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Welcome to

Bushy Park ES

Back to School Night

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Thank you, BPES Staff!

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How We Will Communicate

Bushy Bear Tales weekly newsletter - Friday mornings
Schoolwide emails
Emergency text messages
Regular updates to BPES website

How You Can Reach Us

Email

Phone

410-313-5500

Home & School Communication

Communication between home and school is critical. We will primarily communicate with families through our Bushy Bear Tales weekly newsletter, which is emailed out every Friday morning. These newsletters are also archived on our website for your reference at http://bpes.hcpss.org/news/2017/08/bushy-bear-tales-newsletters.

Occasionally, we will have time-sensitive information that cannot wait until Friday’s newsletter. These emails are also distributed through our messaging platform, School Messenger.

In emergency situations, such as a late bus or to communicate an early closure due to inclement weather, we may send brief text messages through School Messenger.

Finally, we strive to keep our website, bpes.hcpss.org, updated with information that will be of interest to our entire community. We encourage you to check our website regularly and familiarize yourself with the layout.

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Celebrate BPES behavior expectations: Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Learn
Shout out on announcements
Positive phone calls or postcards home from an administrator
Tied to classroom, team, and school-wide celebrations

What are Positive Office Referrals?

Our Positive Office Referral program was launched last year to recognize students who display our Bushy Park behavior expectations: Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Learn! Students who receive Positive Office Referrals from any staff member will be recognized on the announcements, and will receive a positive phone call or postcard home from Mr. West or myself. We are thrilled to have our students off to such a great start! Our PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) Team, chaired by our school psychologist, Ms. Cohn, will be working to tie our Positive Office Referrals to classroom, team, and school-wide celebrations this year. We look forward to sharing more information with you about these celebrations!

If your child gets a positive office referral, please celebrate them! We want to build momentum around their positive behavior and recognize them for their excellence.

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Mental Health – School-Based Supports

School Counselor: Beth Bengermino, elizabeth_bengermino@hcpss.org

School Psychologists: Andrea Cohn, andrea_cohn@hcpss.org

Jessica Felix, jessica_felix@hcpss.org

Pupil Personnel Worker: Monique Finch, monique_finch@hcpss.org

More information: �www.hcpss.org/supports/mental-health-wellness

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MCAP (Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program)

9/21-9/23 for 4th & 5th grades

MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) - Grades 1-5
CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) - Grades 3 & 5
MISA (Maryland Integrated Science Assessment) - Gr. 5 only

Assessments at the Elementary Level

MCAP (Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program) is the name for the standardized reading, writing and mathematics assessments implemented in all Maryland schools. MCAP ELA and Math assessments are directly aligned to the MD College and Career Ready standards. Results indicate how closely students, beginning in Grade 3, are on track to graduate college- and career-ready. Students will take MCAP ELA and Math assessments in the spring. Due to 2020-2021 COVID assessment cancellations, students in grades 4 and 5 will also participate in a shortened version of the MCAP assessments in fall of 2021. Students will hand-carry the results home when home reports are generated.
MAP (or Measures of Academic Progress) is an online mathematics and reading test used in Grades 1-8. MAP gives timely feedback to assess where a student is performing, and how they’ve grown in achievement. This school year, Grades 1-5 will take MAP in the fall and spring. Results are posted in hcpss connect.
CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) is used in grades 3 and 5 to make student placement decisions for Gifted & Talented (G/T) programs. CogAT measures students’ verbal, quantitative and nonverbal reasoning abilities: the three areas most closely related to success in school. Our goal is to widen access to enriching learning opportunities for all students. Results are mailed home with placement recommendations in the spring.
MISA (Maryland Integrated Science Assessment) is the standardized online science assessment, developed and implemented by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). MISA, like our science curriculum, is aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards. MISA covers all science disciplines: Earth/Space Science, Life Science, Physical Science, and Engineering. The Next Generation Science Standards provide consistency in science instruction while connecting tightly with mathematics and English Language Arts. For elementary students, MISA will take place in 5^th grade.

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Parent contact information
Medical data and contacts
After-school transportation
Data privacy preferences

www.hcpss.org/connect

Update Student Information

We have updated Family File information for 91% of our students! Please help us get to 100% if your information is not up to date.

The Family File on HCPSS Connect provides important information about your student. All information is confidential.

It is important that parents update the Family File each year with current data about your student including:

Parent emails and phone numbers
Student medical contact data
After-school transportation options
Data privacy options
Links to the application for the Free and Reduced Meals program

Log into HCPSS Connect and click More Options on the left navigation panel. Then click the Family File link in the main area of the screen.

Parents can make changes in the Family File at any time during the year.

Parents without online access can provide this information through a paper “Emergency Procedure and Confidential Student Information” form. Contact the school office for a copy of this form.

Athletic participation forms can be completed online in HCPSS Connect Synergy by selecting More Options from the left navigation panel and then choosing Athletic Registration

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Grades K, 1, & 2 in homeroom teacher’s classrooms
Presentations will run from 7:00-7:45pm
All slides will be posted to Canvas

Grade Level Presentations

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VISION: Every student and staff member embraces diversity and possesses the skills, knowledge and confidence to positively influence the larger community.

VALUE

ACHIEVE

EMPOWER

CONNECT

MISSION: HCPSS ensures academic success and�social-emotional well-being for each student in an inclusive and nurturing environment that closes opportunity gaps.

More information: www.hcpss.org/scta

Superintendent Michael Martirano has established a bold Strategic Call to Action to guide our school system. “Learning and Leading with Equity” is a strategic plan for building an instructional program to enable every student to reach their greatest potential.

HCPSS is focusing our resources and priorities to make certain that every child graduates from high school and is prepared for the world of work and ready to enter college.

The Strategic Call to Action embodies four commitments to each student, staff member, parent, and community member:

We VALUE every stakeholder, whether student, employee, parent, or community member.
We commit to ACHIEVEMENT by supporting every person in our system - both students and staff - in reaching milestones for personal growth that are appropriate to their goals and strengths.
We CONNECT with students, parents and community members in ways that nurture and restore.
We EMPOWER schools, employees, families, and community members to actively support student achievement and well‐being.
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School and System News and Information

Text

Email

School news, HCPSS News,

emergency notices

Urgent/emergency notices only

HCPSS website

www.hcpss.org

Systemwide news and information resource

BPES website

bpes.hcpss.org

School news, calendar, sports and clubs, staff directory; more

Parents receive news and announcements from our school and system via the HCPSS News service. Parents are automatically registered for this service. Email messages are delivered to the contact information that you provide in the Family File.

Parents receive via Email:

School newsletters & other communications
Major system-level announcements
HCPSS News weekly newsletter, providing news and upcoming events.
Emergency notifications (school closings/delays).

Text messages: Parents have the option to receive text messages. Texts are sent only for urgent/emergency announcements (school closings and delays, etc.)

New parents are sent a text message to opt-in for text alerts. If you didn’t receive this, visit www.hcpss.org/hcpss-news/ to troubleshoot.
Text alerts will be sent to the mobile phone number identified in Family File.
If you were opted-in to receive text messages last year, and your phone number has not changed, you do not need to opt-in again.

Our school website is a one-stop destination where you can quickly find:

School calendar, announcements and news
Student activities, sports, clubs
Services including school meals
Staff directory and email links
Quick Links to HCPSS Connect, system website, and other resources for students and parents

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Social Media

BPES Twitter: @hcpss_bpes

HCPSS Twitter: www.Twitter.com/HCPSS

HCPSS Instagram: instagram.com/hocoschools

HCPSS Flickr: flickr.com/photos/hcpss

Superintendent Twitter: https://twitter.com/mjmsuper

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School system news and announcements
Upcoming events
Opportunities to share input on HCPSS policies and decisions

Weekly System Emails

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HCPSS Mobile App

Free download on App Store:

iPhone
iPad
Android

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School Closings/Delays

@hcpss

www.HCPSS.org

HCPSS News

HCPSS Status

status.hcpss.org

Hotline

410-313-6666

HCPSS TV

42 Verizon / 72 Comcast

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Mental Health Resources

Network of Care

Howard County Resources

Community-based Wrap-around Services

Foreign-Born Support Services/Bilingual Support Services

Howard County Health Department

Guide to Community Services in Howard County: https://www.acshoco.org/resources/guide-to-community-services/

More information: �www.hcpss.org/supports/mental-health-wellness

Each school has a Student Support Team (SST), which provides a structured process for identifying students’ social-emotional, academic, and/or behavioral needs and connecting students/families with appropriate resources.

Our school SST works with families in collaboration with county agencies and services to provide supports. Contact the school counselor, administrator, or any additional members of the student support team (listed on previous slide) about any of these resources.

The Network of Care is a local resource for individuals, families, and agencies, provided by the Howard County Health Department. The network provides up to date information in the whole range of human services including behavioral health, basic needs, and community resources. An SST member can connect you with a specific Howard County agency, both through the school system and government. Examples include: Hope Works (sexual & domestic violence) and Howard County Office of Children & Families (e.g., Care Line- to connect with resources). Some are included at the link: www.hcpss.org/supports/mental-health-wellness.

Families can receive wraparound services and case management to support mental health and wellness through organizations in our community. The approach is comprehensive, holistic, and youth/family-driven.

There are several programs to support families who are foreign-born or bilingual. Services can support families with adjusting to a new home, employment, legal services, mental health supports, and workforce development and training.

We can help families find Howard County Health Department information, referrals and directories. The Behavioral Health Navigator will determine which services best meet needs/interests.

Families can use the Guide to Community Services in Howard County 2020 when looking for any and all community services of Howard County. The guide breaks information down by nonprofit organizations, government agencies, businesses and crisis resources with an explanation of services. Crisis information is provided in Chinese, English, Korean and Spanish.

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Synergy Student

Information System

Canvas Learning Management System

www.hcpss.org/connect

Family File

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HCPSS Connect: How to Get Help

Login Assistance:

Contact the school office

Guides and Resources:

hcpss.org/connect

��Password Reset Guide:

hcpss.org/f/connect/synergy-parent-access.pdf

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Canvas: What to Expect

CANVAS

Course Homepage:

Overview

Student privacy information

Resources

Calendar dates/events

Assignments & Gradebook

Announcements

Student skill building (grade appropriate)

Have Canvas Questions? Click the Orientation box�on the Canvas homepage to access Parent Guides

New! Updated Interface

Canvas is HCPSS’ Learning Management System. Your child’s teachers will publish a course in Canvas for each class.

Elementary school teachers primarily use Canvas to share general course information and resources, send out announcements, share calendar events and post student’s grades. Your child’s classroom teacher will publish their individual ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies and Health courses. In upper-elementary grades, your child’s teacher may use more of Canvas’s other tools, such as online discussion boards, quizzes, and digital assignment submissions.
Middle school teachers will use Canvas to share general course information and resources, send out announcements, share calendar events and post class content, student’s assignments and grades.

This year Canvas courses will have a new easy to navigate look and feel for elementary and middle school students.

CANVAS EXPECTATIONS for teachers:

Each Canvas course will have the following:

Course homepage

Overview - Information about the course and teacher or about the grade-level team
Student privacy information - Information on homepage or grade level page regarding teachers’ use of recording devices and digital tools for school-related activities
Resources - Links to instructional tools or resources for families

Calendar dates - Share class/grade specific dates and events with families and students using the Canvas calendar
Assignments - post student assignments (Please note that not all assignments will need to be submitted digitally)
Gradebook - Share student progress
Announcements – Teachers will communicate timely information with students and families using announcements, either through the teacher course or grade level course. By default, announcements will be sent to the parent’s primary email in Family File

Teachers will also help students develop their Canvas and online learning skills with grade-appropriate activities.

Parents can learn more about how to use Canvas by going to the Canvas Orientation course (find link at the top of the Canvas homepage). There, they can learn how to navigate Canvas and change their notification preferences.

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Interactive School Menus on Nutrislice

Food descriptions
Nutrition and allergens
Carb counts
Pre-payment links
FARMS application link
Breakfast and lunch menus

http://hcpss.nutrislice.com

HCPSS Mobile App

Free iPhone or iOS app

HCPSS offers online school menus through a website and mobile app by Nutrislice.

The interactive menus provide access to up-to-the-minute content anytime, anywhere.

The innovative school menu site features nutrition and allergen information for all Howard County school meal items, both breakfast and lunch, and includes:

Carb counts
Allergen filters
Food descriptions and photos
Menu item rating system
Links to MySchoolBucks pre-payment options
Monthly menu email subscription sign-up
And more

Menus are available in several languages: English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, and French.

Options for using the interactive menus:

Online: hcpss.nutrislice.com
Download the free app, “School Lunch by Nutrislice,” in the Google Play or App stores.
Select the “Menus” icon on the HCPSS mobile app

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Qualifying families can receive free or reduced-cost:

Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FARMs)

School meals
Health insurance
HCC tuition
SAT, ACT and AP exam fees
Camps, sports, child care
Many other benefits

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Step 1: Visit www.hcpss.org/farms/

Step 2: Click “Apply Online” to begin the online application process

Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FARMs)

HCPSS WEBSITE

APPLICATION

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Student Technology Use in Elementary School

Students may use their personal technology:

When permitted by a teacher or administrator
Before and after school

Devices must remain off and in backpack at all other times

Personal devices are not required for school

HCPSS-Issued Laptops

Pre-K – Grade 1: Devices will not be assigned to students at the start of the school year. Students will have access to Chromebooks in school when needed for instruction.
Grades 2-5: All students are issued a school system laptop.

HCPSS Policy 8080: “Responsible Use of Technology, Digital Tools, and Social Media” https://policy.hcpss.org/8000/8080/

All students will be issued a school system laptop. Classroom teachers will support students on safely and correctly managing laptops.

Grades PreK-1: Students in these grades will not be issued a laptop at the start of the school year, due to supply chain shortages. Students will have access to a laptop to use in school when needed for instruction.
Chromebooks that were already issued to PreK–grade 1 students should be returned to school. This was managed by our school staff during the first few days of school.
Individual laptops will be issued to preK–2 students later in the school year when supply becomes available.
Grades 2-5: Students will bring laptops back and forth from home to school daily.

Families may opt at any time to keep an assigned device at school rather than have students bring the device back and forth.

HCPSS also permits students to bring their personally-owned technology devices to school for instructional or personal use, under the discretion of school administrators and teachers.

Students will never be required or expected to bring a personal device to school. When an instructional activity is planned that needs access to individual technology, devices will be provided for use by students who do not have their own technology.

Students, with parent/guardian permission, assume full responsibility for their devices including safety, security and maintenance. You can find details on student and parent expectations for personal technology on the HCPSS website: https://policy.hcpss.org/8000/8080/.

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On Canvas via �HCPSS Connect

Curriculum content overview for each

Grade (PreK – 5)
Subject area

What Your Child Will Learn Guides

www.hcpss.org/connect

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Masking Requirements

Masks MUST be worn by all students, staff and visitors:

In school buildings
On buses

Masks are NOT required:

Outdoors on school grounds
While eating/drinking indoors

Learn more at

help.hcpss.org

under “Health & Safety”

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New web page: https://www.hcpss.org/supports/lgbtqia-youth/

LGBTQIA+ Youth

Optional pronoun settings:�https://news.hcpss.org/news-posts/2021/04/�optional-pronoun-settings-in-canvas/

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion information:

https://www.hcpss.org/diversity/

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2021-2022 Fall Instruction

Information and updates:

www.hcpss.org/2021-2022/

Answers to frequently-asked questions:

help.hcpss.org

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Community News and Programs

Find activities and resources for students and families offered by many community non-profits and agencies

Search by keyword, ages or topic

community-programs.hcpss.org