May 1, 2025
- Message from Admin
- Parent Consideration Form
- Lost & Found
- Read, Relax and Refresh with Grade 2 & Kona Ice
- Enrichment Fair
- A Note from Music
- Asian, American & Pacific Islander Festival
- Grade 5 Simulated Congressional Hearings
- Grade 5 End of Year Celebration
- MCAP Testings
- Family Read the Rainbow Event
- Drug Free Howard County
- Gifted and Talented Summer Programs
- Free Resource: Children with Executive Dysfunction
- Outdoor Recess and Weather Conditions
- PTA Meeting Dates
- Important Dates
A Message from Admin
Dear Hammond Elementary School Community,
Can you believe we're already in the last quarter of the school year? It's shocking how fast time has flown. We're excited to witness the continued progress and achievement of our students as we approach the finish line.
Looking ahead, our staff is eager to keep engaging and providing strong instruction. Daily attendance continues to be crucial for every student's success. Thank you for partnering with us as we ensure students attend school daily until the very end.
As we begin to wrap up this school year, we are already planning for next school year. In this process, teachers begin articulation with the next grade level’s teachers and create class groupings. During this process, the administration values the input of parents. If you have not already done so, please consider filling out this Parent Consideration Form. As always, we appreciate your partnership and collaboration.
Warmly.
Heather Moraff, Principal
Nykia Mapson, Assistant Principal
Parent Consideration Form
Our staff is excited to look ahead and begin planning for next school year. As part of this process, we would like to give you the opportunity to share some information that you would like for us to consider as we begin to make class groupings for the next school year. This consideration form is for you, as parents, to relay specific information about your child that you feel would be beneficial as our teachers meet to determine next year's placements. Class placement changes after class lists are finalized are extremely difficult and often cannot be accommodated.
This form closes on May 16th, 2025 for current HES students. This is your opportunity to voice what you would like us to consider in your child's placement for the next school year. The time, thought, and commitment put into the completion of this form is appreciated, valued, and highly regarded.
When placing students, the staff and administration utilize a wide range of criteria, which are supportive of the Howard County philosophy of heterogeneous grouping. Some of these criteria include, but are not limited to:
• the personality of the child
• the balance of female and male students
• racial and ethnic diversity
• written output
• test results
• reading strengths and needs
• special education requirements; IEP goals
• structured versus non-structured needs
• information from previous teachers and school counselor/Student Services team
There are certain concerns that we cannot consider as part of this consideration form: therefore we ask that you not use this form to propose the following:
• specific teacher requests
• placement based on siblings’ experiences
• grouping based on friends
• grouping based on hearsay about teachers or other children
Your input on this form will be used in our planning for your child rather than a letter requesting a specific teacher. Your response is OPTIONAL but is a very valuable source of information to the school staff and to the next teacher. If a situation arises over the summer that changes the information you write on this form, please email Mrs. Moraff (Principal) as soon as possible.
If you have multiple students, please submit a separate form for each of them. Your time and input is greatly valued! (You may opt to fill in "N/A" for any section of the form.)
This form is only for rising Kindergarten through 5th graders. Current 5th grade parents do not need to fill out the form.
Please access our Parent Consideration Form here.
Thank you in advance for your valuable input!
Lost & Found
Currently, items in our Lost & Found are displayed in the front hallway. You will need your driver's license to sign in to view the Lost & Found. As always, we ask that you label all coats, jackets, sweatshirts, water bottles and other items that your children bring to school so we can easily return lost items. Any unclaimed items will be donated next week.
Read, Relax, Refresh Event with Kona Ice
Save the Date for 2nd grade's Read, Relax, Refresh event on Wednesday, May 14th!
Join us at Hammond Park from 4:30-5:30 to connect with each other, share the love of reading, and enjoy a frozen treat from Kona Ice! Please bring a blanket or towel, along with some books so your child can read with you or their classmates.
This is a fundraising event, and all proceeds will support materials for Hammond Elementary. We can't wait to see you there!
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Enrichment Fair
Did you participate in a seminar this year? Share your experience and expertise at the fair — sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0A4BACAC28A7F58-56555822-student#/
A Note from Music - Spring Chorus Concert
Come out to support the Hammond Elementary School and Hammond Middle School Choruses in our Spring Chorus Concert in the Hammond High School auditorium on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 7pm.
Orchestra and Band Spring Concert
Thursday, May 15, 2025 at Hammond Middle School Gymnasium
Orchestra at 5:30pm (students report at 5:15pm)
Band at 7:15pm (students report at 7:00pm)
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Festival
County Executive Calvin Ball and the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Commission, in partnership with the Inner Arbor Trust, is thrilled to invite you to the 4th annual AAPI Festival, celebrating the vibrant cultures, traditions, and contributions of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community in Howard County and beyond.
The AAPI Festival will celebrate AAPI contributions and culture, honoring history and present day through performances on the main stage, interactive activities in the park, food trucks, and up to 100 vendors and exhibitors lining the pathways.
The Festival will be open to the public and appropriate for all ages. Register here for FREE tickets.
- Date: Saturday, May 10th, 2025
- Time: 12-5pm
- Location: Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods (10431 Little Patuxent Parkway Columbia, Maryland 21044)
Grade 5 Simulated Congressional Hearings
Dear 5th Grade Parents and Guardians,
Please join us on Friday, May 23rd here at Hammond Elementary for our Simulated Congressional Hearings (SCH). Hearings will take place from 10:15-1:00 in the 5th grade learning cottages. More specific details about your child's presentation will be provided the closer we get to the hearings.
Come Be an SCH Judge
The 5th Grade Team would like to invite you to be a judge in Hammond Elementary’s 2025 We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Simulated Congressional Hearings (SCH). This is a great opportunity for you to be involved in an inspiring and uplifting event that showcases what our students have learned. It would be an honor to have you judge in-person for our 2025 SCH.
Our SCH is scheduled for Friday, May 23rd from approximately 8:30-1:30. A finalized schedule will be sent out to those who elect to participate.
This event is a performance assessment that culminates our fifth-graders’ year of social studies instruction. The students will serve as experts on issues related to the constitution. Your role will be to simulate the role of a congressperson by listening to students, asking questions, and providing feedback. For those that have judged before, this year we have made several improvements to ensure what you see and hear is truly what the students have learned. The responsibility is on the students to compile their speech and research the follow-up questions.
You do NOT need to be a constitutional scholar to be a great judge. It will be the students’ job to teach you. We will provide all the training you need on the morning of the event prior to the start of the hearings. The civic participation of community members like you is critical to the success of the program.
To respond to this invitation, please RSVP online at: http://tinyurl.com/2025-SCH-RSVP .
5th Grade End of the Year Celebration 2025 - Save the Date
Please join us on Tuesday, June 17th from 9:45am - 10:45am in the Hammond Middle School Gym for an end of year ceremony to honor the 2024-2025 5th Grade Classes. Beginning at 9:30am families may enter the HES front doors to proceed to the HMS Gym. Due to capacity limitations, we are asking that each student invite a maximum of 4 guests. After the end of year ceremony the HES PTA will be hosting all families and students in a celebration on the HES blacktop from 10:45am - 11:45am.
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
Family Read the Rainbow Event
Message from the Health Room
As we transition into the warmer months, we kindly ask that students no longer come to school in heavy winter coats. Lighter layers such as sweaters or light jackets are more appropriate for the current temperatures and will help keep students comfortable throughout the day.
Drug-Free Howard County
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.
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.
Final PTA Meeting
Begins at 7:15pm
May 13th
Important Dates 
5/5-5/9 Staff Appreciation Week
5/7 3-Hour Early Dismissal Day
5/16 3-Hour Early Dismissal Day- Professional Learning Day
5/20 Enrichment Fair
5/21 Spring Chorus Concert 7pm at HMS
5/23 Gr 5 Simulated Congressional Hearings,
5/23 School-wide Spirit Day: Wear Red, White & Blue
5/30 Field Day
6/6: Schools dismiss three hours early
6/9 HCPL Summer Reading Program visits during RA
6/9-6/13 Full school day
6/16 -6/17 Schools dismiss three hours early
6/18 Last day of school; schools dismiss 3 hours early