Important Dates:

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

• Friday, February 5 - Report Cards Issued At 4pm

• Friday, February 5 - Registration Closes for Parent/Teacher Conferences (see more below)

• Monday, February 8 - PTA Restaurant Night at Panera, 5:00-9:00pm (see more below)

• Wednesday, February 10 - MAP Math Test, 9-11am (see more below)

• Wednesday, February 10 - Instructional Decision Survey Due By 5pm (see more below)

• Wednesday & Thursday, February 10 & 11 - Parent/Teacher Conferences. Early Dismissal (see more below)

• Wednesday & Thursday, February 10 & 11 - Math Materials Distribution (see more below)

• Friday, February 12 - Schools Closed for Students

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

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Report Cards Issued Today At 4pm

Second quarter report cards are available online via Synergy beginning today. HERE are directions for viewing. If you have any questions about 2nd quarter grading, please contact your child’s teacher.

You may recall that due to the challenges with adjusting to virtual learning, HCPSS made some temporary changes to grading that may have been reflected on your child’s Q1 Report Card. Specifically, students in primary grades earned either an I (Independent) or W (With assistance) if they had engaged in synchronous instruction,  and students in intermediate grades received A, B or C grades if they had engaged in synchronous instruction.

As was mentioned at the time, those changes were put in place for 1st quarter only. For this quarter, teachers will assign the appropriate grade based on student performance. In the primary grades that means students may receive an I (Independent), W (With Assistance), or N (Not Apparent at this Time). In the intermediate grades, students may receive any grade from A to E.

Parents of students receiving special education services can expect to receive their child's IEP progress report ​no later than Friday, February 12, through email. If you have any questions about your child's progress ​or what to expect as we fulfill requirements for progress reporting, ​you may contact your child's case manager.

Instructional Preference Survey Deadline Extended to Next Wednesday, February 10

Thank you to everyone who has already completed their instructional preference survey. This extended deadline gives families additional time to review the answers to hundreds of frequently asked questions about student in-person return and other student-related issues, as well as a comprehensive new Hybrid Learning document that will be shared with staff, students and families today. 

Additionally, we have pulled some of the most common questions we have been asked by SES parents from the FAQ website and placed them into one document, which you can access HERE. We will continue to update this document as we work toward a phased-in reopening for students beginning March 1.

If you have not done so yet, please complete the survey following the directions below by next Wednesday. If a parent/guardian does not complete the commitment form by the extended February 10 deadline, the system will default to select that the student will remain virtual for the remainder of the year.  If you require assistance, please contact us at 410-313-6907.

1. Log in to HCPSS Connect
2. Select More Options from the left panel
3. Select “In-Person Commitment” from the middle of the page
4. Complete the questions in the form for each child and select “Save”

Parent/Teacher Conference Registration Closes 4pm Today

Virtual Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held next Wednesday, February 10, and/or Thursday, February 11.  Please remember that registration for conferences closes today at 4pm and is also completed through HCPSS Connect. If you need assistance scheduling a conference, please contact us at 410-313-6907.

Directions To Schedule Parent Conference.pdf 

Welcome To The BSAP Corner

Black Student Achievement Program (BSAP) Liaison Tamekah Wilkins continues her weekly post celebrating Black History Month.

First Senator: Hiram Rhodes Revels was the first African American ever elected to the U.S. Senate. He represented the state of Mississippi from February 1870 to March 1871.

First Woman Representative: Shirley Chisholm was the first African American woman elected to the House of Representatives. She was elected in 1968 and represented the state of New York. She broke ground again four years later in 1972 when she was the first major party African American candidate and the first female candidate for president of the United States.
 
Read Aloud:

“I Am Enough” by Grace Byers
 
“I Am Every Good Thing” by Derrick Barnes 

Math Materials Distribution Next Wednesday & Thursday

We will be distributing math instructional materials to all Swansfield students on Wednesday, February 10th, from 1:00-5:30pm and Thursday, February 11th, from 1:00-3:30pm. The materials will vary by grade level and math class. Additional materials for our Pre-K students and a refresher of school supplies for all students will also be available. The distribution will take place in the bus loop in front of school. Please view the distribution map HERE.
 
In an effort to make this as easy as possible for our families, you can arrange in advance to have another family pick up your materials for you. Parents/Guardians coming to school, please plan to pick up materials only for your family and for those families you have pre-arranged to help.

For distribution to run as quickly and smoothly as possible, we are asking all parents picking up materials to use this document to list the names and grades of students you are picking up for.  If you do not have access to a printer, or if it is easier, please create your own document with the same information. You can place the piece of paper on the passenger side of your windshield.

In addition, if you have any media books that need to be returned you may bring those to drop off as well.  We look forward to seeing you next week!

Third Grade Student Earns Honor

Congratulations, Logan Avrunin!  Logan recently earned 1st place in this year’s Howard County Young Authors’ Contest.  His original work, “The Biggest Day of My Life,” was honored in the Third Grade Short Story category. In addition, his entry advances to the state level of the Young Authors’ Contest! As one of Howard County Young Authors’ Contest winners, Logan will read his piece for a virtual “Reading Day” as well as a book fair at Barnes & Noble this spring. Way to go, Logan!

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 Empathy this week:

• Preschool/Pre-K: Junior A
• Kindergarten: Saboor B, Jayden A, Kaylah B, Mason H
• 1st Grade:Jazlyn A, Colton M, Jacob C, Sam W
• 2nd Grade: Damone W, Jaiden R, Kelly H, Tamba Z, John P
• 3rd Grade: Kaidyn H, Morgan D, Aiden W, Ethan H
• 4th Grade: Kayla W, Sam P, Malia W, Natalie H, Brendon M
• 5th Grade: Jade P, Jeremiah D, Sierra D, Ja'bria J

February 2021 Meal Service Adjustments

With schools being closed for students on Friday, February 12 and Monday, February 15, families who pre-order and walk-up for meals on Thursday, February 11 will receive meals for Thursday through Monday. Meals are free of charge for all students and any child under age 18. All meals include breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner.

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.

Winter MAP Testing

The MAP math test will be offered next Wednesday, February 10th, from 9-11am.  If your child is unable to attend, makeup testing will be offered during asynchronous learning times. To learn more about the MAP assessment, please visit HERE.

Social Emotional Learning

This week SEL teacher Sarah Croushler discusses Supporting Anxiety or Nervousness in Your Child.

Supporting Anxiety or Nervousness.pdf 

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 

#SwanFamily Staff Shout Outs