Important Dates

September 21st

Schools & Offices Closed

September 22nd

Fall Picture Day

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September 23rd

PTA Virtual Meeting

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

September 24th

Coffee, Cake & Conversation

9:30 am - 10:30am

Title I Meeting

September 30th

Early Dismissal

School will close at 12:55 pm

October 16th

School closed for students

Staff Workday

October 28th

School closed for students

Staff Professional Learing/Workday

CLICK HERE for the HCPSS 26-27 Academic Calendar (Dates Only)

Message from the Administrators

Dear Running Brook Elementary Families,

It was another wonderful week of learning at The Brook! This week, we celebrate Community Schools Site Coordinator Appreciation Week and are especially grateful for Ms. Shayla Bright who serves in the role at our school. Ms. Bright is a tremendous asset to our students, staff, and families. If you see her, please take a moment to thank her for all she does for our school community!

As a reminder, HCPSS schools are closed Monday, September 21, for Yom Kippur. We look forward to welcoming our Panthers back on Tuesday, September 22, at 9:10 a.m.

Thank you for your continued partnership.

Katie Carter, Principal

Dale Allen, Assistant Principal

Jaime Gittleson, Assistant Principal

Picture Day is September 22nd

Say cheese! 📸 Picture Day is coming on Tuesday, September 22nd! Students will have the opportunity to capture a special school-year memory. Please have your child come to school ready to smile and shine. We can’t wait to see those beautiful smiles!

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Participate in CA Points Program to Earn Free CA Membership

The CA (Columbia Association) Points Program is offered to students in grades 3-12 who are enrolled in the Free and Reduced Meals (FARMS) program at participating schools. Students can earn a free CA membership for themselves and their immediate family by meeting goals for grades and attendance.

To participate in the CA Points Program, you must complete a FARMs application and complete the CA Points Enrollment Form. Online enrollment will close on September 25, 2026.

For more information, visit CA Points Program or email CAPoints@ColumbiaAssociation.org.

Programa de Puntos de la Columbia Association

El Programa de Puntos de la CA (Asociación de Columbia) se ofrece a los estudiantes de 3.º a

12.º grado que estén inscritos en el programa de Comidas Gratuitas o a Precio Reducido (FARMS) en las escuelas participantes. Los estudiantes pueden obtener una membresía gratuita de la CA para ellos y su familia inmediata al cumplir con los objetivos de calificaciones y asistencia.

Para participar en el Programa de Puntos de la CA, debe completar una solicitud de FARMs y completar el Formulario de inscripción de Puntos de la CA. La inscripción en línea cerrará el 25 de septiembre de 2026.

Para obtener más información, visite el Programa de Puntos de la CA o envíe un correo electrónico a CAPoints@ColumbiaAssociation.org.

REGISTRATION OPENS Sept. 19th

RBES Open Feedback From

Please use this open feedback form to pose questions, give kudos, or leave comments for the Running Brook Administrative Team. Your response can remain anonymous, or you can provide your name for a follow-up phone call.

Family Calendar of Events

Mark your calendar for this year’s family events! These special events provide families with an opportunity to come together with our grade-level teachers, connect with one another, and learn more about what your child is learning at school. Each grade-level experience will focus on an area such as Social-Emotional Learning, Math, or Reading and will provide families with information and strategies to help support learning at home. Also included are PTA events, Coffee & Conversations, and other important dates for our families to note. We look forward to learning, connecting, and partnering with you throughout the year.

RBES Calendar of Events (Sept-Jan)

RBES Calendar of Events (Feb-June)

Animals on School Property

Please be mindful that animals are NOT prohibited within HCPSS buildings. Animals are also NOT prohibited on school system property during arrival, dismissal, recess or other HCPSS sponsored outdoor activities. Service animals or service animals in training [per MD Annotated Code Section 7-705 (Service Animals) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are exempt from this prohibition

Kick off LGBTQIA+ History Month with Lesléa Newman

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 @ 6:00 pm. 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.

Family Connection Academy Kickoff

All HCPSS families are invited to attend an inspiring event designed to support, connect, and empower the HCPSS Community. Discover practical strategies to enhance learning at home, explore K-12 curricular updates and academic standards. Participate in engaging sessions, access community resources, and build meaningful connections with other HCPSS families. Enjoy student entertainment and a special appearance by a former Ravens player! A light complimentary dinner, K-5 childcare and language access provided. Registration suggested. Location: Hammond High School, Wednesday, September 16, from 6:00-8:30 pm. Please refer to this flyer for additional information and how to register.

School Communications

HCPSS offers a multitude of communications platforms. From our school, you may receive messages from:

Phone Calls – The [school] main number is (410) 313-6893 . Please save that to your contacts to avoid phone calls being routed as "unknown callers"
Emails – Direct messages from staff to parents/guardians. Sent to parent/guardian email on file (contact our front office to update your email). All emails will come from an @hcpss.org address. Staff will never email from a personal email account. Please be vigilant when clicking on any links in and/or downloading files attached to emails.
Canvas – Learning Management System (grades, course notifications, etc.) Email notifications will come from notifications@instructure.com. You can set your own notification preferences. A Parent's Guide to Canvas is available at https://hcpss.instructure.com/courses/9495
SchoolMessenger – Schoolwide messages (newsletters, alerts) Email comes from the school; links may display as schoolmessenger Texts come from 67587
TalkingPoints – Schoolwide messages; staff direct messages for two-way conversations Sent via text to parent/guardian mobile number & received in language identified for parent/guardian in HCPSS Synergy Option to use the TalkingPoints app, offering additional features

Title I Annual Meeting

Please join us for our RBES Title I Annual Meeting on September 24th. The goal of this meeting is to share what it means to be a school-wide Title I school, get input on the Title I Compact & Plan, and provide an additional opportunity for families and caregivers to be involved in their child(ren)’s educational journey at RBES. You are our partners in education and we value your input. Additional details can be found here.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP

📸 We're on Instagram!

Stay connected and see all the amazing things happening at Running Brook Elementary! Follow our new official Instagram account @hcpss_rbes for updates, event highlights, and a peek inside our wonderful school community.

Let's share our school spirit -- follow, like, and tag us to join the fun! 💜✨

School Wide Title I Program

Running Brook is a Title I School wide Program school. Title I is a federally funded program designed to close achievement gaps and ensure all children have an opportunity to access a high-quality education by providing funding for supplemental academic services and supports.

Jodi Aikens | Title I Teacher | Jodi_Aikens@hcpss.org
Chelsea Berube| Title I Teacher | Chelsea_Berube@hcpss.org

Lisa Goldberg | Title I Teacher | Lisa_Goldberg@hcpss.org

Shayla Bright| Community School Coordinator| Shayla_Bright@hcpss.org

Jane Hartlove | Family and Community Liaison | Jane_Hartlove@hcpss.org

Panther Press

September 18, 2026

Important Dates

September 21st

September 22nd

September 23rd

September 24th

September 30th

October 16th

October 28th

CLICK HERE for the HCPSS 26-27 Academic Calendar (Dates Only)

Message from the Administrators

Picture Day is September 22nd

Participate in CA Points Program to Earn Free CA Membership

REGISTRATION OPENS Sept. 19th

RBES Open Feedback From

Family Calendar of Events

Animals on School Property

Kick off LGBTQIA+ History Month with Lesléa Newman

Family Connection Academy Kickoff

School Communications

Title I Annual Meeting

📸 We're on Instagram!

School Wide Title I Program

Important Dates Important Dates

September 21st

September 22nd

September 23rd

September 24th

September 30th

October 16th

October 28th

CLICK HERE for the HCPSS 26-27 Academic Calendar (Dates Only) CLICK HERE for the HCPSS 26-27 Academic Calendar (Dates Only)

Message from the Administrators

Picture Day is September 22nd

Participate in CA Points Program to Earn Free CA Membership

REGISTRATION OPENS Sept. 19th REGISTRATION OPENS Sept. 19th

RBES Open Feedback From

Family Calendar of Events

Animals on School Property

Kick off LGBTQIA+ History Month with Lesléa Newman

Family Connection Academy Kickoff

School Communications

Title I Annual Meeting

📸 We're on Instagram!

School Wide Title I Program

Important Dates

CLICK HERE for the HCPSS 26-27 Academic Calendar (Dates Only)

REGISTRATION OPENS Sept. 19th