Baltimore Highlands Elementary School

BALTIMORE HIGHLANDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HOME OF THE BULLDOGS! http://baltimorehighlandses.bcps.org PRINCIPAL: BRIAN WILLIAMS ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL: DANA BISKER ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL: CINDY METHANY

Baltimore Highland’s Mission Statement : The BHES community meets the individual needs of the whole child while providing a safe and nurturing environment. We establish high expectations to create a foundation that inspires students to become lifelong learners. We believe: Collaboration among staff, parents, students and community members is necessary to achieve academic excellence. All community members serve as role models and should be valued. Students should be challenged academically and socially to achieve their personal best. Differentiated instruction is essential for our diverse learners. All community members should show respect for self and others. That teaching our students to think, dream, believe and achieve is vital to their future. Our students will be responsible citizens and productive community members.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL : It’s hard to believe that we are starting the month of May already. The school year has really gone by so quickly. May is going to be very busy, as we prepare for the last full month of school. Students in Grades 3-5 have started the PARCC Assessment. This is an important state-wide assessment that tests students’ academic abilities in both Reading and Math. Teachers have worked very hard to prepare students for this very important assessment and we know that they will do a great job. Testing will continue through the month of May. Parents, please help by making sure your students get to school on time each day. If students are late for school and testing has begun, they will have to sit out of testing and take it during a make-up session.

Teacher Appreciation Week is the week of May 8-12 and Teacher Appreciation Day is Tuesday, May 9th. We want to “Thank” all of our teachers and staff members for their hard work and dedication to our school. We will be presenting all of our teachers with a special gift on Tuesday, May 9th and the PTA will be providing them with a special luncheon during the first week on May. If you have time during that week, please take a moment to “thank” your child’s teacher. They are truly a special group of educators that care for the success of your children and for the success of our school. Also, it is Nurse’s Appreciation Day on Wednesday, May 10th. We would like to “Thank” Mrs.Smith and our Nurse’s Assistant Ms. Davis for all of their work to ensure we have a healthy school environment. We appreciate their dedication to the students in which they serve.

For parents of 5th grade students, you must verify residency before the end of the school year. Information will be coming home soon about the days the office will be available to verify residency. This will mean that you will have to bring a deed or lease, three pieces of mail and a valid ID to prove your residency. Look for more DATE : May 2017 information to come home soon.

I would like to take time to recognize the PTA for all of their efforts this school year. They have raised a lot of money for our school that has gone directly to support our students. In addition, they have sponsored many great family events like the Trunk or Treat and the BHES Talent Show. We appreciate their ongoing efforts to not only raise money for our school, but for also bringing some new and exciting family events to BHES. .

As always parents, we thank you for your ongoing support of our school.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR : May 8: Pre-K and Kindergarten Conference Day-no school for Pre-k/K students only May 9: Second day for Pre-k Conferences- no school for pre-k students May 9: Teacher Appreciation Day May 10: National School Nurse’s Day May 12 & 13 STEM Fair and Safe Racer Competition May 25: Grade One Concert- 9:30 May 29: Schools closed in honor of Memorial Day May 30: Volunteer Luncheon- 1:15 by invitation only

A NOTE FROM THE CAFETERIA:

When a reminder is sent home with your student stating a balance is due on their lunch account, please submit the payment as soon as possible. If the balance due exceeds $5.80, your child will receive cereal and milk until the balance is paid. Thank you for your attention to this matter. You can also go on line at www.mylunchmoney.com. to place money on your child’s account.

ATTENDANCE:

Parents, please remember that we track student’s attendance daily. Students may enter the building starting at 8:25 and are considered late after the 8:40 bell. Maryland has an attendance law that recognizes satisfactory attendance as missing no more than 12 days in a school year. That breaks down to 3 days a quarter. We meet monthly to review student attendance and tardiness and if your child is at the unsatisfactory rate for attendance and/or tardies, we will contact you by letter, telephone or through our Pupil Personnel Worker. It is important for students to attend school each day and to be on time. Please remember that your child is considered late after the 8:40 bell. If your child is sick, please make sure to send in a doctor’s note. Without a note from the doctor, the attendance will be marked as unexcused.

SHARED DOMICILE APPLICATION Baltimore Country schools requires all shared domicile to be renewed each year. A letter has been mailed out on April 27, 2016, to all students with shared domicile. The renewal form must be completed and returned to the school office with all the proper documentation buy June 30, 2016. Failure to return these forms will result in withdraw of your student. Please contact the office with any questions at (410)887-0919. DATE : May 2017 ATTENTION ALL 5 TH GRADE PARENTS/GUARDIANS: Baltimore County Public School’s policy requires that all students transitioning from Grade 5 to 6 are required to verify residency prior to the start of the school year. For your convenience, Baltimore Highlands Elementary will hold the following dates for verification sessions. If you are unable to attend the verification sessions please stop by the office with your documents before the last day of school between the hours of 9:00 am-3:00 pm. We will not accept any verification on June 17th due to the Farewell activities.

May 16 - 9:00 am-12:00 pm June 1 - 12:00 pm-2:00 pm June 10 - 9:00 am-12:00 pm

The documents required for the verification are as follows: 3 pieces of current mail dated within sixty (60) days, deed/ current lease and photo identification. All documents must reflect the same address. Please be advised that failure to provide transition year residency will result in the withdrawal of your child from Baltimore County Public School.

Pre-Kindergarten for the 2017-2018 School Year: We are now accepting Pre-K registration applications for the 2017-2018 school year. Please call the school office at (410)887-0919 or stop by the office to inquire about registering for Pre-K. Enrolling students must have been born between September 2, 2012 and September 1, 2013.

Kindergarten Registration for the 2017-2018 School Year: We are now accepting Kindergarten registration applications for 2017-2018 school year. Students currently enrolled in Pre-K do not need to register for Kindergarten. Please call Mrs. Miloro at (410)887-0919 to schedule an appointment. Our office is open through the summer, please register early. Children born between September 2, 2011 and September 1, 2012 must attend Kindergarten.

Last day of school: The last day of school will be Tuesday, June 13. Monday, June 12th and Tuesday, June 13th will be half days, our school will dismiss at 12:10 both days. The Fifth Grade Farewell Assembly will by on Friday, June 9th at 9:15am.

Beating Spring Allergies Blues

Spring has sprung in Maryland. Grass, mold, and flower pollen have filled the air! Are you sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose? Are your eyes itching or tearing? Is your throat itchy or sore? If so, you may be the victim of spring allergies.

DATE : May 2017 People with allergies do best when they work with their health care provider to anticipate the bad times and take simple steps to minimize exposure to allergens. If you or your child is uncomfortable due to allergy symptoms, see your health care provider.

Tips to help beat the allergy blues:

 Keep windows to your house and car closed. Use air conditioning and set car ventilation to recirculate

 Check internet for daily pollen counts and limit outdoor activity when pollen count is high, as well as on windy days

 Wash hands and face when coming in from outside and shower before bedtime to remove pollens

 Begin taking allergy medications early in the season, two to three weeks before you anticipate having symptoms

 Use the dryer to dry clothing and linens instead of hanging them outside to dry

 Pet fur can carry pollen into the house. Wipe your pet’s fur down before it comes inside.

 Keep your lawn short to prevent pollination

DATE : May 2017