American Education Week 2026

The Howard County Public School System celebrates American Education Week from Monday, Nov. 16 through Friday, Nov. 20.

Elkridge Elementary invites parents and guardians to visit their child's classroom during the week to experience the school learning environment firsthand. This is our chance to open our classrooms and show you what a day of learning looks like at EES, and to recognize the teachers and staff who show up for our Elksters every day. We hope to see you.

During your visit, teachers will be actively teaching and students will be fully engaged in their learning, which may limit opportunities for personal interactions with your child or their teacher.

All visitors are asked to:

• Visit between 9:45 AM and 3:15 PM so we can keep the front parking lot open for buses during arrival and dismissal.
• Go directly to the front office to sign in when you arrive. Bring your ID — you'll need it to sign in.
• Wear your visitor sticker at all times.
• No photos or videos, please.
• Silence your phone.
• Be mindful of student confidentiality.

❗Important notes: Please plan your visit around your child's class time (not lunch or recess). HCPSS prohibits lunch and recess visitation. Parking will be limited, so please carpool or consider other parking options. Thank you for your understanding — we look forward to welcoming you to your child's classroom!

📚Monday, November 16

• 9:40–10:30 AM · Coffee & Conversation: Grading & Reporting (K–5)

• Have a question for us? Submit it in advance: https://forms.gle/sBWj7zWBZmkq8ekh8
• 5:30–7:00 PM · Evening Coffee & Conversation: Grading & Reporting (Grades 3–5)
• Title I Family Event · Dinner included - RSVP HERE

📚Tuesday, November 17

• 9:40–10:40 AM · ELD Family Session — ELD Team · Cafeteria

📚Wednesday, November 18 · Education Support Professionals Day

• 11:10 AM–12:10 PM · Parents vs. Teachers: Math Problem Solving — 5th Grade · Classrooms
• 11:40 AM–12:40 PM · Get the Facts: Multiplication & Division — 3rd Grade · Classrooms

📚Thursday, November 19

• 9:45–10:30 AM · Family Fun with Literacy & Math — 4th Grade · Math Classrooms

📚Friday, November 20 · Substitute Educators Day

• 9:45–10:30 AM · Writing with Families — Kindergarten · Classrooms
• 12:45–1:15 PM · Pet Writing: Sharing Circles — 2nd Grade · Classrooms
• 1:00–1:45 PM · Author's Tea — 1st Grade · Classrooms

❓What's going on in my child's grade?

✅Each grade-level team is highlighting strategies used in the classroom. See the Schedule of Events above and your child's grade-level Canvas messages.

❓Can I visit anytime, or only during my child's grade-level event?

✅You're welcome to visit your child's classroom any day this week between 9:45 AM and 3:25 PM, during class time. Visits during lunch and recess aren't permitted (see below), so check your child's grade on the daily schedule at the bottom of this page to plan your visit.

❓Do I need to complete volunteer training to attend?

✅No training is required. Just sign in at the front office with your ID and wear your visitor sticker.

❓Can I join my child for lunch or recess?

✅No. As of the 2026–2027 school year, parent lunch visits are no longer permitted at HCPSS schools due to safety concerns (HCPSS: Getting Ready for 2026–2027).

• Given the number of families who visit during American Education Week, we can only accommodate classroom visits and cannot make exceptions for lunch.
• Parents are also not permitted to attend recess.

❗ Important notes: Please plan your visit around your child's class time (not lunch or recess). Parking will be limited, so please carpool or consider other parking options. Thank you for your understanding — we look forward to welcoming you to your child's classroom!