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

December 14, 2007

DECEMBER 24th – JANUARY 1st SCHOOLS CLOSED – WINTER BREAK

January 8 PTA Family Night – Chicken Out (Dobbin Center) 4pm-9pm

January 10 Fire Truck Ride Drawing

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 30 Report Cards issued

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 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. 

ATTENTION NEW HES VOLUNTEER PROCEDURES!
Attention all HES Volunteers! We have new procedures in place for volunteering. When you arrive at HES to volunteer please stop by the front office to pick up your name badge. These badges are to be worn while you are at HES and are to be returned to the office for safekeeping until your next volunteer day. You must have completed the training course with Mr. Vanisko to receive your badge. Thank you for volunteering!

URGENT HEALTH ROOM IN NEED OF CLOTHING
The Health Room is in urgent need of clothing for students that require an emergency change of clothing. 
We need all sizes and items, shirts, socks and especially pants along with gently used undergarments. Please send in to the health room. Thank you for your donation!

FROM THE ART DEPARTMENT
We proudly congratulate Sophie Bell, Lauren DeLong, Thomas Hong and Eli Kohn. All of these students have artwork in the art exhibit “Tempest in a Teapot” at the Department of Education Gallery, 10910 Route 108, Ellicott City. The Gallery is open Monday-Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm. Great job students!
We would also like to celebrate the following students that have tree ornaments on view for the month of December at the 2007 Maryland State House Holiday Tree: Samantha Bell, Kevin Obler, Jaclyn Littman, Dalton Kleinhen, Madhu Vemulakonda, Samantha Schrickel, Victoria Ashley and Katie Krutz. Students, their families and teachers are invitied to a reception Sunday, December 16th from 12pm – 1pm at the State House and to the public open house at Government House immediately afterward until 4 pm. Congratulations students!

FROM THE GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT
Developmental Assets: DECEMBER
During the holiday season, each grade organizes a Service Project to include the children in the spirit of giving. Letters will be going home explaining the Service Project with which your child will be helping. The Asset reflected in these Service Projects is “Empowerment.” Being of service to others – no matter how small one may be – helps give children a sense of being useful and powerful in the world.

Here are some things you can try at home to help empower your child:
* Give children appropriate and important responsibilities within the family. 
Clearing the table after dinner or feeding a family pet are good jobs for young children.
* Teach children how to be safe wherever they go. 

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. The second drawing will take place on January 10th. The winners will be picked up at their home, arrive at school and be greeted by HES students! Our second ride is scheduled for Monday, January 14th.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

Don’t “Chicken Out”, Please Come Join Us
Save the date and mark your calendars for our newest HES PTA Family Night venue at Chicken Out Rotisserie on Tuesday, January 8th. We are encouraging the entire Hammond community to join us. Bring your family and friends between 4pm and 9pm. Chicken Out Rotisserie offers an extensive menu featuring Springer Farms Free Farmed Certified Chicken, homemade chicken pot pie, wraps/sandwiches, a host of tasty side dishes and appetizing desserts. Chicken Out Rotisserie will donate between 15 - 20% of total sales to the Hammond PTA. The restaurant is located at Columbia Crossing Shopping Center, across from Toys-R-Us near the intersection of Dobbin Road and Route 175. Look for the “Family Night” flyers coming home soon. See you there and spread the word!  Click here for a flyer to take with you!

Sally Foster 25% off Sale!!
Sally Foster gift wrap and bags are now 25% off! Please call Jill Scanlon @ 240-295-0634, for your gift wrap needs!

Attention Parent Volunteers!
We are starting to prepare our volunteer schedules for the second half of the school year. Please contact your grade level volunteer coordinator if you have any adjustments to your current volunteer availability (i.e., change in days/times). New parents who would like to be added to the upcoming schedule should contact Rae Ann Kaylie at raeann1@comcast.net. The new schedule will be completed after Winter Break, so please advise us of changes by January7th. Thank you! 

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