EMMS Eagle News - January 8, 2021

Fri, 01/08/2021 - 2:17pm
Ellicott Mills Middle School  
EMMS EAGLE NEWS
Friday, January 8, 2021
#EMMSOneMillOneFamily
#EMMS_Pride

UPCOMING: 

  • January 18: Schools and offices closed
  • January 19: EMMS Incoming 2021/2022 VIRTUAL 6th Grade Parent Info Night
  • 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
  • February 12: Professional Work Day / No School for Students
  • February 15: Schools and offices closed
  • April 2: Schools and offices closed
  • April 5 and 6: Spring Break (note: school offices will be closed on April 5 only)
  • April 14: End of Third Quarter
  • April 14: 1/2 Day for Students
  • April 22: Report Cards Issued

EFFECTIVE Monday, January 11 @ The Mill

Ellicott Mills Middle School will only have one phone number (410-313-2839) and one fax number (410-313-2845) if you need to reach anyone at The Mill. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we are learning how to use this system.

ANNOUNCING EMMS SPIRITWEAR

Ellicott Mills Middle School is working with a new online vendor that will allow orders to be delivered directly to your home. Each month there are new deals (15% for January) and coming up from January 29th through February 15th our provider will have a free shipping promotion (no minimum purchase). 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.
 

ATTENTION 8th GRADE FAMILIES:

High school registration forms need to be completed in Synergy by Friday, January 15th. Please refer to the High School Registration Instructions and Links document as it contains all of the information you need to complete your registration form. If you have any questions, contact your counselor.
 
Rachel Schwaab, Counselor for Last Names A-G: rachel_schwaab@hcpss.org
Shanté Owens, Counselor for Last Names H-O: shante_owens-young@hcpss.org
Grace Burnett, Counselor for Last Names P-Z: grace_burnett@hcpss.org
 
Howard High Make-Up Scheduling Night
The Lions’ Scheduling Night was rescheduled for January 11th. Join Howard staff for information sessions for both incoming 9th graders and rising 10th-12th graders (and their parents, of course). 
 
The program will feature both pre-recorded videos/presentations and live Google Meets to talk with curriculum representatives about course selections for the 2021-2022 school year. Since this is a rescheduled event, many people have already viewed the videos and begun exploring the “elective fair.” Therefore, the program will begin with joining Google Meet Q & A sessions starting at 6:30pm. Drop in the Meets you have questions about and refer to the website for the evening for the schedule of events and more information:
 
Centennial High School Dance Announcement
Did you know every high school in HCPSS offers dance classes? Here's a few fun facts about the dance program at each of the schools:
  • There are dance classes for all skill levels and they each provide the opportunity for growth!
  • Dance class satisfies your required fine arts credit for graduation!
  • It’s a great way to meet new people and get involved in something big in high school!
  • Dance enhances your high school experience to create a well-rounded education!
The Centennial dance teacher, Mrs. Clark, would love to meet her incoming students and will be available to answer any of your questions at a virtual meeting on Monday, January 11th from 11:30-12:30!
Students, please use your HCPSS account to login.
Use the meet code: CHS-dance
Take Note: Upcoming Dance Placement Auditions will be held virtually on Wednesday, January 13th beginning at 2. Please email rebecca_clark@hcpss.org for the meet code and registration form

EMMS CELEBRATING OUR EAGLES

Teachers and Staff at EMMS and Elliott the Eagle are proud to recognize the following students for being hardworking:
 
Grade 6: Tatiana Machiz
Grade 7: Abigail Tranchini
Grade 8: Cora Caplan
 
Thank you for Making Great Things Happen at The Mill!

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!
 
Return of Semester 1 Textbooks: You are welcome to drop off any textbooks any weekday 7am to 3pm. There is a cart in the vestibule on the left that you may simply place the book there. Also, if weekends work better for you, please feel free to drop the textbook in the Media Center bin located under the overhang at the top of the bus loop. We wish to have all textbooks returned by February 13th.

Distribution of Semester 2 (Q3/Q4) Student Materials: EMMS will be reaching out directly to families/ students concerning Semester 2 materials for distribution. More information will be shared at a later date (next week).

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] Online Bullying Reporting Tool: HCPSS has launched a new online bullying reporting tool that is mobile-friendly, integrates with Synergy, and provides greater efficiency and reliability in bullying reporting. The new tool, which replaces the previously-used Sprigeo reporting system, will assist school staff in responding to incidents of bullying and better aligns to the State's reporting requirements. Read More.
 
Behavior Talks Videos: HCPSS' new Behavior Talks video series provides useful tips for caregivers to support students of all ages, grade levels, and abilities at home. Created through a collaboration between Special Education and Program Innovation and Well-being, the videos address behavior, social/emotional needs, and organization/self-management.
 
Impact Aid Forms: Parents/guardians who work on a federal property in Maryland and/or are a member of a uniformed service can qualify HCPSS to receive additional federal funding by logging into HCPSS Connect and completing the Impact Aid form. Impact Aid supplements the HCPSS operating budget to enhance the teaching and learning that takes place in Howard County classrooms.
 
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.
 
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. Read More.
 
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/.
 
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.
 
[NEW] Spring 2021 BSAP Saturday Math Academy Online Registration:
Saturday, January 9, 9 a.m.-noon, Online registration
Online registration for Spring 2021 BSAP Saturday Math Academy program will be held via HCPSS Connect. The program is open to students in grades 3-12. Space is limited, and notification will be emailed to families whose registration request was accepted. Program dates, fees, and other information are available online.
 
[NEW] Community Advisory Council (CAC) Virtual Meeting:
Wednesday, January 13, 7 p.m., Virtual meeting
This meeting will include a discussion of the upcoming timeline and process for CAC Board elections. CAC meetings are open to the public. Interested participants may request the virtual meeting link by emailing cac.hocoboe@gmail.com. The link will be sent on the day of the meeting. Learn more about CAC.
 
[NEW] Howard County Association of Student Councils Virtual Meeting:
Wednesday, January 13, 7-8:00 p.m., 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). Students attending the January 13 meeting will have the opportunity to vote on a statement in support of the Student Member of the Board. Students should pre-register to receive the meeting link. For more information, please email cindy_drummond@hcpss.org.
 

HCC Kids on Campus: HCC’s well-known Kids on Campus program provides enrichment education for youth ages 8 to 17. Topics range from Art from Around the World, Roblox, Nature Explorers, Math enrichment, World Languages, and SAT Prep. HCC Kids on Campus has something for every interest! This could be a great opportunity for students to supplement around content areas they want to learn more about or need support in! Upcoming available courses can be found here. A limited number of scholarships are available for families who need financial aid. If you believe you may be eligible for financial aid, please click this form link to download, complete it, and submit it via email to  NoncreditFinAid@howardcc.edu as soon as possible. 

 
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 (click here for staff contact information).

Connect with Us:

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

 

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