March 13, 2025
- Message from Admin
- Important School Calendar Changes
- Reading Spirit Week
- MCAP Testings
- Grade 5 MISA Assessments
- Class and Individual Photos
- A Note from Music
- Literacy Night Postponed
- Reading Challenge with the Baysox
- Fifth Grade Baby Pictures Needed
- HCPSS Special Education Resource Fair
- PTA Spring Carnival
- STEM Fair
- Drug Free Howard County
- Gifted and Talented Summer Programs
- Spring Break Basketball Camp
- Outdoor Recess and Weather Conditions
- PTA Meeting Dates
- Important Dates
A Message from Admin
Hello HES family and a big THANK YOU to Mrs. Moraff for allowing me to be a guest contributor in this week's Tiger Tales!
My name is Lauren White and my son, Blake, is a 1st grader this year at Hammond. I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and share that Blake has Down syndrome. For those that don't know what that is, it simply means that he was born with an extra copy (3 instead of just 2) of this 21st chromosome. What does that truly mean? It means that Blake may have some physical differences from other kids, his development (physical & mental) may be a little slower to catch up to his peers similar in age, and he may be prone to more health issues as he grows. For those of you that know Blake or may have met him in passing, you know that he is not his diagnosis. If anything, the little extra chromosome only adds to the awesomeness that is Blake.
Why am I sharing this? Because next Friday, March 21st, is World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD). On this day, families and friends across the WORLD celebrate individuals, like Blake, who rock their extra chromosome proudly. In honor of WDSD, our family would like to encourage you & your Hammond student(s) to wear the CRAZIEST socks you've got to help us spread kindness, awareness, & inclusion. Why socks, you ask? Under a microscope, socks look very similar to chromosomes. Also, socks are a metaphor to symbolize that while all of our socks may be different, they are inevitably all the same.
To everyone that has been so welcoming to Blake and our family at HES, THANK YOU! As a mom of a special needs kiddo, it is a relief to know that Blake is in such an inclusive environment here at HES and I'm so proud we're a part of this Tiger tribe!
We can’t wait to see everyone’s CRAZY socks!
Heather Moraff, Principal
Nykia Mapson, Assistant Principal
Tomorrow, Friday, March 14 is an Early Dismissal
HES will dismiss at 12:55pm. Please make any necessary childcare arrangements.
Reading Spirit Week
Important School Calendar Changes
- Friday, June 6: Schools dismiss three hours early; No half-day pre-K/RECC
- Monday, June 9-Friday June 13: Full school day
- Monday, June 16-Tuesday, June 17: Schools dismiss three hours early
- Wednesday, June 18: Last day of school; schools dismiss three hours early
Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP)
Students in grades 3-5 will take the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) during the month of April and/or May. The MCAP assessments measure student achievement on the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards in English language arts and math. To learn more about MCAP, please visit HCPSS Maryland Comprehensive Assessment page.
Students in grades 3-5 are encouraged to bring in their own corded headphones (if possible). Wireless or bluetooth headphones are not permitted during the MCAP Assessments.
Before testing, make sure your child gets a good night’s rest and eats a hearty and filling meal before testing.
Updated MCAP Testing Dates
***Makeup testing will take place during the testing window.
Students who are absent on the testing dates will participate in a makeup session during the April 7th-May 30th
Grade 5 Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA)
Students in 5th grade will take the Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA) assessment on March 3rd, March 4th, March 5th and March 6th. Students who are absent on the testing dates will participate in a makeup session during the March 3rd-March 21st testing window. MISA measures student achievement on the Maryland Content Standards in Science in Grade 5 (testing content from Grades 3, 4 and 5). To learn more about MISA, please visit the HCPSS Testing page. Students are encouraged to bring corded headphones (if possible). Wireless or bluetooth headphones are not compatible with the testing platform.
Class Photos and Spring Individual Photos
Picture Day is Thursday, March 27 in the morning
Order forms will be sent home soon. Individual photos will only by taken of students who hand an order form and payment to the photographer on the day of the event. All students will be included in their class photos regardless if they have ordered one.
*Students that are new to Hammond (starting sometime after the Fall photos in Nov.) can be photographed for the yearbook.
A Note from Music
Attention all Orchestra, Band, and Chorus students! The HCPSS Solo and Ensemble Festival will be held on Saturday, April 5 at Long Reach HS. This is an optional, yet exciting, performance opportunity for students! The deadline to sign up is Friday, February 21. Please contact your music teacher for more information:
Orchestra: Mrs. Jacobs
Band: Mr. Obrigewitch
Chorus: Mrs. Sanders and Mr. Burrow
Literacy Night Postponed
Due to the low number of family RSVPs, Literacy Night has been postponed. A later date will be announced soon with the hopes of a higher turnout. Stay tuned!
Reading Challenge with the Chesapeake Baysox
HES is participating in the Chesapeake Baysox “Read & Hit a Home Run” Reading Program, sponsored by Educational Systems Federal Credit Union this season!
What is the “Read & Hit a Home Run” Reading Program? The program, now in its 28th season, provides an incentive, both inside and outside of the classroom, for students to read. Students that complete the program by reading a minimum of four books inside or outside of the classroom from early January through mid-March receive two free tickets to their school’s “Read & Hit a Home Run” Reading Program night at a Chesapeake Baysox Game!
Friday, May 30th at 7:05pm is the HES Reading Night.
IF YOUR CHILD IS UNABLE TO ATTEND THE SELECTED GAME DATE, THER TICKET IS VALID FOR SUNDAY, JUNE 15th, 2025, at 1:05 PM. YOUR ORIGINAL GAME TICKET CAN BE EXCHANGED AT THE READING PROGRAM TABLE ON THE FRONT PAD IN FRONT OF THE STADIUM ON THE 15th.
Fifth Graders: Baby Pictures Needed
HCPSS Special Education Resource Fair
Saturday, March 15, 2024, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Cedar Lane School
11630 Scaggsville Road
Fulton, MD
The HCPSS Special Education Resource Fair provides families with information available from the community and HCPSS to support their students receiving special education and related services (those who have an IEP or IFSP). Get connected to:
Recreational Activities
HCPSS Speech, OT, PT, Vision, and Adapted PE
Camps
Community Groups
Service Providers
Transition to Adulthood Information
Assistive Technology
Behavioral Health
Howard County Government Resources
And Much More!
For information, please contact FSRC@hcpss.org. Registration is not required. The event will be cancelled if HCPSS has an inclement weather closure. This event is part of the HCPSS Parent Empowerment Series including training sessions related to special education and events for families of students with an IEP or IFSP. Free
Spring Carnival
STEM Fair
Drug-Free Howard County
Free Parenting/Grandparenting Classes - Open to parents, guardians and grandparents residing in Howard County or with school-age children/grandchildren residing in the County. Evidence-based, interactive prevention program that provides families with the skills and knowledge to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs and alcohol or engage in other dangerous behaviors. The curriculum was written for families with children 9-14 years olds, but we believe it is appropriate for K-12 families. Class dates: March 18, 21, 25, 28 and April 1 from Noon to 1:30 p.m. on Zoom. Visit HC DrugFree’s website for more information and register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Spring2025GGC
Drive-Thru Medication and Sharps Disposal – Saturday, April 26 in the Wilde Lake Village Center Parking Lot near the Swim Center from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Safely dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medication, EpiPens and other sharps, vitamins, pet meds, vape devices, inhalers, and more! Need student, adult, and medically-trained adult volunteers. Giving away 100 medication lockboxes.
For more information: https://hcdrugfree.org/drug-take-back-day-1/
To sign up to volunteer: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/4-26-25TakeBack
Teen Advisory Council - Open to Howard County students in grades 8-12. Earn Community Service Hours and make meaningful contributions to the community. Next meeting: Monday May 19, 2025, from 5:30-7:00pm on Zoom. For more information, visit: https://hcdrugfree.org/teen-advisory-council/
Gifted and Talented Summer Programs
Gifted and Talented (G/T) Summer Institutes for Talent Development
The Gifted and Talented (G/T) Summer Institutes for Talent Development offers additional advanced-level instruction and enrichment experiences not regularly available during the academic school year for students entering grades 1-8. Rigorous instruction focusing on talent development is offered in mathematics, science, social studies, language arts, technology and fine arts.
No testing nor prior G/T coursework is required for enrollment in these enrichment offerings.
Location: Burleigh Manor Middle School
Session 1: June 30 - July 11 (no class July 4)
Session 2: July 14-25
Hours: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Cost: $330 per session (Financial assistance is available for students participating in the Free and Reduced Meal Program.)
Students may attend Session 1, Session 2, or both sessions. While the program is half-day, after care is available on site via Howard County Recreation and Parks. Snack is provided.
A few highlights ---
- Bus transportation to area collector stops!
- Exciting courses in Humanities, STEM, and the Arts!
For more information on how to register, please see this registration guide.
Contact: GTSummer@hcpss.org or 410-313-6671.
Spring Break Basketball Camp
Outdoor Recess and Weather Conditions
We wanted to remind you that students will still be going outside for recess each day. Please make sure you send your child to school with weather appropriate clothes. All clothing needs to be labeled with your child's name.
Below you will find the HCPSS criteria we consider when having outdoor activities.
• Temperature and humidity
• Wind chill
• Heat index and air quality
• Age of students
• Length of time outdoors
• Adequacy of the children’s clothing
• Condition of the playground
• Falling precipitation (more than a sprinkle or mist)
• Thunder and lightning
Generally, it is assumed that students will be outside for recess, physical education, or
any other outdoor activity when the temperature combined with the wind chill is not less
than 20 degrees Fahrenheit or the heat index is less than 95.
Future PTA Meeting
Begins at 7:15pm
May 13th
Important Dates 
3/13 Career Day
3/13 PTA Restaurant Night: Shake Shack til 10pm
3/14 Professional Work and Wellness Day: Schools close 3 hours early
3/21 World Down Syndrome Day - Wear Crazy Sock
3/24-3/28 Reading Spirit Week
3/27 Spring Pictures: Class photos and individual photos if elected
3/28 End of Quarter 3
3/31 *** HCPSS Calendar Change: This is now a regular school day
3/27 Class Photos and Individual Spring Pictures
4/4 End of Quarter 3
4/5 PTA Spring Carnival 3-6pm
5/20 Enrichment Fair
6/6: Schools dismiss three hours early; No half-day pre-K/RECC
6/9-6/13 Full school day
6/16 -6/17 Schools dismiss three hours early
- Wednesday, June 18: Last day of school; schools dismiss three hours early
6/18 Last Day of School; Schools close 3 hours early