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

February 8, 2008

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 22 Club Pictures rescheduled from February 1st.

February 28 Science Fair 6-8pm

March 13 Talent Show 6:30pm

MARCH 17-24 SCHOOLS CLOSED - SPRING BREAK

SCIENCE FAIR IS COMING!
Scientifically Fascinating Facts! The Giant Squid has the largest eyes in the world! Open YOUR eyes wide to all the project possibilities for the HES Science Fair. Pick a topic that interests you and have fun. If you have not done so already please submit your project title to your teacher by Friday February 15th. See you at the fair on February 28th!

BLACK SAGA COMPETITION
The Howard County Black Saga Competition took place on February 2nd, Hammond Elementary placed 3rd overall! The students that participated from Hammond and did a superb job are: Irene Lu, Anita Kalluri, Jenny Huynh and the alternate was Haley Bowen (all 4th grade students). Congratulations !

SPELLING BEE RESULTS
Hammond Elementary held the Annual Spelling Bee on Wednesday, January 23rd. Jason Schuler, a 5th grader in Ms. Lee's class, was the winner!  Matthew Corso, 4th grade, Mr. Walsh's class was the alternate. Congratulatons Jason and Matthew!

HES ANNUAL PIZZA SALE!
Students have their order forms and a letter of explanation for our annual pizza sale. Orders and payment should be returned by Friday, February 22nd. For safety reasons we do not want any students soliciting orders door to door - sell to family members and friends. This sale is designed to provide convenient and fast meals to families during busy nights. Please make checks payable to Hammond Elementary and staple payment to the order form. Thanks in advance for your support! Pizza pickup will be Thursday, March 6th, from 3:30-6:30pm in the Media Center.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION/EARLY ADMISSION INFORMATION
Kindergarten registration for the 2008-09 school year will be the week of March 3-7, 2008 9am-3pm, Wednesday, March 5th will be until 6:30. To register for kindergarten, children must be five years old by September 1, 2008. Please be sure and register your child during this week, and if you know a neighbor whose child will be attending kindergarten for the 08-09 year, please encourage them to register their child as well. The parent or guardian must present the following information at the time of registration: child's birth certificate, record of immunizations, proof of residency (in form of a lease, a deed, or house contract and a recent utility bill (water, gas or electric), and a photo ID of parent or guardian.

Some rare exceptions for early admission to school may be made as well as parents requesting a one year waiver to defer entry to kindergarten. Parents should visit www.hcpss.org, once there click on schools and then kindergarten for more information.

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.

Carson Scholar Nominee
Congratulations to Yusra Khan, in Mrs. Holbens' 5th grade class, for being the Carson Scholar.� Nominee for Hammond Elementary School. Good Luck as you move through the next level of the nomination process.

FROM THE ART DEPARTMENT
We would like to congratulate Rebecca Jackson and Logan Zook both of whom have paintings on display at the the Faulkner Ridge Gallery in The Howard County First Grade Visual Arts Curriculum Showcase. The show runs from February 7, 2008 through May 30, 2008 with an artist's reception on February 13 from 5:00 - 7:00pm. We are additionally proud to announce that Logan's painting is featured on the postcard invitation to the show! Great job, Rebecca and Logan!

A BIG THANK YOU TO THE PTA AND HAMMOND PARENTS!
The staff would like to extend a big THANK YOU for the bountiful dinner that was served on Wednesday night. There were so many awesome and delectable food choices, everyone was quite full. Thank you again!

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 will also have a chance 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!

LAST WEEK FOR FREE TICKETS TO SIX FLAGS
The Six Flags Six Hour Reading Club is coming to an end. All reading logs for this optional program are 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. Please return the RSVP form that came home with your child.

Parents of Children with AD/HD!New support group has formed!
CHADD Parent Support Group Meeting 2nd Tuesday of each month7-8:30 pm, starting 2/12/08At the Norbel School, 6135 Old Washington Rd, Elkridge, MD, 21075. For more info, please call: Nancy Rhodes, 410-796-6700.

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.

SAVE THE DATE! The 2008 HES SPRING CARNIVAL is OFFICIAL!
Get excited and mark your calendars for the 2008 Hammond Elementary Spring Carnival. The confirmed date for the Spring Carnival is Friday, May 30th between 5pm and 8pm. We are looking forward to having a spectacular event. Expect the best in games and attractions like Turbo Tubs, Obstacle Course, Fast Pitch, Cake Walk, Dunk Tank and more! Pizza, Subs, Beverages, Cotton Candy, Snow Cones and Popcorn are among the list of food items that will be available. We need your support to make this a great event for our children. More carnival information will be posted at www.hespta.org/spring-carnival.html.

A planning meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 19th at 7pm in the HES Cafeteria. With your help and cohesive teamwork we are looking forward to organizing and enjoying a successful Carnival this year. Remember, everybody's contribution (at any level) is significant in making this a great event.

Please volunteer to help. Contact Amy Shugar at (301) 470-4196, sheashug@comcast.net or Andrea Francesconi Billings at (301) 498-9841, afjb4@yahoo.com to volunteer or if you have any questions.

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) .

Nominating Committee Chairperson Needed!
The PTA's nominating committee is responsible for ensuring that all the PTA Executive board positions are filled for the upcoming school year. We are in need of a chairperson for this committee. The committee should start the preliminary nomination process for all officers in March, with a deadline for submissions in April. This job can be done at home, and involves some email, printing a few flyers (last year's flyer is available so it would only need to be updated), and some phone calls. If anyone is interested in helping out in this capacity, please contact Rachel Janush at rgjanush@verizon.net.

LOOKING FOR PHOTO'S
Please send me your Photos from Jan 14th Fire truck 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!

NEXT NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 22ND

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