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

January 25, 2008

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

January 30 Report Cards issued

February 1 Club pictures taken (chorus, band, strings, safety patrols & others)

February 4 Vision & Hearing rescreening

Fire Truck ride

February 4 & 5 Family Night at Cheeburger Cheeburger (Burtonsville) Pick Your Night

FEBRUARY 6 ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOLS CLOSE 3HRS. EARLY-PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

February 6 Hoops for Heart 12:30-2:45pm

FEBRUARY 7 ALL SCHOOLS CLOSE 3HRS EARLY-PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

FEBRUARY 8 ALL SCHOOLS CLOSED FOR STUDENTS -  PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

February 11 PTA Executive Board Meeting 6:30 followed by Parent Workshop Presentation

FEBRUARY 12 SCHOOLS AND OFFICES CLOSED - PRIMARY ELECTION DAY

FEBRUARY 18 SCHOOLS AND OFFICES CLOSED - PRESIDENTS DAY

February 28 Science Fair

SCIENCE FAIR IS COMING!
Scientifically Fascinating Facts! The average person's heart beats 36 million times a year! And now that Mrs. Oswald has been to your classroom to tell you about the Science Fair yours may be beating with excitement. Get your information packet from your teacher and start thinking and working on your project! Questions? Ask Mrs. Oswald or call Toni Morgan (301) 776-2554. The fair is February 28th.

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.

PENNIES FOR PATIENTS!
HES has 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!

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. the week of March 3rd. Please consider helping our wonderful staff with registration by contacting Susan McPherson at mdswa@hotmail.com or calling 301-776-5705.

ABSENCES FOR RELIGIOUS OBLIGATION
We have a new form in the front office (it is also located on the HCPSS website www.hcpss.org). The implementation date of the revised policy, The Absence for Religious Obligation form is January 22, 2008. The form must be completed for consideration of an excused absence from school under Policy 3000, Religious Observances. All requests should be submitted two weeks in advance to the principal, who will forward them to the Office of Equity Assurance. In accordance with Policy 9010, Attendance, students returning from lawful absences have an equal number of days to complete make-up work. Questions regarding Policy 3000 may be directed to the Office of Equity Assurance at 410/313-6654. So that both parents and school officials can retain a copy for their records, the new form is provided on 3 part carbonless paper.

HOOPS FOR HEART
Hoops for Hearts is on February 6th from 12:30-2:45 pm. Please make sure that you have turned in your permission slip!

SMALL TALK
Small Talk is back at HES. Classes will be on Tuesdays starting on January 29th , with classes on February 5, 19,26 and March 4 & ll. For more information contact Small Talk at 301-575-7687 or Small.talk@verizon.net Hasta Luego!

FREE TICKETS TO SIX FLAGS
Please make sure that your child is keeping up with their 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.

From the Guidance Department
Hammond Elementary Presents A Bully Proofing Parent Workshop Ms. Pam Blackwell - Director of Student Services for HCPSS - will be presenting her Workshop on February 11, 2008 from 7:00 - 8:00pm, right after the PTA Executive Meeting. Look for the RSVP form that will come home in your child's take home folder!

DO YOU HAVE AN ANXIOUS CHILD?
Access Counseling Services of Columbia is introducing a group for parents who would like to become more effective when dealing with their anxious children. To learn more about this helpful and informative group, please call Access Counseling at 410-995-5555

IS YOUR CHILD DEALING WITH AN EATING DISORDER?
Learn how to: "Improve communication in your family", "Help your loved one without enabling", "Keep your marriage/family from falling apart." Find valuable resources about eating disorders with "SUPPORT FOR SUPPORT": Winter Workshops 2008. Who can attend? Open to parents, spouses, family & friends. All workshops will be different. You may attend as many as you like. Where: The Resource Group 7801 York Road, Suite 215 Baltimore, MD 21204 When: February 5th & 19th March 4th & 18th Cost: $30.00 per person or $50.00 per couple (per workshop). Workshops led by Sharon R. Peterson, LCSW-C (Co-Director of Eating Disorder Services @ The Resource Group) Questions: Call 410-337-7772 or go to www.sharonrpeterson.com

Free Coats
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.

GIANT BONUSBUCKS! 
So far, for the first three months of this year's Giant BonusBucks program, we have registered 39 families and raised $365.11 for Hammond Elementary School. Keep using those Giant Bonus Cards. If you have not registered yet it's not too late -- if you need help registering please call Sharon Gilbert at 301-776-5580 or email sharonrgilbert@comcast.net. Thanks so much for your support!

TALENT SHOW TIME
It seems like our talented little showsters were just up on that stage, but yes, it's Talent Show time again! This year's show, "Hoo-ray for Hammondwood", will be held Thursday, March 13. Mark These Dates:* "Auditions"/Act Reviews -- Thursday, 2/28 & Friday, 2/29 (4-6 pm both days)* Dress Rehearsal -- Wednesday, 3/12 (5-8 pm)
* Showtime! -- Thursday, 3/13 (6:30 pm curtain) .

Savage Boys and Girls Club Dinner
The Savage Spirit Baseball 12U league invites you to dinner on Saturday, January 16th from 5-10pm at the Savage Volunteer Fire Company Hall, 8925 Lincoln St. Savage. The cost is $7.00 for adult, $5.00 for children 10 and under. At the door it will be $8.00 for adults, $6.00 for children 10 and under, children under 2 free. Dinner is being catered by Three Brothers Italian Restaurant�. Call Vikki @443-535-3399 or email Patty @ pedebenedetto@comcast.net.

Pick Your "Family Night" at Cheeburger Cheeburger, Burtonsville
New for February, you choose which night is best for you! Come to Cheeburger Cheeburger Monday 2/4 or Tuesday 2/5 between 5pm and 9pm, and invent your own burger, salad or shake! Cheeburger Cheeburger uses only fresh (never frozen) premium Black Angus Beef with nothing added and their fries and rings are fresh-cut right in the restaurant every day. The menu also offers great tasting grilled chicken, fresh salads, veggie burgers and turkey burgers. Cheeburger Cheeburger will donate 15% of your total sale to the HES PTA when you present the Hammond Family Night flyer. Look for your flyer coming home today or download a copy at www.hespta.org. See you there. Bon Appetite!

LOOKING FOR PHOTO'S
"Please send me your Photos from Jan 14th Firetruck Ride & Jan 14th Band & Orchestra Concert for the Yearbook. Also 1st Grade Parents - send me photos from Neptunes Classroom - I would love to have that in the Yearbook also. All Photos can be emailed to bckleinhen@yahoo.com . Thanks"

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.

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