Important Dates:

• Wednesday Evenings - Virtual Storytime, 7pm.  Code:Swansfield Storytime

• Wednesday, December 16 - PTA Social/Meeting, 6:30pm 

• Thursday, December 17 - SES Spiritwear Day (see more below)

• Monday, December 21 - Comfy & Cozy Day (see more below)

• Tuesday, December 22 - Tacky Tuesday (see more below)

• December 24 through January 3 - Schools/Offices Closed for Winter Break

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#swansfieldPTArocks

While our Swansfield staff has been hard at work on all things virtual, we've received a tremendous amount of support from our amazing PTA this year that has furthered all our efforts and uplifted our spirit in countless ways.  We've felt the love from donated monitors to help us teach remotely, to numerous wish list donations to help us teach more effectively, to amazing yard signs that have reminded us how valued we are. We thank our amazing community and the PTA Executive Board for your vision and work in bringing all this to fruition.  You ROCK!

Upcoming School Spirit Days 

Please join us and help us celebrate our Swan Spirit!

• December 17 - Swansfield Spiritwear Day!  Wear your favorite Swansfield spiritwear or Swansfield Colors (Blue & White) to show your school pride!
• December 21 - Comfy & Cozy Day!  Wear your pajamas all day!
• December 22 - Tacky Tuesday!  Wear your tackiest accessories or clothing!

Adjustments to Asynchronous Assignments

Families, particularly of primary students, have expressed concerns about the virtual elementary workload including the complexity of asynchronous lessons, the number of content areas taught, and the number of weekly asynchronous assignments.  In order to support elementary students with successfully navigating during virtual instruction, the following adjustments have been made:

• Students will only have asynchronous assignments in social studies, science, or health during a given week. There will not be an overlap of instruction or assignments for these content areas.
• Health lessons will be taught for one week during the marking period and include two synchronous lessons and two asynchronous lessons instead of five asynchronous lessons as assigned  in the first quarter.
• The length and complexity of social studies, science, and health asynchronous assignments have been reduced.
• Related arts asynchronous assignments have been streamlined.

Winter Break Meals Adjustments

Schools will be closed for winter break from Thursday, December 24, through Friday, January 1. To ensure children have access to essential nutrition during the holiday period, families may pick up additional meals in advance of the break. Pre-ordering will not be available for meals picked up December 21-23 or January 4-6. Learn more HERE.

Columbia Community Care Toy Distribution

Columbia Community Care is hosting a Toy Distribution tomorrow, December 12, beginning at 11am and continuing until 2pm or until all the toys are gone (whichever comes first).  The distribution will take place at the following three locations:

• Wilde Lake Interfaith Center
• Stevens Forest Neighborhood Center
• Faulkner Ridge Neighborhood Center

Donations are being accepted at the same three sites through 2pm today.

Register For Holiday Food Support 

The Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services (DCRS) Holiday Food Support Project provides $100 in direct food support for families experiencing food insecurity and financial hardship this holiday season. ONE support per family is offered, while quantities last. Pick up in person (masks required) on Friday, December 18, between 4:30 and 5:30 pm at one of four Howard County locations: 

• Elkridge 50+ Center: 6540 Washington Boulevard, Elkridge 21075
• North Laurel 50+ Center: 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel 20723
• Howard Crossing Apartment Homes: 8732 Town and Country Boulevard, Ellicott City 21043
• Long Reach Village Center: 8775 Cloud Leap Court, Columbia 21045 

To participate, you MUST register in advance at https://DCRSholidayfoodsupport.eventbrite.com by December 16. 

Shining The Spotlight

Each week at Swansfield Elementary we recognize students who shine by demonstrating one of our six Success Factors (Kindness, Self-Control, Perseverance, Empathy, Accountability and Hope).  Congratulations to the following students who were recognized for displaying the success factor Self-Control:

• Preschool/Pre-K: Djibree C
• Kindergarten: Avery T, Khaliya B, Khyzair S
• 1st Grade: Abigail B, Hanna M, Hannah G, Dashwan B
• 2nd Grade: Cameron G, Jennavieve V, Ellie M, Lyriq' F, Jonah S
• 3rd Grade: Ryan O, Melanie S, Hosea F, Kaylyne M, Emyiah H
• 4th Grade: David A, Coralee S, Ethan R, Tyler C, Aaron S
• 5th Grade: Bethany G, Sybil-Sarah A, Aumirror E

New Digital Tools Available For Students

HCPSS students can now access a new set of supplemental digital tools for virtual instruction that are available only through Google’s menu of additional services. However, parental consent is required before the students can access. Please see this News Post on our school website for further information and directions for granting consent and accessing these tools for your students.

#SwanFamily Staff Shout Outs