Important Dates

• October 20th - PTA General Membership Meeting
• October 26th - Picture Day
• 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

Picture Day

Individual pictures will be taken on Tuesday, October 26, 2021.  These pictures will be available for purchase as well as used in our school yearbook.  Paper order forms will be sent home on Wednesday, October 20th in the FISH Folder.  Orders can also be placed online by going to www.strawbridge.net.  Swansfield ES online code is FM368252.  Orders placed more than five days after picture day may incur a late fee. Please see Swansfield Fall Picture Packages.

Updated Volunteer/Observer Vaccine Requirements

Effective Monday, October 25, all volunteers and visitors who interact with students, and parents/guardians who are conducting classroom observations, will be required to use the PinPoint platform to show proof of full vaccination at least five school days in advance. Learn how to access and use the PinPoint VaccineCheck platform

HCPSS Reading Screener

In accordance with Maryland’s Ready to Read Act (2019), COMAR(2021), and the request from the Howard County Board of Education, all Howard County Public School System students  in grades kindergarten to 5th grade will participate in a screener for identifying potential reading difficulties. For additional information please read the Screener for Students with Reading Difficulties document.  This document is also available in Spanish, Chinese and Korean.

Hospitality Committee

The Swansfield Administration and PTA have formed a hospitality committee.  Each month we will work together to provide our staff with a treat to show our appreciation for their hard work and dedication to our students.  For the month of October, we are in need of donations of individually wrapped breakfast treats (granola bars, packaged muffins, etc…).  If you would like to donate these items, please drop them off in the front office or send them to school with your child marked “Front Office - Hospitality Committee”.

Reminders

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.

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.

Health Room Corner

Our Dental Clinic and Flu Clinic are both fast approaching! Dental Clinic will be held Monday, October 18! This clinic will run all day and the follow up day will beTuesday, October, 19. Paper consents were sent home in backpacks but. you may also sign up online at www.myschooldentist.com

Flu Clinic will be held on Monday, October 25. Please refer to the email blast that was recently sent out last Friday to complete the consent form manually or electronically.

Swansfield Wish Lists

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

Student Lounge Wish List

Classroom Wish List

PTA Updates

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.