Pride PostMarch 2018

Seven Oaks Promise

Seven Oaks P.R.I.D.E.Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Discipline, Excellence

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Farah Springer, Principal Phone (410)222-0937

fspringer@aacps.org Fax (410)305-2590

Amy Fee, Assistant Principal https://twitter.com/sevenoakses

afee@aacps.org http://www.aacps.org/html/schol/Elementary/soes.asp

March Dates2st- School Closed for Students Parent Teacher Conferences5-9th National School Breakfast Week6th- PTA meeting 6:30pm9th- Interims sent home16th- PTA Skate Night27th- Chick Fil A night 4-827-28th 4th Grade to Arlington Echo29/30th- Easter/Spring Break

In this issue:Website Update- Pg. 2Grade Level News- Pgs 2-6Pride in the Pride- Pg. 7Volunteers needed- Pg. 7Honor Roll Requirements- Pg. 7Career Fair- Pg. 8Uniform Policy- Pg 9Visitors- Pg 10Attendance-Pg 10Outside Food- Pg 11Early Dismissals- Pg 11Changes in Dismissal- Pg 11Lunch/Recess Schedule- Pg 11Lunch Prices- Pg 11Harris Teeter- Pg. 12Giant Rewards- Pg 12Clothing for Cash- Pg. 13Health Room Info- Pg. 14-17Twitter- Pg. 18School Cameras- Pg. 18

Principal’s Message

Dear SOE Families,

Great things are happening at SOE! We are lucky to share your children! March brings lots of activities and field trips to enhance daily instructional opportunities.

Students have been working diligently on their science projects and showing their brain power! We are fortunate to have such engaged and enthusiastic learners.

A special thank you goes out to our PTA for planning several fun-filled activities, including our family dance. Thank you to all who participated in all of our fundraising events!!! Your support is greatly appreciated!!!

Wishing everyone a wonderful spring break, March 29th-April 2nd. Enjoy!!!

In partnership,

Farah SpringerPrincipal

SEVEN OAKS

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Seven Oaks Website

The Seven Oaks website is now fully functional! It contains important school information including staff emails, school schedules, school supply lists, PTA information, newsletters and much more! There is even a calendar that reflects events specific to Seven Oaks. This is a great resource for parents. You may even see a picture of your student on our slide show!

Please check it out by following the link below:

https://www.aacps.org/Page/4973

Yearbook Orders

Please copy and paste the link to your browser: :https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fybpay.lifetouch.com%2FOrder%2FLookupJob%3Fjobnumber

%3D12998018&data=01%7C01%7Cdaedwards%40aacps.org%7C043e05abead844c97c7308d56fdd642c%7Cfa641ecbbe7d40d38d831769b7a5626a%7C0&sdata=SeKypnh%2FHlGErvfcPg%2FGNWrrjUf1efjxsUCjkYerrRo%3D&reserved=0

Grade Level News

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The Pre-K PackHi parents, thank you for helping your child with their home projects during the last month! We

enjoyed seeing and sharing the creativity! Continue to practice letter sounds, sight words, and number sense while at home! With the weather getting warmer it would be a great time to find fun ways to practice skills outside! Please continue to read to your students every day!

Kindergarten CornerThis month we will begin Theme 3 “The Power in Our World”. In this theme, we will learn

about plants, animals, and nature. We will learn that we have the power to adapt the environment in order to stay safe.

In Science we will also learn about animals’ habitats and needs in order to survive, plants’ environment, needs, and adaptations in order to survive, human’s needs for survival, different types of weather and adapting to the environment to be safe.

In Language and Literacy skills, we will focus on reviewing all letters with an emphasis on corresponding sounds, high frequency words, pronouns, and word families.

In Math we will be learning about counting to 81 by ones and tens and by starting with any given number, counting objects and writing the number to show how many up to 20, comparing two groups of objects (up to 10) using greater than, less than, or equal to, comparing two written numbers from 1-10, adding and subtracting within 10 using objects, fingers, pictures, drawings, numbers, sounds (i.e. clapping), and/or equations, solving addition (up to 10) and subtraction (within 10) word problems, and decomposing numbers 4 to 7 in more than one way using objects, drawings, and/or equations

We had so much fun celebrating the 100th day of Kindergarten last month! Thanks again parents for helping your child with their homework projects each month!

First GradeFirst Grade has been working hard in our third theme: How to Share Ideas. Students have

learned how communication has changed over time and continue to learn to communicate through sound, music, and even light. First grade is hard at work as we begin learning about telling time to the half hour and hour, as well as partition shapes into halves and fourths. In writing, students are stating their opinion and supporting it with reasoning. In reading, students are continuing to engage in higher level texts and answer text dependent questions. When reading, students are expected to recall events and refer back to the text to support their claims. First grade thanks you all for your continued support as we move through the third marking period!

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Second GradeThird quarter is off to a great start! Conferences will be held on Friday, March 2nd. Your child’s

teacher has informed you if a conference is needed at this time. This will be the last scheduled conference date of the school year. Spring break is March 28th-April 2nd. Students need to continue to dress appropriate for the weather. Students should be studying spelling words daily at home in addition to practicing at school. They also have access to FASTT Math Stretch at home for math practice. Their username is their lunch number/student ID. Their password is MATH1234. Your child should be reading each night at their level and recording on their reading log. If you are in need of books on your child’s reading level, you can search on scholastic.com by their level.

Students will be continuing to explore geometry concepts while working with the M² program. Students will be investigating 2- and 3- dimensional shapes by experimenting with bubbles and discussing similarities and differences. Students will also be describing the properties of shapes including faces, edges and vertices as they compose and decompose shapes. Students will continue to explore and write opinion pieces in writing workshop. In this unit students will see through the eyes of an Environmental Steward, and study how we can change the world!

Third Grade  We’re excited spring is coming! We will be reviewing the expectations that we have in school for this time of year. Please stress at home the importance of school rules in the classroom and at recess. Our mathematicians will be building multiplication and division fact fluency. We will also be revisiting fractions, with a focus on equivalent fractions and comparing fractions. As scientists, our students will study different weather patterns and solve weather related issues. In social studies third graders will focus on the importance of making economic choices and how they impact our everyday lives. We will focus on different parts of a business and students will have an opportunity to create their own businesses. We are continuing to work with our students on their reading comprehension skills. We plan to build their overall comprehension of a variety of texts by practicing reading a text fluently and accurately, as well as expanding their vocabulary.

Fourth GradeAs the third quarter has kicked off, we continue to expose the 4th graders to critical thinking

skills. In, Social Studies, students will investigate the role Maryland played in post-revolutionary America, including Maryland’s role in the War of 1812 and analyze the social and economic changes in Maryland because of changing technology (canals, railroads, etc). In Science, students will learn how the changes in landscapes come about and their evidences in fossils and rock layers. In Math, students will continue to explore geometry as they look at angle measurements. In Reading, students will be analyzing figurative languages in poetry and inferring the theme from a variety of genres. In writing students will continue to expand their knowledge on persuasive writing.

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Fifth Grade As the third quarter continues, and interims are getting ready to be distributed, the time has

come to reflect on our progress. We will continue to promote rigor, critical thinking, and collaboration in all content areas in order to prepare for our upcoming third quarter benchmark assessments which will be at the end of March in Reading Language Arts. The math county assessment is scheduled for early April. In math, we have ended our unit on fractions, and continuing our lessons on adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing decimals. We will be moving to geometry towards the middle of the month. In science, we finished our unit on the four spheres, and have begun studying food webs. Specifically, we will be focusing on ecosystems and hydroponic farming. In addition, students will be taking the Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA) from March 5th through March 8th. In Social Studies, students will continue to explore the American Revolution. Students will identify the key turning points in the war and analyze these events from multiple perspectives. In Reading Language Arts, students will read a combination of literary and informational texts. Literary text instruction will be geared around various literary elements and how they contribute to meaning. There will be an emphasis on interpreting poetry. Students will focus their thinking around the evidence in the text in order to support their thinking. Students will continue to compare and contrast themes and topics, as well as integrate information from several literary texts in order to write or speak about various literary elements. Although our 5 th Drownproofing trip is not until April 18th, 19th, 22nd and 23rd, it is important to mark these important dates on your calendar as we will need many parent volunteers, both men and women. More information will be sent home mid-March. Did you know that the fourth most common cause of accidental death in the United States is drowning? During Drownproofing, techniques and skills will be taught to students to help in an emergency situation.  

Triple E Arts & HumanitiesIn Triple E Arts & Humanities we continue to explore the concept of empathy and how we

can use our imagination and/or personal experiences to understand how other people and animals feel. K-2 are working on a kindness quilt, grades 3-4 are working on animal shadow puppets (animals and empathy), and grade 5 is working on an empathy rap song. All of these artistic projects will be shared with all or specific members of the school community. Your children are being challenged weekly to be kind to others (the fruit of empathy) and to share their stories with the class. Teachers are doing this, too! We are hearing many stories about the incredibly kind things that our parents do for others. All of this is inspiring us to do more kind things!

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Instrumental MusicDID YOU KNOW THAT MARCH IS MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH?

March has been officially designated by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) for the observance of Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®), the time of year when music education becomes the focus of schools across the nation.

MIOSM began as a single statewide celebration in 1973, and has grown over the decades to encompass a day, then a week, and then in 1985 to become a month long celebration of school music. The purpose of MIOSM is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children – and to remind citizens that schools is where all children should have access to music and to display the benefits that school music brings to students of all ages (NAFME, 2018).

You can read more about MIOSM at https://nafme.org/programs/miosm/music-in-our-schools-month-miosm/

Band and String Students should be practicing the songs listed below at home on their instrument for homework, 10-15 minutes at least 6 days a week.

All strings practice assignments on PEPPERONI PIZZA-CATO and SHORTIN' BREAD in preparation for the spring concert. In addition,

Beginning Strings practice A MOZART MELODY in the Essential Elements book pg. 14, song #

Advanced Strings practice CRIPPLE CREEK in the Essential Elements book pg. 43, song #

All band and percussion students practice assignments on TURBO ROCK, POPCORN PRELUDE, and COOL IT in preparation for the spring concert.

As a reminder, the Band and Strings Spring Concert will take place on Wednesday, April 18th at 6:30 pm with students arriving for the call time at 6:00 pm. PLEASE NOTIFY ANY COACHES AND SCOUT LEADERS OF THIS IMPORTANT SCHOOL EVENT.

Thank you for your support.

Music NewsIn music classes, the children are learning new skills. Kindergarten have been moving to show

form as well as high and low in music. First grade students are moving to practice the pitches so and mi. Second grade students are developing their rhythm and melody skills with a variety of songs from around the world. Third, fourth and fifth graders are playing their recorders as well as learning about other musical elements.

Chorus is working on music for the Spring Concert. The date is Tuesday, May 22 at 6:30pm. For those involved in after school chorus, our rehearsal schedule is below. The schedule will be as follows:

February 28 March 14 March 28 April 25 May 9

Please remember afterschool chorus ends at 3:50.

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ArtThird grade is working on outer space pictures.

AACPS Summer Music Camp AACPS Summer Music Camp information is now available. Online applications are due by Feb. 19th.

An audition is also required. Students who are currently enrolled in their school's band, strings, or chorus program that will be entering grades 6-12 this fall are eligible. All information can be found at this link: https://www.aacps.org/Page/2294

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PRIDE IN THE PRIDEWe would like to recognize the following families for their dedication to Seven Oaks:

Thank you to:

Ms. Hepburn, Ms. Weaver, Mr. Shamberger and Ms. Marburger, Ms. Hunter, Mr. Crossley, Ms. Whitney, Ms. McAdams, Ms. Dichoso, and Ms. Irvin volunteering in the classroom.

Ms. Hylan and Ms. Alexander, Ms. Browder and Ms. Hill for volunteering in media. A very big thank you to the many volunteers that assisted with Career Day!

MediaDuring the month of February, we reviewed how to access the databases and e-books from home.

Students begin by going to the Anne Arundel County Public Schools website at www.aacps.org . The Library Media link can be found under the first three tabs – Students, Academics, and Services. Select Online Databases or the Public Access Catalog to find E-Books. Students can access the databases and E-Books at home by logging in with their 6-digit school ID number. The last 4 digits of that number becomes their password. Enjoy the many resources we have available!

Also, don’t forgot that students have access to the Anne Arundel County Public Library’s resources, as well. On the same Library Media page as above there is a link to the SAIL program called Student Public Library Card. The SAIL program stands for Student Access to Improved Learning. The direct link to the website is https://www.aacpl.net/sail . The public library has so much to offer!

Volunteers Needed

We are in need of volunteers to help organize uniforms that have been donated to our school. Please contact Ms. Elam if you are available to assist.

tmorgan-elam@aacps.org

Seven Oaks Elementary (410)222-0937

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Seven Oaks Elementary School Uniform Policy Seven Oaks Elementary School Uniform Policy

Things listed below are in

COMPLIANCE with the mandatory uniform policy for boys and girls. Adhering to this policy

will help make your time at Seven Oaks Elementary School pleasant and

enjoyable.

Tops: Tops must be light blue, navy blue or white long or short-sleeved polo style Tops must be tucked in securely.

Other Tops: Other tops may include a V-neck

sweater style vest, front button cardigan, sweatshirt with a banded collar or a Seven Oaks Elementary School sweatshirt. Tops must be light blue, navy blue or white.

Belts: A solid, plain black, dark brown, or navy blue leather or leather-like belt must go through the loops and be buckled securely around the waist. Belt buckles should be plain.

Shoes: Shoes must be safe and enclose the foot. Shoes may not expose students to safety hazards nor should they impede a student from moving quickly during an evacuation of the building. Athletic shoes are permitted.

Pants: Navy blue or Khaki full-length standard issue pants are to be worn securely around the waist with a belt.

Skirts/Shorts/Skorts: Navy blue or Khaki in color; must extend to the middle of the thigh when standing at attention. (Shorts may be worn between April 1 and Oct. 31)

Things listed below are

VIOLATIONS of the uniform policy. The policy is for

girls and boys.

Tops: Tops may not have any designs, logos,

characters, names or numbers of any size. Sleeveless tops, crop tops, v-necks, halters, undershirts, and tee shirts are not allowed. Tops may not be un-tucked (White T-shirts may be worn under the school uniform top.)

Other Tops: Tops may not have a hood, zipper, designs, logos, characters, names or numbers of any size. Jackets and coats may not be worn in class and must be kept in the student lockers.

Belts: Belts may not have anything dangling. They may not contain chain loops, symbols, larger designer insignia, characters, names or numbers of any size.

Shoes: Flip-flops or sandals may not be worn to school.

Pants: Pants may not contain large designer

insignia, characters, names or numbers. No bandanas. Pants may not be rolled up or tucked into footwear.

Skirts/Shorts/Skorts: Mini and/or tight skirts/shorts/skorts are not allowed.

Jewelry and Accessories: Jewelry should not pose safety hazards or be a distraction. Necklaces should not be longer than 18 inches. Charms may not be replicas of weapons or contraband.

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Notice to Parents and VisitorsAll parents/visitors must report to the main office before proceeding into the school. The

safety of all students and staff in Anne Arundel County Public Schools is of utmost importance to all of us.  Our school will be utilizing a system for checking in all visitors.  The system is called: V Soft by RaptorWare.  When you visit our school for the first time, you will be asked to present a government-issued photo ID to a staff person in the school office.  This card will be scanned and the following information will be collected:  your photo, your name, and your date of birth.  This information will be utilized to check you in, create an ID badge, and compare your information against sexual offender databases throughout the country.  If your name appears on any of the lists or you refuse to allow the use of your ID, then access to the school will be denied.  On future visits to a school, in which you have previously registered, you will only be asked to show your ID as your name will be selected from an existing list of previous visitors.  You will also be asked to sign out with the office upon leaving the school so that we know you have departed the building.  You will be required to check into the system even if you are only coming to school to pick up your child.  The information collected will not be shared outside of the school and is kept on a secure server. 

We ask that you say your morning goodbyes at the front door and allow your child to proceed to his/her class independently. We also ask that you help your child be responsible for bringing all materials needed every day, including lunches, instruments and homework. Forgotten items can be brought to the main office and will be delivered to your child at lunch time by a staff member. Your cooperation in this security effort is greatly appreciated.

Should you have any questions, please contact James Batten, Supervisor of School Security, 410-222-5083 or jdbatten@aacps.org.

1 Attendance Regular school attendance is an important factor in student success. As a parent, you can

encourage proper attendance by ensuring that your child gets adequate rest, eats a healthy breakfast, and has adequate time to catch the school bus or walk to school.

There are lawful reasons for absence from school. Whenever your child is absent, you must provide a note of explanation to the school within three days of your child’s return to school. Absences of five consecutive days or more require a physician’s note.

School hours are from 8:15 a.m. until 2:40 p.m. Students who walk or are driven to school should plan to arrive between 8:00a.m.-8:15 a.m. Students should not be dropped off before 7:55 a.m., as there is no supervision until this time. All students are expected to be in their classrooms by 8:15 a.m. so as not to be marked tardy. We highly recommend that all communities form walking groups so students can walk together and adults can take turns supervising the walk to and from school.

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Outside FoodIn consideration of wellness issues and student allergies, outside food is discouraged to share with classmates.

Early DismissalsWe apologize for the inconvenience, but for the safety of our students, early dismissal of

students will only occur before 2:20.

Changes in DismissalPlease notify the school in writing if there are changes in your child’s dismissal.

Lunch & Recess Schedule

Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

1st Grade

2nd Grade

Kindergarten

10:30-10:55

11:00-11:25

11:30-11:55

12:00-12:25

12:30-12:55

1:00-1:25

Recess

10:00-10:25

10:30-10:55

11:00-11:25

11:30-11:55

12:00-12:25

1:00-1:24

Lunch

2017-18 School Lunch PricesApplications for Free/Reduced Meals will be done online this year.

Please follow the link below:

https://applyformeals.aacps.org

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SOE Parents and Supporters!!!

Seven Oaks Elementary joins Harris Teeter's Together in Education (TIE) program to help raise funds for our schools. It's easy and it's FREE.

Complete either of the following to link your VIC card:

Simply give the cashier our code, 4062, and your VIC card when you check out and your card will be linked for the entire school year;

Go to the TIE page (https://www.harristeeter.com/ together -in- education #/app/cms ) and link your card directly;

Contact Jackie Johnson (jjohnsonpta@gmail.com) to link your VIC card to our school.

That's it!

Once your card is linked, Seven Oaks Elementary will receive a percentage of your Harris Teeter brand (Harris teeter, H.T. Traders, Harris Teeter Organics, HT Farmers Market, and purchases in the HT Pharmacy) purchases credited back to our account. This program does not interfere with your VIC savings or cost you any money!

Please contact Jackie Johnson (jjohnsonpta@gmail.com) for assistance.

Giant's A+ School Rewards

Seven Oaks Elementary is participating with Giant's A+ School Rewards! This is a great opportunity to participate in and earn CASH from A+ School Rewards, a great fundraising program run through your local Giant! Our school ID number: 05579  

To participate, just visit www.giantfood.com/aplus and scroll down to the center of the page to select REGISTER YOUR CARD from the red box on the right marked FOR CUSTOMERS.

To earn points, use your registered GIANT CARD each time you shop at Giant, and you will earn CASH for our school. You can track the number of points you are earning for our school by checking your grocery receipt.     

Please encourage your family members and friends to support our school. This could result in more CASH REWARDS!

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A little birdie told me...Seven OaksElementary

is now on Twitter!Follow us

@sevenoaksesGet news and updates

from our school and AACPS

Video Camera System

Seven Oaks Elementary School is equipped with a video camera system. It covers selected interior and exterior public portions of the building and grounds. It is not monitored constantly, but is monitored during emergency situations. During certain events, when the safety or security of students may be in question, authorized personnel from local, state, or federal police or fire emergency units may be given access to view images projected on the camera system. If you have any questions about the system, you may call James Batten, Supervisor of School Security, at (410) 222-5083.

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