Swansfield News 11/4/2022

Sun, 11/06/2022 - 10:09pm
Swansfield Newsletter 11.04.22

Upcoming Dates

 

  • November 8 - Schools Closed
  • November 11 - Reports Card Available Online
  • November 21 - 22 - 3-hour early dismissal/NO RREC
  • November 23-25 - Schools Closed for Students
  • December 2 - Deadline for Reflections Contest
  • December 4 - 3-hour early dismissal/NO RECC
  • December 10 - Deadline for Young Authors Contest
  • December 22 - January 2 - Schools Closed

 

 

New Information

1st Quarter Awards Assemblies

Parents, please make your calendars for our upcoming awards assemblies where we will honor our students’ academic achievements. They will take place on the following dates:

  • Wed, Nov. 16th - K (9:00am) & 1st (9:45am) & 2nd (2:15pm)
  • Wed, Nov. 30th - 5th (9:00am) & 3rd (9:45am) & 4th (2:15pm)

MAP Reports 

Home report PDFs for the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) fall testing are now available in HCPSS Connect. The assessment was given to students in grades 1-8 in reading and mathematics. Reports can be viewed/downloaded by Parents/guardians by taking the following steps:

  1. Log in to HCPSS Connect Synergy
  2. Select More Options from the left panel
  3. Select Report Cards from the menu
  4. Near the top of the page, select MAP_2022_FALL
    Note: Students in Algebra I/II or Geometry, and English 8 G/T do not participate in MAP testing. If your child did not participate in the October administration, a report may still appear based on the previous administration. 

Additional detail on MAP testing and how to interpret the report can be found online

Gifted and Talented (GT) Overview 

Laine Malcotti and Tara DiVenti, GT resource teachers at SES, will offer an overview of the Elementary Gifted and Talented program during conferences with an emphasis on CogAt testing for all students in 3rd and 5th grade in December, as well as the math and Middle School placement process.  Please use the code SESGT to log in to a Google Meet on either Monday 11/21 or Tuesday 11/22 from 4:30 – 5:00.

Important Health & Safety Message

As the weather gets cooler and activities move indoors, families are encouraged to perform daily health checks and keep students home if they are experiencing symptom(s) associated with any communicable disease, including the seasonal flu, COVID-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Families are also encouraged to consider taking advantage of flu and COVID vaccines and boosters.

BSAP

Glen Mar Church is hosting a free Community mini-health fair on November 12th. Everyone is welcome and it is free to the public. Pre-registration is strongly recommended.  Walk-ins accepted as time slots allow.

Date: Saturday, November 12, 2022

Time: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Location: Glen Mar Church 4701 New Cut Road Ellicott City, MD 21043

The scheduled health-related services are: 

  • COVID boosters
  • COVID Pfizer (5 to 11 years)
  • COVID Bivalent Pfizer (12 and up)
  • Annual Flu shots
  • Health screening (blood pressure & BMI checks) (18 years and up)
  • Vision screening (6 years and up)
  • Hearing screening (6 years and up)
  • Health risk assessment

Register at https://bit.ly/3SM9yxk 

Lost and Found

Parents/Guardians there are several personal items that your students have left behind. Please stop by the main office anytime to look in the cafe’.  Thank you!

 

 

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Toys for Tots 

Toys for Tots provides a holiday gift for children whose families have financial need. Invitations to participate in Toys for Tots have been emailed to families. If you believe your family qualifies for Toys for Tots and you have not received an invitation, please email Deborah Slater deborah_slater@hcpss.orgNote that the deadline to register is Thursday, November 10.

 

 

Reminders

 

Parent-Teacher Conference Registration Opens Nov. 7

Registration opens at 8am, Monday, Nov. 7 for fall conferences, which will be held Monday, Nov. 21 in person and Tuesday, Nov. 22-Wednesday, Nov. 23 virtually. Details and directions on how to register are available online.

Clothing to Cash

Swansfield is participating in the Clothes to Cash Recycling Program. Please see the attached flier for more details on how you can start supporting this program today! Swansfield ES Clothing to Cash.pdf

Healthroom 

Flu Vaccine Clinic at Swansfield Elementary School! Maryland Partnership for Prevention, in partnership with the Howard County Health Department and Howard County Public Schools, will be hosting a flu vaccine clinic at SES on Tuesday, November 1st.  Pre-registration is required and will close five days before our clinic date. Please register ahead of time using the link below:

https://www.marylandvax.org/appointment/en/reg/2605991109

While it is still no out-of-pocket cost for Staff, you will need to enter your insurance info, as insurance will be billed. IMPORTANT:  If your child is signed up for the Flu clinic but something changes and you get them vaccinated for Flu elsewhere, please email or call to update us in the health room, so we do not double-up on the vaccine.

Poster, Essay, and Oratory Contest

On behalf of the Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity and the Howard County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission, Swansfield Elementary students, families, and staff have been invited to participate in two exciting contests. 

The student contests include a Poster Contest, Essay Contest and Oratory Contest for ages K through 12.  Contestants must generate original artwork, essays, and speeches

that highlight Dr. King’s visionary track record of service to human rights.  The “Living the Dream Award” celebrates a student, individual and an organization whose outreach efforts are in alignment with Dr. King’s message and vision.  The theme is “Promoting Peace: Within Yourself, Your Community and the World!” The closing date for these contests is October 31, 2022. 

The Celebration will be held Sunday, January 15, 2023, at Howard Community College Horowitz Visual & Performing Arts Center, Smith Theater, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia MD 21044. Contest winners will be recognized at the January 15, 2023, Dr. Martin Luther Celebration with a certificate and cash prize.

Entries Being Accepted for Young Authors' Contest

The Young Authors' Contest has begun! This contest is for students in grades 1 through 5 who like to write short stories and/or poems in their free time.  The contest begins at Swansfield where students will compete with their classmates for the best short story and poem. One winner from each category will be selected at each grade level to compete at the Howard County level. Winners from the Howard County level will then go on to compete at the Maryland State level.  

This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to showcase their writing talent to the Swansfield community and beyond! Students in grades 1-5 have received the guidelines, cover sheet, and writing rubric for the contest.  Please email all entries and completed cover sheets to your child’s homeroom teacher and Ms. Greenwood.  Please have your child save his or her story as a WORD document. Swansfield winners will need to submit their entries to Howard County electronically. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Keynora Greenwood at keynora_greenwood@hcpss.org, one of our reading specialists.  

The deadline for entries is December 10, 2022. We are looking forward to reading many amazing stories and poems. Happy writing!!

Green Beanz Environmental Team

The Green Beanz Environmental Team is collecting plastic to win a bench from Trex! Students are helping to weigh the plastic each week, but Mrs. DiVenti and Ms. Malcotti could use help bringing the plastic to drop-off bins at a supermarket (ex. Giant, Harris Teeter). 

Please use the sign-up sheet: Swansfield Plastic Recycling Pick-up to help with their efforts! From there, all you need to do is park in the front and come into the vestibule. Bags will be waiting to be picked up there. Thank you in advance for helping the Green Beanz!

Mighty Men Needed!  

We are inviting the special MEN in our students lives,fathers, grandfathers, step fathers, godfathers, uncles, coaches, clergy, family friends, neighbors, and even siblings and cousins (who are at least 18 years old and finished high school) to visit at RECESS to play sports or games and at LUNCH to chat with students starting October 3rd. 

To sign-up to participate or learn more, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/wJ7pBdMptGofoz12A

Additional details: Mighty Men will continue throughout the school year. We ask that volunteers sign up at least 24 hours in advance. All volunteers need to stop in the front office to sign in on arrival. All volunteers should view the volunteer training before participating - details are here and forms can be signed in the front office on arrival.  

Swansfield Wish List

The staff have requested a few items for their classrooms for the 22-23 school year. Thank you for your generosity. Wish List

 

 

PTA Update

 

Fall Pie Fundraiser

SES PTA has partnered with Cozy Café Bakery to bring you another delicious pie fundraiser! We are selling 5 lb. Apple, Blueberry, Cherry, and Pumpkin pies, all are $16/each! This year the pies will be 2 lb. larger, but the same price as last year!  

Flyers will be coming home in the FISH folders on Tuesday next week with more information for families, but we will take online orders from Wednesday, November 9th until 8pm on Friday, November 11th here

The pies will be ready for pick-up on November 21 and 22 from the Swansfield Elementary School lobby from 12-1pm and 3-6pm.  In addition to bringing pies home, you also have the option to buy pies for donation to community members in need, through our friends at Columbia Community Cares. All you must do is purchase a donation pie online and we’ll take care of the rest. Please be generous!

Homeslyce Pizza Fundraiser

Support Swansfield Elementary School while enjoying pizza and more!  Be on the lookout for a flier in your FISH folder, and then on Monday, November 14, and Tuesday November 15th, Swansfield will receive 10% of sales when you show the flier when ordering carry out from Homeslyce, at 12186 Clarksville Pike

PTA General Meeting 

The next general meeting of the Swansfield PTA will be held on Wednesday, November 16, from 7-8pm in the school cafeteria. Spanish interpretation will be available, and childcare will be provided. Please join us to hear important updates about the PTA’s activities and upcoming events. Thank you to all who made the Fall Festival such a success!

Did you attend the Fall Festival and take pictures of your kid(s)?  Share it with the Yearbook committee here: Fall Festival Pictures.  We can’t wait to see all your wonderful photos!

Yearbook Cover Art Contest

We want to shine a light on the creativity of the Swansfield community and feature student art on the Yearbook cover and throughout the yearbook.  Student artists are encouraged to submit their Swansfield inspired art!  Information went home in your child's FISH folder and can be found on the PTA website.  Entries are due November 14 in the front office.  Questions? Email yearbook@swansfieldpta.org.

Yearbook Pictures 

We want the 2022-2023 yearbook to capture as many memories of the year as possible, but we need your help!  Is your child in 5th grade?  Submit a baby picture of them here: 5th Grade Baby Pictures  

Original Works Fundraiser

It will soon be time to see the artwork our students have been working on for the Original Works Fundraiser! On 11/10, students will come home with a personalized order form in the FISH folder. You will be able to order their artwork on a variety of items (they make great gifts for the holidays!). The deadline to order is 11/20. For more information on Original Works please visit their website at www.originalworks.com.  If you need assistance ordering or have any other questions, please contact Leah at leahaneff@gmail.com  

Reflections National PTA Art Contest

Are you ready?  The deadline to submit entries is less than one month away!  We are looking for Swans to show their creative side and compete for a chance to win awards and prizes.  Swans can submit their artwork in one or more of the following categories:  dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts.  All submissions this year will be electronic.  Deadline to submit artwork is December 2, 2022.  Please email reflections@swansfieldpta.org to let us know if you have a Swan who is planning to submit.  We will then provide you with additional information.  We can also be available to aid in digitizing the artwork!  Visit our website for more information!

SES Staff Favorite Things 

Looking to spoil a staff member? Want to surprise your child’s teacher with a small token of appreciation? Check out this year’s Swansfield Staff Favorite Things list!  SES Staff Favorite Things 2022/2023

Membership

We would love to have each and every one one of you as members of the PTA!  Membership is only $5 per member, but additional donations are always welcome to support all the PTA events we have planned!  Click here to purchase your membership.  Just click “JOIN THE PTA” and follow the instructions for MemberHub.  We appreciate your support!