2024-2025 BEGINNING OF THE YEAR IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS

SEPTEMBER

• 10 - Individual Student Pictures

• 18 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early (Professional Work/Wellness Day), 12:15 PM

• 19 - PTA Restaurant Night, Phoenix, 4:00 - 10:00 PM

• 20 - PTA Back to School Bingo, 5:30 Doors Open, 6:00 Bingo Starts, Blacktop/Pavillion

• 23 - PTA Meeting, Media Center, 6:30pm

OCTOBER

• 3 - Rosh Hashanah ~ Schools and Offices Closed
• 18 - Schools Closed for Students (Professional Work Day)
• 31 - Schools Closed for Students (Professional Work and Development Day)

HCPSS Calendars

There will be no printed 2024-2025 calendars. Staff, students, and families may add our online calendar to their own mobile/online calendar by

1. Going to School System Calendar – HCPSS

2. Scrolling down to Subscribing to a Calendar

3. Right-clicking on the calendar you wish to subscribe to

4. Selecting Copy Link Location/Address/Shortcut

5. Adding to your calendar of choice (See your calendar for specifics on adding a new calendar)

2024-2025 Academic Calendar Monthly Format

• English Calendar 

• Calendario del año escolar 2024-2025 

• 2024–25学年行事历 

• 2024–25학년 학사력 

MWES ~ Fridge Sheet

Please download, print and add the above MWES Fridge Sheet  to your fridge, calendar, office or place you keep important information for easy access. Throughout the school year, you can find the MWES Fridge Sheet on the website. 

Related Arts and the Color Calendar Schedule

                          

 

School Pictures

SCHOOL PICTURE DAY IS COMING 

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

*** Please check your child’s backpack today for picture day envelopes! ****

Picture Day:   SEPTEMBER 10, 2024

School Name:  MANOR WOODS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

PRE-ORDER CODE:  MWESF24

https://vando.imagequix.com/D9JRT9L

You Can Pre-Order Portraits Online:

Got to https://schoolpix.com/

 

STUDENT ABSENCES

When your child is absent, please send an email to the following address:

MWESabsence@hcpss.org ~ Please do not use this email to notify us of dismissal changes and early dismissals. It is for full day absences only.

Please include the following:

1. Child's name

2. Teacher

3. Grade

4. Date of absence

5. Reason for the absence. If a reason is not included, the absence will be considered unlawful. Feel free to copy your child's teacher on the attendance email.

PLEASE NOTE:

Even if you have notified MWES of your upcoming absence, HCPSS will send out an automated email message whenever a student is absent. MWES will make sure your child is marked accurately on their attendance record.

EARLY DISMISSAL

Dismissal adjustment notes should be sent with your child in the morning and should include the date, teacher’s name, child’s FIRST and LAST name. Please alert our Front Office staff as soon as possible for any adjustments to dismissal procedures for which a note was not sent.  

PLEASE NOTE:

No early dismissals after 2:55 PM.  We cannot call into a classroom for a student  after 2:55 PM. If you arrive after 2:55 PM, please plan to be in the car loop to pick up your child as soon as they dismiss. 

Guidelines for Outside Recess

The decision to go outside or stay inside for recess is the decision of the administrator at individual schools. The following criteria are considered in the decision:

• Temperature and humidity

• Wind chill

• Heat index and air quality

• Age of students

• Length of time outdoors

• Adequacy of the children’s clothing

• Condition of the playground

• Falling precipitation (more than a sprinkle or mist)

• Thunder and lightning

Generally, it is assumed that students will be outside for recess when the temperature combined with the wind chill is not less than 20 degrees Fahrenheit or the heat index reading is less than 95 degrees.

Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Assessment Dates

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.

MAP is a computer adaptive assessment. In a computer adaptive assessment, as a student responds to questions, the test responds to the student, adjusting up or down the difficulty of the questions presented to the student. This creates a personalized assessment for every student.

Currently, MAP is being used in all elementary and middle schools in HCPSS. In order to monitor growth across the school year, students in grades 1 through 8 take MAP two or three times a year: in the beginning (fall), in the middle (winter), and at the end of the school year (spring), with students in grades 3 through 8 only participating in fall and winter.

Date	Math MAP	Reading MAP
First Grade	September 16th	September 19th
Second Grade	September 30th	September 23rd
Third Grade	September 23rd	September 30th
Fourth Grade	September 25th	October 2nd
Fifth Grade	September 25th	October 2nd

PBIS Recognition 

Manor Woods has been recognized by PBIS Maryland and has earned the Teamwork badge. Kudos to our PBIS team for the hard work!  

Please see the PBIS Recognition Badge below and help us celebrate this accomplishment!

Health Services

Health Services information can be found online and will be continually updated. All families, students, staff and visitors should conduct daily health checks prior to entering any HCPSS building and/or school bus. Details, including infection control protocols for communicable diseases like COVID-19, are availavle online:  https://www.hcpss.org/health/communicable-diseases/ 

Please note that health and safety protocols are subject to change, pending guidance and recommendations from federal, state and local health officials, among other sources.

Strategic Plan Stakeholder Input Meetings

Community members are invited to attend one of these meetings to help inform the system’s new strategic plan by providing their input about stakeholder values during this virtual, hour-long opportunity facilitated by HCPSS staff. No registration is required.

• September 9, 2024 – 5:00–6:00 pm -https://meet.google.com/tmu-vikh-wzg

• September 10, 2024 – 7:00–8:00 pm -https://meet.google.com/gzr-xaxr-eui

• September 17, 2024 – 5:00–6:00 pm -https://meet.google.com/dnh-udbs-epr

MWES Visitors and Volunteers

All visitors and volunteers must check in at the front office.  Please present your driver’s license to complete the check-in process. Volunteers must complete two training sessions. Please follow the steps below to complete and submit the training certificates.

1. Complete the short volunteer confidentiality training here  and then fill out the form linked below and bring it to school or send the form via email to Caroline Chisholm at caroline_chisholm@hcpss.org. We also have some you can complete during your first visit if you don't have access to a printer. Confidentiality Agreement For Conducting Classroom Visit/Observations 

2. Complete this short child abuse training here and complete the certificate linked below and bring to school (we have copies of this if needed) or send the form via email to Caroline Chisholm at caroline_chisholm@hcpss.org. click here for Child abuse and Neglect Training:  abuse_certificate (1).pdf 

​​​​​Food Services Information

HCPSS uses LINQ Connect for all things food and nutrition. LINQ Connect is a secure, online portal that allows families to view breakfast and lunch menus, make online payments to their child’s meal account, monitor their child’s accounts, schedule recurring payments and/or low balance alerts, and submit an online application for the Free and Reduced Meals program

LINQ Connect can easily be https://linqconnect.com/main or via mobile app.

• Breakfast - $2.00

• Lunch - $2.80

Information and Application for Free and Reduced Meals (FARMs)

The HCPSS participates in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. Students from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals. Qualification is based on family size and income, and enrollment is confidential. All children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can get free meals regardless of income, and students from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals. Those eligible for Free and Reduced Meals receive both breakfast and lunch for free.

Parents/guardians must submit a new application every school year to maintain their student’s eligibility. Click the button below to apply.

https://www.hcpss.org/food-services/farms/

HCPSS News 

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:  HCPSS Student Code Of Conduct 

HCPSS Student & Parent 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.

Family Guides: What your Child Will Learn this Year

Do you want to get a head start on the school year? We encourage all parents/guardians to visit the link below to learn what your child will learn this year in grades PreK-5! Once you click on your child’s grade level, use the yellow “course navigation” box in the top right corner to navigate standards, free games, and family activities for each subject area. Happy learning!

What Your Child Will Learn Guides 

Policy 9460: Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, and Intimidation Involving Students

Parents, Guardians, and Families,

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for all students. Preventing bullying is an important part of this goal.  HCPSS Policy 9460 states that bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation are prohibited in HCPSS. Our administration and staff have been trained and made aware of this policy as well as preventative and responsive measures.

We know how important your role is in not only supporting your children, but also reporting possible incidents as you become aware of them. The Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment and Intimidation (BCHI Reporting Form should be used to report all alleged incidents of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation that occur at school or have a connection back to the school setting that create a risk of harm to other students while they are at school, or interfere with the educational environment. An online version is available and can easily and confidentially be used by students, staff, and family members. Hard copies of this form are available in the main office, staff workroom, school counseling office, media center, and health services office.  If you believe your child has been bullied, please complete and submit this form as soon as possible and/or assist your child in doing so.

Once the form is submitted, school administrators will ensure the parent/guardian of both the alleged target and alleged offender are aware of the report and will begin an investigation within two school days of receiving the report. Parents/guardians can expect a school administrator to reach out to them during the investigation.  Once the investigation is completed, parents/guardians will be provided written notice of the outcome of the investigation within fifteen days of receiving the compaint, excluding extenuating circumstances. 

There are times when incidents of peer conflict or code of conduct offenses may occur that may not be bullying, but may need follow up action. If you become aware of something that falls under conflict and/or a code of conduct offense, please notify a school administrator via email or phone call so that they can become aware and follow up as needed. 

Lastly, I want to take a moment to specifically lift up cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is bullying using electronic media like computers, cell phones, and game systems. Our digital interconnectedness makes bullying different and more damaging than it’s ever been before. It allows hatred and publicly humiliating gossip or photos to be instantly far-reaching and inescapable as electronic media is everywhere. It can NOT simply be ignored. In October 2013, the State of Maryland enacted Grace’s Law, making misuse of interactive computer services a criminal offense. Its purpose is to prohibit anyone from using electronic media (computers, tablets, phones, etc.) to maliciously engage in conduct that inflicts serious emotional distress on a minor and/or places that minor in reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury. A person who is found guilty of violating this law is subject to imprisonment and/or fines. 

While all of this information will be reviewed with students at school, we are asking you to do the same at home. Thank you for your partnership in ensuring all of our students feel a sense of safety and belonging in their school communities! More information can be found on the HCPSS Stop Bullying website. If you have any questions regarding this policy or its implementation, please contact a school administrator.

Elementary Student Cell-Phone Usage Policy

Families are reminded that students must abide by Board of Education Policy 8080 Responsible Use of Technology, Digital Tools, and Social Media, and specifically Standard E. Student Use-Technology, which states that “HCPSS permits students to bring personal technology devices to school, according to the following rules:

• Elementary Schools – Students will keep personal technology devices in backpacks during the school day, unless otherwise authorized by school administrators or instructional staff.