Elkridge Landing Middle School
Rolling Thunder Newsletter
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Friends of Elkridge Landing,
Dear Parents, Guradian, and Friends of Elkridge Landing:
It has been a wonderful first week of school. It is always amazing to see how much the kids grow and change during the summer break. We have welcomed back 730 students and 93 staff members for the 2015-2016 school year. We are still in the process of adjusting schedules and leveling classes so schedule changes may still be coming home through next week.
Student emergency procedure cards are being updated through the HCPSS Connect system this year ( You user ID and password from the Aspen system should get into Connect. Please call school if you are unable to log in. Canvas access for parents will go live on Monday, August 31 and we will run special sessions about both Canvas and Synergy for parents at our Back to School Night on September 10th at 7:00. We look forward to seeing everyone there.
We are moving up the roll out date for iPads and BYOD. Due to the hard work of several staff members, we will be ready to get our students started with technology on Thursday, September 3rd instead of the original date of September 8. 6th and 7th grade homeroom teachers will be signing out school iPads and lessons will take place during the day to teach and/or refresh students’ understanding of using the devices at school. Our 8th grade students will be using either a school device or bringing one from home. Please do not let your students convince you that you need to buy them a device! Using a school iPad or bringing something from home is a choice you as the parent get to make. The list of apps that have been loaded on the school iPads is available on the ELMS website, under the Recent News section ( ). If your student is bringing their own device, just start out loading the free apps first. Wait to see what else is used in class before you decide on the paid apps. There is frequently a free alternative to the paid version. For example, if you don’t want to purchase Notability (which is only available on iOS products, consider the free version of Evernote instead.) Again, no student or parent is required to purchase a device or apps. For more information about BYOD, go to .
Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We have had an amazing first week with the students and are excited about the year to come. Please remember to send in items for our silent auction that will benefit our PBIS Program. We look forward to working with you to make this a wonderful year for your students.
ELMS Administration
Gina L. Cash, Principal
Sam Davis, Assistant Principal
HCPSS Canvas
You may have awakened this morning with an inbox full of notifications from "HCPSS Canvas" indicating that you have been "enrolled" in certain courses. Don't worry. You do not have to begin attending school with your child! What this actually means is that HCPSS Connect's Canvas Learning System is preparing to go live on Monday. When this happens, you will have access to the course pages that your child is taking. You also may have noticed that you will have access as an observer. This is simply how Canvas defines parents.
Earlier this week, an email was sent about this new system. It is copied below in case you missed it or accidentally deleted it.
HCPSS Connect Course Enrollment
We are very excited about the launch of HCPSS Connect on Monday, August 31 and the opportunities for parents to stay engaged with their child's academics. One component of HCPSS Connect is the Canvas Learning System.
Beginning this week, parents are being added to their child's course pages in Canvas. You may have even received emails notifying you that you have been enrolled in your child's courses.
Parents will have access to these courses beginning August 31, but save the emails as a reminder to log in on Monday to view your child's courses.
To report an absence
To report student absences, call 410-313-5043 (voicemail is available 24/) or fill out the following online form: In addition to your phone call or email, please send a note to Student Services with your student on the day of their return stating the reason for the absence.
Make Up Work
While absent, your child’s first priority should be to get healthy! Once your child is feeling better, please encourage him/her to check the teacher websites for class work and homework assignments.Students who are absent three or more consecutive days may request make up work to be collected by the Student Service Office. The Student Services telephone number is 410-313-5043. If you contact Student Services by 8:00 AM, the requested work will be available for pick up that day in the front office between 2:45 - 3:30 PM. For work requested after 8:00 AM, pick up will be available the following school day between 2:45 - 3:30 PM.
Dates to Remember:
September 7Closed – Labor Day
September 10Back To School Night – 7:00 PM
September 14Closed – Rosh Hashanah
September 21Food drive begins
September 23Closed – Yom Kippur
Sept 24-Oct 9MAP testing window
October 1Interim reports issued
October 2Closed for students
October 7School Picture Day
October 13 & 147th Grade Service Learning trip
October 158th Grade Lock-In 6:30 PM
October 16Closed for students
October 21-236th Grade Outdoor Ed trip
October 29Food drive ends
October 30Close 3 hours early (11:45 AM)