BOBCAT NEWS  January 15, 2016

Ernesto Diaz (410) 313-6900 Tracey Albright Principal FAX (410) 313-6903 Assistant Principal                                                                                                                                                                http://sfes.hcpss.org/ ********************************************************************************************************************** CALENDAR OF EVENTS January 18 – Schools and Offices Closed, MLK Day January 22 – School closes at 12:30pm, End of Second Marking Period January 22 – Parent-Teacher Conference Registration Opens January 26 – Family Restaurant Night at Chipotle February 4 & 5 – Parent-Teacher Conferences

Cold Weather has arrived The cold weather arrived in force early last week. This is a good opportunity to remind the parents and families of our youngest students to exchange any emergency clothing in back packs to reflect the cold temperatures. All students should dress appropriately since we will hold outdoor arrival, recess, and dismissal except in cases of extreme precipitation or when the temperature combined with wind chill is below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, please consider donating boxes of tissues to your child’s classroom during this time of year. Your generosity is greatly appreciated! Community Notice: FREE Community Clothing Distribution Saturday, January 16 from 9am-2pm and Sunday, January 17 from 11am-3pm at The Barn, Oakland Mills Village Center Open and free to the public. Bring your own bag. Parent/Teacher Conferences Parent-Teacher Conferences offer a wonderful opportunity to learn more about your child’s educational progress and to partner with the school.

Winter conferences will be held on February 4 and 5 with your child’s “PM” teacher. As always, please feel free to reach out to any of your child’s teachers if you would like to meet outside of the conference window. Conferences/Meetings can always be scheduled at any time during the year as needed. As was done in the fall, parents/guardians will schedule the parent-teacher conferences in HCPSS Connect starting on Friday, January 22. Specific scheduling details will be forthcoming.

Superintendent Presents Proposed Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2017

Howard County Public School System Superintendent Dr. Renee A. Foose unveiled her proposed budget for fiscal year 2016–2017 (FY17) to the Board of Education on Jan. 7 during a special presentation. The budget is available online at http://www.hcpss.org/about-us/budgets.

The FY17 budget proposal totals $838.7 million, an 8.0 percent increase over the FY16 budget. Of the total, $595.9 million is requested from the County, an increase of $51.8 million.

                                                                                                    SFES and HCPD Reading Program SFES students across several grades will have an opportunity to read with Howard County police

 officers from the Pathways Patrol Section in the coming weeks during English Language Arts classes. This partnership supports the reading instructional program at the school and helps to promote positive relationships with members of the HCPD. NEW Instructional Seminars to start in February We have some new, exciting seminars that will be starting up in February. All instructional seminars are open to all students in grades 2 – 5. If your child is interested in participating in any of these seminars, they must get an Interest Form outside the GT Room, which is opposite the Media Center. Once the completed interest form is received, if your child is selected, an acceptance letter will be sent home. That acceptance letter will tell you the start date and time, as well as what is needed for the first session. Space is limited so get your applications in early. Completed interest forms are due by Wednesday, January 20. Acceptance letters will be sent home by Friday, January 29. Seminars will begin at the beginning of February. Start dates will be included on the acceptance letter. Grade 2 “Mystery Festival” Wednesdays before school (8:00 – 8:45) Have you ever wondered how scientists solve mysteries? In this seminar you will learn about what forensic scientists do to solve a mystery, including how to analyze fingerprints and shoe prints. “50 Nifty States” Thursday at recess (11:35 – 12:05) Did you know that the first public school opened in Maryland in the late 1600s? Learn about Maryland and the other states in the U.S. Find out about their capital cities, flags, flowers and important places. Grade 3 “Endangered Animals” Tuesdays at recess (12:50 – 1:20) Did you know that some animals could become extinct, throughout the world? Create your own book and learn about endangered animals on earth and in the sea. Spread the word, what we can do to save our favorite creatures. “code.org” Thursdays before school (8:00 – 8:45) Did you enjoy the work you did during the Hour of Code? If so, this seminar is for you. You will learn about the basics of computer programming and create interactive games, stories, and art that you can share with others. Grade 4 “Tech Club” Tuesdays before school (8:00 - 8:45) Do you like to work on the computer? In this

seminar you will learn about some new software programs, like Comic Life, Power Point and iMovie. Use that software to create products, which will be shared with others. “Rubik’s Cube Mosaics” Tuesdays at recess Did you enjoy being part of the Rubik’s Cube seminar? Do you like to create geometric pictures? If so, this seminar is for you. You will use cubes to create various patterns and pictures. (Students MUST have already taken the Rubik’s Cube seminar) “code.org” Thursdays before school (8:00 – 8:45) Did you enjoy the work you did during the Hour of Code? If so, this seminar is for you. You will learn about the basics of computer programming and create interactive games, stories, and art that you can share with others. “Sports Games” Thursdays at recess (2:05 – 2:35) Are you a fan of an athletic sport? Do you love to watch the Olympics? Learn about your favorite team or athlete. Create you own board game, that you can have fun creating and playing. Grade 5 “Tech Club” Tuesdays before school (8:00 - 8:45) Do you like to work on the computer? In this seminar you will learn about some new software programs, like Comic Life, Power Point and iMovie. Use that software to create products, which will be shared with others. “Sports Games” Thursdays at recess (1:35 – 2:05) Are you a fan of an athletic sport? Do you love to watch the Olympics? Learn about your favorite team or athlete. Create you own board game, that you can have fun creating and playing. * Please note that before school seminars do NOT meet if school is delayed due to inclement weather. SFES Unheard Perspectives – Black History EXPO Presentations Mark your calendars. Stevens Forest will be hosting the first annual in-school Unheard Perspectives – Black History EXPO on Tuesday, February 9, from 8:00 am – 8:40 am. The students have been working hard this school year researching a famous Black innovator and are looking forward to sharing what they have learned with the school community.