Dear Manor Woods Families,
We NEED Your help! We are committed to ensuring arrival and dismissal is safe, quick, and efficient. After providing time to settle into routines and expectations during the first month of school, we wanted to send some important reminders as we have observed some things in our car loop during arrival and/or dismissal that are concerning and oftentimes unsafe for our students, staff and/or parents/guardians. PLEASE help us by adhering to the expectations below. Thank you for your continued support and collaboration with our arrival and dismissal!
School Hours 8:45am – 3:15pm
ARRIVAL
Doors open at 8:30am
Students should not be dropped off or let out of your vehicle until 8:30am. We do not have supervision available for students before this time. Before and after care is available through Howard County Parks and Recreation.
Final bell at 8:45am
All children who are not in their classrooms ready for instruction at 8:45 are considered late. All children who arrive late must be accompanied by a parent and signed into school in the front office using the Lobby Guard system.
DISMISSAL
Students are dismissed at 3:15pm
Important Reminders/Expectations for Arrival and Dismissal
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Use the car loop to drop off students.
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When you enter the car loop, you must make the full loop around
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There is NO PASSING in the car loop. ** We continue to observe some people passing in the car loop. ** PLEASE BE PATIENT and wait for the line of cars to move forward and out of the car loop.
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Never leave a car unattended in the car loop.
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Pull up as far as possible before letting your child exit the vehicle so there are no spaces between cars.
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Children will be let out of the passenger side of the vehicle only. Staff will assist children with getting in and out of the car. Parents should NOT get out of the car. ** We continue to observe some parents/guardians getting out of the car to help students. If your child needs a little extra help one day, please park in the parking lot beyond the car loop, help your child and walk them to the front of the building. **
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Do not enter the bus loop area between 8:30am and 9:00am or between 2:40pm and 3:30pm.
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It is unsafe to walk behind or between buses in the bus loop.
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Parents should avoid parking and walking in unless they have an appointment within the building. The car loop area is safer with less pedestrian traffic and fewer cars moving within the parking lot.
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If you need to park, you must park in the larger lot by the carl loop. Please do not park in the bus loop, the car loop, or on the main driveway.
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All traffic must flow in one direction.
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School buses have the right of way as they are leaving the bus loop. ** We continue to observe buses having to wait as they are unable to get out of the lot due to cars not adhering to the right of way for buses. **
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If you are leaving the parking lot during arrival or dismissal, follow the directions of school staff. You may need to wait for cars to continue through the car loop before you are directed to pull out of the lot. The priority is to keep car traffic flowing.
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We know our school year started with transportation concerns such as late buses, etc. IF you changed the method of transportation for your child from bus to car at the start of the year due to the transportation concerns, please consider returning to bus transportation. Our bus transportation concerns have been addressed and all buses are on time for arrival and dismissal. This could help minimize some of the additional traffic we are experiencing this school year during arrival and dismissal. Thank you!
We hope you have a Great weekend!
Kelli Jenkins, Principal
Jennifer Zinn, Assistant Principal
2023-2024 IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS
SEPTEMBER
- 29 - PTA Back-To-School BlackTop Bingo, Pavilion Opens @6:15pm, Bingo starts at 6:45
OCTOBER
- 9 - Schools Closed for Students, Professional Learning Day
- 11 - PTA Restaurant Night at Phoenix Restaurant
- 19 - Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration, MWES Caferteria at 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
- 20 - Schools Closed for Students, Professional Work Day
- 25 - Flu/COVID Vaccine Clinic (more information to come)
- 27 - PTA Trunk or Treat
- 31 - End of Q1, 3hr Early Dismissal at 12:45 p.m.
INFORMATION TO SHARE
MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) Testing
The Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment is designed to measure a student’s academic achievement and growth over time in reading and mathematics. Together with other classroom-based information, MAP results can help teachers make instructional decisions that match the needs of each child. This fall, students in grades 1-5 will take the MAP assessment in both reading and math. Please see the testing dates below. For more information about the MAP assessment visit https://www.hcpss.org/academics/testing/map-information/.
MAP Math
Third Grade - October 10
MAP Reading
Second Grade - October 4
Third Grade - October 3
Fourth Grade - October 2
Fifth Grade - October 12
Sharing a friendly reminder about the upcoming Positive Solutions for Families series that will begin on 10/11/23. Thank you to those who have already shared this opportunity with families, we are starting to see registrations roll in! This PSF Flier has been updated slightly to make it easier for printing/copying. We are excited to welcome families for this next series so please continue to spread the word! Any questions can be directed to katherine_boggs@hcpss.org.
PTA NEWS
Last Call for Spirit Wear Orders!
Shop closes October 1st
All orders will be placed online and shipped to Manor Woods. Items will be sent home with the students through their homeroom teacher a few weeks after all ordering is complete.
https://manorwoodselem23.itemorder.com/shop/sale/
Please contact Jennie Hardy if you have any questions. jennievhardy@gmail.com
Duck Dash
We are busy planning for our biggest fundraiser of the year! SAVE THE DATE: Friday, November 10th (Rain date: Friday, November 17th)!
We plan to have the 99Pledges fundraising website up and running by early next week so students can start fundraising. Stay tuned for more information about registering on our fundraising website.
In addition to student fundraising, we are also looking for sponsors who help pay for a Duck Dash t-shirt for all of our students, teachers, and staff. If you or someone you know owns a local business and would like to become a sponsor, please reach out to Allie at manorwoodsfundraising@gmail.com for more information about this year's Sponsorship Levels. More Duck Dash information to come as details are confirmed!
Last Call for Back to School Photos
The yearbook committee is putting together a "Back to School" spread for the yearbook and wants you to be a part of it!
If you are interested in having your student's 1st day of school photos in the yearbook please email them to manorwoodsyearbook@gmail.com.
Please put "First Day of School Photos" in the subject line. Photos should be in jpeg or png format.
JOIN THE PTA!
If you haven't already, please take a moment to join the PTA! It's quick, easy and membership funds help to support our school! The PTA funds and supports school-wide presentations, family fun events, teacher appreciation activities, items needed by the teachers for their lessons and classrooms and much more!
Join Today!
https://www.mwespta.com/
Did you know the PTA has a Facebook group to stay up to date with PTA events? Join here today!
Community News & Events
HCPSS News
Families are encouraged to visit the HCPSS website for all your needs, including:
HCPSS Student & Parent Handbook
Click HERE for the county's 2022-23 handbook. The Student & Parent Handbook can be found online and outlines districtwide practices and policies related to parents and students, including the Student Code of Conduct, school procedures, student responsibilities and more.
HCPSS Student Code of Conduct
The Howard County Public School System is committed to providing a safe, engaging and supportive learning environment where all policies are enforced fairly and consistently. HCPSS policies and regulations emphasize instruction and rehabilitation rather than punishment and are designed to foster and reward appropriate behavior and keep students connected to school so they can graduate college and career ready. Please read and review the HCPSS student code of conduct with your child(ren) before the school year begins:
https://www.hcpss.org/f/aboutus/student-handbook/student-code-of-conduct.pdf
WEEKLY DUCK ~ REPEATED INFORMATION
Click here to access the 9/22/23 Weekly Duck
Inclement Weather Asynchronous Day Plan
The Board of Education did not approve the 2023-2024 Inclement Weather Asynchronous Day Plan. As a result, HCPSS will not use asynchronous days this school year. Any days that schools are closed for inclement weather will be made up at the end of the school year.
Multilingual Parent Leadership Program
HCPSS’ Multilingual Parent Leadership Program will begin on Thursday, Oct. 5 The six-week program is designed to help multilingual parents navigate the school system and develop the confidence to serve as advocates for their children. The program also provides training for multilingual parents to assume leadership roles in schools and the community.
STANDARDS BASED INSTRUCTION AND REPORTING
Starting this school year, HCPSS will report student academic progress in grades PreK to 2 using standards-based reporting. There are no changes to Grades 3-5 report cards. Intermediate grades will transition to standards-based reporting in 2024-2025. To learn more about standards-based instruction and reporting, visit parent resources at this link.
Elementary Standards Based Instruction and Reporting Family and Community Resources
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th to October 15th each year in the United States. This celebration honors numerous people from Spanish-speaking backgrounds who have come to the United States. We celebrate their cultures and traditions during this month. September 15th was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of the independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Also, Mexico celebrates its independence day on September 16th and Chile celebrates its independence day on September 18th.
Check out these websites for more information about Hispanic Heritage Month and how you can celebrate virtually and at home!
BSAP Saturday Math Academy
The HCPSS Black Student Achievement Program (BSAP) Saturday Math Academy Fall Session is approaching!
This year, the BSAP Saturday Math Academy will offer an in-person enrichment program for Howard County Public School System students in all levels of math for grades 3-12 based on course availability. Registration will take place online Saturday, September 16, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. until capacity is reached. Class space is limited. Families can register by accessing the HCPSS Connect Website. For more information, please visit: https://news.hcpss.org/news-posts/2021/09/bsap-saturday-math-academy-virtual-fall-2021-program/
Flyers for distribution:
BSAP SMA Fall 2023 Flyer (English)
BSAP SMA Fall 2023 Flyer (Spanish)
BSAP SMA Fall 2023 Flyer (Chinese)
BSAP SMA Fall 2023 Flyer (Korean)
Volunteers ~ Reminders/Information
All visitors and volunteers must complete the following documentation prior to volunteering: Confidentiality Training Course and Child Abuse Training course. Parents should print out the certificates associated with these trainings (below) and hand them in to the Front Office. Confidentiality Training Certificate and Child Abuse Training Certificate
Howard County Recreation and Parks
Fall 2023 Howard County Recreation & Parks After School classes for students at Manor Woods ES.
These classes provide fun, structured, educational, and enriching activities for students, benefitting both the child(ren) and parents!
Please click here to view classes: Manor Woods Elementary Fall After School Flyer (1).pdf
Sensory Friendly Story Time
Thanks to a continued partnership between OEIS, the HCPSS Family Support & Resource Center, and the Howard County Public Library System, we are pleased to announce the return of the Sensory Friendly Story Time & More series. These monthly classes provide an opportunity for families to experience stories, music, and movement in a supportive environment. Classes will rotate throughout the County at different HCPL branches each month. Space is limited and registration is required. The first classes are coming up on 9/13/23 and 10/11/23, please see these fliers for details & share with families! Sensory Stories_September 2023 and Sensory Stories_October 2023