VES Eagle Express Newletter

The building is closed due to the State Superintendent's decision regarding the COVID-19 virus. We can still be reached by contacting our principal at robert_bruce@hcpss.org

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

HELP: Answers to frequently asked questions about issues related school closures, continuity of learning, and what happens next

HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS: Information on schedules, last day of school, virtual graduations ->

CONTINUITY OF LEARNING: Information on distance learning schedules, resources, and more

FOOD SERVICE: Detrails on HCPSS' free meal service program for all HCPSS students

DEVICES: Details on technology requirements, requesting student or staff technology, support...

SPECIAL EDUCATION: Overview, timeline, and resources for families receiving special education services

COVID-19: Full information, resources, and HCPSS updates and contact information

International Student and Family Services link

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.

All students should continue to focus on engaging with Dreambox and LexiaCore. We also ask all students to engage with their related arts activities as well as content subjects such as Science and Social Studies. We are able to monitor your participation and achievement. This information will be used to determine 4th quarter grades. I have been impressed by the number of students who are completing their lessons in Dreambox and earning their certificates in LexiaCore.

Please take the survey attached to this link for student pick up and drop off of materials at school by Monday June 1st at 10:00 am: https://forms.gle/fo1JAutAoYJDuFXa6

• School Calendar Revisions: The Board has approved changes to the 2019-2020 school system calendar. HCPSS is now scheduled to be open on Tuesday, June 2, 2020, as the elections on this day will take place almost entirely by mail and schools will not be used as polling places.

JUNE

8 - Dunloggin Middle School Virtual Student Visit Day: 9:00 a.m.

8 - Ellicott Mills Middle School Virtual Student Visit Day: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

23 - Last Student School Day

AUGUST

25 - First Day of School for Students

Some of our VES families have been experiencing hardships with the Co-VID crisis. We want to take time to thank some groups and individuals who have helped our families with generous food donations:

1. First Lutheran Evangelical Church in Ellicott City

2. St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Ellicott City

3. Saurabh & Neha Gupta

Their donations have helped many families and we appreciate their partnerships with the school community.

We want all of our students and parents to understand that it is crucial to understand the grading criteria for fourth quarter. Students should be participating regularly in their assignments.

The Quarter 4 grading protocols would include the following provisions for students at all grade levels:

• Students will earn a grade of “Pass” or “Incomplete” for each graded subject or course.

• A “Pass” is earned for completing at least 50% of Quarter 4 assignments and will count as an “A” (4.0 points) for the purposes of final grade, GPA calculations, and high school athletic eligibility.

• An “Incomplete” is earned for completing less than 50% of quarter 4 assignments. Students will have until the 15th day of the following marking period, September 15, 2020, to complete missing assignments, at which time:

1. If students complete sufficient assignments to fulfill the 50% completion requirement, the “Incomplete” will be converted to a “Pass.” For middle and high school students, the GPA and final grade will be computed with the “Pass” counting as an “A”.
2. If students do not complete missing assignments, then the “Incomplete” will be converted to a grade code of “N/A”. For students in middle and high school, the final grade and GPA will be based on the grade earned during the first three marking periods, including the midterm exam for high school students.

If you have any questions about 4th quarter grading, do not hesitate to ask.

All students who left medication in the school, personal instruments, and ADA or assistive technology devices will have an opportunity to pick these items up once a date is identified in June. Please follow the announcements sent via School Messenger.

Students who are leaving the Howard County School System may drop off items such as Chromebooks, library books, textbooks, and school instruments. This will occur on the same date as student pick up. Please follow announcements made on School Messenger.

Students who are remaining in our school, going to a Howard County middle school, or are transferring to another Howard County elementary school due to moving or redistricting should not return any items to Veterans. They will be returned when we return to a "Brick & Mortar" situation. If you leave Veterans, you will just return the item at your newly assigned Howard County Public School.

Parents and students will have until 10:00 am Monday morning, June 1st to complete the

Item Pick-up and Drop-off form.

The staff will pull necessary items for student/parent pick up from school at a date to be announced once the survey is complete. Healthroom medications will also be distributed at that time.

This is also the time for all students not returning to a Howard County School this Fall, to return items such as chromebooks, school owned instruments, textbooks, library books, etc. Basically any borrowed school owned property.

If you are returning to any Howard County school, these items may be kept over the summer. You will turn them in when "brick and mortar" operations resume.

Veterans Elementary School | 4355 Montgomery Road, Ellicott City, MD 21043

(410) 313-1700 | ves.hcpss.org

May 29th will be the last work day for Mrs. Bowers as she retires from being the Principal's Secretary at Veterans Elementary School. Barbara has been at Veterans for about eight years and she has served us well, Barbara is extremely loyal to our school and has always served with the highest of ethical standards.

Her refreshing smile and strong work ethic will be hard to replace. We admire all she has done for our school. In her nineteen years with the Howard County School System everyone she has encountered tells me she is a wonderful person.

She validated that to us every day she walked into the office at Veterans. The staff, students, and parents of our school will miss her reassuring presence.

We are pleased to announce that former VES staff member and currently a staff member at Ducketts Lane Elementary, Mrs. Youmi Jun will assume Mrs. Bowers responsibilities on July 1, 2020. We welcome Mrs. Jun to the office staff as the school's fourth Principal's Secretary.

Teachers, including related arts teachers, may elect to offer optional synchronous “office hours.” These are optional opportunities to provide additional support or connection with students. These opportunities are also NOT required for teachers or students. The term “office hours” should be used to distinguish these optional live meetings from the scheduled class check-ins. Office hours are not required for teachers AND cannot be required for students to participate. The purpose of office hours is to make additional connections with students and provide additional support.

Please understand that many teachers juggle heavy responsibilities for their own families’ care and learning while delivering continuity of learning. This means that some teachers may decide that they cannot offer additional office hours. If your child’s teacher decides that he/she will offer “office hours”, they may do this either at the end of a virtual check in or at a time that does not conflict with other instructional groups for their grade level.

dms.hcpss.org

The Google Meet link for our student visit day is:

Meeting ID meet.google.com/dij-mpnx-dei

Phone Numbers (US)+1 608-879-0592

PIN: 514 617 782#

Dear Students and Families,

During this unprecedented time, our school team at Ellicott Mills Middle School (EMMS or The Mill) continues working hard to prepare for next year. I know I speak for the entire staff when I send you a heartfelt welcome our EMMS family. We are eager to meet our new students for the 2020-2021 school year.

Our school is hosting a Virtual Student Visit Day on June 8, 2020 from 9:00-11:00am to introduce you to some of our staff members, take a virtual tour of the building, discuss the many programs and activities available in our school, and share our school spirit with you. The Google Meet link as well as information for breakout sessions will be sent out prior to the Virtual Student Visit Day on June 8th.

If your student is not able to make the Virtual Student Visit Day at the scheduled time, the information that is presented will be able to be accessed on our EMMS website at emms.hcpss.org. Specifically on the main page under the Important News & Upcoming Events section within the “Important News – Incoming Families”.

We’re incredibly proud of The Mill, and we couldn’t be more excited to have you join us next year. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me should you have any questions at peter_gaylord@hcpss.org.

Sincerely,

Peter M. Gaylord, Principal

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.

If your student was not able to make the

Virtual Student Visit Days

(May 18 & 19) , here's your chance to take a virtual tour!

VES Virtual Student Visit Day

Hello VES families!

May is Mental Health Awareness month! Please consider joining us in completing the

VES 31 Day Mental Health Awareness Challenge.

Hello VES! If you haven't already seen it, please check out our video on coping with uncomfortable feelings. You can check out the video through your School Counselor's canvas page and find the video titled 'Make a Coping Jar'.

Also, a reminder that May is Mental Health Awareness month! Please consider joining us in completing the VES 31 Day Mental Health Awareness Challenge. We would love to hear how you are doing with the challenge!!

VES School Counselors are available for virtual student check-ins by appointment daily from 9:30am - 11:30am and from 12:00pm - 1:00pm. Please email us at the addresses below to request an appointment with us.

Julie Wentz (Grades 1, 2, 3, & 5) - julie_wentz@hcpss.org

Jessica Wilson (Grades K & 4) - jessica_wilson@hcpss.org

Tabitha Brown (Counseling Intern) - tabitha_brown_intern@hcpss.org

* Please note that Mrs. Wentz will be joining Ms. Brown’s chats.

School Psychologists are also available during the times listed below:

Ms. Moniodis (School Psychologist RECC and I&T): Monday - Friday 12:00pm - 1:00pm

debra_moniodis@hcpss.org

Ms. Boyars (School Psychologist Intern RECC): Monday - Friday 1:00pm- 2:00pm

michal_boyars@hcpss.org

Dr. Burkhouse (School Psychologist K-5) and Ms. Gosnell (School Psychologist Intern K-5): Monday - Friday 1:00pm - 2:00pm for staff, student, and parent appointments.

katie_burkhouse@hcpss.org

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.

The staff will begin classroom placement discussions for next school year. It is possible that staff may decide to maintain classroom placements for next year. It is also possible staff may decide to make some adjustments. If you have anything you would like considered in the placement of your child for next school year, please send that information to Mr. Bruce in an email no later than May 30, 2020. We will make every attempt to honor your request but please understand that this may not be possible. Placements are considered based on many factors including but not limited to; benchmark reading level, writing level, social considerations, and special needs among others. Remember, if there is anything you would like us to consider, please send this consideration to Mr. Bruce no later than May 30, 2020. Robert_Bruce@hcpss.org

• Attendance: Teachers at all levels will document student attendance during Continuity of Learning using a point system based on student participation in learning activities each week. More information, including specific indicators that will be used for each level is provided online.
• New Continuity of Learning Website and Help Function: The HCPSS Continuity of Learning website has been restructured to provide an even more user-friendly and easily navigated information resource, including pages with schedules and information dedicated to high school seniors and students at each level. The new HCPSS Help site is grouped by subject to allow quicker and easier navigation, and includes a convenient new keyword search function, making it easier to quickly find answers to their most frequently-asked questions.

We are excited about beginning Google Check In sessions. Please make sure your child signs into their sessions through their teacher's Canvas page. Teachers have been advised not to allow anyone to enter the Check In Session from a private email address, this is for everyone's safety and security. My expectation is that students will be on their best behavior during screen time with their classmates and teacher(s). Please be advised that if any student does anything inappropriate during a class session, then the teacher may eliminate the student from instruction. Further violations will result in a phone call to parents from an administrator.
We are hopeful that everyone will take advantage of this learning time.

REGISTRATION of all new students for next school year Grades PK - Grade 5, should be started online. Please use the following link:

https://www.hcpss.org/enroll/

ADDRESS CHANGE: FILLABLE_Change_of_Address.pdf

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.

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

Do you have VES Media Books that are currently checked out that are with you at home?

Please take good care of the books and return them to VES as soon as school reopens.

Thank You!

• 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.

Limited quantities of pens, pencils and notebooks will be available at the Hammond, Long Reach and Oakland Mills high school Technology Distribution sites, which students/families may pick up if supplies are needed for continuity of learning at home. Prepare for Success has donated its inventory of school supplies, which will soon be available at meal distribution sites. Please stay tuned as we gather this inventory this week and prepare for a wider distribution beginning next week.