THE HALETHORPE ELEMENTARY
A publication of the Baltimore County Public School District4300 Maple Avenue w Halethorpe, Maryland 21227 w (410) 887-1406 – phone w (410) 887-7407 – fax
Jill A. Carter, Principal Russell Pratt, Jr., Assistant Principal
February, 2013
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I am pleased to share that our staff has another published author! Dr. Carolyn Usher, our school psychologist, published a story about a boy named Chip. While the story is geared toward middle grade students, the theme is one that is appropriate for many children. Chip has a special talent and he turns out to be a hero. Frank Simmonds, who is also one of our valued employees, illustrated the cover of the book, Chip Takes Off. We congratulate our author and illustrator!
I am also pleased to announce that Sadie Beaver, one of our great fourth graders, has her astronomy sketches on the County’s website! Sadie participated in a voluntary astronomy activity and won the following awards:
Ø Moon Observation
Ø Deep Space
Ø Constellation
Sadie’s work may be viewed by visiting the following site: http://www.bcps.org/offices/science/starlab.html.
Congratulations, Sadie! We are very proud of you!
The second half of the year has begun. We look forward to continued student learning and success. Now is a great time to restock your child’s school supplies.
Thank you for all of your support as we continue to work together to make this your child’s best school year! Enjoy the month!
Sincerely,
Jill A. Carter
Principal
C A L E N D A R
Need to quickly find the date of the next school closing, activity or event? Your Baltimore County Public School Information Calendar can be found in your child’s agenda book and a “Dates to Remember” section can be found each week in the “Monday Message” which is distributed by your child’s teacher.
February 7 Distribution of Report Cards
February 12 Student of the Month Assembly – 10:00 a.m.
February 13 Chick-fil-A Night, 4:30-7:30 p.m.!
February 18 SCHOOL CLOSED – President’s Day
Feb. 19-Mar. 5 Principal’s Candy Sale -- Once again, we are selling:
February 20 Southwest Area Education Advisory Council – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Lansdowne Middle School (library)
Topic: Bullying, Suspension, and Student Behavior
February 20 Market Day – Paper orders due to school
February 21 Market Day – INTERNET orders must be submitted by 11:00 p.m.
February 27 Market Day Pick-Up – 5:00-6:00 p.m.
March 6 Citizens Advisory Committee for Gifted and Talented Education – 7 p.m.
“How to Support Your GT Student In and Out of School” discussion.
Location: Open Space Room, Cockeysville Middle School, 10401 Greenside Dr.,
Cockeysville, MD 21030
SAFETY PLAN REMINDER
We continue to have fire drills, severe weather drills, and lockdown drills to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Please remember, in the event of an emergency, it is essential that we have correct emergency information for all students. If you have recently moved or have a new home phone or cell phone number, please submit this information to Mrs. Batchellor or Mrs. Simmonds in our school office.
Student of the Month
Grade 5
Ms. Brown Jacob Lipscomb
Ms. Turner Arielle Wyckoff
Ms. Tyler Aamyria Lattimore
Grade 4
Ms. Atherholt Lai Za Hmung
Ms. Flynn Johnny Parker/Alexis Parr
Mrs. Shaw Jayde Merrill/Eric Wang
Mrs. Brennan Lydia Talbott
Grade 3
Ms.Cotham Junaid Mustafa
Ms. Keevins Subbiyal Meher
Mr. Lyles Ryan Miller
Mr. Stearns Collin Troutner
Grade 2
Mrs. Myers Niang Kim/Stephen Lanham Ms. DeVita Dal Khai
Mrs. Buckingham Jamaun Brown/Matthew McCartin
Ms. Cotham Brianna Bossom
Grade 1
Mrs. Bruck Madison Forrest/Gabriel Hutchins/
and Dayanara Luque-Delgado Mrs. Skirven Cung Za Mrs. Kessler Poe Pyint/Kamari Roebuck
Kindergarten
Mrs. Miskimon Shein Ko/Do Muang Mrs. Gemmell Gavin Harris/Peyton Nordeck Ms. Catterton Jonny-Ray Myers/Tiara Willoughby
Prekindergarten & Preschool
Mrs. Lakata-a.m. Mercy Khim Mrs. Lakata-p.m. Brenden Otter
Ms. O’Neill-a.m. Jayden Shelton
Ms. O’Neill-p.m. Evan Beatty
COUNSELOR’S CORNER
National School Counseling Week is scheduled for February 4-8th. National School Counseling Week allows counselors to celebrate the contributions that we make for the students in our school. It also gives us a chance to thank those who work with us. I would like to thank the other educators that support Halethorpe’s School Counseling Program. I would also like to thank the PTA for the many projects they support in our school.
In addition, National School Counseling Week affords counselors the opportunity to share our role and vision. As counselors, we see ourselves as a vital part of the educational program by assisting students, teachers, parents, and administrators. We have training and experience in both counseling and teaching. We work to assist in the personal, social, academic and career growth of our students. We achieve this in many ways. Sometimes this could mean helping students and/or family’s work through personal concerns that distract the students from school. Our ultimate goal is to help students achieve success in school and to become responsible and productive members of our society.
The School Counselors in Baltimore County are thankful for the support they receive from the Superintendent, Dr. S. Dallas Dance. He values the work that Professional School Counselors’ do and is trying to increase the number of school counselors in Baltimore County Schools. In the wake of so many alarming incidents of school violence, I think he understands the importance of problem-solving and safety in our schools. If you ever have a chance to express your opinion to Dr. Dance or have your voice heard by a political figure, please support School Counseling Programs.
This month’s “TA-DA’s”
3rd grade trip to UMBC: The 3rd graders were able to tour the campus and develop an understanding of what college life is like. They also attended a UMBC Women’s Basketball game and received prizes.
--Mrs. Vernier, School Counselor
A NOTE FROM THE HEALTH SUITE
How to Decide Whether Your Child Should Stay Home from School
Every Baltimore County Public School has a full time school nurse who can evaluate children who develop signs of illness during the school day. However, in the best interest of the child and to minimize the spread of germs, it is important for parents to know when it is safe to send a child to school and when it’s best to keep a child home.
A child may safely be sent to school if he/she:
· Has vague or generalized complaints of illness without any specific symptoms like
· fever, vomiting, or diarrhea.
· Has a chronic health problem and you and his/her doctor have a plan for meeting
· health needs at school.
· Has mild cough or cold symptoms without fever or difficulty breathing.
· Has been fever-free for 24 hours WITHOUT medication. It’s very important to wait at least 6 hours after the last dose of Tylenol or ibuprofen before checking the temperature. It is also important to wait most of a day to be sure the fever is gone; many times a child’s temperature goes down in the morning but rises again in the afternoon.
· Has a stomachache but does not have a fever, vomiting or diarrhea. It is often challenging in the rush of the morning to know if a stomachache is going to develop into something more serious. In general, it is okay to send your child to school with a stomachache unless the child is unable to eat and this is something out-of-the-ordinary for your child. (Some children, particularly adolescents, are often reluctant to eat in the morning.)
Your child should be kept home from school if he/she:
· Has a fever of more than 100 degrees. It is important to have a thermometer to measure a fever – just touching a child’s head only tells you how warm the head is. Most grocery and drug stores sell thermometers for $5 or less.
· Has vomited two or more times. A single episode of vomiting can be caused by a variety of non-illness related issues. However, vomiting more than two times is a sign of a contagious condition.
· Has diarrhea. It can be difficult to know when diarrhea is more than a loose bowel movement. Parents should watch for two or more episodes of watery stools, particularly if the child also has nausea, a fever, or other signs of illness. A child with blood or mucus in the stool should be taken to the doctor for further evaluation.
· Has severe pain. Many times a doctor will clear a child to return to school after an ear infection, dental procedure, or other intervention. However, most children who need prescription-strength pain medication to control pain will not be able to learn and
· should stay home until the condition is controlled with over-the-counter pain medications like Tylenol and Advil.
--Mrs. Wells, R.N., School Nurse
APPLICATION FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICES
Five years ago, Baltimore County Public Schools adopted a new policy in order to ensure the safety of our children. All volunteers must complete a new Application for Volunteer Services each year. The school will do a background check in order for volunteers to be in the classroom, in the building, or to chaperone a field trip. Please make sure you send in a completed form for yourself, your spouse, a grandparent, etc. so that all can continue to volunteer.
Every volunteer and chaperone must have completed a new application and be cleared for volunteering. Applications are available NOW! Please do not wait to return your application to the school.
VOLUNTEER TRAINING WORKSHOP
All persons wishing to volunteer in the classroom, in the building, or to chaperone a field trip MUST attend a Volunteer Training Workshop. The training video is available to view in the school office.
PLEASE DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE DAY OF YOUR CHILD’S FIELD TRIP TO REQUEST TRAINING.
TRAINING MUST BE COMPLETED ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE TRIP.
A NOTE FROM INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Thank you again for all of your support and encouragement for your students in music!! The Winter Concert was AMAZING and so well attended!!
Practice calendars: The PINK February calendar will be due on March 1st and students should have turned in their BLUE January practice calendars. After the students practice at home, please help your student to fill it in EACH day with at LEAST 10 minutes! If they take private lessons, guitar lessons or piano, they can also count that time as well!
Koncert Karate: WOW- the students are doing a WONDERFUL job with the Koncert Karate Program! Many have finished their white belts and are moving on to their yellow/ orange!!
Arbutus Side by Side Concert: The Side by Side Concert with Arbutus Middle School will take place on Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 7 p.m. with the following rehearsal schedule:
Band Rehearsal: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 – 4 - 5 p.m. at Arbutus Middle School
Orchestra Rehearsal: Thursday, April 25 – 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Arbutus Middle School
Music will be coming home shortly AND we will be sending out an official RSVP, as well as, if your child needs a ride (since it is at Arbutus Middle School and I do know that transportation may be an issue).
Band, Chorus, Orchestra and Drama Club Concert: This will be Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at 7 p.m. All 5th grade students are expected to attend and wear black bottoms and white tops.
-- Ms. Trumpler, Instrumental Music
STUDENT READING RECOGNITION
Students at Halethorpe Elementary have been encouraged to read 15 minutes each night as part of the Reading Incentive Program. The program began in October and students who read 300 or more minutes each month were invited to The Carnival of Reading. The students who earned an invitation enjoyed treats, crafts, and games! Everyone had a wonderful time!
The following students earned an invitation to the Reading Incentive Party:
Samuel May, Keith Smith, Alexus Buchanan, Lindsay Sparrow, Jordan Ross, Destany Howerton, Jayci Teal, Dayanara Luque-Delgado, C. J. Decker, Noah Witmer, Olivia Alvear, Olivia Sung, Jonny-Ray Myers, Adam Clontz, Dylan Dick, Alyssa Williams, Logan Nordeck, Jaquelin Franco-Martinez, Gavin Harris, Jordan Brown, Simon Khan Bawi Lian, Mason Walden, Elijah Eppard, Kim Niang, Sean Broschart, Ngun Chin, Soe Moe Kyaw, Moses Uk, David Roman, Rose Mary Ling, Andrew Daley, Benjamin Rose, Estina Sepaw, Alna Thekkiniath, Nathan Stringfield, Aqsa Aziz, Robert Williams, Mykah Johnson, Jamaun Brown, Aiden Stinchcomb, Taylor Repoley, Asher Uk, Jaynie Simpkins, Hamil Thekkiniath, Carlo Victorio, Hunter Middelthon, Colleen Simpkins, Piper Hess, Zachary Miskimon, Michael Schwinn, Tristan Louden, Donovan Harrington, Morgan Rife, Khiya Washington, Caitlin Gayleard, Mason Culver, Elijah Miller, Zishun Liang, Thawng Cung, Hanah Hlue, Kaliyah Miller, Abigail Clontz, Madison Henn, Lai Za Hmung, Alondra Navarrete-Diaz, Blake Jacobs, Juan Quintero, Julianna Parker, Maurice Duvall, Era Tial, Junaid Mustafa, Ryan Claiborne, Christian Paschall, Dim Nuam, Shujuan Liang, Raekayla Johnson, Luis Quintero, Kai Smith, Jayde Merrill, Aamyria Lattimore, Melissa Rau, Ta Cho Tha, Abigail Spangenberg, Lauren Martin, Jossie Batisso, Muan En, Isabelle Bontempo, Ernesto Raymundo Torres, Ethan Broschart, Axel Shaji, Kearston Busch, Kayleigh Keyser, Biak Ceu, Clayton Rogers, Emma Crough, Yabesera Tadesse, Madison Culver, Alyssa Hess, Autumn Doyle, Faith Baumgartner, Jack Epp, Arielle Wyckoff, Georgia Eppard, Pho Bee, Mary Muang, Gianella Victorio, Jessilyn Bryant, Sadie Beaver, Joseph Busch, Yawm Pam, Nicole Groleau, Jonathan Brewer and Darian Harrington, Pablo Quintero, Poe Pyint, Calvin Thang, Darren Hess, Sian Sian
HES FUNDRAISING
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! A Chick-fil-A “Teamwork for Technology” Night will be