November 7 PTA Cultural Arts Program for Grades K-5: Visiting Artist Joe Romano: Books! The Magic is Real!

November 8 3rd grade field trip – B & O Railroad

Sally Foster pickup 3:30pm-7pm Media Center

November 9 Volunteer training 9:30am (last one this fall)

November 10 HES PTA Craft Show 10am – 4pm – Hammond Middle Gym

November 12 1st grade – “Great Guys Day” – 1pm-2pm

November 12-19 American Education Week/Book Fair

November 12-16 Spirit Week

NOVEMBER 19 & 20 SCHOOLS CLOSE 3 HOURS EARLY – PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

NOVEMBER 21 SCOOLS CLOSED FOR STUDENTS – PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

NOVEMBER 22 & 23 SCHOOLS AND OFFICES CLOSED – THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

November 13 PTA Executive Board Meeting – 6:30pm Media Center

December 3,4,5 Holiday Gift Shop

December 12 Holiday Concert – 7pm

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR
Attention all polar bears, snow bunnies, winter lovers, and especially, everyone who loves to read! Are you ready for the COLD weather? This year we welcome our Scholastic Book Fair “BLIZZARD” to Hammond Elementary – November 12 -19, during American Education Week. We’re all invited to “chill out” with a good book, and enjoy our week long celebration of reading!

NEW THIS YEAR is our very own Hammond Elementary Book Fair homepage which contains highlights of the week, located at http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/hammondes.
One especially “COOL” thing about this homepage is that volunteers can sign up right on the page to help out during the book fair. So if you’re ready for a little cold weather fun, and have a few minutes or hours to spare, visit the Book Fair Volunteers section of the page to let us know!! Any questions, please contact Margaret Barry (mmbarry2@comcast.net), Patty DeBenedetto (pedebenedetto@comcast.net) or Mrs. Marcia Davis (media specialist) @marcia_davis@hcpss.org.

SALLY FOSTER PICKUP
Please pickup your Sally Foster orders on Thursday, November 8th from 3:30-7pm in the Media Center. You may still order Sally Foster online until January 15th @www.sallyfoster.com, the school will still receive credit for your order.

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.

CHICK-FIL-A “FAMILY NIGHT” IS NEXT MONDAY - 11/5
Bring your family and friends between 4pm and 9pm to our next “Family Night” at Chick-Fil-A at Dobbin Center this coming Monday and help raise money for the Hammond Elementary PTA. Chick-fil-A will donate 20% of all sales to the HES PTA. Please remember to bring the orange flyer which was sent home last week. See you there and spread the word!

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.

LAST VOLUNTEER TRAINING
Our last Volunteer Training for this fall will be on Friday, November 9th at 9:30am. If you have not been trained, and would like to volunteer in the school this year, you must attend this session.

ATTENTION PARENTS
The Yearbook needs your photos from the Fall Fun Run and A Night at the Opera. Please send your photos to bckleinhen@yahoo.com.

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.

BE SAFE IN MYSPACE
The Student Services Advisory Committee is proud to present our next Wellness Seminar “BE SAFE IN MYSPACE” Keeping Children/Adolescents safe in the world of online social networking. This presentation will be aimed at students in MySpace and on other social networking websites. Children/adolescents must be accompanied by an adult parent/guardian to attend this seminar. Parents and their children will learn: 1. What information is safe to post on-line. 2. How they can prevent strangers from on-line profile. 3. Blogging safety. 4. Other safety tips to follow when on-line. This will take place on Wednesday, November 7th from 7pm-8:30pm @ the Homewood Center Cafeteria, 10914 Route 108 Ellicott City, MD.

HOLIDAY SHOP IS BACK!
The Holiday Gift Shop is coming once again to Hammond. Like last year, all items in the shop will be priced at $2.00. The shop will be open on December 3rd, 4th, and 5th during recess hours. The shop will also be open on Tuesday, December, 4th from 4:00pm – 6:00pm for those parents who wish to accompany their child or bring a sibling to shop. Each grade will visit the shop during their recess time over the three day period, giving the children 3 days to shop. Those students that do not want to visit the Holiday Shop will continue with their regularly scheduled recess.

Watch for notices coming home in the school newsletter and in the Friday folders containing specific details about the Holiday Shop. The Holiday Shop will be open for all three days during the recess time. If your child cannot make it one day they can come on another.

Holiday Shop Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed to help support the holiday shop. The shop cannot run with out you! Help Hammond students shop for holiday gifts. Moms, Dads, and grandparents are encouraged to volunteer. Please sign up for a 2 hour slot and help us out. If you would like to volunteer please contact Elizabeth Blough at EBlough@comcast.net or at 301-604-6769.

HALLOW HOP BIG SUCCESS!
On behalf of the HES PTA, thank you to all the students and parents who attended the Hallow Hop. It was great to see students and parents in costume! We would also like to thank Paul Tesoriero for providing the music, and the following businesses for their donations: Fehr’s Nursery, J & P Pizzeria, Silver Diner, Maggie Moo’s, Pasta Plus Restaurant, Silver Diner, Don Pablos, and Chuck E. Cheese. The turnout was wonderful and all looked like they were having a terrific time!

ATTENTION ALL “DISHERS”
Do you “Dish”? Why not Dish for Dollars at Let’s Dish, and help raise money for the Hammond Elementary PTA. With a minimum of 12 registered “Dishers”, the PTA can earn 5% of the proceeds! Interested parties should contact Amy Shugar at sheashug@comcast.net.

DO YOU NEED ASSISTANCE FOR THE HOLIDAYS?
The Salvation Army is taking applications for Thanksgiving and Christmas assistance. The program is designed to provide gifts for children ages 0 – 12 and food for the entire family.
Applications will be taken at The Salvation Army Howard County Service Center, 10005 Old Columbia Road, Suite P-170, from 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m., Monday, 10/ 10 -Friday, 10/ 14, 2007. There will be extended hours on 10/12 until 8:00 p.m.

YOU MUST BRING THE FOLLOWING ITEMS TO APPLY:

• • Valid “Maryland “ photo I.D. for ALL adults
• • Social Security cards (for all household members)
• • Birth Certificates for all children 0 – 17
• • Proof of all income (pay stubs/DSS/SSA/Child Support, Food Stamp Letter)
• • Proof of all expenses (current utilities (electric, gas, oil, water), car payment, car insurance, phone, childcare, cable, etc.)
• • Proof of residence (Section 8, Public Housing, HUD, lease, mortgage)
• • VERY IMPORTANT: If on Section 8, Public Housing or HUD – you must provide the following: (paper that includes the break down of your family members & monthly rent).