Elmwood School Community,

As we welcome the last quarter of the school year, I want to encourage all of us, as a unified school community, to expect more.

Yes, expect more. Expect more from me as the principal. Expect more from your child as a student. Expect more from your child's teacher to inform, engage, and educate. And, expect more from yourself as a parent/ guardian to remain committed in finishing this year 100% fully invested in making certain your child receives the maximum benefits of their educational opportunities.

Elmwood will become a Community School in the 2024-2025 school year. We are seeking staff, family and community input. Please take a few minutes to complete this form. Included in the form is a link to a video that will explain more about Community Schools. Click on the language button at the top for translation options.

Mark your calendar for our 3rd annual Mindfulness Night! Dinner will be provided for all that RSVP. Families will also have an opportunity to shop at our Scholastic Book Fair. https://forms.gle/71cXgUdQY1c2qBHS9

School Code: 14871624

This year, we have set two school-wide attendance goals:

*Decrease the percentage of students chronically absent from 42.5% in 2023 to 20% in 2024

*Decrease the percentage of EL students chronically absent from 48.3 in 2023 to 28.3% in 2024.

Please see the graphics for progress towards our goals.

Please look at the attendance rate for your child(ren)'s class. The classes who are highlighted green, are meeting the state attendance expectation. Please keep track of your child's attendance so that they are present for 94% of the year (18 days or less).

Click HERE for ELA Module 7 Family Letters - All grade levels

Click HERE for Math Unit 6 Family Letters - All Grade Levels

Can you provide more information on bullying? How do I know if my child is being bullied or just having conflict with a friend? What can I do at home?

It’s exciting to think about all the fun that Spring brings, especially warmer weather and longer days! Attached you will find the Elementary SEL Calendar and the Adult SEL Calendar for April 2024 that include helpful activities to encourage skills and practices for building social emotional learning.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Support Groups, Classes, Events Virtual and In-Person

https://namibaltimore.org/what-we-do/support-groups/

ESOL Classes – Community College of Baltimore County Virtual and In-Person

https://www.ccbcmd.edu/Programs-and-Courses/Basic-Education/ESOL-Options/English-for-Speakers-of-Other-Languages/ESOL-Registration.aspx

Every Wednesday – Every Month! Two English sessions, 10:00 AM & 1:00 PM Family Support Wednesdays Virtual: https://meet.google.com/jbx-jjbt-exc Every Wednesday join BCPS Department of Special Education for an opportunity to find support, connection, and information designed for just parents of young children with developmental delays (birth – 5). These are casual groups to get to know each other and build community. On the last Wednesday there is a special session for caregivers of micro-preemies and children with special healthcare needs from 2:00 – 2:45 PM.

April 12 – 12:30 PM Lunch & Learn – This is Hard! How to Help Your Child Do Hard Things and Persevere in the Face of Challenges (also offered April 12) Virtual Presented by Mariposa Education Parents often find it difficult to encourage their child to keep trying when things are hard, or to do hard things. And the many ways we try to motivate our children can backfire. It turns out that when we are learning something new, we need 5 forms of positive feedback for every negative or constructive form of feedback. And yet how we offer that feedback makes a big difference. In this workshop, we will give you the language to reinforce your child so that they can build the self-motivation they need to try again and do hard things.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElduuqqzItGtGqro8aqY-_iJWcAd0EgqtN#/registration

April 19 – 12:30 PM Lunch & Learn - Embracing Your Power: The Importance of Nurturing Yourself Virtual Presented by the Center for Family Success Center for Family Success is partnering with Parent University to offer monthly Lunch & Learn sessions on parent hacks, early learning, and health related topics.

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/parent-university-28366717717

Below are the Team Members who were highlighted in our weekly Team Member Spotlight on facebook last month. Enjoy getting to know our amazing Elmwood faculty and staff!

Do you know a teacher who goes above and beyond? The Baltimore Ravens Touchdown for Teachers program™, presented by M&T Bank, recognizes local teachers for outstanding service to their schools and communities.

Nominations are open through Friday, April 5.

Elmwood Experience Part 2 was a wonderful day of learning and connecting together! Enjoy some pictures from our time together. 🤩

Email: lrode@bcps.org
Website: https://elmwoodes.bcps.org
Location: 531 Dale Avenue, Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 443-809-5232
Twitter: @elmwoodes