BOBCAT BulletinBOBCAT Bulletin

Hello SPES Families,

It has been a mild winter to say the least and now we are already looking ahead to spring! It sounds like this could be a great investigation for one of our young scientists! As our children are preparing their science fair projects, I hope that all the experiments, model-making, and poster creation has been going smoothly and sparking authentic curiosities about the world. Each grade level is currently helping students understand the scientific process and/or the engineering design. In kindergarten, students are studying animal habitats; first grade is embarking on an investigation of light and sound; second grade is studying plant life; third graders have been going outside to learn about how animals can camouflage; fourth grade is learning about electrical energy; and fifth graders are studying matter and chemistry. Ask your children about their research and what they are learning in these areas. Your involvement will make them even more excited about science! Thank you to all the volunteers and teachers who have made these units successful and educational for our children. We are all looking forward to March 17th when the projects come to school and then March 19th will be our Science Fair and STEM Night celebration! On March 19th from 5:30-7:00 pm, families are invited to participate in a very special Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math celebration. Families will have the opportunity to view all the projects in the gym and explore other STEM fields. Mathansium will be set up for their fun math games in the cafeteria and teachers will be leading robotic activities, and science experiments. Who knows, maybe one of these activities will spark a life-long interest in a science field! We hope to see you there! Another important event this month is our parent-teacher conferences. Please reach out to your child’s teacher if you are interested in a conference or have any questions about your child’s progress during the third quarter. The third quarter ends April 7th, which means consistent attendance and working hard throughout the month of March is very important. Thank you for supporting your child and ensuring he/she is here on time every day and thank you for supporting Severna Park Elementary School!

Sincerely, Lorie Barnes

Volume 10 Issue 8

2019-2020 March 2020

March 2—6 Read Across America

See Flyer attached

March 4

PTA Meeting 6:30-7:30

Media Center

March 10

Parent/Teacher Conferences

School Closed for Students

March 19

Science Fair & Math Night 5:30pm-7:00pm

March 19

Chick-Fil-A Spirit Day

March 24

Unity Day Wear Orange

Volunteer Video &

Verification Form

Chaperone Site

Transportation

Parent CONNECTxp

SEVERNA PARK ES 6 RIGGS AVENUE

SEVERNA PARK MD 21146

Tel: 410-222-6577 Fax: 410-222-6522

TIMES TO REMEMBER Doors Open: 8:50 am

Attendance: 9:05 am

If a student (s) arrives late, the parent or guardian must bring the student (s) to the office to sign them in and get a late pass.

Students must be in their seat or they will be marked tardy and sent to the office for a late pass.

If a student is leaving early, parent/guardian must come to the office and sign the student out.

Dismissal: 3:30pm

*****

If AACPS announces a 2 hour delay, doors will open at 10:50 am and

there will be no Chessie.

If there is a 2 Hour Early Dismissal, students will be dismissed at 1:30 pm.

Follow Us on Twitter @SPESaacps

***And NEW***

SPES Kindergarten

@SPKindergarten

...Mindset

Moment

Hello, I’m Mrs. Katie McCord, SPES School Counselor

SPES’ character trait for March is mindfulness. Mindfulness is being aware of the present moment of what is happening, what we hear, see, smell, feel, and think in that moment. I have noticed a rise in mindfulness practices as adults and kids’ lives have increased connectivity through smart devices which lead to multi-tasking. Mindfulness Teacher Mark Coleman states that “research shows that multitasking releases the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline.” For busy parents, practicing mindfulness as a family can benefit everyone. The Harvard Help Guide states that “Mindfulness is the practice of purposely focusing your attention on the present moment—and accepting it without judgment. Mindfulness is now being examined scientifically and has been found to be a key element in stress reduction and overall happiness.” Through mindfulness we can train ourselves to show compassion to ourselves and others and to be more grateful.

One mindful activity you can try this month is actively noticing nature during walks with your children. When we consciously engage our senses during walks it calms and grounds us and relaxes our mind and body. It also helps restore attention and boosts the brain’s ability to think. During this month I will teach every class a lesson on mindfulness and its benefits. Teachers are encouraged to take “Mindful Moments” throughout the month of March with classes as well to build a practice where students can train their attention and breath for a moment and then focus on their learning.

Parent Workshop: Raising Self-Assured Children based on Amy Morin’s book “13 Things

Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do.” Facilitated by Katie McCord, School Counselor and Jessica

Ernst, School Counseling Intern together with Parent-Centered Psychologist Tim Mewmaw of the

Annapolis Counseling Center on April 15th, 6:30-8:00, SPES Media Center.

SPES Carson Scholar Nominee: We are excited to announce that fifth grader, Holly

Braughton, was nominated this year for the Carson Scholarship based on her high academic

standing, compassion for others, and community service experience.

March Guidance Lesson Topics: Kindergarten – Mindfulness and Managing Frustration and Anger, 1

st Grade – Mindfulness and Responsibility, 2

nd – 5

th grade – Mindfulness.

Volunteering at S.P.E.S

Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to support our students and staff. Our children

greatly benefit from your hard work and dedication. We hope to see you again this fall and we welcome new

families to join! Our volunteers assist on field trips, reading programs, after school activities, gardening, and

more! In accordance with AACPS policies, all volunteers must complete a training video, which is available

at aacps.org. Depending on the assignment, consistent volunteers must complete a background check

and all volunteers participate in an orientation meeting held by our Volunteer Coordinator and Reading

Specialist, Lori Bortner. The process can take up to three weeks depending on the volume of applications,

so please start the process early. We appreciate your commitment to our children’s safety and completing

all necessary paperwork prior to volunteering. If you have any questions, please call the main office.

Be careful of how You are talking to

Yourself because You are listening

~Lisa M Hayes~

March Media Update

We are in NEED of Volunteers for Chessie. We have more than 50 Kindergarten students in addition

to our first through third graders coming to Chessie and our lines are long. Please consider volunteering even if you haven’t in the past. If you have any

questions please feel free to call me at school or email me at mcconnelly@aacps.org.

Rehearsals in the Cafeteria

Act 1 Tuesday, 3/24, 6:15pm—8:00pm Act 2 Thursday, 3/26, 6:15pm—7:00pm

Select Acts Monday, 3/31 6:15pm-7:00pm Dress Rehearsal: Tuesday, 3/31 6:00pm-8:30pm

Performance Friday, April 3 at 7:00pm

One Night Only!

* * Kindergarten Open House Registration * *

Dates: April 1, 2 & 3, 2020

Times: 10am—1:30pm

After April 3, 2020, you must make an

appointment to register your child

by calling 410-222-6577!!!

Children must be five (5) years old by September 1, 2020 to

enroll in kindergarten for the 2020-2021 school year.

Identify and contact the school.

You must register at the child's assigned school.

To determine what the assigned school is for a specific address,

check the School Assignment Locator or call The Planning

Office at 410-439-5683.

Parents/Legal Guardians registering their children in an Anne

Arundel County Public School must provide proof of student's

age, identity, county residency and immunizations, unless

homeless. Additionally, immunizations must be up to date.

Click here for a list of required Documentation, more

information, or updates and changes that may occur after March

1, 2020.

BIRTHDAYS

Remember that we do not allow food items as birthday treats

for a variety of health and safety reasons.

Students can bring a very small birthday share (stickers, pen-

cils, mini-erasers) rather than a food based treat IF they would

like too (it is certainly not mandatory). All treats are completely

voluntary.

(We will continue to have birth-

day pencils in the office and

the PTA will continue

the ‘birthday books’ program

ABSENCE NOTES

Please make sure all absence notes include:

-Student’s Legal Name,

-Homeroom Teacher’s Name

-Date and Reason for Absence.

Absence notes must be turned in within 3 days of

returning to school.

You can send in a handwritten note or an email to the

homeroom teacher and LMSykes@aacps.org.

Thank You!!

DISMISSAL

Any changes to your child’s normal dismissal method must be

made IN ADVANCE IN WRITING!! Student can bring a note

to the homeroom teacher or an email can be sent to the

homeroom teacher and both secretaries, LMSykes@aacps.org

and DBoring@aacps.org.

If your child will be a car rider, please come and get a sign for

EVERY car that will pick up your child at the end of the day!

They are free and will help us with

the flow of traffic! LAST NAME

SECURITY CAMERAS Severna Park Elementary School is equipped with a video

camera system. It covers selected interior and exterior public

portions of the building and grounds. It is NOT monitored

constantly, but it is monitored during emergency situations.

During certain events, when safety or security of students may

be in question, authorized personnel from local, state, or federal

police or fire emergency units may be given access to view

images projected on the camera system. If you have any

questions about the system, you should call the Supervisor of

School Security at 410-222-5083

Per School Health Guidelines, any student with a

fever (greater than 100°) cannot return to school

until he or she is fever free for 24 hours without the

use of fever-reducing medication (Motrin or Tylenol).

A Note from the Health Room

Remember, the best defense

against germs is good handwashing!

Schedule for Wednesday April 8, 2020

• 8:50: Gym doors open! • 8:50-9:45: Sign-in & Pictures *Child must check in with homeroom first*

• 9:45-10:15: Welcome Assembly and songs from all students • 10:20-10:40: Classroom Visits • 10:50–11:10: Switch to Siblings’ Class • 11:10- Thanks for coming! (Please leave through the gym doors.

• Pre-registered visitors will be able to take their students after signing them out (in the gymnasium)

A photographer will be available between 8:50-12:00 (see separate order form). *NOTE: A VIP can include anyone such as a grandparent, an aunt, an uncle, or any adult mentor. A parent may substitute if necessary, but that is not the intention of the day.

* * * Pre-registration Form is required* -Return to the SPES office by Tuesday, March 31st)* * *

Student’s Name(s)/Grade(s): ___________________________________ Gr._____ ___________________________________ Gr. _____ ___________________________________ Gr. _____ ___________________________________ Gr. _____

For Security purposes, the VIP’s Full legal Name, First and Last as it appears on Driver’s License or State issued ID and complete Date of Birth are required:

_________________________________________________________DOB: (MM/DD/YYYY)____________________ _________________________________________________________DOB: (MM/DD/YYYY)____________________ _________________________________________________________DOB: (MM/DD/YYYY)____________________ _________________________________________________________DOB: (MM/DD/YYYY)____________________

I give my permission for my child(ren) to be released to:

___________________________________________________________________________ (Please Print the adult’s name)

Parent/Guardian must Print and Sign below to give Permission for child(ren) to leave early:

____________________________________ ________________________________________

(Parent Printed Name) (Parent Signature)

My child will be staying at school for the remainder of the day.

*You must pre-register all guests even if your child’s VIP will only be visiting for a short time!

Guests should enter through the gym doors to sign-in and get a badge as well as check-out through the same gym doors only.

If guests are not pre-registered, they must enter through the main office to be scanned and given a badge.

This will be time consuming! Plan ahead!

check here:

check here:

SPES VIP DAY

SPIRIT DAY Chick-fil-A Severna Park

Thursday, March 19, 2020

All Day!

Come by for ...

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner (STEM/Science Night)

...in support of Severna Park Elementary

School! A portion of your purchase will be

donated back to the school!

Chick-fil-A Severna Park 511 Ritchie Hwy www.SPCFA.com (410) 647-6232 www.facebook.com/

April is designated by the U.S. Department of Defense asthe Month of the Military Child, to recognize and thankchildren from military families for the sacrifices theymake living the military lifestyle. To celebrate the resilient and wonderful military childrenat SPES, a special breakfast will be held in their honor. Allmilitary children of SPES and their servicememberparents or guardians are invited to join us:

APRIL IS THE MONTH OFTHE MILITARY CHILD.

Breakfast in Honor of SPES Military ChildrenApril 21, 2020 at 8 a.m.Media Center, Severna Park Elementary SchoolMilitary uniforms are invited. This event is sponsored by the SPES PTA. For questions and to RSVP, please contactDawn Gile at ddgile@gmail.com.

Approximately 2 million military children in the U.S. haveexperienced a parental deployment since 2001.Frequent moves, family separations through deployments, andreintegration following deployments can make school, home,and community life challenging for military children. Yet, evenin such circumstances, these children continually demonstrateresilience and courage.

Did you know?

Parent Workshop

Raising Self-Assured Children Based on the book:

“13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do”

Wednesday, April 15th

6:30 – 8:00 pm

With Special Guest

Tim Mewmaw, Psychologist and Parent Group Leader, Annapolis Counseling Center

Facilitated by

Katie McCord, SPES School Counselor Jessica Ernst, SPES School Counseling Intern

Severna Park Elementary School Media Center

Feel free to read the book in advance (not required)

Please come whether you RSVP or not, but I would love to know if

you plan to attend. RSVP kmccord@aacps.org

Microbrew and Fundraising tooTICKET SALES BEGINMONDAY, FEBRUARY 24Date: March 28, 2020Time: 6-9pmLocation: Heavy Seas Brewery,4615 Hollins Ferry Road,Halethorpe, MarylandPrice: Early Bird rate - $25/person.

$30/person after March 6.

Join us for a kid-free night to mingle with friends and meet new SPES parents! Your ticket includes:- Heavy hors d’oeuvres- Live music by Dad Band Revival playing your favorites from the 80's, 90's and 2000's- Brewery tour- Private game room with Jenga, Corn Hole and more- Cash bar with delicious Heavy Seas beers and dedicated servers- Fund raising activities (50/50, silent auction, wine walk) so bring cash or checks to help support all of the great things the PTA provides for our children.

Only 100 tickets available. Purchase yourshere before they sell out!

*Details to come on our partnership with SmartFit Kids who will host a special parents nightout childcare service from 5:30 - 9:30pm.

March2020

IfyouwouldliketojointhePTAand/orbecomeaGoldMemberthereisstilltime.www.spespta.org

Next PTA MeetingMarch 4th 6:30 Media Center

Special Presentation by the Outdoor Classroom Committee

Adult Social

SPES Spirit-Wear will be onsale March 1st – March 13th

Orders will be delivered the week of April 6th

To order, go to: www.spespta.org

T-shirts, Hoodies, and Shorts, Oh my...

Time to show off your Bobcat pride J

Please join us in celebratingour resilient military

children at SPES by wearing

Approximately 2 million military children have experienceda parental deployment since 9/11.There are currently 1.2 million military children of activeduty members worldwide.The average military family moves three times more oftenthan their civilian counterpart.Although young, the resilient sons and daughters of ournation's military stand in steadfast support of their militaryparents through moves and deployments. To honor theircontributions and sacrifices, the U.S. Department of Defensehas designated April as the Month of the Military Child.

April is the Month of theMilitary Child.

PURPLEon Wednesday, APRIL 22, 2020

Read Across America Week

We are celebrating reading and Dr. Seuss’

birthday from March 2nd through March 6th.

Monday

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish Day:

Wear red and black

Tuesday

Green Eggs and Ham Day: Wear green

Wednesday

Fox in Socks Day: Wear your crazy socks

Thursday

Cat in the Hat Day: Wear your favorite hat

Friday

Oh, the Places You’ll Go!: Wear a college t-shirt

Students can optionally earn bonus awards by reading more than six hours such as discounts on

additional tickets for family members, Season Passes or Memberships.

Date What I Read Time (minutes)

Total Amount of Time Read (Must be at least 6 hours or 360 minutes) Please use the back of this sheet or additional sheets, if needed.

DO NOT return this sheet to your teacher. Log your child’s reading using the link above.

I am aware that the one free admission ticket that my child will receive is valid only at the park listed a on select dates during the 2020 season. Valid dates will be included on the tickets. I also understand that late entries will not be accepted, and tickets are NOT valid for anyone over age 13, are not for resale and cannot be replaced if lost, stolen or damaged.

SIX FLAGS: TM & © 2019 Six Flags Theme Parks Inc.

2019-2020 READING LOGSEVERNA PARK ELEMENTARYSCHOOL

Read To Succeed is a free program that allows students in grades K-6 to earn

tickets to Six Flags AmericaSix Flags AmericaSix Flags AmericaSix Flags America just by reading six hours for fun.

Here is how your child can earn a free ticket to Six Flags:Here is how your child can earn a free ticket to Six Flags:Here is how your child can earn a free ticket to Six Flags:Here is how your child can earn a free ticket to Six Flags:

1) Register this fall using this link:

Visit: sixflags.com/bookssixflags.com/bookssixflags.com/bookssixflags.com/books

Use Severna Park Elementary School's code: 298WW2) Your child may read any books they choose.

3) Keep track of your child’s reading using the form below.

4) Record your child’s reading at our website.

5) Receive a free Six Flags AmericaSix Flags AmericaSix Flags AmericaSix Flags America ticket from Severna Park Elementary School in May.

District ® Very Important TeeYOUTH (DT6000Y) ADULT (DT6000) LADIES (DT6001)

GREY

$35.00PRINTED

HELIUM SHORTSYOUTH (222646) ADULT (222546)

$20.00PRINTED

GREY

$35.00PRINTED

ENERGIZE SHORTSGIRLS (229425) LADIES (229325)

ATHLETICHEATHER

FULL ZIP HOODIE PC90YZHYOUTH (PC90YZH) ADULT (PC90ZH)

$35.00EMBROIDERED

HEATHERROYAL