HAMMOND NEWS
HAMMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
8110 Aladdin Drive
Laurel, MD 20723
410-880-5890
Safe-to-School 301-725-9250

January 11, 2008

January 14-16 Vision & Hearing

January 14 Fire Truck Ride

Beginning Band & Orchestra Concert 7pm

January 15 PTA Executive Board meeting 6:30pm

JANUARY 17 3 HOUR EARLY DISMISSAL (END OF 2ND MARKING PERIOD)

JANUARY 18 SCHOOLS CLOSED FOR STUDENTS (PROFESSIONAL WORKDAY)

JANUARY 21 SCHOOLS CLOSED – MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY

January 28 Cultural Arts Program (K-5) Washington Chu Shan Chinese Opera (9:30am & 10:30am)

January 25 1st grade in-house field trip “Neptune’s Classroom”

January 30 Report Cards issued

February 4 Vision & Hearing rescreening

SCIENCE FAIR IS COMING!
The HES Science Fair is scheduled for Thursday February 28th. Mrs. Oswald and Mr. Vanisko have been making classroom visits encouraging students to participate in the Science Fair. Packets will be arriving on Monday. More details to come!

FYI FOR STUDENTS ALREADY NOMINATED FOR GT TESTING
Testing dates for students already nominated for G/T testing are as follows: students currently in fifth grade – Friday, February 15th 10:15-11:15, students currently in fourth grade - Thursday, February 7th 9:15-10:00, students currently in third grade – Tuesday, February 5th 9:15-10:15. Students will also have a chance a day or two before to preview the format of the test.

FREE TICKETS TO SIX FLAGS
Last week your child brought home a letter and a reading log to participate in the Six Flags Six Hour Reading Club. This is an optional program. This is due no later than Friday, February 15, 2008.

PENNIES FOR PATIENTS!
This week, HES joined 15,000 schools nationwide in the “Pennies for Patients” program. During January and February we will help people who are sick with blood cancers. Please help your child collect coins to put in his/her classroom collection box. Thank you for your support!

DRESSING FOR COLDER WEATHER!
Parents please make sure that your child(ren) are dressed appropriately for the colder weather. Students will still be going outdoors for recess (unless temperature falls below 20). There are other times that students may be required to go outside, fire drills/evacuations and occasionally P.E. Long pants, coats, hats and gloves are necessary to be comfortable outdoors.

Morning Drop Off Reminder
The doors to the school open at 8:45. Prior to this time staff members are not outside to supervise students who arrive early. If your child walks to school or if you drive your child to school, please have him/her arrive between 8:45 and 8:55.

HES PTA/Scaggsville Fire Station #11 Reading Incentive Program
Each month, students who read 20 minutes beyond their daily reading time are eligible to fill out a reading coupon and turn it in for a drawing. Our second drawing took place on Monday. The winners will be picked up at their home, arrive at school and be greeted by HES students! Our winners for the January 14th ride are: Kindergarten; Colleen Simmerly, 2nd grade; Brian Ricketts, 3rd grade ; Kelly Sullivan, 4th grade; Cameron Smith, 5th grade; Caroline McPherson. Congratulations students!

FORGOTTEN ITEMS
Recently, the number of students coming down to the office in the morning needing to call home because of forgotten lunches, instruments, etc. has been increasing. If you child plays an instrument please continue to help him/her remember to bring the instrument on lesson days. Giving your child an envelope with "Emergency Lunch Money" to keep in their backpack can eliminate the need to call when lunch is forgotten. Thank you for your support!!!

Kindergarten Registration
Is just around the corner and the HES PTA is looking for 15 volunteers to help. The time slots that need to be filled are: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.; 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday the week of March 3rd. Please consider helping our wonderful staff with the registration process by contacting Susan McPherson at mdswa@hotmail.com or calling 301-776-5705.

FROM THE GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT
The Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County is hosting a free presentation for mothers and daughters, as well as others interested in the well-being of today’s young women. The program will feature gender equity expert Phyllis Lerner, who will discuss “The Supergirl Dilemma: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” on Sunday, Jan. 13th , 3-5 p.m., at the Hawthorn Center in the Village of Hickory Ridge, Columbia.

Refreshments will be served. No reservations are required. For directions, call 410-730-7327. For a full copy of “The Supergirl Dilemma,” go to www.girlsinc.org.

From the Guidance Department
Free Coat Drive! If you need help getting your child(ren) a winter coat this year, please let Mrs. Kelly know. Free coats in all size are available! Contact Mrs. Kelly @ margaret_ kelly@hcpss.org or 410-880-5890.

HOWARD COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION & PARKS
To reduce paper usage the Department of Recreation is sending a smaller amount of fliers to be picked up at school offices. If you are interested in one please stop by the front office. Creative Arts, Drama, Cooking, Preschool & More, is being offered this winter as well as Music, Movement, Dance & Spring Break Camps.

HEALTH AWARENESS DURING FLU SEASON
Flu Symptoms include: fever, headache, chills, body aches, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, and nasal congestion. Flu is spread from person to person through the air by coughing and sneezing. It is also spread by direct contact with infected people. If you get the flu: rest; drink plenty of fluids such as juice, water or hot tea; and you may take an aspirin substitute such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) for muscle aches and fever. Do NOT give aspirin to a child or teenager who has the flu. Do NOT come to school with a fever or when taking medication to reduce a fever. If symptoms persist, contact your physician.

What can be done to try and prevent children from getting the flu?
Always remind children to: Cover their mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze – have them throw the tissue away after they use it. If they do not have a tissue, they should cough or sneeze into their upper sleeve, not their hands. Wash their hands often with soap and water, especially after they cough or sneeze, before eating lunch and after using the bathroom. If water is not near, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner. Remind them not to touch their eyes, nose, mouth. Germs spread this way.

When should students stay home from school? Any students with fevers or who think they may have flu should remain home until their symptoms resolve.

IMPORTANT NEWS FROM HEALTH ROOM
Parents please make sure that your child(rens) emergency information is kept updated, it is vital that we be able to get in touch with someone in case of illness or emergency. Parents (or other emergency designee) must be able to pick up your sick child from the health room in a reasonable amount of time (within ½ hour). Thank you for your attention to this matter.
When is it safe for a student to return to school after having been sick? Students who are ill and have a fever should remain at home until the temperature has been normal for 24 hours, any vomiting, diarrhea, rash or persistent cough has resolved, and the student is generally feeling better and ready to participate in school activities. The isolation of ill students at home can prevent the spread of illness in the school. Parents should report flu absences to the health assistant or nurse.

eSchoolnewsletter
If you would like to sign up to receive this newsletter and other important HES and HCPSS information via email, go to www.eschoolnewsletter.com . When you get to the webpage just follow the directions for new user sign up. If you decide you don't need a paper copy please send an email to julie_o’hagan@hcpss.org with the name and grade of your child.

Emergency School Closing Information: https://www.eschoolnewsletter.com/emergency.asp