Dear Swansfield Community,
It’s hard to believe this was our first full week of school in weeks! We’re now into the third quarter, which will be filled with several terrific school and PTA programs. Some already scheduled, some yet to be announced! You can learn more about these programs below. In times of stress and difficulty, we find that connecting with our local community can be a balm. We hope you will consider joining us at one or many of the events below. We also hope that you’ll consider getting involved in the work of the PTA. This can include anything from donating to the Woot Woot wagon to show our thanks to our incredible SES staff, to taking on a volunteer shift at an event, to helping to plan Family Culture Night, or to simply engaging at a monthly PTA meeting. The SES PTA wouldn’t exist without our committed families and staff. And many thanks to those of you who came to this week’s PTA meeting on Wednesday to learn more!
Warm wishes,
Lauren Robbins and Shamieka Preston
SES Co-Advocacy Chairs
NEW INFORMATION
The 2026 Read-a-thon is here!
We are excited for students to participate in the 2026 Swansfield Read-a-thon! We hope that the read-a-thon will inspire Swans to spend extra time reading outside of school and track their reading minutes each day from Sunday, February 22nd, through Sunday, March 8th.
Students can participate in the read-a-thon in 5 easy steps:
- Sign up for a read-a-thon page to track your reading minutes. The process is quick and easy! https://app.99pledges.com/fund/2026swansfield/addmeMake sure to include your email address since this is required to track your minutes.
- Ask friends and family to sponsor your reading goals (optional). All donations will go towards supporting Swansfield PTA activities and school support initiatives! Sponsors should select a simple, one-time donation, since per-minute donations are often larger or smaller than expected! Donations can be made anytime between now and Wednesday, March 11th.
- Record how many minutes you read every day outside of school between Sunday, February 22nd and Sunday, March 8th. Set your goal to read for at least 15-20 minutes per day! For younger readers, reading with a grownup counts too!
- Enter your daily minutes on your personal page, which you will receive via email after signing up.
- Earn a prize! Students who meet their total reading goal (200 minutes for Pre-K-1st, 275 minutes for 2nd-3rd, 350 minutes for 4th-5th) will get to choose a special prize! In addition, the 10 students with the most minutes and the homeroom in each grade with the most minutes will receive special recognition!
PTA Board Nomination Committee
This Spring all six PTA board positions are up for re-election. We are looking for a nominating committee that’ll consist of 5 PTA members. These members will help collect nominations for our elections in May. This committee will also generate a Google form for individuals to nominate themselves or others for a board position. Then, they present the slate of nominees for election.
The Committee is needed by March, please email president@swansfieldpta.org if you are interested in serving on the committee
FINDING NEMO
Come support the amazing cast and see your friends shine in Swansfield’s production of FINDING NEMO! Friday, February 20th at 7:15pm. The show will be in the Swansfield Cafeteria, doors open at 7:00pm. No tickets needed. EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
ADVOCACY UPDATES: Advocacy Day! Tues. Feb. 17, 2026
Looking for something meaningful to do on the upcoming no-school day? Join Free State PTA (Maryland state PTA) in Annapolis for a day of direct advocacy with our state legislators.
- The program runs from 9am-5pm and you can come for some or all of it. The program will include observing state house business, visiting legislators’ offices, and watching committee hearings.
- A closing reception (6:30-8pm) with food and refreshments will follow!
- Swansfield is not sponsoring this but if you are going and want to find folks to carpool with, feel free to email Advocacy@swansfieldpta.org and we can connect folks.
- More information and registration available HERE
Primary Election Forum March 14, 2026 11am-1pm - PTA Council of Howard County-hosted forum for all Howard County candidates. Wilde Lake HS Auditorium
Spring 2026 HCPSS Training Program for Parents/Guardians of Anxious Students - Sign up to participate in this FREE, evidence-based training program to assist parents/guardians in helping their children manage anxiety. Each group will be facilitated by two licensed HCPSS mental health staff members. Find out more HERE
HCPSS FY27 Operating Budget - Learn more!
- Guide to Understanding the budget
- Detailed summary of the budget
- Additional resources here, including the 791 page budget 😆
YEARBOOK ART CONTEST WINNER
Congratulations to Marwa Omarzad in Ms. Kearney-Hill’s 5th grade class! She was the winner of this year's yearbook art contest. Please be sure to check out her amazing artwork on the inside cover of this year’s yearbook. A huge thank you to all of the other artists who participated. This was an extremely close contest as all of the artwork was incredible! We are all very proud of the talent that Swansfield has!
GIRLS ON THE RUN
Swansfield has a Girls on the Run Team for 3rd-5th graders!! Practice starts this Tuesday, March 17th and will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15-4:30 with a culminating run on Saturday, May 30th! Sign up using this link. Questions? Email MindyGorelik02@gmail.com
World of Work Day
Swansfield
INFORMATION WORTH REPEATING
5th Grade Baby Pictures Needed by Feb. 28th
Calling all parents of the 5th grade class! To celebrate this huge milestone in your child’s life, we are dedicating two pages in the yearbook as a flashback to when they were starting their journey of life. Please email your child’s baby picture to be displayed in this year's yearbook to yearbook@swansfieldpta.org. Pictures need to be turned in by February 28. Please save the file with the student’s first and last name so we can mark down the pictures that have been received.
Culture Night: Committee Volunteers Needed!
Trisha Doyle and Emily Rieger are looking for volunteers to plan and host Culture Night on April 17th from 6:30–8:00 pm at Swansfield.
Culture Night is a special and meaningful celebration bringing together students, families, and staff to share and appreciate the many cultures that make up our community. It is a welcoming, inclusive event that truly celebrates diversity and belonging.
Volunteers will play an important role in supporting the planning and smooth running of the evening, and any level of help is greatly appreciated.
If you are interested in being part of this joyful and community-building event, we would love to have you involved! Please reach out to membership@swansfieldpta.org and trisha.f.doyle@gmail.com
Order your Yearbook TODAY!
Purchase your 2025-2026 yearbook today! Please go to ybpay.lifetouch.com and use code 15120326.
WOOT WOOT WAGON needs a re-stock!
Thank you so much for all the generous donations sent in this school year. Our wagon could use a re-stock for the second half of the year. Also, anyone interested in helping to push the WOOT WOOT WAGON around school, please reach out to Judy at president@swansfieldpta.org
WOOT WOOT WAGON DONATIONS: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904084CA4AF2CA20-61321562-woot
The Green Beanz
The Green Beanz (Swansfield‘s environmental team) are looking for volunteers to help with our NexTrex challenge! We are collecting plastic film to be recycled and made into different building materials such as benches, deck boards, and furniture. We’re hoping to collect 1000 pounds as we have done in the past two years. We need volunteers to pick up the plastic in the vestibule at the front of the school on Thursdays and bring it to Giant. Please look at the sign-up sheet below to pick a day, or two, if you may be able to help. Thank you so much!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E49A5AC2DA57-60660873-nextrex
Swansfield Community Directory
The SES PTA strives to build community. One way to help us stay connected is through our community directory. Please fill out this Google form with information about your child and family. The information from this form will be shared with any families who choose to participate. Please complete one form per child. If you have more than one child, you will need to complete the form multiple times.
PTA Membership
Thank you to all our wonderful members who have renewed or joined this year! Your support makes a real difference for our school community. Let’s keep the excitement growing—invite your friends, family, and neighbors to join in and be part of our incredible school family. Everyone’s welcome!
SCHOOL PICTURES WANTED
Please email any pictures you have taken at school events to yearbook@swansfieldpta.org or vp.schoolrelations@swansfieldpta.org. These photos will be used in this year’s Swansfield yearbook!
Swansfield Spirit Wear
Our Swansfield spiritwear store is officially live and ready for orders. Check out the link for more information: www.swansfieldspiritwear.com
Swansfield Fun Run: April 25th
Mark your calendar for the 2nd Annual Swansfield Fun Run on Saturday, April 25 at SES, beginning at 9 a.m. Join us to run or walk this year's course in order to see which grade will complete the most laps! Stay after the run for playground games, snacks, and DJ music. Stay tuned for event registration details and volunteer signups.
We are looking for event sponsors! Does your company have a charitable giving program? If so, please reach out Emily at emily.m.shreve7@gmail.com