SJLES Winter Parent Teacher Conference Overview

Fall Conference Structure

• Fall conferences with English Language Arts teachers and 4th Grade GT Math teachers will take place on Monday, 11/22, and Tuesday, 11/23, following 3-Hour early dismissals for students each day. Some teachers will be offering Wednesday 11/24 conferences. 

• All conferences will be held via Google Meet

  • Teachers will share their google meet information with families via Canvas. 

  • If you find it necessary to meet in-person with your child's teacher, please contact our teachers’ secretaries Mrs. Smith & Mrs. Wolfrey by Friday, 11/12, by calling the front office at 410-313-2813 or emailing michele_smith1@hcpss.org & Mrs. Wolfrey ay robin_wolfrey@hcpss.org to request an in-person conference. 

    • After we receive all in-person requests, we will collaborate with teachers to schedule those times and be back in touch with families by 11/19.

      • In-person conferences may need to occur outside of the conference window. 

• Conferences are scheduled in 20 minute blocks and will be 15 minutes in length to allow for transition between sessions. 

  • All conferences will need to begin and end on time. 

  • Please do not enter the Google Meet early.

• Parents needing assistance should contact our front office staff at 410-313-2813.

Scheduling a Virtual Parent Conference

• Beginning Monday, 11/8, and continuing through next Thursday, 11/18, families can log on to HCPSS Connect to access Synergy Conference Management. Any additional conferences beyond the times offered must be scheduled after the window has closed through direct contact with your child’s teacher.

• Click here for directions to schedule your conference.

Tips For Accessing HCPSS Connect

• It is recommended that you use a personal computer or your child’s Chromebook and not a mobile phone or tablet. 

• Google Chrome or Firefox are the preferred web browsers.

• If using a shared, family computer, confirm that you are NOT logged in as your student.

Related Arts Office Hours & Technical Support

Our Related Arts Team will be offering Office Hours throughout the conference window and provide tech support for families who may encounter difficulty logging in to their conferences. In order to join the Google Meet, go to https://hcpss.me with your student’s login information, click on the Meet icon, then enter the code sjles-officehours.

• Monday 11/22 Schedule

  • 1:00-3:00 - Mrs. Carty (PE) & Mr. Frantz (PE)

  • 3:00-5:00 - Mrs. Fischer (Media/Tech) & Ms.Kennedy (Tech)

  • 5:00-7:00 - Mrs. Peddicord (Art)

• Tuesday 11/23 Schedule

  • 1:00-3:00 -  Ms. Kalivretenos (Band/Orchestra) & Mrs. Moon (Art) 

  • 3:00-5:00 -  Mrs. Kennedy (Tech)

  • 5:00-7:00 - Mrs. Foster (Music) & Mrs. Whitaker (Music)

• Wednesday 11/24 Schedule

  • 10:00-12:00 - Mrs. Pauller (Media)  

Families may email related arts teachers directly, if needed, to discuss any concerns specific to your child. Please visit our website for teacher contact information. 

Report Card Access Beginning 11/10

Parents/guardians will have access to view report cards after 5 PM on 11/10. You can Parents/guardians may view/download report cards by taking the following steps:

1. Log in to HCPSS Connect Synergy using parent/guardian credentials

2. Select More Options from the left panel

3. Select Report Cards from the middle

4. Select the report card you wish to access

Understanding Your Child’s Elementary School Report Card 

• Please click here to access the latest HCPSS Understanding Your Child’s Elementary School Report Card support document. 

• Please click here to learn more about grading and testing.  

Picture Retake Day is Coming! 

We are excited to welcome back Strawbridge Studios to SJLES on Thursday 11/18 to photograph our students who were absent for Fall portraits and to provide opportunities for retakes for interested families.  These portraits are not only a great keepsake for your family but an important fundraiser for our school. Please look for the order form coming home with your child.  If you are interested in purchasing your child's photos please send the completed form in with your child by Friday October 8.   

• ​​​​​​​Please click here to view the various packages available. 

• Please click here to sign up to receive updates via email regarding their child's school portraits. These updates include promotions, additional deals and the ability to order more pictures at a later time. When entering student information, parents should be sure to enter the student's name as it is on file at the school.

Ventilation On School Buses

We have received inquiries regarding ventilation protocols on school buses. The HCPSS Office of Pupil Transportation has provided the following information to bus drivers and our administrative team will uplift them, as well.  Please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the day's weather including during the bus ride to and from school and if they have to wait for a later-arriving bus. 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

• Click here to access our SJLES Public Calendar 

• Click here to access the HCPSS Related Arts Color Schedule 

• 11/8 - Kids Helping Kids Food Drive Closes

• 11/8 - Parent/Teacher Conf. Scheduling Window Opens

• 11/12 - Stuffed Buddy Day: Everyone gets to bring in a plush toy (that fits in your backpack) for the day.

• 11/14 - Turkey Trot @ 10:00 AM - 12:00 noon (Rain date 11/21)

• 11/3 - End of 1st Marking Period

• 11/3  - PTA Meeting @ 8:00 PM

• 11/4 - Schools Closed for Students - Professional Work Day

• 11/5 - Spirit Day: When I Grow Up Day: Dress up as an occupation you would like to be when you grow up

• 11/8 - Kids Helping Kids Food Drive Closes

• 11/8 - Parent/Teacher Conf. Scheduling Window Opens

• 11/10 - Report Cards Issued

• 11/14 - Turkey Trot @ 10:00 AM - 12:00 noon (Rain date 11/21)

• 11/15-11/19 -  American Education Week

• 11/18 - Parent/Teacher Conf. Scheduling Window Closes

• 11/18 -​​ Absentees & Retake Portraits

• 11/19- Spirit Day - #JaguarPride: Celebrate our SJLES Pride & wear your Spirit Wear or school colors 

• 11/22-11/24 - Parent Teacher Conferences

• 11/25-11/26 - All HCPSS Schools & Offices Closed 

REPEATED NEWS

Being A Good Neighbor

For our families who enter school using our “Walker Door” at the rear entrance of the building, please ensure that you do not block any of our neighbors’ driveways or mailboxes if you are parking along Southview Rd or any neighboring street!

 

We Need You! 

SJLES is still in need of a Close Adult Support position. Please email Erin Coleman (erin_coleman@hcpss.org) if you are interested in joining our outstanding staff!

• This service is provided to some of our students receiving special education services 

• Applicants will apply through an outside agency that staffs these positions at SJLES. 

• If you are interested in learning more please contact our Assistant Principal Erin Coleman at erin_coleman@hcpss.org and visit this link to apply. 

• Hours are typically 8:45-3:15.

• We also frequently need substitutes for this role, so if you are looking for just occasional work please let us know!  

Bus Evacuation Drills 11/8-11/0

SJLES will conduct bus evacuation drills at arrival between 11/8 and 11/0. Students will practice safely exiting the back of the bus so they are prepared to do so in case of an emergency. SJLES staff will support students throughout the evacuation to ensure student safety and understanding. This typically takes about 5 minutes per bus to complete, and students wanting to get breakfast will still be able to do so. 

 

Damage to HCPSS Devices

The Information Technology Department has seen an increase in devices that are damaged by food contamination or liquid incidents while students are using them in school. Please revisit the Chromebook Care Guidelines and remind students that they should keep all food and drinks away from their devices.  

 

Parent Lunch Volunteers 

As the weather gets colder and outdoor lunch opportunities begin to decrease, we have changed the sign up to request help for "lunch volunteers" without a specific location listed. We also added a recess volunteer position for each grade if you feel more comfy being outside or if you just want to watch the outdoor fun at recess time!  Please sign up here. You may notice the half days in November have lunch times only. No recess on half days!  Please contact Jane Fisher at jane.gribble@gmail.com. Mandatory Volunteer Requirement Reminders below...

• Effective 10/25, all volunteers who interact with students will be required to use the PinPoint Vaccine Check platform to show proof of vaccination at least five school days prior to entry into the school.  Please complete this requirement by clicking here. 

• 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.

Daily Health Check Reminder

Parents/guardians MUST perform a COVID-19 health check every day before your student leaves home.

 

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.