EMMS Eagle News - February 12, 2021

Fri, 02/12/2021 - 5:59pm
Ellicott Mills Middle School  
EMMS EAGLE NEWS
Friday, February 12, 2021

UPCOMING:

ATTENTION 6TH & 7TH GRADE FAMILIES: 2021-2022 REGISTRATION INFORMATION -> DEADLINE IS
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH

Course registration for the 2021-2022 school year will be open from February 3rd until February 15th. This process will be completed through the Parent HCPSS Connect Account. Students will need to register for 7 total credits and at least 2 alternate classes.

 
Please refer to the Rising 7th and 8th Grade Course List for a “menu” of courses available at EMMS. 
 
Directions and screencast that walks parents/guardians through a step-by-step process for looking at teacher course recommendations, adding course requests, alternates, and CPRs have been posted on https://www.hcpss.org/connect/guides/.
 
If you have any questions, contact your counselor.
Ms. Schwaab, A-G, rachel_schwaab@hcpss.org
Ms. Burnett, P-Z, grace_burnett@hcpss.org

EMMS SPIRIT WEAR

FREE SHIPPING FOR THREE MORE DAYS
 
January 29th through February 15th our provider will have a free shipping promotion (no minimum purchase). Items are shipped directly to you. There are LOTS of different items to choose from (even masks) and you have the ability to CUSTOMIZE with a school design and more. Feel free to contact Ms. Jennifer Johnson ("JJ") @ jennifer_l_johnson@hcpss.org if you have any questions. 
 

DISTRIBUTION OF CHROMEBOOKS

EMMS now has a Chromebook for EACH of our enrolled students AND they are ready for pick-up. No parent/guardian request is necessary. Picking one up does not take away from another student. Please note that weather conditions may impact this distribution. If HCPSS closes its buildings, EMMS will be closed. If your EMMS student(s) has not received a device from HCPSS/EMMS this distribution applies to you. This Distribution also applies to any EMMS student that previously received a DELL LATITUDE. You will need to bring this device and its power cord back in order to receive a replacement. If your student was already given a Dell or Acer Chromebook, EMMS does NOT have the ability to swap it for a newer device.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

ISSUES WITH YOUR CURRENT CHROMEBOOK?
CLICK HERE

EMMS GENERAL NEWS

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!
 
Returning Textbooks: There are three ways for you to return borrow textbooks. 
  1. Bring the textbook back with you when you come to a distribution event.
  2. You are welcome to drop off any textbooks any weekday 7 am to 3 pm. There is a cart in the vestibule on the left that you may simply place the book there. 
  3. Please feel free to drop the textbook in the Media Center bin located under the overhang at the top of the bus loop any day, any time. 
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.

HCPSS NEWS

[NEW] Hybrid Learning Resource: A new resource document summarizes all major aspects of the school system’s planned transition to hybrid in-person and concurrent virtual instruction that begins on March 1. The document is intended to serve as a reference for both families and staff. Read More.
 
[REMINDER] All School Start Times and Student Schedules to Change March 1: Read More.
 
[REMINDER] FAQs Available on HCPSS Help Site: Answers to a wide range of questions about the 2020-21 school year, including those about student in-person return, are available on the HCPSS Help Site. FAQS are being continually updated.
 
Howard County Association of Student Councils Virtual Meeting: All middle and high school students interested in getting involved in student leadership and service are invited to the monthly meetings of the Howard County Association of Student Councils (HCASC). The February 10 meeting, being held 7-8:00 p.m., will focus on legislative advocacy and feature special guests from the Maryland General Assembly, Board of Education, and Howard County Council. Students should pre-register to receive the meeting link. For more information, please email cindy_drummond@hcpss.org.
 
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. These meals 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.
 
COVID-19 Dashboard: Read More.
 
2021-2022 Academic Calendar: Read More.
 
Online Bullying Reporting Tool: Read 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 responsibilities, expectations, and best practices provided online.

COMMUNITY NEWS / EVENTS

HCPSS Community News / Events: Families can quickly discover educational and recreational resources, events, and after-school programs offered by community non-profits on HCPSS’ new Community News and Programs website. Easily search by keyword, category, or ages; or browse new listings. The site fills a need expressed by our community for resources to support students and families. Non-profit organizations can quickly and easily submit new announcements on the site.
 
Board Meeting Time Change
Thursday, February 11, 12-5 p.m., virtual meeting
The virtual Board of Education meeting, previously scheduled to begin at 4 p.m., has been rescheduled to 12-5 p.m., due to anticipated inclement weather. Board meetings may be viewed live or on-demand online and during and after each meeting on Howard County Comcast channel 95 or Verizon channel 42. A schedule of all upcoming Board meetings is provided online.
 
Speak Up HoCo!
Semi-monthly sessions begin Wednesday, February 10, 5-6:15 p.m., virtual session
Howard County high school students are invited to “talk about what matters to you,” including discussions on how racism and other socio-political issues impact life and how to create diverse communities that thrive. Participants will practice dialogue and facilitation skills, make podcasts, take part in trainings, and more. Sponsored in collaboration with the Howard County Offices of Human Rights and Local Children’s Board, and the Mediation and Conflict Resolution Center of Howard County.
 
Budget Basics Virtual Workshops
Saturdays, February 20, March 20, April 17, 9-10:30 a.m., virtual workshops
Students in grades 3-12 and their families are invited to learn about electronic and virtual financial transactions and key financial principles in this three-part series of workshops, co-sponsored by HCPSS and The Council of Elders. Register online to receive a confirmation email with information about joining the workshops.

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.
 
HCPSS is currently operating two Technology Support Centers for device exchanges, returns, and support:
  1. Old Bushy Park Elementary School, Room E2
  2. Applications Research Laboratory (ARL), Room B37
 
Hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday from 2-5 p.m. The Technology Support Centers are closed any day that HCPSS offices are closed.

Need to Get in Touch with Someone at EMMS?
Front Office staff have returned daily to EMMS, however, we highly encourage you to use email to reach our staff due to the decrease in on-site staff availability (click here for staff contact information).

Connect with Us:

  

Address
4445 Montgomery Road
Ellicott City, MD 21043

  

Phone
410-313-2839

  

Website
emms.hcpss.org

  

Twitter
@hcpss_emms

  
 

 

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