LINTON'S NEWS & NOTES

Email: lseattendance@carrollk12.org
Website: www.carrollk12.org/lse
Location: 375 Ronsdale Road, Sykesville, MD, USA
Phone: 410-751-3280

Dear LSE Families,

Welcome to the 2024 - 2025 school year! If you are a new family starting at our school this year, please allow us to welcome you to our Linton Springs family! For our returning families, welcome back! We hope everyone has had a memorable summer, so far. In a few short weeks, our hallways will be filled with bright smiles and eager learners, and we cannot wait!

As we all know, LSE is a truly special place. Our staff remains committed to providing high quality teaching and learning experiences for every child, every day. In addition to helping all students achieve their academic goals, we want every student to have FUN while learning. After all, this is elementary school, and fun must be a part of the learning equation. In an effort to provide an insider view into the great teaching and learning that occurs daily, LSE is on Twitter/X. Be sure to follow us: @LintonSprings.

We recognize that this is a lengthy letter and full of information. The most important part that we cannot stress enough is that our staff at Linton Springs remain committed to ensuring everyone has an amazing year of learning. We are all just an email or phone call away. Please do not hesitate to reach out. The LSE Team looks forward to building relationships, laughing and learning together, and most importantly, having fun!

Together,

Dr. Messier and Ms. Gardner

Our Vision:

Linton Springs is a community of lifelong learners

who demonstrate academic excellence and outstanding character.

Our Mission:

Collaborate... Teach... Inspire... Support... Empower

Our Core Values:

At Linton Springs, we value:

Perseverance...Respect...Inclusivity...Community...Excellence

August 2024

August 2nd: CCPS School Bus Routes Published via Infofinder i

August 15th: Teacher Assignments available in the Home Access Center

(See Home Access Center information below to set up your account)

August 18th: Last day to update the Elementary Transportation Form

August 19th: LSE PTA's Kindergarten Meet & Greet on playground @ 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.*

August 22nd: LSE PTA's Kindergarten Meet & Greet on playground @ 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.*

*Both events are weather permitting*

August 27th: Back To School Night for Parents of Grades Pre-K-2 @ 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

August 28th: Back To School Night for Parents of Grades 3-5 @ 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

August 29th: Open House/Meet Your Teacher @ 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

August 29th: Popsicles with the Principals @ 2:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.

September 2024

September 3rd: First Day of School for all students

September 13th: LSE PTA Ice Cream Social on playground blacktop

September 17th: LSE PTA General Meeting @ 6:00 p.m.

September 23rd - 27th: MD Agriculture Mobile Science Lab visits LSE--thank you, LSE PTA!!

September 26th: DARE Officers visit with 4th & 5th grade classes

MEDICATION DROP OFF DATES/TIMES

Medication for use during the 2024-25 school year can be dropped at the school on the following days:

Monday, August 26th from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday, August 27th from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 29th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and

Friday, August 30th from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Please try to plan family trips and/or vacations during scheduled school breaks.

For a complete list of early dismissals, holidays and school closures, please use link below:

CCPS 2024-2025 SCHOOL CALENDAR

A significant amount of time is spent at the end of each school year and during the summer, building and balancing homeroom classes. Additionally, classroom teachers spend a great deal of time and energy preparing to welcome your student into their classroom.

Therefore, all student schedules are finalized, and no changes will occur before the end of the first semester. Please note that the first semester ends on Friday, January 24, 2025.

Pre-Kindergarten: Ms. Adams

Kindergarten: Ms. Bowen, Ms. Curlett, Ms. Helmick, Ms. Malcolm, Ms. Mitchell

Grade 1: Ms. Bareford, Ms. Coyne, Ms. Eisenbeiser, Ms. Lago, Ms. Therit

Grade 2: Ms. Daniel, Ms. Hoey, Ms. Hudspeth, Ms. Wimmer, Ms. Yi

Grade 3: Ms. Alexander, Ms. Borghans, Ms. Fiorelli, Ms. Heser, Ms. Inge, Ms. Raab

Grade 4: Ms. Allen, Ms. McKenzie, Ms. Shanabarger, Ms. Showman, Ms. Spencer

Grade 5: Ms. Brouillette, Mr. Koontz, Mr. Litzau, Ms. Palmer, Ms. Zarrelli

Please join me in welcoming the following staff to our LSE family:

Ms. Gardner, Assistant Principal

Ms. McKenzie, Gr 4 Teacher

Ms. Palmer, Gr 5 Teacher

Ms. Snyder, Art Teacher

Ms. White, Instructional Assistant

Ms. Yingling, Primary Interventionist

Mr. Zink, Custodian

To help maintain the safety of our students, parents and visitors may not attend recess.

* PLEASE APPLY FOR BENEFITS

Eligible households should still apply for meal benefits at www.myschoolapps.com. One application can be completed for the entire household when all members are listed. Parents may apply for benefits at any time during the school year. Eligibility for meal benefits may help families receive additional resources such as free internet service, field trip fee waivers, and P-EBT benefits so it is important to still apply if you meet eligibility guidelines.

Meal benefits from the 2023-2024 school year will expire on October 14, 2024.

* MEAL PRICES for 2024-2025

Breakfast: $1.50

Lunch: $2.50

* MEAL CHARGE POLICY

In the rare event that a student forgets their money or does not have any money on their account, CCPS will allow each student to charge up to two days of breakfasts and lunches. Beyond the two days, the student will be served a complimentary meal of a sandwich and side items until repayment is made. Students must have cash or money on their account to purchase a second meal (breakfast or lunch) or any a la carte items as these cannot be charged. Thanks to the generous donations of businesses and individuals in Carroll County, all previous meal debt has been eliminated, so no child in Carroll County will begin the school year with a negative balance.

* CHOICES

Food choices offered to students include multiple entrees, fresh fruits and vegetables (purchased locally when available), whole grain breads and rolls, and flavored and unflavored milk. Although students select the foods that they want, they must take a minimum number of items for a breakfast and a lunch. At least one of their choices must be a fruit or vegetable. Menus are posted on the website. Meals are analyzed to meet federal nutritional requirements. Interactive menus and nutritional information are available online! Visit https://carrollk12.nutrislice.com or download the Nutrislice app for your iOS or Android device.

* PIN NUMBERS

Cafeterias have computerized cash registers. Students enter their Personal Identification Number (PIN) and proceed to the cashier.

* MYSCHOOLBUCKS ACCOUNTS

Students who wish to purchase a second meal or snack items not included in their meal, use cash or money placed “on their account.” Parents can deposit money on their student's account by sending cash or a check to school with their child or by using an online payment service at www.myschoolbucks.com. Money remains on your child’s account until they graduate or leave CCPS.

We highly encourage our students to ride the bus! School buses continue to be the easiest and safest mode of transporting students and our bus drivers are the very best!

Starting on August 2nd, please find your bus number, bus stop, and times below:

Infofinder i

Elementary Transportation Form

You should have received an email from CCPS asking you to verify and/or provide transportation for your elementary aged students. Only the primary parent for each child will receive the email. This prevents multiple people from trying to fill the form out. You will receive a separate email for each elementary aged child you have enrolled in CCPS. You will need to respond separately to each email. You will be able to view bus routes for bus number and stop description both on the CCPS website and Infofinderi. Links to both will be provided in the county email. It is extremely important that you watch for the email(s) and respond promptly so that we have accurate arrival and dismissal information on each child before the start of the school year. If you do not get the email on August 2nd, August 9th, or August 16th, please check your junk/spam folders to be sure it didn’t go to one of those folders. All forms must be submitted by August 18th. Getting your child to and from school is an absolute safety priority for our school’s staff, so having accurate information is critical. If you have difficulty, please contact the school office. Thank you for helping us ensure smooth transportation for all children.

Please remember that the first few days, buses may be late or early as the bus drivers become accustomed to the route times and we establish our dismissal procedures. All students will be picked up at a designated bus stop provided by the Transportation Department.

School bus policy allows each student one AM bus stop and one PM bus stop. Video/audio cameras are placed on school buses to protect students and staff. They provide for and encourage a safe and orderly environment. The privacy of students and the recordings are kept secure and are reviewed only by authorized CCPS personnel.

If you plan to transport your student as a car rider,

please read carefully and follow all instructions.

Each family that indicates car rider on the CCPS transportation form will receive an LSE sign with your student(s) name(s). This sign must be displayed during pick-up in the afternoon.

MORNING DROP OFF & AFTERNOON PICK-UP PROCEDURES

• Morning drop off runs from 8:05 AM - 8:30 AM
• Afternoon dismissal begins at 3:05 PM
• GO SLOW on the LSE Campus!
• All car riders will receive an LSE sign with your child's last name.
• When picking up a child as a car rider, please have your car rider sign visible in your window or dash.
• Please follow the car rider traffic flow (see below) and be patient, the safety of our students is our first priority.
• School staff will be present during arrival to welcome students. Staff will enter the school at 8:30AM to prepare for the start of the day at 8:35AM. If staff are not present, please park and accompany your child into school.
• In an effort to keep the line moving, parents are asked to remain in their vehicles and allow children to get out of the cars independently using the door on the school building side of the vehicle.
• Please follow the directions of those assisting with the flow of traffic on campus.
  
• Buses ALWAYS have the right of way on campus.

Thank you for your support in ensuring the best interests of our students’ safety.

During the July 2024 CCPS Board of Education meeting, the Administrative Regulations for Board Policy JICJ: Portable Electronic Devices were updated.

We recognize and respect that whether or not a student has a personally owned portable electronic device is a family decision. Students are not required or expected to bring their own device to school. Students may bring their personally owned devices to schools, as long as they abide by these regulations. Student misuse of his or her device shall result in disciplinary action. Families are expected to work collaboratively with school staff to support the implementation of these regulations. Parents who need to make emergency contact with their child during the school day shall contact the school’s main office.

Students in Elementary School

1. Devices must be silenced and stored (out of sight) upon entry to the school until exit from the school. It is highly recommended that elementary students do not bring personally owned portable electronic devices to school or on the school bus.

2. No portable electronic device shall be used to record, store, or transmit any type of image, sound, or video except for approved instructional activities utilizing CCPS-provided devices with the express permission of school staff.

3. The audible notification sounds and volume of personally owned portable electronic devices shall be silenced or directed through headphones on school buses. It is highly recommended that elementary students do not bring personally owned portable electronic devices to school or on the school bus.

4. Disciplinary action, as outlined in the Carroll County Public Schools student services manual, shall be taken when a student fails to follow the directions of a staff member regarding portable electronic devices or if a preponderance of evidence exists that the student has violated the terms of the acceptable use procedures and guidelines or other school policy.

We strive to respond to all email inquiries within 24-hours, excluding weekends and holidays. All staff emails are available via our school's website.

Questions/Concerns:

1. Please contact your child's classroom teacher via phone or email.

2. If your question/concern cannot be resolved by contacting your child's teacher, please contact school administration via phone or email.

For all general inquiries, please email LSEAttendance@carrollk12.org.

Missed a call from school?

Staff will always leave a voicemail when attempting to contact you. Please listen to the message before returning the missed call. Please regularly check to make sure your voicemail box is not full.

School Messenger

CCPS and LSE communicate with families through the School Messenger platform. Parent/Guardian emails and phone numbers assigned to a student will receive email blasts. If you are not receiving any emails, please contact the school's office staff.

• Our school day hours are from 8:35 AM - 3:05 PM daily.
• Any student arriving at or after 8:35 AM must be accompanied by a parent and report to the office to sign in.
• Parent drop off ends at 8:30 AM. If arriving after that time, please park in a marked parking space and accompany your child to the building.

Early Dismissal Days

On county-wide early dismissal days (2 hours, 45 minutes early), dismissal will begin at 12:20 p.m.

Teacher assignments will be available August 15th, in the Home Access Center.

We encourage EVERY parent to set up and access their student's HOME ACCESS CENTER account.

You will use the Home Access Center to:

• Find your student's teacher (assignments available August 15, 2024)
• Find your student's email address and password (can be found on the Registration Tab of the Home Access Center)
• Access your 3rd-5th grade student's assignments and grades
• Verify your students Attendance reports - any discrepancies can be emailed to lseattendance@carrollk12.org.

The Home Access Center:

https://mystudent.carrollk12.org/HomeAccess

For more information about Home Access Center please refer to this User Guide & FAQ document: Guides-2.pdf (finalsite.net)

Kindergarten Parents:

All immunizations and medical forms (Physical Health Assessment, Dental and Lead certificate) are now due. If your student is missing forms, Ms. Twigg will be in contact.

Extra Clothes:

All students should have an extra change of clothes (seasonally appropriate) in their locker/book bag at school. There is a limited supply of clean clothes in the health room and most children feel more comfortable in clothes from home. Accidents and spills occur frequently, requiring a change of clothes.

Water Bottles:

Students should bring a water bottle from home to stay hydrated during the day.

Medications:

Medication for use during the 2024-25 school year can be dropped at the school on the following days:

Monday, August 26th from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday, August 27th from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 29th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and

Friday, August 30th from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

CCPS Medication Form:

All medications (prescription and over the counter-including Tylenol and ibuprofen) must have a doctor's order and parent permission to be administered at school. A CCPS Medication Form needs to be signed by the doctor and the parent for the student to be given the medication school.

Students are not permitted to transport medication to or from school. Any student that transports medication to school is in violation of the CCPS Drug and Alcohol policy.

The following are the ONLY Medications that DO NOT require doctor's orders:

• Non-medicated cough drops (Ludens or any cough drops that contain Pectin only-if the cough drops indicate a limit per day, they will need a doctor's order)
• Sunscreen
• Non-Medicated Lip Balm
• Saline Nasal Spray
• Glucose Tabs
• Individually-Sized Waterless Hand Sanitizer
• Salt Tabs
• Hand Creams/Lotions

If your child is absent, please send an email to the school at LSEattendance@carrollk12.org or send a note with your child upon their return to school. The note/email should contain the dates of the absence, reason for the absence, the student’s name and the teacher’s name. If a reason for the absence is not provided, the absence will remain unverified.

Student Laptop Agreement

*NEW THIS YEAR* Only students in grades 3-5 will be assigned a laptop at the start of the school year. Parents are required to sign a new Student Laptop Agreement (SLA) every school year. Starting on August 16th, an email containing the SLA will be sent to the primary parent/guardian listed for all students. Note: if the primary guardian does not have an email address, the app will send the email to the secondary guardian contact. Forms not completed electronically, can be completed via a paper agreement at school.

We will have paper SLAs available during our Open House and Back to School Night events. During this time, parents may wish to look at the laptop before signing.

Please be patient with us as we safely navigate arrival and dismissal the first week of school.

For the safety of our students and staff, we kindly ask:

• Students choose one of the following options only, Bus Rider, Car Rider, or on-site/van Daycare ONLY.
• Please DO NOT drop or pick up a student AT THE FRONT OFFICE unless arranged by the nurse or an emergency situation.
• Please avoid late arrivals and early pickups as much as possible to minimize classroom disruptions.

Late Arrivals

Students arriving late must be brought to the front office by a parent and signed in for the day. They will be marked tardy for that day.

Early Dismissals

• Parents must sign any child out as an early dismissal by 2:50 p.m., in order to avoid our bus and parent pick up traffic.
• Any student picked up before 3:05 p.m. will be marked tardy.
• Dismissal notice must be provided to the front office by 1:00 p.m. on the day of dismissal by written note OR email to lseattendance@carrollk12.org.
• REMINDER: Photo ID is required to sign out your child. If someone other than parent/guardian is picking up your child, written permission in the form of a note or lseattendance@carrollk12.org email is required before we are able to release that student.

VOLUNTEER TRAINING

• You must complete volunteer training EVERY school year if you plan on attending field trips, working with students in classrooms, or helping with any school activity.
• Volunteer training is completed online. Please go to Volunteer Program - Carroll County Public School District (carrollk12.org) to complete your training.
• Complete your training early to allow for sufficient time for approval. If you are not approved in the system, you will not be able to volunteer.

VISITATION PROCEDURES

Below are the guidelines to follow regarding visitors in the building:

• Visitors will ring the main entrance buzzer.
• Visitors will be asked to give their name and purpose for visiting. Visitor appointments will be verified.
• Visitors will be asked to report to the office to sign in.
• Visitors will be asked to show photo identification.
• Visitors will be issued a visitor’s badge, including the visitation area. Please do not visit undesignated areas in the building.
• Prior to leaving the building, visitors must scan their badge and sign out.
• We appreciate your cooperation in helping us to make Linton Springs a safe and secure place for students.

CONSENT AND RELEASE

Permission to Photograph, Videotape, or Audiotape

Throughout the school year, the Carroll County Public School System frequently covers school activities and may use your child’s photograph, video image, or voice for educational, informational, or public relations purposes, with or without identification by name.

If you do not wish to have your child’s voice reproduced on tape or to have his/her image appear in such things as a video or a photograph, or on the school or school system website or social media, please notify the school principal in writing. It is assumed that parents and guardians consent to their children being audiotaped, photographed, videotaped, or having their image placed on a school website or social media by the school system, unless such notification is received.

There are also occasions when the media cover certain school events (such as when a government leader visits a school). If you do not wish to have your child’s name or likeness published by the media, you should address your concerns directly to the school involved so that the media is so advised. Please be advised that the school system has no control over the media when they are covering activities such as sporting events and musical programs that are open to the public.

Use of Student Work on Websites or in Publications

There may be times throughout the year when the Carroll County Public School System wishes to display student work on school websites, social media, or in publications. If you do not wish to have your child’s art, poetry, writing, etc. appear on school websites, social media, or in publications, please notify the school principal in writing. It is assumed that parents and guardians consent to their child’s work being displayed on school websites, social media, or in publications unless such notification is received.

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION

The Board of Education of Carroll County does not engage in discrimination that is unlawful or contrary to Maryland State Department of Education guidance on the basis of age, color, genetic information, marital status, mental or physical disability, ancestry or national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

The Board of Education of Carroll County is firmly committed to creating equal employment and educational opportunities for all persons by providing an environment that supports optimal academic achievement and productive work and is free from any form of unlawful discrimination, including access to school facilities, educational programs, and extracurricular activities.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of Human Resources, 125 North Court Street, Westminster, Maryland 21157, (410) 751-3070.

NOTICE OF ASBESTOS

The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) management plans for all buildings owned or leased by the Board of Education of Carroll County are available for review at the individual Carroll County school locations and at Office of Plant Operations, located at 191 Schaeffer Avenue, Westminster, Maryland 21157. Management plans are required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and depict the location, amount, condition, and response action projected for any asbestos-containing materials, if any are located in the school building.

MOMENT OF SILENCE

It is the policy of the Board of Education of Carroll County that all schools are required to have a moment of silence or meditation for approximately one minute each school day. During this moment of silence, the Carroll County Public Schools shall neither advance nor inhibit silent religious activity. Following the pledge of allegiance to the flag and before the completion of the opening exercise, all students will observe approximately one minute of silence, before continuing with the day’s activities. In exercising his or her individual choice, each person may meditate, pray, or engage in any other silent activity which does not interfere with, distract, or impede others in the like exercise of their individual choice. The following is a list of inappropriate activities: (1) talking or any audible sounds, and (2) gesturing, using sign language, or writing notes for the purpose of person to person communication. Administrators shall enact appropriate administrative procedures in the event that individuals do not follow the established policy.

ADA ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

Carroll County Public Schools (CCPS) does not discriminate on the basis of disability in employment or the provision of services, programs or activities. Persons needing auxiliary aids and services for communication should contact the Communications Office at 410-751-3020 or publicinfo@carrollk12.org, or write to Carroll County Public Schools, 125 North Court Street, Westminster, Maryland 21157. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, may use Relay or 7-1-1. Please contact the school system at least one (1) week in advance of the date the special accommodation is needed.

Information concerning the Americans with Disabilities Act is available from the Director of Facilities Management, (410) 751-3177, or the Communications Officer, (410) 751-3020, 125 North Court Street, Westminster, Maryland 21157.