March 20, 2024 | Issue 144

OMMS's Production of The Lion King

March 21 & 22, 6:30 p.m.

OMMS

Tickets available at the door: $5 for children age 4 - 17, $10 for adults, and free for children age 3 and under.  

PTSA Raffle During Lion King

Stop by during the performances to snag your tickets and check out the goodies up for grabs! Purchase tickets in person (best option) or online. (You can only purchase tickets for one item at a time online, but you can go back and purchase more.) Ticket options:

• $1 per entry
• $5 for 6 entries
• $10 for 15 entries
• $20 for 40 entries

Winners announced at the end of Friday's show.

OMMS Teacher Wishlists

Teachers purchase a lot of supplies from their own pockets. See their wishlists to find out how you can help.

Clean out your closet and support OMMS!

OMMS is now participating in the Clothing to Cash Recycling Program. Drop off your new & gently used clothing, footwear and accessories to the white bins in the school parking lot. Acceptable items are clean, dry, in bags, and tied closed. More info.

SFES Community Survey - STILL OPEN!

The Community School Strategy is underway at Stevens Forest Elementary School! Community schools address the whole child and leverage partnerships that promote student achievement, positive learning conditions, and student well-being through additional services like academic and language supports, nutrition supports, as well as behavioral and general health care that go beyond traditional classroom education.

SFES is in the process of completing its Community School Needs Assessment which includes giving voice to all members of the SFES school community, which extends much wider than just the school building. Please consider taking the 10 minute survey (click link below) to further enhance SFES's responsiveness to the needs of its students, families, staff, and larger community. 

Stevens Forest Community Survey

Please reach out to Brittany Fitzpatrick (brittany_fitzpatrick@hcpss.org), Community School Site Coordinator at Stevens Forest Elementary with questions, or, if you are interested in learning more about the Community School Strategy at SFES.

PTA Meeting

April 4, 6:00 p.m.

THES Media Center

THES Restaurant Night at the Crazy Mason Milkshake

​​​​​​​April 17, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

8225 Main St., Ellicott City

Donate to the THES PTA

Donate any time. More info.

THES is hiring a Lunch/Recess Monitor Position

Description: Supervises students at lunch and/or recess, under the supervision of school staff. Position is 5 days per week (Monday through Friday ). with hours between 10:55 a.m. and 1:55 p.m. Pay rate $15/hour.

If interested please contact Laura Nichols (laura_nichols@hcpss.org).

School Closure Dates

March 25 - April 1: Spring Break

April 10: Schools closed

Emergency and inclement weather notifications info HERE. HCPSS Status page HERE.

Kindergarten Registration: OPEN NOW

Parents/guardians of children who will be five on or before September 1, 2024, must enroll their children in kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year. Current HCPSS prekindergarten students do not need to register for kindergarten. More info and registration

Special Education Virtual Open House

April 10, 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.

Google Meet

Learn about career opportunities in special education! See flyer for more info.

New Superintendent Search

Read the latest news about the search for a new HCPSS superintendent. Provide input via a brief online survey open through April 5: the Howard County Board of Education is seeking stakeholder input in the search for a permanent Howard County Public School System Superintendent. No final decisions will be made based on the results of this survey.

Board of Education Meetings

• April 11, 4:00 & 7:00 p.m. – Regularly Scheduled Meeting
• April 25, 4:00 & 7:00 p.m. – Regularly Scheduled Meeting

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. Upcoming Public Hearings can be found online.

Now Open: Touchdown for Teachers Program

Nominations due April 5

The Baltimore Ravens and M&T Bank are inviting nominations for their 11th annual Touchdown for Teachers program, which recognizes local teachers who provide outstanding service for their schools and communities. Anybody may nominate an outstanding educator via the online application form through April 5. 

All finalists will be notified of their selection by April 21. Three finalists – including the eventual grand prize winner – will be selected from a panel of community members and school officials based on involvement in their school and/or community, their degree of positive impact and a demonstrated commitment to education. 

The grand prize winner will receive the following: $5,000 in grant funds, payable to his/her school or district, and a classroom visit by a Ravens’ coach or player, accompanied by mascot Poe. The two remaining finalists will each receive $1,000 in grant funds, payable to their school or district. Every nominated educator will receive a certificate of recognition from the Ravens and M&T Bank. 

To nominate a teacher for Touchdown for Teachers, complete the online nomination form by April 5. 

Application Deadline: May 30, 2024

The Youth Poet Laureate program will helps amplify the power of youth expression, celebrate community, and promote literary arts in Howard County. The Youth Poet Laureate will serve from August 2024 through June 2025 and will receive an honorarium of $500 paid in two equal installments of $250 at the beginning and end of their term. The Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) administers this program in partnership with Howard County Poetry & Literature Society (HoCoPoLitSo). More info