From Our Administrators March 5, 2021 - West Friendship Elementary ...

March 5, 2021
From Our Administrators
Dear Families,
We are happy to report that it has been a great first week back in the building for our first group of students,
and we are looking forward to welcoming more students in the coming weeks. We are so proud of the way our
staff has continued to work as a team to support all of our students, regardless if they are learning with us in-
person or virtually! We are also extremely proud of our students! Our virtual students quickly adapted to the
new schedules, and our in-person students are doing a great job following safety protocols!
This is a friendly reminder that we take our students outside for recess each day, as long as there is not
precipitation. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately (coats, gloves, hats) for the weather.
Online registration for students entering Kindergarten in fall 2021 begins on Monday, March 8th and runs
through Friday, March 12th. There will be NO in-person registration appointments at this time. Additional
registration information can be found further along in this newsletter. Information can also be found at
www.hcpss.org/enroll/.
This is a great time to check and be sure your child’s Family File is updated. We must have updated
emergency contact information for your child with the start of in-person instruction. To update your Family
File, sign in to HCPSS Connect. You will need to click through each of the pages, for each one of your children,
and review all of the information in order to verify it is up to date. If you have any questions about your
child’s Family File, please contact the front office at 410-313-5512.
We wish to take this time to thank all of you, and the PTA Staff Appreciation Committee for your
thoughtfulness during Employee Appreciation Week! The WFES Staff loved all of the kind notes, sentiments,
and drawings we have recently received. The staff was surprised by a beautiful display of gifts when we
entered the building this morning. There was a gift box for each team/department that contained teacher
supplies and treats. Thank you so very much, from the entire WFES Staff!
Two great fundraisers are in full swing! The WFES Scholastic Book Fair is virtual this year. Shop now at
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/westfriendshipelementarysch and have items delivered directly to your home!
Also, the WFES PTA Boon Supply Fundraiser deadline is Monday, March 15th. Please take a look at what they
have to offer in support of our PTA by visiting http://www.boonsupply.com/1168133.
As always, we are grateful for your partnership during this busy time. Please continue to be safe.
Yours in education,
Kaye Breon, Principal
Brian Vanisko, Assistant Principal

School News

Online Scholastic Book Fair
West Friendship Elementary is hosting a virtual Scholastic Book Fair. Shop online now through March 14th for
the latest book titles and have them delivered right to your home. This is a great way to fill those spring gift
baskets! The Book Fair is one of our school’s most popular fundraisers. It helps us purchase additional reading
materials for our students. Shop now at https://www.scholastic.com/bf/westfriendshipelementarysch

School Pictures Day is March 10th
Strawbridge Studios will be at West Friendship Elementary on Wednesday, March 10 for student Picture Day!
This is one of our school’s biggest fundraisers! We hope many of you have signed up to have your photo taken
by our school photographer next Wednesday, March 10 th. Pictures will be taken in the school gym. Please
come to the front doors, where students will be greeted, admitted, and directed to proceed to the gym.
Parents will be asked to wait outside of the exterior gym doors, by the blacktop. Please do not arrive extra
early for your appointment. We want to keep the traffic flow moving. In addition, please keep in mind that we
will have school buses on our parking lot, 9:15-9:30 and 3:20-4:00. Please do not park in our bus lanes during
these times. Be sure to obey all directions given by our staff who direct traffic during these times.
We encourage all students to sign-up for a photography time and have their picture taken so it can be
included in the WFES Yearbook. However, you do not need to purchase a photo package to be included in the
yearbook. Parents will need to bring students to school and wait for them to have their photo taken. Photos
will be taken in the gym. Additional information will be provided soon about building entry, etc.
**Group E students attending the 5-day hybrid program do not need to schedule a photography time through
Sign-up Genius. We will take them for pictures while they are in school that morning.
Please see the following attachments for more information about safety protocols, photo package selections,
use Sign-up Genius to select a time to have your child’s pictures taken, and order your photos.
Click on Sign-up Genius or copy and paste the following link into your browser,
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050C4BAEAE2FA3FE3-101821
Questions? Please call the school office, 410-313-5512 or email Penny_Smith@hcpss.org.

News from Technology
Ensuring Students Can Log In
For students returning to in-person instruction, especially those in primary grades, we ask that you work with
your child to learn their login (Links to an external site.) and password. This will ensure a smooth transition
from virtual to hybrid. Have your child prepare for logging in with this practice sheet (Links to an external
site.). For privacy purposes, please do not attach login credentials to a student device. We suggest filling out
this Student Tip Sheet (Links to an external site.), which students may bring to school.

Are You Interested in Working at WFES? Currently hiring for multiple positions!
Close Adult Support to some of our special education students:
    For this position, you would apply through an outside agency that staffs these positions in our schools.
    The position is for 6-hours each day.
    We also frequently need subs for this role, as well.
    Pay rate is $12.00/hour.
Substitute Teachers or Long Term Substitute Teachers
    This position would begin on March 1st or may be flexible.
    The hours would be a full day on (M,T,TH,F) and half day on Wednesdays
    The pay rate is $85.00+/day

If you are interested in any of these positions, please apply here:
https://www.applitrack.com/hcpss/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Substitute%2fTemporary+Employment
&all=cat AND email mailto:brian_vanisko@hcpss.org.

Medication Information for Students Returning to School Building
If your student is returning to the school building and will need medication while at school, a completed
medication order form is required from your student's health care provider. Medication & Epi Pen Medication
order forms are included for your convenience. Please email the school nurse, Beth Collora, if medication will
be needed during the school day so arrangements can be made for medication drop off at school prior to your
student's return. Thank you!           Medication Order Form           Epi Pen Order Form- Care Plan
Elizabeth_Collora@hcpss.org, FAX# 410-489-9281

New Chromebook Care Webpage
Please be aware of a new webpage for students, Chromebook Care, which includes tips on caring for and
transporting Chromebooks, as well as student mobile technology duties and obligations and additional
resources.

Absence Email Reminder
Please do not send your child's absent note through Canvas. All absent notes must be emailed
to WFESabsence@hcpss.org and include student name, date of the absence, and the reason for the
absence. If this information is not included, the note will not be accepted. This email goes directly to our
Attendance Secretary. You may cc: your child's teacher in the same email. Thank you in advance for adhering
to our absence reporting procedures.

Kindergarten Registration Week
Online Registration for students entering Kindergarten in fall 2021 starts on Monday, March 8th and continues
through Friday, March 12th. There will be no in-person registration appointments at this time.
Kindergarten is mandatory in Maryland, so if your child turns 5-years old by September 1, 2021, you must
register your child for the 2021-22 school year. Parents or guardians are to register students at the school
serving the address where the child’s parent or guardian resides. Information on neighborhood schools can be
found through School Locator https://hcpss-
gis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=b1d3153921514fbead0abb0f92090217 on the school
system web site or by calling the Public Information Office at 410-313-6682.
Step 1: Register Online Here: https://sisparents.hcpss.org/PXP2_OEN_Login.aspx
Step 2: Complete registration online by providing the documents listed below. The registration process is
easier if you upload them during online registration. Otherwise, you will be asked to submit them via email
as pdfs. I-phone users can scan documents through your notes app. (Images must be clear.)
The following documents are needed for registration:
    Child’s evidence of birth (i.e.: birth certificate, baptismal certificate)
    An authorized record of immunizations
    Proof of residency in the form of a signed lease or deed including signature pages
    Current utility bill
    Photo ID of parent/guardian
    Proof of custody (if applicable)
Please feel free to contact Mrs. Colleen Green at 410-313-5512 or colleen_green@hcpss.org.

New Late Arrival/Early Dismissal Procedures
Late Arrivals:
    Student and Parent/Guardian together, should come to the vestibule, ring the doorbell, and sign-in on
       the late arrival sheet.

   Only the student will be admitted into the building. Parent/Guardian may not enter the building.
       Parents must accompany their child into the vestibule in order for your student to be marked present.
Early Dismissals:
     Parent/Guardian will come into the vestibule and ring the buzzer for early dismissals. We ask that early
       dismissals are completed by 3:15 pm.
     We will ask Parent/Guardian to hold their driver's license up to the camera for staff member to
       see. We are only permitted to allow contacts listed in your Family File to pick up your student.
Parents and/or Visitors are not permitted into the building at this time.

Elementary MAP Test Results
For students in grades 1-5 who participated in the February MAP assessment, winter 2021 MAP test results
and PDF copies of student home reports are available in Synergy. Learn more

Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Logo Contest
Logo contest information

Mark Your Calendars
March 1 – 14          ONLINE Scholastic Book Fair – More Details to Follow!

March 8 – 12          Kindergarten Registration Week!

Wed., March 10        School Picture Day! Please schedule a time and order photo packages!

Wed., March 10        PTA Meeting via Zoom – 6:00 p.m.

Mon., March 15        Group A - Grades K-2 Hybrid Students Return to Building

Mon., March 15        PTA Boon Supply Fundraiser Deadline

Thurs., March 18      Group B - Grades K-2 Hybrid Students Return to Building

Mon., March 29        Group A - Grades 3-5 Hybrid Students Return to Building

Thurs., April 1       Group B - Grades 3-5 Hybrid Students Return to Building

Friday, April 2 – 6   Schools & Offices Closed – Spring Break

Wed., April 14        End of 3rd Marking Period

County Information
Updates to 2020-21 Calendar
At last week’s Board of Education meeting, the Board approved a change to the 2020-21 academic calendar.
The purpose of this change is to provide our teachers and staff with time to prepare their classrooms for students
to return for in-person instruction beginning on March 1st. The revised 2020-2021 calendar can be viewed
online. Early dismissal schedules are available online for elementary, middle and high schools.

HCPSS 2020-2021 Inclement Weather Protocols
New inclement weather protocols were shared with staff and the community for the 2020-2021 school year
while in virtual, small groups or hybrid instructional models. More information about the four possible
inclement weather decisions are provided on the HCPSS website.

Early Admission for Kindergarten and First Grade
Applications for early admission to kindergarten and first grade are now being accepted. Applicants must
submit all application materials for early admission to kindergarten and first grade by April 30 and May 31,
2021, respectively.

PLEASE COMPLETE: Free and Reduced Meal Application
Once you have completed your Family File Information, a screen will pop up asking you to complete the Free
and Reduced Meal application. Please complete the FARM application if you think you will qualify or if you
have qualified in the past. Qualifying for FARMs provides benefits for meals, reduced Comcast internet fees
and much more! Please find the FARM application here.

PTA News
Boon Supply Fundraiser – Extended to March 15th
Just a reminder that our Boon Supply Fundraiser is still going on! Boon Supply is an eco-conscious home
retailer. Some of my favorite items include reusable grocery bags, glass food storage, and an emoji face pancake
pan. They have tons of items to choose from, and the best part is that our school will get 40% of the proceeds!
Follow the link to shop our storefront, share with family & friends, and help raise money for West Friendship
while you shop! http://www.boonsupply.com/1168133

Amazon Smile
Help support West Friendship Elementary Schools PTA by shopping on Amazon through Amazon Smile. You
get the same great deals and benefits offered by Amazon while supporting our school! Just go to
smile.amazon.com, and login to Amazon using your regular username and password. Search for and select West
Friendship Elementary School PTA under charitable organizations, and you are ready to shop! And yes, we
know it’s spelled wrong on Amazon’s page. Unfortunately, we can’t change it.

Family and Student Support
Howard County Office of Children and Families
This monthly newsletter has some great topics/resources for families. Check out the March page.

Community News
Please visit the HCPSS website Community News and Programs page for upcoming events and programs
sponsored by non-profit organizations.

Pantry on the Go
Please see the attached flyers in English & Spanish for the Pantry on the Go event being held on March 19,
2021 at the Glen Mar Church in partnership with The Maryland Food Bank.

Girls on the Run is Back!!!
A 3rd - 5th grade program, Girls on the Run encourages girls of all abilities to recognize their individual
strengths and celebrate connections with others. The curriculum blends physical activity with skill development
that enables girls to adapt to whatever comes their way. Your daughter doesn't have to be a "runner" or have any
previous athletic experience. The goal of Girls on the Run is to inspire ALL girls to build confidence and make
intentional decisions while fostering care and compassion for themselves and others. Trained coaches use
physical activity and dynamic discussions to build social, emotional, and physical skills in every girl while
encouraging healthy habits for life.

The program runs from March 21-May 23. We will meet at Alpha Ridge Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays from
4:30-5:45. Please use this link to register:
https://www.raceplanner.com/register/index/GOTRCENMDSP21Registration
If you have any questions about the program or if you're interested in helping as a Coach, please email Rachel
Butler at rachlbutler1012@yahoo.com.