Greetings SJLES Families,
A HUGE thank you to our PTA families who have been planning diligently for our annual May Day celebration which will take place here at SJLES from 1:00-5:00 tomorrow afternoon. There will be lots of games, entertainment, music, bounce houses, silent auctions, and fun to be had by all!
We look forward to watching our community come together to make memories on what seems to be a great weather day for the celebration. Once again, a most sincere thank you to our PTA who has worked tirelessly throughout the year to bring this special day in our community to life again this year. Here’s to a great day tomorrow!
Sincerely,
Dan Notari
SJLES Principal
NEW NEWS
Mark Your Calendars… Pumped Up Picnics are Coming!
SJLES Families are invited to join us in celebrating an awesome school year at our K-5 PBIS Pumped Up Picnics! You can bring a blanket, lunch, and some good vibes to our playground to have some fun with your Jaguar(s). Most events will take place during each grade level’s regular lunch and recess block. School lunch will still be available for students, but, as mentioned, families are welcome to bring something special if you choose to do so. Please see the schedule below. Looking forward to enjoying some Pumped Up Picnic fun with our students and families!
6/6 @ 11:45-12:45 - Gr1 Pumped Up Picnic
6/7 @ 9:30-11:30 - 5th Grade Pumped Up Closing Picnic (Additional details below)
6/8 @ 11:15 -12:15 - Gr2 Pumped Up Picnic
6/8 @ 1:15-2:15 - Gr4 Pumped Up Picnic
6/9 @ 9:30-11:30 - Kindergarten Promotion & Picnic - End of Year Closing Celebration in classrooms followed by Picnic and Recess fun together!
6/9 @ 12:15-1:15 - Gr3 Pumped Up Picnic
MD Mobile Science Lab
The Maryland Mobile Science Lab Food, Fiber, & You will be here at SJLES the week of 5/15. All SJLES students will engage in hands-on investigations that are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards, Environmental Literacy, and Common Core State Standards. Our primary students will participate in a 30-minute mini lab while our intermediate students will spend 50-minutes in the science lab. We are looking forward to this first visit of the lab to SJLES!
Lost and Found
Our Lost and Found is overflowing with items once again! When visiting SJLES on May Day, concert nights, special events, and end of year celebrations we ask that you please take a look through the lost items. We will donate any remaining items at the end of the school year.
5th Grade Closing Events Overview
Class of 2023 Closing Ceremony
What: Our Class of 2023 Closing Ceremony will provide an opportunity for our parents and staff to properly celebrate our 5th Grade Jaguars and mark the closing of their elementary school years at SJLES.
When: Tuesday, 6/13 at 9:30 AM
Doors open for guest check-in at 9:15 AM
Due to AM arrival, parents should arrive no earlier than 9:00 AM to our school campus. Please park in our main visitor parking lot (car loop dropoff area) and note that our parking is limited. Carpooling and walking are encouraged!
Parents will check-in with SJLES staff at our main entrance.
Where: SJLES Cafeteria
Who: 5th Grade Parents Only
To ensure that each of our fifth graders can have their parents/guardians attend the ceremony, we must limit guests to 5th grade parents/guardians only.
Our cafeteria has a maximum capacity of 369 people for meetings per Howard County Fire & Rescue Services.
Any additional visitors are welcome to our Family Reception following the ceremony.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!
We look forward to celebrating your student's milestone!
Family Reception
What: Our post-ceremony reception will take place outdoors on our blacktop and amphitheater area. Additional family members are welcome to join us for this portion of our celebration, enjoy some treats, engage with our staff, take pictures, and be part of your students' special day. We recognize that this is a special day for your child and family, and we look forward to seeing additional family members during this reception.
SJLES staff will be available to greet our reception guests throughout the ceremony.
Where: SJLES Amphitheater and blacktop
When: We anticipate the reception beginning at approximately 10:45 AM
Who: Students, 5th Grade Parents/Guardians, Additional Family Members, & Staff
Please note that all visitors will sign in at the check-in table on our playground blacktop. All visitors will be given a visitor sticker prior to joining in on the fun!
5th Grade Pumped Up Closing Picnic
What: There’s no better way to bring closure to our Jaguars’ time with us than a Final Pumped Up Picnic with their friends, family, and staff!
We encourage our 5th Graders to wear their 5th Grade T-shirts to school.
Where: SJLES playground, field, blacktop, and amphitheater
When: Thursday, 6/7 from 9:30-11:30 AM
Who: SJLES Students, Staff, & Families
Please note that all visitors will sign in at the check-in table on our playground blacktop. All visitors will be given a visitor sticker prior to joining in on the fun!
SJLES Field Day 2023: WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!
Get ready for another fun-filled Field Day at SJLES! Field Day will take place on Friday May 26th for students in all grades. If needed, the rain date will be on Friday, June 2nd. The time for Field Day will be 9:15 am-3:00 pm.
Many parent volunteers are needed to make Field Day a fun experience for everyone. Enthusiasm is the only expertise needed to manage the activities. Parent volunteers and staff members will run the stations. Classroom teachers will accompany classes and supervise the children. If you can contribute your time and energy for Field Day, please visit this link for sign-up genius by Thursday, May 18th. Volunteer slots are available as full day (9:15 - 3:00), half day morning (9:15 - 11:45), and half day afternoon (12:30 - 3:00) but volunteers can sign up for any block of time they are available. We need many volunteers to make our Field Day a success! When you volunteer, information will be sent home with your child the week of Field Day with your assignments and station directions.
Please complete the following steps by Thursday, May 18th to volunteer for Field Day:
Complete the short volunteer confidentiality training and then fill out the form and bring it to school.
Complete this short child abuse training and complete the certificate linked and bring to school.
Thank you for your continued support of the SJLES Physical Education program and department. An all-day Field Day is a major event and can only happen if we all work together for the students. Our PE team of Ms. Carty, Mr. Frantz, & Ms. Orgera welcome our parents who want to volunteer to make this day a great one for everyone!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Click here to access/subscribe to the updated HCPSS Calendar
Click here to access the HCPSS Related Arts Color Day Schedule
5/5 - IEES Window Closes
5/5 - Wacky Sock & Hair Day: Wear your funniest or most mismatched socks to school along with your wackiest hairdo!
5/5 - Illustrator Visit
5/6 @ 1:00 - May Day
5/8 - 5/12 - Staff Appreciation Week
5/9 @ 7:00 - Band Spring Concert
5/10 - 5th Grade Panoramic Photo
5/10 @ 6:30 PM - PTA In-Person Meeting at SJLES
5/12 - Maryland Day: wear Maryland shirts or colors (red, white, black, yellow)
5/12 - Second Grade Field Trip to MD Zoo
5/15 - 5/18 - Maryland Mobile Science Lab Visits SJLES
5/16 @ 5:15 - 8:15 - Night of the Arts
6:00 - 3rd grade Orchestra Spring Concert
7:15 - 4th & 5th grade Orchestra Spring Concert
5/18 - Kindergarten Field Trip to MD Zoo
5/19 - Schools Closed for Students: Professional Learning/Articulation
5/23 @ 7:00 - Chorus Concert (please note corrected time)
5/24 @ 4:00 - Incoming Kindergarten Sneak A Peek
5/25 - Gr 5 Simulated Congressional Hearings
5/26 - Field Day - Wear Your Field Day Shirt!
5/26 - 2023-2024 Parent Input Form Due
5/29 - Schools & Offices Closed
6/1 - 2023-2024 Transportation Registration Closes
6/1 @ 10:00 - 5th Gr. Middle School Visit
6/1 @ 11:00 - 5th Grade Program Howard County Conservancy
6/2 - Field Day Rain Date
6/2 - Red, White & Blue Day! Wear Red, White, & Blue to school!
6/6 - HoCo Library Visit
6/6 @ 11:45-12:45 - Gr1 Pumped Up Picnic
6/7 @ 9:30-11:30 - 5th Grade Picnic
6/7 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early : SJLES Dismissal begins at 12:20
6/8 @ 11:15 -12:15 - Gr2 Pumped Up Picnic
6/8 @ 1:15-2:15 - Gr4 Pumped Up Picnic
6/9 @ 9:30-11:30 - Kindergarten Promotion & Picnic
6/9 @ 12:15-1:15 - Gr3 Pumped Up Picnic
6/9 - Summer Lovin' Day: Grab your sunglasses, Hawaiian shirt, lei or shirt from your favorite vacation to say HELLO to summer in style!
6/12 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early: SJLES Dismissal begins at 12:20
6/13 - Fifth Grade Promotion Ceremony (Tentatively Scheduled for 9:30-11:00)
6/13 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early: SJLES Dismissal begins at 12:20
6/14 - Last Scheduled Student Day: Schools Close 3 Hours Early - SJLES Dismissal begins at 12:20
REPEATED NEWS
24th Annual SJLES Night of The Arts & Enrichment Fair - 5/16 @ 5:15
We welcome all SJLES families to our 24th Annual Night of The Arts & Enrichment Fair on Tuesday, 5/16/23. Our doors will be open between 5:15 and 8:00 to welcome SJLES students and families for a gallery walk of arts and enrichment throughout all areas of our school.
Our SJLES hallways will come alive with a beautiful art display of over 1,800 pieces from our K-5 SJLES students including our Columbia Mall Art Panel.
Our Gifted & Talented program’s Enrichment Fair will highlight projects created in Curriculum Extension Units, Instructional Seminars, and enrichment groups by our K-5 Jaguars.
During the Night of the Arts our families can enjoy the beautiful music created by our SJLES orchestra. Our Beginning Orchestra (3rd grade) takes the stage at 6:00 PM and our Advanced Orchestra (4th and 5th grade) will play at 7:15 PM. We hope to see you here at The Lane on 5/16/23 for this fantastic night of the arts and enrichment!
Parent Input Form For Students Attending SJLES Next Year
As part of our planning and preparation for 2023-2024, we would like to provide the opportunity to share insights you would like us to consider as we begin the articulation process. This input form is for you, as parents, to relate specific information about your child that you feel would be useful as our staff collaborates to create next year's classes. Our goal of this process is to build heterogeneous classes which foster the academic success and social-emotional well-being of each student in an inclusive and nurturing environment that closes opportunity gaps. Please consider completing our SJLES Parent Input Form 2023-2024 by Friday, 5/26 to provide us with useful insights regarding your Jaguar(s).
2023-2024 Kindergarten Registration & May 24th Sneak A Peek!
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. Please help spread the word!
We hope to see many of our new SJLES kindergarteners and families at our Kindergarten Sneak A Peek on 5/24/23 at 4:00. Please spread the word and complete this RSVP form if you plan to attend.
Register by June 1 for 2023-2024 Bus Service
Families whose students are eligible for HCPSS-provided transportation are required to register by June 1 to receive bus service for the coming 2023-2024 school year. Families who reside in non-transportation areas and those who have students who receive transportation as part of their IEP or 504 Plan do not need to take any action.
SJLES Indicators of Educational Equity Survey Update - LAST CALL!!!!!
53 Completed Surveys Thus Far - Thank You!
66 Completed Surveys in 2022-2023
Goal: 100% of our SJLES Families
As part of our school improvement process, we are asking families to provide input about their equity priorities at our school. Our families’ insights shared in this survey will help shape our School Improvement Plan for the 2022-2023 school year.
Please use the links 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. For additional information please visit sjles.hcpss.org.
Spring Outdoor Lunch Option
The warm weather is here and many students are excited to eat outside! If you completed a request for DAILY outdoor lunch for your child in the fall, they are still on the list. New requests can be made using this form. This request process allows us to adequately staff the outdoor lunch area.Please allow a few days between submitting the form before we have your child on the daily outdoor list. Even if your child is on the daily outdoor list, they may always choose to stay indoors at any time as well.
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/
Upcoming Social Media Awareness Event for Parents
The Howard County Health Department is offering sessions on Social Media Guides for Parents: Guide to Healthy Summer Habits. The sessions are virtual, and you can register and see more details here.
Each event is from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. and will start with a presentation, and end with Q & A.
May 9 - Parents of Children ages 3-8
May 10 - Parents of Children ages 9-12
May 11- Parents of Children ages 13-17