Panther Press - 21st Edition

Message from Mr. Esposito

Good Afternoon Running Brook Families, 

I hope this newsletter finds you well. We are officially in the home stretch of the school year with only 16 days of school remaining. Over the next several weeks we will have some exciting events for our students and families to look forward to. On June 2nd, we will host a time capsule ceremony to celebrate Running Brook's 50th birthday. The following week we will host a virtual closing ceremony for our 5th grade students on June 9th. Please be on the lookout for more information about both events. 

Sincerely,

Anthony J Esposito, Principal

IMPORTANT DATES

May 26 Make Up Picture Day
May 31 Schools and Offices Closed - Memorial Day
June 2 6pm - RBES 50th Anniversary Time Capsule Presentation
June 9 5th Grade Virtual Closing Ceremony
June 10 Early Dismissal - Students Dismissed at 1:15 pm
June 11 Early Dismissal - Students Dismissed at 1:15pm
June 14 Early Dismissal - Students Dismissed at 1:15 pm
June 15 Early Dismissal - Students Dismissed at 1:15 pm

 

NEWS & EVENTS

 

Make-Up Picture Day
Pictures are now online. If you are unhappy with your picture or your student did not take a picture last month please click here to schedule a time for a retake Wednesday, May 26th.
Click the following link to order pictures: https://orders.classicphoto.com/ and enter access key from your proof sheet

It’s Not Too Late to Start the Virtual Fun Run & Walk
We are excited for the opportunity to get outside, get in some steps, and unite our school communities.
The Virtual 5k and Fun Run will end Monday, May 31 at midnight.  This event is free, and sign-up includes:

  • A chance for raffle prizes for completing routes, miles, and/or total time spent moving
  • A printable, optional scavenger hunt to complete during your run/walk
  • Turn-by-turn directions for five different routes (1 mile near each school, 5k near each school, and a longer challenge route connecting schools). Participants can also complete miles on their own where they’d like.
  • Access to a google form to submit your miles and times to be eligible for raffle prizes
  • Optional printable race bib to wear during your runs/walks

You can register now here: https://forms.gle/oFx1bbFzfxxYN7pd6

 

Countdown to Summer
Media Books - There are 16 school days left! Please check your home for overdue media books. Media books can be returned by leaving them in the marked box at the school.

Returning HCPSS Devices – Students leaving HCPSS after the 2020-2021 school year must return their HCPSS technology devices. Students who will remain in HCPSS schools for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year may continue to borrow HCPSS technology devices over the summer.

PTA Corner
50th Birthday Time Capsule Celebration – Submission Deadline Extended!
The Running Brook PTA is preparing a time capsule to recognize 50 years of RBES Excellence.  We are accepting student contributions.  There are two ways to participate.

  1. Submit a handwritten letter to a student in your grade 50 years from now.  Include a description of what life is like as an RBES student today.  Drawings are welcome and encouraged.
  2. Submit a printed photograph of yourself during virtual schooling or out and about in Columbia this past year. Label the back of the photo with your name, grade and homeroom teacher. If students from more than one family are in the photo, please include parental permission from all parents and guardians.

Place your contributions in an envelope with your name and grade and drop off in the box labeled “Time Capsule Donations” located in-between the two sets of front doors to the school.  
 

Contributions accepted through May 28th.

Questions?  Contact your PTA at rbesptatreasurer@runningbrookpta.org

The Time Capsule Ceremony will be lived streamed on June 2nd at 6pm

PTA Meeting
Mark Your Calendars -- Monday, June 7th at 7pm join the RBES PTA for their monthly meeting.

Title I Parent Survey
Please take a few minutes to complete this survey regarding school improvement, climate, and family engagement.  This will be used to evaluate our Title I program so that we can better serve you.  Your responses will be kept strictly confidential.  Please complete the online survey by Monday, May 24, 2021.

RBES Title I EOY Parent Survey 2021

La Escuela Primaria RBES es una Escuela de Título I a lo Largo de la Escuela.  La participación de padres es una parte importante de Título I.  La RBES y el Sistema de Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Howard (HCPSS, por su nombre en inglés) valoran su opinión y asociación en apoyo del éxito académico de su niño.  Por favor, dedique algunos minutos para completar esta encuesta sobre la mejora escolar, clima y compromiso familiar.  Esto será utilizado para evaluar nuestro programa de Título I para poder asistirlo de una manera mejor.  Sus respuestas serán estrictamente confidenciales.  Por favor, complete el cuestionario en línea antes del 24 de Mayo.

RBES Title I EOY Parent Survey 2021 (Spanish)

Blessings in a Backpack
You may have noticed extra bags of “snacks” being sent home on Tuesdays and Fridays since we returned to the hybrid model.

We have been able to offer these prepacks to all students through the generosity of a Covid Grant from Giant foods to our Blessings in a Backpack Program.  As our funding dwindles we will no longer be distributing twice a week - bags will be distributed on Wednesdays until the remaining funding runs out.  (The cafeteria will continue to provide the grab and go bags.)

Our Blessings in a Backpack will restart next school year.  Qualified students will be able to sign up to participate.  There is no charge to participate.  This program is run entirely on monetary donations from individuals and community partners.  

If you are interested in donating, or just want to learn more about the program please check out the following links.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17GhC9vRy1yonhZv5OLcVS7oUicKdLsZ0/view?usp=sharing

For more information about the national program:

https://www.blessingsinabackpack.org/

For more information or for any questions, please contact Andrea Frank, Blessings in a Backpack Program Coordinator, Running Brook Elementary at andrea_frank@hcpss.org

 

Ongoing News and Events

Kindergarten Registration 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.

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:

  • Child’s evidence of birth (ie: birth certificate)
  • An authorized record of immunizations
  • Proof of residency in the form of your entire signed lease or deed including signature pages
  • Current utility bill (issued within the last 45 days)
  • Photo ID of parent/guardian
  • Proof of custody (if applicable)

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 Learning Together Program (LTP) Flier .  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.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Summer Slugger
Help stop summer slide and satisfy young baseball fans! The Orioles have partnered with Everfi to offer Summer Slugger, a free game-based learning program with online math and reading challenges designed for students entering 4th and 5th grades. Learn how to sign up for this fun and engaging program. 

This class has been prerecorded. You will receive the link to the online class with confirmation of your registration. If you miss this class, past classes are posted on the Howard County Library System YouTube channel Playlists. 

The Kindness Pantry and KidzArt Fundraiser
The Kindness Pantry is partnering with KidzArt Howard County on Sunday, June 6th at 10am for a really fun fundraiser!
Join Mrs. Ebbie as we raise money for The Kindness Pantry and get creative with a virtual drawing lesson! 100% of your donation will go towards buying school supplies for students in need in Howard County. Thank you for supporting our amazing students and teachers! Please register all students ages 5+.

Link To Register: https://campscui.active.com/orgs/KidzArtMaryland.

You choose how much you’d like to donate. We can’t wait to see all of your kids! Thank you!

Howard County Conservancy Nature Preschool

Date

Friday, May 21, 2021 (All day)