• 2/06: Reports Card Available in FOCUS, end of day
• 2/12: Grocery Giveaway, 8:00-8:30 & 3:00-3:30
• 2/12: Parent Education Workshop: Caregiving for You! (Self Care), 9:00-9:30
• 2/17: Presidents' Day: Schools & Offices Closed

Dear Glyndon Families,

Over two weeks ago we celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a day off from school. Some teachers took the importance of Dr. King’s lessons to heart and had age-appropriate conversations with their students about fairness and justice and the need for peace and respect among all people. But fairness and justice mean vastly different things to children at different stages of their development. A child’s viewpoint is truly transformed as it grows from the natural egocentricity of an infant and toddler to an elementary understanding of social justice. Basic self-preservation propels an infant’s demands for food and attention. But as children grow and social networks develop, an appreciation for the needs and rights of others becomes more critical. As a school, we share that responsibility with parents. In school, teaching respect for others alongside reading and math allows teachers to create a classroom atmosphere that allows all children to learn. At home, teaching perspective taking and conflict resolution promotes the creation of a climate where everyone feels equally respected and comfortable with the different needs of various family members.

To teach our children to be ethical, we give reasons for rules, help them see things from the perspective of others, and connect their behavior with consequences. By age three, most children relish an opportunity to help clean up, come to an adult for comfort, role-play empathetically, begin to use feeling words, and control much of their aggression. This comes from listening to adult cues about intentionality (“She didn’t mean to hurt you”) and watching adults who respect the feelings of others. As children form friendships, cognitive empathy begins. Soon cooperative play replaces parallel play, problem solving expands to solving conflicts, and taking turns makes communal living in classrooms and family rooms possible. As children begin to develop initiative, autonomy, and the ability to think and feel for themselves, it can’t be at the expense of respect and caring for others. Adults have to take every opportunity to help children see all sides of situations and reinforce the principle that everyone is entitled to equal treatment, regardless of artificial designations, including age, religion, gender, and race.

One of the most difficult aspects of nurturing an appreciation for social justice is the child’s natural perception that “fair” is “equal.” As adults, we know this isn’t true. A child who has fallen on the playground has a different and greater need for adult attention than a child who wants help with a zipper. The role of adults is to give all children an equal sense of well-being and security – an equal sense of unconditional regard. But beyond that, children have to grow to understand that on a given day, or in given circumstances, needs vary. When adults respond in a balanced way to group and individual needs, they often address unique circumstances in ways that are not “equal.” Without the modeling and promotion of both empathy and critical thinking, children don’t develop the skills to move beyond a simple egocentric understanding of justice to a point where they can stand up for themselves and others appropriately and evaluate different needs, particularly if theirs are less critical than those of a friend. Both in the family and in the classroom, our children make us most proud when they live the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – understanding, appreciating, and working toward true social justice and a community of respect for all. But it’s a process, and one that requires purposeful adult teaching and understanding. (adapted)

Happy Winter,

Tracy M. Robinson

For the month of February, Ms. Thomson's class is continuing with unit 3. In unit 3, we have been focusing on understanding tools, structures, and how to build things. Students will also explore how objects and animals move and investigate objects shapes and uses. Additionally, students will be learning about emotions and safe and healthy forms of expression.

In February, PreK will continue Unit 3, How Structures Are Built. We will explore and describe the position and motion of objects, build towers and ramps, and engage in creative thinking about new uses for objects and materials.

In phonics, we will learn the letters Dd and Rr and their sounds. Students will recognize and generate words that begin with the same sound and will continue to identify rhyming words in poems and stories. While listening to a text read aloud, students will continue to answer questions about a story and will use background knowledge to make inferences.

In math, PreK will begin measurement. Students will describe objects using vocabulary such as long, short, big, and small. We will compare two or more objects according to length, height and size and sort objects by a given attribute. Students will begin to measure using non-standard units of measurement such as linking cubes and hands.

PreK friends are learning to recognize and identify their own emotions and those of others. Please continue to practice safe calming strategies at home, such as deep breathing, squeezing a pillow or taking a walk!

Thank you for your continued support.

Time flies when you're having fun! As we head into February, we will continue to practice our foundational skills.

For phonics, we will be learning two letters a week, and one or two sight words a week. We will continue to work on blending, segmenting, and fluently reading our decodables.

In math, we will be exploring shapes, while continuing to practice our counting skills. We will be working with pattern blocks, naming and sorting shapes and describing shapes with attributes and, drawing and constructing shapes.

In reading, we will see that with a little hard work, some practice, and perseverance, they can achieve their goals. We will be practicing making inferences, identifying character traits and work on building and strengthening their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills as they explore what it means to try hard.

We are going to jump back into science and focus on weather. We will be using our observations and predictions about the weather.

Please continue to practice letter recognition, adding and subtracting, identifying basic shapes (circle, square, rectangle, triangle, hexagon, trapezoid, and rhombus) and reading stories to your child! Every day is a new day, and we are excited to be with your child each day!

Can you believe that it is February already? As we begin this third quarter it is a fresh start for us all. We have been very busy learning in our classrooms, and we know that you are working hard with your children at home as well.

In Reading, we are beginning our 6th Module titled Celebrate America. In this module, students will explore why people sing patriotic songs. In addition, they will learn about a variety of patriotic topics, including monuments, the Liberty Bell and other U.S. symbols, and the nation’s presidents.

In Math, we are concluding our 4th Unit. We will begin our 5th Unit titled Geometry. Over the course of this unit, students use a variety of tools and models to explore two- and three-dimensional shapes and fractions (halves, thirds, and fourths). Throughout, the emphasis is squarely on shapes—identifying, describing, constructing, drawing, comparing, composing, and sorting them. Students learn about fractions in the context of two-dimensional shapes as they cut paper sandwiches in halves and fourths, fold and cut paper circle pizzas to share, and play a fraction bingo game in which they must complete the pictures and labels on their own boards.

*Feb. 14th: Valentine’s Day - Please keep in mind that we cannot distribute any food or candy items. If you would like to send in valentines, you may do so. Please remember not to address the valentines. Your teacher will send additional information as the holiday approaches.

Reminders:

*Please remember to wear proper shoes (tennis shoes, sneakers, athletic shoes Etc.) for P.E. days!

As always, please contact us with any questions or concerns.

Happy February! It looks like winter weather has finally decided to pay us a visit. I know the students were very happy for snow days last month! Who knows what February has in store for us!

In Language Arts, we started Module 5, Lead the Way. Our essential question is “What are the qualities of a good leader?”. We are reading stories and texts that help us identify the qualities many good leaders possess. We will learn to recognize these qualities in ourselves so we can work to become good leaders in the classroom and in our school. Our students also wrote an essay on what makes them unique. Look for ways your child demonstrates these leadership skills at home and discuss how they can use those qualities in school and in the community!

In math, we completed unit four on measurement. We explored different units of measurement to understand the importance of using a standard unit of measurement. Students explored measurement in the context of a giant’s world, complete with inchworms, footworms, and yardworms and had multiple opportunities to make conversions between inches, feet, and yards. Students were also introduced to the concept of ratios through objects and their relationship to objects in the giant’s world. To make this connection at home, try having your child measure various items around the house in inches, feet, and yards!

Looking forward, students are excited about our Valentine’s Day at school. Students can choose to exchange cards that day in class with their classmates. We will celebrate the day with fun crafts and educational activities. Please remember that due to food allergies, Valentine’s cards may not include any food items, such as candy. Thank you for helping us celebrate the special day safely with your child!

As always, thank you for your continued support! Please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher if you have any questions or concerns.

The third-grade teachers are extremely proud of students for their diligence and commitment in their academics as the school year moves into its third quarter! February is an exciting month! We will be celebrating Black History Month, Presidents’ Day, and Valentine’s Day!

In Language Arts, we have begun Module 6, Animal Behaviors. In this module, students will listen to, read, and view a variety of texts and media that present them with information about animal survival. A genre focus on nonfiction provides students with opportunities to identify author’s purpose, central idea, and text structure in order to better understand unfamiliar texts. Students will continue to build their vocabulary and synthesize topic knowledge and will learn more about the way animals utilize behaviors and characteristics to help them survive.

In Math, we are beginning Unit 5, Multiplication, Division and Area. This unit returns to the study of multiplication, especially as it relates to division. Students will be building arrays but use them to model and solve division as well as multiplication problems. Please continue to practice basic multiplication and division facts at home so that students may become more familiar with both operations.

In Advanced Math, we are working on completing our final 3rd grade unit, Extending Multiplication & Fractions, a review of material covered earlier in the year, as well as opportunities to extend skills and concepts into working with larger numbers and bigger ideas.

In Science, students have been working diligently on our first unit Driving Forces. The third-graders have been working cooperatively in teams to design and construct their prototype vehicle that will keep a passenger safe during a crash test, as well as see whose design can go the furthest in a distance test. As we continue through our unit, please feel free to send in clean, recycled materials such as soda bottles, cotton balls, egg cartons, bubble wrap, etc. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s third-grade teacher!

As a reminder as Valentine’s Day grows closer, Glyndon is a no-food school which means students are unable to give out store-bought valentines that have lollipops and other candy associated with them. Other valentines that do not include food are allowed. Thank you for your understanding!

We are looking forward to a successful remainder of the school year and we appreciate your enthusiasm and commitment to your child’s learning!

We would like to extend a sincere thank you to Blue Ditto Cards and Collectibles, 15 Main Street Reisterstown Md for their continued community support. Their recent donation made it possible for the advanced 4th grade to complete their novel study. Blue Ditto both buys and sells cards and collectibles including Pokemon, Magic the Gathering , Yugioh and much more. You can visit the owner, Dave, and his staff 11-7 daily.

Hello fifth grade families!

Thank you for your continued support throughout our school year together so far! As we have hit the halfway point in our learning together, we wanted to remind you that it’s important to check your child’s progress by looking at their grade reports on Schoology. Each fifth grade teacher works hard to keep grades updated with meaningful feedback. Please take time to check your students' grades and reach out with any questions!

In grade 5 math, students have begun their fifth unit. In Unit 5, students will extend their understanding of multiplication and division to working with fractions. During the first module, students will review and extend skills and concepts first introduced in Grade 4 to solidify their understanding of whole number-by-fraction multiplication. In Modules 2 and 3, they will use rectangular arrays to model and solve fraction-by-fraction multiplication problems. Module 4 features an introduction to division of whole numbers by unit fractions, and unit fractions by whole numbers. There is a strong emphasis throughout the unit on sense-making and understanding, as students tackle material that is conceptually challenging.

In advanced math, students have begun unit 4, Equations and Expressions. In this unit, students learn to understand and use the terms “variable,” “coefficient,” “solution,” “equivalent expressions,” “exponent,” “independent variable,” and “dependent variable.” They begin to write coefficients next to variables without a multiplication symbol, e.g.,10x rather than 10∙𝑥, and note that 𝑥 is 1∙𝑥. They learn other situations in which the multiplication symbol can be omitted, e.g., 6∙(3+2) can be written 6(3+2). They work with expressions that have positive whole-number exponents and whole-number, fraction, or variable bases, using properties of exponents strategically to evaluate these expressions, given a value for the variable. They find solutions for linear equations in one variable and simple equations that include exponents, e.g., 2𝑥=32 and 100=𝑥2. They use these terms and representations (including expressions with two variables) in reasoning about real-world and geometrical situations, understanding that some values of variables may not make sense in a given context. They represent collections of equivalent ratios as equations and use and make connections between tables, graphs, and linear equations that represent the same relationships.

In language arts, students will be focused on unit 6, which focuses on art for everyone. In this module, students will listen to, read, and view a variety of texts and media that present them with information about how people create and share different art forms. A genre focus on biography provides students with opportunities to identify central ideas, point of view, author’s craft, figurative language, and literary elements in order to better understand unfamiliar texts. Students will also encounter realistic fiction and procedural text to build knowledge across genres. As students build their vocabulary and synthesize topic knowledge, they will learn about the powerful impact of various art forms.

In health, students learned about changes in themselves. We focused on emotional, social, and physical changes that occur during puberty. Students participated in many discussions about these changes, gave advice, and learned about changes in their anatomy. It was a very productive unit! Next up, students will continue to learn about colonial America in social studies. Eventually, students will begin their next science unit focused on water. Students will learn about the water cycle, where water comes from, how water impacts living things, and conduct several experiments involving water.

Please continue to check your child’s backpack, planner, and folders for important information that has been sent home with them; this includes information about our monthly behavior incentives! In addition, please continue to work with your child on basic math fact memorization and read with them when you have the chance. Thank you again for your support and we look forward to continuing our year together!

Mr. Allard is back from a short break and ready to get back into working with all of our Glyndon artists!

Kindergarteners are learning how to apply what they’ve learned about the basics of art to new materials like paint and clay.

First graders are applying what they know about the zones of regulation and body language to make paintings of figures showing feelings.

Second grade students are learning about how people have been using their imagination for thousands of years, creating made up creatures.

Third graders are making some ceramic monsters using some basic clay building techniques!

Fourth graders are finishing their weavings and will be able to take home a piece of handmade fabric soon!

Fifth graders are continuing their self portraits. They will need lots of moral support to keep working hard, but in the end you will be amazed at what they are able to do!

There are several art exhibitions coming up for me to submit artwork to, so keep working hard everyone!

In the library each week students can check-out library books and return old books. Primary grades have been completing lessons on current events during the month of January and February that focus on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Groundhog’s Day, Presidents' Day, Valentine’s Day, and Dental Hygiene. Students have been using a variety of print and digital resources to read for information on these topics and record facts. Students are encouraged to share their new knowledge with friends and family.

Intermediate students have been using various games to improve their typing skills to practice letter key identification on the computer keyboard. Students are trying to increase their rate of typing to prepare them for upcoming online tests. Intermediate students are also studying current events for the month of February focusing on Black History Month. Students are reading for information using print and online text to learn about an influential person of their choice.

4th Grade Exploratory Music

Students have been learning about the woodwind family of instruments. They learned about the history of the woodwind family, including ancient woodwind instruments. Students also learned the three branches of woodwind instruments: no reed instruments, single reed instruments, and double reed instruments.

5th grade Band/Orchestra

Congratulations to all our students who performed in the Winter Concert! It was a great evening of music, and it was wonderful to see our students perform for our school community! Now that our Winter concert is over, we are resuming our regular lesson schedule. Please remember to have your instrument and music on your assigned lesson day, as we continue to move forward in our lesson books.

Winter time is the perfect time to cozy up and read some books! Here are several books with a math focus that can be found at our public library.

• The Arithmechicks series by Ann Marie Stephens
• One Snowy Day by Diane Murray
• The Biggest Snowman Ever by Steven Kroll
• Imagine Counting All the Stars by Raewyn Caisley
• 365 Penguins by Jean-Luc Fromental
• Lemonade in Winter by Emily Jenkins
• Sizing Up Winter by Lizann Flatt

In the month of February, we will be participating in our rope jumping unit. Students in K-2 will be able to make shapes, numbers, and letters of the alphabet using their jump ropes. Students will also be able to jump forwards and backwards using single or double bounce. Students will also be able to jump over a rope that is turned by me!

Students in 3-5 will be able to rope jump individually learning different tricks. They will be able to jump rope forwards or backwards using a single or double bounce. Students will also learn how to turn and jump while using a long jump rope. Long jump ropes require 2 students to turn each end of the rope, and 1 student will jump in the middle of it.

Jump roping has many physical benefits: improves cardiovascular fitness, increases agility and footwork, develops total body coordination, improves athletic performance, enhances balance, increases bone density, and strengthens upper and lower body musculature! Jump roping is a fun activity you can do as a family and burn mega calories while doing it!

Please remember to wear sneakers each time you have PE so that you can participate safely in class. Thank you for all your support.

Hello Glyndon Families, I hope February finds you healthy. Since returning from Winter break, I have seen students who are sick coming to school. They come to the Health Suite with complaints of stomachache in the morning and by the afternoon they are vomiting in the classroom. Please do not send your child to school if they have vomited, fever or diarrhea in the last 24 hours. They are still considered sick.

Covid 19 and RSV are on the rise. Covid 19 symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, severe fatigue, headache, aches, sore throat and loss of sense of taste or smell. Sometimes nausea or vomiting and diarrhea and runny nose. The CDC has multiple sites to get free Covid tests per family. The Baltimore County Health Department has a site for Covid test distributed at some county health centers. Look under Baltimore County Government for more information on Covid 19. Respiratory Syncytial Virus is not for the very young and old this year. The state of Maryland has been seeing more diagnosed cases this year. Look for symptoms of fever, congestion, coughing, runny nose, wheezing and sneezing. There are vaccinations for Covid 19 and RSV. Please see a health care provider for more information

Let’s not forget about Influenza. Influenza has been on the rise since December. Symptoms of flu can include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, running or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headache and fatigue. Whereas cold symptoms are milder than flu symptoms, cold symptoms are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose and do not result in complications to health. If your cold symptoms persist for more than two weeks you should make an appointment with a health care provider.

Viruses spread by touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, preparing or eating food or drinks with unwashed hands, touching surfaces or objects that have live viruses on them, blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing into hands and then touching other people or common objects. You can help prevent the spread of viruses by washing your hands. Follow these five steps to wash your hands:

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), and apply soap.
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Sing the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or an air dryer.

“February is Black History Month. It is a time where the great work and accomplishments of Black/African Americans are recognized and celebrated.”

February Classroom Lesson:

For the month of February, the theme is celebrating differences. Ms. Ho-Shing and I encourage you to discuss the content of the lesson with your child and help them reflect on the content. Please contact us if you have any questions!

Hello, families! At Glyndon, we use virtue language to encourage and acknowledge responsibility and respect. This calendar contains the weekly virtues in the current month. Each day will have an activity that is assigned based on the weekly virtue. If your scholar participates in this activity, have them color in the box. When your scholar brings the completed calendar back to school at the end of the month, they will be entered into a raffle to win a prize! For every 5 activities completed, they will earn a raffle ticket, therefore increasing their chances of winning if they complete the whole month (ex. 20 days completed = 4 raffle tickets). Best of luck to your scholars as they continue to live the virtues!

Sign up for Parent University Newsletters! Many helpful resources every month emailed right to you.

I am available at any time if you need resources or have questions, please feel free to contact me.

Smartin12@bcps.org - 443-809-1867

Why Regular Attendance Is Important!

According to the Maryland Compulsory Attendance Law, "Under Maryland law, a truant student is one who is “unlawfully absent” from school for more than:

• 8 days in any quarter,
• 15 days in any semester, OR

• 20 days in a school year

All participants are asked to bring one Glyndon Elementary reusable grocery bag. The Grocery Give Away will take place inside of the Glyndon Community CARE Cottage (trailer), located in the front of the school. Each participant can fill the regular sized grocery bag. The shopping time is in the morning from 8:30AM-9:00AM and in the afternoon from 3:00PM-3:30PM. Please remember to bring your mobile phone as you will need to use it and scan the QR code to check in.

The annual Mind Over Matter Annual Conference will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology. The goal of this event is to raise awareness about the importance of children’s mental health and substance use prevention. This event is for all BCPS students and their parents/caregivers. and will include student performances, a keynote speaker, and breakout sessions. There will also be vendors, free promotional items, giveaways, face-painting, and more!

In the 2024-2025 school year, each student and that student’s parents/guardians will be financially responsible for damage or loss to any Chromebook or other device assigned to the student. As an instructional tool, there is no initial cost for a student to receive a Chromebook or other device. Families are only financially responsible when there is avoidable damage to the device. Fees related to repair or replacement of a damaged device are outlined according to the repair cost chart above.

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*NO Cars in the bus loop from 8:00-9:00 a.m. & 3:00-4:00 p.m.

*No student is permitted to walk across the bus loop by themselves. A parent/guardian MUST escort the student across the sidewalk and bus loop.

*NO double parking! (Double parking is illegal in the state of Maryland.)