Important Dates
- November 8th - HCPSS Connect opens for Parent/Teacher Conference Sign-Up
- November 10th - Report Cards Issued
- November 11th - History of Racial Justice Workshop 4
- November 18th - HCPSS Connect closes for Parent/Teacher Conference Sign-Up
- November 22nd - Schools Close Early/Virtual Parent Teacher Conferences
- November 23rd - Schools Close Early/Virtual Parent Teacher Conferences
- November 24th - 26th - Schools Closed
New Information
The Scholastic Book Fair is Coming!
We are excited to announce the Scholastic Book Fair IS ON and starts next week! The book fair will run from Monday, November 8th through Sunday, November 21st. You will have the opportunity to shop the book fair from the comfort of your own home! Due to COVID-19 guidelines, we felt a virtual fair would be a better option for this fall.
This is an opportunity to put books in the hands of your children, and possibly others that you know and love, while supporting your child’s Library Media Center. All funds raised go toward purchasing books and other items that will enhance your child’s experiences here at Swansfield.
Fliers were sent home last week. The link below is live and ready to go so you can start purchasing on Monday, next week at Swansfield Elementary School Book Fair.
Thank you so much for your support of our Library Media Program!
From the Health Room Corner
Thank you so much for all your patience, understanding, and support as we continue to navigate Covid-19 times. Please be advised of the NEW information hot off the press from the MSDE and MD Department of Health:
If a student is sent home with a Covid-like symptom and no known exposure to Covid, the household members do not need to quarantine unless that student tests positive for Covid.
Please continue to keep your child(ren) home if anyone has the following symptoms below present. They should be evaluated by a physician and must receive a negative PCR or alternate diagnosis before returning to school:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- New loss of taste or smell
- Severe headache
Remember to provide documentation to the attendance secretary prior to your child's return and reach out to the health room if you have any questions related to your child's health or return status.
Thank you for your continued commitment to keeping all our students and staff healthy and safe.
From Your Title I Team
Check out these free workshops in November from the Howard County Office of Children and Families - Family Institute!
Worries, Concerns and Apprehensions: Tuesday, November 9, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Free Virtual Workshop, Register here
Attend this workshop to: Review the signs and the symptoms of worry in children. Understand how to identify what is causing your child stress. Learn techniques to teach and demonstrate strategies to help your child process and work through their worries. This interactive workshop allows time to ask questions to a mental health professional on how to help your family. For preschool through elementary.
DIY Toy Making: Tuesday, November 16 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. lick here for registration to virtual workshop
Do you have some empty toilet paper rolls in the house? Don’t throw them out! Learn how to make some simple DIY toys for your little ones in this fun and engaging 60-minute workshop. Using materials commonly found around the home, these simple yet fun toys are sure to spark creativity and keep your little ones engaged! This workshop will be geared towards caregivers with children zero to 5 years old.
Nothing I Do Works: A Parent’s Guide to Challenging Behaviors: Tuesday, November 16, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Click here for registration to virtual workshop
Learn how to help decrease negative behaviors from happening and/ or what to do when they do occur. Ask questions and leave with skills and resources that you can use immediately to help you feel more confident in your parenting. For children ages two to eight.
Reminders
2021-2022 Academic Calendar Updates
In order to provide school-based staff with additional time to address their increased workload and to support employee well-being, the Board of Education approved updates to the current academic year calendar. Three-hour early dismissals now will take place on the following dates:
- December 15, 2021
- January 19, 2022 (previously a 3-hour early dismissal for high school students only)
- February 16, 2022
- March 16, 2022
- April 27, 2022
- May 18, 2022
The full HCPSS calendar may be viewed online.
Civility Reminder
HCPSS Superintendent Dr. Michael Martirano reminds the community about the importance of demonstrating civility during interactions with school staff. Noting that the “school health team, teachers, bus drivers and other staff members are exceptionally dedicated individuals doing their best and working their hardest to nurture, educate, and protect students during extremely challenging circumstances. Quite simply, they are heroes, and they always deserve our gratitude and respect, even when they must carry out a protocol or practice that someone doesn’t agree with.” Read the Superintendent’s full statement.
Accessing Quarter 1 Report Cards
Report cards will be accessible via HCPSS Connect Synergy on November 10 after 5 p.m. Parents/guardians may access them following the instructions for accessing report cards online. Answers to frequently asked questions on grades and testing can be found online.
Swansfield Wish Lists
We will continue to update our wish lists throughout the school year.
Student Lounge Wish List
Classroom Wish List
PTA Updates
Winners of the Fall Festival Volunteer Challenge
Thank you to all the volunteers who came out to help with the Fall Festival! It truly was an event to remember! All the hours have been tallied and the homerooms from each grade with the most volunteerism have won a special treat! Stay tuned for more information.
WINNERS
Kindergarten - Gordon
First - Phamdo
Second - (3-way tie!) Zawodny, Hur, Mooney
Third - Witherow
Fourth - Pisca
Fifth - Hayes
Fall Pie Fundraiser
Once again, SES PTA has partnered with Bonheur Patisserie & Deli to bring you this delicious pie fundraiser! Apple, cherry, and pumpkin pies are all $16/each! Order online now through November 17th and pick up your pies at Swansfield Elementary School on Tuesday, November 23rd from 3:00-6:00pm (dismissal is 3hrs early that day).
In addition to bringing pies home, you also have the option to buy pies for donation to community members in need, through our friends at Columbia Community Care. All you have to do is purchase a donation pie online and we’ll take care of the rest. Please be generous!
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. More information can be found on the SES PTA Reflections website.
Original Works Fundraiser coming soon!
Support Swansfield by turning your child's artistic masterpiece into keepsakes for family and friends! The Swans are hard at work creating beautiful art that you can have made into mugs, totes, magnets and more! Look out for custom order forms in your child's FISH folder around November 18th. Orders will be due on December 1st and items will be delivered to Swansfield just before winter break. Check out the PTA Website for more information. Questions? Email: Angela McMellen Brannigan at mcmellen@gmail.com
Volunteer Opportunities
The following PTA committees could REALLY use some more volunteers! If you’re interested, please email Lizz Hammon, PTA VP for School Relations at vp.schoolrelations@swansfieldpta.org
Turkey Bingo Committee Chair
This committee already has 2 members to help with planning and 3 sets of extra hands ready to provide support at the event. They just need a leader!
Turkey Bingo is a fun community bingo game where turkeys are awarded to the winners. It is scheduled to take place on the evening of November 18th at SES.
Yearbook ‘Candid’ Photographers
This could be anybody! Anytime throughout the school year - take photos at Swansfield events or activities and upload them here
Third Grade Parent Reps
The Parent Rep teams provide occasional teacher/staff support with things like preparing materials and coordinating joint projects between SES and the PTA.
Black History Event Chair
This committee already has 2 members to help with planning and 2 sets of extra hands ready to provide support during the event. What is the event? We were hoping you would tell us! Got any ideas? It is scheduled to take place on the evening of February 16th.
