regular session. It is recognized, however, that occasionally students are absent for necessary or important family activities.

When this occurs, an excused absence may be requested in advance, through the school principal. Advanced requests may be sent to LSEAttendance@carrollk12.org or GlenMessier@carrollk12.org. Even though the absence may be excused, students are required to make up work missed during that time. It must be kept in mind that grades may be affected if students fail to follow through with make-up work. Some school work missed, such as class participation or laboratory experiments, does not lend itself to make-up. Missing such assignments may also affect a student’s grade. Doctor’s notes may be required for absences when excessive or unlawful absences occur.

Questions/Concerns:

1. Please contact your child's classroom teacher via phone or email.

2. If your question/concern cannot be resolved by contacting your child's teacher, please contact school administration via phone or email.

For all general inquiries, please email LSEAttendance@carrollk12.org.

Missed a call from school?

Staff will always leave a voicemail when attempting to contact you. Please listen to the message before returning the missed call. Please regularly check to make sure your voicemail box is not full.

School Messenger

CCPS and LSE communicate with families through the School Messenger platform. Parent/Guardian emails and phone numbers assigned to a student will receive email blasts. If you are not receiving any emails, please contact the school's office staff.

Please be patient with us as we safely navigate arrival and dismissal the first week of school.

For the safety of our students and staff, we kindly ask:

• Students choose one of the following options only, Bus Rider, Car Rider, or on-site/van Daycare ONLY.
• Please DO NOT drop or pick up a student AT THE FRONT OFFICE unless arranged by the nurse or an emergency situation.
• Please avoid late arrivals and early pickups as much as possible to minimize classroom disruptions.

Late Arrivals

Students arriving late must be brought to the front office by a parent and signed in for the day. They will be marked tardy for that day.

Early Dismissals

• Parents must sign any child out as an early dismissal by 2:50 p.m., in order to avoid our bus and parent pick up traffic.
• Any student picked up before 3:05 p.m. will be marked tardy.
• Dismissal notice must be provided to the front office by 1:00 p.m. on the day of dismissal by written note OR email to LSEAttendance@carrollk12.org.
• REMINDER: Photo ID is required to sign out your child. If someone other than parent/guardian is picking up your child, written permission in the form of a note or LSEAttendance@carrollk12.org email is required before we are able to release that student.

Students of Carroll County Public Schools are required to groom themselves in a manner that is not disruptive to the educational process and is reflective of a learning environment. Students are expected to abide by this dress code from their arrival to the school building to the defined ending of the school day as well as at any school-sponsored or school-sanctioned event. The requirements include, but are not limited to:

Head Coverings

• Be removed upon entering the school building, unless approved for medical or religious reasons.
• Certain headbands, scrunchies, and folded bandannas, which are used to hold hair in place and do not cover the entire head, are permitted.
• One's face must be visible at all times.

Shirts

• Shall reasonably cover the back, the cleavage area, and the entire midriff area.
• See-through or mesh shirts are not permitted, unless worn in conjunction with an appropriate top.

Dresses/Shorts/Skirts/Skorts/Pants

• Shall cover the entire buttocks and private areas while the student is sitting, standing, and bending over.
• Pants shall cover undergarments at all times; that is, the waistline of the pants shall be on the upper hips.

Other

• Appropriate shoes shall be worn.
• No bedroom slippers or pajamas shall be worn.
• Clothing that may endanger health or safety, that may be used as a weapon, or that may cause damage to property shall not be worn.
• Undergarments shall not be worn as outerwear or be visible through outer garments.
• Clothing shall not be worn that would lead school officials to reasonably believe that such attire will materially disrupt, interfere with, disturb, or distract from school activities, the safe operation of the school, or the rights of other students to access and participate in a safe and welcoming educational environment.
• Clothing shall not convey advertisements for or promote the use of condoms or other birth control devices, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or the unlawful use of weapons, stated or implied.
• Clothing shall not convey profanity or symbols/messages depicting, implying, or which are reasonably perceived as promoting intolerance, hatred, and/or a hostile educational environment or harassment/bullying on the basis of age, color, genetic information, marital status, mental or physical disability, ancestry or national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, Confederate Battle Flags and swastikas.
• Clothing and accessories should not depict symbols/messages of groups which are generally recognized as promoting intolerance, hatred, and harassment/bullying, such as the Ku Klux Klan or Aryan nation.
• Clothing shall not convey establishments or products whose names can be directly interpreted or construed as carrying a "double meaning" involving sexual innuendo, gang symbols, or sexual activity.
• Body art, whether permanent or temporary, which would otherwise violate this policy if depicted on attire, must be completely covered during the school day or at any school-sponsored or school-sanctioned event.

Violations

All student dress code violations shall be addressed in a respectful manner. When possible, a student's dress code concerns shall be addressed by a staff member of the student's gender identity.

A student found wearing inappropriate clothing will be asked to change or remove the item and will be given an opportunity to do so. Should the student not be able to change or remove the item, clothing may be provided by the individual school. Student failure to cooperate will be referred to an administrator. Any student not complying with the direction of an administrator may be considered insubordinate and subject to appropriate disciplinary action. The Superintendent/designee may enforce additional restrictions in order to maintain a safe and orderly environment.

Request for Exceptions

Exceptions to the dress code for the purpose of school spirit activities by clubs or organizations will occur at the discretion of the school administration.

What is math fact fluency?
Math fact fluency means being able to solve basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts accurately, efficiently, and flexibly. Fluency is more than simply memorizing facts. It includes understanding how numbers work, using strategies to solve facts, and eventually recalling familiar facts quickly and confidently. Fact fluency will be a focus this year in your child's mathematics classroom!

How can families help at home?
Math fact practice can be quick, meaningful, and even fun! Try some of these ideas:

• 🎲 Play games: Use dice, playing cards, or simple board games to practice facts.
• 🧠 Ask “How did you figure it out?” Encourage your child to explain their strategy rather than focusing only on the answer.
• 🔢 Look for patterns: Talk about relationships between facts, such as knowing 5 × 6 can help with 6 × 6.
• 🚗 Practice during everyday moments: Work on facts while driving, waiting for an appointment, or during mealtime.
• ⏱️ Keep it short and positive: A few minutes of practice each day is more beneficial than long, stressful practice sessions.
• 💡 Use what your child knows: Encourage strategies such as making a ten, using doubles, breaking numbers apart, or using a related fact.

Most importantly, focus on understanding and confidence—not speed alone. When children understand the relationships between numbers and have opportunities to use efficient strategies, fact fluency develops naturally over time.

* PLEASE APPLY FOR MEAL BENEFITS

Eligible households should still apply for meal benefits at www.myschoolapps.com. One application can be completed for the entire household when all members are listed. Parents may apply for benefits at any time during the school year. Eligibility for meal benefits may help families receive additional resources such as free internet service, field trip fee waivers, and P-EBT benefits so it is important to still apply if you meet eligibility guidelines.

Meal benefits from the 2025 - 2026 school year will expire on October 13, 2026.

* MEAL PRICES for 2026 - 2027

Breakfast: $1.50

Lunch: $2.50

* BREAKFAST AND LUNCH SERVICE

A variety of breakfast and lunch choices are available daily for your child to enjoy. If you believe your family qualifies for free or reduced-price school meals, applications can be submitted online at: www.myschoolapps.com

* MEAL CHARGE POLICY

In the event that a student forgets their money or does not have any money remaining on their account, Carroll County Public Schools will allow each student to charge breakfasts and lunches. Parent/Guardians will be notified of these charges. A charity account exists to help reduce unpaid

meal debt for households with excessive charges. Students must have cash or money on their account to purchase a second meal (breakfast or lunch) or any a la carte items as these cannot be charged.

* WELLNESS POLICY

CCPS is committed to promoting student wellness and assuring that our school meals meet federal nutrition standards. Visit our website www.carrollk12.org to learn more about our policy and triennial assessment.

* SMART SNACKS IN SCHOOLS

CCPS offers a variety of a la carte items for purchase in the cafeterias. Our a la carte food and beverage items meet the nutritional standards of the Smart Snacks in Schools regulations. Each student has a cafeteria account that they can access with an assigned PIN. To place money on account visit www.myschoolbucks.com or send cash or personal checks made out to your school with your child.

* DONATE

Donations are always welcome to supplement our charge assistance program for those students in need. Contact Food Services at 410-751-3040 to donate or mail checks to:

CCPS Food Services

125 North Court Street

Westminster, MD 21157

In memo line, please write “Charge Assistance Donation”

* DIGITAL MENUS

Interactive menus and nutritional information are available online! Visit: https://carrollk12.nutrislice.com or download the Nutrislice app for your iOS or Android device.

* Meal Account and PIN Information

What is my child’s PIN?

Every student who goes through our cafeteria line will use a unique five-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) to access his or her account. Parents have the option to add any denomination to the account for the purchase of meals and snack items. It is a convenient way to ensure that money is not lost or forgotten during the hectic morning rush. Parents can find their child’s PIN in the CCPS Home Access Center (HAC). Once you sign on, the Cafeteria PIN will be located in the emergency section. Please help your child remember their number. It makes the line move faster and ensures that everyone has plenty of time to enjoy their meal. If they do happen to forget the number, the cashier will be able to find it for them.

How do I put money on the account?

• Visit www.myschoolbucks.com and set up an account.

• You will be able to add any value to the cafeteria account with a credit card or electronic check.
• There is a service provider fee for credit card/electronic check transactions when using MySchoolBucks.
• Free Method Option: Send in cash or a check to your child’s school cafeteria. The cafeteria manager will add it to the account. Checks made payable to your child’s school.
• The money added to the account using either method can be used to purchase meals AND snack items.

Can I monitor what my child is purchasing?

• Visit www.myschoolbucks.com. Account set up is free. Once you complete the simple registration process, you can set up low balance alerts and monitor purchases made in the cafeteria. You are only charged a transaction fee from MySchoolBucks if you use the account to deposit funds.

What happens if I forget to add money on my child’s account?

• If your child does not have cash or money on account, they will be able to charge meals (breakfast and lunch), but NOT snack items. Parent/Guardians will be emailed when a meal is charged so they can repay.

What happens to my account at the end of the school year?

• Money that remains on your child’s account will carry over from year to year. The account will also automatically transfer to any Carroll County Public School.
• If your child graduates or no longer attends a CCPS school, use this link to let us know if you would like the account balance transferred to a sibling, donated, or refunded. https://forms.office.com/r/ieipsp12AQ
• BE SURE TO TURN OFF THE AUTO PAY/REPLENISH FEATURE BEFORE REQUESTING A REFUND

Is my child’s MySchoolBucks account balance automatically transferred from other

school districts/counties?

• Unfortunately, no. You must request a refund from the previous school district/county. You will also need to change the district to Carroll County in your MySchoolBucks account.

We will spend the first few classes learning and practicing rules and procedures with some fun sprinkled in. It is never too early to send in a smock or old shirt to wear for the times when we will get messy during our creative process. While it may be a few classes before we jump into staining materials, it is coming, I'm looking at you first and second grade!

Ms. Crum-Derr and Ms. Dieter can't wait to see all the amazing artwork we will be creating this year.

Battle of the Books – The Carroll County Public Library is seeking parent coaches who would be willing to meet with a team of 4th and/or 5th grade students monthly to prepare for the 2027 Battle of the Books challenge at South Carroll High School in April of 2027. If you would be interested in putting a team together or coaching a group of students that have asked to join a team, please go to the CCPL’s website for more information and email Tally Myers at tallymyers@carrollk12.org to indicate interest.

Forms will be going home with all 4th and 5th graders to sign up for a team after the library visits our school in late September or early October.

Carroll County Public Library - Battle of the Books

We recognize and respect that whether or not a student has a personally owned portable electronic device is a family decision. Students are not required or expected to bring their own device to school. Students may bring their personally owned devices to schools, as long as they abide by these regulations. Student misuse of his or her device shall result in disciplinary action. Families are expected to work collaboratively with school staff to support the implementation of these regulations. Parents who need to make emergency contact with their child during the school day shall contact the school’s main office.

Students in Elementary School

1. Devices must be silenced and stored (out of sight) upon entry to the school until exit from the school. It is highly recommended that elementary students do not bring personally owned portable electronic devices to school or on the school bus.

2. No portable electronic device shall be used to record, store, or transmit any type of image, sound, or video except for approved instructional activities utilizing CCPS-provided devices with the express permission of school staff.

3. The audible notification sounds and volume of personally owned portable electronic devices shall be silenced or directed through headphones on school buses. It is highly recommended that elementary students do not bring personally owned portable electronic devices to school or on the school bus.

4. Disciplinary action, as outlined in the Carroll County Public Schools student services manual, shall be taken when a student fails to follow the directions of a staff member regarding portable electronic devices or if a preponderance of evidence exists that the student has violated the terms of the acceptable use procedures and guidelines or other school policy.

• Our school day hours are from 8:35 AM - 3:05 PM daily.
• Any student arriving at or after 8:35 AM must be accompanied by a parent and report to the office to sign in.
• Parent drop off ends at 8:30 AM. If arriving after that time, please park in a marked parking space and accompany your child to the building.

Early Dismissal Days

On county-wide early dismissal days (2 hours, 45 minutes early), dismissal will begin at 12:20 p.m.

Lunch and Recess Schedules

10:35 - 11:05 Pre-K and Kindergarten Lunch; 1st Grade Recess

11:05 - 11:35 1st Grade Lunch; Pre-K and Kindergarten Recess

11:35 - 12:05 2nd Grade Lunch; 3rd Grade Recess

12:05 - 12:35 3rd Grade Lunch; 2nd Grade Recess

12:35 - 1:05 4th Grade Lunch; 5th Grade Recess

1:05 - 1:35 5th Grade Lunch; 4th Grade Recess

Related Arts Schedules

8:35 - 9:35 5th Grade

9:35 - 10:35 3rd Grade

10:35 - 11:35 4th Grade

12:05 - 1:05 1st Grade

1:05 - 2:05 Kindergarten

2:05 - 3:05 2nd Grade

Per the CCPS Parent and Student Handbook, school staff shall implement interventions and consequences for student behavior that interrupts the education process.

At Linton Springs, we approach student discipline through a learning focus. If a student is misbehaving or not following established expectations, they may earn a stop and think or a discipline referral.

Stop & Think

•Can be given by any staff member

•Tool used to reflect with students on behavioral choices that have interrupted the learning environment

•Parents will be notified

•Consequences may include, apology note, time out from a specific activity, change in seating assignment, or parent conference

•If a student continuously receives Stop & Thinks for the same type of behavior, they will receive a referral.

Referrals

•Can be given for a first-time behavior, if behavior is severe

•Can be given by any staff member

•Written and verbal notification to the parent/guardian that a student has required significant support throughout the course of the school day, this may be a teacher or another adult in the building.

•Consequences may include, apology note, time out from a specific activity/classroom, lunch detention, recess detention, referral to the school counselor, or parent conference.

We appreciate your support, understanding, and partnership in helping our students demonstrate their best behavior during the school day.

Lunch Visits with Parents/Guardians

To support students in establishing routines and adjusting to the school year, lunch visitors will not be permitted until October 1.

Beginning October 1, parents and guardians are welcome to join their student for lunch during the student's assigned lunch period. A designated table is available for families dining together.

To ensure a safe and orderly lunch environment, please note the following expectations:

• Lunch visitors are limited to parents and legal guardians unless prior approval has been granted.
• Grandparents and other adult family members may join a student for lunch only with written permission from the student's parent or guardian submitted in advance.
• Siblings may not join parents/guardians during lunch visits.
• Balloons, party favors, decorations, or similar celebratory items may not be brought onto campus.
• Food and beverages brought for lunch may not be shared with students who are not immediate family members.
• If a parent/guardian would like another student to join their family for lunch, written permission must be submitted to LSEAttendance@carrollk12.org in advance and approved by the school.

• For the safety and supervision of all students, visitors may not accompany students to recess and must check out through the front office at the conclusion of the lunch period.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable lunch environment for all students.

Visitation Procedures

Below are the guidelines to follow regarding visitors in the building:

• Visitors will ring the main entrance buzzer.
• Visitors will be asked to give their name and purpose for visiting. Pre-scheduled appointments will be verified.
• Visitors will be asked to report to the office to sign in.
• Visitors will be asked to provide photo identification.
• Visitors will be issued a visitor’s badge. The visitor's badge must be worn and visible for the duration of the school visit. Please do not visit undesignated areas in the building.
• Prior to leaving the building, visitors must sign out in the office.

Volunteer Training

• You must complete volunteer training EVERY school year if you plan on attending field trips, working with students in classrooms, or helping with any school activity.
• Volunteer training is completed online. Please go to Volunteer Program - Carroll County Public School District (carrollk12.org) to complete your training.
• Complete your training early to allow for sufficient time for approval. If you are not approved in the system, you will not be able to volunteer.

Permission to Photograph, Videotape, or Audiotape

Throughout the school year, the Carroll County Public School System frequently covers school activities and may use your child’s photograph, video image, or voice for educational, informational, or public relations purposes, with or without identification by name.

If you do not wish to have your child’s voice reproduced on tape or to have his/her image appear in such things as a video or a photograph, or on the school or school system website or social media, please notify the school principal in writing. It is assumed that parents and guardians consent to their children being audiotaped, photographed, videotaped, or having their image placed on a school website or social media by the school system, unless such notification is received.

There are also occasions when the media cover certain school events (such as when a government leader visits a school). If you do not wish to have your child’s name or likeness published by the media, you should address your concerns directly to the school involved so that the media is so advised. Please be advised that the school system has no control over the media when they are covering activities such as sporting events and musical programs that are open to the public.

Use of Student Work on Websites or in Publications

There may be times throughout the year when the Carroll County Public School System wishes to display student work on school websites, social media, or in publications. If you do not wish to have your child’s art, poetry, writing, etc. appear on school websites, social media, or in publications, please notify the school principal in writing. It is assumed that parents and guardians consent to their child’s work being displayed on school websites, social media, or in publications unless such notification is received.

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION

The Board of Education of Carroll County does not engage in discrimination that is unlawful or contrary to Maryland State Department of Education guidance on the basis of age, color, genetic information, marital status, mental or physical disability, ancestry or national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

The Board of Education of Carroll County is firmly committed to creating equal employment and educational opportunities for all persons by providing an environment that supports optimal academic achievement and productive work and is free from any form of unlawful discrimination, including access to school facilities, educational programs, and extracurricular activities.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of Human Resources, 125 North Court Street, Westminster, Maryland 21157, (410) 751-3070.

NOTICE OF ASBESTOS

The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) management plans for all buildings owned or leased by the Board of Education of Carroll County are available for review at the individual Carroll County school locations and at Office of Plant Operations, located at 191 Schaeffer Avenue, Westminster, Maryland 21157. Management plans are required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and depict the location, amount, condition, and response action projected for any asbestos-containing materials, if any are located in the school building.

MOMENT OF SILENCE

It is the policy of the Board of Education of Carroll County that all schools are required to have a moment of silence or meditation for approximately one minute each school day. During this moment of silence, the Carroll County Public Schools shall neither advance nor inhibit silent religious activity. Following the pledge of allegiance to the flag and before the completion of the opening exercise, all students will observe approximately one minute of silence, before continuing with the day’s activities. In exercising his or her individual choice, each person may meditate, pray, or engage in any other silent activity which does not interfere with, distract, or impede others in the like exercise of their individual choice. The following is a list of inappropriate activities: (1) talking or any audible sounds, and (2) gesturing, using sign language, or writing notes for the purpose of person to person communication. Administrators shall enact appropriate administrative procedures in the event that individuals do not follow the established policy.

ADA ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

Carroll County Public Schools (CCPS) does not discriminate on the basis of disability in employment or the provision of services, programs or activities. Persons needing auxiliary aids and services for communication should contact the Communications Office at 410-751-3020 or publicinfo@carrollk12.org, or write to Carroll County Public Schools, 125 North Court Street, Westminster, Maryland 21157. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, may use Relay or 7-1-1. Please contact the school system at least one (1) week in advance of the date the special accommodation is needed.

Information concerning the Americans with Disabilities Act is available from the Director of Facilities Management, (410) 751-3177, or the Communications Officer, (410) 751-3020, 125 North Court Street, Westminster, Maryland 21157.