THE CALVIN BALL

BULLETIN
Back 2 School Edition
August 2016
Phone: 410-313-2001
Email:
cbball@howardcountymd.gov
3430 Court House Drive
Ellicott City, MD 21043

Dr. Calvin Ball

Table of Contents
Elementary School
News
Middle School News
High School News
Shop Tax-Free Week
School Supply Lists
Opening/Closing
Times
Making College
Affordable
OMHS Early College
Program
PTA Information
Free & Reduced
Meals

Upcoming School
Events!
The first day of school for students
K-5 will be on Monday, August 29!
All Pre-K students will begin the
school year on
Wednesday, August 31. For the
first week, parents are asked to
ensure students arrive at their
designated bus stop EARLIER than the normal 5 minutes
that is required. Click here to locate your school & bus
information.
In this newsletter you will also find upcoming Open Houses,
Back-To-School & other school related info for Howard
County schools and HCC students! All events are subject to
change so please visit each respective website for the most
up-to-date information.
Best wishes for an exciting and successful school year!

Elementary School Excitement!

Atholton ES: New Student Orientation is August 25 at 9:30am for Grades 1-5; Kindergarten
Orientation is August 26 at 1:15pm. The School Wide Open House is August 26 2-3pm.
B2S Night for RECC/PreK is August 25 at 5pm; B2S Night for Grades K-2 is September 6 at
6:30pm; B2S Night for G/T Program is September 7 at 5:45pm; B2S Night for Grades 3-5 is
on September 7 at 6:30pm.
Bellow Springs ES: B2S Night for Kindergarten is August 25 at 7pm; B2S Night for Primary
Grades is September 6 at 7pm; B2S Night for G/T Program is September 7 at 6pm; B2S
Night for Intermediate Grades is September 7 at 7pm.
Bollman Bridge ES: B2S Night for Grades K-2 is September 20 at 6:30pm; B2S Night for
G/T Program is September 21 at 6pm; B2S Night for Grades 3-5 is September 21 at
6:30pm.

Bryant Woods ES: A General Meeting will be held September 20 at 6-8pm.

Bushy Park ES: B2S Night for Intermediate Grades will be held September 7 at 7pm; B2S
Night for Primary Grades will be held September 8 at 7pm.
Centennial Lane ES: B2S Night for Grades 3-5 is September 20 6:30-7:30pm; B2S Night
for Grades K-2 is September 21 6:30-7:30pm.
Clarksville ES: There will be an open house August 26. For more information
click here. B2S Night for Grades K-2 is September 21 at 6pm; B2S Night for Grades 3-5 and
G/T Program is September 22 at 6pm.
Clemens Crossing ES: Kindergarten Orientation is August 26, 10-11am. Open House for
Grades 1-5 is August 26 2:30-3:15pm. B2S Night for Grades K-2 is September 6 78:30pm; B2S Night for Grades 3-5 is September 7, 7-8:30pm. The G/T Program information
session is September 7 6:30-7 pm. B2S Family Picnic is September 9 5-8pm.
Cradlerock ES: Popsicles on the Playground for Incoming Kindergartners is August 18 from
6-7pm. Kindergarten Orientation is August 26 9-10am. New Student Orientation for Grades 15 is August 26 12:30-1pm. Open House for ALL students K-5 is August 26 1:15-1:45pm.
B2S Picnic is September 1 6-7 pm. G/T Program Overviews for all students are September
20 and 21 6-6:30 pm. B2S Night for Grades Pre-K-2 is September 20 6:30-8 pm; B2S
Night for Grades 3-5 is September 21 6:30-8pm.
Dayton Oaks ES: B2S Night for RECC and Kindergarten is September 1 6-7 pm; B2S Night
for students participating in band will be held September 6 at 5:30 pm; B2S Night for G/T
Program is September 6 7-7:30 pm; B2S Night for Grades 4-5 is September 6 6-7 pm;
B2S Night for 3rd Grade is September 6 7-8 pm; B2S Night for 1st Grade is September
7 6-7 pm; B2S night for 2nd Grade is September 7 7-8 pm.
Deep Run ES: Kindergarten Orientation is August 25 6:30-7:30pm, and the Kindergarten
Play Date is August 26 6:30-8pm. The B2S Picnic will be August 31 6:30-7:30pm. B2S
Night for Grades PreK-2 is September 19 6:30-8pm; B2S Night for Grades 3-5
is September 21 is 6:30-8:30pm.
Ducketts Lane ES: B2S Night for Kindergarten is August 25 at 6pm; B2S Night for Grades
1-2 is September 19 at 6:30pm; B2S Night for G/T Program is September 20 at 6pm; B2S
Night for Grades 3-5 is September 20 at 6:30pm.
Elkridge ES: Kindergarten and New Student Orientation is August 24 7-8pm. The School
Wide Open House is August 26 2:30-3:15pm. B2S Nights September 19, 20, and 21.
Forest Ridge ES: Orientation Day August 26: Kindergarten Orientation 10-11am; new
Student Orientation Grades 1-5 1-2pm; Open House for Grades 1-5 from 2-3pm. B2S Night for
Grades K-2 is September 20 6:30-8pm; B2S Night for Grades 3-5 is September 21 6:308pm.
Fulton ES: Kindergarten Orientation is August 26 9-10:30am. New family orientation is
August 26 from 1:30-2pm; Open House is August 26 2-3pm. B2S Night for Primary &
Intermediate Grades is September 21 at 6:30pm.
Gorman Crossing ES: Kindergarten Playgroup on the Playground is August 17 at 3:30pm.
B2S Night for Kindergarten is August 25 at 6pm. Open House and Meet Your Teacher for
Grades K-5 is August 26 at 2pm. B2S Night for Grades 1-2 is September 19 at 6pm; B2S
Night for Grades 3-5 is September 21 at 6:30pm. G/T Program Orientation is September 21
at 5:45pm.
Guilford ES: B2S Night for Kindergarten is August 24 5-6pm; B2S Night for Pre-K is August
24 5:15-6:15pm; B2S Night for Grades 1-3 is August 25 5-6:30pm; B2S Night for G/T
Program is August 25 6:30-7pm; B2S Night for Grades 4-5 is August 25 7-8pm.

Hammond ES: B2S Night for Grades K-1 is August 24 6-7pm; B2S Night for Grades 2-3
is August 24 7:15-8:15pm; B2S Night for Grades 4-5 is August 25 6-7pm; G/T Program
Overview for Grades 2-5 is August 25 7:15-7:45pm.
Hollifield Station ES: B2S Night for Kindergarten is August 24 at 7pm; B2S Night for
Kindergarten Students and Parents is August 25 at 11am; B2S Night for Grades 1-2
is September 20 6:30-8pm; B2S Night for Grades 3-5 is September 21 6:30-8pm;
Information Night for G/T Math Parents is September 21 5-5:30pm; Information Night for all
G/T Program students is September 21 5:30-6pm.
Ilchester ES: B2S Night for Grades RECC-2 is September 19 7-8:30pm; B2S Night for G/T
Program is September 20 at 6pm; B2S Night for Grades 3-5 is September 20 7-8:30pm.
Jeffers Hill ES: B2S Night for Kindergarten is August 25 5-6pm; B2S Night for Grades 1-5
is September 20 at 6:30pm.
Laurel Woods ES: B2S Night for Primary Grades is September 20 at 6:30pm; B2S Night
for Intermediate Grades is September 21 at 6:30pm. .
Lisbon ES: B2S Night for Grades K-2 is September 20 at 7pm; B2S Night for Grades 3-5
is September 22 5:30-7pm.
Longfellow ES: Kindergarten/PreSchool B2S Day is August 26 1:15-2pm. Kindergarten-5th
Grade Open House is August 26 at 2pm. Pre-K B2S Day is August 26 2-3pm. B2S Night
for Grades 1-2 is August 31 5:30-6:30pm; G/T B2S Night is August 31 7:30-8pm.
Manor Woods ES: B2S Night for Kindergarten is August 24 at 6pm; B2S Night for Grades 23 is August 31 at 6pm; B2S Night for 1st Grade is August 31 at 7pm; B2S Night for
September 7 at 6pm; B2S night for September 7 for G/T Math Students is at 7pm.
Northfield ES: B2S night for Grades K-1 is August 24 at 6:30pm. Kindergarten Open House
is August 26 10-11am; Grades 1-5 Open house is 2-2:45pm. Popsicles on the Playground
is August 26 2:45-3:30pm. New to NES Family Reception will be August 26 at 3:30pm.
B2S Night for Grades 2-3 will be September 19 6:45-8pm; B2S Night for Grades 4-5 will be
September 19 6:15-6:45pm; B2S Night for G/T students will be September 20 6:45-8pm.
Phelps Luck ES: B2S Night for Grades K-2 is September 20 at 7pm; B2S Night for Grades
3-5 is September 21 at 7pm.
Pointers Run ES: New Student Orientation is August 17 at 10am. New First Grader
Assessment is August 17 at 11am. B2S Night for RECC, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade
is August 25 at 6:30pm. Open House will be August 26: AM RECC 11-11:30am; PM
RECC-Kindergarten 1-1:30pm; 1st Grade 1:30-2pm; Grades 2-3 2-2:30pm; Grades 4-5 2:303pm. B2S Night for Grades 2-3 is September 20 at 6:30pm; B2S Night for Grades 4-5
is September 21 at 6:30pm.
Rockburn ES: B2S Night for Kindergarten is August 25 5-6pm; B2S Night for 5th Grade
is August 25 6-7pm; B2S Night for Grades 1-2 is September 19 at 6pm; B2S Night for
Grades 3-4 is September 19 at 7pm.
Running Brook ES: B2S Night for Grades K-2 is September 20 6:30-8pm; B2S Night for
Grades 3-5 is September 21 6:30-8pm.
St. John's Lane ES: B2S Night Grades K-2 is September 6 at 6pm; The RA Teachers
Open Forum is September 6 at 6:30pm; B2S night for G/T is September 7 at 5:45pm; B2S
Night for Grades 3-5 is September 7 at 6:30pm.
Stevens Forest ES: B2S Night for Pre-K is August 25 5:30-6:30pm; B2S Night for
Kindergarten is August 25 6:30-7:30pm; B2S Night for 1st Grade is September
6 5:30-6:30pm; B2S Night for 2nd Grade is September 6 6:30-7:30pm; B2S Night for 3rd
Grade is September 7 5:30-6:30pm; B2S Night for Grades 4-5 is September

7 6:30-7:30pm.
Swansfield ES: B2S Night for Grades Pre-K-2 is September 20 6:30-8pm; B2S Night for
Grades 3-5 is September 21 6:30-8pm.
Talbott Springs ES: B2S Night for Pre-K is August 25 at 1pm; B2S Night for Kindergarten
is August 25 at 6:30pm; B2S Night for Grades 3-5 is September 19 at 6pm; B2S Night for
G/T is September 19 at 6:30pm; B2S Night for Grades 1-2 is September 20 at 6:30pm.
Thunder Hill ES: B2S Night for Grades K-2 is September 20 at 6:30pm; B2S Night for
Grades 3-5 is on September 21 at 6:30pm.
Triadelphia Ridge ES: Kindergarten B2S Night is August 25 at 6:30pm. Kindergarten Open
House is August 26 9:30-10:15am. New Student Orientation is August 26 1-1:45pm. Open
House for Grades 1-5 is August 26 2-3pm. B2S Night for Grades 1-2 is September 20 at
6:30pm; B2S Night for Grades 3-5 is September 21 at 6:30pm. G/T Orientation
is September 1 at 5:45pm.
Veterans ES: B2S Night for Grades K-1 is August 30 6:50-7:50pm; B2S Night for Grades 45 is September 6 6:50-7:50pm; B2S Night for Grades 2-3 is September 7 6:50-7:50pm.
Waterloo ES: New Student Orientation is August 11 10-10:45am. B2S Night for Kindergarten
is August 25 6-7pm. Welcome Back Open House is August 26 2-3pm. B2S Night for
Grades 4-5 is September 19 6-7pm; B2S Night for 3rd Grade is September 19 7-8pm; B2S
Night for G/T is September 21 6-7pm.
Waverly ES: B2S Night for Kindergarten is September 6 at 7pm; B2S Night for Grades 1-2
is September 19 at 6:30pm; B2S Night for Grades 3-4 is September 20 at 6:30pm; B2S
Night for G/T is September 21 at 6:30pm; B2S Night for 5th Grade is September 21 at
7pm.
West Friendship ES: B2S Night for Grades K-2 and RA is September 20 6-7:15pm; B2S
Night for Grades 3-5, G/T, Band, and Strings is September 21 6-7:15pm.
Worthington ES: Kindergarten B2S Night will be September 6; B2S Night for Grades 1-3
is September 19; B2S Night for Grades 4-5 is September 20. Timeframe for B2S Nights are
forthcoming. For updates click here.

Middle School Mania!

Bonnie Branch MS: 6th Grade Orientation is August 25 11:45-3pm. 7th/8th grade students
can come to BBMS to receive their schedules and lockers August 27 at 8am. B2S Night is
September 15 6:30-8pm.
Burleigh Manor MS: Orientation for incoming 6th graders and new 7th/8th graders is August
25 1-3pm followed by the B2S Bash (PTA Event) at 6pm. B2S Night is September 15 68pm.
Clarksville MS: 6th grade Open House will occur 1-2pm, and 7th/8th graders can join 23:30pm, August 25. There will be a Rita's social 2-3:30pm. B2S Night is September
15 6:30-8pm.
Dunloggin MS: Orientation for incoming 6th graders and new 7th/8th graders is August 25 at
1pm. B2S Night is September 15 6:30-8pm.
Elkridge Landing MS: B2S Night is September 15 7-9pm.
Ellicott Mills MS: 6th Grade Open House will take place August 25 1-2:30pm. B2S Night
is September 15 6:30-8:30pm.
Folly Quarter MS: 6th Grade and New Student Orientation is August 25 1-2:30pm. B2S
Night is September 15 at 6:30pm.
Glenwood MS: B2S Night is September 15 6:30-8:30pm.

Hammond MS: 6th Grade and New Student Orientation is August 25. The time will be posted
closer to the date. For more updates click here. B2S Night is September 15 6:30-8:30pm.
Harper's Choice MS: B2S Night is September 15 6:30-9:30pm.
Lake Elkhorn MS: B2S Night is September 15 at 6:30pm.
Lime Kiln MS: New Student Orientation is August 25 at 12:30pm. Open House is August
25 at 5:30pm. B2S Night is September 15 at 6:30pm.
Mayfield Woods MS: 6th Grade and New Student Orientation is August 25 1-2pm. B2S
Night is September 14 5:45-7:45pm.
Mount View MS: New Student and 6th Grade Orientation is August 25 12:30-1:30pm. B2S
Night is September 15 at 6pm.
Murray Hill MS: B2S Night is September 13 at 6:30pm.
Oakland Mills MS: New Student Open House is August 25 at 1:30pm. PTSA Meeting
is September 6 6:30-8:30pm. B2S night is September 15 at 6pm.
Patapsco MS: New Student Orientation is August 26 at 8am. B2S Night is September 15 at
6:30pm.
Patuxent Valley MS: B2S Night is September 14 6-8pm.
Thomas Viaduct MS: B2S Night is September 15 6:30-8pm.
Wilde Lake MS: New Student Orientation is August 25 1:30-2:30pm. B2S Night
is September 14 6:30-8pm. B2S Night for G/T is September 14 6-6:30pm.

High School Happenings!

Atholton HS: 9th Grade Orientation is August 25 9-12pm. B2S Night is September 1 at
6:30pm in the auditorium.
Centennial HS: B2S Night is September 1 5:30-9pm.
Glenelg HS: New Student Orientation is August 25 8:30-12pm. B2S Night is September
1 from 6:30-9pm.
Hammond HS: New Student Orientation is August 25 9-11am. B2S Night for 9th Grade
is September 1 at 6pm. B2S Night for Grades 10-12 is September 1 at 7pm.
Howard HS: B2S Night is September 1 6-8:30pm.
Long Reach HS: B2S Night is September 1 7-9pm.
Marriotts Ridge HS: B2S Night is September 1 6:30-8:30pm.
Mount Hebron HS: B2S Night is September 1 6:30-8:30pm.
Oakland Mills HS: B2S Night is September 1 at 6pm. Senior Information Meeting
is September 20 at 7pm.
Reservoir HS: B2S Night is September 1 at 7pm.
River Hill HS: Freshman Orientation is August 25 at 8:15am. B2S Night is September 1.
Wilde Lake HS: B2S Night is August 31 at 7pm.

Special Schools/Centers
Applications and Research Laboratory: B2S Night is September 20 6:30-8:30pm.

Homewood Center: B2S Night is October 6 6-8pm.

Cedar Lane School: B2S Night is August 26 12-2pm.

Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week!

Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week , which begins the second
Sunday of August to the following Saturday! That means
qualifying apparel and footwear $100 or less, per item, are
exempt from our MD (6%) state sales tax. Accessory items are not included. This year, the
Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week is Sunday, August 14-Saturday, August 20, 2016.
An FAQ is available online.

School Supply Lists

Click here to access Supply Lists for Elementary and Middle Schools!
School Opening and Closing Times
Click here to access 2016-2017 School Start and Dismissal Times!
Howard County Community College
HCC provides an affordable, accessible, and practical pathway to education in Howard County,
Maryland. With courses that can transfer to any one of a long list of four-year institutions and
education that will prepare you for the workforce, HCC's two year degree and certificate
programs is a great option for those looking to further their education experience! Students of all
ages and educational levels can prepare for a new career, sharpen job skills, or explore
personal interests through the many programs offered.
Classes begin August 27! For more information on how to apply for admission today, visit the
HCC website here.
Worried about tuition, texts, technology, and other education costs? Financial aid and
scholarship opportunities are available. Click here to apply for FASFA and click here to learn
more about the different scholarships available for HCC.
Orientations for new students will be offered in the Smith Theatre, located in the Horowitz
Visual and Performing Arts Center at HCC August 22 5:30-9pm and August 24 8:3012pm.
Student Services at HCC will be open Saturday, August 20 and Saturday, August
27 9am-2pm. You'll find all the services you need in the Rouse Company Foundation
Student Services Hall (RCF), where the following offices will be open and ready to assist:
Admissions and Advising, Records, Registration and Veterans' Affairs, Financial
Aid Services, Cashier's Officer, Test Center, and the Bookstore.
Fall 2016 Registration Dates (click for details)
Deadline for open registration for all students: August 26
Late registration: Prior to the second class meeting
Registration deadline for financial aid recipients: September 16
Fall classes begin: August 27
Apply for graduation: Until October 15
Scholarship Opportunities
HCC provides a number of scholarships, some of which are based on financial need,
academic achievement, talents, and career interests. Here is a list of the scholarships that
HCC offers:
HCC Educational Foundation Endowments and Scholarships
James W. Rouse Scholars Honors and Leadership Program
NSF S-STEM Scholarship Program
Pathway Scholarship Program
Frederick K. Schoenbrodt Honors Program

STEM Scholars Program

Silas Craft Collegians Program

Making College Affordable 2017-2018

Finding Financial Aid:
Looking for additional financial support in order to pursue higher education? Consider visiting
the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) website. Also, do not forget to sign up on
The Maryland Higher Education Commission website for more information scholarship
opportunities.
Need-Based Grants:
Howard P. Rawlings Program of Educational Excellence Awards:
Guaranteed Access Grant
Educational Assistance Grant
2+2 Transfer Scholarship
Part-Time Grant
Graduate and Professional Scholarship Program
Legislative Scholarship Opportunities:
Delegate Scholarship
Senatorial Scholarship

Oakland Mills High School Early College Program

The OMHS Early College Program is a partnership between OMHS and Howard Community
College (HCC). Specifically designed for students interested in the STEM field (Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Math), students who choose to participate in this program with
focus on obtaining an Associates of Arts (AA) with a concentration in STEM. At the end of their
senior year at OMHS, students will graduate high school with 30 or more college credits. In
addition, they will have the opportunity to continue at HCC for one more year to obtain their AA,
which they will receive upon the successful completion of 60 credits in STEM areas of study.
Purpose: To engage in challenging courses to prepare for and take high school credit and
college credit (dual-credit) courses beginning sophomore year in high school.
Reasoning: To build critical thinking skills, perseverance, and flexibility to be successful within
the ever-changing landscape of our competitive, global society.
Cost: OMHS students will pay approximately half of the fee per credit, which is a savings of
approximately $200 per course. This does not include registration and/or lab fees.
To Be Considered: Students can apply when they are entering their freshman or sophomore
years only due to the start of dual-credit courses in the sophomore year.
For more information, visit here.

PTA Meetings & Gatherings

Parents are encouraged to be involved with their students' respective school PTA/PTSA
organizations. As always, parents are encouraged to attend and to be engaged in the learning
experiences of their children! Membership fees vary between each school's organization.
Some important meeting dates will be listed below, but please check the school's respective
website for updates on other upcoming dates and events throughout the school year.
Atholton Elementary School: PTA meetings will be held in the Media Center at 7pm.
2016-17 Dates Coming Soon!
Bryant Woods Elementary School: PTA Board Budget Meeting will be held September 11
at 6:15pm.
Elkridge Elementary School: PTA Meeting will be held September 7 6:30-8pm; PTA
Welcome Back BBQ is September 9 6:30-8pm.

Hammond High School: PTSA meetings will be held on the third Wednesday of the month in
the Student Services Conference Room at 7pm.
Ilchester Elementary School: PTA monthly meetings scheduled for the 2016-17 school year
are: September 13, October 17, November 15, and December 12. Meetings will be held
in the Media Center at 7pm.
Laurel Woods Elementary School: PTA meetings for the 2016-17 school year are
scheduled to take place on the first Thursday of each month (August 4, September 1,
October 6, November 3, December 1, January 5, February 2, March 2, April 6, May 4,
June 1) at 6:30 pm
Long Reach High School: PTSA meetings will be held every second Monday of the month
at 7 pm in the Student Services Office.
Mount View Middle School: PTA meetings will start at 7pm and will take place in the
F.A.C.S. Room. Dates for the 2016-17 year are coming!
Pointers Run Elementary School: PTA meetings will be held the first Thursday of each
month at 7pm (September 8, October 6, November 3, December 1, February 2,
March 2, April 6, May 4).
Thunder Hill Elementary School: PTA meeting will be held September 20 at 6pm.
Waverly Elementary School: PTA meeting will be held September 6 at 6:30pm.
In addition to the individual school PTA/PTSA meetings, the PTA Council of Howard County
holds meetings throughout the year at the Homewood Center, 10914 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott
City, MD 21042. More information can be found on the PTA Council's website here.

Free & Reduced Meal Forms

All students receiving free and reduced meals (FARM) must complete a new form each school
year. Benefits are carried over each year but expire in September. Instructions to apply for free
and reduced meals may be completed online or you can stop by the Front Desk at your
respective school to pick up a hard copy. If you have questions or need assistance completing
the application, please contact your school. For additional information regarding the FARM
program, visit the Howard County Public School System Website here or call 410-313-6743.

Box Tops for Education

Box Tops for Education is a program that helps raise money for your student's school. For
every Box Top coupon you cut out and send in, the registered school will earn approximately
10 cents.
How can you can involved? Find Box Tops coupons on hundreds of grocery items. When you
have finished that product, cut out the coupons and send them to your child's school. Most
schools ask that you put them in a Zip-Lock plastic bag with your child's name, grade, and
teacher. For more information, contact your child's school.

Emergency/School Closing & Delay Information

In times of emergencies/school closings, information will be shared with the community through
the following:
Our school system homepage
HCPSS News email and text message alerts - Learn more
HCPSS Information Hotline - 410-313-6666
Twitter - @hcpss
Facebook - Howard County Public School System
HCPSS cable TV - Comcast 95/Verizon 42
If Howard County public schools open two hours late, there is no morning, half-day
prekindergarten/RECC.
Please note: The HCPSS does not use schools-out.com or e-schoolnews.com for any
notifications.