Welcome to the 2020-2021 School Year!
The day we have been waiting for is almost here, and we are thrilled to welcome your children back to school this Tuesday, September 8! It has been almost six months since we were all inside of a school building, and I know we all wish we could be starting the year together at Lake Elkhorn. This year will certainly be a year of firsts for all of us, and as we navigate our new normal and the changes that come along with that, please know that our commitment to giving your children the absolute best middle experience is unwavering. We are ready, we are excited, and we cannot wait to see each of our 604 students on Tuesday!
This past week we held two orientations and a “welcome back” meeting for our returning 7th and 8th grade students. Thank you to everyone who was able to join us - it was so great to see you, to interact with you, and to welcome you to Lake Elkhorn. Please be sure to visit our website as we have posted a link with frequently asked questions, some of which came from these meetings. Also, if you missed the orientation, the presentations from the large group sessions are now posted for you to review.
It is our goal to help your child have a fantastic, memorable year. We invite you to partner with us, and to stay connected with us. If I can be of any support, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at any time. I look forward to getting to know you and your child, and to working together.
Enjoy the holiday weekend, and please let your children know how excited we are to see them on Tuesday!
Sincerely,
UPCOMING EVENTS:
9/7 Schools and offices closed - Labor Day
9/8 First day of school for students
9/16 Back to School Night (Virtual), 6:00 p.m.
9/22 PTSA virtual meeting, 5:30 p.m.
9/28 Schools and offices closed - Yom Kippur
PREPARING FOR THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
We are so excited to see our students this Tuesday, September 8! We know this is a new way to start the school year for everyone, and we encourage you to review the information that follows with your child to help make the first day a great one!
Starting tomorrow, September 5, your children will have access to their classes in Canvas. We encourage them to log in to Canvas this weekend to make sure they remember their usernames and passwords. Help accessing Canvas, usernames, and passwords is included in the next section.
Once in Canvas, students will be able to visit their teachers’ Canvas pages. They will also be able to see the codes for each of their google meets. To help them stay organized, we created an editable 4x4 schedule for your children to enter their classes and google meet codes. Teachers will also review this on Tuesday, and all codes will be in their Canvas calendars and daily “to do” lists. The middle school schedule, that contains the times for each class, is contained in the editable 4x4 schedule.
Each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, there will be optional support sessions in the morning and afternoon. The times and schedule of these optional support sessions are listed on the editable 4x4 schedule. Teachers will be in these optional support sessions starting on the first day of school, if your children want to visit their class early.
ACCESSING CANVAS, USERNAMES AND PASSWORDS
Your children can access Canvas by visiting hcpss.me and clicking on “Canvas” in the top left box. Once they enter their username and password, they will be taken to their Canvas dashboard. If your children forget their username or password, they can visit hcpss.me, scroll down to "Students & Staff" and click either "Change Password" or "Forgot Password or Username". There are also resources available on our website to help them (and parents) obtain their credentials.
CANVAS RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS
Need help navigating Canvas? Want to set notifications for grades? Interested in learning how to understand your Dashboard? Click here for more information. We also plan to offer Canvas sessions in the upcoming weeks for parents/guardians; more information about these sessions is coming soon.
STUDENT SCHEDULES
Student schedules are already available for viewing in Synergy. Parents/guardians can log in to HCPSS Connect to view student schedules. Click here if you need help with your username or password
We will not be able to change any student schedules during the first two and a half weeks of school. Exceptions will be made for the following reasons: a student has been placed in the incorrect level, or a student’s schedule does not fulfill their individualized learning plan. If a parent is requesting or a teacher is recommending the student be placed in a different course level, school counselors and/or Mr. Bond, G/T Resource teacher, will connect with parents to discuss the details of this request.
PBIS
At Lake Elkhorn, we work hard to ensure that students are learning in a positive environment conducive to success. This year, even during virtual learning, we will continue to implement our “PRIDE” positive behavior plan that promotes respectful behavior, teamwork, and leadership by recognizing the following school expectations:
● Perseverance
● Respect
● Integrity
● Dependability
● Excellence
For more information about our PBIS program, click here.
HCPSS STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT, STUDENT HANDBOOK, AND GOOGLE MEET EXPECTATIONS
Each day we work to recognize and celebrate positive behaviors, but we also must follow the Howard County Public School System countywide discipline code. For your convenience, click here for the HCPSS Student Code of Conduct. During the first few weeks of school, teachers will be reviewing expectations and procedures for their classrooms, and teachers and staff will review important county policies that every student is responsible for understanding and following this year. It is also important for parents/guardians to review these policies with your children. Please take time over the next week or so to review the policies contained in the Student/Parent Handbook, as these are important for you to be familiar with throughout the duration of your child’s time in HCPSS. This is also a good time to review Google Meet Expectations for Students and Parents/Guardians to help ensure a positive virtual learning experience. Knowing and understanding the expectations regarding policies and procedures for the year will lead to a positive and engaging learning experience for all.
UPDATE YOUR FAMILY FILE
Regardless of virtual or in-person learning, parents/guardians must verify and/or update information for each child, each year. Parents/Guardians can access the Family File to complete these updates by logging in to HCPSS Connect, selecting the "More Options (Family File, Report Cards, etc.)" tab on the left, and then selecting Family File in the middle of the screen. Details and resources can be found on the HCPSS website.. Details and resources can be found on the HCPSS website.
Click here for information on our website.
SCHOOL MEALS
The food services program during the first semester of the 2020-2021 school year will consist of Grab-and-Go breakfasts and lunches served Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m., respectively, beginning Tuesday, September 8. Meals will be available at Lake Elkhorn Middle School.
Students will be provided meals based on student eligibility status (free, reduced-price, or paid).
FARMs APPLICATION (FREE AND REDUCED MEALS)
The coronavirus pandemic is causing a lot of hardship for many of our friends and neighbors. Many HCPSS families have been impacted financially by the pandemic, and may be eligible now to receive benefits through the Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) program. Qualifying families can take advantage of a wide range of additional resources and discounts, including testing fees, tuition, internet and more.
Click here to learn more or to apply.
Important Note: If your student received Free or Reduced Meals during the 2019-2020 school year, please be reminded that a new application must be completed each year. For more information about school meals and programs, please visit the HCPSS website at: http://www.hcpss.org/food-services/.
STUDENT MEALS DURING 2020-2021 FALL SEMESTER
Meals will be provided at no cost to all students through December 31, 2020, subject to U.S. Department of Agriculture funding availability.
The food services program during the 2020-2021 first semester (Sept. 8, 2020-Jan. 28, 2021) will consist of Grab-and-Go meals served Monday through Friday from 8–9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m., beginning Tuesday, September 8. Breakfast and lunch can be picked up at either meal time.
TECHNOLOGY REQUEST (CHROMEBOOKS AND/OR INTERNET)
HCPSS will provide a Chromebook to every student in middle school within the first quarter. While devices are being procured, parents/guardians of middle school students currently in need of a device may request one. To request a device for your child/children please click here.
UPDATE YOUR ADDRESS
As we are close to beginning the 2020-2021 school year, it is important that we have accurate addresses on file for all of our students. Unfortunately, you cannot update your address in the Family File. If you have moved, and have not provided us with your updated information, we ask that you email the following documents to our Student Services Secretary, Ms. O’Connor at estelle_oconnor@hcpss.org.
Please include the following items in your email:
● A completed change of address form
● A copy of your new lease or deed
● A copy of a current utility bill with your new address
IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS – 7TH GRADE STUDENTS
Reminder to parents of incoming 7th grade students: All children must have the required State of Maryland immunizations in order to attend school, including in districts utilizing virtual instruction. The following are required by the state of Maryland for all students entering Grade 7:
● 1 dose of Tdap vaccine
● 1 dose of Meningococcal (MCV4) vaccine
Although we are not starting the year in the school building, these immunizations are required within 20 calendar days of the first day of school.
Immunization Clinics: To help our students obtain the necessary vaccines, HCPSS Health Services continues to partner with the Howard County Health Department (HCHD) and the Maryland Partnership for Prevention (MPP) to offer several immunization clinics for any student who may need them. These clinics will take place outdoors at some HCPSS school buildings during the week of September 21, including Lake Elkhorn/Cradlerock. Multiple vaccines will be offered at no cost to families. Click here for more information.
Click here for more information about this requirement.
Many students may have already received these immunizations, but the Health Room may not have the updated immunization record. Please contact your child’s doctor and send/fax us an updated copy of your child’s immunizations to the Health Room. Our fax # is 410-313-7633 or you may email a copy to kassanadra_wanless@hcpss.org.
BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Click here for the 2020-2021 list of needed school supplies by grade (updated 8/17/2020)
Please note: It is important to keep in mind that this list is a guide. Due to online learning, some of these materials may not be needed in your child’s home work space. Further, your child will have different teachers for each subject, and there may be some variations once your child receives his/her schedule. We encourage you to keep your receipts in case items are not needed.
SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL AND JOIN THE PTSA
At Lake Elkhorn, we are very fortunate to have such an active, supportive and involved PTSA. Get a jump start on the school year and join the PTSA today! Your membership helps support our students and school community! Click here for more information.
NEWSLETTERS
Our newsletter will be emailed every other Friday. PTSA newsletters will be emailed on opposite weeks. Important news and updates will be emailed, as needed, and posted on our website - either on the home page or by clicking on the “News” header.
SOCIAL MEDIA AND WEBSITES
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Website
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PTSA online |
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