The Hillsmere
Herald
Aug- Sept 2012
The Principal’s Message
Name
Teacher:
Calendar Events
Date
Event
This is going to be an extra-special year. Do you
know how I am so sure?
September 4
PTA Meeting – 7 p.m.
We have talented staff, a supportive and
challenging curriculum, committed parents and
PTA, and a school community passionate about
learning. Opportunities for children at Hillsmere are
stronger than ever!
September 5
1st day for all PreKindergartners
September 7
School Spirit Day
1st day for all Kindergartners
Wear school colors (red,
white, blue)
September 11
Back To School Night 6:30
p.m.
September 12
2 hr. dismissal
We Have What It Takes. No Stopping Us Now!
Our 2012 MSA scores are an indicator of our success:
No PM Pre-K
91 % of children performed proficient and advanced in
Reading, and 93 scored proficient/advanced in math.
This represents growth of 3.2% in Reading and 5.3% in
Mathematics over the past three years.
September 13
Kindergarten @Camp
Woodlands
September 14
Kindergarten @ Camp
Woodlands
This year we will continue to improve our capacity to
provide advanced learner programs, differentiated
instruction and inquiry based learning associated with
Common Core.
September 17
No School – Rosh Hashanah
September 18
Fall School Picture Day
September 20
Volunteer Video 9:15 a.m.
September 26
No School – Yom Kipper
We hope your child is at school by 8:45 am each
morning. This allows enough time for them to get
organized and ready for the school day. Instruction
begins promptly at 9:05am. Children are marked tardy if
they are not in their rooms by this time, and ready to
start the instructional day.
September 27
Volunteer Video 2:00 p.m.
September 27
PTA Family Fun Night 6:30
p.m.
Welcome to the 2012-13 School Year
This Monthly Hillsmere HERALD WILL ONLY BE SENT TO
FAMILIES WHO ARE NOT RECEIVING THE WEEKLY BUZZ.
thebuzzkeeper@gmail.com
Mary & Selecia
Mary & Selecia
Hillsmere Herald, Page 1
Looking Ahead:
October
October 5
Spirit Day Mismatch or
Backwards clothes
October 18
Volunteer Video
9:15 a.m.
Welcome New Hillsmere Staff:
Selecia Hardy
Janet Doherty
Jessica Cruff
Dawn Conway
Brittney Devaney
Adele Ferrer
Amy Burkowske
Allison Calabrese
Melisa Collins
Nancy Pepe
Allison Burns
Barbara Garner-Hudak
Jenna Morgan
Richard Young
Joel Jordan
Lisa Mansfield
Jessica Sol
Effie Rentch
Jen Bauer
Jessica Eshleman
Lisa Thomas
Rita Zander
Assistant Principal
Reading
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 3
Special Educator
Psychologist
HRA Teacher
HRA, IA
HRA, CA
PT Music
PT Art
PT PE
Strings
Band
Daily Substitute
Daily Substitute
Daily Substitute
Daily Substitute
Daily Substitute
Daily Substitute
Safety and Emergency Preparedness
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Be sure the school always has a current phone number in order to contact
you in an emergency
Be sure your child knows what they are to do at dismissal
Have a plan if your child comes home and you are not there, or if your child
misses the bus
Keep ALL non instructional possessions at home, as the school cannot be
responsible if lost or stolen.
Hillsmere Herald, Page 2
Walker and Car Rider Procedures
Welcome to the 2012-2013 school year at Hillsmere Elementary. We wanted to outline the
procedures for arrival and dismissal for those who are new and as a refresher for those who are
not.
Lane 1, the lane closet to the school, is the only lane in which children can be dropped off and
picked up. Lane 2, the lane closest to the parking lot, is a DRIVE THROUGH LANE ONLY.
FOR THE SAFETY OF YOUR CHILD, PLEASE DO NOT DROP OFF OR PICK CHILDREN UP
IN THIS LANE.
All students will be dismissed from the front door. Pre-K and kindergarten students will be
brought outside ahead of the other students and will be accompanied by Hillsmere staff and/or
safety patrol. If your child has bus service available to them, please consider using it. Please be
sure you are aware of people using the crosswalks.
ARRIVAL
 The drop off zone is between the crosswalks in Lane 1. Please refer to the map.
 Please pull as far forward as you can in this zone before letting you child out of the car.
 Once in between the crosswalks late 1, your child can safely get out of your car.
 Please stay in your car while your child is getting out. Hillsmere staff will be outside to assist.
PICK-UP
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If using the pick-up lane, please DO NOT get out of your car.
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Please display the name(s) of the children you are picking up clearly in the right side of the
windshield. This may be done on any piece of 8x11 paper.

The loading zone is in Lane 1 and is marked by 3 orange cones. Hillsmere staff will assist
children in getting into their cars at one of the 3 cones. Please refer to the map.

As you approach the cones, pull up to where your child is waiting.

It is much easier and safer if we can load your child from the right side of the car.
WALKERS
If your child is a walker, please wait for them in the grassy area to the left of the entrance
sidewalk. Please do not wait on the sidewalk or the grassy area in front of the school. These
areas need to remain clear for the safety of car and bus riders.
Hillsmere Herald, Page 3
Kiss & Go
This year there will be changes to the Kiss & Go procedure. Due to concerns regarding
student safety, and in line with procedures used across Anne Arundel County, students will say
goodbye to their parents outside the front doors of the school and enter the building
independently, just like the bus riding students. This will be the new Kiss & Go procedure
beginning the First Day of School. Hillsmere staff will be in the halls every morning all year
long to assist students who need help managing belongings, carrying supplies or finding their
room.
Communication with the Teacher
Questions and concerns for the classroom teacher are best addressed via email. After 8:40
a.m., classroom teachers are focused on students and not able to engage with parents. If you
require a conversation with your child’s teachers, please schedule a conference time.
Teachers are always more than happy to discuss concerns at a mutually agreeable time. Thank
you in advance for your cooperation.
Tardy
If your child is arriving after 9:05 a.m., please provide them with a written note and direct
them to the main office for a tardy slip.
Thanks!
We are sure you understand that your child’s safety and independence are our top priority in
implementing these changes.
Hillsmere Herald, Page 4
Parent Information regarding Attendance & Absences
2012-2013
When should students arrive at school?
The doors open to students at 8:40am. Students are considered tardy if they are not in their classrooms prepared
to begin the day, by 9:05am. Students who arrive at school before 8:40, are not granted entrance as they are
unable to be supervised.
What is an excused absence?
Death in Family; Illness; Doctor’s appointments with notes from doctor’s office; Religious Holiday; Court
Appearance; Suspension; State Emergency; Hazardous Weather Conditions; Work Approved or Sponsored by the
School; Lack of Authorized Transportation (excluding students suspended from bus for disciplinary reasons); A
visit with a parent/guardian who is an active duty member of the uniformed services and has been called to duty
for, is on leave from, or immediately returned from deployments to a combat zone or combat support post.
What does Tardy mean?
A student is tardy if arriving after 9:05am but before 10:05am. If the student arrives after 10:05am the student is
absent one-half day.
What does the school need if a child will be absent?
1. Whenever your child is absent you must provide a note to the school office within three days of your child’s
return to school. Absences due to illness in excess of five consecutive days require a physician’s note. *Please
note, if the school office does receive a note within this time period your child’s absence will be considered
unexcused*
2. If a child has a serious illness/injury and will miss school please contact the school nurse or office at 410222-1622.
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How many absences/tardies can my child have for the year without being considered excessive?
A student who misses six or more days of school in a semester (regardless of the cause) is considered
“excessively absent and/or tardy”.
1st semester: August 2012- January 2013
2nd semester: February 2013- June 2013
What happens if my child has more than 6 absences and/or tardies per semester?
Regardless of the cause, letters will be sent home documenting the school’s concern regarding attendance/tardies.
Possible doctor’s notes will be required, referral to Pupil Personal Worker (PPW) or states attorney office.
Hillsmere Herald, Page 5
Parking Reminders
Parking is limited and crowded as a result, please be sure student safety is your number one
concern and adhere to all of the following procedures:
1. Please pull your car as far forward as possible. The lane closest to the school is designated as the
school’s drop off lane. The outside lane is for passing through only. Students should only exit
cars in the drop off lane.
2. Please only park in DESIGNATED parking spaces. Parking in NO PARKING areas or blocking other
cars is a safety hazard and should be avoided.
3. Reserved or lined spaces are for essential staff members. Lined spaces in the cafeteria lot are
designated for food deliveries only.
4. Please DO NOT park or leave your car unattended in the FIRE Lane. In the event of an
emergency, this areas is used by First Responders.
Notes from the:
In an effort to maintain constant contact among parents, school and Central Office staff, please
submit a copy of your e-mail address to Diane Stoltz, Hillsmere Registrar by September 27,
2012. If you have any questions, please contact the Front Office @ 410-222-1622 or
dstoltz@aacps.org.
Hillsmere Herald, Page 6
Grade News
PreK
2nd
st
K
3rd
st
1st
4th
st
5th
Hillsmere Herald, Page 7