Dear RBES Families,
I wanted to lift up the importance of student attendance again. I’m excited to report that our Quarter 1 attendance rate was 94.3% which is the highest it’s been in the six years I’ve been an administrator at Running Brook. Let’s keep this trend up! The goal is a 95% attendance rate for each quarter. Students who are in school (and arrive on time) receive an additional house point each day. That means students can receive 5 house points a week for coming to school!
I am resharing critical research regarding student attendance below.
Research is clear that showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic and social success, starting from kindergarten and continuing through high school. Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school, or even facing social challenges.
Missing 10% (or about 18 days of a school year) can drastically affect a student’s academic success.
By the 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that can indicate if a student is at risk for dropping out of high school.
In the 9th grade, regular and high attendance predicts graduation rates better than 8th grade test scores.
Student attendance is a major point of focus for the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) as well as Howard County. With the collaborative effort of HCPSS parents/guardians, staff, and students, we are confident that all students can have successful attendance. This will improve student success in school and set them up for a successful future!
Take Care,
Mrs. Spivey
TechGirls at Running Brook - Don't Miss this Opportunity
Registration is now open for the TechGirls Spring Semester!
TechGirls is a weekly free after-school STEM program consisting of 1.5-hour sessions for girls in 4th and 5th grades. Led by high school tutors, the program features 10 interactive STEM workshops with hands-on activities, such as constructing stable bridges and creating slime to explore chemical reactions. Participants will also enjoy a field trip to the University of Maryland, hosted by the Women in Engineering program, with activities for both students and their parents. The program concludes with a graduation ceremony featuring fun games, refreshments, and a celebration of the students’ achievements.
The program begins on Thursday, January 30th, at 3:55 pm. Please have your child report to the TechGirls classroom (room number will be provided later).
Please complete the following forms by January 28th:
For more details, check out our flyer: TechGirls_intro_flyer 2024-2025 Spring. Questions? Email techgirlsinfo@gmail.com,
Winter Parent/Teacher Conferences
Registration for February 2025 confrences will be available online 8 am, January 23rd through 4:00 pm, January 31.
Conferences will be held Wednesday, February 5 (afternoon in person; evening virtual) and Thursday, Feb 6 (virtual only).
Parents/guardians must log in with their own credentials. Please check to be sure you are not logged in as your child. Contact your child's school if you have questions.
- Log in to HCPSS Connect Synergy using parent/guardian credentials.
- Select Conference from the left navigation pane, and click the Parent Scheduled Conferences link in the top right corner.
- Select one time option for each class listed. The conference will be saved automatically.
- To select a different time option, use the time slot drop down menu to update a conference to a new time.
- To remove a conference selection, select the blank option at the top of the time slot drop down menu to remove the conference for that section.
- If you have more than one child, select the next child in the top left corner.
- Click Send Email in the top right corner to send yourself an email with your schedule.
Winter Parent/Teacher Conferences
Registration for February 2025 confrences will be available online 8 am, January 23rd through 4:00 pm, January 31.
Conferences will be held Wednesday, February 5 (afternoon in person; evening virtual) and Thursday, Feb 6 (virtual only).
Parents/guardians must log in with their own credentials. Please check to be sure you are not logged in as your child. Contact your child's school if you have questions.
- Log in to HCPSS Connect Synergy using parent/guardian credentials.
- Select Conference from the left navigation pane, and click the Parent Scheduled Conferences link in the top right corner.
- Select one time option for each class listed. The conference will be saved automatically.
- To select a different time option, use the time slot drop down menu to update a conference to a new time.
- To remove a conference selection, select the blank option at the top of the time slot drop down menu to remove the conference for that section.
- If you have more than one child, select the next child in the top left corner.
- Click Send Email in the top right corner to send yourself an email with your schedule.
Road to Kindergarten
Do you have a child who will be 5 years old by September 1, 2025? Please save the date and join us for an upcoming Road to Kindergarten parent information session. All sessions will run 6:30-7:30 p.m. and cover the same content.
At this session you will learn:
- Expectations for school readiness (and receive a Ready for Kindergarten toolkit);
- Details about the HCPSS kindergarten program;
- Information about HCPSS kindergarten registration and website;
- Ways that families and children can be supported during the transition to kindergarten.
Information sessions will be offered at the following times:
- January 21, 2025, Hammond High School*
- January 23, 2025 Centennial High School**
- January 28, 2025, Wilde Lake High School*
- SNOW DATE: Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, Hammond High School**
* Spanish interpreter will be present at these sites.
** Chinese, Korean, and Spanish interpreters will be present at these sites
CLICK HERE for additional information
Free Parenting/Grandparenting Classes
Free! On Zoom and open to parents, guardians and grandparents residing in HoCo or with school-age children/grandchildren residing in HoCo. This evidence-based, interactive prevention program provides families with the skills and knowledge to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs including alcohol or engage in other dangerous behaviors. The curriculum was written for families with children 9-14 years olds, but we believe it is appropriate for K-12 families. Class dates: March 18, 21, 25, 28 and April 1 from Noon to 1:30 p.m. on Zoom.
Visit HC DrugFree’s website for more information and register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Spring2025GGC
Spring Fair
The RBES PTA is seeking a lead volunteer for the Spring Fair. If you would like to lead, please rbesptavicepresident@runningbrookpta.org
Birthday Celebrations
Cupcakes are not permitted in classrooms for birthday celebrations. If please review the list of approved food items for In-School Celebrations. Please be sure to check with your student's teacher about in school celebrations
Arrival & Dismissal Reminders
- Please follow the directions of staff in the car loop.
- Please refrain from walking through the parking lot during arrival and dismissal. Use the sidewalks and crosswalks.
- Please refrain from parking/backing in the parking lot and walking your student. It has caused major delays when vehicles attempt to get out of the parking lot during arrival and dismissal.
- For the safety of our staff and students, family members are not permitted in the building (classrooms, restrooms, band room, etc.) during arrival and dismissal.
- To ensure efficient arrival and dismissal procedures, please make appointments with your child’s teacher to conference so that our teachers can give our parents the quality time deserved, rather than holding quick conversations during arrival and dismissal in the car loop.
Family File - Must be Completed Each School Year!
HCPSS utilizes Family File for parents/guardians to complete emergency information. All parents/guardians must verify and/or update information for each child each school year. Parents/guardians can complete Family File by logging in to HCPSS Connect selecting the "More Options" tab on the left and then selecting "Family File" in the center column.
Once logged in, parents/guardians will be asked to update or provide the following information:
Student Information
Parent/Guardian Contact
Emergency Contacts
Medical Information
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures and Transportation Options
Photo Approval
Data Confidentiality
Student Creative Work Approval
PTA/PTSA Directory
Changes of address may not be made through Family File. If you have recently moved, please contact your child’s 2023-2024 school as soon as possible.
Resources on how to use Family File may be found online, including instructions on how to reset passwords. Written directions can be accessed here on how to complete the HCPSS Family file. If you need additional assistance, please contact your child’s school or complete this Connect Help Form.