Important Dates

 

• October 14th - History of Racial Justice Workshop 2
• October 15th - Schools Closed
• October 20th - PTA General Membership Meeting
• October 28th - History of Racial Justice Workshop 3
• November 8th - HCPSS Connect opens for Parent/Teacher Conference Sign-Up
• November 11th - History of Racial Justice Workshop 4
• November 18th - HCPSS Connect closes for Parent/Teacher Conference Sign-Up
• November 22nd-23rd - Virtual Parent/Teacher Conferences

New Information

Updates to Covid-19 Vaccine Requirements for Visitors & Volunteers

HCPSS is implementing changes to the vaccine and weekly testing requirements for community stakeholders that were announced at the start of the school year, in a continuing effort to maintain learning environments that are healthy and fully able to provide instruction and support for all students, while balancing multiple layers of staffing challenges and workloads.

When students are in the school building, visitors are not permitted to attend events that occur indoors or outdoors during the school day, such as spelling bees, assemblies, activities associated with American Education Week, and field days. This will go into effect on Monday, October 11.  Parents/guardians are also not permitted to eat lunch in the school cafeteria or in the outdoor area. 

Parent/Teacher and IEP/504 conferences

Whenever possible, HCPSS staff will conduct IEP, 504, and other meetings with parents/guardians virtually, but will accommodate parent/guardian requests for an in-person meeting. Parents/guardians who are attending an in-person IEP, 504, or other meeting with staff are not required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test but may not interact with students beyond their own child. 

For more details on this information please use log on to: https://news.hcpss.org/news-posts/2021/10/updates-to-covid-19-vaccine-testing-requirements/

 

Health Room Corner

Dental Clinic will be held Monday, October 18th all day and the follow up on October 19th. Paper consents were sent home in backpacks but you may also sign up online at www.myschooldentist.com

Flu vaccinations are coming to your child’s school on Monday, October 25th.  They will be given at NO CHARGE TO YOU.  Now, more than ever, it is important to protect your family through vaccinations. If you would like your child to be vaccinated, please register BEFORE Friday, October 8:

Use the link to complete the consent form at https://tinyurl.com/HoCPSSFlu2021

Instructions

1. Read the Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) and talk to your health care provider or the school nurse about any questions you have. VIS: https://tinyurl.com/FluVIS2021-E
2. Fill out every section of the attached Consent Form. 
3. Use your insurance card to fill out your insurance information accurately.  Your insurance company will be billed.  There is no co-pay or deductible.  You will NOT be charged by us or your insurance company. 

Influenza, also known as the flu, is a serious illness that affects people of all ages.  One of the best ways to prevent the flu is through vaccinations.  We are pleased to join with the Maryland Partnership for Prevention (MPP) to offer flu vaccinations at our school.

You may give permission for your child to be vaccinated using (1) an online form at https://tinyurl.com/HoCPSSFlu2021 or (2) the hard copy form attached to this message.

We urge you to protect your family from the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older get a flu shot. Please visit www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm for more information about the flu vaccine.

 

Las vacunas contra la gripe están a punto de llegar a la escuela de su hijo/a, 10/25/21.  Se le ofrecerán sin costo alguno para usted.  Si usted tiene seguro, se le cobrará a su compañía de seguros. NO se le cobrará ningún copago ni deducible. Si desea que se vacune a su hijo/a, a más tardar el 8 de Octubre:

Llene unformularip de consentimentio to en linea en https://tinyurl.com/HoCPSSFlu2021

1. Escribe el nombre de la escuela de su hijo/a en Buscar por Nombre y luego presione el botón azul Buscar.
2. Haga clic en el botón Registrese Para Recibir Vacunas de la escuela de su hijo/a.

Llene un formulario de consentimiento impreso

1. Lea la hoja informativa sobre la vacuna (VIS), la cual se puede encontrar en https://tinyurl.com/FluVIS2021-S o en el consultorio de enfermería de su escuela.
2. Llene y entregue el formulario que se encuentra al respaldo de esta carta. Asegúrese de: 
   1. Llene cada sección y escriba claramente con tinta. 
   2. Use su tarjeta de seguro para llenar la información de su seguro. A su hijo/a lo vacunarán aún si no tiene seguro.
   3. Entregue el formulario de consentimiento a más tardar el 8 de Octubre.

Cada año, millones de personas se enferman y muchas mueren de gripe.  Las vacunas son una de las mejores maneras de ayudar a mantener sana a su familia, tanto en la escuela como en el trabajo. 

Una vez más, trabajaremos con el departamento de salud y la Maryland Partnership for Prevention (MPP) para ofrecer vacunas contra la gripe.  La clínica en la escuela de su hijo/a se llevará a cabo en Octubre. Le enviaremos un aviso a su casa el día que haya sido vacunado/a. 

Esperamos que se sume a nuestra lucha contra la gripe. ¡Esperamos poder prevenir la gripe con usted!

 

School Counselor News

Please see the attached monthly elementary counseling newsletter!  Great information about Bullying Prevention, Coping Skills to help De-Stress and Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/15-ZloUZaW40g_8QwzgJ0Exe-n0ABqDUo/view?usp=sharing

 

3-2-1 Launch Box Giveaway

The Robinson Nature Center is celebrating the launch of NASA’s James Webb Telescope with a hands-on activity kit.  Using the materials in the kit, families will learn how the telescope works, experiment with infrared light and discover the telescope’s launch date and progress.  Kits are free of charge, but quantities are limited.  Please see the attached flyer for directions on reserving a kit for your family. RNC 3-2-1 Launch Box Flyer

 

 

Virtual Community Academy: Navigating HCPSS

There will be a virtual session co-sponsored by HCPSS and The Council of Elders on Saturday, October 9, from 9:00a.m. 10:30a.m. This free session will focus on HCPSS resources that are available to help families support their child’s education. Parents/guardians of students at all levels are invited to attend. Register online to receive a confirmation email with login information. Direct questions to Ron Morris.

 

Reminders

 

Free Cold Weather Gear

All HCPSS families are invited to receive FREE coats, hats, gloves and other cold weather gear on Saturday, October 16, from 1pm to 3pm at the North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel, MD 20723. All ages and sizes, infant to adult, will be available. This is a drop-in event; you don’t need to pre-register. Face masks required.

 

Mask Requirement

Masks are required in all HCPSS buildings for all students, staff and visitors, regardless of vaccination status. Masks also will be required while on school buses. Parents please ensure that your student has a mask to wear every day during the school year.

 

Howard County GT Program Parent Academy, October 13 and 14

HCPSS families interested in the Gifted and Talented (GT) Program are invited to come learn about the advanced-level offerings available and how their students can become involved. The evening will begin with an overview of GT Education Program offerings followed by a question and answer session with Central Office GT Education Program staff. 

Elementary and Secondary programs will be covered on separate days. Families may attend one or both nights. Registration is required for these events. Elementary Focus: Wednesday, October 13, 7 – 8:00 p.m., being held virtually via Microsoft Teams Secondary Focus: Thursday, October 14, 7-8:00 p.m., being held virtually via Microsoft Teams For more information and to register, please visit the HCPSS GT Program Parent Academy announcement.

 

Swansfield Wish Lists

We will continue to update our wish lists throughout the school year.  

Student Lounge Wish List

Classroom Wish List

 

PTA Updates

 

Upcoming Fundraiser at Mod Pizza October 13th!

This fundraiser is Wednesday, October 13th from 10:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. at 10000 Town Center Ave. The restaurant has asked that at least 20 people RSVP before October 10th in order to confirm our event. Please click here to let them know the Swans are coming!

Pumpkin Sale Fundraiser

Need pumpkins? We’ve got them! Just $6 each! Order online by October 22 and pick up your pumpkins at SES on Oct. 23 from noon to 3 p.m. 

Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat

Save the date! Join us at SES on Oct. 30 for our community Fall Festival from 2-4 p.m. followed by a Swansfield Trunk or Treat from 4:00p.m. - 4:45p.m. 

 

National PTA Reflections Art Contest 

Swansfield students in PreK-5th grade will have an opportunity to create an original piece of art for the National PTA Reflections art contest!  Students can compete in one of 6 categories: dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography, and visual arts.  Top entries from Swansfield will advance to a county-wide competition.  Entries are due November 29.  Information will be coming home in FISH folders and posted on the SES PTA Reflections website.