VES Eagle Express Newletter

The building is closed due to the State Superintendent's decision regarding the COVID-19.

New student registrations/withdrawals continue throughout summer. At this time, the following registrars are working remotely and available for questions :
jane_pak@hcpss.org

dulce_boyer@hcpss.org

Email: robert_bruce@hcpss.org
Website: ves.hcpss.org
Location: 4355 Montgomery Road, Ellicott City, MD, USA
Phone: 443-864-6808

HCPSS 2020-2021Reopening Plan

2020-2021 School Year Details and Information

Student Technology Devices

INTERNATIONAL AND FAMILY SERVICE LINKS:

Para información y apoyo adicionales, por favor, llame al 410-313-1591.

欲知详情或想获得更多支持，请电 410-313-5920.

보다 자세한 문의와 지원을 원하시면, 410-313-1592 로 연락 주시기 바랍니다.

For all other language needs please contact Monica Ranta at 410-313-7102.

SEPTEMBER

2 - Student's assigned Home Room Teacher posted in HCPSSConnect

7 - Labor Day

8 - First Day of School for Student K thru 5

10 - First Day of School for PK/RECC

28- No School - Yom Kippur

Dear Veterans Community,

I am writing to follow up on the statement issued by Dr. Martirano last night, following the press conference by the Governor and State Superintendent. I want to assure you that, as previously announced, Howard County public schools will hold a virtual first semester. Careful plans are in place to ensure that every student will have a robust learning experience that is centered on live, teacher-led virtual instruction.

School staff returned to work on Tuesday, August 25, and have been taking part in intensive professional learning to prepare to welcome students back on Tuesday, September 8. Plans are being finalized to bring some students into school buildings in small groups to receive in-person supports, and details of those plans will be shared with you as soon as possible.

On October 22, the Superintendent and Board of Education will begin to evaluate plans for the second semester, and that discussion will be informed by our experiences during the initial weeks of school, the status of the pandemic at that time, and further guidance from the state and Howard County Health Department.

As you know, the conditions related to the pandemic are rapidly evolving, and I realize this can be a confusing time. I appreciate your patience and understanding as we all work together to ensure students have a safe and productive learning experience. Please be assured that school system leaders continue to hold the well-being of our children and staff members as the highest priority, and we are all looking forward eagerly to the day when we can welcome our students back to school in person.

Sincerely,

Robert C Bruce, Principal

Veterans Elementary School

Here Is your chance to take a virtual tour!

VES Student Virtual Visit Day

The first day of school is fast approaching. Complete details on the school year, including information on Google Meet expectations, attendance and more can be found online. Visit our website for what you need to know to prepare for the 2020-2021 school year, including:

Student Technology Devices
All elementary school students will be provided with a Chromebook prior to the first day of school. Parents of middle and high school students currently in need of a device may request one. All families may indicate a need for internet access. Full details online.

Virtual Instruction Responsibilities, Expectations and Best Practices
A successful virtual instruction program for the 2020-2021 school year requires collaboration and shared responsibilities among students, educators and families.

Grading
Changes to the grading policy will be discussed at the September 10 Board of Education meeting. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

School Calendar
Make sure you know important dates on the 2020-2021 academic calendar. There are no printed calendars; you may view the online calendar and/or download printable calendar PDFs on our website. The calendar is subject to change.

Emergency Card Procedures with Family File
HCPSS utilizes Family File for parents/guardians to complete emergency information. Regardless of virtual or in-person learning, parents/guardians must verify and/or update information for each child. Parents/guardians can complete Family File by logging in to HCPSS Connect, selecting the More Options tab on the left, and then selecting Family File in the center column. Family File guides are available online.

Student Schedules
Student schedules will be available for viewing in Synergy on Tuesday, September 1.
All parents/guardians can log in to HCPSS Connect to view teachers and schedules beginning Saturday, September 5.

School Meals
The food services program during the first semester of the 2020-2021 school year will consist of Grab-and-Go breakfasts and lunches served Monday through Friday from 8–9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m., beginning Tuesday, September 8.

Parents of students who qualify for Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FARMs) must submit a new application every school year. View program details and learn how to apply.

Collection and Distribution of Materials
HCPSS schools have begun the process of collecting materials used by students during the 2019-2020 school year and distributing materials for use during the 2020-2021 school year.

School Supplies
All elementary schools will use a single supply list, as will all middle schools. High schools do not have general supply lists, as classes may have unique requirements. High school students will be informed of any necessary supplies at the start of the school year.

Back to School Nights
2020-2021 Back to School Nights will be held via Google Meet. Parents/guardians will receive details and information from their child's school. All dates are subject to change. Please check with your child's school prior to the event to verify the event date and time.

Immunizations
All children must have the required State of Maryland immunizations in order to attend school. Details can be found online.

HCPSS News
HCPSS News emails and text alerts keep families up-to-date on news and events, and delivers real-time notices of emergency closings and information. All HCPSS News subscriptions are generated from the information provided in Family File and have been automatically updated for the 2020-2021 school year. Parents/guardians new to the system are automatically enrolled for email notification, and must opt in to text alerts.

URGENT>>>>It is absolutely crucial that in order to see your child's class assignment on Weds. Sept. 2nd at 4:00 pm that you update your family file.

Update your Family File in HCPSSConnect to view Teacher Assignments when they are available!!!

https://www.hcpss.org/f/connect/family-file-user-instructions.pdf

https://www.hcpss.org/f/connect/family-file-user-instructions-spanish.pdf

https://www.hcpss.org/f/connect/family-file-user-instructions-korean.pdf

Looking forward to a great year. It will be what we make it !!!

https://hcpss.instructure.com/courses/9495

Please take some time to go through the Canvas Orientation with your child. Included is a list of topics that will help you use Canvas in their classes. Click on each topic to learn how to use that feature in Canvas. When you are finished, you will have mastered the Canvas basics and be ready to navigate smoothly within their courses. Remember you can always refer back to this guide throughout the school year.

Students now have the ability to reset their passwords and manage their accounts independent of Teachers and Staff.

https://hcpss.instructure.com/courses/77796/pages/1971577/

ES_Supply_List_2020 (2) (1).pdf

The Howard County School System is acutely aware of how the pandemic has affected family budgets. It has reviewed school supply lists and released one general supply list for families which I am attaching to this special announcement . The number of items have been reduced to the most needed items based on knowledge of curriculum to be covered. I hope you find this helpful.

THE REGISTRATION PROCESS for the SY2020-2021 BEGINS ONLINE for all new students Grades PK thru 5. Please use the following link: https://www.hcpss.org/enroll

The school registrations continue throughout summer. At this time, the following registrars are working remotely and available for questions:
jane_pak@hcpss.org
dulce_boyer@hcpss.org

*Once a new registration is filled out online, a school registrar will be in contact with you.

Start Online Enrollment process here, Step-by-Step instructions: https://www.hcpss.org/enroll/
Follow steps 1-4 Online. Step 5, registrar will coordinate a virtual GoogleMeeting to complete the enrollment with you.

* You will need to upload the following documents during online registration:
Birth certificate, birth registration or passport
Current immunization record - must be from the pediatrician and signed
Deed or Lease to your residence
Current utility bill
Photo ID of registering parent/guardian - this MUST be shown during virtual meeting at time of registration.

ADDRESS CHANGE FORM: FILLABLE_Change_of_Address.pdf

MOVING into VES: FILLABLE_VES RequestforRecords.pdf
We can assist you to obtain student records from their prior school by filling out the

Request for Records form and emailing it back to the registrar.

MOVING AWAY/ Withdraw from VES: FILLABE_Withdrawal form

Please initiate the process by filling out the HCPSS Withdrawal Form and email it back to the registrar.

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*Parents/guardians who have already registered online, please remember that registration is not complete until a registrar reviews/verifies uploaded required documents (see list below). A registrar will coordinate a virtual GoogleMeeting with the parent/guardian to complete the enrollment.

It is crucial that if you know anyone moving into our school district that they register as quickly as possible. Please direct them to the HCPSS main website or enrollment link for guidance.

Central Office reviews our enrollment throughout the summer to ascertain whether we need additional staff. It is better to be counted earlier than later in the summer.

When positions run out then the school will have to determine classes in the best way possible.

To help connect more families to the internet at home, Comcast is offering two months of free internet to new Internet Essential customers. more information

Several HCPSS programs rely on funding based on accurate census information. For this and several other reasons, all families are encouraged to participate in the 2020 census, which may be completed online. Learn more.

• The Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) recently expanded its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It is possible that families may qualify now for SNAP benefits, based on the economic downturn due to COVID-19. Visit the DHS website to learn more. All children in households already receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can get free meals regardless of income, and students from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals.
• All Maryland students who qualify for FARMs are eligible for the new P-EBT program, or Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer, which provides benefits on a debit-style EBT card to help families with children purchase healthy food during the school closure. Families can apply for the Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FARMs) program until June 1, 2020. Visit the HCPSS web site to learn more about the opportunities and how to apply.

FOOD ACCESS

SNAP Benefits-Emergency Allotments Flyer-English

Apply for SNAP Benefits today-Flyer-English

Apply for SNAP Benefits Today-Flyer-Spanish

Grocery Delivery Flyer-English

Grocery Delivery Flyer-Korean

Grocery Delivery Flyer-Spanish

• Created While Isolated: Students ages 13 and up and adults are invited to share photographs, art, music, creative writing, and personal stories from this unprecedented time in acollaborative creativity journal.
• TumbleMath is a fun and engaging way to learn math concepts through stories. Students can access this and many other learning resources with their A+ student accounts throughhcpss.me by selecting HC Library.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made this an especially stressful time for many, especially those already impacted by mental health concerns. Find information about local and online resources for counseling and mental health supports for you and your family on our website.

Place your order by going to the following link:

https://www.treering.com/validate?PassCode=1015071348503280

This will get you to the Veterans Elementary account page. You will need to create an account if you do not already have one, but it opens to the page where you can login with an existing account or sign up.Then feel free to order your yearbook.