Deep Run Digest 2-19-2021

Thu, 02/18/2021 - 8:08pm

Important Dates

February 19    Breakfast and a Book K-2 and 3-5  Save the Date!

February 19    Kindness Week--Pajama Day Today

February 22   Healthy School Environment Week

February 24   PTA Restaurant Night at Red Robin 4-8 pm

February 24   Parent Connect Session 6:30 pm

February 25    Early Dismissal 12:45

February 26   Early Dismissal 12:45

February 26   Spirit Day--wear Deep Run Spirit Wear or Blue/White

March 1          Hybrid and Virtual Learning--New Schedules Begin 9:45

March 10        Parent Connect Session 6:30 pm

March 15        Virtual Book Fair Opens

News 

Breakfast and a Book on February 19th for K-5

Join us for our next Breakfast and a Book book club on February 19th.  We are very pleased to include our K-2 students this month, as well as students in 3-5.  We will be reading/listening to Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson.  This will be a great way to wrap up Deep Run's Kindness Week!  Read and listen to the book at:  https://rb.gy/jygfst.

Click here to view the poster.

Join us on February 19th at 8:30.  Join the Google Meet Code for your grade:

Kindergarten:  BandB K

Grade 1:  BandB1

Grade 2:  BandB 2

Grade 3:  BandB 3

Grade 4:  BandB 4

Grade 5:  BandB 5

Blacktastic:  A Children's Festival of Black History and Culture from Young Audiences/Arts for Learning--FREE
 
Deep Run Elementary and the PTA have a long tradition of working with Young Audiences/Arts for Learning to bring amazing artists to school to work with our Rangers.  On Thursday, February 25th, Young Audiences/Arts for Learning is offering a FREE day-long virtual festival: Blacktastic: A Children’s Festival of Black History & Culture! 
 
This FREE, day-long virtual festival will feature some of Young Audiences’ amazing teaching artists delivering eight enriching workshops and performances - tailored to all grade levels - that will bring inspiration and arts integration to your students’ learning.  From 9:30 am to 2:00 pm, master teaching artists will use artforms like dancing, hip-hop, writing, and poetry to inspire student learning and celebrate Black culture.
 
The schedule includes programs such as the History of Hip-Hop, Rhythm-Rhyme-and Poetry, and even a Frederick Douglass Writing Club.  Teachers at Deep Run may register their classs to view one of the performances prior to the early dismissal at 12:45.  Parents are welcome to register so their child can view the events taking place in the afternoon:  https://www.yamd.org/blacktastic/#calendar 
 
Parent Connect Session #1: Changes to the Learning Schedule and Returning to the Building for Group E on March 1st

Wednesday, February 24th, 2021

6:30 pm-7:30 pm

Code: DRESConnect

Log in using your child’s HCPSS Account.

Join the DRES Administration to learn more about our Hybrid instruction and return to the building for students in Group E on March 1st.  The most up-to-date plans and safety precautions will be shared, as well as the new learning schedule.  We will also share logistics for students returning to the building 5 days a week starting March 1st.  While we will focus on logistics for students returning to the building, all families are welcome to attend.

Parent Connect Session #2: Hybrid Instruction for A-Day, B-Day, and Fully Virtual Students

Wednesday, March 10th, 2021

6:30 pm-7:30 pm

Code: DRESConnect

Log in using your child’s HCPSS Account.

Join the DRES Administration to learn more about our Hybrid instruction and the return to the building for students in March (PreK-5).  The most up-to-date plans and safety precautions will be shared, as well as logistics for students returning to the building and the ways we will continue to engage our fully virtual students.  This session will be geared for all families and will provide a general overview of what to expect during our new Hybrid Instructional model.

Digital Tools on HCPSS Chromebooks

The following digital tools do not require consent because they are already available to students in HCPSS computer labs: Book Room, Word Work, Scratch BluBot, Scratch JR, Sketch-Up, Collector Classic, JamBoard, and Google Earth.

These supplemental digital tools are approved by HCPSS and comply with federal, state and Howard County Board of Education student data privacy policies.

Please note that your student(s) will have access to these digital tools when the second semester starts through the Google Play Store icon on the Chromebook when logged in with an HCPSS account.

If your elementary school aged child has not been issued a Chromebook, one can be picked up at a Technology Support Center

Please note:

  • HCPSS cannot guarantee that apps are available on devices other than HCPSS Chromebooks.

  • Teachers may or may not choose to use any or all of these apps during instruction. Students will be notified when a particular app will be used for instruction.

  • In addition to these Google tools, HCPSS has approved a robust set of supplemental digital tools. Your child’s teacher will notify you of the particular supplemental digital tools being used in each class via email or on their Canvas course page.

For more information, please contact Ashley Williams ashley_williams@hcpss.org or Valarie Graham valarie_graham@hcpss.org.

New Chromebook Care Webpage

Please be aware of a new webpage for students, Chromebook Care (Links to an external site.), which includes tips on caring for and transporting Chromebooks, as well as student mobile technology duties and obligations and additional resources.

New HCPSS Community News and Programs Site

In response to community requests for resources, HCPSS’ new Community News and Programs (Links to an external site.) website makes it easy for families to find educational and recreational resources, events and after-school programs beyond the school day by non-profit organizations.

Community organizations requesting their announcements be shared in school newsletters should visit community-programs.hcpss.org for more information. Questions should be directed to the Public Information Office at publicinfo@hcpss.org.

The Council of Elders of and Black Student Achievement Program Parent Workshops

Mark your calendars now for these very informative parent workshops brought to you by the Council of Elders of the Black Community of Howard County and the HCPSS Black Student Achievement Program:

  • TCOE Workshops - Please click here(Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) for detailed flyers:
    • February 20 9-10:30 a.m. - Family Financial Education Series
    • March 13 9-10:30 a.m. – TCOE Community Academy– Suicide Prevention & Substance Abuse
    • March 20 9-10:30 a.m. -Family Financial Education Series 
  • BSAP Workshops:
    • February 17 6:30-8:00 p.m. – Virtually Expanding Your Horizons – HBCU Experience with Yard Talk 101 (Please see flyer(Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)
    • March 6 6:30-8:00 p.m. – Re-Entry to School (more details to follow)
    • March 20 6:30-8:00 p.m. - BCAP CCON Webinar – Virtually Expanding Your Horizons – Jumpstart (more details to follow)

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten Registration kicks off the week of March 8-12, 2021.

Children must be 5 years old by September 1, 2021.  Registration will take place on-line at Kindergarten Registration.

Families are encouraged to visit the Grade K Family and Community Resources page for more information about the kindergarten instructional program and ways families can support their children at home.

Pre-K Registration

Pre-K Registration begins the week of March 15, 2021.

Children must be 4 years old by September 1, 2021 and families must meet eligibility requirements.  PreK registration information.

The Prekindergarten Family and Community Resources page also contains resources for families and providers for children currently in their prekindergarten year. 

Learning Togeher Program--Prekindergarten

The Deep Run  Regional Early Childhood Center (RECC) prekindergarten programs are making preparations for classes for the upcoming 2021-22 school year.  These classes include children with and without disabilities.  The program’s focus is helping all children develop communication, literacy, math, problem solving, motor, and social skills.   Parents of children who will be 3 by September 1st or are already 4 may learn more about the program by reviewing the Learning Together Program (LTP) Flyer (English).  Applications will be accepted starting February 11, 2021 and priority will be given to applications received by April 1st.  

If you need assistance to complete the application, please contact Early Intervention Services at earlyinterventionservcies@hcpss.org or at 410-313-7017.

HCPSS is committed to providing instruction based on the statewide Early Learning Standards which are in alignment with Kindergarten Readiness. The fees listed in the application will be collected monthly regardless of the learning model determined by HCPSS throughout the upcoming school year (virtual, hybrid, or in person).   If you have any additional questions , please contact Ruth Gibson/Devin Blackwell at (410) 313-5000 .

News Worth Repeating

Deep Run School Hours Starting March 1st
 
Starting March 1st, Deep Run school hours will be 9:45-4:15.  These hours are for the remainder of the 20-21 school year.  The change is necessary for the hybrid program, but all students will be following these hours whether hybrid or virtual.
 
PTA Curbside Pick-Up Night at Red Robin on February 24th

Red Robin fundraiser Wednesday, February 24 from 4-8pm!  It is a win- win, you don't have to cook dinner and Deep Run gets 20% of the proceeds. This is curbside pickup only! Order on line by going to order.redrobin.com.  In the menu section scroll over to Fundraiser (to go only) , next click Spirit Night (to go) Fundraiser, and most importantly in the Special Instructions section type DEEP RUN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. Then order your meal and dinner is made!

Red Robin Flyer

Deep Run Scholastic Virtual Book Fair Opens March 15th

The Deep Run Online Scholastic Book Fair is coming soon and will be a great time to build a personal library for spring break!  Support Deep Run's Media Center from the comforts of your own home. The online book fair will be open from March 15 to March 28.

    •    Click here to order. You will need to enter an email address and create a password before you can shop.

    •    Orders are delivered directly to your home.

    •    Free shipping on BOOK-ONLY purchases over $25

    •    25% of sales will go to Deep Run's Media Center to purchase new books for the library and resources for classroom teachers.

Flyer with Directions for Ordering