Heron Update
Back to School Edition
Hollywood Families,
I hope that all of our HES Herons and their families had a wonderful summer! We are very excited to welcome our students back for the 2024 - 2025 school year.
As we get closer to the start of the school year I wanted to share some important back-to-school information. Home/School communication is critical to ensuring a successful school experience for students and families. At HES we work very hard to keep families informed of important dates, events, and other relevant school information. Throughout the year, we will use several modes of communication including a weekly SMORE newsletter, the HES school webpage, email, and Schoology. Please make sure that all of your contact information is up-to-date.
Enjoy the last bit of summer, and together, let's make the 2024-25 school year a great year!
Be sure to review this entire newsletter each week as it will provide you with valuable resources and information.
Take Care,
Mrs. DiRenzo
Important Events and Dates
August 16: HAC opens at 5:00 pm
August 19: HES Open House Kindergarten - 5th Grade 2:00 - 3:30 pm
August 21: 1st Day of School for Kindergarten - 5th Grade
August 21: Pre-K Orientation 9:30 - 10:30 am
August 22: 1st Day of School for Pre-K
Registering a New Student
Welcome to Hollywood Elementary School! Your student will love being an HES Heron!
SMCPS Registration Information
Required documents include:
- Proof of residence
- Evidence of Birth
- Immunization Record
- Court papers regarding custody (if applicable)
- Photo ID of parent/guardian
Kindergarten Registration - Open registration for students who will be five years old by September 1, 2024 continues throughout the summer.
Out-of-District Transfer Requests
- In order to attend HES, valid proof of residence must be provided
- If you do not reside within HES district boundaries, you must submit a transfer request (annually). This does not guarantee placement.
See this Registration Checklist for all required forms and documents needed to register your student at HES. If you have any questions, please contact Diane Armstron at dbarmstrong@smcps.org or call (301)373-4350 ext. 30103.
Pre-Kindergarten Application
St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) offers full-day Pre-kindergarten 4* to children who reside in St. Mary’s County Maryland; meet age requirements; and are income eligible.
- Eligible students must be 4 years old on or before September 1, 2024.
- All Pre-Kindergarten classes for 4-year-olds are full day.
- Acceptance is not First-Come, First-Served; it is determined by a tiered eligibility system.
- Income verification is required of every applicant.
Complete this Pre-Kindergarten Application.
*Hollywood Elementary has achieved a Maryland EXCELS check LEVEL- 5 rating by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Maryland Excels awards ratings to child care and public pre-kindergarten programs that meet increasingly higher standards in key areas that are identified nationally and contributing to high quality.
Back to School Resources & Information
Hungry Herons! - School Breakfast & Lunch Information
School Lunch Highlights
My School Bucks
Click here to check your child's breakfast/lunch balance and add money to their account
Updates & Information from Around the Heron's Nest
From the Media Center
Welcome back and I hope everyone had a restful and relaxing summer. If you happened to find any library books from last year, please bring them with you during Open House. I will send a reminder notice out during this week to remind you if your student has any books still checked out.
When you come to Open House, don't forget to pick up a blue bookmark with important information about the Media Center. The bookmarks will be located in both hallways by the Media Center. There will also be a guessing game for the students. Only one entry per student, please.
Special Area Teachers
The HES Art education program is looking for donations of the following:
- clean paper towel or wrapping paper tubes.
-clean empty paper/cardboard egg cartons
- “scrapbooking” paper scraps.
From the School Nurse
The school based health clinics has updated their website with a new link to register students. The link can be found at https://smchd.org/sbhc/ and then you would click the blue button that says "Click Here to Enroll now for Faster Service". The school based health centers are a great way to see a provider without the long wait times at urgent care! See their website for more information.
Free Back-to-School Vaccine Clinics
The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) is hosting free back-to-school vaccination clinics for children ages birth to 18 years living in St. Mary’s County. Appointments are recommended. The following vaccines will be available:
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough)
- Meningococcal (meningitis)
- MenB (Serogroup B Meningococcal)
- HPV (human papillomavirus)
- Varicella (chicken pox)
Please select this link for more information.
Sick Day Guidelines
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).
PTO News
- 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
Birthday Treats
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.
SMCPS Resources & Helpful Links
SMCPS Volunteer Application
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.
Home Access Center / HAC
If you have any questions about your HAC account, please contact the HES office for assistance.
Please note that HAC opens at 5:00 pm on August 16, 2024.
Schoology
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.
Do you have the Schoology App?
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
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.
Tap the name of your school or organization when it displays.
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.
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
SMCPS 2024 - 2025 Student Handbook, Code of Conduct
Student Handbook - A Guide for Students & Families
Code of Conduct - A Guide for Students & Families
SMCPS Updated Cell Phones Implementation VIDEO
Student Accident Insurance Information
Please review the following documents in regard to student accident insurance.
Spanish versions available:
Informative Letter to Parents - Span.
SMCPS Devices
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!
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).
School Messenger Text Messaging
School Messenger Text Messaging FAQ's
Community Events
Hollywood Elementary School...
...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.
Ms. Erin DiRenzo, Principal
Email: eedirenzo@smcps.org
Mr. Chris Rodkey, Assistant Principal
Email: cnrodkey@smcps.org
Website: https://schools.smcps.org/hes/
Location: 44345 Joy Chapel Road, Hollywood, MD, USA
Phone: (301) 373-4350
Twitter: @hes_smcps