Hollywood Elementary
Summer Break Edition
IMPORTANT HES INFO
Hollywood Families,
As we finish another school year, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the journey we've shared and express my gratitude for your continued support and partnership in your child's education.
This year has been filled with growth, discovery, and memorable experiences for our students. From academic achievements to personal milestones, each child has made significant progress, and it's been a privilege to witness their development firsthand. Their enthusiasm for learning, coupled with your unwavering encouragement, has truly been the driving force behind their success.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our dedicated team of educators and staff who have worked tirelessly to create a nurturing and enriching learning environment. Their passion for teaching and commitment to student well-being have made a profound impact on the lives of our children.
As we look ahead to the summer break, I encourage you to continue fostering a love for learning and exploration with your child. Whether it's through reading together, engaging in hands-on activities, or simply spending quality time as a family, these moments play a vital role in shaping lifelong learners.
Please remember that our school doors are always open, and we welcome your feedback and input as we strive for continuous improvement. Your partnership is invaluable, and together, we can ensure that every child reaches their full potential.
Wishing you a safe, restful, and joyous summer vacation filled with cherished memories and new adventures.
Warm Regards,
Mrs. DiRenzo
PTO News:
The PTO rescheduled the Blue Crabs Spirit Night on June 18th.
Important Events and Dates
June 7: Last Day of School for Students & 2-Hour Early Dismissal
June 13: MP4 Report Cards available on HAC
June 18: Re-Scheduled PTO Blue Crabs Spirit Night
June 25: HAC closes for the '23-'24 school year
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER FROM THE HES STAFF!!!
BEST OF LUCK 5TH GRADERS! ONCE A HERON, ALWAYS A HERON!
Summer Food Service Outreach
SMCPS Lunch and Learn Program
Free Summer 2024 Lunch Program
St. Mary’s County Public Schools’ Judy Center Early Learning Hubs and Food and Nutrition Services in partnership with the St. Mary’s County Public Library and the St. Mary’s County Department of Social Services will be offering a FREE summer lunch program for children up to age 18 and accompanying adult for 10 weeks this summer.
Lunch and Learn
Monday- Thursday
July 8th - August 1st
Lexington Park Elementary School
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch at the Library
Monday –Friday
June 10th - July 5th
August 2nd - 16th
Fridays Only
July 12th, 19th, 26th
Lexington Park Library
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Closed on June 19th in observance of Juneteenth Day and July 4th in observance of Independence Day
For additional information regarding lunch please contact Food and Nutrition Services at foodservice@smcps.org
This institution is an equal opportunity provider
Judy Center programming is developed with funds from the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Early Childhood.
Pre- Kindergarten 4 Application
St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) will begin to accept Pre- Kindergarten 4 Applications on Thursday, April 11, 2024. The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future allows for families with children who are 4 years old on or before September 1, 2024, to apply for full-day Pre-Kindergarten. All families are welcome to apply; however, income is the primary qualifier for eligibility. All applications will be screened and identified on a System of Tiers.
The SMCPS website, www.smcps.org, has information and guidance for completing the 2024-
2025 Pre-Kindergarten Application. You may also contact us using the helpdesk form, call 301-
475-5511 ext. 32285, or email Mrs. Charlottis Woodley, Director of Parent & Family Engagement, at cmwoodley@smcps.org. Spanish language assistance is available.
Kindergarten Registration for the 2024–2025 school year!
All schools will hold open registration beginning Monday, May 6, 2024, which will continue -throughout the summer. Students who are currently enrolled in SMCPS Pre-K do NOT need to re-register. Current Pre-K students will rollover to kindergarten, unless they are an out of district transfer student.
Parents of children who will be five years old by September 1, 2024, should register at the school assigned to their physical address during the open enrollment period.
Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s) may go to the school assigned to their legal address to complete
the registration paperwork. Children are not required to be present for registration. Required
documentation includes evidence of birth, proof of residency, a copy of the child’s immunization record, and any court papers regarding custody of the minor child. Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s) must also bring photo identification when registering their child.
Each elementary school will conduct open enrollment for the children residing in their zone.
Information regarding which school serves your residential area is provided by the Department
of Capital Planning at SMCPS - Find a School by your address or 301-475-4256, option 6.
Attendance Matters
It's true, we are approaching the halfway point of the school year! It's going quickly. HES staff know this can be a challenging time for the students to attend daily because the excitement of the holidays is over and it can feel like a grind to the students. It may be a little more challenging for your student to get out of bed in the morning or they may be feeling overwhelmed because they have already missed a few days of school. We are asking for families to help the students attend school every day, even when it's a difficult morning. We are all here to help and support them if they need some extra attention on those tough days. By attending, even when it's hard, they are growing the muscle of resilience and determination that will help them throughout their lives.
From the School Nurse
For the 24/25 school year SMCPS will no longer be using the Over the Counter Medication Authorization form. If you will require your student to keep an over the counter medication at school, such as Tylenol, a primary care provider will need to fill out a medication order form. Please let me know if you have any questions.
PreK families please be aware that student are required to have an MMR vaccination as well as a Varicella vaccination for the start of Kindergarten.
Have a wonderful summer!
Nurse Briggs
Sick Day Guidelines
KEEP ME HOME IF...
- I have a temperature higher than 100°F.
- I'm throwing up or have diarrhea.
- My eyes are pink and crusty.
SEND ME BACK TO SCHOOL WHEN...
My symptoms have significantly improved or resolved.
I haven't had a fever or fever-reducing medication for 24 hours.
I haven't thrown up, had diarrhea or had medications to control these symptoms for 24 hours.
If antibiotics have been prescribed, I have been taking them for at least 24 hours.
CALL THE DOCTOR IF...
I’ve had a temperature higher than 100°F for more than 2 days.
I've been throwing up or having diarrhea for more than 2 days.
I've had cold symptoms for more than a week and they aren't getting any better.
I still have asthma symptoms after using my asthma medicine (and call 911 if I'm having trouble breathing after using an inhaler).
SMCPS Calendar
2023-2024 SMCPS Calendar. The new calendar is posted online at www.smcps.org/calendar
SMCPS Devices
Please review laptop expectations by sharing this presentation with your child. Classroom teachers will be reviewing laptop expectations with students at school as well. Thank you!
Need to purchase a laptop charger?
You can do one of two things:
1. Email your child's teacher or the Library Media Specialist Miss Hazuda (sjhazuda@smcps.org) that you wish to pay for the missing laptop charger. A fine then can be assessed so that you can pay using My School Bucks, sending in cash, or a check (made out to SMCPS).
OR
2. Go directly to the DELL store. You can purchase directly from their website and have it shipped to your home.
Ensure one of these links is being used:
www.dell.com/mpp/smcps (click Shop Recommended Solutions to get to the discounted power cords)
www.dell.com/mpp/smcps-chargers (leads directly to the purchasing portal)
If you purchase from Dell, please make sure that you label the charger with the student's first and last name before sending it to school. If you have any questions, please contact your child's teacher or the Library Media Specialist Miss Hazuda (sjhazuda@smcps.org).
SMCPS 2024 Student Handbook, Code of Conduct
My School Bucks
Home Access Center / HAC
Volunteer Application - CLOSED as of April 26, 2024
School Messenger Text Messaging
School Messenger Text Messaging FAQ's
Schoology
Do you have the Schoology App?
Log Into the Schoology Mobile App
If you already have a Schoology account, download the Schoology app from Apple App Store, Google Play or the Amazon App Store. Tap the app icon to open it on your device.
You can use an email address or username to log into the application, depending on how your account was set up:
Log in through your School
Use the keyboard to enter SMCPS. As you type, matching choices populate in the list. The name, ID number, city, state, and zip code for the school should appear below.
Tap the name of your school or organization when it displays.
Use the email address or username to log in to the application, that was sent to you via email from Schoology with an app password. If you are an SMCPS student or teacher this is NOT your SMCPS password.
Tap LOG IN to complete.
If you are able to sign in with Google, and you are an SMCPS student or staff, please use that login process and follow the provided instructions in the prompts.
Want to enable notifications? Please check this document
Birthday Treats
Birthday treats present the potential for allergic reactions for many of our students. They also interrupt instruction. However, we understand that some students enjoy celebrating their birthday with their friends at school. Because of all of these factors, birthday treats may NOT be edible. Gift bags with stickers, pencils, crayons, erasers, and/or other small toys are acceptable. They can also be shared at recess or the end of the day which doesn’t compromise instructional time. Parents who wish to provide birthday treats to a class are asked to notify the homeroom teacher in advance and to drop them off in the front office as early as possible. All student birthdays (including summer birthdays) are announced on the morning announcements and students receive a birthday ribbon sticker from the front office!
Hollywood Elementary School...
...provides a rich educational experience that focuses on preparing well rounded students that are ready to succeed in their future college and career endeavors. Hollywood educates and inspires our diverse population in a safe and respectful environment. Students are engaged in authentic learning experiences that foster work habits and skills necessary to become collaborative, dedicated, and productive citizens.
Email: eedirenzo@smcps.org
Website: https://schools.smcps.org/hes/
Location: 44345 Joy Chapel Road, Hollywood, MD, USA
Phone: (301) 373-4350
Twitter: @hes_smcps