RICHARD HENRY LEE ELEMENTARYSOARING TO EXCELLENCE: SUNDAY , MARCH 1, 2020

Mission: Richard Henry Lee provides a safe and challenging environment in which all children can learn. We strive to have our school community actively involved in empowering students to become lifelong learners and productive members of society.Vision: We have a safe and open environment for learning that encourages risk-taking among all students and staff. We provide a rigorous environment that fosters diversity while encouraging students to be critical thinkers, communicators and problem solvers. We collaborate to learn from each other and to strengthen relationships between families and school. We are all engaged in learning, staff and students alike, finding joy in its constant pursuit.

From the Principal

A little over three months to go in our temporary space! We are so excited to be moving into the new building this summer. The next opportunity for parent/teacher conferences is just around the corner on March 10. If a conference is needed, teachers have already sent out notices to those parents. If you have not received a notice about a scheduled conference and would like to make an appointment, please reach out to your child’s teacher. A conference at this time may not be necessary for every student.

At the end of March, we will begin one of several state mandated tests. Below is a summary of the testing that will be completed for each grade level. Please take some time to talk to your children about trying their best when they are taking tests. All or our tests will be online and will be occurring in the morning within the first two hours of school. Avoid scheduling routine appointments during testing days. The best way to prepare your child is to ensure they get a good night’s sleep, a good breakfast, and a positive start to the day!

We are excited to celebrate Read Across America Week March 2-6! Please see the detailed information included in the newsletter so your child can celebrate each day with us! Thank you for all that you do to support your child.

Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP)Grade level Topic Dates5th Science March 23, 26, 30, 314th Language Arts April 20, 21, 22, 233rd Language Arts April 27, 29, 30, May 15th Language Arts May 4, 6, 7, 84th Math May 5, 11, 12, 135th Math May 14, 15, 19, 213rd Math May 22, 26, 27, 28

Sincerely,

Lisa Koennel

School Counselor’s CornerPlease feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns throughout the school year at:

(410) 222-6435 or dhorn@aacps.org

March

2-6 Read Across America week

9 & 1117 & 18

Misa Testing9:15 am-10:30 am

9 Interims sent home today

9 PTA meeting @ 6 pm

10 Parent Teacher conferences- All

schools closed for students

18 R H Lee Spirit Night at Bubba’s-10% will

be donated to school with flyer

24 2-hr early dismissal for students

April

1 Kindergarten Registrations

Begins7/8 End of third

marking period

9-13 Easter/Spring Break- All Schools and Central Offices

closed14 Beginning of fourth

marking period

23 Report cards come home today

28 Primary Elections- All Schools and Central Offices

closed

Helping Children Handle StressStress can be a really difficult thing to deal with, especially for children. The warning signs in children are different from adults, but can range from anxiety to acting out in anger. Parents can use some of the following tips to help their children handle the stresses that come from school or life, in general.

Notice Out Loud. Tell your child when you notice that something's bothering him or her. If you can, name the feeling you think your child is experiencing.

Listen to your child. Ask your child to tell you what's wrong. Listen attentively and calmly — with interest, patience, openness, and caring. Avoid any urge to judge, blame, lecture, or say what you think your child should have done instead.

Comment briefly on the feelings you think your child was experiencing. For example, you might say "That must have been upsetting," "No wonder you felt mad when they wouldn't let you in the game," or "That must have seemed unfair to you."

Put a label on it. Many younger kids do not yet have words for their feelings. If your child seems angry or frustrated, use those words to help him or her learn to identify the emotions by name.

Listen and move on. Sometimes talking and listening and feeling understood is all that's needed to help a child's frustrations begin to melt away. Afterward, try changing the subject and moving on to something more positive and relaxing.

Just be there. Kids don't always feel like talking about what's bothering them. Sometimes that's OK. Let your kids know you'll be there when they do feel like talking. Even when kids don't want to talk, they usually don't want parents to leave them alone. You can help your child feel better just by being there — keeping him or her company.

Be patient. As a parent, it hurts to see your child unhappy or stressed. But try to resist the urge to fix every problem. Instead, focus on helping your child, slowly but surely, grow into a good problem-solver

Lyness, D. (Ed.). (2013, January). Helping Kids Cope with Stress (for Parents). Retrieved from https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/stress-coping.html

Mindfulness Tip of the Month Take deep breaths, which helps to alleviate stress and slow down your heart rate. Write down things you’re grateful for. Be present each moment. Try not to think about what you’ve done or need to do.

Mrs. Horn 😊

Nurse’s Notes School Health Staff— Our Nurse Autumn Leidy is available most days per week and is the person who has the most direct contact with your child when there is an illness or injury at school. Our Health Assistant Tammy Hupfl is trained in First Aid and CPR. If your child has a medical condition that may affect their time at school, please contact the school nurse to discuss the student’s condition.

We are committed to helping your student have a healthy and successful school year. Our goal is to keep your child healthy so they can miss the least amount of instructional time while at Richard Henry Lee. As we approach flu season it is important, we remember to practice healthy habits like handwashing, covering our mouths when we cough or sneeze, and staying home to rest when we are sick.

Please remember if your child has a fever, vomiting, or has diarrhea to keep your student home until they are free of those symptoms for 24 hours.

Also, please contact the health room if your student has any health needs that may impact their education. All medication is to be brought in by a parent with a parent's request to administer medication form (PRAM).

Keep an extra set of clothes (especially bottoms) in a bag in their locker. The bathrooms are further away this year. Accidents can happen at any age. Keeping extra clothes in their locker will allow them to quickly change and get back to learning. The health room does not supply clothes.

If your child has a fever of 100° (or higher) keep them home. Over the counter medicine may bring the temperature down but won’t stop the germs from spreading to other students.

If your child gets sent home from the health room with a temperature of 100°, they must be fever free for 24 hours without the help of medicine before returning to school.

If your child has red, draining eyes, diarrhea or an unusual rash, keep them home. They may need to see a doctor for further evaluation.

Any medication (prescription, inhalers, over the counter) that your child needs at school must be accompanied with a doctor’s order. An adult must deliver the medicine to the health room. Prescription

medication must be in a pharmacy-labeled container with the student’s name. Non-prescription medications must be in a new SEALED package.

Keep your child’s immunizations up to date. If you need assistance getting vaccines call the school nurse, Autumn Leidy- RN at 410-222-6435.

Make sure that your child gets a good night’s sleep. Turn off all screens (TV, phone, video games) at least one hour before bedtime.

Send your child to school with a snack.

If you have questions or would like to share pertinent health information with the school nurse call Richard Henry Lee Elementary School at 410-222-6435. Ask for the school nurse, Autumn Leidy RN or Tammy Hupfl CNA.

Read Across AmericaSpirit Week at RHLee!

March 2 - March 6, 2020Join us in celebrating Dr. Seuss’ birthday

by participating in the following spirit days!

Monday 3/2: Dress like your favorite book character! We will have parade in school for students who participate.

Tuesday 3/3: 1 Fish 2 Fish Red Fish Blue Fish- Wear clothing with numbers.

Wednesday 3/4: Oh, the Places You’ll Go Wear college gear.

Thursday 3/5: Read with my eyes shut- Read my shirt day! Wear a shirt that someone can read.

Friday 3/6: The Cat in the Hat- Wear a crazy hat.

PTA MISSION: To make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. We value collaboration, commitment, diversity, respect and accountability.

EXECUTIVE BOARD: Melissa Phillips-President, Jamie Causey-Vice President, Rob Nicholas-Treasurer, Jennifer Crandall-Secretary, Tanisha Poole- Membership

Upcoming PTA Meetings:

Monday, March 9th @ 6 pm

Tuesday, April 14th @ 6 pm

Box TopsPlease continue to support this fundraising effort by submitting Box Tops in one of three ways: send clipped Box Tops to school; create an account online at www.boxtops4education.comor download the Box Tops Mobile App available through Google Play or the Apple App Store.

Spirit Night Out

Our next Spirit Night Out will be Wednesday, March 18th at Bubba’s in Glen Burnie. Enjoy dinner out and help support our school. Paint NightMark your calendars for PTA Paint Night on Monday, March 23rd. The cost is $8 per student painter. More details to come.

Designer Purse BingoPlease plan to join us at next Designer Purse Bingo fundraiser on Sunday, April 19th

at the Glen Burnie Elks. Tickets are $22 in advance. Doors open at 12 noon.

Elections:R.H. Lee PTA elections will be held during our meeting on May 12th at 6 p.m. We are currently seeking nominees for the Executive Board. All positions are open including President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. See attached flyer for details. It’s not too late to join!

R.H. Lee

PTA Newsletter

Issue: March 2020

Email:

RHLEEPTA@gmail.com

Facebook: Like usR H Lee PTA