Heron Update
Winter Break Edition
Hollywood Families,
As we begin the holiday break, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for making this a wonderful year at Hollywood Elementary School. It has been a time of growth, learning, and community, and we couldn't have done it without the dedication and support of our students, families, and staff.
I hope the upcoming break brings you time to relax, reflect, and enjoy the company of those you love. May this holiday season be filled with joy, peace, and the warmth of family and friends.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We look forward to continuing our journey of learning and growth together in the new year.
Warm Regards,
Mrs. DiRenzo
Important Events and Dates
December 23-31: Winter Break – No School for Students and 10-11 Month Employees
December 25: Holiday – Winter Break – All Schools and Offices Closed
January 1: Holiday – Winter Break – All Schools and Offices Closed
January 2-3:Winter Break – No School for Students and 10-11 Month Employees
January 6:Schools Reopen - Welcome Back Students
January 14: School Improvement Team Meeting - HES Media Center (4:00 PM)
January 15: PTO Math Night 5 -7 PM
January 17: End of the 2nd Marking Period
January 20: NO School - Martin Luther King ,Jr. Day
January 23: Winter Concert for Band, Orchestra, and Chorus (6:30 PM)
January 29: HES International Day
January 31: Professional Day - No School for Students
Thank You St. Mary's County Sheriff's Department &
Captain Simmonds for visiting HES and reading to our 1st Graders!!!
HES PTO Silent Auction School Assistant Winners on Duty!!!
Eleanor Bush - Building Service Manager's Assistant
Summer Haley - School Counselor's Assistant
Lindon Bean - Safety & Security's Assistant
Jack Lamoreau - Assistant Principal's Assistant
Kevin Bean - Principal's Assistant
Hollywood's Holiday Break Countdown
Holiday Accessory Day
Snowman/Snowflake Day
Grinch (or Green) Day
Santa or Festive Hat Day
Polar Express/PJ Day
HES Holiday Sing Along
LHS Chorus Students Christmas Caroling at HES
PTO Info and Updates
So many fun PTO events happening in December!!! Come celebrate the holiday season with your HES family!
- If you are interested in being involved with the HES PTO, please email heronpto@gmail.com
HES Focus on ATTENDANCE
ATTENDANCE Incentives
Hollywood Families, To encourage our students to attend school daily we are introducing a new attendance incentive. We are happy to introduce our "Hollywood Heron Attendance All-Stars." Each homeroom has a strip that spells the word "ATTENDANCE." If a homeroom has all students on time and present they get to color in one of these letters. The goal is to complete strips in a timely manner. Each grade level will be working together. The grade level with the most strips turned in each month will receive a celebration and a special badge of recognition for them to display in their house area.
Harris Teeter Together in Education Program
School Lunch Highlights
Hungry Herons! - School Breakfast & Lunch Information
My School Bucks
Click here to check your child's breakfast/lunch balance and add money to their account
Updates & Information from Around the Heron's Nest
From the Counselor
This is the last week for our December attendance challenge. We look forward to welcoming happy and healthy herons in the new year!
January Character Trait - Self-Control
From the Media Center
Please use the Winter Break to search at home for those lost library books. Overdue notices will be sent to you with the title, price, and picture of the cover. If you can't find it and want to pay using My School Bucks, please let me know. I will be checking my email occasionally during the Winter Break.
Also I'm trying to gather pictures for my bulletin board. So if you catch your child reading over break, please snap a picture and email it to me (sjhazuda@smcps.org).
From the School Nurse
Hello HES Families,
With the cold temperatures seemingly here to stay we want to make sure our students are well prepared for recess. Please ensure that your student comes to school with appropriate coats. I do not have coats to provide for all students. As a reminder we do go outside for recess everyday unless it is raining.
If you need help purchasing outerwear please reach out to me.
Thanks,
Nurse Briggs
As a REMINDER if your student is out for two consecutives days I will be reaching out to you. This is to ensure that we are doing what we can on our end at school to support your students' attendance. Please review when to send your student to school and when to keep them home. I know it's a tough time of year and a lot of sniffles are going around!
Finally, as a reminder if your child is out for three days we do ask for a doctor's note to excuse the absences. Have a great weekend!
If you have any questions or concerns please reach out!
School Based Health Clinics
The school based health clinics has updated their website with a new link to register students. The link can be found at https://smchd.org/sbhc/ and then you would click the blue button that says "Click Here to Enroll now for Faster Service". The school based health centers are a great way to see a provider without the long wait times at urgent care! See their website for more information.
PTO News
- If you are interested in being involved with the HES PTO, please email heronpto@gmail.com
- HES PTO has a new Spirit Wear company. On top of the company getting amazing reviews for their customer service and quality, our HES PTO earns 10% in commissions for all our sales!! Woohoo!! Items will ship directly to your house as well. https://1stplacespiritwear.com/schools/MD/Hollywood/Hollywood+Elementary+School
Birthday Treats
Birthday treats present the potential for allergic reactions for many of our students. They also interrupt instruction. However, we understand that some students enjoy celebrating their birthday with their friends at school. Because of all of these factors, birthday treats may NOT be edible. Gift bags with stickers, pencils, crayons, erasers, and/or other small toys are acceptable. They can also be shared at recess or the end of the day which doesn’t compromise instructional time. Parents who wish to provide birthday treats to a class are asked to notify the homeroom teacher in advance and to drop them off in the front office as early as possible.
SMCPS Resources & Helpful Links
SMCPS Volunteer Application
Both new and previously registered volunteers must complete a new volunteer application. The application process will end on May 1 of each school year. There is no application fee for school volunteers. Parental involvement is a key component to student success. Thank you for your support.
Home Access Center / HAC
If you have any questions about your HAC account, please contact the HES office for assistance.
Please note that HAC opens at 5:00 pm on August 16, 2024.
Schoology
Schoology is a very helpful tool and resource for teachers, students, and families. Please ensure that you are able to access Schoology for updates and information from the school and your child's teacher. If you need support in obtaining your Schoology log in information please email schoology@smcps.org for support. Please click Parent Notifications for directions to ensure your notifications are set to receive important information about your student.
Do you have the Schoology App?
Log Into the Schoology Mobile App
If you already have a Schoology account, download the Schoology app from Apple App Store, Google Play or the Amazon App Store. Tap the app icon to open it on your device.
You can use an email address or username to log into the application, depending on how your account was set up:
Log in through your School
Use the keyboard to enter SMCPS. As you type, matching choices populate in the list. The name, ID number, city, state, and zip code for the school should appear below.
Tap the name of your school or organization when it displays.
Use the email address or username to log in to the application, that was sent to you via email from Schoology with an app password. If you are an SMCPS student or teacher this is NOT your SMCPS password.
Tap LOG IN to complete.
If you are able to sign in with Google, and you are an SMCPS student or staff, please use that login process and follow the provided instructions in the prompts.
Want to enable notifications? Please check this document
SMCPS 2024 - 2025 Student Handbook, Code of Conduct
Student Handbook - A Guide for Students & Families
Code of Conduct - A Guide for Students & Families
SMCPS Updated Cell Phones Implementation VIDEO
SMCPS Devices
Please review laptop expectations by sharing this presentation with your child. Classroom teachers will be reviewing laptop expectations with students at school as well. Thank you!
Need to purchase a laptop charger?
You can do one of two things:
1. Email your child's teacher or the Library Media Specialist Miss Hazuda (sjhazuda@smcps.org) that you wish to pay for the missing laptop charger. A fine then can be assessed so that you can pay using My School Bucks, sending in cash, or a check (made out to SMCPS).
OR
2. Go directly to the DELL store. You can purchase directly from their website and have it shipped to your home.
Ensure one of these links is being used:
www.dell.com/mpp/smcps (click Shop Recommended Solutions to get to the discounted power cords)
www.dell.com/mpp/smcps-chargers (leads directly to the purchasing portal)
If you purchase from Dell, please make sure that you label the charger with the student's first and last name before sending it to school. If you have any questions, please contact your child's teacher or the Library Media Specialist Miss Hazuda (sjhazuda@smcps.org).
School Messenger Text Messaging
School Messenger Text Messaging FAQ's
Hollywood Elementary School...
...provides a rich educational experience that focuses on preparing well rounded students that are ready to succeed in their future college and career endeavors. Hollywood educates and inspires our diverse population in a safe and respectful environment. Students are engaged in authentic learning experiences that foster work habits and skills necessary to become collaborative, dedicated, and productive citizens.
Ms. Erin DiRenzo, Principal
Email: eedirenzo@smcps.org
Mr. Chris Rodkey, Assistant Principal
Email: cnrodkey@smcps.org
Website: https://schools.smcps.org/hes/
Location: 44345 Joy Chapel Road, Hollywood, MD, USA
Phone: (301) 373-4350
Twitter: @hes_smcps