Greetings EES Families,

Welcome to American Education Week! We are thrilled to welcome you into our school community to experience firsthand the extraordinary work happening in our classrooms. This annual tradition allows us to honor the vital partnership between families and educators, and to recognize the collective effort it takes to inspire a lifelong love of learning in our students. Your support and involvement play an essential role in shaping the educational journey of your children, and we are excited to share this special time with you.

Throughout the week, you will have the opportunity to engage with various activities designed to showcase the dynamic learning environment we strive to create every day. From classroom visits to student presentations and interactive workshops, our goal is to give you a window into the dedication, creativity, and collaboration that define our school. These experiences are not only a chance to celebrate your children’s achievements but also an invitation to strengthen the connections between home and school that empower them to thrive.

We look forward to welcoming you during American Education Week and celebrating the integral role families play in fostering educational excellence. Please see the detailed information below to help make American Education Week a wonderful and smooth experience for everyone. Together, we can ensure that every child feels supported, inspired, and equipped to achieve their full potential. Thank you for your continued partnership and for making this event a meaningful and memorable experience for all.

Have a great week!

Sincerely,

Kelley Powell, Principal

LaShonne Wright, Assistant Principal

Jonathan Swann, Assistant Principal

As you know, parking can be problematic and spreading visits throughout the week should lessen the crowded parking lot. We are asking that you use the upper lot and not park in front of the school (bus loop) as buses enter the loop throughout the day.

During your visit, you will see children in action as this is an educational time for your child. Therefore, please understand that teachers will not be able to hold personal conversations with you at this time. Keep in mind the following guidelines about your visit:

• No siblings are allowed to visit ~This is a special time to see your elementary student shine.

• All visitors will still be required to sign in with a driver’s license at the Lobby Gurad kiosk in the front office.

• Due to safety and space, this week is not a good time to have lunch with your child. Recess visits are not allowed. Please time your visit appropriately.

• Please note that if you require the use of your cell phone, only use the lobby area for this use as it disturbs instruction. The best idea would be to turn it off or have on mute while you are visiting.

• Photographs and videos may not be taken by any device in order to ensure the confidentiality of all students. This is even true for your own child.

• We encourage all students to finish the academic day.
  
  

• Please check the lost and found for missing items.

Also, all visitors and volunteers to the classroom, during the instructional day, must complete online trainings regarding the confidentiality of student information and on Child Abuse and Neglect. You may access those trainings by clicking on the link below.

Parent teacher conferences will be held in person on Monday, November 25th. Teachers will hold all conferences in person and parents may only attend their scheduled conferences in person. Conferences will be held virtually only on Tuesday, November 26th and Wednesday, November 27th. During this conference window you will be meeting with your child’s Language Arts teacher (Grades K-2) and AM Teacher (Grades 3-5). These conferences offer an excellent opportunity to discuss student progress, learn about their school day and address any questions you may have. If you would like to conference with a teacher of different content areas (Social Studies, Science & Health), please reach out to the teacher to schedule an alternate time.

Conferences are currently open. You can log into HCPSS Connect to view and select from the time slots provided by the teacher on the days identified above. If you do not have access to HCPSS Connect, please call the school for assistance at 410-313-5006. You will have access through Thursday, November 21th at 4:00 pm to schedule your child’s conference.

Each Related Arts teacher will have a limited number of conference times available if you have a specific concern regarding your child’s progress. In addition, each related arts teacher will provide open office hours if you have any general questions or concerns about their specific instructional area. These times can be found here. If you would like to request a conference time with your child's related arts teacher, please reach out to them directly.

Sammy Pendleton | Art Teacher | Sammy_Lerch@hcpss.org
Ann Valuntis | Art Teacher | Ann_Valuntis@hcpss.org

Heather Green | Media Specialist | Heather_Green@hcpss.org

Megan Tiralla | Instructional Technology Teacher | Megan_Tiralla@hcpss.org

Zakiya Williams | Library Media (0.5) /Technology (0.5) Teacher | Zakiya_Williams@hcpss.org

Carrie Loughry | Music Teacher | Carrie_Loughry@hcpss.org

Devaney Ross | Music Teacher | Devaney_Ross@hcpss.org

Julia Strohl | Band Teacher | Julia_Strohl@hcpss.org

Meghan Taschenberger | Orchestra Teacher | Meghan_Taschenberger@hcpss.org

Andrea Pendergast | Physical Education Teacher | Andrea_Pendergast@hcpss.org

Anthony Strothers | Physical Education Teacher | Anthony_Strothers@hcpss.org

Thomas Cicmanec | Physical Education Teacher (0.6) | Thomas_Cicmanec@hcpss.org

Directions to Select a Conference Time:

Login to hcpss.org/connect

Select Conference

Select a time slot for your conference.

Quick Timeline:

• THIS THURSDAY November 21: Scheduling is closed for parents/guardians at 4:00 pm

• November 25: In-Person Conferences

• November 26-27: Virtual Conferences

Please contact your child’s teacher or the front office if you have any questions or need assistance.

Please support our Pencil-Gram Sale! We are using the funds for 5th Grade and other school activities.

The Math, Engineering, Science Achievement Program (MESA) is a national STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) program dedicated to offering enriching STEM activities and programs for students.

Our 4th and 5th grade MESA Clubs have been off to a great start! On November 20th they will visit Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab where US Naval Academy midshipmen will engage them in STEM challenges. All 4th and 5th grade MESA students should have returned signed permission slips to attend this fieldtrip.

Third grade MESA Club signup is beginning! On Tuesday, November 19th, Third grade MESA Club will meet. Watch for a message with the signup form and more information this week.

Questions? Please reach out to Mrs. Jones at mary_jones@hcpss.org.

This year our Turkey Trot will be held on Monday, November 25th during your child's related arts class. Each class will have about 20-25 minutes to complete the turkey trot course. This year's course will consist of 1 lap around the large field behind the school for Pre-k-2nd grade and 2 laps around the large field for 3rd-5th grade. Please make sure your child has a water bottle that is labeled with their name and is wearing sneakers on the day of the Turkey Trot.

Below is the time that your child will have related arts on Monday, November 25th:

5th grade - 9:25-9:55

4th grade - 9:55-10:25

3rd grade - 10:25- 10:55

Pre-K - 10:55-11:25

Kindergarten - 10:55-11:25

2nd grade - 11:25-11:55

1st grade - 11:55-12:25

If you would like to come and spectate the Turkey Trot, please be sure to sign in at the office and then meet your child's class out on the back field. Parents and families are welcome to stand in the middle of the field so that they can see the entire course. If you would like to run or walk with your child, please be sure that you meet your child's class by the blacktop at their designated start time.

If your child is in 5th grade or 1st grade and you plan to attend the Turkey Trot, please park in the upper lot near the middle school so that you do not disrupt arrival and dismissal procedures.

If you will be taking your child home prior to dismissal, please make sure you sign them out in the front office before leaving.

In the event of rain on Monday, the Turkey Trot will take place Tuesday, November 26 at the same times listed above.

November is American Education Month. To celebrate, the Elkridge Elementary staff is inviting parents to volunteer to read to their child’s class during the month. Each grade level will have 1 guest reader per English Language Arts class on a different day during three weeks in November. We ask that you bring your own favorite children's book to read to your child's class. There are limited slots, but we will be looking for more guest readers in March. If you are interested in being a guest reader in your child’s class, please select your child’s grade level link below to sign-up. Before you come in on your chosen day, please complete the Volunteer training and bring in your training certificate on the day you are guest reading.

• Pre-K: Guest Reader Signup

• Kindergarten: Guest Reader Signup

• 1st Grade: Guest Reader Signup

• 2nd Grade: Guest Reader Signup

• 3rd Grade: Guest Reader Signup

• 4th Grade: Guest Reader Signup

• 5th Grade: Guest Reader Signup

Young Author's Contest:

Calling all writers! The Howard County Literacy Association invites students in grades 1 - 5 to submit their original poems and/or short stories to the annual writing contest called The Young Authors' Contest (YAC).

Please see the attached Young Authors’ Contest Guidelines for information about the rules and guidelines. All entries must have a completed YAC Cover Sheet sent as a PDF. Submissions may be emailed to Katelyn_Barr@hcpss.org by December 20, 2024. Contact Katelyn Barr with any questions. All Young Authors’ Contest information can be found on the HCLA website.

Howard County Literacy Association welcomes parents as members. Visit the HCLA Welcome Page for information about joining!

📚 Book Donations Needed for Literacy Events!📚

We're collecting new or gently used books to support our upcoming literacy events, including our exciting Reading Night in April! If you have books to donate, please drop them off at school in bags or boxes labeled with either Mrs. Cooke or Mrs. Barr's name. Your generous contributions will help foster a love for reading in our community. Thank you for your support! 📖✨

The EES Instructional Technology teachers are excited to announce that Elkridge ES will again be participating in Hour of Code. If you have a career in coding or computer science and interested in speaking to our students about your career (in person or virtual) one day during the week of December 9 please consider completing the Hour of Code 2024 Presenter Interest Form.

Deadline for submissions is Friday, November 29.

https://forms.gle/fZszx5i7To81uCdU8

We thoroughly enjoy when parents come in to enjoy lunch with their child. We ask that you remember the following when visiting:

1. Before entering the cafeteria, please sign in at the front office to obtain a visitors pass.
   
   
2. Food may not be shared with other students in the cafeteria. Food that is brought in from outside sources (fast food lunch, cupcakes, etc. etc.) cannot be guaranteed to be allergen free. Therefore, to protect students, any food that is brought into the cafeteria may only be shared with the child you are visiting.
   
   
3. When dining with your child, please sit at a table that is either empty, or that has a few students at it.
   
   
4. When having lunch with your child, please refrain from interacting with any other children. If you need assistance, please request to speak with an administrator before you attend lunch.
   
   
5. If you choose to eat a school lunch with your child, you may not use your child's account to purchase a lunch for yourself. Adult lunches are $4.50, payable in cash (preferably exact change) at the time of purchase.

As a general reminder for our students who sit at the allergy table, it is important that the same student(s) should sit at this table everyday. If two friends are going to sit at the table with a friend who has a peanut allergy, it should be the same students. If one student brings lunch that day they will not be able to sit at the allergy/peanut table that day.

If you have concerns about your child's development - whether it's their speech, motor skills, social skills or learning - it's important to act now. Waiting until the summer for a referral can delay crucial support that your child may need before starting kindergarten.

Contact us today to schedule a screening. Let's work together to ensure your child has the best possible start in kindergarten!

Call 410-313-7046 or email ChildFind@hcpss.org