Class Dojo

If you haven’t signed up for CLASS DOJO, it’s not too late!  Contact your child’s teacher or go to Class Dojo Website to get more detailed information.

School information

Please be sure to use all of the parking spaces on the campus lot.  We also ask that you not block the entrance to get onto the parking lot, and do not block the parking spaces.  We want to maintain a safe, positive and welcoming atmosphere here at Essex Elementary. 

School begins promptly at 9:00 a.m. It’s important to have your child on time, as they miss the morning announcements and breakfast is also served.  Many teachers have morning work as well.

We dismiss at 3:30 p.m.  If you are getting a child out of school early, please try to pick them up by 3:00.  Be sure to send a note to your child’s teacher that your child will be leaving early so they can get any work they may be missing.

It’s important to bring a change of clothes for your child.  Accidents happen and having extra clothing in their locker keeps them from missing time in class. 

Bedtime routines are very important for elementary age children.  Please make sure your child is getting the required 9-11 hours of sleep. 

Clothing and shoe donations are needed.  If you are cleaning out your child’s closet and have pants/sweatpants/socks and shoes that are in good condition, please contact Nurse Gorman by phone or email to see what items she needs.   

MAP Testing Schedule

Here are five ways that parents can prepare their children for testing:

1. Meet with your child’s teacher as often as needed to discuss his or her progress. Ask the teacher to suggest activities for you and your child to do at home to help prepare for tests and improve your child’s understanding of schoolwork. Parents and teachers working together benefits students.

2. Provide a quiet, comfortable, distraction-free place for studying at home.

3. Make sure that your child is well rested on school days and especially the day of a test. Children who are tired are less able to pay attention in class or to handle the demands of a test.

4. Give your child a well-rounded diet. A healthy body leads to a healthy, active mind.

5. Provide books and magazines for your child to read at home. By reading new materials, a child learns new words that might appear on a test. Ask your child’s school about a suggested outside reading list or get suggestions from the public library.

The BCPS Stakeholder Survey

It’s that time of the year when you can voice your opinion and share your thoughts with TEAM BCPS!  We’re hoping our families take advantage of this useful tool.  Help shape our future!  Your feedback shapes our budget, staffing, and programs, including allocations from Title I-IV federal grants.  The BCPS Stakeholder Survey results will truly reflect Team BCPS.  
The survey will be available online at the Baltimore County Website from January 27, 2020 through March 1, 2020, for Team BCPS stakeholders: students in Grades 3-12, parents/caregivers, community members, and all staff. It takes five minutes or less to complete and is anonymous.

Life is Better with Clean Hands 
CDC has launched Life is Better with Clean Hands, a national campaign encouraging parents to make clean hands a healthy habit for the whole family.
Handwashing is an easy, inexpensive, and effective way to help your family stay healthy. Studies have shown that handwashing can prevent 1 in 3 diarrhea-related sicknesses and 1 in 5 respiratory infections, such as a cold or the flu. When your family is healthy, you don’t have to worry about missing school, work, or other activities.

Help your children make handwashing a healthy habit at home, school, and play by teaching kids the five easy steps for handwashing—wet, lather, scrub, rinse and dry—and the key times to wash hands, such as after using the bathroom or before eating.

Giving frequent reminders so that handwashing becomes a habit and a regular part of your child’s day.  Leading by example by washing your hands.  Handwashing is one of the most important things you can do to prevent food poisoning. Follow these handwashing tips to make sure you have clean hands when preparing food:
Wash hands before, during, and after preparing food and before eating. Wash your hands often. Be sure to wash before preparing any food and after touching raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs.
Wash your hands the right way. Wet your hands with water before applying soap. Scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails for at least 20 seconds before, during, and after handling any food.
Wash your hands often when you cook to prevent the spread of germs. Your hands can spread germs in the kitchen, so always wash your hands to prevent cross-contamination.
Wash hands before and after using gloves. Gloves can get contaminated with germs from your hands. Be sure to wash your hands before and after using gloves to prevent the spread of germs.

For more information on Life is Better with Clean Hands, a campaign promotion toolkit, free posters, and other resources for promoting handwashing, visit the Clean Hands Website.

PTA Corner News

Mark your calendar!

Feb 3rd PTA Meeting 5:30 p.m.

Feb 3rd—7th                   Valentine Grams

Feb 11th—26th                Joe Corbi Fundraiser

Feb 16th                         Ice Skating Fundraiser

Feb 21st                           Family Game Night

Feb 25th                         Chipotle Spirit Night

Mar 20th PINGO

Apr 2nd Joe Corbi Delivery

Apr 8th Pizza John’s Family Night

Apr 30th Paint Night

Thanks to all who came to the GLOW Dance, it was another fun and successful night for our students and families.  We are always searching for volunteers.  Please message us on email or join our Facebook page to get involved.  It’s never to late to join the PTA.  Stop by one of our meetings and learn how you can get involved.

School Social Worker News

Kenwood High School Food Pantry