Newsletter 9/27

Fri, 10/04/2024 - 2:43pm
HCPSS Talbott Springs Elementary School  
Newsletter - 9/27/24

 

 

Greetings TSES Families,

We hope you will be joining us for our Hispanic Heritage Celebration tonight!

This is a reminder that HCPSS schools and offices are closed this coming Wednesday, October 3.  

This week's newsletter includes:

Important Dates

September 27 - Hispanic Heritage Celebration @ 5:30pm-7:30pm 

September 30 - BRIDGES Begins

October 2 - Cultural Heritage Spirit Day

October 2 - Hearing & Vision Screening

October 3 - HCPSS Schools & Offices Closed

October 10 - Hispanic Read Aloud Day

October 16 - Unity Day - Wear Orange!

October 16 - PTA Meeting @ 6:15pm

October 18 - HCPSS Schools Closed for Students - Professional Workday

October 30 - Flu Clinic 

October 31 - HCPSS Schools Closed for Students - Professional Workday

 

Cultural Heritage Spirit Day

On Wednesday, October 2, TSES invites our staff and students to wear clothing that represents their cultural heritage. This day will be a celebration of the diversity that makes our TSES community so wonderful!

 

Free and Reduced Meals Application

We encourage all families to check their eligibility. HCPSS participates in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, which provide families with significant benefits to help save money. 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. *The free AND reduced lunch price is $0!  

Free and Reduced Meals eligibility provides discounts for summer programs, SAT, recreation programs, Maryland Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and internet programs. Other discounts are listed below. FARMs eligibility also may provide your school with much needed Federal funding.

Apply online now  This helps TSES keep our funding as a Title I school.  Thank you for taking the time to complete!

 

Unity Day

Wednesday, October 16- UNITY DAY and Optional Staff and Student Spirit Day

Every year on the third or fourth Wednesday in October, a very special event comes around — the Day of Unity, or Unity Day, as it is commonly called.  This year Unity Day will be celebrated on October 16th. This is the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Month, also in October. The key message of this month, and this day, is to unite for kindness, courage, and inclusion, to prevent students from being bullied.  Here are the ways our school is going to celebrate Unity Day this year.

  • Wear orange on Wednesday, 10/16 to show your active support for anti-bullying.

  • Spend the day taking part in random acts of kindness. This could be smiling at a stranger or spending quality time with an old friend. The possibilities are endless!

 

Chromebook Distribution

Dear Talbott Springs Elementary School Families,

As part of a grant from the State of Maryland’s Connected Devices Program, our school is partnering with the Bright Minds Foundation and the Howard County Government to provide qualifying families with one free Chromebook and charger per household. This free new HP Chromebook can be used by your family to connect with our schools, access community services, or for any other purpose that would be of benefit to you. 

In order to qualify for a free Chromebook and charger, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Your family has not already received a free device from one of these organizations: Community Action Council of Howard County, Howard County Office of Children and Families, or Making Change; 

  • You are the parent or legal guardian of a student currently enrolled in HCPSS;

  • You meet one of the income qualifications outlined on the application form; and,

  • The application form is fully completed.

If you qualify for a Chromebook and have completed the Google Form application, you will be notified by Talbott Springs Elementary School when the device is available in November/December for pick up. At that time, an adult family member (at least 18 years old) will need to come to the school to receive the device. When you pick up the device, you will receive information about setting up the device and how to access technical support. These are not HCPSS devices, and will not come loaded with any HCPSS educational applications. HCPSS is not responsible or liable for the operation, loss, or repair of your Chromebook or charger. Families will be responsible for their own internet service. Families will have 5 days to exchange any non-functioning devices. Please read the instructions and complete the Free Chromebooks for Eligible HCPSS Parents or Guardians Google Form at this link by Friday September 27, 2024.  If you have any questions, please contact Jenny Rothenberger at jennifer_rothenberger@hcpss.org

We look forward to partnering with the Bright Minds Foundations, Howard County Government, and you for this incredible opportunity!

Sincerely,

Leslie Harmon

Principal

Familias de Talbott Springs Elementary School:

Como parte de una subvención del Programa de Dispositivos Conectados del Estado de Maryland, nuestra escuela se asocia con Bright Minds Foundation y el Gobierno del Condado de Howard para proporcionar a las familias que califiquen, una Chromebook y un cargador gratuitos por hogar. Esta HP Chromebook nueva y gratuita puede ser utilizada por su familia para conectarse con nuestra escuela o para cualquier otro propósito que sea de beneficio para ustedes. Para calificar para [recibir] una Chromebook y un cargador gratis, debe cumplir con los criterios siguientes:

  • Su familia no ha recibido un dispositivo gratuito de ninguna de estas organizaciones: Concejo de Acción Comunitaria del Condado de Howard, Oficina para Niños y Familias del Condado de Howard o MakingChange; 

  • Usted es el padre o tutor legal de un estudiante actualmente inscrito en el HCPSS;

  • Cumple con uno de los requisitos de ingresos descritos en el formulario de solicitud; y

  • El formulario de solicitud se completó en su totalidad.

Si califica para [recibir] una Chromebook y un cargador y ha completado la solicitud en el Formulario de Google, la Escuela Talbott Springs Elementary le notificará cuando el dispositivo esté disponible. En ese momento, un miembro adulto de la familia (de al menos 18 años) deberá venir a la escuela para recibir el dispositivo. Cuando reciba el dispositivo, se le proporcionará una copia impresa de la información sobre la configuración del dispositivo junto con la información de contacto para ayudarle con el proceso. Es su responsabilidad proporcionar acceso a Internet y mantener su Chromebook y el cargador. El HCPSS no se hace responsable del funcionamiento, la pérdida o las reparaciones de su Chromebook o del cargador. 

Lea las instrucciones y complete el Formulario de Google Chromebooks gratuitos para padres o tutores elegibles del HCPSS en este enlace antes del viernes 27 de septiembre del 2024. Si necesita ayuda para llenar el formulario comuníquese con la Sra. Arlette Garcia.

¡Esperamos asociarnos con Bright Minds Foundation, el Gobierno del Condado de Howard y con ustedes para esta oportunidad increíble!

Atentamente,

Leslie Harmon

Directora escolar