Good Afternoon Swansfield,
I hope this communication finds you well. The focus of my message this week is on the Superintendent’s Proposed Attendance Area Adjustment Plan that will take place for the 2026 - 2027 school year. The primary reason for the adjustment is to alleviate overcrowding at Bryant Woods ES. The plan does impact Swansfield Elementary, and the staff believes it’s important for our families to remain up to date with the most current information. The current plan has 38 students at Swansfield moving to Clemens Crossing ES next year and has 125 students moving from Clemens Crossing ES to Swansfield.
Over the course of the next 4-6 weeks there will be a series of work sessions and opportunities for public testimony. The school will keep families up to date with the most current information through our newsletter, but I have provided two links below. The first link is the Superintendent’s plan while the second link is to the school system website that houses the most current information around the boundary review process. We encourage you to tune in to the work sessions and Board of Education meetings, so you are aware of any impacts to your family.
Superintendent’s Proposed Attendance Area Adjustment Plan
Wishing you a wonderful weekend! ~ Anthony J Esposito, Principal
IMPORTANT DATES
October 16th - Hope & Kindness Celebration
October 17th - Schools Closed for Students
October 20th - Schools and Offices Closed
October 23rd - Special Ed Family Night
October 25th - Fall Fest
October 31st - Schools Close 3 hours early - End of Q1
October 31st - End of Q1 Celebration
NEW INFORMATION
Young Author's Contest
The Howard County Literacy Association invites students in grades 1-5 to submit their original poems and/or short stories to the annual writing contest called The Young Authors' Contest. Please see the attached Young Authors’ Contest Guidelines for information about the rules and guidelines. Stories and poems must be typed and saved as a Word Doc or Googledoc. All entries must have a completed YAC Cover Sheet sent as a PDF. Submissions may be emailed to allison_witherow@hcpss.org by December 15, 2025. Contact Allison Witherow, Keynora Greenwood, or Lisa Hairston-Jones with any questions. All Young Authors’ Contest information can be found on the HCLA website.
Howard County Literacy Association welcomes parents as members. Visit the HCLA Welcome Page for information about joining.
Supports for Families During Federal Government Shutdown
As many Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) families are impacted by the federal government shutdown, we understand that many people in our community may experience financial hardship or uncertainty. HCPSS remains committed to supporting all students and families during this time.
Howard County families who have lost pay due to the shutdown may apply for the Free and Reduced-Priced Meals (FARMs) program, and the HCPSS Food and Nutrition Office will determine their eligibility status within 24-48 hours. Families that previously did not qualify for the FARMs program could now be eligible due to current loss of income.
Families that are adversely impacted, including those who do not receive FARMs assistance, will have the remainder of the school year to pay off any meal balances incurred during the government shutdown.
HCPSS recognizes that many students may be suffering fear or anxiety about their family’s current financial situation. Student Services staff at each school are prepared and available to assist students at any time during the school day. Numerous resources are also available for families on the HCPSS website, and other supports are available through the Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services.
INFORMATION WORTH REPEATING
FARMS Forms
Many HCPSS families are eligible to participate in the Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) program, which provides children with a wide range of benefits including free or discounted college tuition, testing and application fees, academic and athletic program fees and many others in addition to free or discounted meals.
PLEASE complete the FARMS application.
Families are urged to check their eligibility and complete a FARMs application as soon as possible. Families must submit a new application every school year.
Details on the Free and Reduced Meals program, including a link to apply, are available online.
Please contact the front office if you have any questions or need assistance with applying for the Free and Reduced Meal Program.
COMPLETE YOUR FAMILY FILE TODAY!
Please visit HCPSS Connect to update your Family File for this school year. Parents must complete the Family File every year to ensure that we have the most current and accurate information for each and every student.
Parents must complete the Family File every year to ensure that we have the most current and accurate information for each and every student. Parents/guardians will be asked to provide or update the following information:
- Student Information
- Parent/Guardian Contact
- Emergency Contacts
- Please list multiple emergency contacts!
- Medical Information
- Arrival/Dismissal Procedures and Transportation Options
- Photo Approval
- Data Confidentiality
- Student Creative Work Approval
Resources: