Important Dates:

• Wednesday Evenings - Virtual Storytime, 7pm. Code: Swansfield Storytime

• Saturday, October 31 - WLHS Drive Through Trick or Treat (see more below)

• Tuesday, November 3 - Schools/Offices Closed, Election Day

• Wednesday, November 4 - Popcorn, Snowballs and Hot Chocolate, 10:45am - 12:45pm (see more below)

• Friday, November 6 - Early Dismissal (see more below).  End of First Marking Period.

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Afternoon Treats For SES Students Next Wednesday

Save the date!  Next Wednesday, November 4, from 10:45am to 12:45pm, the Howard County Police Foundation will be serving free popcorn, snowballs and/or hot chocolate to Swansfield students who stop by school.  Social distancing measures will be observed. This is rescheduled from a few weeks ago when the weather didn’t cooperate.  

Coffee & Conversation with Admin & PTA President

We are currently in the process of planning our Coffee & Conversation with Admin and the PTA president.  In case you missed it the first time, we want to provide you with an additional opportunity to provide feedback by completing a brief survey.  At this time, we are planning to host this event during American Education Week. We look forward to connecting with you!

Media Books Available for Checkout

Contactless Media Book Checkout continues! Book requests will be filled on Wednesdays by our Media staff and placed on the “Library Book Pick Up” cart in the vestibule at the main entrance to the school. You will also find a “Library Book Drop Off Bin” located there.  More information was provided in last week’s newsletter available HERE.  Please email cynthia_steinebrunner@hcpss.org with any questions.

Howard County Library System Virtual Battle of the Books

Battle of the Books, an annual reading competition sponsored by the Howard County Library System for Howard County 5th grade students, will take place this school year. The competition is scheduled for April 16, 2021. Students learned details and the books chosen for this year's competition during last week's Library Media lesson. If your child is interested in participating, please read the information supplied by the public library and view this Battle of the Books presentation.
 
Teams must be made up of Swansfield students only. There can be 3-5 members on each team, no more and no less. Every team must have an adult coach.
Registration opened last week and continues until capacity is reached or November 6 at 11:59 pm, whichever comes first. 
 
IMPORTANT - Please complete this interest form if your child would like to participate. Media teacher Cynthia Steinebrunner is helping coordinate teams if needed, but please note that teams must register through the Howard County Library System. Please contact cynthia_steinebrunner@hcpss.org with any questions.

Schedule Adjustment for Upcoming Early Dismissal Day

The HCPSS 2020-2021 calendar includes the upcoming scheduled 3-hour early dismissal days:

• Friday, November 6, 2020
• Monday, November 23, 2020
• Tuesday, November 24, 2020

The virtual schedules have been adjusted for these scheduled early dismissal days to provide students with synchronous learning for each class. Additionally, both full and half-day PreK classes will meet on these days using a modified schedule. The elementary early dismissal day revised schedule can be found HERE.

Free School Meals Available Through End of School Year

Free school meals previously due to expire at the end of December have been extended through the end of the 2020-2021 school year. Thus, HCPSS will be able to provide meals at no cost to any HCPSS student, and all children 18 and under, through the entire school year assuming continued availability of USDA funding.

Shining The Spotlight

Each week at Swansfield Elementary we recognize students who shine by demonstrating one of our six Success Factors (Kindness, Self-Control, Perseverance, Empathy, Accountability and Hope).  Congratulations to the following students who were recognized for displaying the success factor Self-Control this week:

• Preschool/Pre-K: Mason F
• Kindergarten: Benjamin O, Kyla J, Adam G
• 1st Grade: Shayaan A, Zaid K, Leighton H
• 2nd Grade: Gregory M, Matthew W, Bryan G, Keziah M
• 3rd Grade: Ray A, Kendrick B, Logan A, Arianna R, Lauren L
• 4th Grade: Londynn J, Tylar A, Alexandra B, Naamah S, Abbie C
• 5th Grade: Gabby M, Arianna A, Anthony M

Additional Materials Pick-up

Additional instructional materials were distributed recently.  If still needed, please call the school (410-313-6907) to arrange to pick up your child’s materials during the school day.

Community Coat & Food Distribution, Along With Covid-19 Testing October 31

Please see the attached fliers for more information about these events sponsored by a local church and the Maryland Food Bank.  Covid-19 testing will be done by Howard County General Hospital.  Donations are also being accepted (see donations flier).

HCGH Covid-19 Community Testing flyer.pdf 

Free Food & Coat Distribution.pdf 

Coat & Food Distribution Donations.pdf 

WLHS Orchestra Trick or Treat

The Wilde Lake High School orchestra is holding a drive-through trick or treat on Halloween from 3-6 pm. All are welcome.  Please see the attached flier.

WLHS Halloween Candy Flier.pdf 

Social Emotional Learning