IMPORTANT DATES

November

20     Early Dismissal – School closes at 12:55 pm
         Parent/Teacher Conferences
         Scholastic Book Fair 1:00pm - 8:00pm
21     School Closed for Students
22     Schools and Offices Closed
23     Schools and Offices Closed
27     PTA Meeting at 7pm in the Media Center

December

4       5th Grade Field Trip to Philadelphia
5       Hearing & Vision Screening
6       Penguin Patch at 5:30pm
14     2nd Grade Field Trip to the Science Center
18     PTA Meeting at 7:00pm
19     Progress Reports Issued

NEWS & EVENTS

Free & Discounted Benefits for Qualifying HCPSS Families

Did you know FARMs is much more than just breakfast and lunch: The Free and Reduced-Priced Meals (FARMs) program provides access to an array of services for qualified families including free and reduced-priced breakfasts and lunches, free SAT and ACT registration, free tuition to take college courses at Howard Community College while still enrolled in high school, free college applications, reduced AP exam fees, reduced costs for a number of services provided by Howard County Rec and Parks, Columbia Association and Comcast, and much more.
Visit the HCPSS website for more information and to apply.

   Toys for Tots at Running Brook Elementary School

Running Brook Elementary School will, once again, host the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Toys for Tots Event on the morning of December 24th. If you would like to attend, please contact Mrs. Hartlove and arrange to pick up a pass from our front office. This pass will verify that you have children enrolled at Running Brook and will allow you to attend the event and choose gifts, without your children being present.

2018- 2019 RBES Spelling Bee:

• Open to all 4th and 5th grade students
• ELA class Spelling Bees will be completed by January 4th. Practice packets will be provided.
• The top two winners from each ELA class will advance to the school-wide bee.
• The school-wide bee will occur on January 11th at 2:30 in the cafeteria, with a snow date of January 18th.
• The winner of the school-wide bee and one alternate will go onto the county-wide bee at River Hill on March 8th (snow date of March 9th).

  RBES 2nd Annual Penguin Patch Holiday Shoppe

Mark your calendars because the Penguin Patch Holiday Shoppe is less than a month away! On Thursday, December 6th, (5:30-8:00 pm) students will have the opportunity to prepare for the holidays by shopping for their loved ones!  Staff will assist your children as they pick out that "perfect" gift, while parents have the opportunity to do some shopping in the cafeteria, visiting several local vendors and crafters!  
More information about this event will come home before Thanksgiving break.

Carson Scholarship

The Carson Scholars Fund awards $1,000 college scholarships to students in grades 4 -11 who excel academically and are dedicated to serving their communities. Our school has the opportunity to nominate one student who has earned at least a 3.75 GPA for the current school year and is involved in community service activities.

If your student is interested in submitting an essay to be considered for nomination, please review the criteria by visiting https://carsonscholars.org/scholarships/prospective-scholars/ and submit an essay to Mrs. Finkelstein by Thursday, November 15th. A committee of Running Brook staff members will select the most qualified candidate to nominate.
Essay Topics:

1. What do you think is the hardest part of being a kid?  How could you make this difficult part of your life easier?
2. Share the advice that you would give to a friend going through the same thing.
3. “The things that make me different are the things that make me me.” – Winnie the Pooh
4. Something that makes you different from other people you know.  How might your difference help you to achieve your goals?

*An interested student must be nominated by his/her school to be able to compete for a Carson Scholarship and each school may nominate only one student. If you have additional questions, please contact Mrs. Finkelstein or Mrs. Hartlove.

Young Authors' Contest

All students in grades 2-5 are invited to enter a poem or short story for the State of Maryland Literacy Association's Young Authors' Contest.  Guidelines and cover forms have been sent home to students.  All entries are due to Running Brook by December 14th.  Please contact Mrs. Shaffer, Mrs. Armellino or Mrs. James if you have any questions.