Mustang Express

The instructional school day starts at 8:45 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m.

We believe all students can learn and we will establish high standards of learning that we expect all students to achieve. It is our job to create an environment that engages all students in learning that results in high achievement. We will work collaboratively with colleagues, students, and parents to increase our capacity as a staff to raise levels of student performance and close achievement gaps.

1. We are passionate about what we do because we believe what we do each day makes a difference in the lives of children.
2. We are encouraging because we believe in the “Intangibles” which can build a child’s self-esteem and confidence.
3. We are creative in our instruction because we believe every child has strengths and they should be able to use those strengths while learning.
4. We are trustworthy because we believe having integrity builds trust which is essential to building engaged relationships with students, parents, and the community. Intangibles – “Good Morning”, “Hi”, “Great Job!” “I love your smile”, “Wow, you’re awesome!”

Dear Mustangs,

We are excited to meet all the students and families as we begin our academic journey on the first day of school which is Tuesday, August 27, 2024. Please take a moment and read through the parent handbook attached below for all the logistics of starting the school year off on the right path. We would encourage every parent and guardian to register to become an approved volunteer. Please use the link below to register if you plan on coming into the building and engaging with our students. Attached below is the application for a Mustang Daily Car Rider Placard. All placards will be given out via a lottery drawing. Applications for the lottery drawing must be received by Wednesday, August 28th at 4 p.m. The lottery drawing will be held in the front office on Thursday, August 29th @ 9 a.m. The oldest sibling of all families whose application is pulled via the lottery will be given a placard to take home on Thursday. We are here to guide and support all students and families and look forward to starting our journey of a graduate here at Mt. Harmony Elementary School.

• Monday, August 26th, 2024 - Greet your Seat - New students to MHES 9:00-10:00, returning students in grades 1-3 from 10:00-11:00 and returning students in grades 4-5 from 11:00-12:00
  
• August 27 - First day of school for students in grades 1-5
• August 27 - 28 - PreK - K conferences (Teacher will reach out to families with the email in our system to schedule a conference)
• August 29-30 - Staggered Start for PreK and K students (more information to be provided by the classroom teacher)
• September 2 - School Closed (Labor Day)
• September 11 - Two-hour early dismissal for students
• September 18 - Back to School Night - Grades 1-2 from 5:00-6:00
• September 19 - Back to School Night - Grades 3-5 from 5:00-6:00
  
• September 27 - Schools Closed
• September 30 - Two-hour late arrival for students.

All volunteers in the Raptor system for the 2023-2024 School Year have expired. Volunteers should have received an email from Raptor detailing that the volunteer process resets every year and that volunteers are required to complete a 2024-2025 CCPS Application found on the CCPS Website- Become a Volunteer. All volunteers will need to review the volunteer handbook and watch the volunteer training video before completing the Online Volunteer Application. Volunteers must be approved and vetted before they can begin service as a volunteer in any school building.

Hello Mustangs and Welcome Back from your PTA!

Here are a few things we want to let you know about as we return to school.

• Memberships are now on sale! Make sure to get your membership to reap the benefits all year long! You can purchase your memberships here! Be sure to consider our VIP option that will benefit your whole family all year! Think early access, sneak peeks, early registration, discounts, and more!
• Join us on September 6th at Pizza in the Park! Come meet other Mt. Harmony Families, eat pizza, and play at the park! You can register online!
• We cannot wait to see you at Greet Your Seat! We will have a table where you can purchase memberships, sign up to volunteer, or learn a little about all we do at the school! We hope to see you there!
• Our Reflections Program is kicking off and we want to see all the amazing gifts our students have! Be on the lookout for more information to come!
• We had a great turnout at Popsicles with the Principals and are looking forward to many more events!
• We can't do anything without our volunteers! Be sure to complete your volunteer application with the county so you're able to volunteer throughout the year!

If you are interested in volunteering in our lunchroom, please complete the form below. You must be an approved volunteer and go through volunteer orientation provided by our PTA. We appreciate your support.

https://signup.com/go/yWYaAeq

Welcome Back to the School Cafeteria!

We would like to share information about what to expect in our cafeterias for the school year 2024-2025.

The Free and Reduced Meal Program continues to be available, however, to all families who qualify. A new application must be submitted each school year. To see if your household qualifies, please complete, and submit one meal benefit application per household. Applications will be sent home with students in the beginning of the school year folders but may also be completed online at https://LinqConnect.com.

Applications are available in many languages on the LinqConnect site but are also available on the USDA’s website at http://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/translated-applications.

Breakfast and Lunch meals are offered daily. School Meal Prices for SY 2024-2025:

Breakfast: $1.65; Elementary Lunch: $2.80; Student Milk $0.60.

Our high expectations are aligned with our Priorities, Core Values, Mission, and aligned to the CCPS strategic plan. Please take a moment and review with your child.

For information about family events and youth activities taking place in our community, visit calvertnet.k12.md.us/flyers. Please note: These events and activities are not sponsored by the Calvert County Board of Education or Calvert County Public Schools. We provide equal opportunities to outside agencies to distribute materials that offer opportunities to students and/or their parents, but that permission should not be considered a recommendation or endorsement by the school district.

CCPS nurtures an inclusive and supportive school community to empower students with a rigorous academic foundation that ignites a passion for learning and raises the bar for excellence in education.

• A safe learning environment and well-being for all
• Growth, achievement, and excellence for all
• A culture of collaboration and creativity
• Acknowledging diverse perspectives
• Responsible and ethical stewardship of all resources

Email: pattonj@calvertnet.k12.md.us
Website: calvertcountypublicschools.com
Location: 900 West Mt. Harmony Rd Owings, Md 20736
Phone: 443-550-9620
Facebook:
Twitter: @CCPSMHESMustang

Nondiscrimination Statement

Calvert County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry or national origin, familial status, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or genetic information in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Ø Director of Student Services

Ø Director of Human Resources
443-550-8000

For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.

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Anti-sexual, Anti-racial and Anti-disability Harassment Statement
Discrimination can manifest itself in behaviors such as bullying, harassment, or intimidation of individuals.

Calvert County Public Schools does not tolerate any form of harassment including, but not limited to, sexual, racial, or disability. Any individual (student, employee, or community member) who believes that he or she has been subjected to any form of harassment is encouraged to report the allegation of harassment. Students, parents, and community members may report allegations of harassment to: Mrs. Cecelia Lewis, Director of Student Services, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Employees may report allegations of harassment to: Mr. Zachary Seawell, Director of Human Resources, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Calvert County Public Schools is committed to conducting a prompt investigation for any allegation of harassment. If harassment has occurred, the individual will be disciplined promptly. Disciplinary actions for students found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or expulsion. Disciplinary actions for employees found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or termination.

Calvert County Public Schools encourages all students, parents, employees, and community members to work together to prevent any form of harassment.

For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.

Calvert County Public Schools Antiracism Statement

Calvert County Public Schools explicitly denounces racism, bullying, discrimination, white supremacy, hate, and racial inequity in any form within our school community. Furthermore, CCPS will not tolerate the values, structures, and behaviors that perpetuate systemic racism.

Each member of the district, individually and collectively, is responsible for creating and nurturing a safe, antiracist learning environment where each student, staff member, and community partner is a respected and valued member of the CCPS community.