Important Dates:

• Friday, April 2, through Tuesday, April 6 - Schools Closed for Spring Break

• Thursday, April 8 - Extended Deadline to Register for G/T Seminars (see more below)

• Wednesday, April 14 - Early Dismissal. 3rd Marking Period Ends.

• Wednesday, April 14 - Digital Education Center Survey Due by 4pm (see more below)

• Wednesday, May 5 - School Picture Day (Sign-Up and more information to come April 9)

• Wednesday, May 19, & Thursday, May 20 - Virtual Science Fair (see more below)

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We Hope All Our Families Enjoy a Peaceful and Relaxing Spring Break!

Registration Deadline for Gifted and Talented Program Seminars Extended

Bridge Building Challenge for Students in Grades 2 and 3
Has your student ever wondered how bridges work?  Why do some bridges fail, and why are some stronger than others?  If so, please consider having your student join the Instructional Seminar Bridge Building Challenge. Seminar participants will learn about different types of bridge designs and use household materials to put their ideas to the test. Your child can become a bridge builder extraordinaire. Students in Grades 2 and 3 ONLY, SIGN UP HERE by April 8th.  

Cryptology for Students in Grades 4 and 5
This seminar is an excellent opportunity for students to learn more about codes, ciphers, and their history.  Among other things, students in this seminar will answer the question, “What does math have to do with codes, ciphers, and cryptology?” and will learn how to apply mathematics skills and concepts to understand the world of code breaking!  Students in Grades 4 and 5 ONLY, SIGN UP HERE by April 8th.

G/T Math Placement Reviews For Third Grade Students

Recently, all third grade students were reviewed for placement in the 4th Grade G/T Math class for 2021-2022 using multiple data points related to student performance, including MAP assessment data and class performance. Families of students who have been placed in G/T Math should have already received communication from the school by U.S. mail. If your child was not placed in G/T Math at this time, you may request that the school conduct a placement review with additional information that you provide.

Placement Review Process:
Please send an email to Swansfield’s G/T Resource Teachers, Tara Diventi at tara_diventi@hcpss.org or Laine Malcotti at marolene_malcotti@hcpss.org, by April 16, 2021 with details supporting your child's strengths and advanced-level achievement in mathematics. Documentation of advanced-level achievement may include:

• Highlights of related strengths and interests of the student outside of school in the area of mathematics
• Demonstration of abstract thinking and problem-solving ability
• Evaluations from consultants and test data from standardized tests administered outside the school system.

The G/T Placement Review Committee will meet to review your child's performance data and the provided documentation. Results of the review will be communicated by April 30, 2021. Placement recommendations will continue to be re-evaluated throughout elementary school.

Learn More About Swansfield's Virtual Science Fair

The Swansfield Science Fair will take place online on Wednesday, May 19th, from 6:30-7:30pm for students in grades K-2 and Thursday, May 20th, from 6:30 - 7:30pm for students in grades 3-5. An email sent yesterday outlined a great deal of information regarding getting started, templates students can use for their presentations, help that will be available to students wishing to participate, and much more.  Please visit HERE to see the post in detail. Students interested in participating must complete this Interest Form. If you have any questions, please email your Science Fair PTA Co-Chairs, Amy Becker (amybreebecker@gmail.com) or Debbie Goldberg (debbie.s.goldberg@gmail.com).

New Instructional Tool - Lightspeed

Swansfield is now participating in the use of Lightspeed, a platform and instructional support tool that helps teachers keep students on track and safe as they navigate online learning.  This communication was shared previously by classroom teachers.  If you have any questions regarding this platform, please contact Assistant Principal Howard Carter at howard_carter@hcpss.org.

Digital Education Center Survey

The Howard County Public School System is planning for a virtual school option for students entering grades K-12 who wish to learn virtually for the 2021-2022 school year.
Via HCPSS Connect Synergy, HCPSS is seeking to understand families’ intentions regarding enrolling their children in a virtual school option (if that option becomes available) or having their children attend their traditional HCPSS school. This form is separate from the hybrid survey that families received earlier this school year and is not a commitment for the 2021-2022 school year. Parents/guardians will be asked to commit to enroll their children in the DEC at a later date. Your interest at this time will help facilitate planning.

Please complete this form no later than 4pm, Wednesday, April 14. Contact your child's school if you require assistance completing the form.

To complete the form:

1. Log in to HCPSS Connect Synergy
2. Select More Options from the left panel
3. Select Digital Education Center Interest Survey from the bottom of the menu
4. Complete the question in the form for each child. Families may select different school options for each child.

Details on the Digital Education Center can be found online.

Health Guidelines for Students

To ensure students are healthy enough to attend in-person instructions and activities, parents/guardians should perform a symptom check every day before the student leaves home. Please review the information below related to COVID-19, Flu and Flu-like Illnesses, and Gastrointestinal (GI) Viral Illnesses.

COVID-19
If you believe your child has symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or your child is a close contact with someone with COVID-19 symptoms, including anyone who lives in your home, please keep your child home from school and contact your child’s School Nurse or Principal immediately.

The Maryland Department of Health defines a COVID-19-like illness as when a person has any one of the following: cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell; OR at least two of the following: fever of 100.4 degrees or higher (measured or subjective), chills or shaking chills, muscle aches, sore throat, headache, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and congestion or runny nose. For more information, please visit the online message from HCPSS Office of Health Services.

Flu and Flu-like Illnesses
Students displaying symptoms of fever, vomiting or diarrhea should stay home until they have been symptom-free for 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medication. Additional symptoms of the flu include cough, headache, chills, sore throat, fatigue, and body aches. Please visit the HCPSS website for more information.

Gastrointestinal (GI) Viral Illnesses
Students displaying symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps should stay home until they have been symptom-free for 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medication. Students with a confirmed lab diagnosis of norovirus should not return to school until they have been symptom free for 48 hours.  Please visit the HCPSS website for more information.

Kindergarten & Pre-Kindergarten Registration Underway for School Year 2021-22

Kindergarten Registration for next school year is now being conducted ONLINE (scroll down to the green Begin Online Registration link). Students must be five years old by September 1, 2021 to register. If your child will be attending Kindergarten in the fall, please visit the HCPSS Getting Ready for Kindergarten page, which includes resources to support kindergarten readiness.  We also encourage families to visit our Grade K Family and Community Resources page for more information about the kindergarten instructional program and ways families can support their children at home.

Applications for the Pre-K Program are also being accepted ONLINE (scroll down to the green Begin Online Registration link).  Children must be four years old by September 1, 2021 to attend.

Please call the school front office at 410-313-6907 with any questions.  

Learning Together Program Prekindergarten Applications Being Accepted

The Swansfield Regional Early Childhood Center (RECC) prekindergarten program is preparing for the upcoming 2021-22 school year.  This class includes children with and without disabilities.  The program’s focus is helping all children develop communication, literacy, math, problem solving, motor, and social skills.   Parents of children who will be 3 years old by September 1, 2021 or 4 years of age may learn more about the program by reviewing the attached Learning Together Program (LTP) Flier.  Applications are being accepted now and priority will be given to applications received by April 1st.  

If you need assistance to complete the application, please contact Early Intervention Services at earlyinterventionservcies@hcpss.org or call 410-313-7017.

HCPSS is committed to providing instruction based on the statewide Early Learning Standards which are in alignment with Kindergarten Readiness. The fees listed in the application will be collected monthly regardless of the learning model determined by HCPSS throughout the upcoming school year (virtual, hybrid, or in person).   If you have any additional questions , please contact RECC teacher Nancy Barsoum at nancy_barsoum@hcpss.org.

LearningTogetherFlier.pdf 

2021 Summer Programs Registration Now Open

Currently enrolled HCPSS students can submit online enrollment requests for BSAP Summer Institute, Gifted and Talented Summer Institutes for Talent Development, Innovative Pathways High School (Math and Science only), and STARTALK Chinese Language Summer Camp. Learn more HERE.

Welcome To The BSAP Corner

Black Student Achievement Program (BSAP) Liaison Tamekah Wilkins focuses on Women’s History Month. You can follow Swansfield BSAP on Instagram @ses_bsap.

At 23 years of age, Amanda Gorman is the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Gorman found her love for writing at a very young age. As a child, Gorman developed a speech impediment that she later worked to overcome. This setback allowed her to grow in her stories and writing. Amanda attended Harvard University and as an undergraduate she wrote a book of poetry called “The One for Whom Food Is Not Enough.”  While still a student at Harvard she was named the National Youth Poet Laureate. The main themes in her poetry include oppression, race, feminism, and marginalization. After graduating Harvard she continued to improve.

She began writing for major companies and newspapers like The New York Times, The Edit, Nike’s 2020 Black History Month Campaign, and more. In addition, she received the genius grant from OZY Media, and earned numerous awards and recognition for her work. She has performed for many notable people including presidents and other government officials. Gorman was asked to be a part of President Joe Biden’s Inauguration Ceremony earlier this year where she recited her impactful poem, “The Hill We Climb.”

Amanda Gorman…..Wordsmith and Change-maker

Staying Connected

Swansfield and HCPSS frequently send updated information to parents/guardians via email and text. Please be sure that your Family File is up-to-date and that you have opted into text messages to ensure you receive all messages. To opt into texts, text “yes” to 67587 from the cell phone listed in your Family File. If you need assistance updating your Family File, please contact our front office at 410-313-6907. If your Family File is updated and you have opted into texts, but are still not receiving messages, please fill out this form or contact the Swansfield front office.

PTA News

The PTA held a special meeting this week and voted overwhelmingly to approve a statement of support for our educators and the Howard County Education Association. The statement is on our website HERE. Thanks to everyone who participated in Tuesday night’s meeting!

Please help support our staff and students by checking out this Amazon Wish List. Any items donated will be greatly appreciated. 

Community News and Programs