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MESSAGE FROM THE ADMINISTRATORS Hello RBES Families and Friends,

We would like to start with a big THANK YOU to our PTA for another wonderful Trunk or Treat event! It was a night filled with great fun for our students and their families. THANK YOU to all the parents, staff and students that made this event a huge success.

On Wednesday, November 12th, your child/children will bring home the first report card of the school year. We hope you take a moment to read through the report and celebrate your child and his or her hard work. This is a great time to ask your child what they are learning in each subject area. If you have any questions about the report card, please remember to sign up for a student-led conference.

Student-Led Conferences will be held November 24th through November 26th. Please see the notice below regarding pickAtime, our online way to schedule the perfect conference time for you, your child, and your child’s teacher. For Grades 1-5, Fall Conferences will be held with your child's Session 1 teacher. Please be sure to schedule your student-led conference using pickAtime with the Session 1 teacher. This is a wonderful opportunity to sit down and talk about how you can support the learning that your child is doing each and every day!

In addition, don't forget American Education Week is November 17th - 21st! We look forward to hosting family members as they visit their child's classroom.

November is a busy month with many opportunities to visit our school. Please be sure to join us!

Mr. Todd and Mrs. Jenkins INDIVIDUAL PICTURE RETAKE DAY NOVEMBER 13th If your child was absent on the original picture day, he/she can have an individual school picture taken next week, November 13th. If you were not pleased with the pictures you received, you may return the package in its entirety and have the picture retaken. The packages must be complete and returned in the original package. Classic Photography sent the following message: The students do not need picture envelopes for this session. Students will receive a proof information sheet to view photos online.

RUNNING BROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Reaching the Best in Every Student

Panther Press

Panther Press - November 7, 2014

Troy Todd Principal

troy_todd@hcpss.org

Kelli Jenkins Assistant Principal

kelli_jenkins@hcpss.org

 

STUDENT-LED CONFERENCES  

 

COGAT ASSESSMENT  

 

FluMist    

TURKEY TROT  

 

WORLD LANGUAGE  

 

RBES MATH WEBSITE  

 

FINE ARTS NIGHT  

 

THE CRAYON PROJECT  

 

BOOK FAIR  

 

BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK  

 

UPCOMING EVENTS    

COMMUNITY NOTICES  

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MESSAGE FROM THE HEALTH ROOM As we enter into flu season, this is a reminder that good hand washing and covering sneezes and coughs with tissues and sleeves are essential steps to preventing the spread of "germs.” Also, remember that despite concerns about school attendance, your children's health (and the health of other children) is most important of all. For this reason, we ask you to please:

• Call the school nurse to let us know if your child is absent with a contagious illness such as strep throat, or the flu. Please provide any documentation from your physician about diagnosis and release to return to school. (Ear and sinus infections, while often a reason for keeping a child home, are usually not contagious.)

• Keep your child home if he/she has a fever of over 100.0. A fever indicates that your child has an infection that could be passed to other students. If you give your child Motrin or Tylenol, the fever will, of course, disappear but he/she will still be contagious to others. Children must be fever-free for 24 hours (without medication) before returning to school! Students vomiting or with diarrhea should be symptom free, able to eat and drink a regular meal, and resume normal bowel habits before returning.

• Have your children wash their hands properly after using the restrooms and prior to eating. • If the doctor prescribes medication for your child, please make sure he/she takes it as directed-which

means the right amount at the right time and without missing doses.

Thank you very much for helping keep all our students healthy!

FluMist INFORMATION Friday, November 21 Permission slips for the upcoming Flu Mist clinic to be held at RBES on November 21st were sent home in last week’s Friday folder. All permission slips must be returned to the health room by November 14th in order for your child to receive the vaccine. If you did not receive a permission slip please contact the health room. For those not eligible to receive the FluMist, it is recommended you have your child vaccinated by your child's Health Care Provider. Annual vaccination against the flu is recommended. Call or email Kristen Self, School Cluster Nurse, with questions: Kristen_Self@hcpss.org or 410-446-5617.

 

 

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STUDENT-LED CONFERENCES: NOVEMBER 24th AND 25th

Mark your calendars: Student-Led Conferences are scheduled for November 24th – November 26th. Our school will be using a web-based application called pickAtime to schedule our student-led conferences. Parents with Internet access will be able to schedule the student-led conference, print the schedule, and have an email reminder of the appointment sent to them. For Grades 1-5, we would like to clarify how conferences will be held this year due to departmentalization. You will be meeting with your child’s Session 1 teacher in November and your child’s Session 2 teacher in February. When you go on to pickAtime to set up your conference, you will look for your child’s Session 1 teacher.

You will be able to access this program to schedule or cancel your appointments until Friday, November 22nd at 7:00 pm. To access this program, please click on the pickAtime scheduling link for Running Brook Elementary School on the Howard County Public School System web site http://www.hcpss.org/. After this date, you will have to schedule, cancel or reschedule your appointments by calling the front office at 410-313-6893. In order to access this program, you will need your child’s student ID number. This ID number was sent home in a letter on Wednesday, November 5th, or it will be labeled at the top of your child’s report card, which will be sent home on November 12th. Please be sure to have this information on hand when accessing pickAtime. Unfortunately, we cannot give out your student’s ID number over the telephone. “Parent Directions for Using pickAtime” and a video on how to use this program can be found on the Howard County Public School website www.hcpss.org. Parents/Guardians who are unable to access pickAtime at home or work may call the school at 410-313-6893 to schedule the conference. COGAT ASSESSMENT/GRADES 3 & 5

This year, the Howard County Public School System will be administering the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) to all students in grades 3 and 5. The CogAT is a group-administered abilities test that measures students’ reasoning abilities, which they develop through in-school and out-of-school experiences. It is not designed to test a student’s academic achievement, but their potential.

The test is made of three batteries – Verbal, Quantitative, and Nonverbal. Each battery takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. The CogAT helps educators understand a student’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses and assists with adapting instruction to meet the needs and abilities of each student.

ALL STUDENTS in Grades 3 and 5 will participate in the testing. The CogAT will be administered at Running Brook on December 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. No special preparation is required. Just send your child to school ready to learn as you do daily.

The Gifted and Talented Education Program will use the data from the CogAT as one criterion for placement into fourth grade Gifted/Talented mathematics classes and middle school Gifted/Talented content classes. Students’ individual scores will be reported to parents in late February/early March.

Please contact the school if you have any questions about your child’s involvement with the CogAT assessment.

 

 

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TURKEY TROT 2014

What: The 6th Annual Turkey Trot Fun Run/Race Who: All Running Brook Elementary students, staff, and families who wish to join us. Where: Around RBES When: Friday, November 21st, 2014 9:30: 5th grade 11:30: 2nd grade 12:15: 4th grade 1:00: 3rd grade 2:15: Kindergarten 3:00: 1st grade

You are invited to the 6th Annual Turkey Trot Fun Run! The event will occur during students related arts class time (See schedule above). Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade students will participate in a fun run around the school building. 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students will have the option of running in the Turkey Trot Race or the Turkey Trot Fun Run. Additional fall fun activities will occur for the remaining class time. Volunteers are needed! If you’d like to assist, please email Mrs. Kennedy at Kimberly_kennedy@hcpss.org or Mr. Hiel at Kory_Hiel@hcpss.org. If you would like to participate in the run/walk, please sign-in in front of the office and meet us outside by the field. We hope to see you there!

BUS SAFETY  

The safety of your child/children is of utmost importance to us. Recently it has been brought to the attention of our staff that the behaviors of a number of students on several busses are not conducive to the Howard County Code of Conduct, or the expectations of the students at Running Brook. We have discussed the importance of bus safety with students on each bus. Please talk to your child/children to remind them of their responsibility to keep themselves, and others, safe

while riding the bus. Thank you for your support!    LUNCH REMINDERS    Please be sure to continue to add money to your child’s POS account for purchasing school lunches or send the money to school when needed. In addition, packed lunches cannot be “heated” during the lunch period. We do not have the capability of heating lunches for students during the lunch period. We appreciate your understanding and support with this.    UPCOMING BOOK FAIR

The Book Fair is returning to Running Brook on November 24th and 25th from 1:00 to 7:30 pm. We will have a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level. Please make plans to visit our Book Fair in the Media Center and be involved in shaping your child's reading habits.

NEW THIS YEAR – THE CRAYON PROJECT  

Our 1st graders are helping with recycling old, small crayons to make new ones with the Crazy Crayon Company. If you have any old crayons you would throw away, please consider sending them in with your child in a bag. We will do the rest. Best of all, these recycled crayons will be sold on the PAWMART cart! Another way to help the Earth and enjoy some new crayons!  

 

 

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WORLD LANGUAGE NEWSLETTER

Dear RBES Families, Please be on the lookout for the World Language Newsletter for Unit 2, which we started last week. Themes include house, community, and clothing. This is a good opportunity to touch base with your students about what is happening in their Spanish class.

¡Hasta pronto! The World Language Team

PRIMARY READING & MATH NIGHT (K-2ND)

Don't forget to attend family night for grades K-2nd on Tuesday, November 11th at 6:30 pm! Join us for fun reading and math activities to support at home learning. We look forward to seeing you! RBES MATH WEBSITE

Did you know that RBES has a math website? This website provides parents with resources as well as information about current math instruction in each grade. Check it out at: http://rbesmath.weebly.com/. 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. 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: jodi_aikens@hcpss.org  Kim Filler: kimberly_filler@hcpss.org

 

 

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BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK Blessings in a Backpack is a non-profit organization that works to support the more than 62% of elementary students in America who qualify for the free and reduced meal program. Each Friday during the school year, students supported by the Blessings in a Backpack Program are given a certain amount of food to ensure they do not go hungry over the weekend. The cost per student is $100 for the thirty-eight

week school year. Backpacks include easy-to-prepare, shelf stable food items (juice boxes, mac and cheese, fruit snacks, and oatmeal). One hundred percent of funds donated directly feed the children of the program. Online donations are accepted at http://www.blessingsinabackpack.org. (Please be sure to check the “other” box in the dropdown section of the “Designation” section and type “Running Brook Elementary School”). Checks should be made out to Blessings in a Backpack, with Running Brook Elementary School on the memo line. Checks can be mailed to: BIB Lockbox, PO Box 950291,Louisville, KY 40295. Donors will receive a thank you letter containing the Blessings in a Backpack Federal Tax ID Number, which serves as a charitable gift receipt.

ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL FINE ARTS NIGHT The Howard County Public Schools are sponsoring an evening for elementary and middle school parents and students interested in pursuing Dance, Music, Theater, or Visual Arts in High School.

Date: November 11, 2014 Time: 7:00 - 8:30 PM Location: Wilde Lake High School

5460 Trumpeter Road Columbia, MD, 21044

UPCOMING EVENTS AND IMPORTANT DATES

11/10 PTA Meeting, 7:00 pm, Media Center 11/21 Flu Mist Clinic

11/11 Family Reading and Math Night, Grades K-2, 6:30-8:00 pm

11/24 Parent Conferences: SCHOOL DISMISSED AT 12:50

11/12 Report Cards Issued 11/25 Parent Conferences: SCHOOL DISMISSED AT 12:50

11/13 Picture Retakes 11/26 Parent Conferences: SCHOOL CLOSED FOR STUDENTS

11/14 PTA Movie Night 6:30 – 8:00 pm 11/27-11/28 Thanksgiving Holiday – SCHOOL CLOSED

 

 

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COMMUNITY NOTICES

For more information or questions regarding the “Community Notices” below, please use the contact information provided within each notice. These events are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Howard County Public School System or Running Brook Elementary School. Cub Scouts Sign your son up today. Now is the time to sign up your son for one of the nation's foremost youth development programs. Cub scouting is the elementary school age division of the Boy Scouts of America. Each elementary school in Howard County has a Cub Scout Pack. If you are unsure about which pack you belong in, go to www.beascout.org and type in your ZIP code. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Joe Azzarello, jazzarello@baltimorebsa.org.

Kennedy Krieger Institute Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions are offering your child to take part in Brain Research. This is for children ages 8-12, with ADHD, High Functioning Autism and Typically Developing Children. Two seven-hour days of computer games, paper and pencil tasks, and a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan of the brain. You choose the date in which to participate. For additional information please contact Mary Martinelli (ADHD STUDY) 443-923-9258; Kristie Sweeney (ADHD STUDY) 443-923-9254; Alyssa Tiedemann (Autism STUDY) 443-923-9263 and LNIR@kennedykrieger.org  Howard Community College Presents A Joyful Noise at the Hickory Ridge Building on Sat., Nov. 8, 10 a.m.-1p.m. Individual and family friendly opportunity to learn basic vocal techniques, connect your body, breath and voice and learn new, multicultural songs. Raise your voices together. Register at howardcc.edu/ConEd. For more information, call Rosemary Muir at 443 518-4404. Howard County Concert Orchestra Our Feathered Friends, celebrating the beauty, grace, and athleticism of the avian kingdom with beautiful music by Haydn, Vaughan-Williams, Handel, and Vivaldi inspired by and about birds. The concert is scheduled for Sun., Nov. 9, 4 p.m., at the St. John's Episcopal Church at 9120 Frederick Rd. Ellicott City. For more information please visit http://www.hococo.org or call 888-921-7230 Rebuilding Together Howard County Free Home Repairs Available, Volunteers from Rebuilding Together Howard County work to repair homes for low-income homeowners and their families. All types of free repairs are provided to include plumbing, electrical, carpentry, new appliance installation, painting and the list goes on. A simple application is all you need to apply. Call 410-381-3338 or go on line at www.rebuildingtogetherhowardcounty.org to get your application. Since 1992, over 700 Howard County homes have been repaired free of charge. The deadline for applying is Dec. 31st. Howard County General Hospital Annual Symphony of Lights Symphony Woods off of Broken Land Parkway in Columbia Maryland: Wednesday through Monday, 6:00 to 10:00 pm, starting November 17th through January 4th. In addition to nightly drives, Symphony of Lights offers special events. Event information is available by calling the Symphony of Lights Information Line at 410-740-7666 or by visiting www.hcgh.org/symphonyoflights.

 

 

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 Stemaction HoCo Math festival sponsored by STEMulating Minds and Xapp Media. Festival will be held at Centennial High School at 4300 Centennial Lane in Ellicott City on Tuesday, Nov.18, for K-12 Students from 6:30-9 p.m. Bring your students, friends, and family, and learn with them about how math is used in the real world and about opportunities in careers that use math. Viking Backers Basket Bingo, Friday, Nov. 21, 7-10 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m., The Lodge in Catonsville 2832 Nine Mile Circle, Catonsville. Contact any fall sport parent team representative for tickets, or purchase online. Online store is now open www.vikingbackers.org YMCA Turkey Trot Charity 5K A walk/run benefiting the Y of Central Maryland's Give Every Child a Chance campaign will be held Thanksgiving morning, November 26th, 8:30 am, Long Gate Shopping Center, Ellicott City. Register today at ymaryland.org. Bethany United Methodist Church Choirs from five churches will join forces at a Benefit Concert on Sun., November 16th, 3 p.m. at Bethany United Methodist Church, 2875 Bethany Lane in Ellicott City. The event will benefit the American Cancer Society. There will be no charge, but a free-will offering will be taken. For more information, call 410-531-2324 or 410-796-0290.

Howard County Government Setting Limits Without Guilt. There are many different parenting styles. Some may be too firm and some may be too lenient. What is the right balance and how do you keep your relationship intact with your child while making sure they do the right thing? This 2 Part Series is held on Mon., Dec 1 and Mon. Dec 8, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at 3300 North Ridge Rd #240, Ellicott City Md. For more information or to register, please call 410-313-1940 or visit http://www.howardcountymd.gov/children  Howard Community College  Organizational and Study Skills for students ages 11-14. Offered at HCC’s Hickory Ridge Building, Saturdays, Oct. 11-Nov. 22, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Course focuses on time management, listening and memory skills, note taking, study and test-taking strategies. Offered through Howard Community College Continuing Education Division. http://www.howardcc.edu/koc (Look for fall, winter, spring classes.) Coffee & Conversation with the Board of Education Members of the Howard County community are invited to join the Board of Education for Coffee and Conversation on Saturday, November 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. This session will be held in the Clemens Crossing Elementary School Media Center at 10320 Quarterstaff Road in Columbia. Come out, share a cup of coffee, and chat informally with Board members!

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 SPORTS Greater Laurel United Soccer Club Indoor Winter Soccer Training is available beginning in November: 4545 Ammendale Road Beltsville, Md. Please visit www.glusc.com for specific cost and registration information, or contact Steven Haversack greaterlaurelunitedsoccerclub@gmail.com or 301-821-5335  SuperSquads Join Superquads Cheerleading today! Practices are once a week after school for 1.25 hours. Contact supersquadsinfo@verizon.net, www.supersquads.org or 410-796-2244 to register online or by mail and start next practice! Soccerdome Attention All Soccer Enthusiasts - It's Time for Winter Indoor Soccer - Register Your Youth Soccer Team Now with Maryland Sports Services at Soccerdome. U7 through HS teams can choose from two sessions. See all the details at www.soccerdome.com or call Jody Boyer at 443-668-6019 for assistance. HCYP 25th Anniversary FREE Basketball Clinic, Nov. 16, two sessions, 2 p.m.-3:15 p.m. ages 10 and under. 3:30 p.m.- 4:45 p.m. ages 11 and older. Long Reach High School, grades 1-12