Bulldog Bulletin

February was a quick month filled with love, snow days, 2 hour delays, and early dismissals. We also had our first virtual learning day and everyone rocked it! We have some exciting events planned for this spring like International Night, Community Job Fair, Math Resource Night, and more! Keep your eyes out for information about those events as they get closer.

Our mission is to provide a safe, positive, and effective educational environment that is student centered and focused on individual growth and achievement to prepare our students for college and career opportunities in a multicultural, technologically advanced, global society.

We are REALLY excited to welcome the CCBC PSFALS program to Arbutus Elementary! They are going to help Ms. Zalucki organize the Community Care Closet so it's ready for everyone to come "shop".

If you are in need of clothes, food, or any other items, please reach out to Ms. Zalucki to schedule a time to stop by.

We are working with the Lansdowne High School feeder schools to host a community job fair! There will be presentations about resume writing and interviewing skills, interpreters will be available, and employers with openings will be in attendance!

If you have a company that would like to set up a table, please let Ms. Zalucki know!

A BIG thank you to Sorrentos of Arbutus for helping us with our attendance incentive. Mr. Harold and Mr. Henry have been helping out our ACE Your Attendance students by providing pizza for students who hit their attendance goal for the week.

Guidance and Information for BCPS Schools and Families Regarding Immigration Enforcement Actions At Schools

On January 23, 2025, the Maryland State Department of Education provided local school systems with guidance on how school-based personnel should respond to requests from immigration or law enforcement officials while upholding student rights. BCPS will follow the state’s guidance—as well as our established procedures and processes for law enforcement requests at schools—and we will work closely with local, state and federal partners.

The safety and well-being of our 110,000 students remains our top priority, and we want to share important reminders for all members of our community that underscore our commitment to fostering safe and inclusive learning environments where all students thrive—

• All children have a right to equal access to a free public education, regardless of the immigration status of the child or their parent/guardian. The 1982 Supreme Court ruling in Plyler v. Doe ensures equal access to education for children regardless of status.
  
• While our schools require proof of residency in Baltimore County, BCPS does not ask about a child’s immigration status at any time.
  
• Federal and state laws protect education records and personal information. BCPS does not release student information without consent from parents/guardians unless we are required to respond to a court order or subpoena.
  
• BCPS does not tolerate bullying, harassment, discrimination or intimidation for any reason, including immigration status. Students, parents/caregivers, and staff are urged to promptly report incidents of bullying and harassment to school administrators and/or complete the online Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Reporting Form.

BCPS will continue to closely monitor developments at the local, state and federal level, and work with county and state partners to provide resources and updates and ensure that we address the needs of our school communities.

Thank you for your support.

Resources:

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has identified several resources for families:

• Parents/guardians can identify a “standby guardian” to care for their child if they are detained or deported, by completing this Maryland Judiciary form and providing a copy to schools, health care providers, and family members.
  
• Families trying to locate someone who has already been detained, may use the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainee locator.
  
• Legal assistance is available from a variety of sources, including immigration lawyers in private practice, accredited representatives (non-attorneys who assist individuals in immigration proceedings), and legal-aid organizations:

The People’s Law Library of Maryland Immigration Advocates Network

Immigration Advocates Network

• Several immigration organizations have provided guidance related to preparing for and/or responding to immigration action.
  • Family Preparedness Plans – Michigan Immigration Rights Center.
  • ACLU.
  • Immigrant Resource Center.
  • USAHello.

March:

🌸6 - PTA Meeting - virtual and in person

🌸11 - PTA Restaurant Night - State Fare

🌸13 - Grades 3 and 4 Field Trip

🌸25 - 4th Grade JA Biztown Field Trip

🌸31 - No School for Students

• Penny Race Begins

April:

🌸4 - ACE's Birthday Bash

• Half Day for Students - end of Q3

🌸8 - International Night

🌸9 - Lansdowne Collaborative Job Fair

🌸10 - PreK Field Trip

🌸14 - 21 Spring Break

🌸22 - School Reopens

🌸24 - PTA Meeting

🌸25 - PreK and K Conferences. No school for Pre-K or K students

🌸28 - PreK Conference Day. No school for Pre-K students

We're starting a NEW attendance incentive for the rest of the year! For the last few months of school, we will have specific dates where students should come to school in their Community School T-Shirts. If they come to school wearing their community school gear, students will be entered into a raffle to win a lunch bunch with Ms. Zalucki!

Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, and 5th Grade will be battling it out for the month of March to see who can bring their grade level’s attendance rate to 95%. If they hit their goal, they’ll earn extra recess! The grade with the highest attendance rate in March will earn an additional surprise!

WHOLE SCHOOL Incentive → On May 27, 2025 we will be having Kona Ice for our students that increase their attendance percentage from quarter 3 to quarter 4. It will start on April 7, 2025 and will continue until May 23, 2025.

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."

🚍Arrival is from 9:00 - 9:15 AM

Dismissal is from 4:00 - 4:15 PM🚗

• Please notify the school in writing of any changes to the dismissal status of your child/children.
• Between 8-9:15 a.m. and 3-4:15 p.m. there will be a No Parking Zone along Sulphur Spring Road (school side) in front of the school building, including the area in front of the breezeway/library. This will provide parents/guardians of car riders with a lane to wait so traffic on Sulphur Spring Road can continue to move if the school lot becomes full.

BCPS presents Art is for Everyone at the Baltimore Museum of Art from March 19th to the 23rd. This show celebrates student artists from all Baltimore County Public Schools. Student artwork from prekindergarten through twelfth grade will be on display. Admission to the collection is free. Stop by during normal operating hours to view the exhibit!

Mrs. Henry:

Attention 5th grade parents!! Your 5th grader will participate in a Ballroom Dancing unit the week of March 24th. Parents are invited to attend the Ballroom Dancing Showcase on Friday, March 28th from 11:20-12:15. More details to follow.

Field Day will be here before we know it! Mark your calendars for Friday, May 23rd (rain date-May 30th). If you are interested in volunteering, please make sure you are BCPS volunteer certified for the 2024-2025 school year. Use the link below to get volunteer certified.

BCPS Volunteers - Baltimore County Public Schools

While most students are fully vaccinated against measles and should be immune, the following people may want to consult with their health care provider about whether additional vaccines and/or precautions are needed:

• Parents of young children who have not had two doses of MMR vaccine,

• Parents of children on "catch-up schedules" for vaccines,

• Parents of students who have had health or religious exemptions to vaccines, and

• Adults who did not have two doses of measles vaccines when they were children (typically persons vaccinated prior to 1989.)

The Baltimore County Department of Health can assist persons who do not have insurance for vaccines as well as those have Medical Assistance. The attached flier provides more information about measles and health department resources.

The classroom counseling lessons in March will concentrate on exploring career options and helping students connect their interests to potential careers.