Important Dates:

• Monday, March 29 - Group A Hybrid Cohort Begins for Students in Grades 3-5

• Thursday, April 1 - Group B Hybrid Cohort Begins for Students in Grades 3-5

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

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

• Wednesday, May 5 - School Picture Day (more information to come)

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

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Health Check Reminder

With the return of students and staff to classrooms and extracurricular activities, it is critical that everyone strictly follow the health guidance in place to keep HCPSS students and staff safe and able to continue to provide in-person opportunities. HCPSS has developed protocols for responding to positive cases in schools in conjunction with the Howard County Health Department. These protocols outline how parents should communicate with school staff in instances of suspected or confirmed exposure, as well as how staff communicate with their school communities in those instances.

HCPSS Digital Education Center Virtual Information Sessions

The Howard County Public School System is considering a virtual school option for students in grades K-12 who wish to remain virtual for the 2021-2022 (upcoming) school year. Once finalized, the Digital Education Center program will give students the option to access synchronous (real-time) instruction and digital assignments while receiving support services from the student’s districted home school.

The HCPSS Digital Education Center (DEC) is currently in the planning and design phase. The DEC would allow students to take all classes and earn credits virtually while maintaining a relationship with their assigned home school. The final DEC scope and options are subject to funding, staffing and final Board of Education approval.

HCPSS students and families interested in learning about the DEC option can register to attend a virtual information session Wednesday, March 31, at 1 or 7pm. Please select one of the links below to register for a session and receive login information:

• Wednesday, March 31 - 1-2pm
• Wednesday, March 31 - 7-8pm

Information presented during the session will be made available online following each session for those who are unable to attend. Answers to frequently asked questions and additional information on the DEC are forthcoming.

Please note that decisions on the 2021-2022 academic year, in terms of students returning in person, hybrid or virtually have not yet been determined, and will be communicated as soon as possible.

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.

Simone Biles, born March 14, 1997, is an American artistic gymnast. With a combined total of 30 Olympic and World Championship medals, Biles is the most decorated American gymnast and the world's third most decorated gymnast of all time.  She has earned the most World medals (25) while earning the most World all-around titles of any female gymnast. Biles is the sixth woman to win an individual all-around title at both the World Championships and the Olympics, and the first gymnast since 1996 to hold both titles simultaneously. She is the tenth female gymnast and first American female gymnast to win a World medal in every event. Currently, she is training, hoping to compete in the Summer Olympics still scheduled to begin late July in Tokyo.

"Flying High: The Story of Gymnastics Champion Simone Biles" by Michelle Meadows

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 Accountability:

• Pre-K: Mason F
• Kindergarten: Jayden J, Pax S
• 1st Grade: Abigail B, Ni'kiyah J, Gemma W, Dhana A
• 2nd Grade: Aghanwi C, Ella-Noreen F, Tobi O, Kaelan D, Boris G
• 3rd Grade: Alesha W, Tabitha G, Derick F, Eliyas H, Ben N
• 4th Grade: Josie M, Jorge M, Max S, Arthur S
• 5th Grade: Kayleigh V, Antoine E, John B, Nadia M

Visitor Protocol Across School System

While we welcome students back and wish we could have more personal interaction with our Swansfield families, visitors are not permitted under the HCPSS Infectious Disease Plan. Exceptions are made for emergency services, contractors, and special situations. Facility special visitors will be limited and should occur by scheduled appointment only. No walk-in visitors are permitted. As much as possible, appointments to meet with parents and customers should be accommodated via telephone, video conference, or other suitable technology. When a face-to-face visit is necessary, the school or office must schedule an appointment time with the visitor and follow set steps outlined on page 23 of the Bridge to Normalized Instruction.

There will be a drop box/table in the vestibule to allow parents or others to drop off items for students and/or staff.

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.

Please make sure you have updated phone numbers and emails with us.  This ensures you receive all email communications.  You must opt in to receive text messages.  Please learn more about Email and Text Alerts.

Girls On The Run Registration

Registration is now open for the Girls on the Run 8-week season, which will begin the week of March 21. The end-of-season 5K weekend is scheduled for May 22-23, 2021. Bryant Woods Area will be offering an all-virtual team, which will meet online Mondays and Wednesdays from 4-5 pm. Participants do not need to be students at Bryant Woods ES! Virtual programming will be engaging and will include plenty of movement, as well as activity goals for girls to meet between practices. Registration is $125 and includes a program shirt, water bottle, 5K registration and finisher’s medal, as a well as a cinch sack with all necessary program materials. Financial assistance is available. For more information contact Susan Michel at 443-864-8593 or susan.michel@girlsontherun.org. For more details and to register, visit gotrcentral md.org. Teams are limited to 15 girls and registration is first-come, first-served.

PTA News

Upcoming Dates:

• Tuesday, March 30 - PTA Special Meeting: 7:00-8:00pm (see more below)

The PTA will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, March 30, from 7:00-8:00pm. The purpose of the meeting will be to vote on a statement of support from the Swansfield PTA general body for our teachers and staff as they transition to in-person learning, and for the Work-to-Rule (WTR) resolution the Howard County Education Association has adopted. Information about WTR can be found HERE. The statement will be emailed to PTA members no later than Monday, March 22. Please visit our website if you have any questions or concerns: https://swansfieldpta.org/contact/.

Save the Date! Virtual Science Fair

• Grades K-2: Wednesday, May 19, 6:30-7:30pm
• Grades 3-5: Thursday, May 20, 6:30-7:30pm

The PTA needs Virtual Science Fair Committee volunteers! Please contact Lizz Hammon if you’re interested at schoolrelations@swansfieldpta.org.

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