Harfordhillses.bcps.org



For information on BCPS school closings/delays due to inclement weather or other emergencies: Check HUUH,

call 410-887-5555, monitor TV and/or radio reports, or tune in to The Education Channel (Comcast Cable 73 & Verizon FiOS 35).

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DATES TO REMEMBER:

December

3 PTA Meeting - 5:30 P.M. in the Library

5 Winter Concert - 2:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M. in the Gym

12 Chick-fil-A Spirit Night - 5:00-8:00 P.M.

14 School Spirit Day - Dress Up Day

19 Giving Tree Donations End

21 Christmas/Winter Break Begins at End of School Day

24- January 1 Christmas Holiday/Winter Break - Schools Closed

January

2 Schools Reopen After Christmas Holiday/Winter Break

7 PTA Meeting - 5:30 P.M. in the Library

9 Chick-fil-A Spirit Night - 5:00-8:00 P.M.

21 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday (Observed) - Schools Closed

25 End of Second Marking Period

Schools Close 3 Hours Early - 12:25 P.M.

25 School Spirit Day - Twins or Triplets Day

Dear Parents and Guardians;

Welcome to December! This month is surely one of the most exciting months of the year for most of our kids. It is the holiday season, so this is a fitting time for all of us to teach our students to be thankful and show them the value of generosity and kindness. We had a really great November and it won’t be long until we are on winter break! With the weather change, please make sure your

children dress for the cold weather.

Attendance on a regular basis is essential throughout the year for students to maximize their learning. Please be sure to help get your children to school regularly and on time. If they are sick, etc., we certainly understand. We want the best for your children and strongly believe that they gain the

most from being in school every day. Thank you for your help and support in this regard.

Please help us to keep your child focused on school work during December. It will be a busy month full of fun activities. We want our students to stay on track and continue to do their best job as

students at Harford Hills Elementary School.

As we near the holiday season, please remember to take some time out of the holiday madness

to spend some quality time with your family and friends. Life is very precious, so enjoy it to

the fullest. Happy holidays! Best wishes for a healthy, prosperous, and happy 2019!

IMPORTANT ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL PROCEDURES FOR STUDENT SAFTEY

SAFETY CONCERNS

Please remember not to block crosswalks and to always stop at STOP signs. It is a Maryland state law that cars must stop at all crosswalks and stop signs. Safety is a priority. Thank you for your cooperation and for helping to keep our children safe.

CAR RIDERS

Please place your car rider number on your car dashboard so that it can be easily

seen by the teachers assisting students to their car. Displaying the number

helps us match the children with the people that are picking them up.

SCHOOL EMERGENCY INFORMATION

It is vital that we have current information for every student to ensure a safe learning environment for all children. In order to keep our records accurate, should any information change during the school year, please stop by the office to request a new form or send a note with the required changes. It is imperative that we have reliable and accurate information (including correct work, home, and cell phone numbers) should an emergency situation develop. Please note that school personnel will release your child only to the people whose names you have listed on the emergency cards or forms. Thank you for your cooperation.

CELEBRATIONS AND BIRTDAY PARTIES

The following information, which is in the Harford Hills Elementary School Family Handbook, is being included in The Chanticleer to remind parents/guardians about procedures and policies pertaining to celebrations and parties:

In order to promote a healthy school environment and not interrupt classroom instruction, BCPS has established procedures for individual student celebrations. Regarding classroom birthday parties for individual students, if a parent/guardian wants to provide treats for his/her child’s birthday:

• Check with the child’s teacher. It is up to the classroom teacher if and when these celebrations are to be held. Teachers will determine a time of day that will not interrupt classroom instruction.

• The items need to be sent in at the beginning of the school day and left in the office.

• If sending in baked goods, they must be purchased from a commercial food establishment.

• Healthy treats are encouraged.

• Food items cannot be taken into the cafeteria and distributed to groups of students. If treats/food are contained in the classroom, each teacher will know their students’ allergies, dietary restrictions, and religious beliefs. This will ensure that all students are treated fairly and all students are kept safe.

Please do not send birthday invitations for home parties to be distributed at school.

If your child has a food allergy, please make sure that you send an alternate snack to school for your child so that he/she can participate in the festivities.

THANK YOU TO OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF

Thank you to everyone that contributed to the annual canned food drive during

the month of November.  Over 400 food items were donated by students and staff

members.  Your generosity enabled us to provide food for several families.  They

were very grateful for your kindness.

THANK YOU TO OUR PTA VOLUNTEERS

A sincere “Thank you!” to all PTA volunteers who donated their time to greet visitors

and to staff the PTA tables during American Education Week in November. We truly appreciate the tireless support and commitment you give to our children throughout the year. Parent involvement is critical for our children. Please show your support of Harford Hills Elementary School by joining our wonderful PTA if you are not already a member, by attending the monthly meetings, and by participating in the sponsored events.

WINTER CONCERT

Harford Hills Elementary School held its annual Winter Concert under the direction of

Ms. Holtzman (vocal music teacher) and Ms. Ciaccio (instrumental music teacher) on

December 5, at 2:00 P.M. for students and 7:00 P.M. for family members. What an

enjoyable way to celebrate the season! Congratulations to the fifth grade chorus, band,

and orchestra! Thank you, Ms. Holtzman and Ms. Ciaccio!

THE VIRTUES PROJECT

As we continue our Virtues Project this month, students will discuss the virtue of Detachment. Detachment can be defined as the following:

• Experiencing your feelings without allowing your feelings to control you

• Choosing how you will react in a situation rather than just reacting

• Using thinking and feeling together to make smart choices

Demonstrating detachment helps people stay in control. It improves self-confidence and helps you to be your best. While focusing on this virtue, we will be encouraging students to “stop and think” before they react. We hope students will use strategies for regulating their emotions and then think about a peaceful and positive way to solve their concerns. We ask for your support to reinforce these ideas at home and in the community as we promote them at school.

GIVING TREE

Harford Hills Elementary School is accepting donations of mittens, hats, and scarves to

on our “Giving Tree” from Monday, November 26, through Wednesday, December 19.

ABSENCE NOTES

When your child returns to school after an absence, it is very important that you

send a note to school indicating the reason for the absence. We must code

students’ records, so without a note, the absence must be coded as unlawful.

A short note is all that is needed. For example, if your child was sick, you can simply state in the note, “My child was absent on the past three days because

she was sick.” Please remember to sign and date the note.

USE OF CELL PHONES

Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) does not permit the use of electronic devices

for non-educational purposes during regular instructional hours. The ban on the use of

electronic devices for non-educational purposes also applies to buses while being

transported to and from school and while participating in school-sponsored activities or

events, as included in the BCPS Student Handbook. At Harford Hills Elementary School, we expect cell phones to remain secured in a student's locker or backpack during the school day. When it is necessary to communicate with parents/guardians during the school day, due, for example, to illness or a behavior concern, school staff will make the contact. If parents/guardians need to change their child’s dismissal plans, they should contact the school, and the message will be communicated to their child.

|CLOSINGS, DELAYS, CANCELLATIONS, AND POSTPONEMENTS |

| BCPS Telephone Information - 443-809-5555 |

| BCPS Now for Android and iOS |

| BCPS Web Home Page () links to page displaying emergency announcements |

| BCPS TV, Comcast Cable Channel 73 and Verizon Fios Channel 34 |

| Local radio and television stations |

| Schools- |

WINTER IS ALMOST HERE!

REMINDER ABOUT SST/IEP TEAM MEETINGS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS

Now that winter is here, it is likely that we will have snow and/or ice, which can affect school hours.

If schools open late due to inclement weather:

• SST and IEP team meetings scheduled at times prior to the delayed opening time will be cancelled and rescheduled. For example: If schools open one hour late (9:50 A.M.), meetings scheduled between 9:00 and 10:00 A.M. will not be held. If schools open two hours late (10:50 A.M.), meetings scheduled between 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. will not be held.

• SST and IEP team meetings scheduled at times after schools open will be held. For example: If schools open one hour late (9:50 A.M.), meetings scheduled after 10:00 A.M. will be held. If schools open two hours late (10:50 A.M.), meetings scheduled after 11:00 A.M. will be held.

If schools close early due to inclement weather, SST and IEP team meetings scheduled at times after the early closing time will be cancelled and rescheduled. For example, if schools close 3 hours early (12:25 P.M.), meetings scheduled after 11:30 A.M. will not be held.

Note: When schools open late or close early, you may call the school (410-887-5236) to confirm

whether your child’s SST or IEP Team meeting will be held or rescheduled.)

If schools are closed due to inclement weather, All SST and IEP team meetings will be rescheduled.

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The Chanticleer

Harford Hills Elementary School

“Striving for Excellence”

Mildred Guild, Principal Robin Rupprecht, Assistant Principal

School Office: 410-887-5236 Health Suite: 410-882-3476

Harford Hills Elementary School Website: .

Heather Testa, PTA President: Email .

Heather Testa, PTA President: Email –heathertesta1013@

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Our Vision Statement

Harford Hills Elementary School believes that all students can meet with success when they are provided a safe, engaging, and rigorous learning environment. Our school community will work together to challenge all students to achieve. We will prepare our students for the demands and opportunities of the 21st century by promoting academic excellence, fostering appreciation of diversity, encouraging lifelong learning, and producing caring, respectful, responsible citizens.

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December 2018

A Message from Mrs. Guild

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If you receive an SST or IEP team meeting notification, please let Ms. Rupprecht or Ms. Defontes know

as soon as possible whether you will/will not be attending the meeting or will be participating by phone. You can do this by returning the Response Form or calling the school (410-887-5236).

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