Swansfield Elementary School

[Pages:4]Swansfield Elementary School

Maisha Strong, Principal Heather Moraff, Assistant Principal

For Your Calendar:

v Thurs., Sept. 17th-1st Grade Parent Night 6:15-7:30 pm in the First Grade Pod v Tues., September 22nd-Bridges Parent Night 6:00-7:00 pm in the Cafeteria v Wed., Sept. 23rd Schools and offices closed v Thurs., Sept. 24th-PTA Meeting 7:00-8:30 pm in the Media Center v Mon., Sept. 28th-Hispanic Parent Night 7:00-8:00 pm in the Cafeteria v Fri., Oct. 2nd ? Professional Work Day Schools closed for students v Thurs., Oct. 8th -Second Grade Parent Night 6:15-7:30 pm in the Second Grade Pod v Sunday, Oct. 11th ? HCPSS Community 5K & Fun Run v Fri., Oct. 16th ? Professional Work Day ? Schools closed for students

From the Principal's Desk... Welcome Back!

It's hard to believe that we are half way through the 1st quarter. It seems like school just started. Teachers have provided students with lessons that support building engaging and cohesive classroom communities and students have done exceptionally well with settling in and becoming acclimated to their classrooms.

Back-to-school nights were a success as we shared new information about the upcoming school year and reviewed a few new processes as they relate to how our students are progressing, ways to positively manage students' behavior, and student arrival and dismissal procedures. Thank you for participating and being available to meet and greet your child's teacher to learn how you can be part of the school community.

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As we look forward to a successful school year, please note the following:

? Students are invited into the building at 8:30 am to eat breakfast. Instruction starts at 8:45 am.

? Please encourage your child to read nightly for at least 10 minutes.

Each month SES will email newsletters and other important information. If you did not receive an email last week from SES, please verify your email address in the Family File.

Family File ?

Important: This year, Family File is replacing the Emergency Card and can be found by logging in to HCPSS Connect on the Howard County Public School System homepage. In the Family File, parents can provide and/or update all the information historically located on the Emergency Card such as contact information, medical considerations and preferences. Go to connect.

WE NEED YOU!

Update and complete your family file information by this Thursday, September 17, and your family will be entered into a drawing to win the following:

? A night out! 2 hours of free child care ? Lunch or dinner at a local restaurant ? Your child could be Principal for a

day! ? VIP parking space for the month of

October

Don't miss out on ensuring that we have your updated contact information and a chance to win these awJaens1ome prizes!

New Year WWW.CONNECT

Focusing on Literacy Inspire your child to practice reading every day! Start by reading with your child or listening to your child read daily for 10-15 minutes. After reading, ask your child specific questions about the text to check for understanding. We want all of our Swans to be focused on literacy this year!

Promoting Literacy through Battle of the Books! Battle of the Books (BOB) coaches are needed. Who can be a coach? Mom, Dad, Aunt, Uncle, Grandma, Grandpa, scout leader, a trusted family friend...anyone who loves to read. SES has 7 teams forming and each team is required to have a coach before they can register for battle at the Howard Co. Public Library! This is a great community activity: please say "Yes" when your child asks you to particpate.

For more specific info on BOB coaching go to the Howard County Library Website: http:// and watch for Battle news in the Monday Folders each week. Coach Informational Meeting: Oct. 14, 2015 OR Oct. 15, 2015 at 7 PM at the HCLS Miller Branch (410-313-7750) Online registration for Teams: Oct. 19 to Nov. 2, 2015. For more information please contact Kathleen Smith, Media Specialist, at Swansfield Elementary School.

Curious about our SES Library? Check out Swansfieldlibrary

Mathematics in the Field Students at SES are fortunate to receive services from a full time Math Support Teacher. Kendra Johnson supports our students through planning math lessons with teachers, modeling, co-teaching, and providing professional development. She also organizes math tutoring and facilitates parent nights as well as our annual Math Night. Last year, we had a successful event at Whole Foods. This year we plan to take it back into the community with Math in the Field at Unos restaurant. We hope that you can join us on Thursday, December 3 at 6:00 pm for this event. Please contact Ms. Johnson with any questions at kendra_johnson@.

Our school-wide DreamBox subscription has been renewed! Former students can log on and play by way of last year's math class. Kindergarten and new students will be loaded by the end of this month. Second through fifth graders use their school computer login and password to log on. First graders use a picture password. Log on at: iPad code: tzck/swansfielde Also this month Ms. Johnson will be announcing our six-hour Summer Challenge winners.

Here's a Swansfield M&M (Mathematical Mind) tip of the month: ask your child to describe his/her day in numbers, for instance: How many things did you learn? How many spotlights did you earn? How many friends did you make? How many pages did you read? How many problems did you solve?

Fine Arts in the Pond

This year students will be exploring and refining their skills using different types of paint, drawing materials, printmaking tools, ceramics, collage and weaving techniques, just to name a few. Students have been eager to bring their imagination and skills to Art. Here is a peek at what we've been doing:

? Kindergarteners are creating a building using different types of lines and shapes.

? First graders have been introduced to Piet Mondrian and will create a painting using primary colors.

? Second graders have learned about Abstract Expressionism and will create a print using line and color to represent an emotion.

? Third graders have been introduced to Georgia O'Keeffe and will create a landscape using chalk pastels.

? Fourth graders reflected on their summer and will be creating a drawing, using color pencils, to represent their memory on a Flip Flop.

? The fifth graders have been learning how to draw from the right side of their brain and will create an observational drawing of bottles or their hands using contour lines.

The Howard County Art department will have at least six art shows at the elementary level, so keep an eye out for those invitations. We can't wait to see the beautiful artwork the children at Swansfield will create! Ms. Nussbaum and Ms. Moon

Melodies are in the Air

The Music Education Program at Swansfield Elementary prepares all students to meet the requirements of state and national music education standards in four broad areas: Creating, Performing, Responding and Connecting. Music instruction is incorporated into the curriculum at all school levels in the form of both courses and extracurricular opportunities. Our band and orchestra programs will begin this month. Fourth grade Beginning Band members should have their instruments and books by Wednesday, September 16. Please be sure to await further instruction from Mr. Lea or Mrs. McKay to ensure that the instruments are played and handled safely.

Notes from the Music Room Mark November 18 on your calendar to attend Swansfield Swings! This year's awesome entertainment will be "The Exclusives Band" in a night of Rhythm and Blues and featuring special guest appearances by some of our talented students and staff! You'll hear fantastic music from the amazing Chuck Berry, Sly and the Family Stone, Etta James, Stevie Wonder, and Pharrell Williams to name just a few! Information about reservations will be sent home next month. REMEMBER: SWANSFIELD SWINGS! November 18, 7:00- 8:30 pm - Harper's Choice Middle School.

The Music Department welcomes Mr. Chris Washington as the new part-time Vocal Music Teacher! He will be directing the Chorus (4th & 5th grades) in their Winter Concert this December.

Let's Get Physical, Physical... Save Gas! Have Fun! Get Some Exercise!

Join us for WALK TO SCHOOL DAY

October 7th

Ready for some fun, outdoor activity now that the weather is cooling down? Join us for Walk-toSchool Day on October 7, rain or shine. Please contact Jennifer Toole at jtoole@ if you are interested in leading a Walking School Bus in your neighborhood!

Updates from our BSAP Achievement Liaison, Keemie Hampton-Titus

BSAP Saturday Math Academy - offers mentoring and enrichment for students in grades 3 ?12 in mathematics on Saturday mornings by HCPSS certified teachers, at Oakland Mills High School. The fee is $50 and onsite registration is Saturday, September 19, from 9-11am at Oakland Mills High School.

Getting to Know HCPSS ? learn about resources and strategies that parents can use to support their children on Saturday, September 19, from 10 am-Noon at Long

Reach High School.

BOLD Leadership Development Conference for boys in grades 8-12 on Saturday,

September 26, from 8:00 am-4:30 pm at the Applied Physics Laboratory. Guest speaker:

U.S. Congressman Elijah E. Cummings.

Fall Education Forum - keynote speaker Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd who was appointed by President Obama to the President's Advisory

Commission on Education Excellence for African Americans. This forum will take place on Monday, September 28, from 6:30 ? 9 pm

at Howard High School.

Testing Updates from Mrs. Moraff

MAP Testing is coming! The window for MAP testing opens on September 21 and closes on October 21. Although the window is open for one month, students in grades 1-5 will only test for two days. One day will be designated for Math MAP, the other for Reading MAP. MAP will provide teachers and students with important data for goal setting and student progress! Please look for specific schedules from your grade levels to come home in the Monday folder. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. More information on MAP will be shared at our first PTA Meeting.

News from Title I

Title I is a federally funded program designed to ensure that all children have an opportunity to access a high quality education. Swansfield's schoolwide program allows all students to be eligible for additional academic support. Federal funds are used to support and enhance the overall school program. Our Title I team serves roles as interventionists, co-teachers, tutors, technology specialists and family program providers. We are happy to welcome Monica Fiegel to the team joining Jackie Lujan and Tim Wilson.

We listened to your responses last year to help develop our family programs and calendar for the 2015-2016 school year. Families enjoyed our Math in the Field Night as well as our technology and STEM nights. Your responses also indicated that you appreciated grade specific information. We are excited to announce that our dedicated staff has developed specific programs for first, second and third grades. Please look for announcements to come home with information on our family program nights. (Habra traductores disponibles.)

Mark your Calendars:

First Grade Night Thursday, September 17

Second Grade Night Thursday, October 8

Third Grade Night Thursday, October 15

Cyber Citizenship Thursday, November 5

Math In The Field Thursday, December 3

STEM Night

Thursday, March 24

For more information, you can visit our Title I website on the Swansfield page. If you have any questions or input regarding our schoolwide Title I program, please contact us at:

monica_fiegel@, jacquelyn_lujan@, or timothy_wilson@

Nurse's Corner

with Doris Qano, BSN, RN, Cluster Nurse and Tracey Ellerby, SHA, Health Assistant

Being healthy, physically and mentally, plays a pivotal role in a young person's academic life. Every child should eat breakfast daily. The brain needs a jump-start in the morning after a night of rest.

A healthy, wholesome breakfast will give your child's brain a more consistent supply of energy. Please be sure your student is well rested and on time to receive nourishment

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