Note from Principal
Good Afternoon Running Brook Families,
I hope this newsletter finds you well. It's been an exciting week at Running Brook Elementary as we welcomed our A/B students in grades RECC - 2nd. Our primary classrooms had all desks filled and students energized to be back in the building again. The panthers new to the building were able to get acclimated and spent time during the week touring the building. The cafeteria was filled with the sound of laughter and student voices as they socialized. Next week we will have our same group of A/B students in the primary grades returning.
Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions. Have a wonderful weekend! ~ Mr. Esposito
IMPORTANT DATES
| March 29 | PHASE 3: In-Person Hybrid Model Begins for Identified A-Day Students in Grades 3-5 |
| April 1 | PHASE 3: In-Person Hybrid Model Begins for Identified B-Day Students in Grades 3-5 |
| April 2 & April 5 | Spring Break – Schools and Offices Closed |
| April 6 | Schools Closed for Students |
| April 12 | 7 pm - PTA Meeting |
| April 13 | Student Picture Day for Group A Students |
| April 14 | Early Dismissal - End of 3rd Marking Period |
| April 14 | End of 3rd Quarter |
| April 16 | Student Picture Day for Group B Students |
| April 22 | 3rd Quarter Report Cards Issued |
NEWS & EVENTS
Daily Health Checks
To ensure students are healthy enough to attend in-person instruction, parents/guardians are to perform a symptom check every day before the student leaves home. A student having any of the following symptoms should not be sent to school and may continue to access their classrooms virtually if they are well enough to do so:
1 of the following:
2 of the following:
Additionally, students who have been in close contact (within less than 6 feet for a cumulative time of more than 15 minutes over the past 24 hours with or without a mask) with anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 or is suspected of having COVID-19 (exhibiting COVID- like illness and has not tested negative after exhibiting symptoms) should not enter any HCPSS building.
Parent/guardians will assess their children for symptoms of COVID-19 illness and refrain from sending/transporting them to school until after they have been symptom-free at least 10 days after the onset of symptoms, have no fever for at least 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medication, and have continued improvement of symptoms and /or medical consult with their primary care physician.
Is Your Family File Up to Date?
Please be sure that your Family File is updated with your most CURRENT contact information. It is imperative that we have a means to get in touch with you in a timely manner. Since we have reopened, we have had several instances when we attempted to contact a parent and discovered that the telephone number on file was incorrect.
Also in your Family File, please make sure your emergency contacts are up to date, with current contact information. Please remind those people that you have indicated them as emergency contacts and that if they get a phone call to pick your child up from school, they will need to be able to get there within an hour.
Follow these instructions:
MAP Home Reports
The PDF copy of the winter 2021 MAP home reports has been loaded into Synergy. The FAQ is below:
https://help.hcpss.org/grades-testing/fall-2020-MAP-scores . Please reach out to your child's teacher if you have any questions about their scorhttps://www.blessingsinabackpack.org/es.
Summer Program Registration
The first online enrollment window opened March 15th and will remain open through Monday, March 29th at 6:00 PM.
NOTE: Completing an enrollment request through the Synergy Parent Portal on HCPSS Connect does not promise enrollment in the program.
You will be notified if you are enrolled in the program or placed on a waitlist.
For questions and assistance, please visit the HCPSS Summer Programs Website and the HCPSS News Post. The most up-to-date information will be shared there. In addition, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Frank at Andrea_Frank@hcpss.org.
PTA Corner
Don't Forget to Order Your 2020-21 Yearbook!
A lot changed this school year but we still managed to keep the "cool" in school. Each student, teacher, parent set new precedents with managing life during a modern day global pandemic there's no better way to commemorate Running Brook's ability to pivot than with a yearbook to highlight the students' achievements.
The yearbook not only celebrates our virtual year but also the school's 50th birthday!
Ordering your yearbook is a breeze this year with an online ordering system. Follow the simple 4 steps listed in this to get your book today!
PTA Meeting
Mark Your Calendars -- Monday, April 14th at 7pm join the RBES PTA as we set out to create a Spring calendar of events to kick off the change in weather!
Parent to Staff Panther Praise
Mrs. Lerner – GT Teacher
"You are awesome! We are thankful for your support with assignments, your kindness in the virtual classroom and your commitment to helping students succeed. We love having you as a math teacher.” – The Molinari Family
Mrs. Jenkins – 4th Grade Teacher
"Mrs. Jenkins is funny and kind and makes learning math awesome! Mrs Jenkins I am going to miss you!" – Alyssa Parris
Ms. Harrison – 3rd Grade Teacher
"Ms. Harrison is very kind and always helps me with my assignments. She also explains things in an easy way. I’m really happy to have her as my teacher" – Olivia Cannell
Mrs. Peyton – 4th Grade Teacher
”Mrs. Peyton is so nice and she always finds a way to make me laugh or smile during our google meets. I am very happy to have her as a teacher this year!” – Aniyah Gurley
Mrs. Jenkins – 4th Grade Teacher
”Thank you so much Mrs. Jenkins for always staying after class to help me with something that I missed. It means a lot to get stuff done. Thank you!”– Jade Jenkins
Mrs. Digiandomenico – Special Education Paraeducator
“Mrs. D is kind and firm bur is always willing to help out in all the classes! She helps with classwork if someone is stuck and needs help. Mrs. D is a great teacher!” – Alyssa Parris
Ongoing News and Events
Kindergarten Registration Week for SY 2021-2022
You can begin the online registration process for students new to Howard County!
It is recommended that you work on a laptop or desktop to complete registration. Cell phone registration is not recommended. For details about registration and enrollment, visit www.hcpss.org/enroll/. Please call our RBES front office at 410-313-6893 or email Mrs. Ott (lakesha_ott@hcpss.org) if you have any questions.
Please make certain you are on the screen for 2021-2022 if registering for the next school year. Please read this message in its entirety.
All children who will be five years of age by September 1, 2021 must register for Kindergarten or have an approved waiver. Parents or guardians are to register students at the school serving the address where the child’s parent or guardian resides. Information on neighborhood schools can be found through School Locator (links to an external site) .
Complete registration online by providing the documents listed below. The registration process is easier if you upload them during online registration. Otherwise, you will be asked to submit them via email as pdfs. I-phone users can scan documents through your notes app. (Images must be clear.)
The following documents are needed for registration:
If you have a child currently attending an HCPSS PreK program, there is no need to re-register your student for Kindergarten. Also, if your child is a current HCPSS student at RBES or any other HCPSS school, please DO NOT re-register your student.
Learning Together Program – Prekindergarten
The Regional Early Childhood Center (RECC) prekindergarten programs are making preparations for classes for the 2021-22 school year. These classes include children with and without disabilities. The program’s focus is helping all children develop communication, literacy, math, problem solving, motor, and social skills. Parents of children who will be 3 by September 1st or are already 4 may learn more about the program by reviewing the . Applications will be accepted starting February 11, 2021 and priority will be given to applications received by April 1st. CLICK HERE to complete LTP Application
HCPSS is committed to providing instruction based on the statewide Early Learning Standards which are in alignment with Kindergarten Readiness. The fees listed in the application will be collected monthly regardless of the learning model determined by HCPSS throughout the upcoming school year (virtual, hybrid, or in person). If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Kwon at (410) 313-6893.
RBES is Hiring
We have an opportunity that might be perfect for you or someone you know.
APPLY NOW: https://forms.gle/cLkTBW6wmNSR5LV76
Blessings in a Backpack
Did you know we have a Blessings in a Backpack Program at RBES? Blessings in a Backpack sends additional food resources home to students on the weekend. During a traditional school year, bags are discretely put in a student's backpack on Friday afternoons. Running Brook staff delivered to 125 students over the spring/summer!
Our Blessings in a Backpack Program is entirely funded by individual and community-based donations. This is not funded by HCPSS.
If you are interested in receiving Blessings you must click the registration link below.
Register For 2020-2021 Virtual Learning Blessing in a Backpack
School Wide Title I Program
Did you know that Running Brook has a school-wide Title I program? Title I is a federally funded program designed to ensure that all children have an opportunity to access a high quality education. The goal of this federal program is to close the achievement gap for all students.
Also, during virtual learning, we were able to use Title I funds to purchase materials to support your child’s at home learning. We hope you were able to pick up the first set of learning materials. If not, please let us know so we can help you make arrangements. There will be opportunities to pick up more Title I learning materials later in the year.
Please view our school parent compact using this link:
We welcome any feedback or questions related to our Title I school wide programming, at anytime throughout the school year. Please email Jodi Aikens at Jodi_Aikens@hcpss.org, Kim Filler at Kimberly_Filler@hcpss.org, or our Family Involvement Coordinator, Jane Hartlove at Jane_Hartlove@hcpss.org.
COMMUNITY NEWS
2021 Budget Basics Workshop
Attend all three sessions: Saturdays, 9-10:30 am
| March 20 | Participants meet together then separate by middle, high and adults – device needed for each group |
| April 17 | Participants meet together then separate by elementary, middle high and adults – device needed for each group |
Grade 3-12 students and their families are invited to learn about electronic and virtual financial transactions and key financial principles.
Topics include:
Separate sessions held for students.Register in advance at: http://hcpssne.ws/BudgBasics
You will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the meeting. Interpreter Available!
Sponsored by: