The Fulton Flier

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Dear Fulton Community,

Last week, we had a great time warming up with some fun reading activities during our Reading Night on Thursday. A big thank you to our dedicated staff members who helped plan and organize such a successful event! Students from all grade levels, along with prospective students, enjoyed a variety of fun and meaningful reading activities, all while sipping on warm hot chocolate. We’re grateful to everyone who participated and look forward to seeing you all at Math Night this spring!

Wishing you wave of joy,

Dr. Burks, Mrs. Liwosz, & Mrs. Sillers

We wish those students, families, and community members celebrating, a Blessed Ramadan. If your child will be fasting on certain days and would like to go to another location to read or color during their designated lunch time, our school counselors will provide supervision in their office during Ramadan.

Please complete one form submission per child.

If your family requires assistance in affording a book or item from the book fair, please complete this form. Rest assured that your information will remain confidential. Should you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our School Counselor, Samantha Courtemanche at Samantha_Courtemanche@hcpss.org.

You can check out more about our upcoming book fair via this link.

Clubs/Group Picture Day is scheduled for February 24. If your student participates in an FES sponsored club or group (i.e. chorus, band, orchestra, SGA, etc.) they will have their pictures taken for the yearbook.

Class Picture Day is scheduled for February 25. Information to order pictures is coming soon!

For further information on the dates, times and locations of the groups, and to discuss whether this group would be a good fit for you, please contact Lisa Dickerson-Guerra at lisa_dickerson-guerra@hcpss.org or 443-766-2916.

February

• 02/17: Schools Closed - Presidents’ Day
• 02/21-02/28: Scholastic Book Fair
• 02/24: Club/Group Picture Day
• 02/25: Class Picture Day
• 02/26: 7:00 PTA Meeting (in-person, cafeteria)

March

• 03/03: 4:15 School Tour for SY25-26 Families
• 03/03: Late SY25-25 Kindergarten Registration
• 03/03-03/07: Kindergarten and New First Grader Registration
• 03/04: SGA Spirit Day: March Into Reading (wear clothes with letters
• 03/05 & 03/06: 5th Grade MISA testing
• 03/14: Professional Work and Wellness Day: Schools close 3 hours early
• 03/17: SGA Spirit Day: Lucky To Be Readers (wear green or lucky items)
• 03/24: SGA Spirit Day: Spring Into Reading (wear spring colors)
• 03/27: Spring Picture Day
• 03/28: End of 3rd quarter
• 03/31: Professional Work and Development Day: Schools closed for students

For a complete list of dates and events visit https://fes.hcpss.org/calendar

Upcoming Dates

PTA Sponsored Events

2/19 • Maiwand Kabob

Maiwand Kabob is hosting a fundraiser this Wednesday, Feb 19. 10% of the proceeds go to Fulton ALL DAY! Don't forget to mention FES!

Book Fair

2/21-2/28 • Fulton Elementary

The book fair starts FRIDAY! There are still a lot of open volunteer slots so please consider signing up as this is always a really fun and exciting event for the kids! Find details and sign-up here: Sign-Up Genius

Please note all Cash Register Volunteers must attend the Feb 20 (Thu) 10:45-11:45 am training in FES Media Center.

PTA Meeting

2/26 • 7-8pm • Fulton Elementary

Save the date for our next general PTA meeting on February 26 from 7:00-8:00pm. Buy a book during the special evening hours at the book fair first and then pop by the meeting!

Falcon Follies

4/24 • 6-8pm • Reservoir High School
If your student likes to sing, dance, tell jokes, do magic or otherwise perform and entertain - they can start preparing now for the Falcon Follies show on April 24th! Stay tuned for more details!

The River Hill Maryland Tech Honor Society (MTHS) is proud to present an exciting day of Science, Engineering, and Computer Science to inspire the next generation! Fifth graders at Fulton will be joined by members of the River Hill MTHS club on February 20th during math class to explore different experiments involving Programming, Human Anatomy, Small Engineering, or Chemical Engineering. If you are willing to donate an item to help make this day successful for our 5th graders, please see the flier below.

If you recently misplaced an AirTag at Fulton Elementary School, please visit our front office and provide a description of it so we can return it to you.

​​The Gifted and Talented (G/T) Summer Institutes for Talent Development offers additional advanced-level instruction and enrichment experiences not regularly available during the academic school year for students entering grades 1-8. Rigorous instruction focusing on talent development is offered in mathematics, science, social studies, language arts, technology and fine arts.

No testing nor prior G/T coursework is required for enrollment in these enrichment offerings.

Location: Burleigh Manor Middle School

Session 1: June 30 - July 11 (no class July 4)

Session 2: July 14-25

Hours: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Cost: $330 per session (Financial assistance is available for students participating in the Free and Reduced Meal Program.)

Students may attend Session 1, Session 2, or both sessions. While the program is half-day, after care is available on site via Howard County Recreation and Parks. Snack is provided.

A few highlights ---

• Bus transportation to area collector stops!

• Exciting courses in Humanities, STEM, and the Arts!

Registration is now open for families of HCPSS students through HCPSS Connect. The first registration request window will close on February 18 at 12 p.m.

For more information on how to register, please see this registration guide.

• G/T Course Listing

  
  

Contact: GTSummer@hcpss.org or 410-313-6671.

A heartfelt thank you to our amazing PTA for organizing the Pop-up Snack Bar during Parent-Teacher Conferences. Your thoughtful gesture gave our staff a much-needed treat. We truly appreciate your continued support and dedication to our school community!

State law requires that all public schools in Maryland survey students about school climate. The purpose of the survey is to gain valuable information about the quality and character of each school’s learning environment so that schools can promote a climate that supports student learning.

5th grade students at Fulton will take the Maryland School Survey during their technology class between February 17 - February 28, 2025. The survey will ask students about topics such as student engagement, interactions with adults and with other students in the school, the school environment, bullying, and safety. The survey will not ask about a student’s personal experiences, and students will not be asked to provide any information that might violate their privacy.

The survey is confidential and school personnel will not have access to the responses of specific students. The responses your child provides will be combined with the responses from other students in the school, and results will be reported for each school and district.

We are eager to receive this very important information about our school.

If you have any questions about this survey, please contact Mrs. Sillers at Justine_Sillers@hcpss.org.

On January 30, 2025, the Board of Education approved adjustments to Policy 8080 - Responsible Use of Technology, Digital Tools, and Social Media that changes the ability for students to use personal devices during the school day. The Board approved the following changes related to the use of personal devices by students at school:

• No students, PreKindergarten-12, will be permitted to use cell phones and other personal technology devices during the student day (first bell to last bell of the day or posted school hours) except for reasons detailed in a student’s IEP, 504, or health plan. Under the prior version of the policy, elementary and middle school students were not permitted to use personal devices during the school day at any time. For high school students, this policy removes access to personal device in between classes and at lunch. For all grade levels, the addition of consequences for violating the policy is new.

• When a personal device is used in violation of the new policy, the device will be confiscated for the remainder of the student day. Following the first violation, the student may retrieve the device at the end of the student day. For all subsequent violations, a parent/guardian must retrieve the device from the school.
• A device that is confiscated during the final period of the student day will be confiscated for the entire next student day. The student may retrieve the device at the end of the day it was originally confiscated to take home but must provide it to the front office upon arrival on the next student day.

• Students may be in possession of personal devices, but they must be “away and silenced,” meaning devices are not able to be seen by either the student or staff member and are set to make no noise. Additionally, devices may not be a distraction.
• Smart watches will be permitted to be worn to check time but may not be a distraction.
• Personal laptops may be used for instructional activities in high school when permitted by the teacher.
• A staff member on a school-sponsored field trip may permit the use of a personal technology device by a student in limited situations where capturing a picture or video may be appropriate or contacting a parent/guardian is necessary.
• School administrators and school administrators’ designees may authorize use of a personal device in rare instances such as an emergency for communication purposes.

These new expectations will take effect on Monday, March 3, 2025. The complete changes and expectationsLinks to an external site. may be found online. Please take time to review these new expectations with your student to ensure they do not violate the new policy.

Our school will adhere strictly to the policy with hopes that the elimination of the distractions that personal devices cause use will result in healthier and more productive learning and social environments during the school day. More information will be shared before the implementation date.

Thank you for your collaboration in the successful implementation of these changes.

Uniqueness: Learning more about others so you can know more about yourself

Sometimes it is easy to notice all the ways we are different. When we look around, we can start to notice that everyone is created to be unique. We can appreciate how our friends and family all look different, have different likes and dislikes, and have different skills.

In the short film, “The Reflection in Me,” the main character has a conversation with their own reflection in the mirror. The reflection compliments them on not only the way they look, but also things about their character and hobbies. Take a few minutes to watch this video and be reminded that the reflection in your own mirror can stop and have a conversation with you, taking notice of all the things that make you unique and wonderful.

It's winter, and that means the germs are here!

Currently we have Influenza, Strep and Norovirus (GI virus) hitting several students and staff. I would like to remind parents of HCPSS policies and Howard County's Health Department policies.

• Anyone with a temperature of 100 or higher (for any reason), needs to be fever free for 24 hours without the use of ibuprofen or acetaminophen before returning to school.
• Anyone with vomiting or diarrhea should stay home for 48 hours after the last episode. Although the HCPSS policy is 24 hours, the Howard County Health Department states 48 hours due to the severity of the norovirus that's going around. Additional time at home may be needed to recover from symptoms, regain energy, get hydrated and feel well enough to return to school.

Please keep this in mind. We've sent home students from school who return before they are ready to return.

Stay safe and keep washing those hands!

A new webpage highlights HCPSS and community resources for families, including those related to food, shelter, financial assistance, and more. Please click on this link to access the new page.

Get ready for an unforgettable basketball experience! The 8th Annual Skyy 2 Win Spring Break Basketball Camp is here, offering your young athlete the chance to learn from one of the best in the game!

This camp is designed to help your child take their game to the next level while building memories that last a lifetime.

From April 14-17, 2025, at Long Reach High School in Columbia, Maryland, your player will train under the guidance of Coach Patterson (Coach P)—a world-renowned coach who has traveled the globe teaching basketball. Known for his high-energy coaching style and innovative techniques, Coach P is dedicated to helping players develop their skills and build confidence on the court.

Check out this link for more information.

We are a year round program with intense training, mentorship opportunities, and winning mentality. This program is looking for student-athletes that are serious about the game of basketball and have the skills to play on a competitive level. Complete the registration form and we will see you there!

LIFE Elite Athletics is an organization that caters to the youth and young adults. We foster the development of leadership qualities through a commitment to education and community involvement. We aim to provide our constituents with versatile experiences through scholastic empowerment, athletic conditioning, and cultural exposure. We believe in guiding our youth to Seeing Obstacles as Lessons Understanding Trials Induce Opportunities for Next Steps (SOLUTIONS) mentality.

We create opportunities for youth and young adults to achieve their dreams by providing them with resources, instilling work ethic, and building the confidence needed to be successful adults.

Teaching the game of basketball is an avenue used to achieve said goals. We believe in using basketball as a tool to prepare the players for real life; by instilling discipline, dedication, teamwork, leadership to name a few. In addition, we work on the fundamentals of basketball and enhance the basketball IQ of each player. Lastly, we aim to win, to build confidence in our kids, and learn from losses.

Free Life Skills Classes for HoCo Middle/High School Students

• Classes will be taught by HoCo college students with high school student assistants and adult supervision. Botvin’s Evidence Based Curriculum promotes positive health and personal development for students in grades 6 to 9. (Slightly younger students will be considered especially if joining an older sibling, and students older than 9th grade may be invited to join our high school team to earn Community Service Hours while learning.) If parents/guardians have questions about the appropriateness for students, register the students and HC DrugFree’s team will contact you. Siblings and friends are encouraged to take these classes together.
• Class dates: February 24, March 3, 10, 17, 31, April 7, 28, and May 5 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. on Zoom. Visit HC DrugFree’s website for more information and register students at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Spring2025LifeSkills
• HoCo High School Student Leadership Opportunity to Earn Community Service Hours: Join HC DrugFree’s instructional team to assist college students teaching online Life Skills classes – all while serving as a role model and mentor to younger HoCo students. This leadership experience looks good on resumes and college applications. For more information and to register to volunteer, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AssistLS2025spring

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