Register for Parent/Teacher Conferences Through February 11

Conferences Will Be Held Thursday, February 13.

A flier sent home last week outlined important information for you regarding registration for Parent/Teacher Conferences (see attached below).  The registration window 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 

Awards Assemblies Next Week Recognize Students' Achievements

We will recognize students' second quarter efforts during Awards Assemblies scheduled for Thursday, February 13, and Friday, February 14.  We will celebrate students in grades K-2 at a 9:10 am assembly on Thursday, and grades 3-5 at a 9:10 am assembly on Friday. The following awards will be presented:

• Exemplary Attendance for students who have been present and on time 96% of school days.
• Honor Roll for students in grades 1-2 who have all I's and W's, a 1 or 2 for all effort grades, a 1 or 2 for all learning behaviors, and no office referrals;  Students in grades 3-5 who have all A's and B's, and the same other criteria listed for students in grades 1-2.
• Principal's Award for students who have earned all I's and 1's or all A's and 1's.
• Community Contributor Award for one boy and one girl from each homeroom who have demonstrated care, compassion and dedication to his/her classroom community and/or school community.
• Soaring Swan Award for one student from each homeroom who has exhibited exceptional effort throughout the quarter.

Parents of students receiving the Community Contributor Award and Soaring Swan Award should have received a letter earlier this week notifying them.

Swansfield Celebrates African American History Month

In recognition of African American History Month, Swansfield students are engaging in a lesson designed to expose them to different aspects of black history and culture.  Our Black Student Achievement Liaison, Tamekah Wilkins, began visiting classrooms this week and will continue throughout the month.  The school as a whole has planned a spirit day February 21 to celebrate African American History Month.  Students are invited to wear a shirt with a message to celebrate the month, or dress as a famous person. 

Screening for Students at Risk for Reading Difficulties

In accordance with Maryland’s Ready to Read Act (2019), all HCPSS kindergarten students* will be administered a screener assessment that includes a battery of four one-minute reading measures (DIBELS 8th Edition) to examine their letter naming, decoding, and word reading skills. The assessments will occur throughout winter, 2020. Parents and guardians will be notified if assessment results indicate that your child would benefit from an intervention.

*This includes kindergarten students who do not have a current Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) with reading foundational skills goals.

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.

Would You Like to be a Recess Game Leader?

We are looking for parents who can volunteer their time to help coordinate games with our students during Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade recess.  As a volunteer, you would work with Mr. Berry to teach and coordinate game play with our students.  The 30-minute recess for each grade begins as follows: K - 10:05am, 1st Grade – 10:35am, and 2nd Grade – 11:05am. Please contact both Ms. Slater at deborah_slater@hcpss.org and Mr. Berry at jamie_berry@hcpss.org if you are interested in this volunteer opportunity.

Volunteers Needed to Make Classroom Window Covers

Are you great at sewing or making crafts? Swansfield staff have requested volunteers from each grade level to help make magnetic window covers that can provide privacy for classrooms when needed.  The school will purchase all the necessary materials.  We just need some crafty volunteers to make them.  All window coverings should be 26x44 inches with a magnetic tab for easy hanging above the door. You can see two examples of how to create a magnetic curtain here and here. If you are able to help with this request, please contact Carolyn Toland at 410-313-6907 or carolyn_toland@hcpss.org.

Kids Heart Challenge

Our annual Kids Heart Challenge fundraiser for the American Heart Association, Hoops for Heart, continues through February 28th. 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.  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!

Free Children's Dental Exams and Cleanings

Please see the attached flier for information about this program being offered February 17th at Howard Community College.

Dental Hygiene Pediatric Day.pdf 

New Recycling Program Underway

The Green Beanz have organized a Nex Trex recycling program here at school. Students collect and bring in plastic bags and other household plastic film. 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. This program continues 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!

Don't Forget to Order Your SES Yearbook

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.  The deadline to order is  March 1st.

Spotlight on Success Winners

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.