Deep Run Digest 4--2020

Thu, 04/16/2020 - 5:55pm

Dates to Remember

  • April 20            Start of Phase 3 Continuity of Learning
  • April 21            Prekindergarten Orientations
  • April 22            K-5 Orientations
  • April 24            Official End to the 3rd Marking Period
  • April 27            Start of 4th Marking Period
  • Early May         Quarter 3 Report Cards Ready for Viewing

View full calendar

News and Events

Interpretación española

Las familias pueden ver las guías específicas por grado del HCPSS en español, coreano y chino.

Para asistencia con servicios de interpretación, visite la página de Idiomas en el sitio del HCPSS.

Google Meet Directions

Next week on April 21st for prekindergarten, and on April 22nd for K-5, teachers will be holding Virtual Orientations to explain Phase 3 of the Continuity of Learning Plan.  You and your child will be invited to a Google Meet. Here are directions:

Google Meet Directions en Español.mov

Google Meet Directions English.mov

School Psychologist Office Hours

Our school psychologist, Amy Manner, will have daily office hours Monday through Friday from 12:00 - 1:00.  Please use this form to request an appointment:

Amy Manner’s Daily Office Hours 

Services from our School Counselors

Beginning Tuesday, April 14, Mrs. Wohnsigl and Mrs. Fairchild will have office hours every week day from 9:30am-11:30am and then from 12:00pm-1:00pm.  You can schedule an appointment by emailing the counselor assigned to your child's grade.

Grades 1, 2, 3, 5--contact Mrs. Wohnsigl at carolyn_wohnsigl@hcpss.org

Grades K, 4--contact Mrs. Fairchild at sara_fairchild@hcpss.org

Special Video Message to the Community and Other Staff Videos

Click here to view videos made by Deep Run staff.

Are You Receiving Emails and Texts from HCPSS and DRES

It is very important that you receive email updates from DRES and HCPSS. It is especially important now that we are distance learning.   If you are not receiving daily updates from Dr. Martirano via HCPSS news, please update your settings at the link below. Once you've entered your information, please be sure to scroll down to Elementary and select Deep Run Elementary.
HCPSS News Subscription
If you are not receiving text messages from DRES or HCPSS and don't want to miss important information that we send this way, be sure to add your cell phone number to that form as well.  Relatives can also use this link to sign up and receive emails and text messages.

Canvas and Canvas Announcements

Teachers have and will continue to send messages to students using Canvas. Visit
https://www.hcpss.org/connect/faq/#notify to ensure that your child is set up to receive notifications. This page is also a great resource to make sure that you understand Canvas and Synergy.  Parents/guardians unfamiliar with Canvas may find it helpful to review the features in this Canvas Orientation.

Setting Canvas Notifications to receive emails of all Canvas notifications.

GT Instruction During Distance Learning

As part of the elementary distance learning that will begin in the next few weeks, Gifted and Talented Resource teachers will provide optional weekly enrichment activities in which students may engage in lieu of current Curriculum Extension Units (CEU) and Instructional Seminars. In addition, they will continue to provide instruction for students currently in GT Math. We look forward to resuming regular CEU and Seminar instruction in the future.

Internet Access

Comcast has opened free access to its Xfinity WiFi network, making hotspots across the country available to anyone, including non-subscribers, at no cost. Search by zip code or city to find a hotspot near you at wifi.xfinity.com. Comcast is also providing low cost internet access to eligible families through its Comcast Internet Essentials program.

GT Placements

As a result of the decision of Maryland State Superintendent, Dr. Karen Salmon, that all state schools will remain closed until April 24 in response to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, we have shifted several dates related to GT Placement:

  • Families of 3rd grade students who wish to submit a request for a placement review for 4th grade GT Math should email the G/T Resource teacher with this request by April 15. Staff will conduct the review and communicate with families by May 1.

  • If your 3rd Grade child tested into GT Math 4 and you did not send back a signed permission notice for your child to participate in GT Math 4 in the upcoming 2020-2021 School Year, please e-mail permissions as soon as possible to Melissa Bianchi and Kristina LoPresti (GT Resource Teachers).

  • Students who were absent for CogAT testing in December or have entered HCPSS since that time will have an opportunity to take CogAT for potential GT Placement this summer rather than the previously communicated date of May 2. New dates will be determined as soon as possible and communicated to the school community. Students who missed testing will automatically receive an invitation to testing once the dates are finalized.

3rd Quarter Report Cards

Third-quarter grading was previously scheduled to end on April 3. For all students, HCPSS will base third-quarter grades on work assigned on and prior to March 13, the last day schools were in session, as the majority of the quarter had already taken place when schools were closed. The new end to the 3rd quarter is April 24th and the 4th quarter will begin April 27th.  Teachers will be completing report cards and they will be available to parents at the beginning of May. Additional details can be found here.
 
Kindergarten Registration

Parents/guardians of new incoming students and those entering kindergarten in the 2020-2021 school year (who are not already enrolled) are able to begin the enrollment process online, followed by completion of the registration process when schools reopen. Online registration is not required and parents may elect to complete the full registration in person at the time of reopening.

Once school buildings reopen, parents will be contacted to complete the registration at the child’s school. Parents or legal guardians must visit their child’s school and provide proof of parental relationship and any other documents not provided during the online registration process.

Learning Together Program

During this unprecedented time of school closure, we recognize the additional stressors that many of our families are working through. Therefore, HCPSS is waiving the fees for families who have children participating in the Learning Together Program for the month of April.  Families will receive further communication if you paid in advance, and regarding the payments for March, May and June.

2020 Census

Several HCPSS programs rely on funding based on accurate census information, so all families are encouraged to participate in the 2020 census, which may be completed online. Learn more.

Free Grab N Go Meals at Deep Run

Free Grab-N-Go meals are served weekdays from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. to anyone age 18 and under and/or any HCPSS student at Deep Run Elementary. Participants are encouraged to bring bags to carry meals home. Please note that parents/guardians may pick up meals for their children, who do not need to be present. Social distancing is in place during meal distribution.

Supporting Language Needs

Find information on the ways that HCPSS is supporting the language needs of families through in-person and online resources.

Special Education Continuity of Learning

This new webpage provides an overview of special education services for continuity of learning, timeline for service delivery and links to online resources for family use at home.

Student Device Distribution

Devices will be packaged and mailed or delivered by HCPSS staff to families of elementary and middle school students who have requested to borrow them, as well as any high school students who have not yet received a requested device. We are working to ensure that as many students as possible receive their devices in time for the start of distance learning instruction. If delivery delays do occur, teachers will be informed and will be flexible with students during the initial days without a device. Families who will receive devices via mail will be notified by HCPSS Technology staff prior to delivery and provided additional details regarding the shipment.

Parents/guardians who completed the student device survey and have had a change in needs should fill out a new survey, indicating any applicable changes.

HCPSS will continue to adapt to this evolving situation, and appreciates the continued patience of families and staff as we work to implement a thoughtful approach to distance learning.

Deep Run Yearbook Orders

Don’t forget to order your yearbook! Since we are unable to collect paper order forms at this time, yearbooks must be ordered online. The cost is $15 each. Go to: https://www.strawbridge.net/ and type in the code: YB108429 to order yours. Deadline for orders is May 1st.

No olvides ordenar tu anuario. Puedes ordenar en línia: https://www.strawbridge.net/. Usa el código: YB108429. Cuesta $15 dolares. El último día para ordenar es el 15 de mayo.

SECAC Awards

The Special Education Citizens Advisory Council (SECAC) annual awards  have been postponed until October.  Families can continue to nominate their child's fabulous educators, related service providers, administrators, inclusive programs and student leaders at  https://forms.gle/DD6phamcmPhGxzU79

Class Photos/Yearbooks
Class Photos/Yearbooks will be delivered to the school once it reopens. If parents request to speak to Strawbridge regarding current orders or would still like to order a class photo or yearbook, please contact Customer Service at 866-624-6229 or cservice@strawbridge.net

Pop-Up Food Pantry in the Long Reach Village Center

Every day from April 19-May 3 from 6pm -8pm.  Coordinated by the Indian Origin Network of Howard County.  Days and times are subject to change so call 410-340-0529.  "Take all you need, and donate what you don't need."