Important Dates:

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

• Friday, February 12 - Schools Closed for Students

• Monday, February 15 - Schools & Offices Closed, President's Day

• Wednesday, February 17 - Maryland Science Center Virtual Field Trip, 1pm (see more below)

• Wednesday, February 17 - Monthly PTA Meeting (see more below)

• Thursday & Friday, February 25 & 26 - Early Dismissal for Students (see more below)

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Message From Our Administration

The recent weather has reminded us that we are indeed in the heart of winter.  As we take note of the seasons, it also sharply points out that we are in the heart of another school year, a vastly different one than we’ve ever experienced.  So we stop, take a pause on this cold, winter day, and reflect on where we are now, and what’s to come.  

With the conclusion of our winter parent/teacher conferences, we’re reminded that half the school year is behind us.  And looking in the mirror, we are proud of how far we’ve come as a school community.  In August the task before us seemed daunting, but working in partnership with our school families we’ve been able to weather the storms of this school year and come out ahead.  That’s not to say we’re not all looking forward to some spring renewal, but we appreciate the work you’ve done with us to help us come thus far.

Challenges still lie ahead, as they always do for no road traveled is without its obstacles. We appreciate your response to the in-person commitment survey (we are close to a 100% response rate).  We understand this was a very difficult family decision.  Whatever road you have chosen, please know that we remain committed to ensuring the best instruction for your child and will continue to build our classroom communities so that all students stay engaged in their learning.  

Much planning and work is still being done to carry out our educational mission as well as ensure everyone’s safety as we approach March 1.  We will continue to share important information with you in the coming weeks and appreciate your patience as we work toward implementing hybrid in-person instruction concurrent with virtual instruction for all our students. As always, we remain acutely aware of the responsibility we carry and the trust you have placed in us, and this continues to guide us. Please continue to take care and enjoy your long weekend.

Schoolwide Virtual Field Trip Next Wednesday, 2/17

Next Wednesday, February 17th, at 1:00 pm, Swansfield students are invited to join their schoolmates for a virtual field trip to the Maryland Science Center show, Beyond the Visible. This is a prerecorded 30-minute theater experience about the hidden universe of light. Students will view demonstrations that will make the invisible visible and learn how technology has changed how we view our star, the Sun, as we explore the electromagnetic spectrum.

In order for your child to participate, we must receive written permission from a parent/guardian. If your child is interested in attending, please complete the form below by Monday, February 15th. The google meet code will be sent out on Tuesday, February 16th, to families who have completed the form.   (By completing this form you acknowledge that Howard County Public School System cannot be held liable for conditions beyond their control.)

Science Center Virtual Field Trip

Congratulations To Our 2021 Scripps Online Spelling Bee Winner

Congratulations, Bena-Jene Osei-Bonsu!  This fourth-grade student will represent Swansfield at the Howard County Library System Spelling Bee in March.  We also congratulate Rafael Bhatti who is the 2nd place alternate and Jordan Agyare-Tanor who is the 3rd place alternate. Finally, we commend all the students who competed in the Scripps online spelling bee this year:

 Arjun Pinnepalli
Jordan Solomon
Philip Chenier
Sydney Hartman
Wabi Gemechis
Jordan Dalpe
Leia Smith
Olivia Lee
Toni Adewole
Ry'Lyn Francis
Arianna Asiedu
Elizabeth Amaechi-Odita

G-R-E-A-T J-O-B everyone!

Welcome To The BSAP Corner

Black Student Achievement Program (BSAP) Liaison Tamekah Wilkins continues her weekly post celebrating Black History Month. You can follow Swansfield BSAP on Instagram @ses_bsap.
 
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 enabled the federal government to prevent racial discrimination and segregation based on race, color, religion, or national origin in a number of areas including private businesses and public facilities.

• The law gave the federal government more power to create lawsuits to force school desegregation.
• It established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and also prohibited discrimination by private employers based on whether you were male or female.
• The Equal Pay Act of 1963 stated that men and women should be paid the same amount of money for doing the same job.

Black History Month Slideshow

February 25 & 26 Are Now Early Dismissal Days

With the March 1st transition to a hybrid instructional model, the BOE has approved changing Thursday and Friday, February 25 & 26, to early dismissal days for students to allow staff returning to school buildings time to prepare. Students will follow THIS SCHEDULE.

Kindergarten & Pre-Kindergarten Registration for School Year 2021-22 Begin in March

Kindergarten Registration for next school year begins Monday, March 8th, and will be 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.

Pre-K Registration begins the week of March 15, 2021 and will also be conducted 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.  

Family File Should Be Updated

With the upcoming return to in-school instruction, please log in to www.hcpss.org/connect to complete or update your Family File as soon as possible if you have not already done so this school year.  This needs to be completed annually. HCPSS utilizes Family File for parents/guardians to provide emergency information. It is vital that we have updated records on file. User guides are available HERE.

Positions Available at Swansfield For Hybrid Learning

The following positions are currently available at Swansfield Elementary for Hybrid Learning.  Please share this information with anyone who may be interested in applying.  Thank you.

Permanent Substitutes: We are currently looking for qualified candidates to serve as a permanent substitute in our building beginning with hybrid instruction March 1 and continuing for the remainder of the school year. The substitute would report to Swansfield daily. Applicants must have a minimum of 60 college credits. Substitutes are receiving a 25% pay increase starting March 1 for the remainder of this school year.  CDC and HCPSS Covid-19 employee safety regulations must be followed. If you are interested in this opportunity, please send your resume via email to Assistant Principal Howard Carter at howard_carter@hcpss.org.

Lunch/Recess Monitors: Swansfield Elementary School is currently interviewing for a Lunch/Recess Monitor beginning with hybrid instruction March 1 and continuing for the remainder of the school year.  This position involves monitoring students during the lunch and recess periods, approximately 15-20 hours per week.  For the remainder of this school year, Lunch/Recess Monitors will be compensated at a rate of $14.25 per hour. CDC and HCPSS Covid-19 employee safety regulations must be followed. If you are interested in this opportunity, please send your resume via email to Assistant Principal Howard Carter at howard_carter@hcpss.org.

Read And Earn A Sweet Treat

Nothing Bundt Cakes, located at 10730 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia, is offering a special incentive through the end of March for our students.  “Books and Bundts” is a youth reading program through which students can earn a free Bundtlet and an award certificate.  Students must read for at least 20 minutes a day, five days a week, and record their time spent reading on the attached monthly tracker.  Once the student has read for 400 minutes that month they can bring the completed tracker to the store and receive their sweet treat.  The attached flier also outlines the program information and includes a coupon for a free bundtlet for parents/caregivers to reward you for all you do!

Books and Bundts Parent Info.PDF 

Reading Tracker.pdf 

Title I Compact

Swansfield is a Title I Schoolwide Program school. Title I is a federally funded program designed to close achievement gaps and ensure all children have an opportunity to access a high quality education by providing funding for supplemental academic services and support.  A Family-School Compact & Plan is an agreement between families, students, and teachers that is jointly developed and distributed to all families. It explains how families, students, and teachers will work as a team to make sure all students meet with success and get the support they need to achieve grade level goals.  The Swansfield Family School Compact and Calendar of Events can be found on the Swansfield Title I website. If you have any questions, please ask your child’s teacher at your upcoming parent teacher conference.  If you have any input or feedback, please contact deborah_slater@hcpss.org or patricia_schuit@hcpss.org.  

#SwanFamily Staff Shout Outs