Pride PostJanuary 2019

Seven Oaks Promise

Seven Oaks P.R.I.D.E.Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Discipline, Excellence

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Farah Springer, Principal Phone (410)222-0937

fspringer@aacps.org Fax (410)305-2590

Amy Fee, Assistant Principal https://twitter.com/sevenoakses

afee@aacps.org http://www.aacps.org/html/schol/Elementary/soes.asp

January Dates1st- Christmas/Winter Break All Schools & Offices Closed2nd- Classes resume8th- PTA Board Meeting14th- Vision & Hearing Screening16th Science Parent Info Night21st- Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday- All Schools & Offices Closed24th- Reading Night 4:30-6pm25th- PTA General Body Mtg 7pm29th- 2 Hr Early Dismissal No PM Pre K Vision & Hearing Screening Make- Up 30th-2 Hr Early Dismissal No PM Pre K

In this issue:Vision & Hearing- Pg 2Grade Level News- Pgs 2-4School Counselor- Pg 5Chaperones/Volunteers– Pg 6Free/Reduced Meals- Pg 6Uniform- Pg 7Parent Connect- Pg 8Video Viewing- Pg 9Visitors/Attendance- Pg 10Outside Food- Pg 11Early Dismissals- Pg 11Changes in Dismissal- Pg 11Lunch/Recess Schedule- Pg 11Lunch Prices- Pg 11Harris Teeter/Giant Rewards- Pg 12Clothing for Cash- Pg 13Health Room Info- Pg 14-16Twitter- Pg 17School Cameras- Pg 18

Principal’s Message

Happy New Year!!!

I hope everyone had a restful holiday and enjoyed time with family and loved ones. The end of the 2nd marking period is January 30th. If you have not already done so this year, please contact your child’s teacher to set up a conference to discuss academic progress. A strong partnership between the home and school will help your child succeed in school. If your child’s teacher schedules a meeting with you, it does not necessarily mean that your child is in trouble. Teachers welcome input from the parents about their children, such as information about what he/she likes to do or what he/she does well. Teachers also understand that each student is different and learns differently, and that no one knows your child better than you do. You may provide some insight that will help the teacher work more effectively with your child at school. We look forward to hearing from you!!!

In partnership,

Farah SpringerPrincipal

SEVEN OAKS

Grade Level News

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Pre-K We are almost half way through the school year and I am so proud of how much your students

have grown. Continue to practice letters, sounds, and sight words with your students while at home. Explore reading books about the same topics and discuss how the books are the same and different; don't be afraid to use BIG words to build their language!

Let's keep digging deeper into learning!

Kindergarten CornerWe have had a great time learning all about our community and trees. Thank you to all the

parents that were able to help us out for our trip to Downs Park last month! In December we also had fun learning about winter holidays and comparing “gingerbread man” stories. Thanks to all the parents that joined us to help decorate gingerbread houses too! We are looking forward to 2019! In January, we will finish Theme 2 “The Power of Us”. We will also explore Jan Brett books as we complete an “author and illustrator study” about her at the end of the month. For more information on Jan Brett, check out her website at www.janbrett.com

First GradeFirst Grade would like to first take the time to thank everyone that supported and making our

Holidays Around the World unit a success! We will continue our unit on How does culture connect people? In Math we will continue to explore place value and understanding two-digit numbers and they will expand on their knowledge by being asked to compare two two-digit numbers using the signs < > =. If you have not already, please make sure to send spare clothes appropriate for winter weather.

Second GradeHappy New Year! We hope everyone had a nice relaxing holiday and break. Reminder to make

sure your students are in uniform clothes every day. This includes sweaters or jackets worn in the classroom. We will be going outside for recess if the temperature is above 32 degrees. Please make sure your child comes to school in a winter jacket and any other accessories such as hats and gloves they may need to stay warm. We will continue working on How-To writing throughout this month and how to order steps. In math, we will continue working on place value and then will be moving into money and recognizing the different coins and being able to count different variations of coins. At the end of the month all second graders will be taking the reading and math district assessments. We are looking forward to a great start back in the new year.

Vision & Hearing ScreeningVision/Hearing screening will take place on January 14th, with makeups on January 29th. Pre-k, K,

1st grade students will be screened as well as students new to Anne Arundel County.

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Third GradeWe hope you all have enjoyed your break and enjoyed some family time! We are excited

to have our 3rd graders back and ready learn! Please be sure to remind your student the importance of displaying PRIDE as they return from such a RELAXING break.

In reading, students will be working on deepen their within the text, beyond the text, and about the text comprehension of nonfiction texts. In writing, students will continue to improve their writing through the writing process as they work on informative writing pieces. In math, students will be solving addition and subtraction problems involving measurement (time, volume, grams).

In science, students will be exploring heredity and biological evolution through inquiry based activities. In social studies, students will continue researching their country and finalizing their Country Informative Writing piece. Please be sure to complete the tri-fold board country display and send it to school by January 25th. Students will be presenting their boards on January 29th and 30th. We hope to see you there!

Fourth Grade

Happy New Year! and welcome back. In this month of January, our students will be learning about measurement conversions and how they can use them to solve word problems in Math. In Reading, students will learn to identify the main idea and supporting details in order to summarize a text. In Science, students will learn about how earthquakes are measured. In Social Studies, students will be learning about how indentured servants contributed to the building of the Maryland colony and how slavery started.

Fifth GradeWe hope you had a great holiday season. We are excited to begin the 2018 school year and

are looking forward to shedding some light on new topics. This month, students will prepare for multiple county benchmark assessments. They will be taking a reading, math, and social studies county assessment prior to the end of the 2nd quarter, which commences on January 30th. We will be working hard in all subject areas preparing students for success. In math, students will continue working with fractions with an emphasis on multiplying and dividing. Being able to dissect a word problem in order to determine the correct strategy to use and how to structure the problem is essential. In science, students will develop a model using an example to describe ways the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and/or the atmosphere interact. In social studies, students will wrap up the “Road to the Revolution” unit and begin Unit 3. In this unit, students will explore the American Revolution, both from the context of a war, as well as, a political and social movement. Students will identify the key turning points in the war as well as the how changes during the period impacted various social groups. They will analyze these events from multiple perspectives in order to emphasize the wide diversity of people affected by this era. In Language Arts, teachers will use literary and informational texts for students to discover how collaboration will help them to find solutions. During the course of this unit, students will read multiple texts that will enable them to compare and contrast stories in the same genre on their approaches to similar themes and topics, as well as integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably. Wishing you all the best for the new year!!!

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MediaWelcome to the new year! Students are enjoying listening to some of the nominated

Maryland Black-eyed Susan picture books. Students will be able to vote on their favorite picture book in the spring. Please encourage your child to checkout library books each week and help remind them to return their library books on time. Thank you for your support.

ArtDuring the month of December, students created a black dot that can be artwork. They had to

change the black dot provided to incorporate it into a drawing. Their artwork is displayed on a bulletin board outside of the art room.

Music News

In music classes, the children are working hard. Kindergarten, first grade and second grade students continue to work on rhythm and melody. Third, fourth and fifth graders will begin playing their recorders.

Chorus will be reflecting on their Winter Concert performance. Even though it’s January, we will begin working on music for our Spring Concert!! For those involved in after school chorus, we will not meet in the month of January.

Thank you for your support of the music program at Seven Oaks Elementary.

Physical Education

In January 2019 in Physical Education classes we will be performing the following:

Dance

- Which include STOMP, line dances and storybook dances, parachute and tinikling

Long Jump Rope routines

-The students will be learning how to turn, jump, jump in/out, and learn different rhymes

Throwing and catching activities

If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me at esteele1@aacps.org.

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January’s classroom guidance lessons will address the “Start Talking Maryland Act.”

What is it? The act, passed by state lawmakers this year and signed by Gov. Larry Hogan, requires public schools to offer drug education that includes the dangers of heroin and other opioids starting as early as third grade. Students in grades 3 – 5 will receive lessons from the school counselor, in collaboration with the school nurse. These lessons will focus on: Third grade: Recognizing prescription vs. non-prescription drugs - how to use them safely, choices and problem-solving, and an introduction to what opioid drugs are. They will be using a book: Charlie and the Curious Club: Candy or Medicine.

Fourth grade: Learning about the physical effects of drugs, understanding why substance abuse is a problem and what addiction is, and identifying how they can contribute to solving the problem of substance abuse on a community level. They will be working with materials from KidsHealth.com and recent news clips to define the problem and design a PSA, video clip, poster or other activity to address the problem.

Fifth grade: Learning and practicing strategies to deal with peer pressure, using refusal skills to build confidence to deal with situations when they might be asked to do drugs, recognize the effects opioids have on the brain. Students develop strategies and receive a pocket card with strategies and resources on it.

Why is it important that children receive this instruction in school? School provides a safe place where children can learn what to do in unfamiliar or uncomfortable situations. Trusted adults will provide students with an opportunity to practice handling these situations, so that the first time a young person is faced with an unsafe situation, he or she knows what to do and has practiced doing it. Students will identify trusted adults, both inside and outside of the school, who they can go to for help.

How will I know when and what will be taught to my child about substance abuse and opioids? Parents will be sent a letter prior to the lessons being taught to inform them about when the lessons will be delivered by the school counselor and providing an opportunity to review the materials. Parents can opt out of having their child(ren) participate in the lessons, and an alternative activity will be provided. Follow up activities to the lessons will be sent home.

Are there resources parents can access to help them recognize warning signs and talk with their child(ren) about how to keep themselves safe? Yes. The Not My Child website has tips for parents about recognizing warning signs and what to do if you learn or suspect that your child has been or is using opioids or other illegal substances. Similarly, the

Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has many resources for parents on the topic of preventing opioid and Heroin use and abuse.

If you have specific questions or concerns regarding secondary opioid prevention lessons, feel free to contact your child’s health educator. If you have specific concerns regarding the elementary lessons, please contact your child’s school counselor.

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Chaperone/Volunteer Background Investigation Application

Background investigations are required for all overnight chaperones, volunteers, and student teachers who have unsupervised access to students either on or off school property. Unsupervised access is defined as an adult having responsibility for a student or students not in the direct and continuous view of a school staff member.  A background check is required regardless of how brief the unsupervised time will be.

Background investigations forms must be submitted online* and a minimum of three weeks prior to the event. Applicants are required to review and acknowledge the AACPS screening criteria for chaperone and

volunteer background investigations before applying for a background check.

Please consider submitting your application now so that you will be cleared for any upcoming events.

https://www.aacps.org/Page/1869 Mandatory Volunteer Video

In addition to the background check, volunteers are required to watch a short video prior to volunteering.

You may use the link below to view the Volunteer Video:

https://md02215556.schoolwires.net/Page/2460Please fill out the form on the next page after viewing the video and return to school.

Thank you for your assistance to keep our students safe!

Applying for Free or Reduced-Meal Prices

The application for Free or Reduced-Meal prices can be found at the link below:

http://aacpsschools.org/nutrition/apply-for-free-or-reduced-price-meals/

*Families must re-apply each school year.

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Seven Oaks Elementary School Uniform Policy Seven Oaks Elementary School Uniform Policy

Things listed below are in

COMPLIANCE with the mandatory uniform policy for boys and girls. Adhering to this policy

will help make your time at Seven Oaks Elementary School pleasant and

enjoyable.

Tops: Tops must be light blue, navy blue or white long or short-sleeved polo style Tops must be tucked in securely.

Other Tops: Other tops may include a V-neck

sweater style vest, front button cardigan, sweatshirt with a banded collar or a Seven Oaks Elementary School sweatshirt. Tops must be light blue, navy blue or white.

Belts: A solid, plain black, dark brown, or navy blue leather or leather-like belt must go through the loops and be buckled securely around the waist. Belt buckles should be plain.

Shoes: Shoes must be safe and enclose the foot. Shoes may not expose students to safety hazards nor should they impede a student from moving quickly during an evacuation of the building. Athletic shoes are permitted.

Pants: Navy blue or Khaki full-length standard issue pants are to be worn securely around the waist with a belt.

Skirts/Shorts/Skorts: Navy blue or Khaki in color; must extend to the middle of the thigh when standing at attention. (Shorts may be worn between April 1 and Oct. 31)

Things listed below are

VIOLATIONS of the uniform policy. The policy is for

girls and boys.

Tops: Tops may not have any designs, logos,

characters, names or numbers of any size. Sleeveless tops, crop tops, v-necks, halters, undershirts, and tee shirts are not allowed. Tops may not be un-tucked (White T-shirts may be worn under the school uniform top.)

Other Tops: Tops may not have a hood, zipper, designs, logos, characters, names or numbers of any size. Jackets and coats may not be worn in class and must be kept in the student lockers.

Belts: Belts may not have anything dangling. They may not contain chain loops, symbols, larger designer insignia, characters, names or numbers of any size.

Shoes: Flip-flops or sandals may not be worn to school.

Pants: Pants may not contain large designer

insignia, characters, names or numbers. No bandanas. Pants may not be rolled up or tucked into footwear.

Skirts/Shorts/Skorts: Mini and/or tight skirts/shorts/skorts are not allowed.

Jewelry and Accessories: Jewelry should not pose safety hazards or be a distraction. Necklaces should not be longer than 18 inches. Charms may not be replicas of weapons or contraband.

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Notice to Parents and VisitorsAll parents/visitors must report to the main office before proceeding into the school. The

safety of all students and staff in Anne Arundel County Public Schools is of utmost importance to all of us.  Our school will be utilizing a system for checking in all visitors.  The system is called: V Soft by RaptorWare.  When you visit our school for the first time, you will be asked to present a government-issued photo ID to a staff person in the school office.  This card will be scanned, and the following information will be collected:  your photo, your name, and your date of birth.  This information will be utilized to check you in, create an ID badge, and compare your information against sexual offender databases throughout the country.  If your name appears on any of the lists or you refuse to allow the use of your ID, then access to the school will be denied.  On future visits to a school, in which you have previously registered, you will only be asked to show your ID as your name will be selected from an existing list of previous visitors.  You will also be asked to sign out with the office upon leaving the school so that we know you have departed the building.  The information collected will not be shared outside of the school and is kept on a secure server. 

We ask that you say your morning goodbyes at the front door and allow your child to proceed to his/her class independently. We also ask that you help your child be responsible for bringing all materials needed every day, including lunches, instruments and homework. Your cooperation in this security effort is greatly appreciated.

Should you have any questions, please contact the Supervisor of School Security, 410-222-5083.

1 Attendance Regular school attendance is an important factor in student success. As a parent, you can

encourage proper attendance by ensuring that your child gets adequate rest, eats a healthy breakfast, and has adequate time to catch the school bus or walk to school.

There are lawful reasons for absence from school. Whenever your child is absent, you must provide a note of explanation to the school within three days of your child’s return to school. Absences of five consecutive days or more require a physician’s note.

School hours are from 8:15 a.m. until 2:40 p.m. Students who walk or are driven to school should plan to arrive between 7:55a.m.-8:10 a.m. Students should not be dropped off before 7:55 a.m., as there is no supervision until this time. All students are expected to be in their classrooms by 8:15 a.m. so as not to be marked tardy. We highly recommend that all communities form walking groups, so students can walk together, and adults can take turns supervising the walk to and from school.

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Outside FoodIn consideration of wellness issues and student allergies, outside food is discouraged

to share with classmates.

Early DismissalsWe apologize for the inconvenience, but for the safety of our students, early dismissal of

students will only occur before 2:30.

Changes in DismissalPlease notify the school in writing if there are changes in your child’s dismissal.

Lunch & Recess Schedule

Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

3rd Grade

1st Grade

2nd Grade

Kindergarten (KB, KD)

Kindergarten (KA, KC, KE)

10:30-10:55

11:00-11:25

Recess

2:05-2:30

1:00-1:25

Lunch

11:30-11:55

12:00-12:25

12:30-12:55

1:00-1:25

10:00-10:20

10:35-11:00

12:00-12:25

2:00-2:25

12:30-12:55 1:00-1:25

2018-19 School Lunch PricesApplications for Free/Reduced Meals will be done online this year.

Please follow the link below:http://aacpsschools.org/nutrition/apply-for-free-or-reduced-price-meals/

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SOE Parents and Supporters!!!

Seven Oaks Elementary joins Harris Teeter's Together in Education (TIE) program to help raise funds for our schools.  It's easy and it's FREE. 

Complete either of the following to link your VIC card: 

Simply give the cashier our code, 4062, and your VIC card when you check out and your card will be linked for the entire school year;

Go to the TIE page (https://www.harristeeter.com/ together -in- education #/app/cms ) and link your card directly;

Contact Jackie Johnson (jjohnsonpta@gmail.com) to link your VIC card to our school. 

That's it!

Once your card is linked, Seven Oaks Elementary will receive a percentage of your Harris Teeter brand (Harris teeter, H.T. Traders, Harris Teeter Organics, HT Farmers Market, and purchases in the HT Pharmacy) purchases credited back to our account.  This program does not interfere with your VIC savings or cost you any money!

Please contact Jackie Johnson (jjohnsonpta@gmail.com) for assistance.

Giant's A+ School Rewards

Seven Oaks Elementary is participating with Giant's A+ School Rewards! This is a great opportunity to participate in and earn CASH from A+ School Rewards, a great fundraising program run through your local Giant! Our school ID number: 05579  

To participate, just visit www.giantfood.com/aplus and scroll down to the center of the page to select REGISTER YOUR CARD from the red box on the right marked FOR CUSTOMERS.

To earn points, use your registered GIANT CARD each time you shop at Giant, and you will earn CASH for our school. You can track the number of points you are earning for our school by checking your grocery receipt.     

Please encourage your family members and friends to support our school. This could result in more CASH REWARDS!

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Important Message from the Health Room

This is a reminder to all parents of the medication policy in Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Student possession of any medication, prescription, or over the counter medications in school is prohibited unless a “Parent Request to Administer Medication at School” is on file in the health room. Over the counter medications include but are not limited to: cough drops, antacids, medicated lip balm, medicated lotions/creams/ointments, etc. This form needs to be completed by the physician and parent or guardian. The medication ordered by the physician, needs to be brought by the parent/guardian in a labeled prescription bottle, or be in an unopened bottle/box if an over the counter medication, like Tylenol or Advil, has been prescribed.

The medication is kept in the health room in a locked cabinet and is dispensed as needed per physician orders to the student in the health room.

Parents, it is a great idea to have medication on file for your child when they come to the health room for minor illnesses such as a headache, stomachaches, and cramps. They can come to the health room, receive the medication, rest for a few minutes and return to class. This way they are not missing important class work.

If your child uses an inhaler for their asthma and needs to have one in school, they must follow the same procedure as having medication in school. No student is to be in possession of any form of medication in school unless the proper forms are completed and on file in the health room.

Attached is the Medication Administration form that needs to be completed by a physician and parent or guardian in order for your child to receive medication at school. Please provide this form to your health care provider if you would like your child to receive medication during this school year.

“Parent’s Request to Administer Medication at School” on next page.

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A little birdie told me...Seven OaksElementary

is now on Twitter!Follow us

@sevenoaksesGet news and updates

from our school and AACPS

Video Camera SystemSeven Oaks Elementary School is equipped with a video camera system. It covers selected interior and exterior public portions of the building and grounds. It is not monitored constantly but is monitored during emergency situations. During certain events, when the safety or security of students may be in question, authorized personnel from local, state, or federal police or fire emergency units may be given access to view images projected on the camera system. If you have any questions about the system, you may call the office of School Security, at (410) 222-5083.