Greetings SJLES Families,
We may only be seven days into the school year, but the state of our school is so good! Our students have simply been awesome. They picked up right where so many of them left off and our new students are learning our routines and expectations while making new friends. Our Jaguars are safe, engaged, learning, and happy! All this makes me, Ms. Coleman, and our staff happy, too! We are so proud of our kids and will absolutely keep the momentum going here at The Lane.
There is a lot of important information to share today, so I appreciate you taking time to stay current with the always busy start to the school year. Have a great rest of the day and we hope to see you at our PTA Welcome Back Picnic tomorrow night from 6:00 - 8:00 PM!
Sincerely,
Dan Notari
SJLES Principal
NEW NEWS
SJLES Back to School Nights Overview
Our Back to School Nights (BTSN) are scheduled for Monday, 9/13 & Tuesday, 9/14.
This year will be facilitating concurrent Back to School Night presentations so parents have the option of attending in-person or virtually via Google Meet.
For security reasons, families MUST use your student’s HCPSS credentials to access the Google Meets. Parents can visit https://account.hcpss.org, type in your HCPSS Connect account information, and it will display your students login information.
If attending virtually, we ask that you please mute your microphone during the sessions and use the chat feature. An additional SJLES staff member will be monitoring the Google Meet throughout each presentation to assist our virtual families.
The intended BTSN audience is solely parents. You may bring your children to the in-person option, but it is not likely they will find the evening engaging no matter how hard we all try. We will facilitate information-based presentations and answer parent questions. Child care is not provided during the presentation.
Please note the dates, times, and Google Meet naming conventions below.
9/10 @ 6:00-8:00 - PTA Back to School Picnic
9/13 @ 6:00-7:30 - Primary (K-2) Back to School Night
6:00-6:30 - Administration & PTA Welcome & Overview
Google Meet Code: SJLESwelcome
In-Person Location: Cafeteria
6:30-7:30 - Staff Presentations
Google Meet Code: SJLES(teacher last name)
Ex: Mrs. Shoff: SJLESshoff / Mrs. McWatters: SJLESmcwatters
In-Person Location: Homeroom Teacher Classrooms
9/14 @ 5:30-6:00 - Gifted & Talented Back To School Night Overview
Google Meet Code: SJLESgt
In-Person Location: Media Center
9/14 @ 6:00-7:30 - Intermediate (3-5) Back To School Night
6:00-6:30 - Administration & PTA Welcome & Overview
Google Meet Code: SJLESwelcome
In-Person Location: Cafeteria
6:30-7:30 - Staff Presentations
Google Meet Code: SJLES(teacher last name)
Ex: Mrs. Coffey: SJLEScoffey / Ms. King: SJLESking
In-Person Location: Homeroom Teacher Classrooms
Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP)
As part of continued COVID-19 recovery efforts, the Maryland State Department of Education is conducting an early fall student assessment as one of several strategies to identify how students are performing academically. The results will help educators better understand student needs, so that we can address disrupted education and accelerate learning opportunities for all students. These results never stand alone in assessing student growth, and will be used in combination with other assessments and class work to gauge overall student performance.
MCAP is the overarching term used for all state assessments. MSDE will administer assessments in the Early Fall for English Language Arts/Literacy & mathematics. Our 4th & 5th graders will be assessed in ELA & Math on 9/20, 9/21, 9/23, and 9/24, during the ELA, Content, & Math blocks. Make-up assessments will be held on 9/27-9/29.
Students need to bring a fully charged laptop, corded headphones, & a positive attitude! Please contact Ms. Coleman at erin_coleman@hcpss.org with any questions about the MCAP assessment.
Evacuation Drill
This morning our students engaged in our first emergency drill of the school year, an evacuation drill. Teachers prepared students for this drill and closely monitored students to ensure their safety, and well-being during this drill. Our staff and students did a great job evacuating the building safely and quickly! The engagement and completion of emergency drills are required by the HCPSS Office of Safety & Security. Prior to the evacuation drill, students discussed the drill and learned how to:
Remain calm during an emergency
Follow the teacher's directions to line up quickly and quietly
With the teacher's guidance, evacuate the school building using the closest exit
Wait with their teacher and class until directed to go back into the building
We are so proud of our Jaguars for completing their first evacuation drill of the school year! If you have any questions about this drill and/or other emergency drills, please contact Ms. Coleman at erin_coleman@hcpss.org
Lunch Volunteers
SJLES is ready for lunch volunteers! Our wonderful PTA has organized a way for parents to sign up to help us support our outdoor lunch location this year. Lunch Times at SJLES are as follows:
Kindergarten: 11:15 - 11:45
2nd grade: 11:45 - 12:15
1st grade: 12:15 - 12:45
3rd grade: 12:45 - 1:15
4th grade: 1:15 - 1:45
5th grade: 1:45 - 2:15
Some specific lunch tasks that we need help with are:
Helping students in the cafeteria open lunch item packaging, refilling water cups, obtaining spoons when needed
Responding to students when they raise their hand for a need (utensil, restroom, etc).
“Traffic control” in our hallway intersection when outdoor lunch students transition back into the building
Assisting school staff in wiping down tables in the outdoor tent in between lunch shifts
All volunteers must complete an online training prior to serving as a volunteer. This year, there are additional requirements for HCPSS volunteers related to vaccination status. Please find all of this information here.
If you are still interested in volunteering with us for lunch, please sign up using this Sign-Up Genius link. Please indicate if you will volunteer for outdoor (tent and picnic tables), indoor, hallway (to help with transitions), or “no preference” (and we will ask you to help where it’s most needed that shift. Thank you! You can also email Jane Fisher at jane.gribble@gmail.com with any questions.
HC Recreation & Parks After School Classes
Click here to view the Fall 2021 After School Classes by HCRP at SJLES
Instructional Supports for Students in Quarantine
While a student is in quarantine, there are several opportunities for them to remain engaged in learning and receive support. Though COVID-related absences are considered excused absences, it is important that students take advantage of these opportunities so they are able to return from quarantine and easily transition back into in-person instruction.
The following instructional resources are available for elementary students to remain academically engaged during quarantine:
All students in prekindergarten through grade 5 have been/will be provided a packet of grade level instructional materials that cover all content areas including related arts. (Students in the PreK program are to receive their instructional packets on September 2, 2021, and students in grades kindergarten through 5 on or before September 10, 2021.) The packets are only to be used in the event a student needs to quarantine. These packets also will be available via Canvas. The tasks that students complete from the packet will not be used as an assessment or counted toward any part of the students’ report card grade.
Students may also access instructional materials via their teacher’s Canvas page. If a student does not possess a device, one will be assigned by the school.
Students may participate in two weekly virtual check-ins with their teacher(s) to ask questions or receive help with reading/language arts and mathematics asynchronous assignments. Scheduling instructions will be provided by the school.
Beginning in mid-September, students will have access to virtual tutoring services via the Evening School program.
Types of Masks Allowed at School
All face masks should be multiple layers (at least 2). Students may wear gaiters if they are doubled over to make two layers, worn with another mask, or have a pocket that holds a filter. Please review this link for more information.
Procedures for Visitors and Volunteers
Parents & visitors entering the school for a brief visit to pick up or drop off their child, or for other reasons, are not required to show proof of vaccination or testing. They are, however, required to be masked regardless of their vaccination status.
Parents are not permitted to eat lunch in the school cafeteria with students at this time.
Parents who are conducting classroom visits or observations must provide proof of vaccination status or a negative COVID-19 test (within seven days of the current date) to school administration when they check in at the front office.
Visitors should perform a COVID-19 health check every day before coming to an HCPSS building and should stay home if they are experiencing any symptom(s) associated with any communicable disease.
Effective 9/20, all volunteers entering HCPSS schools to interact with or support students must provide proof of vaccination status or a negative COVID-19 test (within 7 days of the current date) to school administration when they check in at the front office.
Volunteers must be masked regardless of their vaccination status. Volunteers may be able to access the free weekly testing offered within school and office buildings, subject to availability of tests. Volunteers should perform a COVID-19 health check every day before coming to an HCPSS building and should stay home if they are experiencing any symptom(s) associated with any communicable disease.
Additionally, all volunteers must complete a Confidentiality Training Course about protecting the privacy of our students, staff, and schools, and the Child Abuse and Neglect Training about reporting any suspicion of child abuse or neglect to Howard County Department of Social Services.
Chromebook Update
Our technology team has been receiving a lot of questions about chromebooks for this year. Please take a look at these frequently asked questions, including information about handling lost, stolen or damaged chromebooks.
What if my student’s chromebook from last year was damaged, lost or stolen? Please return the damaged chromebook to our school as soon as possible. If the chromebook or charger is lost/stolen, let us know.
HCPSS recently announced the following new policy: Beginning 9/13, families will be charged for any devices that are lost, stolen or damaged while in their care. If devices are lost, stolen or damaged during school hours and in the school building, school administrators will conduct an investigation to determine if the incident was the result of neglect on the part of the assigned student. Devices reported as lost, stolen or damaged before this date will not be assessed for a charge. In other words, if your student’s device has been lost, stolen or damaged, let us know before September 13th if you want us to be able to troubleshoot it and potentially get it fixed before the new policy takes effect.
Will my student have access to a chromebook this year? Yes. Students in grades 2-5 will have a chromebook assigned to them for their use throughout the year. Students in grades K-1 will have access to chromebooks that are kept at school. At this time, these devices are not assigned to a specific student. As Howard County receives more inventory of chromebooks, these may be assigned to specific K-1 students.
Why does my Kindergartener or First grader need to turn in their chromebook from last year? These devices are needed so that they may be assigned to a student in grades 2-5. Students in K-1 will use chromebooks that are assigned to our school as a whole.
If you have any questions please contact any member of our media/tech team.
Maggie Fischer- margaret_fischer@hcpss.org
Shannon Kennedy- shannon_kennedy@hcpss.org
Vicky Pauller- vicky_pauller@hcpss.org
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Access our SJLES Public Calendar at https://sjles.hcpss.org/calendar
9/10 - Spirit Day: Summer Lovin! Grab your sunglasses, Hawaiian shirt, lei or shirt from your favorite vacation & let's say goodbye to summer in style!
9/10 @ 6:00-8:00 - PTA Back to School Picnic
9/13 @ 6:00-7:30 - Primary Back to School Night
6:00-6:30 - Administration & PTA Welcome & Overview
Google Meet Code: SJLESwelcome
6:30-7:30 - Staff Presentations
Google Meet Code: SJLES(teacher last name)
9/14 @ 5:30-6:00 - GT Back To School Night
Google Meet Code: SJLESgt
9/14 @ 6:00-7:30 - Intermediate Back To School Night
6:00-6:30 - Administration & PTA Welcome & Overview
Google Meet Code: SJLESwelcome
6:30-7:30 - Staff Presentations
Google Meet Code: SJLES(teacher last name)
9/16 - Schools and Offices are Closed
9/17 - Spirit Day: Favorite Sport! Grab your jersey, t-shirt, medal, or trophy to show us your favorite sport.
9/20 - 9/24 - MCAP Window for Grades 4 and 5
9/21, 9/22, & 9/23 - PTA Paint Nights
9/24 - Spirit Day: Superhero Day! Dress up as your favorite superhero to celebrate our super first month of school at SJLES!
9/27-9/29 - MCAP Make Up Window
10/1 - Spirit Day- #JaguarPride: Wear your SJLES Spirit Wear or blue & yellow
REPEATED NEWS
Text Message Access
HCPSS & SJLES often communicate important information that we need parents to know immediately via text messages. If you receive our texts, then you do not need to do anything else! If you do not, we highly recommend that you opt-in. Here are the instructions on how to opt-in to text messaging...
Text the word “YES” to 67587 from the wireless device you wish to receive texts on.
You will receive an "opt in" message from HCPSS sent from SchoolMessenger.
Text Y and hit send.
You will now begin receiving text alerts from SJLES and HCPSS.
Consider having a close relative or family friend sign up for HCPSSNews alerts. This is a helpful safeguard on unexpected early dismissal days. Community members or any non-HCPSS can sign up to receive messages by visiting this sign-up page.
Umbrellas / Dress For the Weather / Dismissal Impact
Thanks for always sending your child dressed for the day’s weather conditions. When students have umbrellas and clothes to keep dry in the rain it expedites our entire dismissal process. Our goal this year is for students to dress appropriately for the weather and use their umbrellas to stay dry while waiting outside for cars, vans, and buses. Depending on the severity of the weather, we may have to dismiss student by student in the car loop, which creates a potential for additional long delays. This is only a last resort if the weather is unsafe due to the impact it has on St. John’s Lane in both directions.
We Need You!
SJLES is still in need of a Lunch/Recess monitor and a Close Adult Support position. Please email Erin Coleman (erin_coleman@hcpss.org) if you are interested in joining our outstanding staff.
Join the PTA
Becoming a member of the PTA does not mean you need to volunteer! It simply means that you are donating to help enhance the school experience for all of the students. The PTA funds school-wide presentations, family fun events, teacher appreciation activities, and items needed by the teachers for their lessons and classrooms. It is $30 for two-parent households and $12 for one-parent households for the 2021-2022 school year. (Or you can choose to donate more and receive a car magnet as a thank you.) Visit our online Membership site to make your tax deductible donation. Thank you for supporting SJLES and be sure to celebrate your school spirit with Spirit Wear! Prices are...
T-shirt (adult and child) - $10
Hoodies (adult and child) - $22
Sweatpants (child sizes only) - $22
You can now order directly from our Online Store or at in-person events. The items will be sent home with your child. Go Jaguars!
Community News and Programs
Please visit the Community News and Programs page at http://www.hcpss.org/community-news-and-programs/ for announcements of upcoming events and programs sponsored by non-profit organizations.