Panther Press

January 3, 2020

IMPORTANT DATES

January

  7        7:00 pm – PTA Meeting

  9        6:00 pm 4th and 5th Grade Family Night

13        6:00 pm – Rising 6th Grade Parent Orientation at Wilde Lake MS
            7:00 pm Winter Concert at Wilde Lake High School

16        6:00 pm Kindergarten and 1st Grade Family Night

20        Schools Closed – Martin Luther King Jr Day

21        RECC & Prekindergarten Field Trip to Port Discovery

23        6:00 pm - Orientation for Students transferring from RBES to BWES in the Fall        
27        Schools Closed – Professional Work Day

30        Black Student Achievement Program Community Meeting

February

  3         2nd Quarter Report Cards Sent Home

  4         Schools Closed - Primary Elections

10         7:00 pm - PTA Meeting

13         Early Dismissal – Students Dismissed at 12:50 pm
             Parent/Teacher Conferences

14         Early Dismissal – Students Dismissed at 12:50 pm
             Parent Teacher Conferences

17         Schools Closed

NEWS & EVENTS

RBES Arrival Time
Please be aware that students should not arrive or be let out of cars before 9:05 in the morning, unless staff members are present, assisting, and supervising.  We still have students who are arriving close to or before 8:30 am.  These students are not supervised.  If your child is a walker, please have a conversation about what is the best time to leave the house so they are not arriving too early or too late. Students may enter the building beginning at 9:05 am.

Orientation Schedule
Please review the orientation dates and times below. If you are unsure of the school your child is scheduled to attend, please visit School Locator and follow the instructions to find your child's school or visit HCPSS Connect. If you have questions, please call our front office.

Yearbooks on Sale
Yearbooks are on sale now through April 3, 2020. The prices are $20 for soft cover and $25 for Hard Cover. Order online http://runningbrookyearbook.picaboo.com/
Direct questions to Dr. Zimmer at paige_zimmer@hcpss.org

Winter Concert
The Running Brook Winter Music Concert for Band, Chorus and Strings will be held at Wilde Lake High School in the Rouse Theatre on Monday, January 13.  The concert will begin at 7:00 pm.

Students should report to WLHS as follows:

• Strings - 6:30 pm
• Band and Chorus -  6:45 pm
• Students should wear the RBES Music t-shirt *** (or a plain purple shirt or other Running Brook shirt) and dark pants or a long dark skirt.

The DAY winter concert will be at RBES on January 21 for students and staff.

Learning Together Program – Peers Needed
We are currently seeking 3 year old peers to enroll in our Learning Together Preschool Program. Please contact Mrs. Kwon at Helen_Kwon@hcpss.org for more information.

ESOL Testing
Yearly ESOL Access testing will begin January 8th. Testing schedules will vary. All students enrolled in the ESOL program will be tested. Please try to have students at school every day, well rested and ready to show their best English language skills. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Brower at Karen_Brower@hcpss.org.

Attention 5th Grade Families
You are invited to our Fabulous Fifth Grade Family Math & Reading Night on Thursday, January 9, 2020 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Please check your child's backpack for the yellow invitation and RSVP by Monday, January 6th. You don't won't to miss a fun night of activities presented by our wonderful 5th grade teachers! See you soon.

Attention 4th Grade Families
You are invited to our 4th Grade Family SEL/Paint Night on Thursday, January 9, 2020 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Please check your child's backpack for your pink invitation  and RSVP by Monday, January 6th. We look forward to seeing you.

BSAP Saturday Math Academy
BSAP Spring Saturday Math Academy Registration Opens Saturday, January 11
Certified teachers offer instruction and enrichment in all levels of mathematics to a diverse student population through the academy, offered Saturdays, February 1–March 14. Online and walk-in registration will be available on registration day.

Contact Patricia Andrews at Patricia_Andrews@hcpss.org or 410-313-1598 with questions.

Road to Kindergarten
Do you have a child who will be 5 years old by September 1, 2020? Please joins us for an information session about Kindergarten in the Howard County Public School System.
At this workshop you will learn:

• Expectations for school readiness (and receive a Ready for Kindergarten tool kit)
• Details about the kindergarten program
• Information about HCPSS kindergarten registration
• Ways that families and children can be supported during the transition to kindergarten

If Howard County public schools are closed for inclement weather, the session is cancelled. All sessions will begin promptly at 6:30 pm

Snow date will only be held if one of the above sessions is cancelled
*Spanish interpreter will be present at these sites. For other interpreter requests please call 410-313-7102.

Attention RBES Alumni
Were you a Purple Panther? Did you or a family member attend RUNNING BROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL in the past 50 years?

WHAT: "Where Are They Now?"  Video Project to be shown to current and future students as a College and Career lesson.

We are working on creating a video to show to our current and future students to inspire them to set goals for their future and strengthen their connection and pride in their community. We would also love to include some of the footage in a 50th birthday celebration next school year.

WHO: Any person 18 or older who attended RBES at some point in their elementary school years.

HOW:

1. Please help by getting the word out.
2. Please send in a short video of yourself in your current institution of higher learning, or     workplace. Please use the following as a guideline, but feel free to improvise keeping in mind     the total length to less than 3 minutes.
   1. Introduce yourself (Include when you attended RBES and for what grades.)
   2. Do you have a special memory of RBES? (i e. favorite subject, most loved teacher, school event)
   3. What are you doing now? How did you get there? Coolest/best part of your career/job/studies?
   4. What are your current goals and aspirations?
   5. Advice for current students or positive message.
3. Please send videos to Deborah_finkelstein@hcpss.org or share via Google Drive. Please     include your contact information.

WHEN: Please submit videos by January 31, 2020.

If anyone has any questions, please email Debbie Pauletta at deborah_finkelstein@hcpss.org or call 410-313-6893.

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. The goal of this federal program is to close the achievement gap for all students.   As a result we receive additional funds from the federal government that have allowed us to secure additional staff members, funds for family events, and materials of instruction to benefit all of our children.
We value input from our parents, community, and staff.  
If you have any suggestions, questions, or feedback about our Family Involvement programs or School Improvement Plan, please feel free to contact our Title I contacts Jodi Aikens at (jodi_aikens@hcpss.org) or Kim Filler at (kimberly_filler@hcpss.org).