Swansfield News: January 24, 2020

Fri, 01/24/2020 - 1:49pm
Swansfield Elementary School  

 

Upcoming Events:

  • Monday January 27 - Schools Closed

  • Thursday January 30 - Window Opens for Parent/Teacher Conference Registration and continues through February 11 (see more below)

  • Monday February 3 - Report Cards Issued

  • Monday February 3 - Hoops for Heart Begins (see more below)

  • Tuesday February 4 - Schools/Offices Closed

  • Wednesday February 5 - 2nd Grade In-House Field Trip, UMD Nutrition

  • Thursday February 13 - Primary Awards Assembly, 9:10 am

  • Thursday February 13 - Parent/Teacher Conferences

  • Friday February 14 - Intermediate Awards Assembly 9:10 am

  • Thursday and Friday, February 13 and 14 - Early Dismissal at 12:10pm

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Register Beginning Thursday, January 30, for Parent/Teacher Conferences

Conferences Will Be Held Thursday, February 13.

A flier going home next Tuesday outlines important information for you as you prepare to register for Parent/Teacher Conferences (see attached below).  Also attached are specific directions for completing your registration. The registration will be open on Thursday, January 30, and will remain open through Tuesday, February 11.  You can log on to HCPSS Connect to access Synergy Conference Management in order to schedule your conference(s).  For parents without online access, please contact our front office staff at 410-313-6907 for assistance in scheduling conferences.

Conference Flyer February 2020.pdf 
Parent Conference Registration.pdf 

Swansfield Poet Receives Honor

The Howard County Literacy Association is proud to announce the winners of the 2019-2020 Young Authors' Contest. Peyton-Ryn Milner, a 2nd grade student at Swansfield, earned an Honorable Mention for her poem, Jazz. All HCPSS winners are listed here.

Authors will read their outstanding poems and short stories at Barnes and Noble in Ellicott City on Sunday, April 26, from 12:00-4:00pm.  Please come and support these celebrated Howard County student authors.

Students Participate in Swansfield Spelling Bee

Several Swansfield students recently demonstrated their spelling skills at team and school spelling bees. Congratulations to the following students who participated in the team spelling bees:

  • 4th Grade: Rafael Bhatti, John Blendenbacher, Juliette Dumont, Chrisnie Pierre and Adiyam Tecleab
  • 5th Grade: Janell Agyare-Tanor,  Kristen Arthungal  Tafari Bogle,  Nyla Crawford, Zoe Darby, Jazlynn Jarboe, Jae Johnson, Folu Ojifinni, Yeonee Pak, Zoe Perkins, Nathan Rodriguez, and Neveah Sadler.          

All of the 4th graders and Janelle, Kristen, Jae, Folu, and Zoe Perkins from 5th grade participated in Swansfield's School Spelling Bee on January 15th. After completing 31 rounds of competitive spelling, Kristen Arthungal was our school champion and Janell Agyare-Tanor was first runner-up.  Kristen will represent Swansfield at the Howard County Library Spelling Bee at Oakland Mills High School on Saturday, March 21, at 2 pm.  If for any reason Kristen cannot attend, Janell will represent SES. G-o-o-d l-u-c-k!

Valentine’s Day Card Exchange

Your child’s teacher will be communicating directly with you to share about the Valentine's Day card exchange in his/her classroom.  It is important to note that due to a variety of student allergies, NO food or candy may be attached to cards being distributed.

Kids Heart Challenge

Our annual Kids Heart Challenge fundraiser for the American Heart Association, Hoops for Heart, begins Monday, February 3rd. This year we will be working on basketball skills during the fundraiser.  Please visit our school's webpage at http://www2.heart.org/goto/swansfield

This year's event will continue through February 28th . Any donations collected locally and NOT online should be turned in by that date.

Thank you for supporting our school and the American Heart Association!

School Counseling Monthly Newsletter

Please find attached the monthly newsletter with information from our school counselors as well as the HCPSS School Counseling Department. The newsletter shares helpful information from a local as well as national perspective of various programs and efforts to improve student success through school counseling programs.

January Elementary School Counseling Newsletter.pdf 

New Recycling Program Underway

The Green Beanz recently shared news of a new recycling program, Nex Trex, they have organized here at school. Students collect and bring in plastic bags and other household plastic film listed on the magnet that was sent home a few weeks ago. Materials brought in are placed in the Nex Trex recycling bins now located in the front foyer, the 5th grade entrance, and the 3rd grade entrance at the rear of the school. So far we have had an overwhelming response. We will continue this recycling program through the end of the year, so please donate! The school with the largest donation earns a Trex bench! We are looking for volunteers to take the bags to Safeway at your convenience. Please let Mrs. DiVenti or Ms. Malcotti know if you are able to volunteer! Thank you for your help and remember…it’s GREAT to be GREEN at SES!

Road to Kindergarten Workshop  

Families with children who will be 5 years old by September 1, 2020 are invited to attend an information session to learn more about kindergarten at HCPSS. Childcare is available for children ages 2 and older. No registration required. The workshop will be Thursday, January 30, at Centennial High School, 4300 Centennial Lane, Ellicott City.

SES Yearbook Order Forms Going Home Next Tuesday

A dedicated PTA committee has been hard at work producing a yearbook to record memories from this school year.  Don't miss the opportunity to order one for your family.  Order forms are going home January 28.

Spotlight on Success Winners

Throughout the year Swansfield Elementary is recognizing students who shine by demonstrating one of our six Success Factors, which are Kindness, Self-Control, Perseverance, Empathy, Accountability and Hope. For several weeks the spotlight was on Perseverance. Beginning with today's winners, the spotlight is on Empathy. Congratulations to the following students who were caught in the Spotlight:
  • Pre-K: Isaac B, Saboor B
  • Kindergarten: Daniil K, Saron E, Barak K, Kayden C, Emmanuel K, Zachary K, Lillian N, Sarah G. Bryce W
  • 1st Grade: Temi O, Aston H, Noah B, Elyse K, Rashid F, Isaiah O, Dayon D, Jaiden R, Agnes M
  • 2nd Grade: Jeremiah K, Yue N, Gabriel J, Ryan M, Blen A, Qestia M, Laila M, Ry'Lee F, Kamerin A, Chrystina J
  • 3rd Grade: Ariana M, Kami R, Malia W, Jade R, Hailey H, Vanessa U
  • 4th Grade: Gabrielle M, Kenneth S, Tony S, Raiven B, Ry'lyn F, Gabby M, Lameda F, Gloria V
  • 5th Grade: Nick S, Makiyah G, Rachelle P, Bre-Asia B, Zoe D, Jayden C, Martin D, Jalynn K, Mason K, Karen D

The past six weeks, the focus success at Swansfield has been Perseverance.  Students defined Perseverance with their classes and participated in lessons and activities.  Congratulations to the following students who were voted by their classes as exemplifying this success factor and were crowned the King or Queen of Perseverance at today's class celebrations:

    Kindergarten: Hannah G, Dylan S, Gemma W, Jazlyn A, Zander M
    1st Grade:Omari K, Journi B, Brayden P, Alexis H, Madyson K
    2nd Grade: Glen D, Axelle A, Bianca M, Celia P, Peyton-Ryn M
    3rd Grade: Sofiya K, Max W, Jesus C, Miles J
    4th Grade: Ja'bria J, Chase L, Kenneth S, Ariyanah M
    5th Grade: Crystal H, Joey A, Scarlett S, Folu O, Priya B, Jazlynn J

Summer Programs Registration

On-site and online enrollment requests for summer programs will begin Saturday, February 1, for: BSAP Summer Institute; Gifted and Talented Summer Institutes for Talent Development; and Innovative Pathways High School.

New Color-Code System for Emergency Building Closures

HCPSS is now using a color-coding notification system for emergency and other non-scheduled school closings, including for inclement weather. The operating status will be identified on the new Status website and communicated through multiple notification sources.

Read more at https://news.hcpss.org/news-posts/2019/11/new-website-and-system-for-emergency-closings/

Swansfield also communicates via text and email messages any unscheduled closings and other news of immediate interest.  Anyone not receiving school text messages can text the letter "Y" to 67587 from their cell phone and they will then be enrolled.  Any phone number changes should also be communicated to the school's front office staff.

Free and Reduced Meals Program

Parents of students who quality for Free and Reduced Meals must submit a new application every school year.  Details on the HCPSS Free and Reduced Meals program are online, including how to apply.  Paper applications were sent home in the communication folder this week.  If you need assistance please contact Family Liaison Deborah Slater at 410-313-6907 or by email at deborah_slater@hcpss.org

Emergency Card Procedures with Family File

HCPSS utilizes Family File for parents/guardians to complete emergency information.  Parents/guardians must verify and/or update information for each child, and can do so by logging in to HCPSS Connect, selecting the Family File tab and then clicking on Family File.  Instructions are available online.

Volunteers/Chaperones Must Complete Training

All volunteers and field trip chaperones in HCPSS schools must complete the online training course prior to volunteering (see link below), print a completion certificate and return it to the front office. If you are unable to access online a printed version is available at school.

Connect With Our PTA

Learn more about upcoming PTA activities, how you can get involved, and even join the PTA if you haven't done so already.  Visit http://swansfieldpta.org/

Visit http://swansfieldpta.org/monthly-bulletin/ to catch up on all things PTA.

Community News and Programs

Please visit the Community News and Programs page at http://www.hcpss.org/community-news-and-programs/ for announcements of upcoming events and programs sponsored by non-profit organizations.