Upcoming Dates
- December 12, 13, 15 - Grade 3 CogAT Testing
- December 14 - 3-hour early dismissal/No Half Day Preschool
- December 26 - January 2 - Schools Closed
- January 16 - School Closed
- January 18 - 3-hour early dismissal/No Half Day Preschool
- January 20 - SES Spelling Bee
- January 23 - School Closed
- January 25 - HCMS New Student & Parent Orientation/Information Night
New Information
Scripps National Spelling Bee
Swansfield Elementary had once again been invited to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee sponsored by the Howard County Library and Howard County Public School System. Students from 4th and 5th grade will participate in a “first-round spelling bee” in their respective teams on January 6, 2023.
The top 8 spellers from each team will then compete in a school-level spelling bee on Friday, January 20, 2023. From this final round, one school-wide winner will advance to the Howard County Library Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at Reservoir High School. The second-place winner will serve as an alternate should the winning student not be able to participate. The champion of the Howard County Library Spelling Bee will advance to the Scripps Spelling Bee finals the week of Memorial Day 2023 in Washington, DC.
Participating in the spelling bee is voluntary. The 4th and 5th grade homeroom teachers will survey their students to see who would like to participate in the team spelling bees. For more information go to www.spellingbee.com and click on “parents.”
If you have any questions, please contact Tara DiVenti at tara_diventi@hcpss.org or Laine Malcotti at laine_malcotti@hcpss.org. Good luck, and happy s-p-e-l-l-i-n-g!
BSAP
On December 20, 2022, Columbia Baptist Church will provide 300 families with food for the holidays, and we will give away 250 bikes for kids. Bikes are first come, first serve. For food please text Love to 443-234-0801. Only 300 families will be served at Columbia Baptist, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia, MD 21045.
HCMS 2023-2024 New Student & Parent Orientation/Information Night
Harper Choice Middle will be having their New Student & Parent Orientation for all prospective 5th graders next month. This orientation will offer important information that will assist you and your student as they transition to middle school. This event will be on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 · 6:00pm – 7:00pm at HCMS located at 5450 Beaverkill Rd, Columbia, MD 21044
Title I
Virtual Parent Session
The Council of Elders Community Academy will have their second Community Academy session on Saturday, December 10, 2022, on Supporting Your Child's Social-Emotional Well Being.
To register for the first session, please use this link:
https://forms.gle/2Gsb8ef7hQaxMKV97
Please share the link and the attached flier with your friends and community members who want to learn how to effectively utilize resources in the HCPSS.
TCOE_SupSocEmo flyer–Dec22.pdf
Reminders
Green Beanz Environmental Team
The Green Beanz Environmental Team is collecting plastic to win a bench from Trex! Students are helping to weigh the plastic each week, but Mrs. DiVenti and Ms. Malcotti could use help bringing the plastic to drop-off bins at a supermarket (ex. Giant, Harris Teeter).
Please use the sign-up sheet: Swansfield Plastic Recycling Pick-up to help with their efforts! From there, all you need to do is park in the front and come into the vestibule. Bags will be waiting to be picked up there. Thank you in advance for helping the Green Beanz!
Mighty Men Needed!
We are inviting the special MEN in our students lives, fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, godfathers, uncles, coaches, clergy, family friends, neighbors, and even siblings and cousins (who are at least 18 years old and finished high school) to visit at RECESS to play sports or games and at LUNCH to chat with students starting October 3rd.
To sign up to participate or learn more, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/wJ7pBdMptGofoz12A
Additional details: Mighty Men will continue throughout the school year. We ask that volunteers sign up at least 24 hours in advance. All volunteers need to stop in the front office to sign in on arrival. All volunteers should view the volunteer training before participating - details are here and forms can be signed in the front office on arrival.
Swansfield Wish List
The staff have requested a few items for their classrooms for the 22-23 school year. Thank you for your generosity. Wish List
PTA Update
Swansfield Reflections Winners Announced
A big shout out to the Swans who put their creative minds and energy to work and entered the National PTA Reflections Art Contest. This year's theme is "Show Your Voice" and our artists did that through dance, photography, and visual arts. These artists will now be competing at the county level and if they move forward, they will have the potential to win prizes at the national level! Let's cheer on our fellow Swans!
Photography Primary:
Oluwagbolafunmi Faleye, 2nd grade, Mooney
Photography Intermediate:
Anya Sheriff, 5th grade, Hayes
Dance Intermediate:
Julianna Tarhan, 5th grade, Hayes
Visual Arts Primary:
Natalie Grossman, 2nd grade, Mooney
Norelie Bozzolo, 2nd grade, Zanti.
Visual Arts Intermediate:
Karen McGeogh, 5th grade, Kiwalaybe
Madeleine Brannigan, 5th grade, Kiwalaybe
SES Staff Favorite Things
The holidays are fast approaching. Looking to spoil a staff member? Want to surprise your child’s teacher with a small token of appreciation? Check out this year’s Swansfield Staff Favorite Things list! SES Staff Favorite Things 2022/2023
Amazon Smile
An easy way to make your regular shopping contribute to the Swansfield community is through Amazon Smile. Go to smile.amazon.com to add Swansfield PTA as your charitable organization Each purchase you make will send a donation to the PTA!
Yearbook Pictures
We want the 2022-2023 yearbook to capture as many memories of the year as possible, but we need your help! Is your child in 5th grade? Submit a baby picture of them here: 5th Grade Baby Pictures Did you attend the Fall Festival and take pictures of your kid(s)? Share it with the Yearbook committee here: Fall Festival Pictures. We can’t wait to see all your wonderful photos!
Original Works Fundraiser Late Orders
You can raise money for Swansfield while getting your child’s art printed on mouse pads, notepads, mugs, and much more. A personalized order form went home with every student in November. The deadline to order Original Works gifts passed, but there is still an opportunity to place a late order. Late orders must be placed by December 12. Late orders WILL NOT arrive before winter break. To place your order, visit www.originalworks.com and click ‘SHOP.’ Enter the code SWANS to enter the gallery for SES. You can use your student’s code to place your order. If you need assistance ordering or have any other questions, please contact Leah at leahaneff@gmail.com or membership@swasnfieldpta.org.
Membership
We would love to have each and every one of you as members of the PTA! Membership is only $5 per member, but additional donations are always welcome to support all the PTA events we have planned! Click here to purchase your membership. Just click “JOIN THE PTA” and follow the instructions for MemberHub. We appreciate your support!