THE HALETHORPE ELEMENTARY

THE HALETHORPE ELEMENTARY

A publication of the Baltimore County Public School District

4300 Maple Avenue ( Halethorpe, Maryland 21227 ( (410) 887-1406 – phone ( (410) 887-7407 – fax

Jill A. Carter, Principal

Amy Salkauskas, Assistant Principal

April, 2014

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I am very excited to share information about Baltimore County’s new initiative called the BCPS Parent University! The BCPS Parent University is a new and exciting way to educate and empower families. Baltimore County recognizes the importance of having a strong partnership with all stakeholders, especially families. This new initiative will provide assistance for families and parents as we promote student achievement. The Parent University will provide centralized access to resources designed to help empower families to prepare their children to become globally competitive graduates. More information about the Parent University may be found by one of the means below.

· Call 410-887-0365

· Online www.bcps.org/ParentU

· Email parent@bcps.org

Next year, our school will receive additional funds called Title One. The funds are designed to provide support and level the playing field for students from economically challenged backgrounds. One of the benefits of the Title One Program is that our school will have a new position called, Parent Service Coordinator. The position pays $17.60 an hour. Duties include organizing events to increase parental involvement, serving as a liaison between school and the community, and attending planning meetings. Interviews will be arranged shortly after spring break. If you are interested in this position, please call the school to get a copy of the detailed job description.

Have an absolutely wonderful spring break! As always, feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Jill A. Carter

Principal

C A L E N D A R

Need to quickly find the date of the next school closing, activity or event? Find the information you need in the Baltimore County Public School Information Calendar or the “Dates to Remember” section found each week in the “Monday Message” which is distributed by your child’s teacher.

April 10

Report Cards Distributed

April 14-21

SCHOOL CLOSED – Spring Break

April 22

School Reopens

April 23

Market Day – Paper orders due to school

April 23

Chick-fil-A Night, 5:00-8:00 p.m.!

April 23

Southwest Area Education Advisory Council – 7:00 p.m.,

Location: Dogwood Elementary School

Topic: Legislator Meet and Greet

April 24

Market Day – INTERNET orders must be submitted by 11:00 p.m.

April 25

Spelling Bee begins

April 25

5th Grade Panoramic Picture

April 29

Lifetouch Spring Picture Day

April 29

Clothing Giveaway

April 30

Market Day Pick-Up – 5:00-6:00 p.m.

May 7

Citizens Advisory Committee for Gifted and Talented Education – 7 p.m.

Topic: Dr. Jeanne Paynter, Specialist, Gifted and Talented Education,

Maryland State Department of Education

Location: E Building, Room 114, at bottom of hill at 6901 N. Charles St.,

Towson, MD 21204 Time: 7 p.m.

SAFETY PLAN REMINDER

We continue to have fire drills, severe weather drills, and lockdown drills to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Please remember, in the event of an emergency, it is essential that we have correct emergency information for all students. If you have recently moved or have a new home phone or cell phone number, please submit this information to Mrs. Batchellor or Mrs. Simmonds in our school office.

COUNSELOR’S CORNER

Good Sportsmanship

Now that spring is here and many of our students are participating in team sports, I thought it would be a good idea to remind parents about the importance of good sportsmanship. Good sportsmanship occurs when teammates, opponents, coaches, and officials treat each other with respect. Kids learn the basics of sportsmanship from the adults in their lives, especially their parents and coaches. Your behavior during practices and games will influence them more than any pep talk or lecture you give them. Kids who bully or taunt others on the playing field aren’t likely to change their behavior when in the classroom or social situations. In the same way, a child who practices good sportsmanship is likely to carry the respect and appreciation of other people into every other aspect of life. Here are some suggestions on how to build sportsmanship in your kids:

1. Remember that it’s your kids, not you, who are playing. Don’t push them into a sport because it’s what you enjoyed.

2. If you are your child’s coach, don’t be harder on him or her than on anyone else on the team, but don’t play favorites either.

3. If you are not coaching, remember that you are the parent. Shout words of encouragement, not directions, from the sidelines.

4. Keep your comments positive. Don’t bad-mouth coaches, players, or game officials. If you have a serious concern, discuss it privately with the coach or with the league official.

5. After a competition, it’s important not to dwell on who won or lost.

6. Applaud good plays no matter who makes them.

7. Set a good example with your courteous behavior toward the parents of kids on the other team. Congratulate them when their kids win.

8. Keep your perspective. It’s just a game. Even if the team loses every game of the season, it’s unlikely to ruin your child’s life or chances of success.

9. Look for examples of good sportsmanship in professional athletes and point them out to your kids. Talk about the bad examples, too, and why they upset you.

10. Don’t forget to have fun. Even if your child isn’t the star, enjoy the game while you’re thinking of all the benefits your child is gaining-new skills, and attitudes that can help all through life.

This month’s “TA-DA’s”

March Madness: Students and teachers participated in this month’s activities by wearing college gear, discussing the advantages of going to college, and the importance of setting goals.

This month’s “What to look for”

Clothing and Shoe Giveaway: April 29th – Free clothing, shoes, and household items

--Mrs. Vernier, School Counselor

HEALTH TIPS FROM THE HEALTH ROOM

Rhinitis and Sinusitis

Almost everyone knows what it feels like to have a runny, stuffed-up nose at times. Often these symptoms are accompanied by a headache in the area around the eyes, nose and temples. People with allergies are especially prone to these symptoms. They are signs of rhinitis and sinusitis, two very common medical problems. It is estimated that up to 40 million American adults and children have one or both of these conditions.

Although not life-threatening, rhinitis and sinusitis can make you miserable. At their worst, they can keep you from functioning normally, and may lead to life-threatening complications. Fortunately, there are things you can do to prevent these problems. And effective treatments exist when these symptoms do arise. If you have allergies, you are more likely to develop rhinitis or sinusitis than are persons without allergies. This makes it even more important to keep your allergies under control and to prevent rhinitis and sinusitis from occurring.

What Is Rhinitis? The word rhinitis means simply "inflammation of the nose." The nose normally produces a fluid called mucus. This fluid is normally thin and clear. It helps to keep dust, debris and allergens out of the lungs. Mucus traps particles like dust and pollen as well as bacteria and viruses. Allergic rhinitis. Rhinitis caused by an allergic reaction may be either seasonal—occurring only at certain times of the year—or perennial—occurring year round. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is sometimes called "hay fever. Non-allergic rhinitis. Sometimes perennial rhinitis is not caused by allergic triggers. It may be caused by overuse of topical nose sprays, hormonal changes, structural abnormalities of the nose (such as septal deviation), and occasionally by medications. Infectious rhinitis. Perhaps the most common form of rhinitis, infectious rhinitis is also known as the common cold. It is caused by infection with a cold virus that takes up residence in the mucous membranes of the nose and sinus cavities.

What Is Sinusitis? Sinusitis is an infection or inflammation of the sinuses. A sinus is simply a hollow space. There are many sinuses in the body, including four pairs inside the skull. These are called the paranasal sinuses. When the tissue inside the sinuses becomes inflamed, mucus discharge is increased. When the tissue inside the sinuses becomes inflamed, mucus discharge is increased. Over time, air trapped inside the swollen sinuses can create painful pressure inside the head. This is what is known as a "sinus headache."

When a sinus infection results from blocked sinuses, you can experience symptoms ranging from: drainage of a thick, yellow or greenish discharge from the nose or down the back of the throat; nasal obstruction or congestion; tenderness and swelling around the eyes, cheeks, nose and forehead; and/or a reduced sense of smell and taste. This resulting sinusitis can be classified into two types: Acute sinusitis. This temporary inflammation of the sinuses is known as acute sinusitis. During acute sinusitis the mucous membranes of your nose, sinuses and throat become inflamed, possibly from a pre-existing cold or allergies. Swelling obstructs the sinus openings and prevents normal mucus drainage, causing mucus and pressure to build up. Chronic sinusitis. When symptoms become more frequent or persistent, sinus infections may cause chronic sinus inflammation and symptoms. If you have more than three sinus infections in a year or experience symptoms for longer than 12 weeks you could have chronic sinusitis. More than 50 percent of persons with moderate to severe asthma also have chronic sinusitis.

To the extent possible, avoid exposure to the things that trigger your allergies. Keep cigarette smoke out of your home and avoid it in other places as much as possible. Most important, keep your doctor informed of your symptoms. Together you can devise a plan of action to take before a minor case of rhinitis or sinusitis turns into a bigger health problem.

SOURCE: This information should not substitute for seeking responsible, professional medical care. First created 1995; fully updated 1998; most recently updated 2005. © Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) Editorial Board

**Please see the flyer, Spring Has Sprung. . .A Season of Allergies, in this month Beeline.**

--Mrs. Wells, R.N., School Nurse

APPLICATION FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICES

Six years ago, Baltimore County Public Schools adopted a new policy in order to ensure the safety of our children. All volunteers must complete a new Application for Volunteer Services each year. The school will do a background check in order for volunteers to be in the classroom, in the building, or to chaperone a field trip. Please make sure you send in a completed form for yourself, your spouse, a grandparent, etc. so that all can continue to volunteer. Every volunteer and chaperone must have completed a new application and be cleared for volunteering. Applications are available NOW! Please do not wait to return your application to the school.

VOLUNTEER TRAINING WORKSHOP

All persons wishing to volunteer in the classroom, in the building, or to chaperone a field trip MUST complete the BCPS Online Volunteer Orientation, which can now be completed on your home computer.

The following instructions will direct you to the online training:

· Go to the BCPS website: www.bcps.org

· Click the COMMUNITY tab

· On the drop-down menu, click on Volunteer with BCPS

· In the “Get Involved” box on the right side of the screen, click BCPS Online Volunteer Orientation

· Complete each section

· Print out the certificate of completion. The printed certificate must be brought to the school as proof you have finished the training at home.

PLEASE DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE DAY OF YOUR CHILD’S FIELD TRIP TO REQUEST TRAINING.

TRAINING MUST BE COMPLETED ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE TRIP.

REQUEST FOR SPECIAL TRANSFER

We wish to inform Halethorpe Elementary parents/guardians and members of the community who would be interested in the Baltimore County Public Schools Application for Special Transfer Form. The Application for Special Transfer must be completed and submitted to the requested school between April 1, 2014 and June 1, 2014, for the 2014-2015 school year. Parents interested in the transfer process must stop by the school office to pick up a form. They are NOT sent to parents.

EARLY KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

Our Kindergarten Round-up Registration will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, by appointment only, for the 2014-2015 school year. Under Maryland law, children may be registered for the Kindergarten program

if their birthdates are in the range of: September 2, 2008 to September 1, 2009. Please call the school office to place your name on the list for an appointment. Approximately 2 weeks in advance of the registration day, a registration packet will be sent to parents who have called the school to request appointments.

Please Note: Kindergarten is mandatory in the State of Maryland. Please call the school office to request a registration packet.

PREKINDERGARTEN SCREENING

On Thursday, May 1, Friday, May 2, and Thursday, May 8, 2014, Halethorpe Elementary will hold the Prekindergarten Screening for the 2014-2015 school year. Under Maryland law, children may enter the Prekindergarten program if their birthdates are in the range of: September 2, 2009 to September 1, 2010.

Prekindergarten screening is done by APPOINTMENT ONLY!

Approximately 2 weeks in advance of the screening, an informational packet will be sent to parents who have called the school to request appointments for screening. Please call the school office to have your child’s name placed on the screening list. Appointment times fill quickly!

EARLY CHILDHOOD 3’S PROGRAM

In the 2014-2015 school year, Halethorpe Elementary will have an Early Childhood 3’s (3 year old) program. There will only be 5 children accepted into this program. Baltimore County Public School guidelines only allow us to accept up to 5 children for this program. Children may enter the Early Childhood 3’s program if their birthdates are in the range of: September 2, 2010 to September 1, 2011.

If you live in the Halethorpe school zone and your child’s birthdate falls into the range indicated above, please contact the school to receive a registration packet.

Science Section

For this issue, the science focus word is engineer. An engineer is someone who invents, designs, and builds things that matter. There are many different types of engineers. A civil engineer may design bridges, dams, or road structures. An aeronautical engineer works with things that fly and tries to make them better. Engineers use scientific ideas and math skills when designing their products. Challenge your inner engineer with some of the activities below.

Activities to try at home:

· Anyone: Some engineers work to protect people. What material might work best for a helmet to protect your brain? Make a water balloon and pretend it’s a brain. Make a helmet for your water balloon out of anything you can think of – Styrofoam, fabric, tissue, egg cartons, bubble wrap, plastic bags, the possibilities are endless. Keep one part of your balloon uncovered. Go outside and throw your balloon against a wall or drop it on the sidewalk. Which material works the best to keep the balloon safe?

· Anyone: Build a bridge or a tower out of household materials (spaghetti, toothpicks, straws, gum drops, marshmallows, Legos®, etc.). Which shape works best – circle, triangle, rectangle, hexagon? Why do you think this is?

· Anyone: Use materials from around your home to build a boat. Try using empty plastic water bottles, aluminum foil, cardboard from cereal boxes, toilet paper rolls, or anything! Can you move it across the sink without pushing?

· Anyone: Build a boat using aluminum foil. How many pennies (or paper clips) can it hold before it sinks? Try making your foil boat a different shape and see which shape works best.

· Intermediate: Build your own cooler. Use a shoebox, waxed paper, masking tape, newspaper, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and rubber bands to design a box (cooler) that would keep an ice cube from melting. Then try it! Place one ice cube inside your cooler box and another ice cube outside the box to compare. Which one melts first? If your box didn’t work well the first time, try it again!

· Intermediate: Watch this video clip to see an engineer at work. http://pbskids.org/dragonflytv/scientists/scientist27.html

· Anyone: Field Trip: Visit the Baltimore Museum of Industry to discover more about technologies and inventions that changed our world.

Remember: Always think and question!

*Most ideas taken from PBS Kids Zoom at http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/sci/

Please join us on Tuesday, April 8th from 6-8 p.m. for our STEM Fair. Check out the display boards of our budding scientists, participate in some engineering challenges, and enjoy a presentation by Club Scientific.

SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS NEEDED

A message from Janet Teter, Senior Operations Supervisor, Transportation, Southwest Area: The Southwest area is experiencing a severe bus driver shortage.  The situation is exasperated by drivers on long term leave and those calling in day to day.  Unfortunately, this may impact the service that we offer to our schools and families.  The Office of Transportation in conjunction with Human Resources is working diligently to recruit and train new drivers but that will not help us in the near future.  We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause. Most drivers come from the community. The telephone number for the training depot is 410-887-1898.

HES FUNDRAISING

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Chick-fil-A Night will be

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

from 5:00-8:00 p.m.

(For the school to get credit for your purchase, please remember to tell the cashier you are there for the Halethorpe fundraiser!)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

POP TABS

We collect pop tabs from aluminum beverage cans to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. For the past eight years, we have been able to send the Ronald McDonald House a check in the amount of $50 or more! Please continue to deposit them in the collection bin in the school lobby.

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION and CAMPBELL’S LABELS – ALL FOR EDUCATION!

Our April Showers Bring May Flowers sheet asks you to fill the raindrops with Box Tops for Education! Please have fun completing the box tops on this sheet! If you need another sheet, please let us know! Thank you for your continued support.

--Mrs. Simmonds, Coordinator

GIANT A+ BONUS BUCKS

The program ended on March 29, 2014. Our final total for was $422.24 with 13 bonus cards registered. Thank you for your participation in this program.

“BEE” INFORMED

SUPER BABYSITTER CLASS: The next class is being held at St. Agnes Hospital on Saturday, April 12, 2014. This course is designed for youth 11 and 12 years old who are interested in working as Mother’s helpers as well as those 13 years and older who will be babysitting on their own. This course is designed to prepare students to become responsible sitters capable of taking care of infants, toddlers and older children. They learn what questions to ask parents, how to give first aid and what to do in an emergency. Registration is required and limited. To register, please call, 1-866-690-9355. The cost is $35. Payment must be received 2 weeks in advance of the class in order to hold your reservation.

THANKS A “BUZZILLION”

. . . for your generous contribution to our school during the 2013-2014 school year. Our thanks go out to our contributors:

· Mr. Harry McCrory for the $50 donation to our school.

· Mr. Daniel Simons and Mrs. Heather Brown-Simons of Hubbard Funeral Home, Inc. for bookbags filled with supplies.

· St. Stephen Lutheran Church for school supplies.

· Holy Nativity Church for school supplies.

BEE-A-WINNER

Congratulations to Lindsey Sparrow, and her parent, for helping her be our March winner in the “BEE” A Winner drawing. We thank the 8 students and parents who returned their tear-off to school. See the tear-off in this issue for your chance to be April’s “BEE” A WINNER.

Attachments to this newsletter:

1. Flyer: Spring has Sprung. . .A Season of Allergies

2. Our Business Advertisers

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

“BEE” A WINNER!

Read the Beeline with your child, BEE Informed and BEE a Winner by returning this tear-off on or before April 30th. One lucky student will receive a coupon to receive 3 ice cream treats from our cafeteria!

Student Name: __________________________________________ Teacher: __________________________

Parent’s Signature **: __________________________________________________________________________

**Not valid without parent signature.

Halethorpe Elementary BEELINEApril, 2014Page | 1