crofton woods elementary newsletter school year 21 22
TRANSCRIPT
Principal: Mrs. R. Lynn Birus [email protected]
Asst. Principal:
Dr. Catherine Martino [email protected]
410-222-5805
410-721-1054
School Website
Vision Statement
Crofton Woods
Elementary is a
respectful, responsible
community providing
engaging experiences
and inspiring tomorrow’s
leaders to discover,
integrate, and grow.
School Year 21-22 September 2021 Crofton Woods Elementary Newsletter
Hello Crofton Woods Families!
We are so excited, and we are all getting ready to “blast off” into another school year! While we
still may face many challenges, this school year is going to be amazing! Our theme this year is:
Learning Has No Limits! That is true in so many ways! Our boys and girls are certainly limitless
in their abilities, and they prove to us every day that they are rarin’ to go and ready to let their
learning take off!
The question is how do we approach this school year with energy for whatever we encounter?
How do we keep propelling forward when we don’t always see the end in sight? The answer is
already in us. Our teachers continue to be fueled by our love of children and our deep sense of
purpose. What we do matters. We resolve to remember that despite facing extraordinary issues,
we really have no limits on what we ourselves, and more importantly, our children can do. If
nothing else, we have already proven that point again and again. The possibilities really are
unlimited.
So we will buckle up, set a course and take off! We will continue to fulfil our mission of helping kids
to Discover, Integrate and Grow. We will renew our thinking and re-refine our teaching, and have
some fun doing it! This year is going to be a blast!
Speaking of a blast, several staff members have taken off to other places they wanted to go while
others have landed right here in the home of the Woodchuck! First off is our newest co-pilot! We
are so excited to have Dr. Catie Martino on board! She’s already been suiting up for a great year
at The Woods and has met many of you. She is fired up and raring to go! She will join me, Mrs.
R. Lynn Birus, Principal, in the cockpit!
The building is ready to be the learning launch pad thanks to Mr. Jones and his crew. We are so
appreciative of him, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Rodriguez, and Ms. Stubbs! We know that a clean and
organized building makes a huge difference and really can ignite creativity!
We have quite a few new folks who are coming to have a big impact on our students alongside
with us! Fifth grade has added a 6th crew member! Mrs. Ort makes us 6 teachers to go! She
joins Mrs. Trish Kerner, Ms. Jessica Beamon, Mrs. Josalyn Brown, Mrs. Erin Anderson and Mrs.
Elaina Baden.
Fourth grade had a lot of movement going on as we welcome Mrs. Katherine Roth to the team
who will be connecting to Mrs. Caitlin Adams, moving up to the 4th grade team, with Ms. Mary
Milligan, Mrs. Amal Houck, and Ms. Chelsea Miller!
(continued…)
Third grade will get a big boost from Mrs. Amber Rhodes as she tops out the 3rd grade world with Mrs. Carolyn Haroth, Ms. Megan
Federline, Ms Holly Romans and Mrs. Sara Kyser!
Second grade continues as the “Two Crew” with Mrs. Julie LaPlaunt, Mrs. Becky West, Mrs. Debbie Chiodi, Mrs. Candace Schroen and
Mrs. Lisa Hart. They will be ready to count down to go time!
The first-grade team is still orbiting nicely together with Mrs. Ashley Butters, Ms. Kristen Elder, Ms. Kathy Walker, Mrs. Amy Eisenbeiser
and Mrs. Sandy Oravec.
The Kindergarten team is out of this world with Mrs. Margie Schuetz, Mr. Dean Borowsky, Mrs. Patricia Crawford, Mrs. Aubree
Campolongo, Mrs. Chris Ogden and Ms. Sarah McNeice. Staying in their solar system are the awesome K assistants, Mrs. Lauri Bell
and Mrs. Cassidy Fuentes.
Our Special Ed group is in mid-flight with Mrs. Gena Batchelder, Mrs. Elaine Macaso and now Mrs. Shelley Ziegler who landed safely
with the team. Mrs. Lauren Johnson will continue to be our SLP (Speech & Language Pathologist) and she will keep our speech kids
grounded. Mrs. Linda Poore will continue to be our astronomical Occupational Therapist. Our Special Ed teaching assistants, Mrs. Julie
White and Ms. Jaleesa Ennis continue to shine.
We have new support in cultural arts this year. In the music galaxy, along with Mr. Scott Hughes, we have Mrs. Leah Miller teaching
music, Dr, Diana Curtis with our Strings students, and Mr. Lee Nicholas orchestrating the Band. Our PE team is eclipses all others with
Mr. Nick Seitler and Mr. Chris Hersl in command. In Art, we have Ms. Sammy Lerch taking the lead as we open the hatch for Ms. Liz
Milligan as the part time Art person.
The media center will have a new constellation shining in welcoming Mrs. Angelique Jones and Mrs. Christina Marquez with Ms. Kathy
Braatz continuing to be our media assistant.
The health room Mrs. Laura Keimig RN, School Nurse will be in the sick bay and join Mrs. Mary Quick as the health assistant!
Speaking of out of this world, we love our tech Mrs. Janet Schmermund!!!! She’s back again to keep us operational. Our cafeteria team
will keep making a big bang with Mrs. Elizabeth Hawk and Mrs. Linda Knight.
The best support team on the planet will continue to be Mrs. Angie Martin and Mrs. Abike Anoka as school counselors, Mrs. Kristen
Cullen as our psychologist, Mrs. Sharon Green and Mrs. Joanna Bibeault as our rocket ready reading
teachers, Mrs. Laura Melendez as our ESOL teacher and Mr. Michael Roberts who will continue to be
our PPW and really explore worlds unknow!
And of course, mentioned last but always first, our Mission Control is manned, as always, with Mrs. Nila
Brown, Mrs. Erika Cornett and Mrs. Cindy Hall.
This year is going to start out with a big bang that will bring the learning of our kids to infinity and
beyond! So strap in, check your instrumentation and enjoy the ride!
P rincipal Birus
AACPS buildings and offices will be open for
business from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through
Friday, though public interactions will be by
appointment only.
September 2 Kindergarten Orientation
10am Kindergarten Sneak a
Peek11am
New Student Orientation 1pm
Gr. 1-5 Sneak a Peek
2pm
September 8 Schools Open for grades
1-5
September 8 & 9 Kindergarten Conferences
September 10, 13, & 14 Kindergarten Staggered
Opening
September 14 Back to School Night -
6:30 pm
September 16 Schools Closed - Yom
Kippur
September 20 Chick Fil A Spirt Night
Hello parents and guardians!
The new school year is here, and we are
happy to see our students in person! We
are here to help you and your child(ren)
through the transition back to school and throughout the year.
As we start back, you can help make it a successful year by
setting the stage for learning. Share these three R’s with your
child: Readiness, Routines, and Responsibility.
Readiness: Ensure that your child goes to school ready to
learn every day:
Speak positively to your child about school and teachers.
Your attitude toward learning will send a powerful message
to your youngster.
See to it that your child gets at least 8 hours of sleep and a
nutritious breakfast so he’ll feel rested and alert.
Routines: Develop simple routines for smooth, stress-free
mornings:
Help your child pick an outfit and pack a lunch in the
evening.
Together, create a regular morning routine.
Responsibility: Teach your youngster responsibility by
helping her/him get organized:
Make sure your child writes down assignments and due
dates. You can show a younger child how to mark dates on
a calendar so you can both keep track of when
assignments are due.
Suggest that your child tuck permission slips and notices of
special events into an envelope so they don’t get lost.
We look forward to getting to know you and your child and
we wish everyone a happy and healthy school year!
Your School Counselors,
Mrs. Anoka and Mrs. Martin
October 4 PTA Meeting - 6:30
October 20
2 Hour early dismissal
October 21 2 Hour early dismissal
Parent Teacher Conferences
November 11 & 12
End of 1st marking period 2 Hour early dismissal
November 22
2 Hour late arrival Parent Teacher Conferences
November 23
2 Hour early dismissal Parent Teacher Conferences
November 24 - 26
School Closed
AACPS Calendar
September 14th
6:30 pm
PowerSchool Parent Portal is a powerful, easy-to-use,
secure communication tool connecting parents/
guardians and schools.
Using the PowerSchool student information system,
the Parent Portal allows collaboration to improve
student achievement.
Online access to student schedules, assignments,
class grades and attendance information makes it
easier for parents to monitor progress of students, in
grades 1 through 12, in real time.
Brightspace for Parents!
Brightspace is a learning platform that teachers and parents will use to connect to student
learning! Learn more about it by following the link below!
https://www.aacps.org/brightspaceforfamilies
Please adhere to the BOE policy, for the safety of our students
and those who are dropping off and picking up students before
and after school,
DO NOT BRING DOGS ONTO SCHOOL PROPERTY!
Although a dog may be loving and friendly to its owners and
family members, it can easily turn against strangers and is a
liability issue for you, as well as a “clean up” issue too. Pets can
remain in the car with adult supervision.
Thank you for you cooperation!
School Hours
Doors open at 8:50
Instruction begins at 9:05am
Dismissal begins at 3:30pm
Please call the office in the morning if your child will be absent or late to school.
410-222-5805 or 410-721-1054
Face Coverings in School
All persons in school facilities must wear a cloth face covering in accordance with applicable state and local mandates, except when eating meals. Face coverings are recommended to be worn at the bus stop and are required to be worn on the bus.
Choose face coverings with breathable material that fit snugly, but comfortably over the nose and mouth.
Neck gaiter and other similar products are not acceptable as cloth face coverings. • Label your child’s face covering.
Indoors, all students and staff – regardless of age or vaccination status – will be masked except in limited circumstances. More information can be found at www.aacps.org/fall2021.
Face coverings must be worn over the nose and mouth and securely around the face.
Arrival Procedures: **Arrive between 8:50-9:00… no early students please!
Walkers:
Walkers in Grades K, 2, and 3 will enter under the awning by the media center (see signs for each grade)
Students in Grade 1 will enter through the front main entrance.
Students in Grade 4 and 5 will line up by the fifth-grade hallway entrance in the front of the school.
Students must follow the signs and utilize the dots … on the ground.
Parents cannot stay with students in line and should say a fond goodbye and leave the area as quickly as possible.
Car Riders:
Please drop off in the car rider lane only (side parking lot)
Car riders must use the Student Drop Off area.
All students should exit the car on the passenger side only.
Please do NOT park on the Parkway and walk students up.
Adults do NOT need to get out of the car, a staff member will open the doors for your child.
Keep the sign that will be provided visible on the visor of the passenger side.
Have your child ready to get out.
Dismissal Procedures: • For safety purposes we dismiss students in the following order:
1. Car Riders 2. Bus Riders 3. Walkers
Car Riders: “car riders” are only those students whose parents are in the car rider line in the car, waiting to pull forward.
Parents who are out of their car and not in the Car Rider line will NOT be permitted to take their child from the car rider area.
Whomever is picking up the student must put the special sign (provided) on the visor of the passenger side of the car
Pull forward as far as you can to allow for unloading and loading multiple kids.
walkers are dismissed only when the car rider lines are clear and most busses are off the
lot*.
*NOTE: The first few weeks will take longer than usual but the dismissal time will reduce as
we continue with the year.
Newly Returning Students: Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Each year, school children have accidents. Medical costs can be expensive, and unexpected bills can cause hardships. Even if you have other insurance, it is often not enough as coverage can require high deductibles or co- insurance payments.
Anne Arundel County Public Schools does not purchase blanket accidental medical or dental insurance for sports, school sponsored activities, or student activity while school is in session. However, we have made arrangements with Bob McCloskey Insurance. to offer acci-dent coverage to all enrolled students at a modest premium. Through this program, parents/guardians have the opportunity to purchase this pro-tection for their child.
Some of the advantages of this insurance include:
At-School Student Accident Coverage: This provides insurance for the hours and days when school is in session and while students are attending school sponsored and supervised activities on or off school premises. Coverage is provided during:
The school day, on school premises, while school is in session.
Direct and uninterrupted travel to and from home and scheduled classes.
School sponsored and supervised sports (excluding high school football).
Travel to and from school sponsored and supervised sports while in school approved vehicle.
Once effective, coverage continues until the earlier date where the enrolled students coverage has been in place for twelve
months or the first day of the next school year.
Around the Clock - 24-hour Accident coverage: This provides insurance coverage around-the-clock, anywhere in the world. Cover-age is provided:
Before, during and after school.
Weekends, vacation and all summer including summer school.
School sponsored and extracurricular sports (excluding high school football).
Once effective, coverage continues until the earlier date where the enrolled students coverage has been in place for twelve
months or the first day of the next school year.
All coverage becomes effective on the date that the completed application and premium are received by
Bob McCloskey Insurance. or online enrollment is completed.
YOU CAN APPLY AND PAY ON-LINE AT: www.bobmccloskey.com/K12Voluntary and click the “Enroll Online” start button. You have a choice of different benefit schedules.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Bob McCloskey Insurance. at (800) 445-3126. Their representatives are available to assist you
in your inquiries or go to www.bobmccloskey.com/K12Vol
TO ALL PARENTS/GUARDIANS OF
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS
C W E S