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 Parents and Guardians,

I hope you and your child have enjoyed the first week back to school. It has been wonderful meeting everyone and interacting with your children. Thanks to our collective efforts, we had a very smooth start to the 2024-2025 school year: Just a few friendly reminders:

• Daily Mustang Riders: We have reached our maximum capacity for Daily Mustang Car Riders. If you did not receive a placard, please carpool if that is an option for your family or become a daily surprise rider and pick up at the gym exit.
• Surprise Car Riders: Thank you for planning your day before the 2 p.m. cut-off to ensure a smooth dismissal.
• Occasional Surprise Car Riders: Parents must email MHESforms@calvertnet.k12.md.us no later than 2 p.m. on the day your child will be picked up.
• Everyday Surprise Car Riders: Parents must email MHESforms@calvertnet.k12.md.us and let us know your child will be an everyday car rider (1 time only)
• After 2 p.m. – Our staff is preparing the car rider list. Therefore, the staff cannot accept late notice requests after 2 p.m. Your child(ren) will need to ride on the bus.
• Kiss N Go: During arrival, we ask that parents please stay IN their car and make only "right" turns out of the school to ensure a safe and efficient arrival for all.
  
• Morning Preparation: Please make sure to ask your child if they have everything to start the school day to avoid having to come into the office and drop off during our busy time of the day.
• Late Arrivals -- Students should be in their classroom at 8:45 a.m. If your child(ren) is driven to school, please make every effort to arrive before 8:45 a.m. so that your child(ren) will not be marked “Tardy”. This also keeps the classroom interruptions to a minimum.
• Student Birthdays: Due to allergies and health concerns, non-food items like pencils, stickers, and trinkets are preferred for classroom celebrations. Communicate with the teacher in advance if planning to send items.

• Health room: If your child needs to take medication at school and you haven’t yet submitted the medication or the required order forms, please do so as soon as possible. This will ensure your child receives the maximum health benefit during the school day. You can find the necessary forms on the CCPS website through the online registration portal under the school health program.

Thank you for your attention to these reminders!

Respectfully,

Mr. Patton

• September 2 - School Closed (Labor Day)
  
• September 6 - Wear your spirit wear (First Friday of every month)
• September 9 - Picture day! - (Information was sent home last week)
• 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.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=yp8tAqNgrEqakMGOUaxSfjVgJlXT5LZJpx8rtYpIzwVUM0NHUk5ENlNMV1JLWkVHOE1HQks3SFRGTS4u

"We have moved our Girls on the Run program to the fall! Registration is open NOW!

We invite girls 3rd to 5th grade to discover what they’re capable of and be a Mountain Mover!

We can do hard things!!

https://www.pinwheel.us/register/index/Fall24ProgramGOTRGC?sid=802028f977aa4f2a8a1c298b90184174 "

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.

Welcome back and I hope all your students had a wonderful first week back at Mt. Harmony! Here are some reminders and updates from the PTA! We are looking forward to a great school year.

• Remember to purchase your Membership for the 2024-2025 School Year at the MHES PTA Website.
• Did you want to gift a PTA Membership to a Staff Member / Teacher? It’s only $5 this year and you can do that here.
• We will be using the PhotoCircle App again this year to share photos safely! Be sure to upload your Summer and First Day Photos to the Circle!
• Are you interested in volunteering this year? Check out what is available here.
• Mums are on sale now! We have partnered with Greenstreet Gardens again and we have beautiful mums for sale to be picked up at MHES at the beginning of October. Purchase mums here!
• In order to alleviate the stress on our staff at lunch, can you give an hour to help in the lunchroom? Two shifts for lower and upper grades! Sign up for your spot today!
• Our Spirit Wear First Friday Contest is September 6th, so be sure to wear your Blue and Yellow!
• Reflections is a program to celebrate the arts! The theme this year is “Accepting Imperfection”. Students can enter in the following categories: film production, dance choreography, music composition, literature, visual arts, and photography!
• Mark your calendars for upcoming dates!
• Pizza in the Park - September 6th (pre-order your pizza here)
• Volunteer Orientation - September 24th (am) / September 25th (pm)
• September PTA Meeting - September 25th at 6:30pm
• Mustangs Spirit Night at Rolling Acres Farm - October 18th
• Trunk or Treat - October 25th

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.

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.

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.

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.