Fall Fun Run Reminder
The Fall Fun Run will take place on Monday, October 22nd. Please make sure that your child wears comfortable weather appropriate clothing and shoes for running.

School Pictures
Individual student pictures will be taken on Thursday, October 25th. Look for the flyer coming home today. The picture envelope will be sent home Wednesday, October 24th.

NEWS FROM THE BAND DEPARTMENT
Mr. Lea has good news to share! We have 8 students who have been selected to participate in the East Howard County Honor Band. It’s a challenging group made of students from about 10 different elementary schools. It’s a great experience for talented and dedicated musicians. Practicing pays off! Congratulations to: Daniel Lee, Michael Chen, Caroline McPherson, Robyn Pidliskey, Jared King, Sophia Sommerkamp, Amanda Petersen, and Connie Chung.

HES PTA/Scaggsville Fire Station #11 Reading Incentive Program
The Scaggsville Station Fire Truck Ride Is Back! Each month starting in October, students who read 20 minutes beyond their daily reading time are eligible to fill out a reading coupon and turn it in for a lottery drawing. The lucky students will be picked up at their home, arrive at school and be greeted by all HES students! Our first ride is scheduled for 11/19. Flyers and coupons have been sent home. Our first drawing will be November 15th.

Halloween Parade
The annual Hammond Elementary Halloween parade will take place Wednesday, October 31st at 2:00pm. All families are invited to join us on the blacktop and fields for this fun event. We do ask that only the parents who are helping with the Halloween activities join us in the school after the parade ends. A few reminders about Halloween:
• Please make sure the costume is appropriate for school - weapons of any kind (real or fake) are not allowed.
• Students need to come to school in regular clothing. They will have an opportunity to put their costume on over top of their clothes before the parade.
• Please do not send students to school wearing face paint. Up until the parade at 2:00pm we will be having a regular day.
• Masks are not allowed for safety reasons. We want to avoid students bumping into each other during the parade.
• If you do not want your child to participate in the Halloween parade/party, please let your child's teacher know. We will be offering another activity for all students who do not participate. Thank you for adhering to these rules so that everyone can have a great time.

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.

FROM THE GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT
Developmental Assets
In September, we talked with the children about feelings and showing empathy. In October, we are all discussing self-esteem. Here are some ideas for you to try at home to help promote both empathy and self-esteem.
* Dwell on what children do right instead of what they do wrong.
* Ask children what they are interested in and passionate about.
* Do simple acts of community service together.
* Show care and concern for a neighbor by lending a helping hand.
* Together we are making a difference in young people’s lives!

Box Top$ for Education - 2007/2008 Kickoff
Welcome to another year of the General Mills Box Top$ program. Last year we raised over $1,000. Thank you for your tremendous support of this program. Your participation makes our school a better place. For those of you new to HES, all you do is cut out the box tops from several General Mills products, and place them in a ziploc bag with your child’s name and grade on it. Then have your child put them in the “Box Tops” box right outside the office. Our goal this year is $1,200.As we have done the last several years, the top three contributors each month, from October to March, will receive a prize. This first month will include any contributions made since the end of last year’s program, which ended on February 28, 2007. If you have any questions, please contact Suzanne Codespote at smcodes@comcast.net, or check out the Box Tops website at www. Boxtops4education.com. Thank you for your continued support.

SOCK HOP
Let’s go to the Hop! Mark your calendars for Hammond's Hallow Hop, Friday, October 26th from 7:00pm- 9:00 p.m. DJ music, contests and giveaways. Dress up in your favorite costume (nothing to scary or gory) and come out for a night of fun! Sponsored by the HES PTA. If any parent has decorations or inflatables we can borrow for the Soc Hop and/or can help with security, please contact Susan McPherson (301-776-5705 or mdswa@hotmail.com).

HAMMOND ELEMENTARY PTA CRAFT SHOW
Looking for something different for the holidays? Come and join us on November 10th from 10:00am - 4:00pm for the 1st Annual Hammond Elementary PTA Art and Craft Show and Sale in the Hammond Middle School gym. Handcrafted musical instruments, original oil paintings, photography, children’s novelty t-shirts, crystal and gem jewelry, holiday wreaths and crafts are just a few of the unusual gifts from our 35 vendors. For further information contact Debbie Bell at 301-490-2501 or email debbell5@hotmail.com.

ATTENTION KINDERGARTEN AND FIFTH GRADE PARENTS – LOOKING FOR YEARBOOK PHOTOS!
If you attended the Sharps Farm Field Trip on 10-18, please send some of your best shots from the Farm, or if you have photos from the Genesee Valley Field Trip please email to bckleinhen@yahoo.com.

Family Nights A Big Success
It was great seeing so many families and teachers at our first two “Family Night” fundraisers. All could agree that these nights are fun, social, community events and an excellent way to help support many of the activities that the PTA sponsors which benefit our children. Thank you to all who participated! We look forward to seeing even more Hammond families at our next “Family Night” at Chick-Fil-A, Dobbin Center on Monday, November, 5th. .

NEXT FAMILY NIGHT AT CHICK-FIL-A
By popular demand, we are having our next Family Night at Chick-Fil-A at Dobbin Center on Monday, November 5th . Even fast food can be healthy! Chick-Fil-A’s wholesome menu features tender, lean whole breast meat chicken, grilled or prepared using 100% non-hydrogenated, refined peanut oil (which is naturally cholesterol and trans fat free), heart healthy sides, fresh crisp vegetables, freshly squeezed lemonade and of course dessert items. Bring your family and friends between 4pm and 9pm and help raise money for the Hammond Elementary PTA. Look for Chick-Fil-A flyers coming home soon. See you there and spread the word! More information concerning Chick-Fil-A’s menu and nutrition information is available at http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Nutrition.asp.