Dear RBES Families,
As we move into the second half of the school year, we wanted to remind you that HCPSS is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment that focuses on student well-being. We are taking this time to uplift the importance of reporting any type of bullying that has occurred. We will be reviewing this with our students and staff as we start the second half of the school year, and hope that you too can uplift this at home.
For children facing the emotional toll of bullying, a supportive individual can make all the difference. Please encourage your children to reach out to a trusted staff member at school should they need to report anything. As parents and guardians, you will use the same reporting form as students by following the steps outlined below.
How do I report bullying?
When you believe bullying has taken place, you should report it through the Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment and Intimidation (BCHI) reporting form. Reporting can take place in one of three ways:
Complete a BCHI online reporting form
BCHI paper reporting form (available in the main office, staff workroom, school counseling office, media center, and health services office
An oral report to a staff member
It is important to note that policy states “in the event the reporting party does not complete a BCHI Reporting Form, school administrators/supervisors will take the appropriate steps to address and document the incident.” Therefore, if you or someone else makes an oral report, it then must be documented (i.e. through a BCHI reporting form) by the administrator.
Thank you for your partnership and attention to this important topic,
Mrs. Spivey
State law requires that all public schools in Maryland survey students about school climate. The purpose of the survey is to gain valuable information about the quality and character of each school’s learning environment so that schools can promote a climate that supports student learning.
Fifth Grade students have been given the Maryland School Survey this past week. The survey asks students about topics such as student engagement, interactions with adults and with other students in the school, the school environment, bullying, and safety. The survey does not ask about a student’s personal experiences, and students will not be asked to provide any information that might violate their privacy.
The survey is confidential and school personnel will not have access to the responses of specific students. The responses children provide will be combined with the responses from other students in the school, and results will be reported for each school and district.
We are eager to receive this very important information about your student’s school and about schools across the state. Frequently Asked Questions and the Survey Item Bank may be found on the Maryland School Survey page at https://marylandpublicschools.org/marylandschoolsurvey .
Yearbook Orders- Due March 15th
Yearbook Orders Due March 15th
Yearbook orders are due by Friday, March 15th at 11:55pm. We are offering a soft cover book for $20 and a hard cover book for $25. Every student received a paper order form before Winter Break. We are accepting cash only (NO CHECKS) for the paper orders. Or, you may order your book online HERE. Yearbooks will be handed out before the close of the school year.
We have also set up a donation site to collect funds for our graduating Panthers who may not otherwise afford to purchase a yearbook. If you would like to donate to this fund, please do so HERE.
Registration Now Open: Girls on the Run at RBES!
Additional Volunteer Coaches are still welcome!
Registration for Girls on the Run's Spring 2024 Season is now open! Girls on the Run® inspires participants in grades 3-5 to be joyful, healthy, and confident by using running to teach valuable life skills. Volunteer coaches facilitate lessons that blend physical activity with life skill development, including managing emotions, fostering friendships, and expressing empathy. At the end of the season, the team completes a Community Impact Project and a 5K together, which provides a tangible sense of accomplishment and sets a confident mindset into motion. Running Brook will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 - 5:15. The season ending 5K for Howard County will be on Sunday, June 2 at 8:00 a.m. The program registration fee is $185, which includes lessons, all program materials, 5K and program shirts, water bottle, and more. Financial assistance available! Visit www.gotrcentralmd.org for a list of program sites and to register. Questions? Call 443-864-8593.
A Message from RECC
The Running Brook Regional Early Childhood Center (RECC) prekindergarten programs are making preparations for classes for the upcoming 2024-2025. These classes include children with and without disabilities. The program’s focus is helping all children develop communication, literacy, math, problem solving, motor, and social skills. Parents of children who will be 3 by September 1st, applications will be available and accepted in mid February.
In alignment with Maryland’s Blueprint for the Future, new applications for students turning 4 by September 1 will not be available. The Howard County Public School System continues to offer a prekindergarten program for income eligible children who will be four years old by September 1. For additional information contact the school or visit: https://www.hcpss.org/schools/pre-k-programs/
HCPSS is committed to providing instruction based on the statewide Early Learning Standards which are in alignment with Kindergarten Readiness. The fees listed in the application will be collected monthly regardless of the learning model determined by HCPSS throughout the upcoming school year (virtual, hybrid, in person, or class quarantine). If you have any additional questions, please contact Kenisha Burks at 410-313-6893.
Greetings Running Brook Elementary School Families and Community!
We invite all of our families to attend our Family Involvement Team Meeting this month.
Join us virtually on Wednesday, March 6th from 8:40 to 9:10 a.m. using the following link:
https://meet.google.com/jrq-xdua-gpi
We will begin brainstorming ideas and solutions to address the data we viewed at our two previous meetings.
Sincerely,
The Family Involvement Team
MD State Accredidation of our PreK Program
Let's keep cheering on our Pre-K team while they complete the Maryland State Accreditation process! This month they focused on the following standards.
- 2.3.2 & 2.3.7-Co-create classroom rules, referring to C4L expectation posters. These should be hung and available to reference daily with students. The team will also be addressing the difference between expectations and rules.
- 2.1.3(a)-Environment reflects students, families and staff (windows & mirrors): pictures of students, staff and families around the room, diversity/ability posters around the room (may need to take down other items on wall for space), puzzles of families/people groups, dolls of variety of skin tones, books around the room, skin tone materials around room (crayons, paper, etc.)
Keep up the hard work Pre-K!
Message from the President
We are less than 1 month away from our Yearbook ordering deadline. If you have not ordered your yearbook, please do so ASAP. We are also still in need of photos from all grade levels.
RBES Culture Night is CANCELED due to lack of interest/participation. If this event is something you would like to see return to school next year, please reach out and volunteer to lead this initiative. We only had ONE family sign up to host a table so we have canceled this event. We hope to see more interest next year.
Finally, we hope your student enjoyed coming home with a Valentines flower. This is the third year the PTA has purchased a flower for every student at Running Brook. Wishing everyone a happy Valentine's week and year full of love.
2023-2024 PTA Meetings - All Meetings Start at 7pm
- March 11th - Virtual
- April 15th - Virtual
- May 13th - In Person
Join the PTA
Why join the PTA? We strive to make every child's potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and the community to advocate for ALL Running Brook Elementary School students. But we can't do it without YOU! Not sure you want to join? Come to a meeting to find out more about our organization and how best to participate. memberships available HERE