Jaguar Summer Stories

Thanks to all of our SJLES staff members who shared weekly read alouds with our Jaguars throughout our summer break. As our teachers return to full time work next week, we hope you enjoy our final editions including two Kindergarten Stories for our newest Jaguars. Please check out each of our Jaguar Summer Stories by visiting our website at sjles.hcpss.org
Ms. Kennedy Jaguar Summer Story: Wordy Birdy
Mrs. Robinson Jaguar Summer story Kindergarten Edition: Knuffle Bunny
Mrs. Eassa Jaguar Summer Story Kindergarten Edition: Harry the Dirty Dog

Student Materials Collection & Distribution INCLUDING CHROMEBOOKS & INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS - 9/2/2020
Please save the date for our SJLES Student Materials Collection and Distribution Day on Wednesday, 9/2/2020. On this date, we will distribute items including Chromebooks, instructional materials, class pictures, any remaining yearbooks, and students’ personal items that were left behind last school year. Additionally, 9/2 will provide an opportunity to return borrowed items such as SJLES media books, instruments, and teacher classroom library books.

SJLES families, please plan to visit SJLES to pick up instructional items your child will need throughout the semester including a Chromebook and instructional materials. All elementary students will be provided an HCPSS Chromebook for instruction.

We understand that not all family schedules will match with our designated windows, but please try to arrive during your designated time frame to assist us with traffic overflow onto St. John’s Lane. Families can choose to stop by during the additional window of 2:30-3:15 to pick up materials or simply arrive at a time that works best for you, if needed. The schedule is below and additional details, similar to our pickup in June, will follow.  
9:00 - 9:45 - Last names that begin with A - C
9:45- 10:30 - Last names that begin with D - F
10:30 - 11:15 - Last names that begin with G - J
11:15 - 12:00 - Last names that begin with K - M
1:00 - 1:45 - Last names that begin with N - Q
1:45 - 2:30  - Last names that begin with R - Z
2:30 - 3:15 - Additional pickup window for all families A-Z
Rain Date is 9/3/2020

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Family File is Open!
Please visit HCPSS Connect to update your Family File for the 2020-21 school year today! Parents must complete the Family File every year, even during virtual learning, to ensure HCPSS has the most current information for each child. Once logged in, parents/guardians will be asked to verify, or update the following information: Student Information, Parent/Guardian Contact, Emergency Contact, Medical Information, Arrival/Dismissal Procedures (for when in-person classes resume), Photo Approval, Data Confidentiality, PTA/PTSA Directory.
Your Family File must be completed and updated in order for you to access the names of your child’s teachers prior to the start of the school year. The exact date will be determined by Central Office and shared with our community. We will be sharing our 2020-2021 staff roster with our community soon.
Please click here to access directions to complete Family FIle.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
All dates will be posted on our SJLES Public Calendar.
8/20 - Patapsco Middle School Collection & Distribution of Student Materials
8/25 - School Staff Returns
8/25-8/27 - Dunloggin Middle School Collection & Distribution of Student Materials
8/31 - Waverly Elementary School Collection & Distribution of Student Materials (CORRECTED DATE)
9/2 - SJLES Collection & Distribution of Student Materials
9:00 - 9:45 - Last names that begin with A - C
9:45- 10:30 - Last names that begin with D - F
10:30 - 11:15 - Last names that begin with G - J
11:15 - 12:00 - Last names that begin with K - M
1:00 - 1:45 - Last names that begin with N - Q
1:45 - 2:30  - Last names that begin with R - Z
2:30 - 3:15 - Additional pickup window for all families A-Z
9/3 - SJLES Collection & Distribution of Student Materials Rain Date
9/4 - Student & Family Orientations
8:30-9:30 5th Grade
9:30-10:30 4th Grade
10:30-11:30 3rd Grade
11:30-12:30 2nd Grade
12:30-1:30 1st Grade
1:30-2:30 Kindergarten
2:45-3:45 New Family Welcome with Administration & School Leaders
9/7 - Labor Day
9/8 - First Day of Elementary School for Students
9/22 @ 6:30 - K-2 Virtual Back to School Night
9/23 @ 6:30 - 3-5 Virtual Back to School Night
9/24 @ 6:30 - Gifted & Talented Virtual Back to School Night

Updated Supply List
The Howard County School System has created the school supply list, taking into account family budgets, as well as student needs during virtual learning. This list has been distributed to all elementary schools, and the number of items have been reduced. Please reach out to me if you have any questions.

HCPSS 2020-21 School Year Updates
HCPSS families can keep up to date with news about the 2020-2021 school year by clicking on the link.
https://www.hcpss.org/2020-2021

HCPSS Reopening Plan
The HCPSS Reopening Plan is still in draft form at this time, pending MSDE approval.  Appendix D provides proposed schedules for each grade level, as you consider the logistics of distance learning for your family.

SJLES Virtual Orientations - 9/4/2020
Please save the date for our SJLES Virtual Orientations on Friday, September 4th. Our Virtual Orientations will provide our students and families information about the school year and their new grade level and most importantly an opportunity to meet their new teacher. The schedule is below and Google Meet Codes will be shared with families as the date approaches.
8:30 - 9:30 5th Grade
9:30 - 10:30 4th Grade
10:30 - 11:30 3rd Grade
11:30 - 12:30 2nd Grade
12:30 - 1:30 1st Grade
1:30 - 2:30 Kindergarten
2:45 - 3:45 New Family Welcome with Administration & School Leaders

Technology Accounts for New Students
Families with students new to HCPSS and whose registration has been finalized will receive an email from noreply@hcpss.org with the subject “Technology account information for new HCPSS student.” The email will be sent to the email address used during the student registration process. The email contains personalized and important information regarding new students’ technology accounts. If you have a child new to HCPSS and do not receive the email and/or cannot locate the email in the junk/spam folder of the email account you used during registration, you can use the Forgot Password or Username button on the hcpss.me student landing page to retrieve both your child’s username and password. Directions for Account Self Service are posted online.

Students not returning to the HCPSS in the Fall
Students who will attend an HCPSS school for the 2020-2021 school year and who borrowed an HCPSS Chromebook in the spring or summer may continue to use the device for the 2020-2021 school year. Every student entering grades pre-kindergarten through 8 will be provided with a Chromebook; parents/guardians do not need to do anything to request this device. Details will be communicated as soon as they are available.
Students leaving HCPSS after the 2019-2020 school year and/or who have withdrawn from the 2020-2021 school year will need to return a borrowed Chromebook and/or hot spot.  Please return the device to the HCPSS Logistics Center (9645 Gerwig Lane, Columbia). The building is open weekdays from 9-11 a.m. Students who have enrolled in a school outside of HCPSS will need to return their borrowed Chromebook before their records can be sent to the new school.

Applying for Free & Reduced Meals for Children
The Coronavirus pandemic is causing hardship for many of our friends and neighbors. Many HCPSS families have been impacted financially by the pandemic, and may be eligible now to receive benefits through the Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) program. Qualifying families can take advantage of a wide range of additional resources and discounts, including testing fees, tuition, internet and more. Click here to learn more or to apply.  
Summer Meals Extended to Aug. 28
The free Grab-N-Go summer meals program has been extended through Friday, August 28th. There were several location changes effective Monday, August 3.

Connect with Us:
Address
2960 St. Johns Lane
Ellicott City, MD 21042    
Phone
410-313-2813    
Website
sjles.hcpss.org    
Twitter
@hcpss_sjles    

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