Hollywood Elementary

Hollywood Families,

Thank you to Ms. Venendaal and all of the amazing volunteers who helped make HES Field Day a huge success. Events like this would not be possible without the support of our wonderful HES families.

As we approach the end of another academic year, I wanted to take a moment to share some important information regarding the upcoming grade-level celebrations, picnics, and events. Please note that we will not be calling for siblings in other grades to attend celebrations or picnics for their siblings in different grades. We understand that this decision may not be favorable to all families, but we believe it is necessary to ensure schoolwide safety and maintain the integrity and focus of these grade-level events. By keeping the celebrations exclusive to the respective grades, we aim to foster a stronger sense of community and identity within each grade. We strongly encourage you to have your student stay at school and complete the instructional day. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.

Be sure to review this entire newsletter as it contains important information about Field Day, PTO Blue Crabs Spirit Night, Spring Evening of the Arts, and other fun school activities.

Take Care,

Mrs. DiRenzo

May 20: Spring Band, Strings, and Chorus Concert (6:30 pm)

May 21: Pre-K & Kindergarten Music Program (9:30 am & 2:00 pm)

May 21: HES SIT Meeting - HES Media Center (4:30 pm)

May 21: HES PTO Meeting - HES Media Center (5:30 pm)

May 23: Don Tate Author Visit

May 27: Memorial Day - No School

June 6: 5th Grade Farewell Celebration (9 am - 10:30 am)

June 6: Last Day of School for Pre-K & 2-Hour Early Dismissal

June 7: Last Day of School for Students & 2-Hour Early Dismissal

June 13: MP4 Report Cards available on HAC

June 25: HAC closes for the '23-'24 school year

Please take a moment to vote for our 2024-2025 HES PTO Board. You are only able to vote once.

We're excited to announce that it's time for our annual Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) elections! This is your opportunity to get involved and make a difference by taking on a leadership role within our school community.

Are you passionate about supporting our students, collaborating with parents and teachers, and contributing to the success of our school? Consider running for a position on the PTO board or nominating someone you believe would be an excellent candidate!

The SMCPS Board of Education approved an amendment to the 2023-2024 SMCPS Operational Calendar. The revised calendar posted to www.smcps.org/calendar.

As a result of the fact that SMCPS did not use any of its inclement weather days built into the calendar, the final day for the 2023-2024 school year has been adjusted.

• The final day for students will be Friday, June 7, 2024.

• The final day for 10-month staff will be Tuesday, June 11, 2024

• The final day for 11-month staff will be Monday, June 24, 2024.

SMCPS Food Services will be providing "to-go" meals for the summer at LHS, CHS, OES, and SRMS offering 5-day meal pick-up on Mondays starting June 10th. Parents must pre-register their children by filling out the form linked below or bringing them to the site when they pick up meals. SMCPS will also be operating Lunch and Learn and Lunch at the Library, more information to follow. Summer Meals Registration Link

Students in 5th Grade will be bringing their laptops and chargers home at the end of this school year so that they can bring them to middle school next year. For students in K-4th Grade, we will be keeping the laptops and chargers here at school over the summer. This will prevent any misplacement and allow us to get a jump start using the laptops next school year. If you feel that your student needs their laptop at home over the summer, please email Ms. Hazuda (sjhazuda@smcps.org) requesting that the laptop and charger be sent home. Please include the following information in your email: Student Name and Grade Level, along with the request.

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.

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.

Author and illustrator Don Tate will be visiting Hollywood Elementary on Thursday, May 23, 2024. He is the author and/or illustrator of numerous nonfiction and a few fiction books. To order any books for him to autograph, print out the Don Tate Book Order Form (attached) and return it to school with payment. Orders are due by Friday, April 19th. If you have any questions, email Ms. Hazuda. Thank you to the Hollywood PTO for making this visit possible!

SMCPS and SMC R&P have partnered to offer the new Summer Sports Academies. Campers will be instructed by area high school coaches. Camps are held Monday - Thursday. Click below for more information. Registration begins March 1st. Don't miss this opportunity.

• https://www.stmaryscountymd.gov/recreate/camps

• https://www.stmaryscountymd.gov/docs/thescoop.pdf

Parents or guardians of children receiving special education and related services were mailed the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey from the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services during the week of February 12, 2024. Parents are asked to complete the survey and return it in the postage-paid envelope by May 24, 2024. The Survey may also be completed online. Your feedback will help guide efforts to improve special education and related services in your local school system. Your voice can make a real difference for your child and many other children across the state of Maryland. To learn more, please visit https://www.mdparentsurvey.com.

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.

May is Mental Health awareness month. With how busy life can be, take some time to focus on activities that help bring joy and peace to your family. Use the calendar below to inspire ideas for your family.

Our A4L Team Leaders have picked to support the St. Mary's County Animal Shelter for their community service project. Please see the flyer below if you are interested and able to donate.

5th Grade Parents, This is an exciting time for your students! To help prepare them for their transition to Middle School HES will be hosting LMS on Wednesday, May 15th and EMS on Thursday, May 23rd. These visits help provide our students with detailed information for how their days may look next year.

Thank you for a great bookfair!

Hello Everyone,

As a reminder, medication pick up reminders went home on Wednesday 5/15 as well as blank order forms. The order forms are for you to have so they can be filled out for the 24/25 school year! If you lose them they are available on the SMCPS website. I also will have QR codes posted at school and it is posted below.

Again, for our PreK families they are required to have two vaccinations for Kindergarten (and second MMR and Varicella). Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks!

Nurse Briggs

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).

2023-2024 SMCPS Calendar. The new calendar is posted online at www.smcps.org/calendar

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!

HES Laptop Expectations

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).

Student Handbook - A Guide for Students & Families

Code of Conduct - A Guide for Students & Families

Click here to check your child's breakfast/lunch balance and add money to their account

If you have any questions about your HAC account, please contact the HES office for assistance.

https://www.smcps.org/hac

Both new and previously registered volunteers must complete a new volunteer application. The application process will end on May 1 of each school year. There is no application fee for school volunteers. Parental involvement is a key component to student success. Thank you for your support.

School Messenger Text Messaging FAQ's

• Please see link above for Teacher Appreciation Week Sign- Up list
• PTO Elections are coming up! Please review the above nomination process.
• Please join our HES PTO!
• Thank you to those families who have already signed up to volunteer and support these events. There are still additional opportunities to volunteer, please consider signing up. Hollywood PTO Volunteer Interest Form Survey (surveymonkey.com)
  
• If you are interested in being involved with the HES PTO, please email heronpto@gmail.com
• HES PTO has a new Spirit Wear company. On top of the company getting amazing reviews for their customer service and quality, our HES PTO earns 10% in commissions for all our sales!! Woohoo!! Items will ship directly to your house as well. https://1stplacespiritwear.com/schools/MD/Hollywood/Hollywood+Elementary+School

Schoology is a very helpful tool and resource for teachers, students, and families. Please ensure that you are able to access Schoology for updates and information from the school and your child's teacher. If you need support in obtaining your Schoology log in information please email schoology@smcps.org for support. Please click Parent Notifications for directions to ensure your notifications are set to receive important information about your student.

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

1. 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.

2. Tap the name of your school or organization when it displays.

3. 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.

4. 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 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.

...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