Greeting SJLES Families,

As part of our school improvement process, we are asking families to provide input about their equity priorities at our school. Please use the link below to complete the HCPSS Indicators of Educational Equity Survey by May 5, 2023. We will use your input, along with other school data, to refine our school improvement plan for next year. 

 

This survey is anonymous and available in multiple languages. If you have children at more than one school, please complete one survey per school. 

• English survey

• Spanish survey

• Chinese survey

• Chin survey

• Korean survey

Last year’s survey data was critical in shaping our School Improvement Plan. Based upon our IEES results provided by 66 staff members, 143 families, and 199 students our areas of lowest concern within each element of the HCPSS Equity Framework are:

• Belonging: We respect and seek to understand diversity in individual differences, life experiences, and perspectives

• Opportunity & Access: Students are provided appropriate supports to access instruction and be ready to learn.

• Instructional Excellence: 1. All students are expected to learn and succeed. 

• Engaged & Inspired Learners: Multiple opportunities exist for students and staff to engage in the development of the school's academic and social climate. 

Based upon our IEES results our areas of highest concern are:

• Belonging: Individuals see their unique identities reflected through all facets of education including staffing, curriculum, instruction, and activities. 

• Opportunity & Access:  Multiple pathways to success exist. 

• Instructional Excellence: Professional learning for staff is equity-focused, practical, evidence-based, and promotes professional growth

• Engaged & Inspired Learners: Individuals are empowered to shape their own learning experience

You can learn more about our HCPSS Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion practices by clicking here. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at dnotari@hcpss.org and/or our Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Liaison Natalie Blake at natalie_blake@hcpss.org. Thank you for providing us with your insights! 

 

Sincerely, 

Dan Notari

SJLES Principal 

 

NEW NEWS

Early Dismissal: Wednesday 3/15/23  

SJLES will dismiss our Jaguars at 12:20 pm on Wednesday 3/15/23 for to Professional Work and Wellness Day.

 

Class Picture Day is March 29th!

Photographers from Strawbridge will be at SJLES on Wednesday, 3/29/23, to take individual portraits of students. Order envelopes will be sent home soon, however we encourage you to purchase class photos through Strawbridge’s online ordering system. Here are the steps… 

• Go to www.strawbridge.net

• Click on Order Pictures

• Enter the SJLES online code: FM397564

• Follow prompts

Just a reminder that these class photos are not only a great keepsake for your family but an important fundraiser for our school! 

 

Congrats to our State Champion, Rehan Syed!

Rehan’s poem, Smile and Arise, was selected as the FIRST PLACE WINNER for 2nd grade poetry by the State of Maryland Literacy Association (SoMLA)! We are so proud of Rehan. This is an outstanding accomplishment. Rehan will be celebrated at the County and then State-level ceremonies in the coming weeks. Congratulations to Rehan and his family!

 

Congrats to Our Carson Scholar, Bryn Mabee!

We are pleased to inform our community that our nominee, Bryn Mabee, has been selected as a 2023 Carson Scholar.  Bryn will receive a $1,000 scholarship award that will be invested for her college education, a medal, and a certificate. SJLES will also receive a trophy in her honor. 

 

Bryn was chosen because she demonstrated the highest standards of academic achievement, integrity, civic and social responsibility.  You can find the full list of 2023 Carson Scholars at www.carsonscholars.org.Congratulations to Bryn and her family!

 

Here Ye, Here Ye!!!! Calling all SJLES Citizens

The date is set for the Annual SJLES 5th Grade Simulated Congressional Hearing on Thursday, May 25, 2023! Fifth grade will be in need of some volunteers from our community to help with decorations, coaching fifth graders for SCH, and the judge’s luncheon. Please complete this SCH Volunteer form and return it to your child’s homeroom teacher ASAP. 

 

Kindergarten Registration is Open! Please Spread the Word!

HCPSS Kindergarten registration for the 2023-2024 school year is open! Parents/guardians of children who will be five on or before September 1, 2023, must enroll their children in kindergarten for the 2023-2024 school year. Details about the enrollment process are available online.

 

Special Education Parent Involvement Survey

Each year the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) surveys parents of children receiving special education services in the State. The purpose of the survey – The Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey – is to hear from parents about how well they think their child’s school is partnering with them and promoting parent involvement in their child’s education.  We are asking our families of students receiving Special Education services to complete this MSDE Survey.

 

Spring and Summer Clothing GIveaway @ LRHS

• ALL CLOTHING FREE!

• Saturday, April 29, 2023 @ 9:00 - 11:00 am

• Lines may form at 7:30 am

• Long Reach High School - 6101 Old Dobbin Lane, Columbia, MD 21045

MARK YOUR CALENDAR 

• Click here to access/subscribe to our SJLES Public Calendar 

• Click here to access/subscribe to the updated HCPSS Calendar

• Click here to access the HCPSS Related Arts Color Day Schedule        

• 3/10 - Jaguar Buddy Reading & Storybook Character Day: Celebrate Reading Month by dressing up as your favorite character from a book and read with your Jaguar Buddy

• 3/15 - Restaurant Night at Ledo Pizza

• 3/15 - Schools Close 3 hrs. Early - Prof. Work & Wellness Day

• 3/17 #JaguarPride - Wear School Spirit Wear or School Colors

• 3/17-3/23 - Book Fair

• 3/23 - Book Fair Evening Shopping

• 3/24 Hearing & Vision Screening

• 3/24 - Favorite Book Day: Celebrate Reading Month by bringing your favorite book to class! Be ready to share your book at morning meeting!

• 3/28 Hearing & Vision Rescreening

• 3/29-3/30 -  Spring Portraits & Class Group pictures

• 3/30 - PBIS Q3 Celebration: Jaguar Buddy Bingo

• 3/31 - #JaguarPride: Celebrate our SJLES Pride & wear your Spirit Wear or school colors

• 3/31 - 3-Hour Early Dismissal / End of Quarter 3

• 4/3-4/10 - HCPSS Schools Closed / Spring Break 

REPEATED NEWS

Summer Program Registration

Synergy online enrollment requests for currently enrolled HCPSS students will reopen Wednesday, March 1 at 6 p.m. for the BSAP Summer Institute, Gifted and Talented Summer Institutes for Talent Development, Innovative Pathways High School (all courses except credit recovery and Gear Up for 9th Grade), and Summer Math Scholars programs.

 

HCPSS staff will provide in-person assistance for current HCPSS families who need help submitting their Synergy online enrollment requests for the registration-based summer programs. Support will be provided on Thursday, March 9 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the following elementary schools: Bollman Bridge ES, Swansfield ES, Talbott Springs ES, Waterloo ES, and Waverly ES.

Families can find up-to-date course information and enrollment directions on the Summer Programs web page (https://www.hcpss.org/summer-programs/). Contact the individual program offices with additional questions.

• BSAP Summer Institute (SummerInstitute@hcpss.org)

• G/T Summer Institutes for Talent Development (GTSummer@hcpss.org)

• Innovative Pathways High School (IPSummer@hcpss.org)

• Summer Math Scholars Program (LCB@howardcountymd.gov)

School Start Times Adjusted for 2023-24 School Year

The Board of Education voted at its Feb. 23 meeting to adjust school start times for the 2023-2024 year. The exact start time for each school will be determined this spring and shared with the community as transportation routes are finalized. The new start times will take effect beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, slated to begin for students on Aug. 28, 2023. There is no impact to the current school year.

• For the 2023-2024 school year, SJLES is slated for Tier 3, approx. 9:15-3:45. 

• Our current school day hours are 8:45-3:15.

5th Grade MISA Testing

SJLES 5th graders will take the Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA) on March 14 and March 17 in their Content classes. Students who are absent during either of these testing sessions will have the opportunity to make up the test prior to March 24 when the testing window closes. Information about this assessment and other resources such as practice tests can be found on the HCPSS website by clicking this link.

 

All students in grades 3, 4, and 5 will take the MCAP in ELA and Math this spring. Further information will be shared in an upcoming message. Only 5th graders take the MISA. Please contact your child’s homeroom teacher or Erin Coleman with any questions regarding the MISA.

 

The Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) provides information to educators, parents and the public on student progress towards proficiency on the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards. Through a strong assessment system, stakeholders gain an understanding of how schools are performing and where assistance can be directed to support student growth and achievement.

The federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires that states administer the following annual statewide assessments:

• English Language Arts/Literacy – Grades 3-8 and 10

• Math – Grades 3-8, Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry (MS only)

• Science – Grades 5, 8 and HS students enrolled in Biology course

HCPSS COMMUNITY NEWS & PROGRAMS 

In alignment with Howard County Board of Education, the following announcements have been approved by the Public Information Office for distribution. To view upcoming events click: https://community-programs.hcpss.org/