Important Dates
- December 15: Schools Close 3 hours early - No 1/2 day PreK/RECC
- December 15: PTA General Meeting - 7:00p.m. - 8:00p.m.
- December 23, 28 & 29: Schools Closed - Winter Break
- December 24, 27, 30 & 31: Schools and Offices Closed - Winter Break
New Information
Impact Aid Forms
Parents/guardians who work on a federal property in Maryland and/or are a member of a uniformed service can qualify to receive additional federal funding by completing an Impact Aid form by Dec. 31. Impact Aid supplements the HCPSS operating budget to enhance the teaching and learning that takes place in Howard County classrooms.
Self-Control Royalty
Congratulations to the following swans who were nominated by their peers to be their class’s Self-Control Royalty!
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Teacher
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Self-Control Royalty
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Birmingham
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Holly
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Nania
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Hallie
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Gordon
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Emma
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Rooths
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Bethany
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Lichliter
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Annabelle
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Phamdo
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Remo
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Barrett
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So
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Keefe
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Zoe
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Nelson
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Jakayla
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Jones
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Saron
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Hur
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Alivia
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Mooney
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Sarah
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Zawodny
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Ssuubi
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Stanislav
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Ernest
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Benz
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Stefany
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Win
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A’va
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Witherow
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Chelsea
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VanWyk
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Peyton
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Byers
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Anna
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Heavens
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Will be announced next week
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Pisca
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Glen
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Shields
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Victoria
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Seering
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Sydney
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Boras
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Gabe
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Hayes
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Jordan D.
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Kiwalabye
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Jesus
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SCRIPPS National Spelling Bee
Attention 4th and 5th grade students: The 2nd annual online SCRIPPS S-P-E-L-L-I-N-G B-E-E registration is now open. This week 4th and 5th grade students received a letter in the FISH folder detailing the registration and timeline for the SCRIPPS National Spelling Bee.
The first step to spelling bee participation is for you to register for the Scripps National Spelling Bee's online testing platform by visiting https://online-test.spellingbee.com. Please register by Wednesday, December 22 as we will begin assigning tests January 7, 2022. If you have already registered in the online testing platform for another child, you can log in to your account and add an additional child to that same parent account. There is no need to register a different email address for each child in your household.
Once students have registered, we will assign the first-round spelling test to your child. The first-round testing window is from January 7 -14. The top five students from 4th grade and top five students from 5th grade who move on to compete at the second round, will also be administered an online test. This testing window will be from January 21 – 28.
Our school champion will then move on to represent Swansfield in the Howard County Library System regional spelling bee. The regional spelling bee is currently scheduled for a Saturday in March 2022. The spelling word lists are here https://drive.google.com/drive/shared-with-me When you click on the link, the words will open in your Google Drive. Please note that these words are for study purposes only, and other words not on the list may appear in any round.
If you have any questions please email Tara DiVenti tara_diventi@hcpss.org or Laine Malcotti marolene_malcotti@hcpss.org
Healthroom Corner
Hearing & Vision
The Hearing and Vision Clinic on December 7th was a success! Rescreening will be on December 16th for already identified students. Please keep sharing those Covid vaccination cards with us in the health room at doris_qano@hcpss.org or tracey_ellerby@hcpss.org. Per CDC guidelines, a person is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the 2nd dose.
Vaccination Clinics for HCPSS Students Aged 5-11
Children ages 5-11 are now eligible to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Through a partnership with the Howard County Health Department and several local pharmacies, HCPSS is pleased that students have multiple opportunities to get vaccinated, including some clinics hosted in HCPSS schools.
Please use the links below to register for a clinic and complete the consent process in advance. Paper consent forms will be available on-site if needed.
- Thursday, Dec. 16 (second dose clinic on Jan. 6, 2022), 4-8 p.m., Howard High School, 8700 Old Annapolis Rd, Ellicott City—in partnership with Soleil Pharmacy. Schedule an appointment and complete the online consent form.
- Friday, Dec. 17 (second dose clinic on Jan. 7, 2022 ), 4-8 p.m., Oakland Mills Middle School, 9540 Kilimanjaro Road, Columbia—in partnership with Giant Pharmacy. Link to register and complete a consent form is forthcoming.
- Saturday, Dec. 18 (second dose clinic on Jan. 8, 2022), 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Florence Bain Senior Center, Great Room, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia—in partnership with Safeway Pharmacy. Schedule an appointment; Print, complete and bring the consent form.
From Your Title I Team
Title I Family Night
Thank you to the families and teachers who attended our first family night this year, Family FUNdamentals, for students in grades 2-5. If you missed the event, but are looking for ways to support your child at home, the HCPSS website has many resources. Go to the “What Your Child Will Learn” guide (or click here), select your child’s grade, then click on the yellow “Course Navigation” button.
OMHS Food Pantry
If you or someone you know is in need of food support, Oakland Mills High School will be hosting a Food Pantry on Wednesday, December 15 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 9410 Kilimanjaro Road, Columbia. All you need to bring is a photo ID.
If you would like to support this food pantry, donations can be dropped off at the Oakland Mills High School’s front office during school hours. They also have an Amazon wish list and accept monetary donations for the purchase of fresh produce and bread.
Free Bikes for Kids!
Free Bikes 4 Kidz will be able to match your child (or children) with a bike! Below is everything you need to know to get your bike(s)!! Please bring your child to the Bike Giveaway Day so that they can pick their bike and be fitted for their new helmet. Bike Giveaway Day: Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 11am to 12pm (arrive any time during that time block) at 6100 Merriweather Drive - Tenable Building
A flier with additional information is attached, along with a copy of the waiver (waivers will also be available on site). 2021 Free Bikes 4 Kidz.pdf Bilingual Waiver - Recipient.pdf
If you have any questions email deborah_slater@hcpss.org or call/text 443-741-1030.
Reminders
Status of Outdoor Dining Tents during Winter Months
This fall many students have elected to eat school meals in the outdoor dining tent that was put in place at each HCPSS elementary school as an additional health safeguard during the pandemic. Now that winter is on our doorstep, and we expect to have much colder temperatures and precipitation, the tents will soon be removed for the winter months, December through February. This is necessary to ensure the safety of our students and staff, because the tents are not designed to sustain heavy snow, wind or ice accumulation; they cannot be safely heated, and lowering the sides that are currently left open would not allow adequate outdoor air ventilation to occur.
HCPSS plans to reinstall the tents outside all elementary schools at the beginning of March 2022, with the specific timing dependent on weather conditions.
We will continue to designate outdoor spaces at our school throughout the winter months where students may choose to eat their meals as weather conditions allow. As a reminder, please send your child to school dressed appropriately for weather conditions, especially if they plan to eat lunch outdoors.
Thank you for your support and collaboration in ensuring a safe and healthy learning environment for all students. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Swansfield Wish Lists
We will continue to update our wish lists throughout the school year.
Student Lounge Wish List
Classroom Wish List
PTA Updates
PTA Hospitality December Event
This month we are showing the love for our teachers by treating them to Hot Chocolate and Sweet Treats! Please sign up to support our efforts.
Label all items “PTA Hospitality” and send them to school by Thursday, December 16th. Homemade Baked Goods should be sent in on the 16th (wrapped well). All other items can be sent in early.
Staff Favorite Things List: Fall 2021 Edition
Families have expressed a strong interest in treating the hardworking Swansfield Elementary staff members to something that is specifically for them to enjoy. In furtherance of that, the
PTA provided all staff members with an opportunity to answer some questions about their favorite things. The full list can be found here.
There is neither an obligation nor an expectation that Swansfield Families give gifts to staff members. However, we know that many families like to do this and our hope is that those who are interested will find the list helpful.
This is not directly related to the holiday season. The favorite things list can serve as a reference anytime throughout the school year.
PTA National School of Excellence: STAFF & FAMILIES NEEDED
In furtherance of the PTA’s goal for Swansfield to receive the National School of Excellence designation, volunteers are needed across the community, including staff and teachers, to build an action plan for school improvement.
Throughout the school year, our School of Excellence Committee will use the tools, resources and support provided by National PTA to positively impact family engagement at Swansfield. If you are interested in being part of the School of Excellence committee, please email Lizz Hammon at vp.schoolrelation@swansfieldpta.org
Save the Date! International Night: January 26
PTA VolunteerOpportunities
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
- Yearbook ‘Candid’ Photographers
- This could be anybody! Anytime throughout the school year - take photos at Swansfield events or activities and upload them here.
- Black History Event Chair - February 16th
- 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?
- National School of Excellence Committee
