Creating a sense of belonging is essential at Longfellow Elementary School. Intentionally nurturing this within our school community helps students get excited about school, families feel connected, and the staff sees the rewards in the work of educating our young people. Therefore, as we continue into September and beyond, we seek your feedback about the school climate at LoES. Please take some time to complete this 15-minute survey to share your feedback regarding your experiences at LoES. Responses are anonymous, and your feedback will help inform family engagement planning and other school-based initiatives. A similar survey will be shared with staff and students in intermediate grades. There is a Survey ID required to participate, and that information is provided below. The survey will remain open for submissions beginning Monday, September 12th through Friday, September 30th:

• Survey ID: Longfellow

Thank you for sharing this important feedback,

LoES Administrative Team

• September 12th to 30th - LoES Climate Survey Window (more information coming soon)

• September 29th - LoES Community Pop-Up Events (see flyer below)

Click HERE to access the full HCPSS calendar for the 2022 - 2023 school year

Click and scroll on the calendar below for color day rotation information for related arts classes

Have you completed your Family File for the 22-23 school year? If not, PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR STUDENT(S) FAMILY FILE ASAP!

Did you know that completion of your Family File will:

• allow you to view your child's teacher assignment in Synergy on August 24th

• provide emergency information to the school in case of an unexpected event

• provide the school with transportation information so we know how your child will arrive and dismiss from school

• let you sign up for the PTA directory so that you can connect with other families at BWES

• allow you to sign up to receive messages (email and texts) from HCPSS and LoES

• much more . . .

Please follow the directions below to complete/update your Family File:

ALL Families (returning and those new to HCPSS & LoES) should complete the Family File now.

Only families who have completed the Family File will be able to see their student(s) homeroom teacher during orientation week.

Every year HCPSS parents must complete a Family File for each child. HCPSS utilizes Family File for parents/guardians to complete emergency information. Parents/guardians must verify and/or update information for each child, and can do so by logging in to HCPSS Connect PARENT ACCOUNT and selecting the MORE OPTIONS tab on the left, and then clicking on Family File.

Once logged in, you will be asked to update or provide the following information:

• Student Information

• Parent/Guardian Contact

• Emergency Contacts

• Medical Information

• Arrival/Dismissal Procedures

• Photo Approval Data Confidentiality

• PTA/PTSA Directory

https://www.hcpss.org/f/connect/family-file-quick-guide.pdf

• FAMILY FILE USER GUIDE (ENGLISH) - https://www.hcpss.org/f/connect/family-file-user-instructions.pdf

• FAMILY FILE USER GUIDE (SPANISH) - https://www.hcpss.org/f/connect/family-file-user-instructions-spanish.pdf

Girls on the Run inspires girls in grades 3-5 to be joyful, healthy, and confident by using running to teach valuable life skills. The Longfellow team will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm, starting September 19. The 10-week season concludes with the girls and their running buddies completing a 5K run, scheduled for December 3, 2022, in Columbia, MD. The participation fee is determined on a sliding scale, and no girl is turned away! Register online at gotrcentralmd.org or ask Ms. Spray (grade 1) for a paper registration form.

For the past two years, federal waivers were in place to offer all students universal meals at no charge. These waivers expired on June 30 and we will return to pre-pandemic ways of providing meals to students based on eligibility (free, reduced-price, and paid). We encourage households to complete Free and Reduced Meal applications, based on your household income eligibility.

Get more information HERE.

The cafeteria has air conditioning and good air circulation with 30ft high ceilings. Once again, a tent, additional tables, and chairs will be provided for outdoor seating that will be available for a limited number of students during each lunch shift. This option will be available as weather and staffing permits during each student day. You can add your student's name(s) HERE.

Please submit separate responses for each of your students enrolled at LoES.

Free Parenting Classes for Parents/Guardians/Grandparents Starting Soon! Adults can learn how to help kids avoid risky behaviors, all while learning how to say NO to drugs and alcohol. HC DrugFree is pleased to present another series of Guiding Good Choices, an evidence-based, interactive prevention program that provides families with the skills and knowledge to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs and alcohol or engage in other dangerous behaviors, for Howard County parents, guardians, and grandparents. This program will meet via Zoom for 5 class sessions (September 21, 28 and October 12, 19, 26) from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For more information or to register visit https://hcdrugfree.org/2022/02/guiding-good-choices-free-classes-for-parents-2/ or email Parenting@HCDrugFree.org

8^th – 12^th Grade Students: HC DrugFree's Teen Advisory Council is open to all Howard County students in grades 8 through 12. This is a great opportunity to help prepare younger students for success in high school while allowing older students to develop their leadership and mentoring skills. The registration form is available at https://hcdrugfree.org/teen-advisory-council/ . Community service hours available. Email your registration to admin@hcdrugfree.org or mail a hard copy the office. To register for the upcoming meetings on Monday, September 19 or Monday, October 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. click on the TAC Registration links next to each date https://hcdrugfree.org/teen-advisory-council/

Medication and Sharps Collection: Clean out your unwanted and expired medicines and sharps! The next convenient drive-thru collection will be held on Saturday, October 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Wilde Lake Village Center parking lot (near the Swim Center). Community service hours available. HC DrugFree and the Howard County Police invite families, student/adult groups, scout troops, religious organizations, and sports teams, etc. to volunteer to join us. Medically-trained adult volunteers are needed (nurses, EMTs, pharmacists, chiropractors, etc.) to help safely handle the medication and sharps collected. For more information and to volunteer, visit https://hcdrugfree.org/drug-take-back-day-1/ , contact Admin@hcdrugfree.org or leave a message at 443-325-0040.

Stay Informed about What’s Happening in Howard County: Sign up for HC DrugFree’s newsletter at https://hcdrugfree.org/enews-signup/ to get updates on events as well as information to keep your family safe and informed.