Greetings SJLES Families,
Congratulations to each and every member of our learning community on a successful and unprecedented first week of school! We partnered to learn new technology devices and digital tools, started building new relationships, and established new school day routines at home. Our entire staff is thankful to our families for their support, encouragement, and partnership as we continue to lay the foundation for another successful school year together.
Knowing that our goal is the same, let’s continue to show gratitude, grace, and patience to each other as we build upon our positive start to 2020-2021. Please know that with each passing day we all gain more experience, widen our virtual teaching and learning lens, and settle into more familiar and comfortable routines. We got this, SJLES!
Today is our first of many SJLES School Spirit Days. We encourage our students and staff to represent their favorite football team by wearing their favorite jersey, t-shirt, hat, earrings, headbands, or team colors. Be sure to show your Jaguar Pride each and every Friday throughout the school year. Teachers will share our Spirit Day themes with our students each week and Spirit Day themes are posted on our SJLES Public Calendar whcih can be found on our website at https://sjles.hcpss.org. Finally, please continue to visit our website to access previous SJLES Updates, technology tips, attendance guidelines, and so much more.
We hope you all have a great day of school today and enjoy a relaxing weekend. Thanks again for a great first week of school, SJLES!
Sincerely,
Dan Notari
SJLES Principal
NEW NEWS
Related Arts Classes
We realize there may be some confusion with regards to the related arts schedule of synchronous and asynchronous assignments. During the first synchronous session for each related arts class (i.e. PE, Music, Art, Media, Technology) your child’s related arts teacher will communicate with the students how to best navigate the course and identify where students will obtain weekly assignments and lessons. Students will not be responsible or required to complete asynchronous assignments for any related arts until they have their first synchronous class with their Related Arts teacher. The Related Arts Teacher will post an announcement each Monday that will include the schedule of classes. You can find the synchronous Related Arts class dates, times and Meet codes on the Canvas Calendar.
Remaining Student Materials
We are currently reaching out to families who did not pick up a Chromebook and instructional materials for thier student at either of our collection and distribution events.
If you are still in need of collecting your student’s personal items from last year please email Kathleen_Newberry@hcpss.org to schedule a mutually convenient time to pick up the materials. In the email please include you student's firt and past name and last year's homeroom teacher.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
All dates will be posted on our SJLES Public Calendar.
9/9-9/18 - Homeroom Teacher Calls of Care to Families
9/11 - Spirit Day - Football Friday: Wear your favorite football team colors, jersey, or hat
9/18 - Spirit Day - Summer lovin' Day: Grab your sunglasses, Hawaiin shirt, lei or shirt from your favorite vacation and let's say goodbye to summer in style!
9/22 @ 6:30 - K-2 Virtual Back to School Night
9/23 @ 6:30 - 3-5 Virtual Back to School Night
9/23 @ 7:30 - 3-5 Virtual Back to Music Night (Band, Orchestra, & Chorus)
9/24 @ 6:30 - Gifted & Talented Program Virtual Back to School Night
9/25 - Spirit Day - #JaguarPride: Celebrate our SJLES Pride and wear your Spirit Wear or school colors
9/30 @ 4:00 (NEW TIME) - Virtual Coffee & Conversation With Administration
10/7 - MAP Reading
10/14 - MAP Math
REPEATED NEWS
HCPSS Google Meet Engagement & Behavioral Expectations
Adhere to HCPSS Policy 8080 Responsible Use Technology and Social Media and other relevant HCPSS policies.
Follow the school’s values (ex. Be Safe, Act Responsibly, Respect Self and Others, Keep Focused)
Students will only be permitted into a Google Meet session with a HCPSS email account. All students can be identified through their HCPSS email account.
Inappropriate/offensive/threatening comments, misrepresentation of identity, and/or disruptive participants (invited or uninvited) during Google Meet sessions will not be tolerated.
Sharing login information violates the confidentiality rights of other students and places them at risk of having to witness disruptive behaviors from students who are not members of the class or school community.
Students who are disruptive and/or “trespass” Google Meet sessions will be immediately reported to administration and will receive appropriate consequences in accordance with the HCPSS Code of Conduct. Consequences may result in temporary or permanent loss of technology access, which will also result in a student's inability to participate in Google Meet sessions; arrangement for receiving instruction and assignments will be established by administration communicated and arranged with parents.
Additional information can be found in the Safety Measures During the Google Meet Session on 20-21 HCPSS Virtual Teaching and Learning Page
Canvas & Google Meet Tutorials
Video directions: How to access Canvas and google meetings- video tutorial
Written Directions:
Log into HCPSS.me
Go to “G Suite” and click the 9 dots in the top right-hand corner
Click “Meet”
Enter the session code name
Password Assistance
Password and Username Self-Service: Allows families to request a password reset or student’s username. New students can use this application to retrieve their account information. This application is also linked off the hcpss.me website, which also includes user directions.
Virtual Learning Student Attendance
Student attendance for Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday will occur as follows:
At the elementary level, both the homeroom teacher and mathematics teacher will take attendance, noting whether students were present online for synchronous instruction.
A student must attend BOTH the ELA synchronous session and the Math synchronous session to be counted present for a full day.
If a student attends EITHER the ELA synchronous session or the Math synchronous session he/she will be marked present for a half day.
If a student DOES NOT attend the ELA synchronous session or the Math synchronous session he/she will be marked absent for the day.
Student attendance for Wednesday instruction will occur as follows:
A student will be counted as present for Wednesday if they do one or more of the following since the previous Wednesday:
Submit an assignment to one of their teachers
Engage in synchronous instruction with an HCPSS teacher
Complete work in the Canvas learning management system, DreamBox or Lexia Core5
Student Absences
Please email all student attendance notes SJLESabsence@hcpss.org to ensure that your student's lawful absence is marked as excused and they will have the opportunity to make up work. In your email, please include your child's name and grade. Please remember that you have up to 5 days after your child's return to school to submit an absence note. When emailing a note, you will receive an automated message to verify that your email was received. Please do not send attendance notes to your child's teachers. If you have any questions about your child's attendance, please email SJLESabsence@hcpss.org.
School Meals
The food services program during the first semester of the 2020-2021 school year will consist of Grab-and-Go breakfasts and lunches served Monday through Friday from 8–9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
Breakfast and lunch can be picked up at either meal time. Meals will be provided free of charge for all students, subject to USDA funding availability. SJLES is a food site and students may access Grab-and-Go meals at our front door each school day. Additional information regarding food services can be found on the HCPSS website.
Band & Orchestra Updates
Band and Orchestra registration has opened for the 2020-2021 school year! Please visit https://musicaljaguars.weebly.com/ to register your student. On this website, you can access instrument demonstration videos for all band and orchestra instruments, as well as learn more information about the band and orchestra programs. Please contact Ms. Kalivretenos at alexis_kalivretenos@hcpss.org if you have any questions.
Virtual Back to Music Night
We will host a Virtual Back to Music Night for students in grades 3-5 who may be interested in joining Band, Orchestra, or Chorus. Virtual Back to Music Night will follow our Intermediate Back to School Night on 9/23 @ 7:30. More details to follow.
FAMILY FILE REMINDER!
HCPSS utilizes Family File for parents/guardians to complete emergency information. 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. Regardless of virtual or in-person learning, parents/guardians must verify and/or update information for each child. Parents/guardians can complete Family File by logging in to HCPSS Connect selecting the More Options tab on the left and then selecting Family File in the center column.
Once logged in, parents/guardians will be asked to update or provide the following information:
Student Information
Parent/Guardian Contact
Emergency Contacts
Medical Information
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures (for when in-person classes/supports resume)
Photo Approval
Data Confidentiality
PTA/PTSA Directory
Changes of address may not be made through Family File. If you have recently moved, please contact Mrs. Wolfrey at robin_wolfrey@hcpss.org as soon as possible.
Resources on how to access Family File may be found online, including instructions on how to reset passwords. If you need additional assistance, please complete this Connect Help Form.
Free Vaccine Clinics
Free vaccine clinics to be held at several HCPSS school locations during the week of September 21 from 4–6pm.
September 21, 4–6pm Howard HS Hollifield Station ES
September 22, 4–6pm Oakland Mills MS Longfellow ES
September 23, 4–6pm Cradlerock ES Bushy Park ES
September 24, 4–6pm Deep Run ES Ducketts Lane ES
September 25, 4–6pm Howard HS Laurel Woods ES
Parents/guardians may make appointments at any of these locations; whichever is most convenient for them. Multiple vaccines, many of which are required for school entry, will be offered. These vaccines will be provided at no cost. Upon registration, parents will be able to choose which vaccines their child needs.
Clinics will be held outdoors, and will utilize a virtual queue program so families can wait in their cars or away from the clinic. Families are encouraged to wear a face mask or other face covering. Families can check md.myir.net to see which vaccines your child has already had, or contact your school nurse at florence_hanssen@hcpss.org to determine what is needed. Pre-registration online (due to Covid-19, we will be paperless at these clinics) is required; go to www.vaccineconsent.com Registration is open from August 25-September 9.
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.