EMMS Eagle News - December 11, 2020

Fri, 12/11/2020 - 4:26pm
Ellicott Mills Middle School  
EMMS EAGLE NEWS
Friday, December 11, 2020

#EMMSOneMillOneFamily
#EMMS_Pride

UPCOMING: 
  • December 24 through January 3: WINTER BREAK
  • January 4: Students Return to Virtual Classes
  • January 18: Schools and Offices Closed
  • January 28: End of Second Quarter / End of First Semester
  • January 29: Professional Work Day / No School for Students
  • February 1: Beginning of Third Quarter/ Beginning of Second Semester
  • February 5: Report Cards Issued

MESSAGE FROM EMMS PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents and Guardians,
 
Inclusive Schools Poster Contest
During FLEX this past Monday, students learned about Inclusive Schools Week. Throughout the week, we have been posting daily challenges in the Student Resources Course to educate students and to cultivate an inclusive community here at EMMS. During FLEX, students also learned about a poster contest opportunity. If your student would like to submit an entry for our Inclusive Schools Poster Contest, they should fill out this Google form. Entries are due by 3:00 p.m. on Monday, 12/14. The community will vote on the entries next week, and the winning poster will be featured on the EMMS website, in an EMMS Community Message, in the Everything Eagles school newspaper, and in the Student Resources Course!
 
Special Note Regarding FLEX:
We wanted to send some clarifying information about FLEX class. In Canvas, this class is listed as Homeroom. Your child should be able to access this course from their Canvas Dashboard or by clicking on their Courses. Homeroom and FLEX are one and the same.
 
As previously communicated, students are expected to log into their Homeroom/FLEX class every Monday from 10:50-11:20 a.m. The code should be listed on the home page of the Homeroom course and in the Canvas calendar. Homeroom/FLEX class does not show up on your child's schedule in Synergy, but this time is built into the HCPSS middle school schedule, and as such, students are expected to attend. It is not optional like the Synchronous Support Sessions, and therefore, official attendance is taken during this time. Here is the link to the MS Schedule previously shared for your convenience
 
FLEX is an opportunity for students to connect with teachers and peers they may not see in their other classes. It's also a time to share important school-wide information (announcements, course recommendation information, community building), HCPSS initiatives (Student Service Learning, Social Emotional Learning, Inclusive Schools), and activities based on student-identified needs, (topics such as organization, stress-relief, technology support, diversity, equity, and inclusion).
 
It is important to underscore that topics/lessons such as, 8th grade High School transition and course recommendations information and Student Service Learning (SSL), which is a high school graduation requirement, will utilize FLEX to provide that direct instruction or support to our students. If they do not attend the FLEX period, they will miss those important topics/lessons and possibly miss out on graduation requirements. We appreciate your support in encouraging your child to attend FLEX class every Monday.
 
Thank you,
Mr. Gaylord
Principal, EMMS

ATTENTION 8th GRADERS: Upcoming High School Info Sessions

  • High School Registration FLEX Lessons
    • 12/14 & 12/21
  • Howard HS Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Presentation (students only)
    • 12/16 from 10:30–11:30 a.m.
      • Meet Code: HOHS-JROTC
  • High School Visit Presentations (students only)
    • 12/17 from 10:45–11:30 a.m.
      • Meet Codes:
        • Centennial: EMMS-CHS
        • Howard: EMMS-MHHS
        • Mt. Hebron: EMMS-HOHS
  • Registration Q & A Sessions
    • Students Only: 12/15, 12/17, 12/22, & 1/5 from 12:30–1:00 p.m.
      • Meet Code: EMMS-STUDENTSERVICES
    • Parents & Students: 12/21 from 5:00–6:00 p.m.
      • Meeting info TBA
  • High School Information Nights
    • Centennial: 1/6 @ 6:00 p.m.
    • Howard: 1/6 @ 6:00 p.m.
    • Mt. Hebron: 1/7 @ 6:30 p.m.
      • All meeting info TBA
Message from Howard High Principal Novak
Family Information Scheduling Night for all Rising 9th Graders and Current Howard Students!
 
Please plan on joining Howard HS on January 6 from 6:00-8:30 p.m. for a virtual Lions Night! We look forward to sharing with you critical information regarding scheduling for the 2021-2022 school year, including live Q&A sessions with teachers, counselors, and administrators, as well as pre-recorded informational videos that can be viewed at your leisure.
 
More information will be coming soon about how to join in on this important annual course scheduling evening!  We encourage all families and students who will be a member of the Howard High Community next year to attend!
 
Message from Mt. Hebron Fine and Performing Arts Departments
Mt. Hebron Arts Virtual Open HouseWednesday, December 16 at 7:00 p.m.
 
Are you a rising 9th grader who is going to Mt. Hebron and is interested in taking a Fine or Performing Arts course? If so, then the MHHS Arts Virtual Open House is for you! All of our Fine and Performing Arts teachers will be present to discuss course offerings and audition procedures, as well as answer any and all questions from incoming students and their parents. We have a wonderful arts community at Mt. Hebron, and we cannot wait to welcome you
 

EMMS CELEBRATING OUR EAGLES

Teachers and Staff at EMMS and Elliott the Eagle are proud to recognize the following students for showing empathy:
 
Grade 6: Gaby Nguyen
Grade 7: Niya Potnis
Grade 8: Keren Gil
 
Thank you for Making Great Things Happen at The Mill!

EMMS General News 

[REMINDER] EMMS Spelling Bee: Would your student be interested in participating in this year’s EMMS school-wide Spelling Bee? If so, please have your student fill out this interest form by December 18th. If you or your student has questions, please contact Ms. Dana Riley at dana_riley@hcpss.org.
 
[REMINDER] FLEX Reminder for Students:

Please Return EMMS Media Books/Materials: Students, please take some time to locate overdue library books and play-a-ways that you borrowed either from our EMMS Media Center or from your elementary schools last year. You may return all media items to the permanent return bin in front of EMMS 24/7! If you have any questions about library items, please reach out to our EMMS Media Center staff: donna_monger@hcpss.org or christina_batelka@hcpss.org. Thank you for your cooperation!

Distribution of 2020/2021 Student Materials: EMMS is reaching out DIRECTLY to families as we have items to distribute to their student(s) based on request and class registration.

Family Technology Support: Before contacting the Technology Support Team, please make sure that you have checked all of the resources available to you @ hcpss.me. If you still have a Canvas or Synergy technology-related question, please complete this form, and a member of our support team will be in touch with you within 2 school days.
  • If you recently received a Dell device from EMMS, please check out the following links:

HCPSS NEWS

[NEW] HCPSS COVID-19 Dashboard: HCPSS launched a new COVID-19 dashboard, aimed at identifying positive COVID-19 cases of students and staff who have been in HCPSS facilities. The dashboard will be updated every Wednesday by 11 a.m., consistent with the Maryland Department of Health reporting. Any cases reported after Tuesdays will be included in the next week’s update. Learn More.
 
HCPSS 2020-2021 Inclement Weather Protocols: The implementation of virtual instruction has changed the way the Howard County Public School System will manage inclement weather days. Learn More.
 
HCPSS to Remain Virtual Through 3rd Quarter: During its November 16 work session, the Board of Education voted to continue the school system in a virtual instructional model through the third academic quarter, which ends April 14, 2021. Learn More.
 
Do you have a child with an IFSP or IEP? The HCPSS Family Support and Resource Center (FSRC) offers a weekly email just for you! FSRC communications include helpful workshops, resources, and community information specifically geared to supporting your journey. As a parent of a child with an IFSP/IEP, you should already be receiving the email, but if not, let us know so we can include your contact information in our database. You can also email specific questions to FSRC@hcpss.org.
 
Environmental Forum: Discussion Series for Middle and High School Students:
Wednesdays, December 2 through January 20, 3 p.m., virtual sessions on Google Meet
Middle and high school students are invited to participate in a free discussion series on environmental topics, offered in partnership with the Howard County Conservancy. Each week, participants will hear from experts on an environmental topic, then join in a discussion on how the topic relates to everyday life at home and in our community. Learn more and register.
 
HCPSS Translations: Regarding information for the 2020-2021 school year, the HCPSS website is updated regularly with new information and remains the repository of all information related to HCPSS’ coronavirus response. Many of the most important documents and resources have been translated and can be found online. Please visit the link below for access to translated files:  https://www.hcpss.org/2020-2021/translations/.
 
Free Student Meals: Grab-and-Go meals are served every day school is in session, Monday through Friday from 8-9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. and are free of charge for all students and any child under age 18. All meals include breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner. Find details about pre-ordering, weekend meals, and more information online.
 
HCPSS will be closed for winter break from Thursday, December 24, 2020 through Friday, January 1, 2021.
There will be no meal service during this time.
To ensure children have access to essential nutrition during the holiday period,
families may pick up additional meals in advance of the break. Learn More.
 
Google Meet Expectations for Students and Parents/Guardians: To ensure a positive and productive virtual learning experience, it is important that all students and parents/guardians adhere to these Google Meet expectations, and review the virtual instruction responsibilitiesexpectations, and best practices provided online.

COMMUNITY NEWS

HCPSS Community News / Events: Please visit the Community News and Programs page on the HCPSS website for announcements of upcoming events and programs sponsored by non-profit organizations.
 
[REMINDER] Virtual Public Hearing: 2021-2022 Proposed Academic Calendar:
Tuesday, December 22, 7 p.m., Virtual session
The public hearing on the 2021-2022 Proposed Academic Calendar will take place on Tuesday, December 22 at 7 p.m. Board meetings are currently held virtually, live on the HCPSS website and on Comcast 95/Verizon 42. Learn about pre-registration and testimony. Register online to testify by Friday, December 18. Specific instructions on testifying virtually will be emailed to each registrant prior to the public hearing.
 
Howard County Association of Student Councils (HCASC): HCASC welcomes all middle/high school students to their next virtual meeting. Click Here to Read More About HCASC.
 
FREE HOMEWORK HELP! ACHIEVE SUCCESS TOGETHER is offering free middle school homework help. All middle schoolers are welcome to get matched to an experienced high school tutor! AST is a student-run community organization now celebrating its fifth year. Our tutors are carefully vetted, flexible, and love teaching! Sign up at achievesuccesstogether.org          Questions? Email astofficers@gmail.com.

HCPSS / HELP   https://help.hcpss.org/technology

There are links to many resources at HCPSS Connect and additional resources available within the Canvas LMS and the Synergy SIS. For additional support, please contact your child’s school. To report a Login issue, visit HCPSS Connect Help. For resources on using HCPSS Connect, visit HCPSS Connect Guides.
 
If a parent/guardian is not receiving emails and/or texts, please complete EMAIL / TEXT HELP FORM and HCPSS Tech Staff will look into the issue. The majority of the time, the user has unsubscribed or marked us as spam, and we can quickly add them back in to restart communication. Occasionally there is a break in the system, and we need a deeper dive into the issue.
 
Need to Get in Touch with Someone at EMMS?
We highly encourage you to email our staff due to the decrease in on-site staff availability.

Connect with Us:

 
Address
4445 Montgomery Road
Ellicott City, MD 21043
 
Phone
410-313-2839
 
 
Twitter
@hcpss_emms
 
 
 
 

 

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