Deep Run Digest 6-19-2020

Thu, 06/18/2020 - 11:25pm

Deep Run Digest

June 19, 2020

Final Edition of the 2019-2020 School Year

Deep Run Community,

Today marks the first half day of the last three days of school.  This is the most unusual and unprecedented end to a school year that any of us have experienced.  We missed so many activities that typically mark the end of the school year.  The one that stands out the most is 5th Grade Promotion!  We did not celebrate our 5th graders in the Deep Run building but we definitely celebrated them yesterday with a virtual promotion and then a very special parade of 5th graders in cars through the bus loop.  We will also celebrate the promotion of all our students to the next grade with virtual class picnics.  Please make sure your child has the opportunity to join their class celebration. The celebrations begin today and go through Tuesday.  Your child's teacher will share the schedule with you.

We are so proud of our students for the learning that continued to take place from home while schools were closed.  Our students developed a whole new level of proficiency with the computer. This learning from home would not have taken place if it wasn't for our parents.  We appreciated your partnership as we developed a whole new way to do school.  Our teachers missed your children every day!  We are so proud of our teachers for their creativity in engaging your children in distance learning. 

As we move into summer break, we encourage our families to take a break from screen time or reduce the amount of time connected to technology.  Find ways to safely enjoy the outdoors.  Please, please wear masks and use social distancing.  Also, the HCPSS Website has many summer resources for families.

Have a wonderful summer. Stay safe and healthy! 

Denise Lancaster, Sophia Quirk, and Ashleigh Townsend

Important Dates

  • June 19      Half Day of School for Students
  • June 19      1st Grade Celebration
  • June 19      3rd Grade Celebration
  • June 19      5th Grade Class Celebration
  • June 22      Half Day of School for Students
  • June 22      2nd Grade Celebration with team event on 6/23
  • June 22      4th Grade Celebration
  • June 23      Last Day of School for Students--Half Day
  • June 23      K Celebration
  • June 23      Report Cards Issued
  • TBD            New Student Orientation Grades 1-5 9:30
  • TBD            Kindergarten and Prekindergarten Orientation 1:15
  • TBD            Open House  2-3
  • Sept 8         First Day of School for K-5
  • Sept 10       First Day of School for RECC and PreK

News

Today is Juneteenth!

Have you heard of Juneteenth?  Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is an American holiday honoring African American heritage and celebrated by people of all ethnic and racial backgrounds. It commemorates the announcement of the abolition of slavery in the U. S. State of Texas in 1865. Celebrated on June 19, the holiday is recognized as a state holiday in 45 states of the United States. Click here to learn more about Juneteenth with your child.

This is a day of celebration and given the recent weeks of protests, this is a day to learn and honor African American history. 

Celebrating Staff!

Congratulations to Mrs. Oonagh Schantz and Mrs. Julie Diamond on their retirements!  They have given many years to our Deep Run Community and are now looking forward to time with family.  Also congratulations to Mrs. Donielle Chase-Mercer!  Mrs. Chase-Mercer has been promoted to the position of Pupil Personnel Worker.  She will now use her many talents to serve students and families across Howard County.  We greatly appreciate the years of service Mrs. Schantz, Mrs. Diamond, and Mrs. Chase-Mercer have given to Deep Run Elementary and the Howard County Public School System.  They will be missed!

Yearbook Update

Yearbooks will be distributed when school offices re-open.  A message will be sent to the community when this happens.

We have some extra yearbooks for sale.  Please order online:

Click Order Pictures and Yearbooks
Enter code  YB108429
 
Report Cards and Incomplete Grades

The end of the marking period is June 23rd which is also the day report cards can be viewed online. If your child received one or more Incompletes during Quarter 4, your child has the opportunity to make up Quarter 4 assignments before September 15, 2020. Work completed on or before that date will earn a Pass. HCPSS will share materials available for students who received Incompletes to complete this summer. Your child can complete the materials independently or as part of the Academic Intervention Summer Program. If your child is able to join the summer program, please email one of our assistant principals who will help you enroll your child. Please know that after September 15, 2020 all remaining Incompletes will become Not Available or NA. 

Assistant Principals:

Mrs. Quirk--sophia_quirk@hcpss.org

Mrs. Townsend--ashleigh_townsend@hcpss.org

DreamBox and Lexia Core5 Available Over the Summer

Elementary students will have access to DreamBox Learning and Lexia Core5 throughout the summer. Students are not required to work with either learning platform, and their progress will not be monitored by teachers. Parent portals for both tools will continue to be available to review student progress. If you choose to have your child work with these tools over the summer, we encourage you to limit use to the recommended amount of 15-20 minutes per day. For technical support during the summer, please use the following contact information:
 
DreamBox Technical Support Contact Information
Email: support@dreambox.com
Customer service: 1 (877) 451-7845
 
Lexia Core5 Technical Support Contact Information
Website:  https://www.lexialearning.com/support
Email: support@lexialearning.com
Customer service: 1 800-435-3942

The following links provide additional mathematics and language arts resources for students:

·         https://www.hcpss.org/academics/english-language-arts/

·         https://www.hcpss.org/academics/mathematics/

Off to Kindergarten at Deep Run Elementary

I’m Off to Kindergarten: A Guide for Kids and Their Families

Howard County Library System’s Summer 2020 Book List

Ready at Five

Coming soon:  virtual tour of Deep Run Elementary, read alouds from kindergarten teachers, and question and answer sessions with administrators and kindergarten teachers

Summer Reading Information

As part of the A+ Partnership with the Howard County Library System, summer reading lists developed by HCPSS library media specialists and Howard County Library System Children’s Instruction and Research staff are available for students in all grade levels. Books included are just a sampling of what students may enjoy reading during the summer. Students are encouraged to check out other books by the authors included, as well as explore additional book topics at the library.

Recommended lists for all grade levels are available both online.

All families are also invited to participate in the summer reading challenge to help make a difference In this challenging time for so many in our community. Beginning June 1, log books and activities in one of three games: Imagine Your Story (for infants to age 10 and ages 11 to 17) and Read for Good (for adults).

Instead of physical prizes upon completion, you will earn a donation to Community Action Council of Howard County.*

Visit hclibrary.org/summer to get started. New activities and challenges added each week online, so keep reading and checking in!
 
Sponsored by Friends & Foundation of HCLS.
* Friends & Foundation of HCLS will make a donation of up to $5000 in food and goods to the Community Action Council of Howard County after Summer Reading ends. Donations earned by each reader will have a variable value. If you are interested in donating directly to CAC or learning more about their services in Howard county, please visit cac-hc.org.

Message from PTA--Hersheypark Tickets

PTA received the following information from Hersheypark regarding ticket use this summer. Key takeaway - You must reserve your spot in advance for when you plan to use your tickets.
 
Hersheypark is opening on July 3, 2020 for the Summer season! In a few short weeks, our favorite rides will be roaring, the water park will be splashing, and our all-new coaster, Candymonium, will be open and ready for our guests!  Hersheypark has introduced new health & safety enhancements to help protect the well-being of our guests, team members, and community. Most importantly, every guest with summer tickets or season passes will be REQUIRED to make a reservation for a specific visit date to ensure we can comply with capacity guidelines as set by the state. Reservations must be made in advance so we recommend guests make a reservation as soon as they know the day they plan to come. Guests without a reservation will not be guaranteed entry.
 
To make, modify, or cancel a reservation before a visit, click here: www.hersheypark.com/reservations/reserve-your-day/.
 
Here is a short video highlighting Hersheypark's safety protocols => https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm4iHTqLwBo
 
School Counseling Connection Newsletter
The HCPSS Elementary School Counseling Connection Newsletter is a great resource for students and parents to read together. Included in this new issue of the School Counseling Connection newsletter are great self-care ideas and fun activities for home.
 
FIRN--Twin Freedoms Day--Emergency Food Distribution and Free Covid Testing

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Saint John's Lane in Ellicott City

More information at www.firnonline.og

English Flyer

Spanish Flyer

Worth Repeating

Kindergarten and New Student Registration

Parents/guardians of kindergarten and new students enrolling for the 2020-2021 school year (who are not already enrolled) are able to enroll online.  A list of all required documents is provided.

PreK Registration is Open

Parent(s)/guardian(s) of prospective Pre-K students will now have two options for submitting their Pre-K application and beginning the enrollment process. 

Option 1
    1.    Parent(s)/guardian(s) submit a Pre-K application via email or USPS for decision based on eligibility guidelines. 
    2.    If accepted, parent(s)/guardian(s) can begin the enrollment process online and upload their program acceptance letter as proof of income.

Option 2
    1.    Parent(s)/guardian(s) begin the Online Registration Process
    2.    Once parent(s)/guardian(s) submit their information and documentation through the online portal, their information goes into the school queue for processing and to determine eligibility. Acceptance into the program cannot be determined until the school has received the required documentation for verification.

Deep Run Online Scholastic Book Fair

The Deep Run Online Scholastic Book Fair is here!  Support Deep Run's Media Center from the comforts of your own home. The online book fair will be open from May 18 to September 4.

    •    Visit Deep Run's book fair by clicking this LINK.  You will need to enter an email address and create a password before you can shop.

    •    Orders are delivered direct to your home.
    •    Free shipping on BOOK-ONLY purchases over $25
    •    Sales will continue all summer long, so order as many times as you need to
    •    25% of sales will go to Deep Run's Media Center to purchase new books for the library and resources for classroom teachers.

Flyer with Log On Directions