Parent-Teacher Conferences are coming up:  Mark your calendars!
Conferences will be held on: 

Monday, November 25th
12:00-3:00, 3:45-7:15                                                    

Tuesday, November 26th
12:00-3:00, 3:45-7:15

Wednesday, November 27th
8:00-3:00

If you have concerns about your child’s progress in any class, we encourage you to sign up for a conference with the teacher(s) of that subject. Please note that you are not required to sign up for a conference during this conference window. If you are pleased with your child’s progress in learning and grades in the subject area, we encourage you to leave conference spots open for those families who have concerns. Additionally, should you have concerns about your child’s progress at any time throughout the school year please call or email your child’s teacher or our student counseling center to schedule a meeting. If you do not have reliable internet access and need assistance scheduling conferences, please call Connie Wagner @ 410-313-2512.

In order to facilitate conference scheduling, we ask that you adhere to the following windows:

12am on Monday, November 11th
Conference registration for parents/guardians of any student who has a D or below in the class.

7pm on Wednesday, November 13th
Conference registration for parents/guardians of any student who has a C or below in the class.

7pm on Thursday, November 14th
Conference registration opens for all.

3pm on Friday, November 22nd
Conference registration closes.

Please limit your conferences to 3 conferences per student. We will contact you to cancel conferences if more than three conferences have been scheduled for a student, so that other parents may have the opportunity to participate in conferences during this window.

You may log in to HCPSS Connect to schedule parent-teacher conferences once the scheduling window is open. Please use the following link for detailed directions:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bEYW8jZZSs1US3RKcOB4z4F-iXT1fmse/view?usp=sharing

 

American Education Week, November 18-22

We look forward to celebrating American Education week during national American Education Week on November 18-22, 2019. This week offers us the opportunity to celebrate public education and the difference it can make in the lives of individuals and the role public schools play in forming the fabric of our community. Parents/guardians are welcome to visit classrooms any day this week, but we have specifically planned for your presence on Tuesday, November 19th. Teachers try their hardest not to plan tests or quizzes, so that you can see our classrooms in action. 

To minimize classroom disruptions to a minimum, please note: 

• Only adult family members are permitted to visit during the school day.
• Please turn off your cell phones. If you need to make a call or text, please do so in the lobby or front office.

We look forward to seeing you!

 

Fall Fling:  Our Annual Event is only a few weeks away!
November 22, 2019 is our annual Fall Fling.  It will take place from 1:15-2:40 PM. Each year the BMMS staff, Student Council, and Student Voices plan a fun filled afternoon for all students.

This is not only a celebration, but also a fundraiser.  All proceeds from the day are donated to Grassroots Crisis Center in Columbia.  https://www.grassrootscrisis.org/

Last year BMMS donated enough money  to sponsor two full days of shelter and crisis services at Grassroots!

Fall Fling Activities include:

            Games in the media center and the gym           
            Pizza, Drinks, Snacks, Cotton Candy, and a cake walk in the cafeteria
            A dance and activities in the gym

Students have an option to purchase their choice of a wrist band:

Option 1:  $10.00 wristband includes:  2 slices of pizza, 1 drink, 1 snack,
                  1 cotton candy, and unlimited games
Option 2:  $  5.00 wristband includes:  1 drink, 1 snack, and unlimited games
                 (no cotton candy)
Option 3:  $ 3.00 wristband includes:  Unlimited games (only) 

A wristband order form will be sent home on Friday, November 8. All orders must be returned by November 21.  You may also access the form by clicking HERE.

If you would like to purchase a wristband but it does not fit into your budget at the current time, please send an email to your child’s counselor. Assistance will be available.

For students who are not purchasing a wristband, Bobcat Bucks can be used to play all games.
All students will be able to participate in the dance and any activities that are in the gym.

We are looking for donations of snacks and drinks as well as volunteers on November 22 in the afternoon.  Please click on the Sign Up Genius Link to help!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0544A9A82DA2F49-fall3

Questions? Contact michele_pierantozzicassel@hcpss.org

 

Burleigh Manor Music Parents (BMMP) Meeting:
The Burleigh Manor Music Parents (BMMP) Executive Board will be meeting November 12 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm in the school cafeteria to prepare for the pie sale distribution.  We are in need of volunteers to help prepare at the November 12th meeting.  Please refer to the link provided to sign-up if available.  We greatly appreciate your support and dedication to the BMMS Music Department!   

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0849afac2ca1f94-bmmp  (if the link doesn't work, please copy and paste into your internet browser).

 

HCASC Meeting - November 13:
HCASC welcomes All Middle and High School Students to attend HCASC Meetings the second Wednesday evening of each month at the Homewood School, located at 10914 Clarksville Pike Ellicott City, MD 21042

Middle and High School students who attend will:

• Work with student leaders from across HCPSS
• Meet with the Student Member of the Board of Education
• Gain Leadership Skills
• Turn ideas into actions
• Learn about Leadership and Community Service opportunities
• Practice civic engagement and serve as  informed citizens

Next Meeting  is Wednesday 11/13 7-8:30pm at the Homewood School

For more information please contact cindy_drummond@hcpss.org
 

HC DrugFree Update:
Record-Breaking Collection of Medication and Sharps
HC DrugFree’s volunteer team collected 1,262 lbs. of medication (50 lbs. more than our highest to-date!) and a record number of sharps at HC DrugFree’s drive-thru location on Saturday, October 26 in only 4 hours! Medication was guarded and transported by the Howard County Police and the DEA. Visit HC DrugFree’s website at www.hcdrugfree.org and go to the Events/Drug Take Back Day page for photos and more information about medication disposal; let us know you plan to volunteer in April 2020 for the next collection by emailing Admin@hcdrugfree.org or calling 443-325-0040. Together, we made Howard County a safer place to live.

 

School Success reminders:

We are officially in the groove of this school year! We are asking for your help with ensuring we can make the most out of every minute of our academic day, for your child and for all of our students.
 

Please help your student arrive at school by 7:50, when our doors open and            students begin to prepare for the day. Our instructional day starts promptly at 8:00 am, and we find that students really need those 10 minutes to put their things in their locker, get their materials for the day organized, socialize with their peers before beginning the academic day, and get to class by the 8:00 am bell. We know there are times when lateness is unavoidable due to early morning doctor’s appointments, etc. Students who arrive in class after 8:00 am play catch-up, and the rest of the class is impacted when teachers stop to catch up a student who missed the introductory instruction for the first-period lesson. 

 

We are happy to accept any lunches, instruments, homework, school projects, PE uniforms, keys, or other items as long as they are brought to school before 10:30. Each day, we do one “all-call” announcement for any students who have items that have been left at the office or front desk by family members. Lunches that are brought in after that time are brought to the cafeteria and a general announcement is made. 

We cannot accept items for delivery to students after this time period, with the exception of emergency situations, as we are committed to minimizing classroom interruptions throughout the school day. We know homework, projects and instruments are important to our students, so we ask for your help in assisting students prep for the day the night before, or the morning of, to ensure they have everything they need.

 

We are looking forward to celebrating our students’ success for first quarter! It’s never too early to intervene if things don’t seem to be going right.If you have concerns about your child’s progress in any class, please reach out to his or her teacher and/or school counselor. As a reminder, our school counselors work with caseloads defined by alphabet:

 

Ms. Bauer, letters A-H

Ms. Morton, letters I-O

Ms. Lucas-Zacharias, letters P-Z

Amita Shukla, alumna of CHS:  Why Mastering Your Mind Is The Secret To Success.  Event will be held at Centennial High School on November 18th at 7PM.  Please see the attached flier for information.  CHS Event

Marriotts Ridge High School Presents: Peter and the Starcatcher
Event information: 
  Peter and the Starcatcher, a prequel to Peter Pan
  November 14, 15, 16 at 7pm; November 17 at 3pm

  Ticket sales are now live! Please use the following link to purchase:
  https://tinyurl.com/MRHS-PETER

Description:
In an evocative and fast-paced adventure on the high seas and on a faraway island, an     orphan boy named Peter and his mysterious new friend, Molly, overcome bands of pirates and thieves in their quest to keep a fantastical secret safe and save the world from evil. (Rated PG).