Panther Press-9th Edition

Note from Mr. Esposito

Good Afternoon Running Brook Families,

I hope this newsletter finds you well! It's hard to believe that next week is Thanksgiving. On Monday of this week, you should have gained access to your child's report card. If for some reason you were unable to download a copy, please reach out to your child's teacher or to the front office team. We look forward to seeing our families next week for parent/teacher conferences. If you were unable to sign up but would like to meet with your child's teacher, please reach out. If you can meet, we want to see you! 

We are wishing our entire Running Brook family a Happy Thanksgiving! 

Anthony J Esposito, Principal 

IMPORTANT DATES

November 23 & 24         3 Hour Early Dismissal (Click Here for Schedule)
                                       Parent/Teacher Conferences

November 25-27            Schools Closed for Students

December 14                 7pm – PTA Meeting

December 24-25            Schools & Offices Closed

Dec 28 - Jan 1               Winter Break - Schools Closed

NEWS & EVENTS

Math News from Mrs. Mulroe

We have 2 opportunities for students and families next week on November 23 and 24:

Math with Mrs. Mulroe on Monday, November 23

  • Do you need some extra help with math?  Visit Mrs. Mulroe from 5:30 - 7:30 pm for support. All students are welcome grades K-5. 
  • Use code: RBESMath

Lexia and DreamBox Night on Tuesday, November 24

  • Mrs. Shaffer and Mrs. Mulroe are available from 5:30 - 7:30 for students and families for any Lexia or DreamBox questions.
  • Use code:  RBESReadingMath

Virtual Book Fair
As we are not able to host our regular November Book Fair event in the Media Center, we have organized an efair with Follett Books instead, which will run from November, 16-30. Follett Books was chosen because it has 80% of its titles in paperback, making them much more affordable. It also offers free delivery without a minimum purchase, when shipped to schools. Book orders will be verified by Media staff and distributed to your home address by school staff. Teacher wishlists are accessible, should you want to donate a book for the class to share.

Useful Book Fair Links
Book Fair Flyer : https://bit.ly/3lfU3gV
Directions video on how to use the Follett Book Fair website: https://bit.ly/2Ucs4mu
Running Brook efair page: https://bit.ly/38qK1WB

Use to browse the full range of titles and create wishlists. (Purchases may be made using this link between 11/16-11/30).

Please reach out to Ms. Palin or Ms. Wolf if you have any questions. Thank you for continuing to support Running Brook Elementary.

School Counselor Corner
Come Meet us Monday!
The RBES Student Support Team (Parent Liaisons, Health Room, Psychologist, Counselor, Alternative Educators, etc.) will be available during Conferences to answer questions and provide resources or additional information and support. Breakout rooms are available for confidentiality if needed. If we don't know the answer, we will find it for you.

Please pop in and say hello Monday, November 23rd between 1-2pm or during 6-7 pm using Google Meet Code: RBES Support

Transgender Awareness Week
We can’t think of a better way to kick off Transgender Awareness Week than by recognizing the new webpage @hocoschools (Links to an external site.) has added to student supports. There is a wealth of information for students, parents, teachers, and community members for LGBTQIA+ students which includes but is not limited to selecting from three gender fields when registering for school, using a chosen (presenting) name, as well as policies and procedures as they relate to LGBTQIA+ students. To learn more, visit hcpss.org, click on “supports” from the menu, and then either “jump to LGBTQIA+ Youth” OR scroll down to the rainbow heart image to click and access the page. 

School Counseling Connection
Click Here to view the school counseling newsletter for November

Emergency Card Procedures on Family File
We still have 243 students who have an incomplete Family File. That is 60% of our student body. Please take a few minutes to complete your file today.

HCPSS utilizes Family File for parents/guardians to complete emergency information. 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. Family File guides are available online.

PTA Meeting & News
Please join us at our next virtual PTA Meeting. The meeting will be held via Zoom at 7pm on Monday, December 14. Hope to see you there!
CLICK HERE to view the most recent PTA Newsletter

Spirit Wear Sales
Purchasing spirit wear is a great way to show your school spirit and support the PTA while virtual learning. 15% of your orders will be donated to the PTA for programs for the students. Orders can be picked up at Nightmare Graphics or shipped directly to your home once completed.
Please keep a few things in mind when ordering:
•    This store will close on November 22nd.  No orders will be accepted after this date!
•    All orders will be processed AFTER the store has closed on November 22nd.
•    All orders are custom, so there are NO REFUNDS, RETURNS, OR EXCHANGES!
CLICK HERE to order

Technology Support
After receiving a Chromebook, families can use the directions for connecting a Chromebook to Wi-Fi to connect it to their home network. Students who forget their username or password can use the Account Self Service directions to retrieve their account credentials. A variety of common self-help resources can be found on the Student Technology Resources Canvas community. If you or your child has questions on how to use the technology to access instruction or is having technical issues, please email your child’s teacher or school administrator.
If you try the tips above and continue to have a difficult time with your device please complete the Running Brook Elementary technology support form. Please include your child’s grade level in the ID # section of the form.

Attendance Policy
Please review HCPSS Policy 9010:
If your student is absent or will be absent from a Google Meet, please email us to explain the reason: RBESAbsence@hcpss.org

  • If you are requesting a day for a religious holiday not identified by the Howard County Public School System school calendar, Please download the PDF fillable Religious Observation Form and send it to the above email address.

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:
English: RBES Title I School-Family Compact/Calendar
Spanish: RBES School-Family Compact/Calendar (Spanish)

We welcome any feedback or questions related to our Title I schoolwide 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 & EVENTS

PR Performance Travel Soccer Team
SOCCER TRYOUTS BIRTH YEAR 2010,2011,2012 & 2013

PR Performance Soccer Academy mission is to promote youth soccer development through the offering of advanced, competitive travel soccer programs. Our experienced coaching staff aim to develop sound bodies, keen minds, positive competitive attitudes, teamwork and good sportsmanship. PR Performance Academy is the first in the metro area to focus on Biomechanical, Technical and Tactical development through integrated national team methodology. With a certified coaching staff, our biggest priority is the PLAYER! Please review the flyer  for additional details.

Child Care Financial Assistance
The Coronavirus pandemic, continues to play havoc on many families financially, as they try to recover from this devastating virus.
While funds are available, Just Living Advocacy, Inc., can assist with child care fees for parents to start or maintain their work; 

  • For co-pay fee
  • Registration fee
  • Monthly fee
  • (On a case by case basis), we will pay to catch up on past due monies owed to provider, in order to avoid termination of care by the provider.

 
Here is the application link to provide: https://bit.ly/JustLivingChildCareApplicationForm
 
Please do not hesitate to contact us at: childcare@justlivingadvocacy.org, if you have any questions.

Date

Friday, November 20, 2020 (All day)